The present disclosure relates generally to digital watermarking for retail product packaging. A digital watermark can be carried in different color channels, and at with different signal polarities. Detection can utilize different illumination sources to highlight signal in one or more channels.

A mobile display device that selects a particular field device from a group of field devices and retrieves measurement data therefrom. The field device is selected by evaluating environment data which are captured by the display device without user input simplifying the measurement data display.

Disclosed herein are methods of using an augmented reality trigger to locate and/or read a Data Code in an image. A method according to this disclosure may include the step of using an augmented reality trigger in an image to initiate an augmented reality experience, locating portions of Data Code arrange in a plurality of locations within the image, and combining each of the Data Code portions for processing as a unified Data Code. The augmented reality trigger may be stored in a data set including location information to locate each of the Data Code portions. The data set may include information to combine the plurality of Data Code portions.

A method and system for identifying and labeling fraudulent store return activities includes receiving, by a server, retailer events from an online transaction system of a retailer, the retailer events comprising records of transactions between customers and the retailer, including sale, exchange and return activities across multiple stores. The retailer events are processed to build a network that associates stores, transactions, payment instruments, and customer identification over related activity sequences of transactions. Return fraud labels are generated for the retailer events representing returns based on identified fraud characteristics of the related activity sequences by: representing behavior variables extracted from activity sequences by respective signature vectors; calculating pairwise similarity between the signature vectors; identifying clusters of the signature vectors having common behavior patterns based on the calculated pairwise similarity; and labeling the identified clusters of signature vectors as non-fraudulent behavior or fraudulent behavior.

Systems, methods, software and apparatus enable linking of a wearable end user communication device (EUD) to an intermediate communication device (ICD) utilizing optical symbol sequence matching. Optical symbol reference data corresponding to an optical symbol sequence displayed on the EUD is obtained from the EUD by the ICD. Optical symbol input data is also acquired by the ICD (e.g., via user inputs, EUD device proximity data, image acquisition). The devices are linked if the optical symbol reference data and optical symbol input data match. The optical symbol reference data can be displayed, allowing user confirmation of a match with the optical symbol sequence displayed on the EUD. An ICD user interface touchscreen can present users with selectable color inputs to replicate the optical symbol sequence displayed on the EUD, for example using an LED array. Communications between the devices before and after linking can utilize Bluetooth low energy.

Blockchain-based consumables management with support for offline instruments. In an embodiment, a user device scans a first machine-readable code on a consumable, scans a second machine-readable code displayed on a display of an instrument that is not communicatively connected to a blockchain network, decodes a consumable code from the first machine-readable code, decodes an instrument code from the second machine-readable code, broadcasts a transaction message, comprising the consumable code and the instrument code, to the blockchain network, receives a use code from the blockchain network, encodes the use code into a third machine-readable code, and displays the third machine-readable code, on a display of the user device, for scanning by the instrument.

RFID devices are provided with an antenna coupled to an RFID chip by a direct or indirect connection. A data-carrying pattern that is visible at one or more wavelengths is incorporated into and/or onto the antenna. The pattern may comprise a plurality of apertures defined in the antenna or a material applied onto the antenna and having a property or properties different from a property or properties of the material used to form the antenna at one or more wavelengths. The pattern may carry data that is optically readable at one wavelength and quasi-optically readable at another wavelength. The pattern may include at least one sensing material configured to cause the pattern to present different data depending on whether a condition is existent or not. The antenna may include a plurality of layers, each with patterns or portions of a pattern or patterns that are visible at different wavelengths.

Techniques for characterizing an optical system (for example, a printer verifier) are provided. In this regard, the optical system may be characterized for scanning a printed image. The characterization of the optical system includes determining an effective aperture size of the optical system, and correspondingly an effective resolution at which the optical system can be configured to scan a portion of the printed image according to verification requirements.

An apparatus and method are provided for tagging or labeling an item or equipment for identification and tracking purposes. The apparatus comprises a length of supply material having a first section with a first opening and a second section that may have additional features such as notches or second openings that are configured to engage with the first opening when the second section is pulled through the first opening in the first section. By pulling the second section through the first opening, a loop of material may be formed and applied around an item or product for identification and tracking purposes. Such a tag or label is particularly advantages for use with medical devices and equipment.

A label issuing system includes a label issuing apparatus and a label printer. The label issuing apparatus includes a printer interface and a processor. The processor is configured to generate print data for an image including a first region with first information and a second region with a first code symbol and a second code symbol each representing the first information but being of different sizes. The processor controls the printer interface to transmit the print data to the label printer. The label printer is connectable to the printer interface and configured to print the image on a label based on the print data received through the printer interface symbol.