Patent ID: 7965425

Claim:
An image processing apparatus for applying desired effects to a stored image, the apparatus comprising: an optical reader; a feed mechanism for feeding a card having an array of dots past the optical reader, the feed mechanism configured to feed the card past the optical reader at substantially an ideal card feeding angle perpendicular to an extension of the optical reader; an optical reader interface connected to the optical reader, the optical reader interface for controlling the optical reader to detect a data area on the card, to detect a bit pattern corresponding to the array of dots in the data area, and to produce raw data from the bit pattern as the card is fed past the optical reader, the raw data used to produce an image processing script; and a processor connected to the optical reader interface to receive and apply the image processing script to the stored image to generate an output image with the desired effects, wherein the array of dots defines a first resolution and the optical reader has a sensor with a second resolution at least twice the first resolution, and the optical reader has a length of extension dimensioned to span the entire array of dots on the card at card feeding angles of up to 1 degree from the ideal card feeding angle.