Printer for actuated printing of identification tags

• US 7,728,991 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 06/01/2010
• 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): Rogers; Scott A
• Application Number:
  US11/706,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20070146735A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358 115- 118, 358/3.28, 347/54, 340/572.1, 235/491, 235/494
• US Class Current: 358/1.1
• 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 specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or 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 printer is provided for printing, onto a surface, an interface of document data and coded data. The document data includes first identity data indicative of an identity associated with a region of the interface. The coded data includes tags each including the first identity data and second identity data defining a relative position of the respective tag. The printer comprises an actuator, a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the first identity data, and a printing mechanism. The printer is configured to print the interface onto the surface, using the printing mechanism, in response to actuation of the actuator.

Claims

1. A printer for printing, onto a surface, an interface of document data and coded data, the document data including first identity data indicative of at least one identity associated with a region of the interface, the coded data including a plurality of tags each including the first identity data and second identity data defining a relative position of the tag, the printer comprising:

an actuator;

a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the first identity data; and

a printing mechanism,

wherein the printer is configured to print the interface onto the surface, using the printing mechanism, in response to actuation of the actuator.

2. A printer according to claim 1, wherein each tag includes a plurality of tag elements, the first and second identity data each being defined by a plurality of the elements.

3. A printer according to claim 2, wherein the tags are visible to an average unaided human eye under daylight or ambient lighting conditions.

4. A printer according to claim 2, wherein the tag elements are disposed in one or more arcuate bands around a central region of each tag.

5. A printer according to claim 4, wherein there are a plurality of the arcuate bands disposed concentrically with respect to each other.

6. A printer according to claim 4, wherein each element takes the form of a dot having a plurality of possible values.

7. A printer according to claim 6, wherein the number of possible values is two.

8. A printer according to claim 6, wherein, when representing one of the possible values, the tag elements absorb, reflect or fluoresce electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths to a predetermined greater or lesser extent than the surface.

9. A printer according to claim 6, wherein the possible values of the tag elements are defined by different relative absorption, reflection or fluorescence of electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined wavelength or range of wavelengths.

10. A printer according to claim 6, wherein the tags are slightly visible to an average unaided human eye under daylight or ambient lighting conditions.

11. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the second identity data is represented in a format incorporating redundancy of information.

12. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the first identity data is represented in a format incorporating redundancy of information.

13. A printer according to claim 12, wherein the printer is an ink printer.

14. A printer according to claim 13, wherein the tags are printed using ink that is absorbent or reflective in the ultraviolet spectrum or the infrared spectrum.

15. A printer according to claim 14, wherein the printer includes a separate ink channel for printing the tags.

16. A printer according to claim 15, wherein the document data is printed onto the surface using colored or monochrome inks.

17. A printer according to claim 16, wherein the document data is printed onto the surface using one of the following combinations of colored inks:

CMY;

CMYK;

CMYRGB; and

spot color.

18. A printer according to claim 1 configured to print the document data of the interface as visible data and the coded data of the interface as invisible data.

19. A printer according to claim 18, wherein the document and coded data are printed in substantially the same region of the interface.

20. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the surface is defined by a face of a page, the printer further comprising a second printing mechanism, the printing mechanisms being arranged to print on opposite faces of the page simultaneously.