Filling an area of an image marked on a material with a laser

A method comprising:

• receiving a first image comprising a plurality of pixels, the first image having one or more marking areas and non-marking areas;
• generating a second image that visually approximates the first image, the second image comprising a set of substantially concentric outlines for each marking area in the first image, each outline comprising a set of points;
• and
• using a laser to mark the second image on a product in accordance with the set of substantially concentric outlines.

A system comprising:

• one or more data processing machines operable to (a) receive a first image comprising a plurality of pixels, the first image having one or more marking areas and non-marking areas;
• and (b) generate a second image that resembles the first image, the second image comprising a set of substantially concentric outlines for each marking area in the first image, each outline comprising a set of points;
• and
• a laser coupled with the one or more data processing machines, the laser operable to generate a laser beam to mark the second image on the surface.

A system comprising:

• a laser operable to produce a printing beam;
• an optics assembly operable to focus and direct the printing beam;
• and
• one or more machines operable to convert an image to a set of locations by defining progressively smaller contours of the image, and mark a material by controlling the laser and the optics assembly to direct the printing beam according to the locations.