Machine-readable tape
Exemplary embodiments use a single, physical embodiment that compiles independent machine-readable codes together with little to no space in between codes. This physical embodiment is in two primary forms—adhesive tape or fabric strips with hook and loop backing. A code reader device, with software compatible with the machine-readable codes, can rapidly or simultaneously aggregate independent codes together on the physical embodiment in order to assign them to one or more digital addresses.
1. An encoded tape comprising:
at least one fastener material on at least one surface of the tape; and
a non-repetitive varying pattern on at least one surface of the tape, the non-repetitive varying pattern encoding a plurality of different machine-readable codes, wherein the tape is separable into a plurality of arbitrary length segments including distinct sets of machine-readable codes that uniquely identify each such segment from other such segments of the tape, and wherein each arbitrary length segment of tape is attachable to an object using the at least one fastener material on the at least one surface of the arbitrary length segment of tape.
2. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein said pattern is printed on a visible surface of the tape.
3. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein said pattern is machine-detectable from at least one side of the tape.
4. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the non-repetitive varying pattern comprises a plurality of unique codes arranged successively along a longitudinal portion of the tape in both length and width.
5. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the unique codes encompass substantially equal lengths of the tape.
6. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the unique codes are arranged with little to no space between adjacent codes.
7. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the unique codes are arranged with a gap between adjacent codes.
8. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises demarcations identifying locations of the machine-readable codes on the tape.
9. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener material comprises a pressure sensitive material.
10. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener material comprises an adhesive that does not leave residue on at least one selected surface to be taped.
11. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener material comprises a water activated adhesive.
12. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener material comprises hook fasteners and loop fasteners.
13. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern on the tape is not visually discernible by a human as including the presence of machine-readable codes.
14. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern on the tape is outside of the visual spectrum such that the presence of machine-readable codes on the tape is not visually discernible by a human.
15. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the pattern comprises parallel and orthogonal lines.
16. A tape according to claim 15 , wherein the parallel and orthogonal lines cover substantially the entire length and width of the tape.
17. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein said pattern comprises adjacent cells of length and width equal to the width of the tape, each cell including at least one machine-readable code.
18. A tape according to claim 1 , wherein the tape is rolled.
19. An image processing system comprising:
an image scanner configured to provide at least one scanned image of at least a portion of an arbitrary length segment of the tape of claim 1 ; and
an image processor configured to receive the at least one scanned image, identify the distinct set of machine-readable codes on the arbitrary length segment of the tape based on the at least one scanned image, associate the distinct set of machine-readable codes with a common set of digital addresses, subsequently receive an input identifying any one or more of the distinct set of machine-readable codes associated with the arbitrary length segment of the tape, and, in response to receiving the input, providing user access to at least one member of the common set of digital addresses via a user interface of a user device.
20. A system according to claim 19 , wherein the image processor is further configured to receive and store information for a given one of the common set of digital address prior to receiving the input, such that access to the stored information is provided in response to the input.
21. A system according to claim 19 , wherein the input comprises a photographic or videographic scan of at least a portion of the arbitrary section of tape.
22. A system according to claim 19 , wherein the at least one scanned image comprises images scanned at a first location and at a second location of the arbitrary section of the tape, wherein the image processor is further configured to identify a first machine-readable code at the first location, identify a second machine-readable code at the second location, and infer at least one additional machine-readable code between the first and second machine-readable codes.
23. A method comprising:
receiving at least one scanned image of at least a portion of an arbitrary length segment of the tape of claim 1 ;
identifying the distinct set of machine-readable codes on the arbitrary length segment of the tape based on the at least one scanned image;
associating the distinct set of machine-readable codes with a common set of digital addresses;
subsequently receiving an input identifying any one or more of the distinct set of machine-readable codes associated with the arbitrary length segment of the tape; and
in response to receiving the input, providing user access to at least one member of the common set of digital addresses via a user interface of a user device.
24. A method according to claim 23 , further comprising:
prior to receiving the input, receiving and storing information for a given one of the common set of digital addresses, such that access to the stored information is provided in response to the input.
25. A method according to claim 23 , wherein the input comprises a photographic or videographic scan of at least a portion of the arbitrary section of tape.
26. A method according to claim 23 , wherein:
scanning at least a portion of the arbitrary section of the tape comprises scanning the arbitrary section of tape at a first location and at a second location; and
identifying the distinct set of machine-readable codes on the arbitrary section of the tape comprises identifying a first machine-readable code at the first location, identifying a second machine-readable code at the second location, and inferring at least one additional machine-readable code between the first and second machine-readable codes.
27. An encoded tape comprising:
at least one fastener material on at least one surface of the tape; and
repeated, identical, machine-readable codes along a longitudinal portion of at least one surface of the tape, wherein the tape is separable into a plurality of arbitrary length segments, each arbitrary length segment including at least one of the repeated, identical, machine-readable codes, such that each arbitrary length segment of tape is attachable to a different object of a plurality of objects using the at least one fastener material on the at least one surface of the arbitrary length segment of tape to associate such objects with a common set of digital addresses associated with the machine-readable codes.
28. A tape according to claim 27 , wherein the at least one fastener material comprises an adhesive.
29. A tape according to claim 27 , wherein the at least one fastener material comprises hook fasteners and loop fasteners.
30. A tape according to claim 27 , wherein the tape is rolled.