Re-writeable optical card reader/writer unit using ink dots for data storage

• US 6,106,147 A
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold I.
• Application Number:
  US09/112,791
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 371/39.1, 235/437
• US Class Current: 714/762
• 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: H03M 13/00 Coding, decoding or code conversion, for error detection or error correction; Coding theory basic assumptions; Coding bounds; Error probability evaluation methods; Channel models; Simulation or testing of codes error detection or error correction for analogue/digital, digital/analogue or code conversion H03M1/00 – H03M11/00; specially adapted for digital computers G06F11/08; for information storage based on relative movement between record carrier and transducer G11B, e.g. G11B20/18; for static stores G11C
• 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

An information storage apparatus is disclosed for storing information on inserted cards the apparatus comprising a sensing means for sensing printed patterns on the surface stored on the card, the patterns arranged in a predetermined number of possible active areas of the card; a decoding means for decoding the sensed printed patterns into corresponding data; a printing means for printing dot patterns on the card in at least one of the active areas; a positioning means for positioning the sensed card at known locations relative to the sensing means and the printing means; wherein the sensing means is adapted to sense the printed patterns in a current active printed area of the card, the decoding means is adapted to decode the sensed printed patterns into corresponding current data and, when the current data requires updating, the printing means is adapted to print the updated current data at a new one of the active areas after activation of the positioning means for correctly position the card. The printing means can comprise an ink jet printer device having a card width print head able to print a line width of the card at a time. The positioning means can comprise a series of pinch rollers to pinch the card and control the movement of the card. The printed patterns can be laid out in a fault tolerant manner, for example, using Reed--Solomon decoding, and the decoding means includes a suitable decoder for the fault tolerant pattern.

Claims

1. An information storage apparatus for storing information on inserted cards said apparatus comprising:

sensing means for sensing printed patterns on the surface stored on said card, said patterns arranged in a predetermined number of possible active areas of said card;

decoding means for decoding said sensed printed patterns into corresponding data;

printing means for printing dot patterns on said card in at least one of said active areas;

positioning means for positioning said sensed card at known locations relative to said sensing means and said printing means;

wherein said sensing means is adapted to sense the printed patterns in a current active printed area of said card, said decoding means is adapted to decode said sensed printed patterns into corresponding current data and, when said current;

data requires updating, said printing means is adapted to print said updated current data at a new one of said active areas after activation of said positioning means for correctly position said card.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printing means comprises an ink jet printer device.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ink jet printer includes a card width print head able to print a line width of said card at a time.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said positioning means comprises a series of pinch rollers to pinch said card and control the movement of said card.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printed patterns are laid out in a fault tolerant manner and said decoding means includes a decoder for said fault tolerant pattern.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said fault tolerant manner comprises Reed--Solomon encoding of said patterns and said decoding means includes a Reed--Solomon Decoder.