Graphic matter and process and apparatus for producing, transmitting and reading the same

Claim 2

Apparatus for producing coded fonts, to be stored in a memory according to claim 1, including: D - a random generator; E - means for causing said generator to generate any desired one among a number of predetermined random or quasi-random grids to provide a reference grid; and F - means for comparing each clear character to be comprised in the font to a selected reference grid and changing the digital values of said latter only in the areas covered by the clear character, whereby to create a coded font for each selected reference grid.

Claim 3

Apparatus for printing a text, comprising coded characters, which comprises an apparatus for composing a text according to claim 1 and: G - a print-controlling device; and H - a printer; wherein the memory for storing character grids is associated with said print-controlling device.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print-controlling device is chosen from the text-composing device. the printer or a separate interface.

Claim 5

Apparatus for reading a text, comprising coded characters, which comprises: K - means for comparing the printed character grids with any selected one of the reference grids from which the coded fonts stored in the memory according to claim 1 are derived, whereby to identify the corresponding clear characters ; and I - means for visualizing said clear characters.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the text-composing device is a microcomputer word processor.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for comparing the printed character grids with the reference grids comprise transparent sheets having printed thereon the reference grid and correspondence marks on the printed text and on the transparent sheet.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for comparing the printed character grids with the reference grids comprise means for scanning the same, means for comparing digital values, means for transmitting to said comparing means in digital form information obtained through the scanning means, means for defining the reference grid to be compared, and means for comparing said transmitted information with the selected reference grid.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the scanning means is an optical scanner.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the comparing means, the information transmitting means, and the reference grid defining means are structurally combined with the scanner.

Claim 11

Apparatus according to claim 8, comprising means for correcting for scale distortions in the scanned text and/or for angular displacements therefor with respect to the scanning direction.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising means, inserted between the printer and the means for comparing the printed character grids with the reference grids, for transmitting said character grids.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for visualizing the decoded, clear characters are chosen among printing means, displaying means and means for checking the decoded characters against a comparison text and displaying at least one of at least two predetermined texts, depending on the results of said check.

Claim 14

Process for composing a printable text, comprising coded characters, by; 1 - defining, at least ideally, at least one blank grid; 2 - creating a reference grid consisting of a scrambled distribution, as hereinafter defined, of at least two digitizable values in the cells of the blank grid; 3 - creating at least one coded font by: a. individually superimposing, at least ideally, each character to be comprised in the font to at least a portion of the reference grid; and b. changing the digital values of the reference grid in the cells thereof comprised in the area covered by the superimposed character, whereby to create a scrambled character grid which represents the character; 4 - storing in a memory commands for alternatively selecting characters or character grids, as desired; and 5 - defining by means of a text composing device the desired text, wherein the clear characters are represented in a conventional way and the coded characters are represented by the corresponding character grids, whereby to compose the text.

Claim 15

Process for producing a printed text, comprising coded characters, which comprises composing a text by the process of claim 14, wherein the character grids are stored in the memory of a print-controlling device, and printing the composed text by graphically defining: a) any clear characters in the conventional way, b) any coded characters by signs representing the digital values of the respective character grids .

Claim 16

Process for producing and reading a printed text comprising coded characters, which comprises producing the text by the process of claim 15, and subsequently identifying the cells of the character grids in which the digital values are different from those of the reference grid, and visualizing each of said character grids in decoded form as a clear grid having the same dimensions as the character grids, wherein said cells having different digital values are differentiated from the background, whereby said differentiated cells form the clear characters corresponding to the scanned coded characters.

Claim 17

Process according to claim 16, wherein, in order to identify the cells of the character grids in which the digital values are different from those of the reference grid and to create the clear grids, a copy of the reference grid is provided on a transparent sheet, and correspondence marks are provided on the printed and optionally impaginated text and on said transparent copy, whereby when said transparent copy is superimposed to the printed text, so that a reference grid is superimposed to each character grid which is to be read, the coded characters become detectable in clear form and identifiable.

Claim 18

Process according to claim 16, wherein, in order to identify the cells of the character grids in which the digital values are different from those of the reference grid and to create the clear grids, at least the coded part or parts of the printed text are scanned, the digital value of each cell of each scanned character grids, as detected as black or white in the scanning, is compared to the value of the corresponding cell of the reference grid and the clear grid is created by applying the XOR-rule to the results of said comparison.

Claim 19

Process according to claim 14, comprising printing the composed text, transmitting the same by telecopier, and scanning, decoding and visualizing the transmitted coded parts thereof.

Claim 20

Process according to claim 14, comprising associating to the coded text spacing signs defining the lateral spacing, dimensions and/or orientation of the character grid cells.

Claim 21

Process according to claim 14, wherein the reference grids are unidimensional.

Claim 22

Process according to claim 14, wherein the character grids represent authentication marks of a document bearing them and the decoded characters are visualized by checking the same against a comparison text and displaying at least one of at least two predetermined texts, depending on the results of said check.

Claim 23

Graphic matter, including clear character and coded characters as parts of a single print, said coded characters being character grids which represent clear characters in a correspondence characterized by a scrambled reference grid.

Claim 24

Graphic matter according to claim 23, obtained by the apparatus of claim 3 and by the process of claim 15.