Retrieving location data by sensing coded data on a surface

Abstract

Provided is a method of retrieving location data using a print medium. A coded data portion encoded on a surface of the print medium is sensed using a sensor module when the sensor module is positioned on the surface. The surface has a plurality of coded data portions encoded thereon. Each coded data portion encodes at least a print media identifier which identifies the print medium and a two-dimensional coordinate grid position of the coded data portion on the surface of the print medium. The print media identifier and the two-dimensional coordinate grid position of the coded data portion sensed by the sensor module are determined from the coded data. Location data referenced by the print media identifier and a region on the surface of the print medium is retrieving from a database when the two-dimensional coordinate grid position of the coded data portion sensed by the sensor module is within the region.

1 . A method of retrieving location data using a print medium, the method comprising steps of:
 sensing a coded data portion encoded on a surface of the print medium using a sensor module when the sensor module is positioned on the surface, the surface having a plurality of coded data portions encoded thereon, each coded data portion encoding at least a print media identifier which identifies the print medium and a two-dimensional coordinate grid position of the coded data portion on the surface of the print medium;   determining the print media identifier from the coded data sensed by the sensor module;   determining the two-dimensional coordinate grid position of the coded data portion sensed by the sensor module from the coded data;   retrieving from a database location data referenced by the print media identifier and a region on the surface of the print medium, the two-dimensional coordinate grid position of the coded data portion sensed by the sensor module being within said region.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a step of printing, by a printer module, information associated with or representative of the location data. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the location data is one of geographic position data or address data and the method further comprises a step of loading the location data into a navigation system. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of associating the location data with at least one of: an image; and video. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the coded data portion further encodes a digital signature associated with the print media identifier, the method including:
 determining from the coded data portion sensed by the sensor module, the digital signature;   determining whether the digital signature is authentic; and   retrieving, if the digital signature is authentic, the location data.   
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the digital signature includes at least one of: a random number; a secret-key digital signature; and a public-key digital signature.