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 .- 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A method for reading an encoded multi-dimensional indicia for marking on an object and representing selected information, comprising the steps of: 
 viewing the encoded multi-dimensional indicia according to at least one spectral encoding variable, 
 each spectral encoding variable corresponding to a spectral encoding variable employed in creating the encoded multi-dimensional indicia,  
   reading an encoded pattern representing a multi-dimensional array of encoded marks represented the selected information, and    decoding the encoded pattern of encoded marks with an inverse algorithmic transform of an algorithmic transformation employed in generating the encoded pattern from the selected information.    
   
   
       24 . The method for reading an encoded multi-dimensional indicia for marking on an object and representing selected information of  claim 23  wherein at least one spectral encoding variable is a selected spectral illumination.  
   
   
       25 . The method for reading an encoded multi-dimensional indicia for marking on an object and representing selected information of  claim 23  wherein at least one step of viewing the encoded multi-dimensional indicia according to a spectral encoding variable includes viewing the indicia with a corresponding filter.  
   
   
       26 . The method for creating an indicia for marking on an object for representing selected information of  claim 23  wherein the encoded pattern is an encoded hologram multi-dimensional barcode.  
   
   
       27 . The method for creating an indicia for marking on an object for representing selected information of  claim 23  wherein the encoded pattern is one of an encoded hologram and an encoded concentric circular barcode.  
   
   
       28 . The method for creating an indicia for marking on an object for representing selected information of  claim 24  wherein a spectral encoding variable is one of a wavelength of radiation used in encoding a hologram and a working distance of a hologram.  
   
   
       29 . The method for creating an indicia for marking on an object for representing selected information of  claim 23  wherein each spectral encoding variable has a unique effect in determining the encoded pattern of marks.  
   
   
       30 . The method for creating an indicia for marking on an object for representing selected information of  claim 27  wherein a concentric circular barcode comprises an array of concentric ring patterns wherein each ring pattern is a circular based intensity encoding of a corresponding information item.  
   
   
       31 . The method for creating an indicia for marking on an object for representing selected information of  claim 23  further comprising the step of conjoining an algorithm related artwork with the encoded pattern.  
   
   
       32 . Imaging and image capture apparatus for reading an encoded multi-dimensional identification indicia marked on a cartridge case discharged a firearm and representing selected information identifying the firearm, comprising: 
 in a self contained unit, 
 a specimen port having therein a mounting device for receiving and holding a cartridge case;  
 a viewing mechanism including 
 an imaging mechanism having a viewing axis substantially perpendicular to an indicia bearing surface of a cartridge for obtaining images of an encoded indicia thereon;  
 
 a spectral illuminator for illuminating the indicia bearing surface of the cartridge case with at least one spectral encoding variable according to a corresponding encoding process, wherein 
 each spectral encoding variable corresponds to a spectral encoding variable employed in creating the encoded indicia;  
 
 an image capture mechanism including a focusing mechanism for automatically adjusting the focus of the image of an indicia on the indicia bearing surface of the cartridge, and  
 capturing at least one spectrally illuminated image of an indicia on the indicia bearing surface of the cartridge case, 
 a captured image including an encoded pattern representing a multi-dimensional array of encoded marks represented the selected information, and  
 
   an image decoding mechanism for decoding the encoded pattern of encoded marks with an inverse algorithmic transform of an algorithmic transformation employed in generating the encoded pattern from the selected information.    
   
   
       33 .- 45 . (canceled)  
   
   
       46 . A firearm evidence support device, comprising: 
 a reading device and a communications/position module, 
 the communications/position module including 
 a communications module including a network controller and port drivers,  
 a navigation module including a geographical position sensor and a local positioning device,  
 a processor module,  
 an input/output device, and  
 a reading device for obtaining identification image information from a cartridge case.