Patent ID: 6186406
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method of converting data characters to machine-readable symbols, each symbol having a pattern of dark shapes and light spaces between the shapes, the method comprising:determining at least first and second character codes corresponding to data characters, wherein each character code has 8 bits;converting the first and second character codes to first, second and third symbol values;printing first, second, third symbol characters, wherein the first, second and third symbol characters correspond to the first, second and third symbol values, respectively; andprinting an additional symbol character, wherein the additional symbol character indicates that the first, second and third symbol characters correspond to at least one character code having 8 bits when the combined first, second and third symbol values compute under a formula to a computed value that is less than a predetermined value, and correspond to at least one string of digits if the computed value is greater than the predetermined value.