An approach is provided for authenticating a payment card. Information is read from the payment card being used for a purchase. The information includes an identifier and data on a chip, in braille cells, and in markings in the payment card. A hash read from the chip, the identifier, and security codes derived from the braille cells and the markings are sent to a payment system. A hash of an (n+1)-th block of a blockchain is received and recorded in the chip in response to validations of the hash as matching a hash of an n-th block of the blockchain, the identifier, and the first and second security codes, and a generation of the hash of the (n+1)-th block. Data about the purchase and the hash of the (n+1)-th block are sent to the payment system.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for embedding static information (such as serial numbers, etc.) on objects by modifying their exterior shape slightly, dubbed surface modulation. Data is embedded when the object is created and can then be read using readers with the appropriate resolution. According to one example of the disclosed technology, a method of embedding data expressed as a binary sequence onto an object surface includes establishing a coordinate system over an object surface, computing a transform of the coordinate system to a frequency domain, mapping the binary sequence to an integer value, replacing the highest frequency coefficient of the transform with the integer value, computing an inverse of the transform, producing a vector expressed in the coordinate system, and fabricating at least a portion of the object surface according to the vector.

Techniques for integrating a machine-readable matrix with a component of a mechanical structure using three-dimensional (3-D) printing are disclosed. Such techniques include generating at least one data model representing the component, and projecting a matrix pattern identifying one or more features of the component onto a selected surface portion of the component to produce a modified data model for use as an input to a 3-D printer.

A method of waste separation includes irradiating the waste by a source of radiation, capturing an image of the waste when irradiated by the source of radiation; where an item in the waste is provided with a pattern, the pattern being provided in or on a surface of the item, the pattern forming a repetition of dots, a code being stored in a sequence of adjacent ones of the dots, processing the image to detect the pattern; deriving the code from the sequence of adjacent ones of the dots of the pattern; separating in accordance with the code the item the pattern from the waste. The pattern may be a relief pattern. The relief pattern may comprise a pattern of bumps and recesses. The pattern, such as in a form of a relief, may also be applied to identify the item.

An implant device identifiable after implantation comprises a main portion of the implant device and a coded portion of the implant device. The coded portion comprises a radiopaque element and indicia on the radiopaque element or indicia as a plurality of radiopaque elements disposed within the coded portion. The indicia are discernible by x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for embedding static information (such as serial numbers, etc.) on objects by modifying their exterior shape slightly, dubbed surface modulation. Data is embedded when the object is created and can then be read using readers with the appropriate resolution. According to one example of the disclosed technology, a method of embedding data expressed as a binary sequence onto an object surface includes establishing a coordinate system over an object surface, computing a transform of the coordinate system to a frequency domain, mapping the binary sequence to an integer value, replacing the highest frequency coefficient of the transform with the integer value, computing an inverse of the transform, producing a vector expressed in the coordinate system, and fabricating at least a portion of the object surface according to the vector.

A method, device, and inspection line for optically reading portions in relief on a side wall of a container, includes using a light source to light a portion of interest with a peripheral incident light beam comprising non-parallel radial light rays and using specular reflection of the beam on the portion of interest and on the portions in relief through an optical element to form a plane image in the field of view of a two-dimensional photoelectric sensor. The image received by the sensor is processed in order to detect the portions in relief to cause the light source that provides the peripheral incident light beam to move relative to the optical element in translation along the direction of a theoretical central axis to modify the contrast of the image received by the sensor between zones of the image that correspond to the portions in relief and adjacent zones.

A spinal implant device identifiable after implantation comprises an outer cage member and an implant body. The implant body is disposed between a first vertebra end and a second vertebra end of the outer cage and defines a plurality of planes. Each of the planes comprises separately readable indicia such that the indicia are discernible by at least one of x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

A plasmonic pixel structure, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of nano-scale structures each comprising conducting and dielectric components, whereby the nano-scale structures are configured to act as nano-antennas. The nano-scale structures 5 have resonant frequencies that depend on the conducting component and sizes of the nano-scale structures. The conducting component and the sizes of the nano-scale structures are selected according to a wavelength component or components of incident light desired to be reflected or transmitted by the nano-scale structures, and the conducting component and the sizes of the nano-scale structures are selected 10 such that the nano-scale structures have respective resonant frequencies corresponding to a colour scheme.

An implant device identifiable after implantation comprises a main portion of the implant device and a coded portion of the implant device. The coded portion comprises a radiopaque element and indicia on the radiopaque element or indicia as a plurality of radiopaque elements disposed within the coded portion. The indicia are discernible by x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.