Method and apparatus for visually identifying an area on a photograph or image where digital data is stored
First Claim
1. A method of generating a printed image, the method comprising the steps of:
- processing data representing an image to add visible printed data identification indicia to the image by modifying one or more image colors in the identified area of the image to compensate for any effect the printing of the data to be stored will have on the perceived color of the printed image;
printing both the image including the visible printed data identification indicia and data to be stored on the printed image, the data to be stored being printed in a manner that results in non-visible machine readable data being included on the printed image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for generating images and/or photographs from digital data files with data, e.g., audio data, stored on the photograph are described. Ink which is invisible or almost invisible to the human eye but which can be detected using an optical reader is used for printing the data on the photograph. When the ink used for printing audio data is slightly noticeable to a human, the color or colors of the photo are adjusted to mask the visual effect of the ink. In order to identify the presence and/or location of printed audio data, the audio data region on the photograph is identified using a non-destructive technique. In one embodiment, the optical density of all or a portion of the image area corresponding to the audio data region of a photograph is reduced slightly from that of the original image to identify the presence and location of the printed audio data. This approach identifies the presence and location of audio data without destroying the content of the image on which the audio data is printed. In another embodiment, audio data markers, e.g., in the form of small lines or marks, are printed on the photograph to identify the presence and/or location of printed audio data. To avoid destroying the image content of the photograph the audio data region identification marks may be printed on the edges or boarder of the photograph. The audio data may be read and played using a hand held scanner.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of generating a printed image, the method comprising the steps of:
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processing data representing an image to add visible printed data identification indicia to the image by modifying one or more image colors in the identified area of the image to compensate for any effect the printing of the data to be stored will have on the perceived color of the printed image; printing both the image including the visible printed data identification indicia and data to be stored on the printed image, the data to be stored being printed in a manner that results in non-visible machine readable data being included on the printed image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A printed image, comprising:
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a printing substrate; a first layer of ink representing non-visible machine readable data; a layer of visible ink representing an image, the layer of visible ink including visual indicia of the presence of non-visible machine readable data, wherein one or more image colors in the identified area of the image are modified to compensate for any effect printing of the data to be stored will have on the perceived color of the printed image. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for processing and printing an image and data, the image processing system including:
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means for selecting an area within the image to print the data; means for processing the image to add visual indicia indicating the location of the selected area, wherein one or more image colors in the identified area of the image are modified to compensate for any effect the printing of the data to be stored will have on the perceived color of the printed image; and printing means for printing both the image including the visual indicia of the location in the image of the selected area and for printing the data in the selected area in a manner that renders it invisible to the human eye. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification