Method and Apparatus for Marking Articles

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.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . 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.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . 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.   
     
     
         10 . 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.   
     
     
         11 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . 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.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of scanning the composite indicium comprises acquiring in electronic form a representation of the composite indicium. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method includes converting the scanned composite indicium into a character string which is unique. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method includes storing the character string and attributed data in a storage device which comprises an electronic database.