Circular Bar-Code for Drug Container Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bar-code technologies for encoding information on drug containers face challenges in ensuring reliable and easy readability, particularly when the container is positioned upright or when the bar-code needs to be read from a fixed source relative to the container.
Innovation Solution
A bar-code design that utilizes dark and bright areas encoded along a closed line, such as a circular or elliptical shape, allowing for reliable reading from a fixed position using an optical scanner, with the bar-code adapted to the container's shape to maximize length and width, ensuring flexibility in reading positions and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bar-code is applied to the side face of a cartridge, then information can be encoded on the container, but the bar-code becomes difficult to read when the container is positioned upright
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a circular bar-code design on the front face of the container instead of a linear bar-code on the side face. This circular configuration allows the bar-code to be read from any rotational position of the container, including when upright, by using a radial pattern that maintains readable orientation regardless of container rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear one-dimensional bar-code layout to a two-dimensional circular pattern arranged radially around a center point. This dimensional change enables the bar-code to provide reading references in multiple directions (radial lines from center), allowing reading from fixed positions regardless of container orientation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bar-code is designed for reading from multiple positions, then reading flexibility is improved, but the complexity of ensuring accurate reading increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circular bar-code includes an asymmetric reference mark (such as a gap or distinctive pattern) at a specific angular position relative to the radial data lines. This asymmetric feature provides a unique starting reference point that simplifies the reading process by establishing a fixed orientation reference, reducing the complexity of aligning and interpreting the radial pattern.
3Loss of information
If the bar-code is made larger to improve readability, then more information can be encoded, but the available space on the container is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The circular radial configuration utilizes the two-dimensional surface area of the container front face more efficiently than a linear bar-code. By arranging data lines radially from a center point to the perimeter, the design maximizes the use of available circular space, encoding information along multiple radial segments simultaneously rather than sequentially in one direction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the reliability and flexibility of reading the bar-code, allowing it to be readable from multiple angles and positions, reducing the risk of misreading due to container orientation or positioning errors, and is particularly suitable for cylindrical drug containers with curved surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The information of the bar-code may be read by an optical reading device, e. g. an optical scanner, which uses the different reflection of light at the dark and bright areas of the bar-code. For reading the bar-code, the optical reading device may emit a light beam and measure the intensity of the light reflected from the bar-code.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A circular bar-code (1) for encoding information regarding at least one of a body or a content of a body is provided. The bar-code (1) encircles a central point (14) and is configured such that the information encoded by the bar-code (1) is readable along a closed line (15) encircling the central point (14). The circular bar-code (1) may be used for encoding a drug Container (2), wherein the bar-code (1) is located at the front face (20) of the drug Container (2) such that the information encoded by the bar-code (1) is readable from a front view to the drug Container (2). The circular bar-code (1) may be applied to an element configured to be attached to the front end (21) of the drug Container (2).