DE2338561A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING OBJECTS - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for identifying objects The invention relates to a method and a device for identifying objects by means of Data information, with the objects in random position and orientation and can appear at random times in a certain area and on one Surface have an identification in the form of a data field, which in at least comprises contrasting data marks disposed on a data track.

Such methods and devices are already known in principle. The objects are, for example, merchandise, warehouse parts or the like, which are marked in machine-readable form. Machine-readable Codes attached to the objects or otherwise attached to them, whereby the codes identify the objects to the extent necessary in each case. Such a marking can consist of one or more data such as part numbers, quality, dimension, price information or from one Marking the number of content, for example a box and the like.

These identification data are in some way on the surfaces attached to the objects.

These data are difficult to find without any destructive influences can be read. In general, the objects differ in their Size and extent and, most importantly, carry their data information in irregularly distributed places. As a result, reading the data cannot it is assumed that this is fixed in a certain position with Orientation and available at certain times. In other words it is reading this data cannot be compared, for example, with reading Punch cards, with a card in a precisely defined reading position with guide rails adjacent edges and at precisely defined times Case, exactly the opposite is true. The data information on an object appear here only more or less approximately at a certain place, their orientation and the time of their appearance are also relatively arbitrary is.

An automated output device of a supermarket, the price being read as data information shall be.

The objects consist of different types of merchandise such as boxes of different shapes and sizes, bottles, boxes, etc. These objects appear one after the other in the output device in which the price is read and should be posted. The only condition which is provided is that the surface that carries the data information faces in a certain direction, for example upwards. However, it is impossible to require that the location and orientation of the data information that indicates the price here is predetermined. The different data information on the different Objects thus appear in different positions in different directions.

The data information also appears in the output device not at fixed intervals or in regular succession at the reading station. That's why the reading station must search for the data information and keep it in the correct orientation read off.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a reliably feasible Method for identifying such objects and a device for automatic To indicate the implementation of such a procedure. This object is achieved according to the invention solved by a method which is characterized in that the data field with a contrast line pattern indicating the position and orientation of the data track is provided that several are laterally spaced in a first direction includes mutually extending lines; the particular area scanned in a line-wise manner and thereby repeatedly displaying a particular signal pattern when in the area such a contrast line pattern within an angular area around the vertical is scanned in the first direction; the position and alignment of the data field is determined based on the repeated display of the particular signal pattern; and a scanning grid is formed based on the displayed position and orientation, through which the data track repeated in the direction of their longitudinal extent scanned and read the data it contains.

Such a method can be carried out in an advantageous manner with a device be realized, which is characterized by first means of formation of a scanning grid by means of line and field scanning in mutually orthogonal Directions in which means for rotating the scanning grid in order to achieve different line scan directions are included; second facilities, which point to a specific, repeatable signal pattern as an indication of a intended address aligned data field; third, connected to the second facilities Devices that derive from these a plurality of control signals that a Pair of orthogonal directions that directly represent the orientation of the data field indicate; a plurality of ramp signal generators connected to the third devices, which respond to the control signals such that a line field scanning of the Data field obtained in the orthogonal directions is used for reading scanning in the essential only of the data field; and devices for generating data signals as a function of the reading sampling effected by the ramp signal generators.

The position and alignment of the data field and its data track or its data traces are thereby defined by the position of the as a contrast line pattern trained Position identification codes (called PIC for short) are determined.

This PIC must have a linear expansion so that it can be in a the first direction results in a uniform contrast pattern, which, however, is variable Has contrast in the orthogonal direction. Preferably the contrast pattern is asymmetrically in this orthogonal direction, whereby the asymmetry is the directional one Alignment of the data is specified. This asymmetry can be due to different Line thickness and / or different line spacing in this orthogonal direction be generated.

When scanning the data field and at least approximately crossing it of the line pattern in the direction in which it changes is therefore a peculiar, recognizable pattern displayed. After repeating the line scan a (similar to a field scan) detached scan line, the display of the line pattern verified, and the direction of extension of the line pattern, i.e. the said first direction of the PIC and the data field. On the base the direction information and possibly the displayed orientation of the asymmetry of the line pattern is the position, the beginning or the end, and the angular Alignment of the data field determined.

The data field is based on this information by means of a Line grid read, the extra for reading the randomly appearing and aligned Data field is formed.

Basically, however, a distinction must be made between three cases, of which each have their own advantages.

The cases differ in the orientation of the PIC relative to the data in the data field. The PIC is preferably a contrast line pattern of different line thickness and / or different line spacing and runs longitudinally, i.e. generally parallel to the data track. When looking of the data field is continuous by a line field scanning raster such PIC is searched within a search and scanning field. The sampling raster will rotated step by step.

The PIC is recognized when a plurality of consecutive scan lines cross the PIC lines and repeat the asymmetrical pattern during the scan is read and decoded as such.

In the second case, the PIC lines also have different thicknesses and / or different spacing, but they extend orthogonally to the data track at the beginning or the end. In the first case there is the advantage that the longer PIC lines allow the scanning of the lines to be repeated more frequently so that the possibility of false identification is reduced. In the second case, can a grid rotation in finer steps may also be appropriate to determine the direction of the Determine the data field and the data track with sufficient accuracy. this however, requires a slightly longer time. The second case, however, has the advantage a smaller area of the data field required by the PIC information or of the corresponding sticker. This is an advantage that is usually something higher possibility of wrong determination of a data field due to a coincidence occurring contrast pattern in the search and scanning field outweighs. The third Case, both types of PIC are combined, eliminating the need a raster rotation is avoided.

In all three cases it is advisable to use a so-called

Start / alignment mark, for example at the beginning of the data field to have. Such a start / alignment mark allows an exact start, among other things the processing of the read signals unambiguously as data signals. This mark can serve as both a start / alignment marker and a second PIC.

This case can preferably be selected when there are several data tracks available.

Further details of the invention are given below in an exemplary embodiment explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a block diagram a device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows an example of an inventive device Data field, Fig. 3 shows a circuit arrangement by means of which the rotation of the scanning raster 4a and 4b 4b and diagrams on the basis of which the scanning can be effected of data fields in different directions is demonstrated, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a part of Fig. 1, on the basis of which details for the display of the data field and the means for reading the data field are shown, Fig. 6 a similar one View as in FIGS. 2, 4a and 4b, by means of which points and distances can be recognized are required for the aligned reading scan using the switching arrangements 1 and 5 are relevant, and FIGS. 7, 8t9 and 10 have different data fields trained position identification codes.

In Fig. 1 the basic structure of a device is shown, with which the preferred embodiment of the invention can be practiced. Included it is assumed that a label 10 in a test and search field 11 to be arbitrary Times appear in arbitrary positions and in arbitrary orientation can. However, the level and the angle of inclination of the field 11 should be in Relation to the possibly different levels of different designations 10 do not change over too wide a range.

It can be assumed that the marking 10 on a container, is attached to a package or any other form of merchandise, and carries identification information of the type shown in FIG. Such Goods can, for example, be entered manually in the check and search field at any time 11 brought or moved through this by means of a conveyor belt or the like will. The test and search field itself is through the optical aperture of a light point scanner 12 (or a vidicon) determined by which the field 11 in a scanning grid, as will be explained in detail later, is scanned.

A photoelectric detector 13 observes the reflection of the scanning point, generated by the light point scanner 12, the detector 13 being a linear Generates an electrical signal, the amplitude of which changes with the further movement of the scanning point changed via the differently reflecting parts of the test and search field 11. The electrical output signal of the detector 13 is preprocessed or, as well can be said digitized, i.e., signals below a certain levels are viewed as "black" while displaying signals is considered "white" above this level.

