Abstract: A method for printing a security document on a substrate is disclosed. Firstly, a first reference image of a reference region of the substrate is generated, the image being indicative of an inherent characteristic of the substrate in the reference region. This is followed by generating encoded data indicative of the inherent characteristic of the substrate. Finally, the encoded data is printed over the reference region of the substrate, thus effecting the print of the security document.

Abstract: A barcode includes a plurality of blocks arranged to define a coordinate system across the barcode. A method determines sizes of at least first and second blocks into which arbitrary information is to be encoded such that the blocks have a pair-wise anharmonic relationship with each other. A first portion of the arbitrary information to be encoded in the first block and a second portion of the arbitrary information to be encoded in the second block are then selected. The method encodes the first portion and the second portion, and provides a decode verification mechanism in each of the first and second blocks. A plurality of the encoded first blocks and a plurality of the encoded second blocks are arranged to form a barcode and to define a coordinate system therein, whereupon the barcode may be stored to a memory device.

Abstract: A barcode includes a plurality of blocks arranged to define a coordinate system across the barcode. A method determines sizes of at least first and second blocks into which arbitrary information is to be encoded such that the blocks have a pair-wise anharmonic relationship with each other. A first portion of the arbitrary information to be encoded in the first block and a second portion of the arbitrary information to be encoded in the second block are then selected. The method encodes the first portion and the second portion, and provides a decode verification mechanism in each of the first and second blocks. A plurality of the encoded first blocks and a plurality of the encoded second blocks are arranged to form a barcode and to define a coordinate system therein, whereupon the barcode may be stored to a memory device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (700) of creating a security document (310), the method comprising the steps of encoding the document (310) with a first set (309) of protection marks containing information defining an absolute co-ordinate system (314) across the face of the document (310), and encoding the document (310) with a second set (302) of protection marks containing information that (i) identifies at least one region (605) of the document (310) according to the co-ordinate system (314) and (ii) defines at least one security attribute of the content within the defined region (605), wherein the first (309) and second (302) sets of protection marks are intermixed across the face of the document (310) and are used together to determine the location of the defined region (605) within the document.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (600) of protecting a document (715) containing document information content, the method comprising the steps of defining a regular grid (716) over the document (715), separating the grid intersection points into a repeating pattern of points (701-704), wherein each member of the repeating pattern comprises two subsets of points (705, 709) having a predefined spatial relationship, said subsets of points being associated with corresponding regions of the document (715), and modulating (506), with respect to each member of the repeating pattern (701-704), protection mark attributes of protection marks associated with one of said subsets of points (709), to thereby encode information about the document information content of the regions of the document associated with both said subsets of points (705, 709).

Abstract: A method for printing a security document on a substrate is disclosed. Firstly, a first reference image of a reference region of the substrate is generated, the image being indicative of an inherent characteristic of the substrate in the reference region. This is followed by generating encoded data indicative of the inherent characteristic of the substrate. Finally, the encoded data is printed over the reference region of the substrate, thus effecting the print of the security document.