Data distribution mechanism in the form of ink dots on cards

A method of decoding an array of dots that are printed on a card, the array of dots carrying information including both operative and redundant information with the operative information being dispersed within the redundant information, to facilitate the use of error correcting algorithms and to protect the operative information, the array of dots defining at least one data area, the, or each, data area having a border region defined by the dots, the dots also defining a plurality of targets in each border region, each said target comprising a relatively small region of a first color disposed within a relatively large region of a second color, said second color being distinguishable from said first color, said method comprising the steps of:

• applying pattern analysis algorithms to the dots to detect the position of the targets in the, or each, border region and thus the data area associated with the, or each, border region;
• sensing a bit pattern defined by the dots in the, or each, data area;
• decoding the bit pattern to extract information relating to decoding algorithms;
• and
• decoding the operative information using the decoding algorithms and the redundant information to correct errors in the operative information.

An information carrier that comprises

• a card;
• and
• a plurality of dots that are printed on the card, the plurality of dots carrying data representing a set of instructions that are readable by a processing device, the array of dots having the following characteristics:
• the dots are set out in a generally rectangular array with a logical upper side, a logical lower side, a logical left side and a logical right side, with a data area bounded by the logical sides;
• the dots define a plurality of targets that extend along both the logical left and the right side of the array, each target being identifiable as such by a reading device;
• the dots are positioned in a plurality of substantially parallel columns that extend between the logical upper and lower sides of the array;
• and
• the dots define a plurality of clock markers that are positioned along each of the upper and lower logical sides of the array, in aligned pairs with each said column extending between clock markers of respective pairs.

An information carrier that comprises

• a card;
• a plurality of dots that are printed on the card, the plurality of dots carrying data representing a set of instructions that are readable by a processing device, the array of dots having the following characteristics:
• the dots are set out in a generally rectangular array;
• the dots define a plurality of rectangular data blocks making up the array, each rectangular data block having a logical left side, a logical right side, a logical upper side and a logical lower side;
• the dots define a plurality of targets that extend along both the logical left side and the right side of the array, each target being identifiable as such by a reading device;
• the dots of each data block are positioned in a plurality of substantially parallel columns that extend between the logical upper and lower sides of the data block;
• and
• the dots define a plurality of clock markers that are positioned along each of the upper and lower logical sides of the data blocks, in aligned pairs with each said column extending between clock markers of respective pairs.