Abstract: A method of retrieving video data using a print medium, comprising the steps of: determining a print media identifier from the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device, the print media identifier having been linked to the video data; and, retrieving, using the mobile telecommunications device, the video data.

Abstract: A method of associating an electronic object with a sticker placed on a surface is disclosed. The sticker has first and second regions. The first region has disposed thereon coded data encoding an identity of the sticker. The second region exposes a position on the surface. The position on the surface has disposed thereon coded data which encodes an identity of the surface and data identifying the position on the surface. A sensing device senses the coded data on the first region and, through the second region, the coded data on the surface, and then generates indicating data from the sensed coded data. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the sticker, the identity of the surface and the position on the surface exposed by the second region. The method receives the indicating data from the sensing device, and identifies, using the indicating data, the identity of the sticker, the identity of the surface and the position on the surface exposed by the second region.

Abstract: A modular pen-like device is provided having a camera module for capturing images, an effects module for applying visual effects to the captured images, and a printer module for printing the captured and visually effected images. The modules have respective, generally cylindrical bodies configured to be assembled together so that the assembled body of the modular pen-like device is generally cylindrical.

Abstract: A method for initiating payment of a bill via a printed billing form. The form contains information relating to a payment and coded data printed as a collection of tags. Each tag identifies a bill identity and a location of the tag on the bill. The method comprises the steps of: (i) interacting with the printed billing form by operatively positioning an optically imaging pen relative to the form; (ii) imaging a tag on the form; (iii) generating indicating data regarding the identity of the form and a position of the pen relative to the form; and (iv) transmitting the indicating data to a computer system. Payment of the bill is initiated in the computer system using a payment parameter identified from the indicating data.

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device having a printer module and sensor module in a media feed path is disclosed. A drive means transports a print medium through the media feed path. The sensor module senses data encoded on a surface of the print medium in the media feed path. The data encodes a print media identifier which uniquely identifies the print medium and at least part of the digital signature of the print media identifier. The print media identifier and at least part of the digital signature are determined from the data, and it is determined whether the digital signature is authentic. The printer module prints content on the print medium in the media feed path if the digital signature is authentic.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having a plurality of nozzle rows which have displaced row portions. The displaced row portions of at least some of the rows are different in length than the displaced row portions of at least some of the other rows.

Abstract: A hand-held modular printer system for printing a stored image, the printer system comprising a memory module in which the image can be stored; a printer module adapted to be releasably interconnected with the memory module, the printer module including an elongate body defining a transverse print media passage and a printer which is arranged within the body so that the stored image can be printed onto print media which passes through the passage, the printer module further including a print media feed arrangement located within the body, the print media feed arrangement comprising a plurality of rollers configured to feed the print media through the passage and a motor arrangement for driving at least one of the rollers; and a pen module adapted to be releasably interconnected with the printer module and which includes a nib which can dispense ink.

Abstract: A system for printing a position on a print medium, that has a mobile telephone with an inbuilt printer module to print the position on the print medium; and, a sensor module to sense a print media identifier of the print medium.

Abstract: A printer controller is provided having page data input circuitry for receiving compressed and encoded page data for expansion processing, JPEG decoding circuitry for decompressing contone data in the received page data, EDRL expansion circuitry for decompressing EDRL-compressed bi-level image data in the received page data, halftoning and compositing circuitry for halftoning and compositing the decompressed contone and bi-level data, and a printhead interface for receiving the compositing data and for writing corresponding print data to a printhead of the printer.

Abstract: Provided is a printer controller for controlling a pagewidth printhead. The controller includes an interface for receiving an image having a bi-level black data layer compressed in an Edge Delta and Runlength (EDRL) compression format and a continuous tone (contone) CMYK data layer. Also included is an EDRL expander and a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) decoder unit for expanding the image by simultaneously decompressing the two data layers in parallel, as well as a halftoner and compositor unit for halftoning the contone CMYK data layer into bi-level CMYK data layer and compositing the bi-level black data layer over the bi-level CMYK data layer to form a composited bi-level CMYK image. The controller further includes a processor and memory arrangement configured to control the interface, the expander and decoder unit, and the halftoner and compositor unit, and further configured to transmit the composited bi-level CMYK image to a memory buffer of the pagewidth printer via a printhead interface.

