Cryptography – By modifying optical image
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-19
2004-08-10
Vu, Kim (Department: 2135)
Cryptography
By modifying optical image
C235S469000, C250S271000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06775381
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to media bearing invisible encodements that may be edited and read employing a reader, and particularly to methods and apparatus employing a hierarchy of invisible dyes for recording multiple encodements over one another on the media to enable selective editing, each invisible dye rendered visible to a reader under differing applied wavelengths of light, whereby the invisible encodements may be selectively captured, decoded and reproduced as data, sound or visual information and methods of producing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to imprint data on various articles and objects, including printed media, labels, containers, vehicles, etc., in the form of a machine readable, code or “symbology” that is visible to the eye but requires a reader to read and decode. The terms “symbology” or “symbologies” are generally employed to denote spatial patterns of symbology elements or marks, wherein each mark has a shape and separated from an adjacent mark by a spacing between the marks, whereby information is encoded in the shapes and/or the spacings between the marks, and embrace bar codes and other codes as described further below. Typically the decoded information output by the reader is used by a machine in a process of identification of the article and to associate it with other data, e.g. unit price and restocking code, which may be displayed and printed out. A great many symbologies and specialized symbology readers have been adopted over the years.
It is also known to encode aural information as such machine readable bar codes associated with images on media so that the aural information or sound can be reproduced from the encoded symbology. Such systems are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,276,472 and 5,313,235 in relation to photographic prints, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,059,126 and 5,314,336 in relation to other objects or printed images.
Furthermore, it is well known to record or print symbologies or human recognizable images on various media, e.g., documents, identity cards, financial instruments, professional photographic prints, etc., to verify identity or inhibit unauthorized use or copying, and on stamps and envelopes in postal cancellation applications. Such printing is typically done with one or more invisible ink or dye imprinted on the surface of the document or incorporated into internal layers of the media. These symbologies or recognizable images are normally invisible but can be made visible to and read by a scanner or reader when illuminated by a specific light wavelength or band, e.g. infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths. The printed invisible symbologies or images can be made with a single invisible material sensitive to a single light wavelength or two printed invisible encodements or images can be with two invisible materials, wherein each material is sensitive to a separate light wavelength as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,798. Such symbologies or images are intended to be permanently recorded or printed onto or incorporated within the media and to be tamper resistant.
The above-referenced, commonly assigned and pending patent applications disclose recording “variable data” as an invisible “encodement” of a selected symbology located in an image field on media on a photographic print image or a print that is produced by other means. The term “variable data” includes data that varies from print to print and contains information related to the visible print image. The “encodement” is preferably formed of a two-dimensional symbology that is relatively dense and is at least co-extensive in area with the visible photographic image to maximize the amount of sound information that can be recorded. The encodement is invisible or substantially invisible to the human eye when viewed under normal viewing conditions, that is, facing the viewer and under sunlight or normal room illumination such as incandescent lighting. This ensures that the encodement does not materially degrade the visible print image.
A number of encodement materials and encodement printing techniques are disclosed in the above-referenced commonly assigned and pending patent applications. It is contemplated that the preferred encodement materials would be infrared absorbing dyes imprinted onto the visible print image using thermal printing or inkjet printing techniques. The user that receives such a print with the invisible encodement made by a photofinisher or that prints an encodement onto visible print image would employ a playback unit, e.g., a hand held reader, to capture the encodement and reproduce or play back the sound or display the visual information or otherwise use the variable data of the encodement.
It is also contemplated that the information that is to be encoded into the invisible encodement includes camera recorded information and user recorded information that is recorded on a filmstrip at the time that a filmstrip image frame is exposed in the manner described in the above-referenced '472 patent for example. This use of invisible encodements overlying the print image advantageously increases the area in which the encodement can be recorded beyond the border or back side of the print shown in the '472 patent. It is further contemplated that the invisible encodements will be printed over or with the visual image at the time that prints are made from the filmstrip image frames. Typically, such prints would be made for consumers (hereafter referred to as users) from such filmstrips having the capability to record sound and camera information by photofinishers.
In addition, digital cameras are available that capture digital image data when used and also have the capability of recording user input sound information and camera input exposure information at the time the image is captured by the user. Software implemented typically in a personal computer is employed to process the digital image data and display the images on a monitor for editing and to make permanent prints of such digitally captured images employing inkjet or laser color printers. There is a need for a method and apparatus for printing such an invisible encodement on a visible print image that is made using the printer coupled to the personal computer.
This need also exists in other contexts where the user desires to generate information independent of the digital camera input information or information that is already on a print provided by a photofinisher and to print it as an invisible encodement on the visible print image. For example, the user of such a system may obtain a digital image file from another source than a digital camera, e.g., from an Internet source or by scanning an image. In this context, there is also a need for a method and apparatus for printing such an invisible encodement on a visible print image that is made using the printer coupled to the personal computer.
These needs cannot be met by simply writing over the existing invisible encodement using the same wavelength absorbing or fluorescing ink or dye (e.g., an infrared absorbing dye) without introducing further errors in reading and reproducing the encoded sound or visual information. Interference of the newly recorded encodement over the existing encodement would occur unless the existing invisible encodement is removed or rendered so faint that it does not exceed a noise threshold of the imager. It would not be practical for the user to remove or render the existing encodement that faint, because of potential damage to the visible print image and the inability to accurately gauge that the removal or rendering has been effective, since it is invisible to the eye.
It is also impractical to write over the existing invisible encodement using a higher concentration or greater laydown of absorbing or fluorescing ink or dye than the earlier recording and relying on the difference in absorbency or fluorescence to only read the later, more concentrated material. It would be necessary to define a threshold for the reader that would effectively mask or
Nelson David J.
Rosario Jose A.
Williams Kevin W.
Eastman Kodak Company
Son Linh L D
Vu Kim
Walker Robert Luke
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for editing and reading edited... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for editing and reading edited..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for editing and reading edited... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3347324