Therefore, the signal processed in circuit 14 leaves it Circuit as a series of pulses of different duration, the pauses in between also according to the usually arbitrary distribution of reflecting and absorbing surface areas of the objects in the test and search field 11 have different lengths. The level of the signal changes essentially only between two amplitudes, although the search field 11 is wide Range of contrast intensities, objects of different absorption and color and the like.

It is the task of the arrangement to be described, which in such a Label 10 contained data can be read. Before reading, however, there must be some information be determined, which indicates the location and orientation of the data field, so that the reading process is designed according to the position of the marking 10 in the field 11 can be. The display of a specific position and alignment of the data field the marking must precede the reading process.

Before further description of the general structure based on Fig. 1 take a look at FIG. 2, which shows an example of such a marking represents.

The identification consists of a rectangular data field in which lower part (it could also be the upper Be part) a linear one Position identification coding PIC is provided in the form of a line pattern, which extends essentially over the entire length of the data field. This Line pattern identifies the position and orientation of the data field.

It has been shown that the line pattern shown does this met in-good way. The length of the pattern determines the direction of the Data traces on the marking 10. The asymmetry of the line pattern determines the orientation of the data field with regard to the beginning and the end of the data tracks. As stated above, the asymmetry of the pattern results in expansion of lines of orthogonal direction from the fact that lines of different thickness and / or were chosen with different distances.

The line pattern shown here and used advantageously in practice includes a relatively thick line 111, below which are equidistant from each other two lines 112 are arranged which are thinner than the line 111. As in Described in greater detail is one of the functions of the device to determine the data, the display of the position and the orientation of such PIC pattern.

When the line pattern has been found, so is the location and the angular alignment of the data field defined, as by definition the thin lines are below the thick line 111, while the data itself is above the line 111 are arranged.

This also defines the orientation of the data field with regard to its beginning and its end.

The data field consists, for example, of recorded digits, which, as can be easily seen, can be read directly with comparatively little effort are. Each digit is defined as described below.

Six bit positions are available for each digit, namely three in an upper track 113 and three in a lower track 114. These tracks extend along position identification lines 111 and 112. Each digit has four thin lines extending across the tracks and at six bit positions are distributed, this distribution being peculiar to each digit (four - from - six - code). These thin lines are thin vertical lines as shown in FIG the data field. The arrows next to the reference numerals 113 and 114 indicate the Width of the two tracks. Both the space between the tracks and the distance to the edge of the marking is above and below the tracks used to accommodate additional contrast line sections of the digits to to make it easier to read. Thus, several connecting lines serve each other extend substantially parallel to the data tracks for no purpose the coding but only make the individual digits readable.

Finally, the data field has a so-called 115 start / alignment marker, which consists for example of a thick vertical line, which is a thin line follows. This start / alignment mark is superfluous in terms of determination the alignment of the data in the data field. The start / alignment marker will however used to measure the vertical extent of the data field during reading of the data to be precisely determined.

It should be mentioned that the markings as such, especially what the printing of the position identification codes PIC concerns, right from the start are prepared, while the data content is individual for each individual identification is imprinted, because this special content is the object on which the marking appropriate, is identified. The start / alignment mark is on the Identification printed as the first mark. This printing process can have a conscience Are subject to changes in the position of the markings above line 111, so that the vertical extent of the start / alignment mark 115 is such indicates possible misalignment.

The start / alignment marker can also serve another purpose: After setting up the scan field to read the data, the scan point should be traced back to a point to the left of the start / alignment mark. Each scan line is then decoded to scan the mark and it remains any information preceding the decoding is ignored. That's why she needs No return of the scanning point to a point to the left of this marking to be very precise.

The data marks are, for example, approximately 6 mm high. the For example, line 111 can be 1.2 mm thick, while lines 112 are 0.4 mm thick be and can have a distance of 0.6 mm from one another.

It is also necessary that at least a 1/2 mm wide space above line 111 and below the bottom line of lines 112 remains. After this description of the data field and the information it contains the description of FIG. 1 continues.

As stated, the data in a data field is intended by the arrangement can be read by a scanning process that runs parallel to a position identification coding PIC and extends to the data tracks, which means that the data reading process is a Scanning the data field parallel to and at a certain distance from the line 111 requires. However, before the data reading process can take place, it is necessary to find the location and alignment of the data field.

Before that, of course, it must be found out whether there is any Data field in the test and search field 11 is located.

The arrangement includes an xY deflector for the light point scanner 12. X and Y define the two different directions of the light point deflection here by the corresponding magnetic or capacitive deflection system of the light point scanner 12th

The search field 11 is usually under continuous Monitoring through a rotating scanning grid. A normal sampling grid becomes thereby set up, for example, that a line scanning signal is relatively high Frequency and of sawtooth shape fed to the input 15 X of the deflection device which causes the scanning point to be deflected in the X direction, while a low frequency SE tooth signal to the analog input 15 Y of the deflection device is fed, whereby the scanning point is deflected in the Y direction.

The Y-scan can therefore be described as a field scan, there is a series of scan lines as a result of the low frequency of the Y-scan in the X direction across the X direction, line by line scan the entire search field.

By modifying the deflection device for the X and Y deflection 15 applied signals can have a similar scanning pattern under an angular Relation to the X and Y directions can be generated. For the XY deflector 15, a control circuit 20 is provided, the generation of an inclined Scanning field causes. Furthermore, by changing the directions, the scanning raster to be viewed as having spun.

For example, the search field 11 is first in a certain orientation scanned, where X is the direction of the line scan and Y is the direction of the field scan Are defined. After the completion of a field scan period, ramp generators deliver for fast and low speed in the control circuit 20 for the raster rotation input signals summed up in a special way at the two inputs 15 X and 15 Y, so that a scanning field appears again, but its lines are now in one run a certain angle to the X-direction. After changing the summation conditions for the inputs 15 X and 15 Y a field scan is carried out in different directions achieved.

The particular control circuit 20 is designed to be in orientation angles of the scanning field from field scan to field scan, for example by 300 or 60 ° changes. The purpose of this change is to align the scan field so that the Scan point the data field and the position identification code under not too flat Crossed angles and recognized the line pattern of the PIC in such a cross-scan can be.

The angle between successive scans in the line grid is determined by the highest possible angular deviation of 90 °, the one Can have scan line if it runs over the position identification code and the pattern of the position identification code can still be recognized. on the other hand the choice of the angular steps of this grid rotation is arbitrary, where the security of the display increases if the angular steps are not too large are. Nevertheless, if the number of steps in the grid rotation is too small the time for indicating the presence of a data field and in particular one Position identification codes in the search field 11 extended. Such a delay is undesirable. It has been shown that an angle of 600 for the gradual Rotation of the grid to display the particular position identification code shown in FIG sufficient.

In the normal search operation, therefore, the control circuit operates 20 for the raster rotation that the XY deflector 15 the direction of the raster scan changes and a line and field scan generated continuously is rotated step by step until a position identification code is recognized. the Control circuit 20 is shown in detail in FIG.

The detector 13 produces a continuous one during this scanning operation Output signal. During this first phase of work, which is indicated by a phase counter 17 is determined, the output signal of the detector in the contrast and threshold value circuit 14 processed and continuously a position identification code detector 30 (Called PIC detector 30) supplied. This PIC detector is based on in detail 5 explained in more detail.

