Arrangement of objects in images or graphics to convey a machine-readable signal
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- utilizing a programmed electronic processor, providing a plurality of dots or circles arranged in a pattern on or in an image or graphic, the pattern conveying a machine-readable signal, in which the presence of the pattern is disguised to a human viewer of the image or graphic through provision of design elements associated with the image or graphic, and in which the presence of the pattern of the dots or circles would be apparent to the human viewer of the image or graphic absent the provision of the design elements; and
utilizing a programmed electronic processor, providing an orientation element, the orientation element provides orientation or registration clues for successful reading of the machine-readable signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods and systems related to arranging objects (e.g., circles, dots and other shapes) in images and graphics to convey a machine-readable signal. One claim recites a method including: integrating a plurality of objects in an image or graphic, the objects being arranged in a pattern that is machine-readable by a programmed computer processor, the plurality of objects being integrated in the image or graphic so that the pattern is hidden in the image or graphic through cooperation with design elements of the image or graphic; and providing a visible structure for aiding in machine-reading of the pattern by the programmed computer processor. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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utilizing a programmed electronic processor, providing a plurality of dots or circles arranged in a pattern on or in an image or graphic, the pattern conveying a machine-readable signal, in which the presence of the pattern is disguised to a human viewer of the image or graphic through provision of design elements associated with the image or graphic, and in which the presence of the pattern of the dots or circles would be apparent to the human viewer of the image or graphic absent the provision of the design elements; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, providing an orientation element, the orientation element provides orientation or registration clues for successful reading of the machine-readable signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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integrating a plurality of objects in an image or graphic, the objects being arranged in a pattern that is machine-readable by a programmed computer processor, the plurality of objects being integrated in the image or graphic so that the pattern is hidden in the image or graphic through cooperation with design elements of the image or graphic; and providing a visible structure for aiding in machine-reading of the pattern by the programmed computer processor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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providing a visible structure for association with an image or graphic, the visible structure aids machine-recognition of a pattern by a programmed computer processor; integrating a plurality of objects in the image or graphic, the plurality of objects is arranged in the pattern for machine-recognition by the programmed computer processor, the plurality of objects is integrated in the image or graphic such that the pattern is concealed therein through association with design elements of the image or graphic. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method comprising:
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obtaining data representing;
i) an image or graphic, and ii) an orientation element associated with the image or graphic, in which the image or graphic comprises a plurality of dots or circles arranged in a pattern on or in the image or graphic, the pattern conveying a machine-readable signal, in which the presence of the pattern is disguised to a human viewer of the image or graphic through provision of design elements associated with the image or graphic, and in which the presence of the pattern of the dots or circles would be apparent to the human viewer of the image or graphic absent the provision of the design elements, and in which the orientation element provides orientation or registration clues for successful reading of the machine-readable signal;utilizing a programmed electronic processor, analyzing the data to read the machine-readable signal, in which said analyzing utilizes data representing the orientation element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method comprising:
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obtaining data representing;
i) an image or graphic, and ii) a visible structure associated with the image or graphic, in which a plurality of objects are integrated in the image or graphic, the objects being arranged in a pattern that is machine-readable by a programmed computer processor, the plurality of objects being integrated in the image or graphic so that the pattern is hidden in the image or graphic through cooperation with design elements of the image or graphic, and in which the visible structure is for aiding in machine-reading of the pattern by the programmed computer processor; andutilizing a programmed computer processor, machine-reading the pattern, in which said machine-reading utilizes data representing the visual structure. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method comprising:
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obtaining data representing;
i) an image or graphic, and ii) a visible structure associated with the image or graphic, in which the visible structure aids machine- recognition of a pattern by a programmed computer processor, and in which the image or graphic comprises a plurality of objects integrated therein, the plurality of objects is arranged in the pattern for machine-recognition by the programmed computer processor, the plurality of objects is integrated in the image or graphic such that the pattern is concealed therein through association with design elements of the image or graphic; andutilizing a programmed computer processor, machine-recognizing the pattern, in which said machine-recognitions utilizes data representing the visual structure. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification