US 6,484,933 B1 · Automatic barcode creation for data transfer and retrieval

Abstract

A system and a method for automatically analyzing and reading a barcode present in an electronically stored and transferred file, and/or printed on a printable substrate, such as a sheet of paper. Such a barcode can be used to store a large amount of information in a small area. Various uses of the disclosed system and method are possible, for example in order to authenticate and/or identify a document. In addition, such a barcode could be used to transmit information which could be automatically read and analyzed. This provides a single solution to the combined problems of data authentication and verification for electronically stored and transferred data, as well as of automatic reading and analysis of data printed on a printable substrate. Although the implementation in which the data is printed onto paper or other physical substrate material is particularly preferred, the overall flexibility of the disclosed system and method enable them to be employed in a variety of embodiments.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A system for automatically printing an at least two-dimensional barcode onto a printable substrate, the barcode featuring a pattern of a plurality of marks, the system comprising:

(a) an output device for receiving a plurality of printing commands and for printing a printable substrate according to said plurality of printing commands;
(b) a computational device for receiving data to be printed;
and
(c) a printer driver module for being operated by said computational device and for automatically translating into the at least two-dimensional barcode at least a portion of said data including at least one selected from a group including:
substantially all text along with information regarding a visual appearance of said substantially all text and substantially all graphical images along with information regarding a visual appearance of said substantially all graphical images, and for automatically determining at least one command for printing the barcode onto said printable substrate to form a printed barcode, said printer driver module passing said at least one command to said output device so that said output device is enabled to print the barcode in addition to said data to be printed.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic barcode creation for data transfer and retrieval

Life of this patent

Automatic barcode creation for data transfer and retrieval

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13