Abstract: A surface having an optically readable pattern of dots printed thereon. The pattern comprises an arbitrarily shaped constant background pattern of dots and/or blanks. The constant background pattern defines discrete areas of coded data represented by a plurality of dots positioned according to an encoding scheme. Each discrete area contains orientation information for enabling an optical reader to determine an orientation relative to the pattern of dots.

Abstract: A method of attempting a write to an entity to cause performance of an action is provided in which a first message is sent to the entity which causes performance of the action and adjustment of initial values in respective security fields of the entity to respective first adjusted values, and a second message is sent to the entity which causes adjustment of the initial values to respective second adjusted values. The security fields have write restrictions which prevent values in the security fields being adjusted, in accordance with the first message, if the initial values have been adjusted in accordance with the second message, and vice versa. The action is only performed when the initial values have been adjusted in accordance with the first message. The respective first adjusted values are different than the respective second adjusted values.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading data encoded as an array of dots printed on a substrate together with an image. The dots of the array are substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye. The apparatus includes a light source for illuminating the substrate; a detector for receiving the illumination from the light source reflected off the substrate, the detector outputting a first signal representative of the array of dots, the detector extending a distance that is less than a width of the substrate; a decoder interconnected to said detector for receiving and decoding said first signal to obtain the data encoded by the array of dots; and a top substrate covering the detector and the light source. The top substrate has an emission portion and a reception portion. The emission portion is shaped with a semicircular cross section adapted to focus illumination from the light source onto the substrate.

Abstract: A method of gaining access to a resource using an access token printed on a print medium, comprising the steps of: determining, using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device, the access token and a print media identifier printed on the print medium; and, causing the access token to undergo authentication, at least partially based on the print media identifier, and if the authentication succeeds, gaining access to the resource.

Abstract: A sensing device is disclosed. The sensing device interacts with a surface having coded data thereon. The coded data is made up from tags. Each tag encodes a unique identity of the surface, and the location of that tag on the surface. The sensing device has an optical sensor for capturing images of the coded data on the surface when the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the surface. The sensing device also has a processor for processing the captured images to determine the unique identity of the surface and the operative position of the sensing device on the surface. A movement sensor for generating movement data is also included in the sensing device. A transmitter of the sensing device transmits indicating data to a computer system. The indicating data includes data regarding the identity of the surface, data regarding the operative position of the sensing device and said movement data.

Abstract: A print medium is provided which has a surface provided with coded data. The coded data is indicative of a print media identifier linked to audio data which is able to be determined using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device. The audio data is retrievable from a database using the print media identifier. The coded data includes first coded data in a first format and second coded data in a second format. The first coded data encodes first information and the second coded data encodes second information. At least some of the first information is indicative of the print media identifier and the first format is a linear pattern. At least some of the second information is indicative of the print media identifier and of a two-dimensional coordinate grid, and the second format is a two-dimensional pattern.

Abstract: A print engine is provided having printhead modules and a controller. Each printhead module has a plurality of ejection nozzles. The nozzles of at least one of the printhead modules is rotationally displaced relative to the other printhead modules. The controller communicates ejection data to the ejection nozzles in accordance with a cumulative correction factor for each printhead module, including printhead modules having non-rotationally displaced nozzles, to at least partially compensate for the rotational displacement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for playing a request on a player device. The method includes the step of transmitting a pen stroke corresponding to a first one of a number of possible applications to a server. A form is then submitted to the first application. The method further includes the step of sending, from the server and to the player device, a play request corresponding to play information borne by the submitted form so that the player device plays a request corresponding to said play request.

Abstract: Provided is tamper detection line circuitry for an authentication integrated circuit for use in authenticating an integrated circuit. The tamper detection line circuitry includes a source of pseudo-random bits, and an XOR gate with two inputs and an output in signal communication with flash memory erase and reset circuits. A complete erasure of the memory is triggered by a 0 from the XOR gate. The circuitry also includes first and second paths arranging the source and XOR gate in signal communication with each other, as well as a number of triggers connected to the respective paths, each trigger configured to detect a physical attack on the authentication integrated circuit, said triggers configured to pull a respective path to 0 if a physical attack is detected.

Abstract: An interactive system for playing audio. The system comprises an article having a position-coding pattern and a plurality of different print elements printed thereon; an optical sensor for reading a portion of the position-coding pattern; a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining a position using the read portion of the position-coding pattern; a computer system configured for identifying an audio data file using the position determined by the processor; and an audio output device for playing an audio output corresponding to the identified audio data file.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of linearizing a Color Filter Array image having non-linear RGB pixel data to generate a linearized image, the step of linearizing using at least one lookup table for each of the three RGB colors, the step of linearizing further performed using an address for current RGB pixel data being read to index the lookup tables and incrementing the addresses for the RGB pixel data; generating a histogram for each of three RGB image color planes of the linearized image data, and storing at least a high and a low threshold for each histogram; planarizing the linearized image using the high and the low thresholds to generate a planarized linear RGB image; and transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form. The step of transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form performs additional steps of white balancing, range expansion, resampling, color conversion, and sharpening.

