Patent ID: 6775381
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
A method of editing an invisible encodement printed on a print media having a visible image in an image field comprising the steps of:defining a hierarchy of invisible encodements, each encodement of the hierarchy comprising variable data adapted to be printed over the visible image employing a print material that is not visible to the human eye and is sensitive to a predetermined, distinct wavelength of light, whereby the invisible encodements of the hierarchy enable detection and decoding of each encodement under illumination by each predetermined, distinct wavelength of light to distinguish one encodement from another encodement on the print media; illuminating the image field with selected light wavelengths; detecting and decoding an existing invisible encodement already printed in the image field on the print media as variable data; presenting said variable data as one of: a displayed image, audio play back, and visible print output; composing an edited version of the variable data; formatting said edited version of said variable data as an edited encodement; and printing the edited encodement in the image field employing a print material of the hierarchy that is sensitive to a predetermined light wavelength of the hierarchy that differs from the light wavelength that the print material employed to print the existing invisible encodement.