Interface surface printer

• US 6,987,573 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 01/17/2006
• 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): Lamb, Twyler
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAHIMI, IRAJ A
• Application Number:
  US09/575,187
• Time in Patent Office: 2,065 Days
• Field of Search: 358/468, 358/1.18, 358/1.1, 382/287, 382/291, 715505-508, 235/462.5, 235/462.49, 235/468, 235/470, 235/472, 235/498, 283/72, 283/73, 101/105, 101/106, 380/246, 380/343
• 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 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 printer for receiving document data from a computer system and printing an interface onto a surface. The interface is based on the document data, which includes identity data indicative of at least one identity. The identity is, in turn, associated with a region of the interface. The interface also includes coded data. The printer includes a coded data generator configured to generate the coded data based at least partially on the identity data. A printing mechanism in the printer prints the interface onto the surface.

Claims

1. A printer for receiving document data from a computer system and printing an interface onto a surface, the interface being at least partially based on the document data, the document data including identity data indicative of at least one identity, the identity being associated with a region of the interface, the interface including coded data, the printer including:

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

a printing mechanism for printing the interface onto the surface.

2. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the interface includes visible information in addition to the coded data, the visible information being based at least partially on the response data.

3. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the coded data is also indicative of at least one reference point of the region.

4. A printer according to claim 3, wherein the at least one reference point is determined on the basis of a coded data layout.

5. A printer according to claim 4, wherein the printer is configured to receive the coded data layout from the computer system.

6. A printer according to claim 5, further including storage means for storing a plurality of the coded data layouts, the printer being configured to:

receive, from the computer system, layout selection information indicative of one of the coded data layouts; and

use the layout selection information to select one of the stored coded layouts for use in determining the at least one reference point.

7. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the coded data is not substantially visible to an average unaided human eye under daylight or ambient lighting conditions.

8. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the coded data includes at least one tag, each tag being indicative of the identity of the region.

9. A printer according to claim 8, wherein the coded data includes a plurality of the tags, the coded data generator being configured to ascertain a position of each tag prior to printing, the respective positions being determined on the basis of a coded data layout.

10. A printer according to claim 9, wherein the coded data generator is configured to receive the coded data layout from the computer device prior to printing the coded data.

11. A printer according to claim 5, further including storage means for storing a plurality of the coded data layouts, the coded data generator being configured to:

receive, from the computer device, layout selection information indicative of one of the coded data layouts; and

generate the coded data based on the layout selection information.

12. A printer according to claim 8, wherein each of the tags includes:

first identity data defining a relative position of that tag; and

second identity data identifying the region.

13. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8 or 11, the printer being configured to print the interface onto the surface on demand.

14. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8 or, 11, wherein the interface is printed over a plurality of the pages.

15. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the surface is defined by a substrate.

16. A printer according to claim 15, wherein the substrate is laminar.

17. A printer according to claim 8, wherein the tags are disposed at predetermined positions on the surface.

18. A printer according to claim 17, wherein the tags are disposed on the surface within a tessellated pattern comprising a plurality of tiles, each of the tiles containing a plurality of the tags.

19. A printer according to claim 18, wherein the tiles interlock with each other to substantially cover the surface.

20. A printer according to claim 19, wherein the tiles are all of a similar shape.

21. A printer according to claim 20, wherein the tiles are triangular, square, rectangular or hexagonal.

22. A printer according to claim 18, wherein the tags are disposed stochastically within each of the tiles.

23. A printer according to claim 8, wherein each of the tags includes at least one common feature in addition to the second identity data.

24. A printer according to claim 23, wherein at least one common feature is configured to assist finding and/or recognition of the tags by associated tag reading apparatus.

25. A printer according to claim 23, wherein the at least one common feature is represented in a format incorporating redundancy of information.

26. A printer according to claim 25, wherein the at least one common feature is rotationally symmetric so as to be rotationally invariant.