As symbolically indicated by the line 31, after the display the presence of a PIC and, after indicating the orientation of the PIC, a circuit 40 switched on.

The circuit 40 generates, as explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 5 will, the reading ramps. Generate during this reading or second working phase special reading ramps in circuit 40 special deflection signals to the inputs 15 X and 15 Y of the deflector 15 are input. A data field of of the type shown in Fig. 2 is scanned by a special reading scanning grid, that runs parallel to the displayed PIC and covers an area that is not is larger than the data field. Each scan line begins a little to the left of the Start / alignment mark 115, with a return at one not too far from the right end of line 111 is made. The data field is scanned with a multitude of lines until the start / alignment mark 115 is no longer displayed.

Basically only two scan lines are needed, namely one for the top track 113 and one for the bottom track 114 of the data field. Because of possible Reading errors, however, it is desirable to clear the lower tracks by a number of but only to scan slightly separated scan lines, the space to skip between the tracks and the top track also with a number of scan lines to be scanned. It has been found to be advantageous, for example scan the lower track by six scanning lines that are only slightly separated from each other, skip reading for approximately six scan lines and the six that follow Scan lines to scan the upper track.

Whenever the circuit 40 ramps the XY deflector 15 control, it is of course assumed that the output of circuit 14 is the desired Represents reading signals. These signals are fed to a data decoder 50. The data decoder 50 collects the reading signals and relates them to one another and determines whether the reading signals meet the requirements of the code pattern or not, i.e., whether the data signals correspond to digits in a four-out-of-six code are encoded with three bit positions per track in a two-track arrangement.

If the goal is stated otherwise, not to find the data includes the data decoding checking for a four-out-of-six barcode for each The six-bit digits were displayed, with each digit having three aligned bit positions in a row per lane arrangement. It is easy to see that a successful Coding review the safest test for this is that a data field and not just a line pattern, which happens to look similar to the selected position identification code PIC, was displayed.

To control the repetition of the reading process in the event of a A circuit 52 may be provided in error. In addition, of course, decodes the decoder 50 the data and feeds the decoded data to a re-specification device 51 or a similar recording device with a storage of magnetic disks, Perforated tapes and the like.

As already mentioned, the control circuit 20 for the Rotation of the grid shown in detail. This circuit has two ramp generators 21 and 22.

The ramp generator 21 generates a sawtooth signal that is relatively high Frequency, while the ramp generator 22 has a sawtooth signal of relatively lower Frequency generated.

The frequencies can have a ratio of 200: 1, for example. If, for example, the ramp generator 21 with the input 15 X for the X deflection the Ablebngseinrichtung 15 is coupled and if the ramp generator 22 at the same time is connected to the input 15 Y of this deflection device 15, then a Field scanning carried out in which the scan lines due to the X deflection in the light point scanner run in the direction of the X-axis, while through the lower one Frequency of the ramp signal from the ramp generator 22 caused the field scanning will. The direction of the grid is determined by the alignment of the lines and it can be said that in this particular case in which the fast ramp generator 21 the X deflection and the slow ramp generator 22 the Y deflection controls, a grid of lines is generated, the angular alignment of which is equal to zero.

The aim of the circuit shown in Fig. 3 is to flgewichteteff To feed signals from the ramp generator 21 to both deflection systems to a special angular alignment of the scan lines, and an orthogonal weighted Generate a signal that is also fed to the X and Y deflection systems, which, however, is derived from the slow ramp generator 22 to provide a field scan transverse to the chosen direction of the scan lines.

In Fig. 3, a plurality of inverting amplifiers 23-1, 23-2, 23-3 and 23-4. These amplifiers are differential amplifiers, their non-inverting Inputs are grounded and their inverting inputs each have certain signals obtain. Each of these amplifiers has from its output to its inverting one Input via a resistor a one-weighted feedback. When the input resistance of the input of the inverting amplifier is approximately one, the amplifier inverts just with the reinforcement one.

These inverters act as summing points and / or allow positive and negative scan directions with respect to this arbitrarily chosen X / Y coordinate system.

With the reference numerals 24 and 25, connections are used as the summation point serving amplifiers 23-2 and 23-4 for the inputs 15 X and 15 Y. the Circuit has a plurality of "weighted" resistors, whose relative resistances are indicated in italics near each resistance are. These resistors are denoted jointly by the reference number 26.

The circuit further includes a plurality of switches with denoted by reference numerals 27-1 to 27-M and made up of field emission transistors, for example exist that are activated, i.e. made conductive, due to the way in which a Assigners 28. These switches control the activation or deactivation of the various Input resistances of the amplifiers to control their amplification.

Depending on whether these switches are open or closed, will through them the effect of the outputs of the ramp generators 21 and 22 on the X- and Y-deflection systems with or without weighting ". For example, the connection point 24 via one or more of the resistors, which are due to the switches 27-1, 27-2 or 27-3 can be connected to it, the inverted signal of the ramp generator 21 obtain. This connection point 24 and the amplifier 23-2 can also provide the output of the ramp generator 22 via similarly weighted resistors, namely after closing one or more of switches 27-7, 27-8 and 27-9 received. With regard to the Connection point 25 and the inverting amplifier 23-4, the situation is analogous.

After closing the switch 27-13, the signal of the Connection point 24 and the amplifier 23-2 formed summing point directly to the Input 15 X supplied for the X deflection. Alternatively, if switch 27-14 is closed, the signal in the amplifier 23-3 is inverted again, so that the Summation point signal to input 15 X in inverted form is fed. The amplifier 23-4 always inverts the signal that the connection point 25 is supplied before this is supplied to the input 15 Y.

The amplifier 23-1 always inverts the high frequency ramp signal, which is fed to the connection point 24.

It can therefore be seen that when, for example, the switches 27-1 and 27-14 are closed, the ramp generator 21 for the scanning lines (with three inversions) is coupled to input 15 X for controlling the X deflection. If switch 27-10 is closed at the same time, the ramp generator is slow 22 coupled directly to input 15 Y via the inverting amplifier 23-4, so that the slow ramp or field ramp is only effective with regard to the Y deflection is.

This creates a grid field and a scan alignment with the angle Zero created.

By selectively opening and closing the switch 27 by means of the Allocator 28 can respond to fast and slow scanning signals in a special way the inputs 15 X and 15 Y are distributed, so that a fast line scan occurs in a certain direction in relation to the X / Y system, whereupon the Field scan is then performed orthogonal to the line scan.

The ramp generator 22 can additionally be coupled to the allocator 28 so that with each return the allocator 28 is switched through one step changing the combination of open and closed switches. It is basically arbitrary whether the different grid orientations are in regular order or not occurring in a regular order.

Overall, the purpose of the circuit of FIG. 3 is the arrangement 1 therein, a rotating line and field scanning raster for the search to search for a PIC in the check and search field. For a PIC to be displayed it is necessary that the scan line includes lines 111 and 112 one in the Search field 11 located marking crossed at a not too shallow angle. In the example mentioned, it has proven to be sufficient if the scan line the PIC within a range of + 300 with respect to the normal or orthogonal Crossed towards the PIC.

In FIGS. 4a and 4b, two examples are shown which represent the borderline situations specify an oblique scan for the display of the PIC. In each of these two the PIC will be displayed. How this is done is shown below explained with reference to FIG. 5, which specifies the structure of the PIC detector 30 in detail.

The circuit shown in FIG. 5 includes that shown in FIG Detector 13 and the circuit 14 shown there.

The logic circuit 14 converts the variable amplitude of the Output of the detector 13 to a two-level signal, i.e. a signal with a low level for the brightness reflection above a certain value, which corresponds to white or slightly colored or slightly gray areas, and one high level resulting from reflections from darker areas.

