Method and apparatus for making articles
AssigneeFracture Code Corporation
InventorsStephen Paul Pinchen, Jens Jacob Juul Rasmussen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for applying unique composite indicia or markings to a succession of articles, in which each unique composite indicium comprises two or more indicia. At least part of each of the indicia may be co-located at a predetermined location on the article with such co-location being unique or distinct for each composite indicium for each article. The indicium may be overprinted with one or more images, logos or color-schemes. A code (e.g. an alphanumeric string) that is stored in a database may be derived from the composite indicium from one or more mathematical properties. The code may be later accessed for identifying or verifying the article with the indicium.
Claims19
Apparatus for associating data with an article, the apparatus including:
- generator means arranged to generate and apply to a substrate of the article a unique composite indicium, the generator means comprising a print cylinder for printing at least part of the composite indicium, said unique composite indicium comprised of a combination of at least two starting indicium;
- scanning means arranged to scan the composite indicium to acquire an image of the composite indicium,
- processing means arranged to apply an algorithm to the acquired image to derive a character string associated with the composite indicium, and to attribute selected data to the character string, and
- storage means arranged to store the character string and attributed data.
Apparatus for associating data with an article, the apparatus including:
- means arranged to apply a unique composite indicium to a substrate of the article, scanning means arranged to scan the composite indicium disposed on the article to acquire an image of the composite indicium,
- processing means arranged to apply an algorithm to the acquired image to derive a character string associated with the composite indicium, and to attribute selected data to the character string, and
- storage means arranged to store the character string and attributed data, wherein the means arranged to apply the indicium consisting of one or more techniques selected from the group consisting of:
- gravure-, flexo-, letterpress-, laser-, inkjet-, dot pen-, thermo transfer- or offset-printing means;
- laser engraving means and embossing means.
A method for providing an article with a machine readable, unique composite indicium, the method comprising:
- applying a first component indicium to a substrate for the article at a predetermined location,
- applying a second component indicium to a substrate at a predetermined location to form said composite indicium, and
- providing a reference characteristic as a reading reference for a reading device,
- wherein the method comprises printing at least one of the composite indicia on the substrate, using a print cylinder.
A method of associating data with an article, the method including:
- generating and applying to a substrate of the article a unique composite indicium,
- scanning the composite indicium,
- applying an algorithm to convert the scanned composite indicium into a character string,
- attributing selected data to the character string, and
- storing the character string and attributed data in a storage device,
- wherein the method includes printing the composite indicium on the substrate, using a print cylinder.
A method for communicating information, the method comprising:
- (a) selecting a code, wherein the code is represented by a number;
- (b) determining characteristics of minutiae from the code;
- (c) constructing a unique composite indicium from said characteristics of said minutiae;
- and
- (d) at a transmitting location, transmitting a signal that conveys the composite indicium.
A method for receiving information, said method comprising:
- (a) receiving a signal, wherein said signal conveys a unique composite indicium;
- (b) determining the composite indicium from said signal;
- (c) determining minutiae that is associated with said composite indicium;
- and
- (d) obtaining a code from said minutiae, wherein the code provides the information.
A method of associating data with an article, the method including:
- applying by machine a unique composite indicium to a substrate of the article;
- scanning the composite indicium disposed on the article;
- applying an algorithm to convert the scanned composite indicium into a character string;
- attributing selected data to the character string;
- and
- storing the character string and attributed data in a storage device, wherein the step of applying the indicium is selected from the group consisting of one or more techniques:
- printing by gravure, flexo, letterpress, laser, inkjet, dot pen, thermo transfer or offset;
- laser engraving and embossing.
A method of associating data with an article, the method including:
- applying by machine a unique composite indicium to a substrate of the article, scanning the composite indicium disposed on the article,
- applying an algorithm to convert the scanned composite indicium into a character string,
- attributing selected data to the character string, and storing the character string and attributed data in a storage device, wherein the step of applying the indicium includes one of the following techniques:
- printing by gravure, flexo, letterpress, laser, inkjet, dot pen, thermo transfer or offset;
- laser engraving;
- embossing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.