Systems and methods for information storage

Abstract

A product with stored non-sequential data may be provided using a method that codes the data to a coding pattern using at least one sequence with symbols. The coding pattern may be configured such that an arbitrary subsequence of a predetermined magnitude of the sequence unambiguously defines the position of the subsequence in the sequence. The coding pattern may be reproduced on a product. An apparatus may be adapted to record and decode the coding pattern.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A system for storing non-sequential data, comprising: 
 a product; and    a coding pattern placed on an area of the product and coding non-sequential data, the coding pattern including sequence portions with symbols, each sequence portion including at least a subsequence of a sequence which is arranged so that an arbitrary subsequence of a predetermined magnitude of the sequence unambiguously defines a position of the subsequence in the sequence the coding pattern further coding a position sequence representing position within the area of the product.    
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the coding pattern codes a set of data values, each of the data values coding a group of sequence portions consisting of at least two sequence portions.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the symbols consist of markings, the size of the markings defining a value of the symbol.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein each of the symbols comprises a raster point and a marking, the value of each symbol being indicated by a position of said marking in relation to the raster point.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the product comprises at least one of the following: a sheet of paper, a book cover, a page of a book, a magazine cover, a magazine page, a newspaper page, and a bulletin board.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the coding pattern codes text.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the coding pattern codes a command.  
   
   
       25 - 30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . A coding pattern data structure for storage of non-sequential data, comprising: 
 a coding pattern including,    a plurality of symbols provided on a surface and forming a plurality of sequence portions on the surface;    each sequence portion comprising at least a subsequence of a symbol sequence arranged so that an arbitrary subsequence of a predetermined magnitude of the symbol sequence unambiguously defines the position of the subsequence in the symbol sequence.    
   
   
       32 . The coding pattern data structure of  claim 31 , wherein each of the symbols includes a raster point and a marking, a value of each symbol being indicated by a position of said marking in relation to the raster point.  
   
   
       33 - 39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . A method for storage of data, comprising: 
 coding the data to a coding pattern, the coding pattern including at least one sequence with symbols which have the characteristic that an arbitrary subsequence of a predetermined magnitude of the sequence unambiguously defines a position of the subsequence in the sequence; and    reproducing the coding pattern on a product with symbols readable with an symbol sensing wand.    
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein said step of reproducing the coding pattern imprints or otherwise affixes symbols on said product over a desired symbol bearing area, the coding pattern having coded therein a position sequence representing position within the area of the product.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein said coding pattern codes a position sequence representing position in said desired symbol bearing area in at least one dimension.  
   
   
       43 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said coding pattern covers the entirety of the area of the product.  
   
   
       44 . The system of  claim 18  wherein said coding pattern codes a position sequence representing position in said area in one dimension.  
   
   
       45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein said coding pattern covers the entirety of the area of the product.  
   
   
       46 . The data structure of  claim 31  wherein said non-sequential data is text data.  
   
   
       47 . The coding pattern of  claim 31  wherein said coding pattern is affixed to the surface and readable by a digital sensor.  
   
   
       48 . The data structure of  claim 31  wherein the data structure is imprinted on a desired area of the surface, the coding pattern further coding a position sequence representing position within the area.  
   
   
       49 . The data structure of  claim 47  wherein said coding pattern codes a position sequence representing position of said pattern within the area.