Bar code arrangement for identifying positions along an axis

A bar code ribbon for identifying positions along an object, the ribbon comprising:

• two generally parallel longitudinal sides extending along an axis;
• two opposite faces, each spanning between said two longitudinal sides;
• one of said two opposite faces having a plurality of bar code symbols printed thereon, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween;
• said plurality of bar code symbols being positioned on top of each other and being so oriented that their bars are parallel to the axis, and that no two consecutive bar code symbols have corresponding end characters on a same side;
• whereby a particular position along the ribbon is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column;
• a symbol scan being considered successful when two different characters are decoded following said symbol scan.

A bar code ribbon for identifying positions along an object comprising:

• two opposite faces;
• one of said two opposite faces having a plurality of bar code symbols printed thereon, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween;
• said plurality of printed bar code symbols being positioned in a column generally defining a longitudinal axis;
• each symbol being so oriented that each bar of the bar code symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180° relative to another;
• whereby a particular position along the ribbon is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column;
• a symbol scan being considered successful when two different end characters are decoded following said symbol scan.

A bar-inventory management system comprising:

• a computer server including instructions for managing an inventory;
• a plurality of bar code ribbons to be affixed to liquor bottles;
• each of said plurality of bar code ribbons having two opposite faces;
• one of said two opposite faces having a plurality of bar code symbols printed thereon, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween;
• said plurality of printed bar code symbols being positioned in a column generally defining a longitudinal axis;
• each symbol being so oriented that each bar of the bar code symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180° relative to another;
• whereby a particular position along the ribbon is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column;
• a symbol scan being considered successful when two different end characters are decoded following said symbol scan;
• and
• at least one bar code scanner connected to said computer, and being configured so as to read said bar code symbols on said bar code ribbons.

A method for identifying positions along an axis on an object, said method comprising:

• providing a unique bar code symbol at predetermined positions along the axis;
• each bar code symbol having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween;
• each bar code symbol being positioned in a column along the axis and being so oriented that each bar of the symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180° relative to another;
• associating in a computer database each said unique bar code symbol to a corresponding one of said predetermined positions along the axis;
• scanning a position along the axis until a bar code symbol having two different end characters is found;
• and
• searching in said computer database the position associated to the last scanned position.