Data display and transmission by certain data units - involves placing units on grid where they are scanned by reader and signals processed, or stored

摘要

The units bearing data are placed on a surface which is divided by a grid or coordinate system (16). At least some of the data units are provided with information which can be read by a machine. The data units can be placed at any crossing point of the grid or coordinate system. The surface with the data units is scanned by a reading device, and the read out signals are directly fed to a data processing device or a store. The entire system (10) has a raised rim (12) bearing data (14). The data units placed on the grid may be of various sizes. They have grooves in their undersides engaging on the grid so that their top surfaces are flush with the raised rim.