Method and apparatus for editing and reading edited invisible encodements on media

Claim 3

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein the visible image is printed in an image field of a surface of the print media, and each encodement is printed in a symbology within the image field and over a substantial portion of the visible image in the image field.

Claim 4

The editing method of claim 2 , wherein an invisible encodement of a higher order in the hierarchy is printed over an invisible encodement of a lower order.

Claim 5

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein an invisible encodement of a higher order in the hierarchy is printed over an invisible encodement of a lower order.

Claim 6

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein; the visible image is a photographic print image provided by a photofinisher to a user; and the invisible encodement of lower order in the hierarchy comprises variable data recorded by a camera or camera user in association with the visible image that is printed by the photofinisher employing a material sensitive to a predetermined wavelength of light enabling detection and decoding of the encodement of lower order for reproduction of the variable data.

Claim 7

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to absorb the radiation wavelength.

Claim 8

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to fluoresce in response to the radiation wavelength.

Claim 9

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein the illuminating step further comprises the steps of: illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with the highest order light wavelength of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy to the lowest light wavelength of the hierarchy; determining the highest order encodement when the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; reading the determined highest order encodement.

Claim 12

The reading method of claim 9 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to absorb the radiation wavelength.

Claim 13

The reading method of claim 9 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to fluoresce in response to the radiation wavelength.

Claim 16

The reading method of claim 12 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to absorb the radiation wavelength.

Claim 17

The reading method of claim 12 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to fluoresce in response to the radiation wavelength.

Claim 18

A reader for reading the highest order encodement among a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of invisible encodements from highest to lowest order, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with the highest order light wavelength of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy to the lowest light wavelength of the hierarchy; means for detecting the highest order encodement when the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; means for decoding the determined highest order encodement; and means for excluding said invisible encodements of lower order from said decoding.

Claim 19

A reader for reading the highest order encodement among a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of invisible encodements from highest to lowest order, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with the highest order light wavelength of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy to the lowest light wavelength of the hierarchy; means for detecting the highest order encodement when the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; means for decoding the determined highest order encodement; and means for excluding said invisible encodements of lower order from said decoding.

Claim 20

The reader of claim 15 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to absorb the radiation wavelength.

Claim 21

The reader of claim 15 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to fluoresce in response to the radiation wavelength.

Claim 22

A reader for reading at least one of a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of highest to lowest order invisible encodements, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for starting sequential illumination of the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with one of light wavelengths of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy; means operable upon each illumination with a light wavelength for detecting one of the encodements if the material of that encodement responds to the respective light wavelength in the sequence; means for reading the detected encodement; and means for automatically stopping said sequential illumination responsive to said detecting.

Claim 23

A reader for reading at least one of a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of highest to lowest order invisible encodements, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for starting sequential illumination of the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with one of light wavelengths of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy; means operable upon each illumination with a light wavelength for detecting one of the encodements if the material of that encodement responds to the respective light wavelength in the sequence; means for reading the detected encodement; and means for automatically stopping said sequential illumination responsive to said detecting.

Claim 24

The reader of claim 18 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to absorb the radiation wavelength.

Claim 25

The reader of claim 18 , wherein the print materials of the encodements of the hierarchy of encodements are each sensitive to distinct radiation wavelengths that cause symbology elements of each encodement to fluoresce in response to the radiation wavelength.

Claim 26

The reader of claim 18 , wherein said sequential illuminating means comprises a plurality of encodement illumination light sources; and means for selectively powering said plurality of encodement illumination light sources in a sequence to illuminate the encodements on the media with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.

