Method and apparatus for reading firearm microstamping

Abstract

An indicia for marking on an object, such as a cartridge case, for representing selected information, such as identification indicia identifying the firearm that discharged the cartridge, and methods and apparatus for generating, imprinting and reading the identification indicia. An indicia includes a multi-dimensional array of encoded marks, including encoded marks determined by spectral encoding variables representing the selected information wherein each spectral variable is spectrally distinguishable from others of the spectral variables representing variables, and an encoded pattern of the encoded marks is determined by algorithmic transformation of the selected information. An indicia may also include hologram related artwork. An indicia may be an encoded hologram multi-dimensional barcode, an encoded hologram or an encoded concentric circular barcode and may be formed of a single indicia or as an array of indicia.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . Marking apparatus for marking an identification indicia on an object, comprising: 
 an array of marking elements distributed on a surface contacting a surface of the object,    each marking element having a central striking face bearing a marking indicia, so that 
 a representation of at least one marking indicia is imprinted on the surface of the object as an identification indicia when the surface bearing the array of marking elements contacts the surface of the object.  
   
   
   
       34 . The marking apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein 
 the object is a cartridge case, and    the surface bearing the array of marking elements is a surface of a firearm contacting a surface of the cartridge case.    
   
   
       35 . The marking apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 each marking element is a marking boss wherein 
 each marking boss is a convex protrusion from the surface bearing the array of marking elements,  
 each marking boss includes a centrally located striking surface bearing a marking indicia.  
   
   
   
       36 . The marking apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein: 
 each marking element is a marking dimple wherein 
 each marking dimple is a concave depression in the surface bearing the array of marking elements, and  
 each marking dimple includes a centrally located striking surface bearing a marking indicia.  
   
   
   
       37 . A method for marking an identification indicia on an object, comprising the steps of: 
 distributing an array of marking elements on a surface contacting a surface of the object, wherein    each marking element includes a central striking face bearing a marking indicia, and 
 bringing the surface bearing the array of marking elements into contact with the surface of the object so that a representation of at least one marking indicia is imprinted on the surface of the object as an identification indicia when the surface bearing the array of marking elements contacts the surface of the object.  
   
   
   
       38 . The method for marking indicia of  claim 37 , wherein 
 the object is a cartridge case, and    the surface bearing the array of marking elements is a surface of a firearm contacting a surface of the cartridge case.    
   
   
       39 . The method for marking indicia of  claim 37 , wherein: 
 each marking element is a marking boss wherein 
 each marking boss is a convex protrusion from the surface bearing the array of marking elements,  
 each marking boss includes a centrally located striking surface bearing a marking indicia.  
   
   
   
       40 . The method for marking indicia of  claim 37 , wherein: 
 each marking element is a marking dimple wherein 
 each marking dimple is a concave depression in the surface bearing the array of marking elements, and  
 each marking dimple includes a centrally located striking surface bearing a marking indicia.  
   
   
   
       41 - 46 . (canceled)