Document printed with graphical symbols which encode information
First Claim
1. A document printed with graphical symbols which encode information but are not human readable, and which are formed into some or all of a visible element printed on the document, wherein the outline of the element is used for synchronising an automated process for scanning the document to extract the encoded information from the element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A document is printed with graphical symbols which encode information but are not human readable; the graphical symbols are formed into some or all of visible element printed on the document. The outline of this element is used for synchronising an automated process for scanning the document to extract the encoded information from the element. In prior art systems, synchronising an automated process for scanning the document to extract the encoded information from the element requires large scale arrangement of the graphical symbols (e.g. a horizontal line of glyphs which are all forward facing and which intersect a vertical line of glyphs which are all rearward facing). This considerably mars the appearance of a printed document. This negative impact on appearance has been one of the major causes inhibiting the uptake of graphical symbol technology for encoding information.
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Citations
32 Claims
- 1. A document printed with graphical symbols which encode information but are not human readable, and which are formed into some or all of a visible element printed on the document, wherein the outline of the element is used for synchronising an automated process for scanning the document to extract the encoded information from the element.
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24. A method of printing a document with graphical symbols which are not human readable but do encode information, the method comprising the step of (a) computer generating the graphical symbols;
- (b) generating an element made up of the graphical symbols, such that the outline of the element is capable of being used for synchronising an automated process for scanning the document to extract the encoded information from the element and then (c) printing the graphical symbols onto the document.
- View Dependent Claims (31)
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26. A method of retrieving information from a printed document, in which the printed document comprises graphical symbols formed into some or all of an element such that the outline of the element is capable of being used for synchronising an automated process for scanning the document to extract the encoded information from the element;
the method comprising the steps of scanning the element, using the outline to achieve synchronisation, and then recovering the information by decoding the graphical symbols which make up some or all of the element. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 32)
Specification