Method and system for printing a photograph

• US 7,173,722 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia, Gabriel I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham, Thierry L.
• Application Number:
  US09/575,145
• Time in Patent Office: 2,450 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358 111- 117, 358/1.9, 715/513, 715/500, 715/501.1, 270/52.03, 270/52.05, 270/52.01, 270/52.02
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16511 Constructions for cap positioning B41J2/16547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17563 Ink filters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2114 Ejecting transparent or white coloured liquids, e.g. processing liquids B41J2/211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 19/02 starting with single sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0006 by applying adhesive to a stack of sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0081 applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together by fusing, welding B42C9/0093
• CPC Class Codes: B42P 2261/04 Producing books by printing sheets in following order, e.g. for ordering via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/34 from supports slid from under the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/04 for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling adhering replacement to expiring web during change of web roll B65H19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0337 Status LEDs integrated in the mouse to provide visual feedback to the user about the status of the input device, the PC, or the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 : Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 : resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1265 : Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 : Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 : Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 : Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 : the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• 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 1/00358 : Type of the scanned marks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00376 : Means for identifying a mark sheet or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00567 : Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 : by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/23 : Reproducing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 : attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 : on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• 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 1/32771 : in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 : using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3201 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3247 : Data linking a set of images to one another, e.g. sequence, burst or continuous capture mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1746 : Plural lines and/or separate means assembling separate sandwiches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1761 : Stacked serially

Abstract

A method of printing a digital photo including transmitting instructions for printing the photo to a printer, printing the photo onto a surface using the printer; also printing on the surface coded data indicative of an identity of the photo and a plurality of reference points on the photo, wherein the coded data is printed on the surface in a form which can be read by an optical sensing device to identify a location of the sensing device relative to the photo, thereby enabling a function to be invoked in relation to the photo.

Claims

1. A method of printing a digital photograph including the following steps:

(a) a computer system allocating and recording a photograph identification code;

(b) the computer system automatically associating said photograph with said photograph identification code;

(c) generating image data for printing said photograph and tag image data for printing a plurality of location-indicating tags with said photograph, each tag containing coded data identifying said photograph and identifying a location of that tag on the photograph;

(d) printing the photograph onto a surface using the printer;

(e) also printing on the surface, at the same time as printing the photograph, said plurality of location-indicating tags, using the printer,

such that an optical sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the surface, can generate indicating data using at least some of the coded data, the indicating data comprising data regarding the photograph identification code and data regarding a location of the sensing device relative to the surface, whereby a computer system can determine a photograph identity and/or an action relating to the photograph using at least some of the indicating data,

wherein said tag image data is generated by a coded data generator in said printer using said photograph identification code.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a copy of the photograph may be requested by directing an optical sensing device towards a zone on the surface, which causes the optical sensing device to sense coded data on the surface and transmit a message to a printer, which in turn causes the printer to print a copy of the photograph.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein a digital copy of the photograph is archived separately from the printed photograph and the original digital photograph.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the photograph identification code is also sent to a digital camera which took the photograph for future reference.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein data indicative of an action is forwarded from an optical sensing device to a printer when the optical sensing device is used to designate a particular zone of the surface.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the surface has printed on it one or more options which a user may select, each associated with a designated zone on the surface, and the user selects an option by moving an optical sensing device on the surface within the associated zone, the optical sensing device transmitting data indicative of the user'"'"'s selection to a printer.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein a user annotates the photograph with text by writing with an optical sensing device on the surface, data indicative of the movements of the optical sensing device being transmitted to a printer and converted to computer text.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein a user signs the photograph by writing the user'"'"'s signature on the surface with an optical sensing device, data indicative of the movements of the optical sensing device being transmitted to a printer, the signature thereafter being verified by comparison with a known signature of the user.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein a user draws on the photograph by drawing on the surface with an optical sensing device, data indicative of the movements of the optical sensing device being transmitted to a printer.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein a user requests one or more other documents or photographs to be printed by directing an optical sensing device to a zone on the surface.

14. A method according to claim 1 or claim 4 wherein the coded data is substantially invisible to the human eye.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the coded data is printed using and infrared ink and/or an infrared-absorptive ink.

16. A method according to claim 14 wherein some or all of the coded data is printed on part of the photograph.

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein the photograph is part of a multi-page document and the printer automatically binds the pages together.

4. A method of taking, storing and printing a digital photograph including the following steps:

(a) taking a digital photograph using a digital camera;

(b) a computer system allocating and recording a photograph identification code for the digital photograph;

(c) transmitting the digital photograph to a digital photograph repository and automatically storing the digital photograph by reference to the identification code;

(d) generating image data for printing said photograph and tag image data for printing a plurality of location-indicating tags with said photograph, each tag containing coded data identifying said photograph and identifying a location of that tag on the photograph;

(e) printing the digital photograph onto a surface using a printer;

(f) also printing on the surface, at the same time as printing the photograph, said plurality of location-indicating tags, using the printer,

such that an optical sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the surface, can generate indicating data using at least some of the coded data, the indicating data comprising data regarding the identity of the surface and data regarding a position of the sensing device relative to the surface, whereby a computer system can determine a photograph identity and/or an action relating to the photograph using at least some of the indicating data,

wherein said tag image data is generated by a coded data generator in said printer using said photograph identification code.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the digital camera and printer form an integrated unit, the step of transmitting the digital photograph is done by means of a transmitter located in or proximate the integrated unit, the step of assigning an identification code is conducted on a computer remote from the integrated unit, and the identification code is transmitted from the remote computer to the integrated unit before the digital photograph is printed.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein the digital camera and printer form an integrated unit, identification codes are assigned to the integrated unit by a computer remote from the integrated unit, stored in the integrated unit and used for successive photographs, and the step of transmitting the digital photograph to a digital photograph repository is done after a number of photographs have been taken, assigned an identification code, and stored by the camera, the transmitting step occurring either before or after the step of printing the photograph.