27. A printer according to claim 25, wherein the at least one common feature is ring-shaped.

28. A printer according to claim 8, wherein each of the tags includes at least one orientation feature for enabling a rotational orientation of the tag to be ascertained by associated tag reading apparatus.

29. A printer according to claim 28, wherein the at least one orientation feature is represented in a format incorporating redundancy of information.

30. A printer according to claim 29, wherein the at least one orientation feature is rotationally asymmetric.

31. A printer according to claim 29, wherein the at least one orientation feature is skewed along its major axis.

32. A printer according to claim 8, wherein each of the tags includes at least one perspective feature for enabling a perspective distortion of the tag to be ascertained by associated tag reading apparatus.

33. A printer according to claim 32, wherein the at least one perspective feature includes at least four sub-features which are not coincident.

34. A printer according to claim 12, wherein each tag includes a plurality of tag elements, the first and second identity data each being defined by a plurality of the elements.

35. A printer according to claim 34, wherein the tag elements are disposed in one or more arcuate bands around a central region of each tag.

36. A printer according to claim 35, wherein there are a plurality of the arcuate bands disposed concentrically with respect to each other.

37. A printer according to claim 36, wherein each element takes the form of a dot having a plurality of possible values.

38. A printer according to claim 37, wherein the number of possible values is two.

39. A printer according to claim 37, 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.

40. A printer according to claim 37, 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.

41. A printer according to claim 37, wherein the tags are slightly visible to an average unaided human eye under daylight or ambient lighting conditions.

42. A printer according to claim 34, wherein the tags are visible to an average unaided human eye under daylight or ambient lighting conditions.

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

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

45. A printer according to claim 44, wherein the printer is an ink printer.

46. A printer according to claim 45, wherein the tags are printed using ink that is absorbent or reflective in the ultraviolet spectrum or the infrared spectrum.

47. A printer according to claim 46, wherein the printer includes a separate ink channel for printing the tags.

48. A printer according to claim 45, wherein the printer is configured to print the coded data and additional information substantially simultaneously onto the surface.

49. A printer according to claim 48, wherein the additional information is printed onto the surface using colored or monochrome inks.

50. A printer according to claim 49, wherein the additional information is printed onto the surface using one of the following combinations of colored inks:

CMY;

CMYK;

CMYRGB; and

spot colour.

51. A printer according to claim 8, wherein at least a plurality of the tags are disposed stochastically upon the surface.

52. A printer according to claim 9, wherein the tags are disposed in a regular array on the surface, in accordance with the coded layout data.

53. A printer according to claim 52, wherein the array is triangular.

54. A printer according to claim 52, wherein the array is rectangular.

55. A printer according to claim 52, wherein the tags are tiled over the surface.

56. A printer according to claim 14, further including a binding mechanism for binding the pages into a bound document.

57. A printer according to claim 48, wherein the surface is defined by a face of a page, the printer further including dual printing mechanisms for printing opposite faces of the page simultaneously.

58. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8 or 11 or, wherein the printing mechanism includes an inkjet printhead for printing ink onto the surface.

59. A printer according to claim 58, wherein the printhead is a drop on demand inkjet printhead.

60. A printer according to claim 59, wherein the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

61. A printer according to claim 60 wherein the printhead is configured to deliver a plurality of ink colors onto the surface with one printing pass.

62. A printer according to claim 60, wherein the printhead includes electro-thermal bend actuators to eject the ink onto the surface.

63. A printer according to claim 62, wherein the printer includes two sets of printheads, configured to print opposite surfaces of a page substantially simultaneously.

64. A printer according to claim 62, including a forced filtered air delivery mechanism for keeping nozzles of the printhead relatively free of paper dust.

65. A printer according to claim 62, wherein the printhead includes moving nozzle chambers.

66. A printer according to claim 65, wherein the printer includes two sets of printheads, configured to print opposite surfaces of a page substantially simultaneously.

67. An interface surface produced by a printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, 8 or, 11.