The circuit 14 acts as a digitizer, the ratio of clock pulses works, which are generated by a special clock pulse generator 141, so that the high or low signal level at the output of the circuit 14 at least during the Duration of a clock pulse is held. This results in the output of the circuit 14 a sequence of two-valued bits that appear in the ratio of the clock pulses and into a shift register 31 can be entered. The shift register may use the clock pulses from clock 141 as shift clock pulses C.

Looking at FIGS. 4a and 4b it can be seen that in the case where the sampling point moves the PIC in the direction shown in Fig. 4a crossed, a bit pattern 01101010 in this order at the input of the shift register appears. These bits are put into the shift register in the order they appear entered. On the other hand, an inverted bit pattern (01010110) is generated and entered into the shift register when the data field is related to the PIC the scan lines as shown in Figure 4b is scanned.

Two bit pattern decoders are connected to the shift register 131. In this case, the decoder 32 R speaks, for example, of a relative alignment of the Scan line and the data field as indicated in Fig. 4a, during the Decoder 32 L is responsive to the opposite orientation as shown in Fig. 4b. the As a result, right and left alignments are treated separately.

The decoder 32 R thus has a circuit arrangement that on a bit pattern 011010101 responds, while the decoder 32 L a circuit arrangement which responds to a bit pattern 01010110. The decoder 32 R can add additional Have circuit measures that respond to a bit pattern 0011110011001100, which also indicates the crossing of the PIC pattern by the sampling point, where however, this crossing is made at a shallower angle. Also the decoder 32 L can contain additional circuit measures, so that he on the opposite doubled bit pattern responds.

The use of two similar detectors for each direction and by two separate shift registers, each of which has a different clock pulse is driven has the same effect, namely, the PIC as it traverses by viewing the scan line at a shallower angle.

Two circuits 33 R and 33 L provide individual display the PIC alignment. This display is based on the principle that the PIC bit pattern must be displayed repeatedly on several consecutive scan lines, and not only in that, but also that the PIC patterns in successive scan lines must be displayed in approximately the same relative point on the lines. These Points do not have exactly the same relative position on successive ones Scan lines, as the PIC is not exactly orthogonal to the scan lines is. Nevertheless, the circuits 33 R and 33 L after the first display of the PIC pattern for a "window". During the next scan line this must be dem PIC corresponding signal appear again in this window (and this in turn on the next scan line, etc.). The circuit 33 R shown in detail is like this designed that five consecutive PIC displays in a certain time relation are necessary before the PIC provisionally. is recognized.

The scan lines are considered to be digitally quantized in the relationship, that, for example, the clock generator 141 is chosen so that it is based on the fast or line scan ramp (of the ramp generator 21 in Fig. 3) one has such a frequency that each line can be divided into 102 clock pulse times, when counting is started from the beginning of a new scan (return), where the digitization, however, at a short distance from the other end of the scanning field is stopped.

When the PIC has been displayed and when the PIC is in a right The PIC should extend at an angle or approximately at right angles to the scan line as a result, exactly 102 clock pulses are displayed for the second time later. the However, scan lines generally do not extend at 90 degrees the PIC lines so that the PIC also displays again after 103 or 101 clock pulses could be.

At the moment it is assumed that the difference is 4 + 2 clock pulses. Of course, this range depends on the fineness of the scanning raster and of how the lines have really been digitized.

In further consideration of the details of the circuit 33 R must be observed be that the decoder 32 R or 32 L to one or the other PIC only for the duration of a clock pulse responds. The output of the decoder 32 R is fed to a pulse extender or monostable multivibrator 34 which actually extend the output of the decoder by, for example, four clock pulses. The output pulse of the multivibrator 34 consequently provides a signal of the duration of four clock pulses following the indication of a PIC crossing. This 4-bit signal is now input to a first shift register 351 in the ratio of clock pulses.

After displaying and decoding the PIC bit pattern, you can now signal applied to shift register 351 as an indicator of a 4-bit PIC setting designated will. The shift register 351 has, for example 100 steps if one scan line is assumed to last 102 clock pulses. After 100 clock pulses, the first bit of the 4-bit indicator has the end of the shift register 351 reached. After 102 clock pulses there is only half of the 4-bit indicator in the shift register, while the other two bits of this have already left.

The output of shift register 351 (i.e. the bits of the indicator) is fed to the input of another shift register 352, the output of which in a shift register 353 is fed, the output of which is in turn a shift register 354 is fed. Each of these shift registers 352, 353, 354 has 102 stages, so that the relative phase between the line scan and the advancement of the Indicator remains the same after the indicator has entered the 100-stage shift register 351 has left.

The entire shift register arrangement consisting of the four shift registers 351 to 354 is controlled by a timer 36 which is a combination of a counter with a gate. The gate part of the timer 36 leaves Clock pulses C from the clock pulse generator 141 through, so that the entire timer is synchronous works with the basic bit rate of the system. The counter part of the timer 36 counts exactly up to 102 clock pulses, during which time the clock pulses C happen can. After counting to 102, the clock pulses can no longer pass, until the counter shortly thereafter by the action of the feedback signal of the fast Ramp generator 21 in the control circuit 20 is reset.

In this way, the timer 36 supplies 102 clock pulses C1 for each Scan line, then stops and starts again 102 clock pulses for the next scan line counting, etc. These clock pulses C 'drive the shift register in the described intermittent way. Of course, as long as no PIC is displayed, only Zeros are shifted through these five shift registers connected in series.

Assume that when scanning along a certain line of the grid a "right" PIC has been displayed and the specific indicator i.e. four consecutive "ones" following the instant the PIC is displayed from the multivibrator 34 are delivered. The bits of this 4-bit PIC indicator will be are sequentially entered into the shift register 351, whereupon the 4 one bits move through shift register 351 and the other shift registers as a group.

The display of a PIC occurs, of course, somewhere between the beginning a scan line and the return. It does not take place directly at the beginning and does not very close to the end, as it is of course convenient to use the check and search field 11 in the Kind of constraining the limits of the scanning process outside of this field lie. The advancement of the PIC indicator is temporarily interrupted if the indicator is somewhere in register 351 but is resumed when the next scan line begins. The interruptions occur after the timer 36 has counted 102 clock pulses and ends again due to the feedback signal of the fast ramp generator.

The PIC will of course be activated the next time the scan line is crossed however, since the duration of a scan line is indicated by a sequence of 102 pulse groups is determined, and since the shift register 351 has only 100 stages, actually occurs a drift of the first 4-bit PIC indicator signal. As a result, the Starting edge of the next output of the PIC detector 32 R and the PIC setting indicator, generated due to the next PIC crossing, not with the leading edge of the previous 4-bit PIC indicator coincide when the latter is the shift register 351 leaves. Instead (it is assumed that an angle of 900 between the alignment of the scan lines and the PIC lines) appears the leading edge of the second PIC indicator if only half of the first PIC indicator is still in shift register 351. The first two Bits of this indicator have then already left the shift register. The same applies to the next displayed PIC indicator signal and to the following one PIC indicator signal. However, the migration occurs only once for each PIC indicator, since only shift register 351 has two stages fewer than bits per line available. Then each 4-bit indicator migrates from a shift register the next, namely from shift register 352 to shift register 353 and from these. to the shift register 354 and its output in exact phase synchronism with the 102 complete clock pulses per line, and the four indicator bits occur again as a group, since each of these shift registers 352, 353 and 354 have 102 stages owns.

The reason for churn is to be positive or negative inclined positions of the PIC lines with respect to on the scan lines adapt, since in most cases the leading edge of one processed in this way 4-bit PIC indicator does not appear exactly in the middle of the 4-bit PIC indicator generated during the previous scan line and now the shift register 351 leaves, but there is a slight temporal shift in one or the other Direction as a function of the angle of alignment of PIC lines 111 and 112 with respect to the scan line in the particular case will occur.

After four position identification codes PIC have been displayed, four 4-8it PIC indicators are fed through the shift registers connected in series pushed; the fifth PIC indicator appears with its leading edge approximately in the middle of all these indicators when these are at the outputs of the shift registers 351, 352, 353 and 354 appear. These indicators are not just in each one next shift register entered, but also fed to an AND gate 350. A coincidence at gate 350 is necessary in order to be able to display a Recognize PIC in the search field.

It can therefore be seen that AND gate 350 is a coincidence signal if actually the PIC detector gets on five consecutive scan lines has responded and a certain phase relationship between the five outputs of the detector. All 4-bit PIC indicators act as windows for the display of the last PIC indicator for five consecutive PIC displays.

In Fig. 4a an inclined orientation is assumed and there will be five consecutive indications of the PIC as an indication of point A by the fifth scan line viewed. Accordingly, an OR gate 361 receives a PIC detection signal while a flip-flop 362 is placed in a state conducive to the detection of a Right alignment of the data field in the search field 11 indicates. This distinction is important for the following operations.

Now a scan line counter 37 is passed through or after this first PIC detection signal from gates 350-361 energized and e.g. in counting state 1 set. The counter responds to the feedback signals from the fast ramp generator 21 and counts it after point A has been displayed. It can be seen that after continued scanning in a grid aligned in a certain way AND gate 350 could respond again after each scan line because the scan lines continue to cross the PIC due to the field scan. So it could be with anyone Display of a specific PIC a PIC detection signal can be generated.

However, this repeated redundant test is not necessary, to recognize the display of a PIC as correct. Therefore the counter is for example connected to the decoders 32 and renders them ineffective to, for example, m Scan lines have been counted.

After counting m scan lines, the PIC display circuit becomes again made effective and the display will repeat if the PIC (as it be must) is still within the search field. During the counting, the Shift register 351 - 354 cleared, i.e. all indicators are pushed out of the shift register arrangement. After the end of the count the operation of the shift registers is repeated and gate 350 is after respond to five more scan lines again and emit a signal that after appropriate Selection of the number m is representative for the display of point B. The point B can be placed very close to the end of the PIC 11 ".

It is easy to see that the display and recognition of the PIC point B is made dependent on the double display of the PIC and that the two displays must occur in a certain temporal relation to each other. This makes it is quite unlikely that a different pattern than the one desired will be found as PIC is displayed and recognized.

It can be seen that any response to AND gate 350 occurs a leading edge of both the last of five consecutive PIC displays proof of the coordinates in terms of both time and space of a point on the lower of the PIC lines shown in this way. The two exits of AND gate 350 thus mark the display of points A and B, and the deflection signals fed to the inputs 15 X and 15 Y determine in the cases actually responding to gate 350 the X and Y coordinates for them Points within the scanning and raster system.

The reference numeral 381 is used to denote two recording and holding circuits denotes whose one for the X coordinate and their others for the Y coordinate of the scanning system is provided. The record and hold circuits 381 will respond to the first PIC detect signal from AND gate 350 as a result and take the X and Y coordinates of point A and hold them. A gate 382 is normally open and closes based on the first indication, so only point A is displayed and subsequent outputs of AND gate 350 do not cause that the record and hold circuit 381 responds again.

Similarly, the signal appears in line 371 at the moment in which the scanning beam passes point B and has actually located it. This signal serves as an opening signal for a gate 384, which leads to two more Record and hold circuits 383 leads. These capture and hold circuits 383 are also connected to inputs 15 X and 15 Y and take the X and Y coordinates of point B and hold it when the gate 350 responds for the second time.

After these points A and B have been displayed, the search and PIC and data field location phase ended. The output of the counter 37 can can be used, for example, to provide a signal for the phase counter 17 in FIG which changes the working phase of the arrangement. It is important now Remember that the arrangement does not exactly reflect the presence of a PIC in the search box 11 has indicated, but that the two points A and B have been indicated. the The fact that point B could and was actually displayed, is the most important fact that a real PIC has been displayed.

The recorded and held values of the coordinates of the points A and B in connection with the fact that the decoders 32R - 33R (and not 33L - 34L) clearly indicate the angular alignment of the Data field and the direction of the data tracks. The response of the decoder 32R is indicative of the fact that the second point indicated, the point B, is fairly close to the beginning of the data field.

On the other hand, if decoder 32L responded, the point would be B are quite distant from the data track (see Fig. 4b). In this case it will be the capture and hold circuits 381 and 383 for further use exchanged their outputs. As a result, the left-right steering Flip-flop 362 controls whether the capture and hold circuits 381 and 383 are in the or vice versa. In the following the "right alignment" described. The "left alignment" results in a simple manner in that the output of the record and hold circuit 383 as the output of the record and hold circuit 381 and vice versa its output as the output of the recording and holding circuit 383 is used.

The circuit to be described next is for generating a Data sampling grid associated with the data field, its position and orientation has been displayed. The scan is made from the search scan in a two-step process to be described next. The first stage is a starting point generated for this data sample raster, in the second stage the raster itself generated.

In Fig. 6, the point P is used as the starting point for the Data sampling process viewed. This point is slightly above line 111 and to the left of the start / alignment marker 115 and consequently has a certain position relative to points A and B. The point P can lie outside the marking, as will be understood below will.

The point P can be defined as follows: An auxiliary point Pl is determined by the fact that this point P 1 is on a line through the points A and B are located and spaced a fraction of the distance between corresponds to points A and B, lies to the left of point B. When the coordinate differences of points A and B are #X and #Y, point P1 has coordinates resulting from the X and Y coordinates of point B, of which certain fractions of the Differences #X and #Y are deducted. In Fig. 6, this fraction is associated with the Factor cC denotes, which is less than 1.

The point P lies on an orthogonal line through the point P1, which forms a right angle with the line A, B, P1. The coordinates of the point As a result, P can be changed from the coordinates of point P1 by adding a certain fraction of L X to the Y coordinate of point P1 and by subtraction of the same fraction x 4Y can be derived from the X coordinate of the point Pl. This fraction is designated in the drawings as factor β and is also smaller than 1 and possibly but not necessarily less than X The circuit arrangement 39 in Fig. 5 is used for generation the X coordinate of point P. It is easy to see that the creation of this coordinate by separating and Operational amplifier, for example, carried out with a certain gain will. The various signals are therefore summed up in the circuit arrangement 39 and generate a new signal representing the X coordinate of point P. That first signal BX is derived directly from the part of the record and hold circuit 383, which holds the X value for point B (the signal is in the case of a "left display" of a PIC taken from the capture and hold circuit 381). This becomes a Signal «t X subtracted, which is generated by feeding in the X coordinate of points A and B into opposite inputs, i.e. opposite polarized inputs of a differential amplifier can be generated, the total gain of which is less than 1, namely equal to i t 4 is.

For example, i can be equal to 1/10 or in this order of magnitude lie. It can be seen that the X coordinate of point B from which the value X is deducted, leads to the X coordinate of the auxiliary point Pl.

In order to get the X-coordinate of the point P, another fraction has to be used can be subtracted from d Y based on the orthogonal relationship given above. G Y is obtained by suitable op-amps associated with the parts for the Y coordinates of the points A and B in the capture and hold circuits 381 and 383 are coupled.

By suitable selection of resistances, a factor is obtained, which is also less than 1. (Negative) compounding of these values leads to the signal PX, which represents the X coordinate of the point P.

It is easy to see that the Y-coordinate of the point P in analogously due to the relationship PY = BY - Y + A X is obtained. Through feed of the signal PX into a summing circuit 151 and feeding this signal into another summing circuit 152 becomes the X-deflection in the deflector 15 controlled so that the scanning beam points to the X coordinate of the point P = Of course, at the same time, the signal PY in the input 15 Y for the Y deflection fed so that the sampling point is actually at point P.

As already mentioned, the point P is the starting point for the data sampling. The data sampling is performed in a manner described next.

A brief look at FIG. 6 shows that the point P is a starting point from which both a fast line scan and a relatively slow one Field scanning begins, with the scanning process only covering the data field and the scanning takes place in the same alignment to the data field. This is an important aspect of the invention is that a scanning pattern, which covers a relatively large area and is quite coarse by a raster scan is replaced, which only roughly covers the data field and so aligned is that it is adapted to the random alignment of the data field.

The first scan line starts at point P and runs parallel to the PIC to approximately line Q, whereupon the fast ramp is returned is used to generate the next line, etc. and as many lines with orthogonal To produce displacement of the scan lines due to the field scan as necessary are up the data have been read. Be for clarification Details of the circuit 40 generating the read ramps in FIG. 1 are described below.

A first ramp is generated by a ramp generator 42 which a high gain differential amplifier 421 with an integrating feedback which is supplied with a signal which represents a value t d X. A circuit 4 receives the X coordinates of points A and B and forms the value tR X = XA - XB that with a gain factor! > 1 is multiplied and the fact takes into account that the distance from point P to a point on line Q as a projection on the X coordinate is greater than tr X. The choice of this factor Y determines in Reality the line Q.

The ramp generator 42 now generates an output that has a slope increases, which is proportional to> d X.

A field effect transistor 423 has a suitable bias voltage and indicates when the ramp has actually reached the amplitude that t; X equals whereupon the input and output are short-circuited, the feedback capacitor discharged and the ramp is reset to zero. The ramp becomes the summing circuit 151 is supplied and is superimposed on the signal PX for the X deflection, so that a Line scan signal component is generated in the X direction, which is at the point P begins and is reset to P at a point on line Q.

The ramp generator or differential amplifier 421 (and the one that goes with it analog that is used to generate the Y deflection a fast line scan along the data tracks) can be influenced as a function of a time delay and / or a pulse counting signal better than, as described, in amplitude dependence reset.

The amplifier circuit 41 is not required in this case. Included the proportionality of the deflection ratio to -A X is determined only by the RC circuit the ramp generator connected to receive A X is controlled.

A ramp generator 44 is constructed similarly to the ramp generator 42, receives a signal - v xIY and generates a slow deflection signal for the Summing circuit 151, so that at the same time the X component for a slow Field scanning is obtained in the direction orthogonal to the line scanning. The slow one Field scanning moves the switching point for the return along the line Q, where the starting point is on a line parallel to the line Q (i.e. orthogonal to the PIC lines 111-112) and the line running through point P.

An analog circuit is of course provided for the Y deflection. The signal for the deflection in the Y direction is composed of a fast Ramp, the slope of which is proportional to X d Y and increases to an equal value (or reset by a limiting signal together with the fast X-ramp will). A slow ramp signal proportional to & A X is superimposed, to get the Y component for the field scan. This will be slow Ramp reset analogous to the reset of the X component of the slow sampling.

It can thus be seen that in the described operation of the Shift the data field linearly in the correct direction along the data tracks is scanned, with a field scan in the direction of the short extent of the Marking is carried out.

Thus, it becomes a private line grid scan field for the data field generated. However, the circuit requires certain refinements, since not all reading signals, obtained during the scan of the data field, as identification of Data can be viewed. As can be seen, for example, from FIGS. 2 and 6 is, the point P is selected so that the first line is below the lowest Track runs in the data field so that there are no correct ones from the first reading line Data. If the scanning of the data field started at point P1, the situation would be clearer. It must thus be expected that the first data scan lines result in no actual data signals.

As already mentioned, there are also in the data field parts above and below the first track that do not contain any markings which are significant for machine reading. These parts make the markings only legible to human eyes.

The same applies to parts immediately above the top track.

The process, any real data from the readings to pull out during a data field scan and to exclude unwanted signals, is carried out in several steps. First, note that the lower track 114 out of, for example, about six Scan lines are covered can, the middle area between lanes 113 and 114 can with certainty approximately six scan lines are excluded, while the next six Scan lines then cover the upper track 113. In addition, there are areas of identification excluded left and right of the data on these eighteen scan lines. the Exclusion of identification areas above and below the eighteen lines is then explained as the last step.

Of course, the implementation of these steps can be mutually interrelated to stand by each other. The explanation is made easier in the form of a step-by-step process however understanding.

Looking at the upper left corner of Fig. 5, the following can be seen: A circuit 45 is for example with the field effect transistor 423 or with a combined circuit that this field effect transistor 423 and a corresponding Includes fast Y-ramp transistor coupled to feedback address the reading scanning line. The feedback signal is a pulse that is expressed in a counter or the resetting device 51 is entered. A first decoder 511 responds to the counting results 1 to 6 and generates an opening signal in the process, which is therefore correct for six lines of reading scan. The data sequence that is obtained from the circuit 14 is fed to a gate 512 which is during the first six line scans is open. The resulting data will be a data register 52 is fed.

It must now be taken into account, however, that the Adeseablastung outside of of the data field begins. As a result, it is necessary to stop data storage from the display of the start / alignment mark 115 dependent. The data signals from the circuit 14 are therefore also a register 513 shortly after The beginning of each reading scan is supplied. The start / alignment mark 115 must displayed before signals are recognized as actual data. The start / alignment marker is decoded by means of a detector circuit 514 having multiple stages of the Register 513 is coupled and an additional opening signal to gate 512 supplies so that the register 52 data only after the start / Alignment mark received.

The detector circuit 514 can by the displayed start / alignment mark set and reset by the next return to the opening signal for the remainder of the particular line scan.

It can be seen that this is actually another review of the Display of a real identifier and a real data field is. if the start / alignment mark is not present, the data will not be read and the lines recognized as a PIC happened to be similar Contrast pattern.

The start / alignment mark detector circuit 514 can as a simplified version of a circuit designed analogously to the circuit 33R for Showing a start / alignment mark and viewed for review. Circuit 514 can thus be a start / alignment mark detector include, which responds, for example, to the bit pattern 0110010, and may also have a plurality of shift registers connected in series, which receive a detector output. This indicator for the display of a start / Alignment mark is shifted through the shift register. After repeated There are several such scans along the lines of the start / alignment mark Indicators to indicate a start / alignment mark in the shift registers entered, with phase differences equal to the number of clock pulses, which represents the length of a scan line when scanning a data field. To for example, triggering the detector three times due to start / alignment marks two detector indicators need a specific position in the shift registers while a third indicator is being entered into the shift register. A coincidence circuit (analogous to AND gate 350) responds and its output is called a verified indication with three times overdetermination of a start / alignment mark viewed. This output sets a flip-flop (and after the return reset) to open gate 512.