Claim 27

A reader for reading at least one of a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of highest to lowest order invisible encodements, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for sequentially illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with one of light wavelengths of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy; means operable upon each illumination with a light wavelength for detecting the encodement if the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; and means for reading the detected encodement; wherein said means for sequential illuminating comprises a plurality of encodement illumination light sources; and means for selectively powering said plurality of encodement illumination light sources in a sequence to illuminate the encodements on the media with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths; and wherein said means for reading comprises: a planar imager providing an array output signal when exposed to light in an optical axis; image sensor electronic means for processing the array output signal; and said means for sequentially illuminating further comprises: a plurality of spectral array light filters; and means for selectively inserting said of spectral array light filters in said optical axis in a said sequence to pass light modulated by the encodements to said planar imager as said encodements on the media are illuminated with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.

Claim 28

A reader for reading at least one of a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of highest to lowest order invisible encodements, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for sequentially illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with one of light wavelengths of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy; means operable upon each illumination with a light wavelength for detecting the encodement if the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; and means for reading the detected encodement; wherein said means for sequential illuminating comprises a plurality of encodement illumination light sources; and means for selectively powering said plurality of encodement illumination light sources in a sequence to illuminate the encodements on the media with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths; and wherein said means for reading comprises: a planar imager providing an array output signal when exposed to light in an optical axis; image sensor electronic means for processing the array output signal; and said means for sequentially illuminating further comprises: a plurality of spectral array light filters; and means for selectively inserting said of spectral array light filters in said optical axis in a said sequence to pass light modulated by the encodements to said planar imager as said encodements on the media are illuminated with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.

Claim 29

A reader for reading at least one of a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of highest to lowest order invisible encodements, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for sequentially illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with one of light wavelengths of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy; means operable upon each illumination with a light wavelength for detecting the encodement if the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; means for reading the detected encodement; wherein said means for sequentially illuminating comprises: a light source emitting light onto said encodements; a plurality of light filters; and means for selectively inserting said plurality of light filters between said light source and said encodements in a sequence to illuminate the encodements on the media with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.

Claim 30

A reader for reading at least one of a plurality of invisible encodements of a hierarchy of highest to lowest order invisible encodements, each encodement printed in an image field on a media with a material sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength such that a detectable response is elicited from illumination of the material by the light wavelength the material is sensitive to comprising the steps of: means for sequentially illuminating the invisible encodements with a plurality of light wavelengths of the hierarchy in a sequence commencing with one of light wavelengths of the hierarchy and proceeding through all light wavelengths of the hierarchy; means operable upon each illumination with a light wavelength for detecting the encodement if the material of that encodement responds to a light wavelength in the sequence; means for reading the detected encodement; wherein said means for sequentially illuminating comprises: a light source emitting light onto said encodements; a plurality of light filters; and means for selectively inserting said plurality of light filters between said light source and said encodements in a sequence to illuminate the encodements on the media with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.

Claim 31

The reader of claim 23 , wherein said means for reading comprises: a planar imager providing an array output signal when exposed to light in an optical axis; image sensor electronic means for processing the array output signal; a plurality of spectral array light filters; and means for selectively inserting said of spectral array light filters in said optical axis in said sequence to pass light modulated by the encodements to said planar imager as said encodements on the media are illuminated with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.

Claim 32

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein said edited encodement is a higher order encodement and is printed over an invisible encodement of a lower order in the hierarchy and said illuminating further comprises initially illuminating with a first wavelength of light to which said higher order encodement is sensitive and subsequently illuminating with a second wavelength of light to which said lower order encodement is sensitive.

Claim 33

The editing method of claim 2 , wherein said edited encodement is a higher order encodement and is printed over an invisible encodement of a lower order in the hierarchy and said illuminating further comprises initially illuminating with a first wavelength of light to which said higher order encodement is sensitive and subsequently illuminating with a second wavelength of light to which said lower order encodement is sensitive.

Claim 34

The editing method of claim 1 , wherein said print media bears a plurality of invisible encodements during said illuminating step.

Claim 37

The method of claim 28 wherein said sequentially illuminating further comprises selectively powering a plurality of encodement illumination light sources in a sequence to illuminate the encodements on the media with the hierarchy of illumination wavelengths.