Filing folder tab having readable information

Abstract

A filing system is provided for locating a particular file contained in a file holder which contains a plurality of files. The apparatus includes a machine-readable code mounted on each of the files, a guide attached to each file holder, a scanner for reading the codes on the files in a file holder, and an indicator for indicating when the particular machine-readable code corresponding to the particular file is located. The apparatus uses an improved bar code in which character boundaries are eliminated and the number of ONE's and ZERO's in a code are variable, resulting in increased data density. The unique numeric values which result from the improved bar code sparsely populate the possible range of values, and therefore a mapping algorithm is provided to map the bar code values to a sequential numeric system for ease of use. The improved bar code system uses repeating basic patterns of bars separated by a MARK bar, and a basic pattern can be reconstructed if the scan view includes only one MARK bar surrounded by ONE and ZERO bars. The improved apparatus also utilizes an inventive perpendicular file tab which positions the bar code accurately for the scanner. Border bars are provided to allow the scanner to separate bar codes from each other and to aid in determining if a bar code is defective or damaged.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A file tab attached to a file folder comprising: tab support means, the tab support means being substantially planar and having front and back sides, a lower and upper portion and an upper edge;   a tab portion, wherein the tab portion is attached to the upper edge of the tab support moans and is supported by the tab support means, the tab portion having a top surface, the top surface being generally perpendicular to the tab support means and the file folder, wherein a portion of the tab portion is offset from the tab support means and overhangs the tab support means so that the file tab is generally "L" shaped and wherein the tab is wide enough to carry bar code information on the top surface; and   adhesive means attached to the back side of the lower portion of the tab support means, the lower portion of the tab support means being attached to the file folder in a generally linear fashion and wherein the upper portion of the tab support moans extends above the file folder a distance which is wide enough to carry readable information.   
     
     
       2. The file tab of claim 1 wherein the tab portion carries human readable information about the object it is attached to. 
     
     
       3. The file tab of claim 1 wherein the tab portion carries machine-readable information about the object it is attached to. 
     
     
       4. The file tab of claim 1, wherein the tab portion further includes a side surface, the side surface being substantially parallel with the tab support means, and wherein the tab portion and the support surface form an inverted U. .Iadd.5. A file tab attached to a file folder comprising: tab support means, the tab support means being substantially planar and having front and back sides, a lower and upper portion and an upper edge;   a tab portion, wherein the tab portion is attached to the upper edge of the tab support means and is supported by the tab support means, the tab portion having a top surface, the top surface being generally perpendicular to the tab support means and the file folder, wherein a portion of the tab portion is offset from the tab support means and overhangs the tab support means so that the file tab is generally "L" shaped and wherein the tab is wide enough to carry bar code information on the top surface; and   attachment means attached to the back side of the lower portion of the tab support means, the lower portion of the tab support means being attached to the file folder in a generally linear fashion and wherein the upper portion of the tab support means extends above the file folder a distance which is wide enough to carry readable information. .Iaddend..Iadd.6. A file tab attached to a file folder comprising:   tab support means, the tab support means being substantially planar and having front and back sides, a lower and upper portion and an upper edge;   a tab portion, wherein the tab portion is attached to the upper edge of the tab support means and is supported by the tab support means, the tab portion having a top surface, the top surface being generally perpendicular to the tab support means and the file folder, wherein a portion of the tab portion is offset from the tab support means and overhangs the tab support means so that the file tab is generally "L" shaped and wherein the tab is wide enough to carry bar code information on the top surface; and   securing means attached to the back side of the lower portion of the tab support means, the lower portion of the tab support means being attached to the file folder in a generally linear fashion and wherein the upper portion of the tab support means extends above the file folder a distance   
     
     
        which is wide enough to carry readable information. .Iaddend..Iadd.7.  A file tab for attachment to a file folder, comprising: a substantially planar support having front and back sides, a lower and upper portion and an upper edge;   a tab attached to the upper edge of the support, the tab having a top surface which is generally perpendicular to the support, and where a portion of the tab is offset from the support and overhangs the support so that the file tab is generally "L" shaped and wherein the tab is wide enough to carry human or machine readable information,   wherein the file tab is attached to the file folder which has two sides connected to form an interior of the file folder, the file tab being attached to one side of the file folder in a generally linear fashion such that the tab extends over the interior of the file folder. .Iaddend.