Systems and methods for marking of objects, such as keys/key-blanks, in a production line are disclosed. The objects are marked by applying a marking composition(s) to pre-selected areas on the surface thereof. The system includes a marking unit for dispensing a volume of marking composition in one or more localized pre-selected areas on the surface of an object to be marked; a holder/gripper for positioning the object to be marked in one or more positions relative to the marking unit so as to allow the marking unit to dispense the marking composition on the one or more pre-selected localized areas; a reading/verification unit for detecting the marking composition applied to the object thereby verifying that the objects are properly marked; an orientation sensing unit for identifying the orientation of the object to be marked relatively to the holder. The system also includes a controller configured for controlling the operation of the holder, orientation sensing unit, and the marking unit. The reading/verification unit is adapted to identify the marking composition in the one or more pre-selected areas on surface of the object by detecting an electromagnetic signal (such as XRF signal) emitted from the marking composition (e.g. in response to its illumination by X-ray or gamma-ray).

Briefly, a method for verifying the visual perceptibility of a display is provided. An intended message is written to a bistable display. Pixels that comprise portions of the message are measured and evaluated to determine if the message actually displayed on the bistable display was perceptible by a human or a machine. In some cases, information regarding the message actually perceivable from the display may be stored for later use. Responsive to determining that a message is perceivable or not perceivable, alarms may be set, one or more third parties notified, or additional display features may be set.

Briefly, a method for verifying the visual perceptibility of a display is provided. An intended message is written to a bistable display. Pixels that comprise portions of the message are measured and evaluated to determine if the message actually displayed on the bistable display was perceptible by a human or a machine. In some cases, information regarding the message actually perceivable from the display may be stored for later use. Responsive to determining that a message is perceivable or not perceivable, alarms may be set, one or more third parties notified, or additional display features may be set.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag applicator including a spool system for holding and guiding a tape including a plurality of RFID tags from a first spool to a second spool, an RFID programmer coupled to spool system to send a programming signal to each of the tags passing from the first spool to the second spool, an RFID reader coupled to the spool system for reading a return signal from a programmed RFID tag in order to reject or accept the programmed tag, and an applicator member operatively coupled to the RFID reader to cause an RFID tag to peel away from the tape onto a passing substrate if the RFID tag is accepted by the RFID reader or pass to the second spool if rejected.

A printer-verifier system for providing print quality feedback and controlling print quality is provided. The printer-verifier system may include a printing mechanism configured to print a machine-readable indicia on a print media; a verifier device configured to optically scan the machine-readable indicia; and a print quality monitoring device in electronic communication with the printing mechanism and the verifier device.

A printer-verifier system for providing print quality feedback and controlling print quality is provided. The printer-verifier system may include a printing mechanism configured to print a machine-readable indicia on a print media; a verifier device configured to optically scan the machine-readable indicia; and a print quality monitoring device in electronic communication with the printing mechanism and the verifier device.

A method for evaluating a print quality of a printed document that is printed by a printer is provided. The printer comprises a pre-print image scanner, a post-print image scanner, and a printhead disposed between the pre-print image scanner and the post-print image scanner. The method comprises generating a pre-printing image of a print media, generating the printed document, generating a post-printing image of the printed document, generating a validation image by comparing the post-printing image with the pre-printing image, and comparing the validation image with the source image.

In a printer, a controller controls a printing portion to execute a sample print to print on a sheet a plurality of barcodes. Each of the plurality of barcodes is represented by a received barcode data and printed in a different printing condition. The controller controls a reading portion to read the plurality of barcodes printed on the sheet in the sample print process to obtain a plurality of sets of scan data corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of barcodes. The controller performs a quality determination process to determine qualities of the plurality of printed barcodes based on the respective ones of the plurality of sets of scan data, and a printing condition setting process to set a printing condition based on the qualities determined in the quality determination process. The set printing condition is to be used to print a barcode by the printing portion.

In a printer, a controller controls a printing portion to execute a sample print to print on a sheet a plurality of barcodes. Each of the plurality of barcodes is represented by a received barcode data and printed in a different printing condition. The controller controls a reading portion to read the plurality of barcodes printed on the sheet in the sample print process to obtain a plurality of sets of scan data corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of barcodes. The controller performs a quality determination process to determine qualities of the plurality of printed barcodes based on the respective ones of the plurality of sets of scan data, and a printing condition setting process to set a printing condition based on the qualities determined in the quality determination process. The set printing condition is to be used to print a barcode by the printing portion.

There is provided an information processing apparatus. A first acquisition unit acquires first information concerning a size of a print region where a barcode is printed. A generation unit generates, based on the first information acquired by the first acquisition unit, image data of the barcode to be printed in the print region. The first information includes width information concerning a width of the print region and height information concerning a height of the print region. The generation unit generates the image data including, as a bar forming the barcode, a bar having a width based on the width information and a height based on the height information.