The threefold overdetermination of an indication of a start / alignment mark may, but need not, for each subsequent display through each scan line a start / alignment mark can be repeated. In fact, it is not advisable reading the data from the display of three consecutive traverses make the start / alignment mark dependent for each reading scan line, there, for example, a defect in the otherwise correct start / alignment mark can interrupt the reading process. Thus, for example, after the display of three consecutive crossings that subsequent reading from a single display of the start / alignment mark for each line at Reading scanning made dependent.

The data receiving circuit is only on for the duration of distractions from line 1 to line 6 (starting with an indication of the start / alignment marker) made effective.

The data circuit is during the duration of the deflection of the lines 7 to 12 disabled so that no data is obtained. Gate 512 becomes when counting result 7 of counter 51 is closed. Circuit 515 responds to one Counting status 13 to 18 of the counter 51 and generates an opening signal during the Deflection of the 13th through 18th lines for a gate 516. Gate 516 also needs the signal formed when the start / alignment mark was displayed for each Reading scan line. The upper part of the trace is now read.

The read data are also again in a register 53 entered in sixfold overdetermination.

It is optional whether the arrangement requires that the data be stored in each of the six distractions are identical. A majority can agree can also be regarded as sufficient here. It can also be seen that the Start / alignment marker 115 is very important as it is a mapping of the content the registers 52 and 53 are allowed for successive markings.

Registers 52 and 53 are shown as a stack with possibly parallel downshift with each return.

Up to this point it has been assumed that eighteen Scan lines can be used for data sampling.

In fact, the first eighteen scan lines cannot be used become, if not the starting point P clearly on the line with the lower track 114 lies.

As this is inconvenient, counting the scan lines in the counter 51 of the display of a start / alignment mark by the detector circuit 514 must be made dependent.

The use of a start / alignment mark also allows the following simplification. The synthesis of the point P as a starting point for the data sampling above the PIC lines is not necessary in principle.

The reading scan can also start from point P1.

As a result, the circuit arrangement 39 does not require the component which is proportional (dY and only generates a signal Pl X = BX - A. x. Therefore the lines of the start / alignment marker 115 should extend to a little below the lower limit of the data mark. The first display of the start / alignment marker can occur on a scan line at or just below the lower limit of the data markers while the second display of the start / alignment marker occurs at a scan line passing through the horizontal connecting parts on the the lower limit of most of the data marks.

The third scan line then scans the data for the first time.

The start / alignment mark is during the first data scan lines not displayed because the scanning point first passes the PIC in the longitudinal direction and the large space below the data and above the PIC by a or multiple scan lines are covered, and then the start / alignment mark is shown. Of course, the data field is scanned under these conditions a little slower if you start at point P1 instead of point P.

It can be easily seen that the circuitry for a "left aligned "data field (Fig. 4b) works completely analogously. However, here the Starting point for the reading ramp depending on the PIC point displayed first A generated and the polarity of A X and ß Y must be reversed here. Or, As mentioned earlier, the capture and hold circuits 381 and 383 in conversely connected to the circuit 40 to replace the To effect points A and B.

It can also be seen that the distinction between left1, and right alignment is only made for speed reasons. By doing Case in which the search scanning raster is rotated by 3600 in steps of 60 °, needs such a distinction not to be made. The grid rotation (Fig. 3) is required additional inverters, since the reversal of the scanning corresponds to a rotation angle of 1800, which is added to the existing rotation angle.

The example of a data field shown in FIG. 7 shows how the Function of the start / alignment marker and the PIC by providing an asymmetrical, linear PIC can be combined with each other. This combo PIC extends perpendicular to the extension of the marking and the data tracks in the direction in the so far the start / alignment mark was intended. It goes without saying that the display of points A and B is completely analogous to the display of Points A and B are already made with reference to the marking according to FIGS. 2 and on the Fig. 3 was explained, the only difference is of course, that the number of scan lines that are here for an additional scan and for Viewing the separated points A and B can be obtained less is. Of course, the accuracy of the display or the likelihood of one erroneous display of a PIC enlarged. Furthermore, this combined marking very long if, for example, four or more parallel data tracks are used. The use of such a combined marking therefore depends up to one to some extent on the environment in which the label is used. Nonetheless the same arrangement can be used with some simplifications, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. In practice it has been shown that the use of such a combined marking according to FIG. 7 in as good as gives very good results for all applications, so that such a marking according to FIG. 7 brings considerable advantages.

It can be seen from Fig. 7 that, for example, the point B directly can be used as the starting point P for the scanning process. Also must be observed that the values hx X and hY as determined by the arrangement shown for the line and field scan process as opposed to the manner the application of L X and EY in the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 5 is orthogonal need to be transformed.

This means that the driver signals for the fast and slow Reading ramp generators are exactly reversed have to. Furthermore the same effect is obtained, namely by taking the coordinate values g X and L Y are used to indicate the direction for scanning the data field for reading to define the data tracks located on it.

It should be noted that the horizontally aligned PIC (Fig. 2) and the vertically aligned PIC (Fig. 7) can be combined with one another. this leads to an improvement in the distinguishing features for the start / alignment mark, however, the two line patterns must still be different. This is shown in Fig. 8, in which, as before, horizontal PIC lines 111, 112 and a modified vertical line marker 115 are shown. It is recognizable that there are four different position identification codes can, namely two for each of the markings, and that the two for each the markings in chronological order are opposite due to the two possible scanning directions for the respective markings (5th previous description via the "right and left distinction"). The possible PIC signals are separated decodes and lead to four different ways to get to a starting point for to get the data scan lines and the field grid. A rotating scanning field for searching as shown in Fig. 3 is not necessary. The arrangement according to However, Fig. 5 must be related to the PIC display and the creation of the starting point doubled to accommodate the two additional cases that arise resulting from the use of a second PIC. The vertically oriented PIC is used here of course also as a start / alignment marker. The decoder or detector circuit 514 is designed accordingly (or could be shared, to act as a detector for a left, vertical PIC during the search phase).

It can be seen that under these conditions every PIC display works in an angle range of + 450. It is advisable to reduce this area since it requires a relatively wide margin to be adjusted for variations in the bit cells will. One possibility here is to use a division of the detector circuit for the PIC, thus also, as explained above, doubled bit patterns are displayed. Alternatively, every possible and permissible PIC pattern is checked two similarly designed detectors are displayed, whereby the register (ebtnach the register 131) is also doubled and the second with half of the regular Clock speed is operated.

The display of both PICs could be made mandatory for security the display is improved. Accordingly, once a PIC should appear has been, the ramp generators (21, 22 in Fig. 3) at the inputs 15 X and 15 Y correspond to a 90 turn for checking purposes. In such circumstances, both PICs will always be displayed (if they actually exist are). Therefore, the synthesis of the point P1 can always be carried out, for example based on the displayed horizontal PIC points. Likewise, the A, X and Signals representing BY can only be generated and derived by one PIC. From it it follows that the arrangement according to FIG. 5 is merely supplemented by additional PIC displays that respond to the second line pattern (possibly the Detector circuit 514 as part of the circuit for the PIC display for a split Operation during the search phase for the data field is used). The capture and hold circuits 381 and 383 are only used to define Points used on a PIC. The reading phase proceeds as described.

A vidicon tube can in all of the above embodiments instead the light point scanner and the photoelectric detector are used, provided that that the collecting screen is scanned periodically in its entire extent to ensure constant sensitivity. For example, the Screen of the vidicon tube scanned by a coarse line grid (relatively few lines) , a defocussed beam of higher intensity is used, so that the screen during short periods of time by a line grid with a very slow one Rotation but high point intensity is completely covered.

