Sheet-like product and method for authenticating a security tag including a section of the sheet-like product. The sheet-like product includes at least one security feature having optical properties that change with the viewing angle and, and at least one marker, wherein each marker is uniquely attributable to a position on the sheet-like product. The position of the at least one security feature on the sheet-like product is predetermined relative to the position of the at least one marker on the sheet-like product.

Technology for generating, reading, and using machine-readable codes is disclosed. There is a method, performed by an image capture device, for reading and using the codes. The method includes obtaining an image, identifying an area in the image having a machine-readable code. The method also includes, within the image area, finding a predefined start marker defining a start point and a predefined stop marker defining a stop point, an axis being defined there between. A plurality of axis points can be defined along the axis. For each axis point, a first distance within the image area to a mark is determined. The distance can be measured from the axis point in a first direction which is orthogonal to the axis. The first distances can be converted to a binary code using Gray code such that each first distance encodes at least one bit of data in the code.

For one-dimensional or two-dimensional images in which cells identified as bright-colored cells and cells identified as dark-colored cells are arranged in a matrix, the amount of information is further increased while the difficulty in reading information expressions are reduced.

For this purpose, invented is a composite code comprising a first code, in which a plurality of cells each having a predetermined area are orderly arranged, and in which data is defined by each of the predetermined areas having one of two or more colors that can be distinguished from each other, and a second code in which special cells having an area other than the predetermined area form at least a part of the plurality of cells, and in which data is defined by distinguishable marks arranged at predetermined positions in the area other than the predetermined area.

An operating apparatus for a medical device and a corresponding operating method are provided. The operating apparatus includes a projector that is configured for real, virtual, or real and virtual projection of an operator surface onto a display element, and a capture facility for non-contact capturing of an interaction of an operator with the projected operator surface. A sensor system for independent detection of the interaction is arranged separately from the capture facility on the display element.

In an illustrative system, a point-of-sale scanner is equipped to respond to multiple different symbologies printed on a single product. The scanner captures many frames per second, as products are swiped through a viewing volume. Each frame is decoded, yielding one or more payloads. A reconciliation module compares each newly-decoded payload against a list of payloads previously output by the module, to determine if the current payload is semantically-equivalent to a previously-output payload. If so, the previously-output payload is output again, in lieu of the just-decoded payload. If no equivalent is found, the current payload is output and added to the list for comparison against future payloads. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

A system and method are disclosed for creating 2D barcodes that are watermarked in a digital fashion. The system and method include changing specific elements within the code words as well as modifying the physical representation within elements of the codewords.

Software tools disclosed herein may allow a user to enter design choices that alter an aesthetic appearance of a machine-readable label such that modules included in the label deviate from a standardized definition for the modules. Such alterations may include changes in size, color and orientation of modules. The alterations may allow a user to create machine-readable labels having unique aesthetic appearances. A software engine may ensure that, despite the aesthetic design choices entered by a user, the generated machine-readable label is reliably scannable.

A system and method for identifying test bars formed during a selective laser sintering build. A part cake is formed during a selective laser sintering build. The part cake comprises parts formed from a powder by selective laser sintering and unsintered powder around the formed parts. The parts include test bars for performing material testing. Each test bar includes a plurality of indentations in a first grip section and a second grip section. The plurality of indentations are arranged in a information providing pattern that is adapted to be readable after the test part is removed from the part cake.

Technology for generating, reading, and using machine-readable codes is disclosed. There is a method, performed by an image capture device, for reading and using the codes. The method includes obtaining an image, identifying an area in the image having a machine-readable code. The method also includes, within the image area, finding a predefined start marker defining a start point and a predefined stop marker defining a stop point, an axis being defined there between. A plurality of axis points can be defined along the axis. For each axis point, a first distance within the image area to a mark is determined. The distance can be measured from the axis point in a first direction which is orthogonal to the axis. The first distances can be converted to a binary code using Gray code such that each first distance encodes at least one bit of data in the code.

A two-dimensional code includes: a first code symbol coding first information being valid information according to a first standard; a terminator pattern indicating an end of the valid information according to the first standard; and a second code symbol arranged after the terminator pattern in a region in which the valid information can be arranged according to the first standard and coding second information being valid information according to a second standard different from the first standard. The first information may be output data, and the second information may be non-output data.