Method and apparatus for storing data
AssigneeThomson Licensing
InventorsMeinolf BLAWAT, Peter JAX, Jens SPILLE, Xiaoming CHEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for storing data as a coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels on a photographic medium are described. An image representative of the data to be stored is divided into a two-dimensional array of blocks. A representative color value is determined for each block to obtain a two-dimensional array of representative color values. At least part of the data to be stored is coded such that the resulting coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels resembles the two-dimensional array of representative color values. The coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels is printed onto the photographic medium.
Claims9
A method for storing data as a coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels on a photographic medium, the method comprising:
- dividing an image representative of the data to be stored into a two-dimensional array of blocks;
- determining a representative color value for each block to obtain a two-dimensional array of representative color values;
- coding at least part of the data to be stored such that the resulting coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels resembles the two-dimensional array of representative color values, and
- printing the coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels onto the photographic medium.
An apparatus configured to store data as a coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels on a photographic medium, the apparatus comprising:
- an image analyzer configured to divide an image representative of the data to be stored into a two-dimensional array of blocks;
- a block analyzer configured to determine a representative color value for each block to obtain a two-dimensional array of representative color values;
- an encoder configured to code at least part of the data to be stored such that the resulting coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels resembles the two-dimensional array of representative color values, and
- a data recorder configured to print the coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels onto the photographic medium.
A computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions enabling storing data as a coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels on a photographic medium, which when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:
- divide an image representative of the data to be stored into a two-dimensional array of blocks;
- determine a representative color value for each block to obtain a two-dimensional array of representative color values;
- code at least part of the data to be stored such that the resulting coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels resembles the two-dimensional array of representative color values, and
- print the coded two-dimensional pattern of pixels onto the photographic medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.