It will be understood that the invention does not apply to those described so far Embodiments is limited, but that all changes and modifications are possible that lie within the basic idea. So are in Figs. 9 and 10, for example, two markings are shown which have altered forms of position identification codes (PIC) show. These PICs not only have a cross-direction to the identification distinctive asymmetry, but also lengthways.

This increases the overall asymmetry of the PIC and thus safer display and differentiation of randomly appearing markings enables. In the case of the identification according to FIG. 9, for example, a Scanning transversely to the longitudinal direction of the PIC from below up a Bit patterns result in 00110100 while scanning in the horizontal direction a bit pattern 0110110010 would appear. When scanning the PIC according to Fig. 10 results in a bit pattern 0110010110 in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction Direction depending on where the scan lines cross the PIC for the first and last section of the PIC has a bit pattern 00110109 and for the middle one Section a bit pattern 0010110.

The PIC of FIGS. 9 and 10 can thus in different directions can be scanned and recognized. This not only makes it possible to use PIC to be proven with greater certainty, it can also, if desired, a rotation of the search scanning field are omitted. In addition, with this type of PIC, correct Alignment of the scanning field for reading the data by the PIC generates a signal indicating that this alignment is correct and that in fact a data track is read. In the case of a PIC of the type shown in FIG. 10, in which the asymmetry in the vertical direction also relative to the horizontal direction changes can, due to this different asymmetry in the direction transverse to the marking also determine at what point the scan is crossing the PIC.

The beginning and the end of the PIC or the Mark are displayed. The type of PIC shown in FIGS can be varied in many ways. Such PIC still offer multiple, due to obvious possibilities regarding the type and manner of scanning of the disclosed, the display and reading of a label. For all those through this pic yourself It prepares the resulting possibilities in particular after knowing the shown and described circuit arrangement for a person skilled in the art no difficulties, a appropriate Build circuit or the circuit arrangement shown and described adjust accordingly.

Claims (23)

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Method for identifying objects using data information, with the objects in random position and orientation and at random times can appear in a certain area and a marking on a surface in the form of a data field which is arranged in at least one data track, comprises contrasting data marks characterized in that the data field with a contrast line pattern indicating the position and orientation of the data track is provided that several are laterally spaced in a first direction includes lines extending from each other; the particular area scanned in a line-wise manner and thereby repeatedly displaying a particular signal pattern when in the area such a contrast line pattern within an angular area around the vertical is scanned in the first direction; the position and alignment of the data field is determined based on the repeated display of the particular signal pattern; and a scanning grid is formed based on the displayed position and orientation, by which the data track is repeatedly scanned in the direction of its longitudinal extent and read the data it contains. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the linear Scanning of the particular area in such a way successively in different Directions is carried out that the scan lines are relative to the contrast line pattern cut steeply. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Sampling grid for the data field is essentially limited to the data field. 4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the contrast line pattern is provided in the longitudinal direction of the data field, the determination the alignment of the data field the display of certain points of the contrast line pattern and the scanning raster for the data field in the direction of the line pattern extending scan lines and a field scan taking place perpendicular thereto will. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in, that a start / alignment mark is provided at one end of the data field, which extends perpendicular to the data track, and the reading of the data in dependence controlled by the display of this marker during the data field scan. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in, that the determination of the position and orientation of the data field the display of two comprises separate points of the line pattern and the scanning raster for the data field by the direction defined by the two points is determined, which is also the The direction of the line scan for reading the data of the data track is. 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in, that the determination of the position and alignment of the data field make a distinction between opposite directions under which the scan lines form the line pattern cut, on the basis of inverted signal patterns. 8, method according to any one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that that the data field is provided with a contrast line pattern, the several of each other has spaced lines whose direction has a predetermined relationship to the angular orientation of the data track; the specific area in a line grid is scanned and a certain signal pattern is displayed repeatedly when the contrast line pattern is traversed by adjacent scan lines; a signal representation is generated which is characteristic of a plurality of Dots on and along the line pattern; this signal representation is processed in this way is that a second signal representation for generating a scanning raster for linear Scanning along the data track and for scanning in the field in a vertical direction is obtained for this purpose; a representation for the beginning of the scanning raster on the basis the point representation is formed; and by raster scanning on the base The second Signal representation and the representation for the beginning of the scanning grid, a data sample and reading of the data contained in the data field Data takes place. 9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the scanning of the particular area is carried out by several scanning rasters in which the scanning lines have different directions. 10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that a second, Line pattern having a certain angular orientation to the first line pattern is provided. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the first and second line patterns have different orientations and differ in their Differentiate line thickness and / or their line spacing and / or their number of lines. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that a first and second signal pattern by representing the scan crossing of the first and second line pattern and the subsequent operations differentiate. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the second Line pattern to verify the information subsequently found again as data during the Data reading scan will be displayed. 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the second Repeated display signal pattern to generate a representation of a second A plurality of points along the second line pattern is used, the processing alternatively, proceeds to the second signal representation based on the representation of the second plurality of points. 15. The method according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that that the first line pattern is along the data track and the second line pattern is perpendicular this is arranged at one end of the data track. 16. The method according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that that the line thickness and / or the line spacing of at least one of the line patterns is asymmetrical. 17. The method according to any one of claims 8-16, characterized in that that the line pattern is asymmetrical in terms of the line spacing and / or the Line thickness is and the display of the signal pattern the display of the asymmetry of the Line pattern based on the scanning direction and the representation of the beginning of the scanning raster is generated on the basis of the directional difference. 18. The method according to any one of claims 8-17, characterized in that that the display of the signal pattern indicates the display of an extended signal pattern Crossing the line pattern by the scan lines under a relatively flat one Angle includes. 19. The method according to any one of claims 1 - 18, characterized in, that the line pattern is designed asymmetrically in the longitudinal direction and this Asymmetry for the verification of a found line pattern and / or for the determination the beginning of the data field scan and / or to verify a read Data track and / or is used to determine the alignment of the data track. 20. Device for performing the method according to one of the claims 1-19, characterized by first devices for forming a scanning raster by means of line and field scanning in mutually orthogonal directions in which Means for rotating the scanning grid in order to achieve different line scanning directions are included; second bodies that point to a specific, repeatable Address signal patterns as an indication of a specific aligned data field; third devices connected to the second devices, which of these one Derive a plurality of control signals representing a pair of orthogonal directions, which directly indicate the alignment of the data field; a plurality of with the third Devices connected ramp signal generators, which respond to the control signals in such a way respond that a line field scan of the Data field in the orthogonal directions are obtained for reading scanning essentially only the Data field; and means for generating data signals as a function of the reading sampling effected by the ramp signal generators. 21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the Data field by a plurality of different spacing possessing and / or different thicknesses, extending in one of the orthogonal directions Lines is marked, the second devices a shift register device and a coincidence circuit, the shift register means according to each display of a signal pattern due to the crossing of the plurality of lines receives a signal and the coincidence circuit is designed such that it the presence of a plurality of such signals in certain positions in the shift register device to recognize the line pattern. 22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the third facilities first circuit arrangements that point to certain points and respond to signal indicators along the lines, second circuit arrangements, form the differential signals from the signal indicators, and third circuitry which process these difference signals in such a way that signals are generated which cause the ramp signals from and to to determine relative to Scan points lying in the data field. 23. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the third devices first circuit arrangements for forming signals, the specific Represent coordinate points in the scanning field and on the data field, and second Circuit arrangements include, through the difference signals from the the coordinates Representative signals are formed to obtain the control signals.