Abstract: A printhead module comprising a plurality of rows, each of the rows comprising a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, wherein the printhead module includes at least first and second rows configured to print ink of a similar type or color, and being configured such that, in the event a nozzle in the first row is faulty, a corresponding nozzle in the second row prints an ink dot at a position on print media at or adjacent a position where the faulty nozzle would otherwise have printed it.

Abstract: A printhead is provided having at least first and second rows of print nozzles. Each nozzle has first circuitry of a first type arranged on an opposite side of the nozzle as second circuitry of a second type. The respective positions of the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the first row are rotated 180 degrees relative to the respective positions of the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the second row.

Abstract: An inkjet printer including a body housing a print engine configured to transport and print upon print media. The print engine includes a memory buffer of sufficient size to enable printing of one compressed page whilst receiving another compressed page. Each compressed page includes compressed contone data and compressed bi-level data. The print engine is configured to expand each compressed page during printing. A retractable cover is pivotally mounted relative to the body and is able to be pivoted to form a guide which can guide print media to the print engine for printing.

Abstract: A method of performing an action is disclosed. The method starts by sensing a print medium to obtain data encoded on a surface of the print medium. The data encodes at least a print media identifier. The print medium has a representation of a document printed thereon. The print media identifier is determined from the data and a digital copy of the document corresponding to the representation is retrieved. The digital copy is associated with the print media identifier and includes one or more hyperlinks. The digital copy of the document is displayed and a selection of one of the hyperlinks is received from a user. A predefined action designated by the selected hyperlink is then performed.

Abstract: Provided is a printer controller for an inkjet printer having a printhead with a plurality of nozzle arrangements, a paper transport mechanism, and an authentication chip. The controller has a data bus and purpose-specific functional units connected to the data bus. The controller is configured to execute software to control a dot size of ink discharged by the respective nozzles by heating the ink in a nozzle by applying at least one firing pulse of a duration less than a duration required to discharge an ink dot, sensing the temperature of the heated ink in the nozzle, and loading and updating a table having sensed values of temperature of ink in the nozzle, resistivity of an actuator heater of the nozzle and width of at least part of the actuator heater. The controller then changes the duration of a firing pulse used to discharge an ink dot in response to the updated table of sensed temperature, resistivity and width values so as to produce a uniform ink dot size.

Abstract: This invention provides for a method of mapping data to data region dots on a photograph. The method includes the steps of compressing the data with a JPEG compression technique, and redundantly encoding the compressed data using Reed-Solomon encoding techniques. The method also includes the steps of shuffling the encoded data in a deterministic manner to reduce potential effects of localized encoded data damage to said photograph, and printing the shuffled data as dots in data blocks on the photograph.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a content using a print medium is disclosed. The method starts by determining a print media identifier from the print medium using a sensor module of a mobile telecommunications device. The print media identifier is linked to the content. The method then retrieves, using the mobile telecommunications device, the content.

Abstract: A mobile telecommunications device is disclosed. The mobile telecommunications device has a media feed path, a sensor module in the media feed path for sensing data encoded on a surface of a print medium, the data encoding at least a print media identifier, a print medium identifier identifying the print medium, processor for determining the print media identifier from the data, communication means for communicating a request to a remote server, the request including the print media identifier, and for receiving a security identification associated with the print media identifier from the remote server, and a printer module in the media feed path for printing the security identification on the print medium.

Abstract: A pen system for recording a track of handwritten information. The system includes a handheld pen device having an image sensor, a processor and a first memory unit. The pen device generates digital ink by interacting with a coded surface and transmits the digital ink to a second memory unit located in an external data storage device. The pen device and the second memory unit are connected in such a way that transmission of the digital ink is caused to occur automatically from the pen device to the second memory unit. Receipt of the digital ink by the second memory unit causes the second memory unit to associate the track of handwritten information with a stored description of the surface. The stored description corresponds to the surface identity.

Abstract: A system for generating an association between a software object and a sticker on a surface, and then retrieving the software object, is disclosed. The sticker has disposed thereon coded data indicative of a sticker identity. A sensing device is provided for sensing the coded data in order to determine the sticker identity, and to generate indicating data at least partially indicative of the sticker identity.