Abstract: A method of integrating audio and an encoded medium using a handheld interactive apparatus. The method comprises activating an audio recording mode of the interactive apparatus, the handheld interactive apparatus having a housing containing an optical image sensor, an audio input device, and an audio output device; and imaging the encoded medium with the optical sensor to create a playback-enabling audio annotation corresponding to the recorded audio. The encoded medium comprises a printed coded data pattern enabling identification of the encoded medium and of a location on the encoded medium during the imaging.

Abstract: Provided is a hand-held modular camera assembly with a camera module, a printer module, and a dispenser module. The assembly has a central processor which includes a RISC processor core, and a memory operatively storing operating instructions for the processor core and image data for manipulation by said core. The central processor also includes a serial bus interface for communicating with the camera module, the printer module and the dispenser module.

Abstract: A print head unit has an elongate print head integrated circuit. An ink supply unit defines an elongate print head slot in which the print head integrated circuit is received. Ink supply vias supply ink to the print head slot. Longitudinally extending channels are in fluid communication with the print head integrated circuit through the vias and longitudinally extending aperture slots provide for the snap-in insertion of rollers for the transport of print media operatively with respect to the print head integrated circuit during printing.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a plurality of color channels extending longitudinally along a length of the printhead. Each color channel comprises at least one row of nozzles and each nozzle in a same color channel ejects the same colored ink. The printhead has a plurality of printhead modules and the number of color channels is equal to the number of printhead modules.

Abstract: A first entity is provided having a first bit-pattern, resource data, a first base key, and a first variant key which is the result of applying a one way function to a second base key and the first bit-pattern. The first entity is configured to receive a request from a second entity to perform an operation on the resource data, where the second entity has a second bit-pattern and a second variant key which is the result of applying a one way function to the first base key and the second bit-pattern, perform the operation in the request to generate a response, digitally sign the response using the first base key to generate a digital signature, and send the response and the digital signature to the second entity so the second entity can verify the response using the second variant key.

Abstract: A handheld audio playback device for interacting with an article having a position-coding pattern and a plurality of different print elements printed thereon. Each print element corresponds to a different audio output. The device comprises: a nib for indicating a selected print element; an optical sensor for reading a portion of the position-coding pattern when the nib is used to indicate the selected print element; a processor coupled to the optical sensor for determining a position using the read portion of the position-coding pattern; a memory storing audio data files for the different audio outputs; means for retrieving an audio data file from the memory for playback; means for downloading audio data files to the memory from a personal computer; and an audio output device for playing the audio output corresponding to the audio data file.

Abstract: A print engine controller for a pagewidth printhead includes contone and bi-level decompression circuitry for decompressing a contone layer of compressed page data and a bi-level layer of compressed page data, respectively; halftoner and compositor circuitry for halftoning the decompressed contone layer to associated bi-level versions and compositing the decompressed bi-level layer over the halftoned contone layers; printhead interface circuitry for receiving the halftoned and composited data, and to generate therefrom print data suitable for printing by the printhead; and line loader and formatter circuitry for receiving dot data from the halftoner and compositor circuitry, loading dot data for a given print line into buffer storages, and formatting the dots of the given print line into an order required by the printhead interface circuitry. The line loader and formatter circuitry loads the dot data into a combination of on integrated circuit and external storage buffers.

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device is shown for printing a competition entry form on print media with coded data encoding a print media identifier. The mobile telecommunications device has an inbuilt printer module to print the competition entry form on the print medium such that the print medium displays at least one entry form detail, a media feed path along which the print media moves during printing by the inbuilt printer module, an interface to a remote server, and a sensor module adjacent the media feed path for reading the print media identifier on one of the print media whilst in the feed path and generating an association between the print media identifier and the at least one entry for detail. During use, the sensor module transmits the association and the user interaction to the remote server via the interface such that user interaction with the at least one entry form detail and subsequent submission of the interaction and the print media identifier to the remote server is a competition entry.

Abstract: A printer module having an elongate cylindrical body is disclosed. The printer module includes modular connectors arranged on longitudinal ends of the body to permit at least an image processing module to be attached to the body. A communications bus associated with the modular connectors interconnects the printing module and other modules, including the image processing module to facilitate communication between the printing mechanism and the image processing module for receiving print data. A pagewidth printing mechanism positioned in the body and adjacent a media feed path prints the print data onto print media in the media feed path.