# US 7,609,411 B2 · Digital duplication of images using encoded data

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,609,411 B2
- Document ID: US7609411B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/636,223
- Filed: 2003-08-08
- Published: 2004-02-19
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2000-10-20
- Assignees: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Kia Silverbrook; Paul Lapstun; Simon Robert Walmsley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609411B2

## CPC

- G06K 19/06009: {with optically detectable marking (G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence)}
- G06K 7/12: using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
- H04N 1/32144: {embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp}
- H04N 1/00249: {with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector (photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D)}
- H04N 2201/3225: of data relating to an image, a page or a document
- H04N 2201/327: which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
- H04N 2201/3271: Printing or stamping
- H04N 2201/3281: Encryption; Ciphering
- H04N 2201/3283: Compression
- H04N 2201/3284: for error correction
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A reader and printer system is provided that is capable of reading data from a substrate, decoding the data and printing information derived from the data. The data is carried on the substrate as an array of dots. The substrate carries an image and the data is a digital representation of the image and so a digital copy of the image may be made from the data carried on the substrate.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for reading data encoded as an array of dots carried on a substrate, the substrate carrying an image, and the array being substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye, the apparatus comprising:
a light source for illuminating the substrate;
a detector for receiving the illumination from the light source reflected off the substrate, and detecting the array of dots on the substrate, the detector outputting a first signal representative thereof;
a decoder interconnected to said detector for receiving and decoding said first signal to produce a second signal corresponding to the first signal;
a top substrate covering the detector and the light source, the detector having an emission portion and a reception portion, the emission portion shaped with a semicircular cross section adapted to focus illumination from the light source onto the substrate, and the reception portion shaped to define a series of microlenses adapted to focus illumination reflected off the substrate into the detector; and
a printer that prints information derived from said second signal onto media, wherein
the information printed includes the image and the data, and
the data printed by the printer is encoded as an array of dots being substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detector detects the array of dots from the illumination reflected off the substrate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dots are dots of ink.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the ink is infrared absorbing ink with little absorption in the visible spectrum.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the light source illuminates the substrate with infrared light.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a feeder mechanism that moves the substrate past the detector.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Reed-Solomon decoder that decodes data encoded with a Reed-Solomon process.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data includes a digital representation of the image.