IP Library Granted Patent US 8,032,381
Granted Patent B2
US 8,032,381 · App. 12/573,877 · Granted Oct 4, 2011

Method for playing audio signals provided on a photograph

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,032,381
App. No.
12/573,877
Granted
Oct 4, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of decoding coded data provided on a photograph using a reader. The coded data is at least partially indicative of an audio signal and is provided on a photograph substrate in the same area as an image. The method includes steps of scanning the image using a scanner; locating within the image a first target boundary that is spatially displaced from the coded data; locating within the image a second target boundary that is spatially displaced from the coded data and downstream of the first target boundary in a direction in which the image is fed past the scanner; reading the coded data located between the first and second target boundaries; decoding the coded data read by the scanner to obtain an audio signal; and, playing the audio signal through an output.

Claims (20)

1. A method of decoding coded data provided on a photograph using a reader, the coded data being at least partially indicative of an audio signal and being provided on a photograph substrate in the same area as an image, the method comprising:

scanning the image using a scanner;

locating within the image a first target boundary that is spatially displaced from the coded data;

locating within the image a second target boundary that is spatially displaced from the coded data and downstream of the first target boundary in a direction in which the image is fed past the scanner;

reading the coded data located between the first and second target boundaries;

decoding the coded data read by the scanner to obtain an audio signal; and,

playing the audio signal through an output.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of inserting the photograph through a slot provided in an arm of the reader to cause the coded data to be scanned by a scanner in the arm of the reader.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the coded data includes an array of invisible dots indicative of the audio signal.

4. A method for recoding and playing an audio signal provided on a photograph, the method comprising the steps of:

in a combined camera and printer device:

sensing an image and recording an audio signal;

generating coded data at least partially indicative of the audio signal; and

printing a photograph including the image and the coded data;

in a reader through which the photograph is fed:

scanning the coded data;

decoding the coded data to determine the audio signal; and

outputting for playback of the audio signal, wherein

the step of printing prints the coded data in the same area as the image, and

the step of printing prints the coded data to include a beginning target boundary spatially displaced from a start of the coded data in a feed direction of the photograph through the reader, and an end target boundary spatially displaced from an end of the coded data in the feed direction.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044101/0405 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2013
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 029823/0454 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2009
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA; LAPSTUN, PAUL; WALMSLEY, SIMON ROBERT
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 023328/0570 →