There is described a metal workpiece generally having a surface and an identifier marked on said surface. The identifier has cells each having a corresponding cell size, including bright cells corresponding to a first binary value and dark cells corresponding to a second binary value different from the first binary value. The dark cells include a center portion being recessed relative to the surface thereby leaving a recess bounded by a peripheral wall in the corresponding dark cell, the recess having a depth of at least 100 microns and having an opening with a width ranging between 400 microns and 1750 microns and representing between 30 percent and 99 percent of the corresponding cell size such that the corresponding dark cell appears dark to an optical reader. The depth, the width and the cell size of the dark cells provide a shot blast resistance to the laser-marked identifier.

Technologies are described for generating visualizations that graphically represent an item being exposed to extreme environmental conditions while en route to a destination. An exemplary visualization may include a still graphic that shows a symbol of a detected environmental condition positioned adjacent to and/or superimposed over a graphic that represents the item. Another exemplary visualization may include an animation that includes a sequence of frames that, when sequentially displayed at a particular frame rate, animate the item being subjected to the detected environmental condition. Various implementations include receiving measurements of the environmental conditions that the item is exposed to from sensors that are proximate to the item while it is en route to the destination. Then, when thresholds are reached for specific environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, acceleration, etc.), visualizations may be generated that graphically represent the item being exposed to such specific environmental conditions.

A method of processing a purchase transaction includes generating a transaction file containing a product code, which is transmitted from a user computing device when an image of a product code identifier is captured by the user computing device, a first user ID of the customer, and an indicator of whether or not the customer has opted in to receive electronic receipts. The method further includes generating an electronic receipt based on the transaction file, storing a conversion table containing the first and second user IDs of the customer, converting the first user ID contained in the transaction file to the second user ID based on the conversion table, when the indicator indicates that the customer has opted in, and storing the electronic receipt in association with the second user ID. The electronic receipt is transmitted in response to a request for electronic receipts associated with the second user ID.

The aerosol-generating article for use with an aerosol-generating device, the aerosol-generating article comprises an aerosol-forming substrate, and a surface area comprising a three dimensional code. The invention also relates to an aerosol-generating system comprising an aerosol-generating device and an aerosol-generating article.

The disclosed technologies include receiving a request from a second computing device to verify ownership of a blockchain address. A challenge content is generated and sent to the requestor. A signature is received comprising a hash of the challenge content generated using a private key. A public key corresponding to the private key is obtained, and the signature is validated using the public key. In response to validating the signature, a characteristic is associated with a user associated with the blockchain address.

Technologies are described for generating visualizations that graphically represent an item being exposed to extreme environmental conditions while en route to a destination. An exemplary visualization may include a still graphic that shows a symbol of a detected environmental condition positioned adjacent to and/or superimposed over a graphic that represents the item. Another exemplary visualization may include an animation that includes a sequence of frames that, when sequentially displayed at a particular frame rate, animate the item being subjected to the detected environmental condition. Various implementations include receiving measurements of the environmental conditions that the item is exposed to from sensors that are proximate to the item while it is en route to the destination. Then, when thresholds are reached for specific environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, acceleration, etc.), visualizations may be generated that graphically represent the item being exposed to such specific environmental conditions.

A computer implemented method for recognizing an answer sheet includes the steps of: reading a filled answer sheet comprising at least one set of graphical codes; locating each set of graphical codes in the answer sheet; a set of graphical codes comprising one grid or two grids, wherein for each set of graphical codes, if the function mark of the first grid is filled, two sets or four sets of 8-digit binary codes are obtained according to the filling state of each of the filling areas in each grid of the set of graphical codes; and recognizing the corresponding characters according to the encoding format determined by the encoding format mark. If the function mark in the first grid is un-filled, the filling states of the eight icons of the encoding format mark are converted to the third set of binary codes for character recognition.

Systems and techniques include using a sensor of a computing device to detect the presence of a first portion of a code, the code including at least the first portion and a second portion, where the first portion of the code is decodable and includes an identifier and the second portion of the code is non-decodable. The computing device recognizes the identifier in the first portion of the code and obtains instructions for decoding the second portion of the code using the identifier and/or data associated with the identifier. The instructions to decode the second portion of the code are processed to generate a decoded second portion of the code. The computing device performs an action defined in the decoded second portion of the code.

This disclosure relates to advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. One combination disclosed in the description includes an image processing method. The method includes: obtaining an image comprising a plurality of color channels; for each color channel of the plurality of color channels, creating a grayscale version of the color channel and creating an inverted greyscale version of the color channel; analyzing the grayscale inverted version and the grayscale non-inverted version to locate image areas including an encoded signal, said analyzing yielding a plurality of image areas; generating one or more detectability measures corresponding to the encoded signal for each of the plurality of image areas; for each color channel selecting only one (1) image area as a validation point based on one or more generated detectability measures for that color channel; and generating information associated with a spatial location of each of the validation points in the image. Of course, other features and combinations are described as well.

The disclosed embodiments are generally directed to improving feature detection of rapidly acquired images using camera-enabled mobile devices involving a 2-D decal code, such as a QR code, for improving the reading accuracy of a rapid diagnostic antigen or antibody or enzymatic colorimetric directed test, such as for COVID-19 diagnosis. One primary issue with evaluating a Covid-19 rapid test is detecting and quantifying positive test lines from sampled test strips based on digital images of the test strip. Aspects of the present invention contemplate masking a QR code to improve the sample image resolution and contrast. Other aspects of the present invention contemplate methods and techniques to evaluate a test line on the sample image by enhancing an intensity curve along the test line and control line containing area by way of calculating the instantaneous change in pixel intensity and evaluating the position and intensity of those signals.