Machine-readable information embedded on a document
First Claim
1. A method of providing information on a printed page, comprising the step of printing a set of image elements in a selected pattern representing information to be printed on a printed page, the image elements being dispersed over at least a portion of the printed page, each printed image element being of a size and color which is imperceptible to the human eye.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Machine-readable information provided on a printed document in the form of printed marks which are not visually perceptible to the human eye. The printed marks are of a combination of sufficiently small size and selected color which renders the printed marks visually imperceptible to the human eye, yet easily detectable by a machine such as a scanner. The printed marks are dispersed across portions of or all of the printed document in selected patterns for encoding information, such as in a bar code, or the information may merely be printed text. The marks representing the information are printed in unused blank space between or surrounding existing text and other images on the printed document thus avoiding the use of any additional surface area of the media.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of providing information on a printed page, comprising the step of printing a set of image elements in a selected pattern representing information to be printed on a printed page, the image elements being dispersed over at least a portion of the printed page, each printed image element being of a size and color which is imperceptible to the human eye.
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2. A method of encoding information on a page of printed text, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first set of data representing a page of text;
identifying allowable encoding locations on the page of text;
generating a second set of data representing image elements arranged in a selected pattern corresponding to information to be encoded;
printing the image elements on the page of text, the printed image elements dispersed over selected areas of the page at allowable encoding locations wherein each printed image element is separated from other printed image elements, each printed image element being of a selected size and color which is imperceptible to the human eye. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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13. Apparatus for encoding information on a printed page, comprising:
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first input means for providing a first set of digital data representative of printed images on an original page to be modified;
processor means coupled to the input means for identifying allowable encoding locations on the original page;
second input means coupled to the processor means for providing a second set of data representing selected information to be encoded on the original page, the processor means combining the first and second sets of data to generate a third set of data representative of the original page modified to include the printed images on the original page and the selected information encoded thereon, when the modified page is printed, the modification to the original page being imperceptible to the human eye.
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21. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for adapting a computer to encode selected information on a printed page, the computer readable program code means in the article of manufacture including:
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computer readable program code means for enabling a computer to identify allowable encoding locations on a page;
computer readable program code means for enabling a computer to generate a first set of data representing printed images on an original document;
computer readable program code means for enabling a computer to generate a second set of data representing selected information to be encoded on the original document; and
computer readable program code means for enabling a computer to combine the first and second sets of data to generate a third set of data representing the original document modified to include the selected information encoded therein, when the modified original document is printed, the modifications to the original document being imperceptible to the human eye.
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Specification