Printed page tag encoder

• US 7,070,098 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2000
• Issued: 07/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US10/296,535
• Time in Patent Office: 2,232 Days
• Field of Search: 235/432, 235/494, 235/491, 235/455, 358/1.14, 358/1.1, 358/1.17, 358/1.5, 382/100, 382/240, 375/179
• US Class Current: 235/432
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/60 for printing on both faces of the printing material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/3113 vertical
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2402/43 Wall apparatus, i.e. mounted on vertical support
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2405/20 Cassettes, holders, bins, decks, trays, supports or magazines for sheets stacked on edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2801/12 Single-function printing machines, typically table-top machines
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/6529 Transporting G03G15/6555 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00016 Special arrangement of entire apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00371 General use over the entire feeding path
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00383 Cassette
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 2215/00822 Binder, e.g. glueing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/02 using printers
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/181 Receiving print data characterized by its formatting, e.g. particular page description languages
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 Architecture adapted for a particular function
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping

Abstract

A tag encoder for producing tags to be incorporated into a printed page is disclosed. The tag encoder has an input to receive a tag structure template, an input to receive fixed data bits, an input to receive variable data bit records and a tag generator outputting single bits depending on the position in the tag defined by the tag structure template and the fixed and variable data bits. The encoder has a redundancy encoder which utilizes Reed-Solomon encoding. The tag encoder is present in a printer. In addition to the tag encoder, the printer has a contone image decoder to decode compressed continuous tone image planes and a bi-level decoder to decode any compressed bi-level image plane in the compressed data. These decoded image planes are combined with the output of the tag encoder in a halftoner/compositor to produce a printed page carrying tagged areas. The tags are printed in ink which is invisible to the human eye. Such inks, could be IR or UV absorptive.

Claims

1. A printed page tag encoder for encoding at least one tag to be printed on a page, the printed page tag encoder comprises:

an input at which to receive a tag structure template having at least one predetermined mark position;

an input at which to receive fixed data bits;

an input at which to receive variable data bit records; and

a tag dot generator which uses the tag structure template, the fixed data bits and the variable data bits for outputting, for at least one mark position of a respective tag, a single bit indicating if a dot is to be provided at the at least one mark position, for the respective tag.

2. A printed page tag encoder as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a redundancy encoder for optionally encoding said fixed and/or said variable data.

3. A printed page tag encoder as claimed in claim 2 wherein the redundancy encoder utilises Reed-Solomon encoding.

4. A printed page tag encoder as claimed in claim 1 wherein tags are placed regularly on a page.

5. A printed page tag encoder as claimed in claim 4 wherein tags are placed in a triangular grid.

6. A method of establishing printed page tags comprising:

generating at least one single bit for a respective tag using fixed data for the page being printed together with specific tag data values according to a defined tag structure format having at least one mark position, each single bit indicates if a dot is to be provided for the at least one mark position of the respective tag; and

regularly locating at least one dot for the respective tags on the page in accordance with the at least one generated single bit.

7. A method of printing a printed page tag as claimed in claim 6 further comprising redundancy encoding the fixed and/or specific tag data.