# US 6,793,310 B2 · Certified proofing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,793,310 B2 - Document ID: US6793310B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/118,608 - Filed: 2002-04-08 - Published: 2003-10-09 - Granted: 2004-09-21 - Earliest claimed: 2002-04-08 - Assignees: Creo Americas, Inc. - Inventors: Samuel Darby; Foster M. Fargo, Jr.; Adam I. Pinard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6793310B2 ## CPC - H04N 1/00002: {Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for (error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00)} - B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control} - B41J 29/393: Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine {; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns} - H04N 1/00015: {Reproducing apparatus} - H04N 1/00023: {Colour systems} - H04N 1/00031: {Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial (H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371)} - H04N 1/00045: {using a reference pattern designed for the purpose, e.g. a test chart} - H04N 1/0005: {in service, i.e. during normal operation} - H04N 1/00061: {using a remote apparatus (H04N1/00066 takes precedence)} - H04N 1/00068: {Calculating or estimating} - H04N 1/00087: {Setting or calibrating (picture signal circuits H04N1/40)} - H04N 1/0009: {Storage} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A set of ink-jet printable proofing sheets are disclosed that each comprise a first printable face having a periphery including first, second, third, and fourth edges. The first and third edges are disposed opposite each other on the first printable face, and the second and fourth edges are disposed opposite each other on the first printable face. The first face has properties resulting from a deposited ink drop print-enhancing treatment. Each sheet also includes a second face sharing the periphery and the first, second, third, and fourth edges of the first printable face, and a first machine-readable mark located on one of the first and second faces and including a plurality of data areas of different densities, with the combination of densities in the data areas being unique to each sheet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A set of ink-jet printable proofing sheets, comprising: a plurality of at least five sheets, each comprising: a first printable face having a periphery including first, second, third, and fourth edges, wherein the first and third edges are disposed opposite each other on the first printable face, wherein the second and fourth edges are disposed opposite each other on the first printable face, and wherein the first face has properties resulting from a deposited ink drop print-enhancing treatment, a second face sharing the periphery and the first, second, third, and fourth edges of the first printable face, and a first machine-readable mark located on one of the first and second faces and including a plurality of data areas of different densities, wherein the combination of densities in the data areas are unique to each sheet in the plurality of sheets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first printable face includes an added deposited ink drop print-enhancing composition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first mark on each sheet includes a plurality of fields and wherein the marks are encrypted using a public-key encryption sheet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the combination of at least some of the density differences in the marks on each of the sheets uniquely identify a type for the sheet on which they are located. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the combination of at least some of the density differences in the marks on each of the sheets uniquely identify a size for the sheet on which they are located. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the combination of at least some of the density differences in the marks on each of the sheets uniquely identify a lot for the sheet on which they are located. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the combination of at least some of the density differences in the marks on each of the sheets define an error-correcting code for the sheet on which they are located. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first mark on each sheet includes at least one registration marking in addition to the data areas. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The set of claim 8 wherein the first mark on each sheet includes at least three registration markings in addition to the data areas. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The set of claim 8 wherein the first mark on each sheet includes a plurality of triangular data markings. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first mark is printed in cyan ink. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first mark is printed with an invisible ink. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first machine-readable mark has a chroma of at least about 20 in L′a′b′ space. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein each sheet further includes a second machine-readable mark located on a same one of the first and second faces and including a plurality of data areas of different densities, wherein the combination of densities in the data areas are unique to each sheet in the plurality of sheets. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The set of claim 14 wherein the first and second marks on each sheet include at least one registration marking in addition to the data areas. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The set of claim 14 wherein the first and second marks on each sheet include at least three registration markings in addition to the data areas. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sheets includes at least 25 sheets. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sheets are at least about 70% blank. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sheets is packaged in a wrapper. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein a plurality of subsets of the plurality of sheets are each packaged in a wrapper. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 further including a rigid packaging element for providing support to the first and second faces, wherein the rigid packaging element is more rigid than the plurality of sheets. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The set of claim 21 wherein the plurality of sheets and the rigid packaging element are packaged in a wrapper. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The set of claim 22 wherein the rigid packaging element forms part of a wrapper that packages the sheets. