Method of reading a two-dimensional code carrying image processing instructions

• US 20060007261A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 01/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,452,048 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14 Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A method of reading a two-dimensional code carried on an article in the form of an array of dots that represent image processing instructions includes the step of scanning the article with a scanner of an image processing device to generate a number of pixels represented by each dot. A signal representing a pixel pattern to be communicated to processing circuitry of the image processing device is generated. The signal is processed at the processing circuitry to determine an extent of area on the article covered by the two dimensional code. The signal is processed to detect a bit pattern represented by the pixel pattern. The bit pattern is written as bytes to a data storage means of the image processing device. The resultant byte pattern is processed.

Claims

1. A method of reading a two-dimensional code carried on an article in the form of an array of dots that represent image processing instructions, the method including the steps of:

scanning the article with a scanner of an image processing device to generate a number of pixels represented by each dot;

generating a signal representing a pixel pattern to be communicated to processing circuitry of the image processing device;

processing the signal at the processing circuitry to determine an extent of area on the article covered by the two dimensional code;

processing the signal to detect a bit pattern represented by the pixel pattern;

writing the bit pattern as bytes to a data storage means of the image processing device; and

processing a resultant byte pattern.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the step of scanning the article comprises the step of scanning a card on which the two-dimensional code is carried.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, in which at least the steps of processing the signal and writing the bit pattern as bytes are carried out while the card is scanned.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, in which the step of processing the signal to determine an extent of said area includes the step of detecting targets in the form of predetermined dot patterns on the card.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, in which the step of detecting targets on the card includes the step of detecting targets on one side of the card.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, which includes the step of determining a relationship between targets in order to validate the card.

7. A method as claimed in claim 2, in which the step of writing the bit pattern as bytes to the data storage means includes the step of writing the bytes to a random access memory of the image processing device.

8. A method as claimed in claim 2, in which the step of scanning the card includes the step of consecutively reading columns of dots extending transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the card.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, which includes the step of decoding the byte pattern with a redundancy decoding algorithm.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, which includes the step of decoding the byte pattern using a Reed-Solomon decoding algorithm.