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the data areas of different densities employ an encoding method capable of uniquely identifying at least about 10,000,000 sheets. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the data areas of different densities employ an encoding method capable of uniquely identifying at least about 240 sheets. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first and second faces are a least 11 inches by 18 inches. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the first and second faces are a least 20 inches by 28 inches. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein the machine readable mark is located in a margin area proximate one of the edges of one of the first and second faces. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 further including a second machine-readable mark on each sheet, wherein the first and second machine-readable marks are aligned in a direction parallel to the first edge. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The set of claim 29 wherein the first machine readable mark is located in a margin area proximate a corner between the first and second edges and wherein the second machine readable mark is located in a margin area proximate a corner between the second and third edges of one of the first and second faces. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The set of claim 30 wherein the first and second marks include the same combination of densities in the data areas. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The set of claim 1 wherein each sheet further includes a second machine-readable mark, a third machine-readable mark, and a fourth machine-readable mark, wherein the first and second machine-readable marks are aligned in a direction parallel to the first edges of each sheet, and wherein the third and fourth machine-readable marks are also aligned in a direction parallel to the first edges of each sheet. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The set of claim 32 wherein the first machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the first and second edges of each sheet, wherein the second machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the second and third edges of one of the first and second faces or each sheet, wherein the third machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the third and fourth edges of each sheet, and wherein the fourth machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the first and fourth edges of one of the first and second faces of each sheet. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The set of claim 33 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth marks include the same combination of densities in the data areas. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The set of claim 34 wherein the sheets are at least about 4.5 thousandths of an inch thick. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The set of claim 35 wherein the sheets are at least about 7 thousandths of an inch thick. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of marking employs a machine-readable marking code having a capability of producing at least about 10,000 marks. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of marking employs a machine-readable marking code having a checksum capability. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38 further including the step of stacking the assembled sheets. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38 further including the step of packaging the assembled sheets. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38 further including the step of packaging the assembled sheets, and further including repeating the steps of providing, cutting, marking, assembling, and packaging to create a plurality of sets of packaged sheets. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The method of claim 41 further including the step of distributing the sets of packaged sheets to different locations. ### Claim 43 A set of ink-jet printable proofing sheets, comprising: a plurality of at least five sheets, each comprising: a first printable face having a periphery including first, second, third, and fourth edges, wherein the first and third edges are disposed opposite each other on the first printable face, wherein the second and fourth edges are disposed opposite each other on the first printable face, and wherein the first face has properties resulting from a deposited ink drop print-enhancing treatment, a second face sharing the periphery and the first, second, third, and fourth edges of the first printable face, a first machine-readable mark located on one of the first and second faces and including plurality of data areas of different densities, and a second machine-readable mark, wherein the first and second machine-readable marks are aligned in a direction parallel to the first edge. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The set of claim 43 wherein the first machine readable mark is located in a margin area proximate a corner between the first and second edges and wherein the second machine readable mark is located in a margin area proximate a corner between the second and third edges of one of the first and second faces. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The set of claim 44 wherein the first and second marks include the same combination of densities in the data areas. ### Claim 46 (depends on 43) The set of claim 43 wherein each sheet further includes a second machine-readable mark, a third machine-readable mark, and a fourth machine-readable mark, wherein the first and second machine-readable marks are aligned in a direction parallel to the first edges of each sheet, and wherein the third and fourth machine-readable marks are also aligned in a direction parallel to the first edges of each sheet. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The set of claim 46 wherein the first machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the first and second edges of each sheet, wherein the second machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the second and third edges of one of the first and second faces or each sheet, wherein the third machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the third and fourth edges of each sheet, and wherein the fourth machine readable marks are located in a margin area proximate a corner between the first and fourth edges of one of the first and second faces of each sheet. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The set of claim 47 wherein the first, second, third, and fourth marks include the same combination of densities in the data areas.