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.

A method is for transferring a software installation procedure onto a medical device. In an embodiment, the method includes providing an image on a transmit system via a computing unit of the transmit system, the image including a visual depiction based on the installation procedure; optically transferring the image from the transmit system onto the medical device; and determining the installation procedure on the medical device based upon the visual depiction of the image via a computing unit of the medical device.

A system performs a method for processing an image of a machine-readable code. The method includes receiving an image of a machine-readable code comprising coded information, where the machine-readable code is at least partially obscured by a substance that has a predominant color; generating an adjusted image by adjusting a color space of the image based on the predominant color; binarizing at least a machine-readable code region of the image, wherein the machine-readable code region of the image depicts the machine-readable code; and decoding the binarized machine-readable code region to determine the coded information. Other apparatus and methods are also described.

Techniques to improve operation of an augmented reality device and/or system utilizing fiducial markers and/or color space conversions are provided. In various embodiments, a color space of an object is altered based on a movement of the object in relation to an environment. The environment may include two or more segments with a distinct environment color space in relation to one another. The object may transition from one of the two or more environment segments into the other one of the two or more segments. The alteration is based on the transition from the color space of the one of the two or more environment segments into the other one of the two or more environment segments.

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.

An activatable quality label operative to provide an indication of exceedance of a temperature threshold following activation thereof at a temperature less than or equal to an activation temperature, including a readable indicator located on the quality label and operative, following activation of the quality label at or below the activation temperature, to readably indicate exceedance of the temperature threshold, an actuator element operative to activate the quality label and indicia at least partially formed by thermochromic ink, the thermochromic ink having a first visual appearance at temperatures less than or equal to the activation temperature and a second visual appearance at temperatures above the activation temperature, such that a visual appearance of the indicia is indicative of whether the quality label is at a temperature less than or equal to the activation temperature and hence may be activated.

An apparatus may include a memory to store instructions; and processing circuitry, coupled with the memory, operable to execute the instructions. When executed, the instructions may cause the processing circuitry to identify a matrix code; read a first layer of the matrix code, the first layer comprising a first account identifier associated with an account, wherein the first layer corresponds to a first color channel; and read a second layer of the matrix code, the second layer comprising a set of account data, associated with the account, wherein the second layer corresponds to a second color channel, different than the first color channel.

A capsule for preparation of a beverage includes a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein. The container includes a code adapted for being identified or read by external reading means, and the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

In an example method, a visually significant marking scheme is generated including a pattern of data marks and reference marks based on a received image to be printed, data information, and reference information. Data marks are generated based on the data information and the reference marks are generated based on the reference information. The image is printed including the data marks and the reference marks arranged based on the visually significant marking scheme onto the surface of the object.

The inventive apparatus for printing, sending, receiving and counting absentee ballots, comprises a printer for creating a plurality of ballots, each of the ballots bearing a unique code device containing a unique identification code and a would-be voter personal computing device for sending a communication from a would be voter requesting a ballot and for sending personal identification information. The personal computing device must receive a biometric to become activated. A board of elections computing device receives a communication from a would-be voter requesting a ballot, the board of elections computing device being operated by software which causes it to execute a number of program steps comprising verifying that the personal computing device must receive a biometric to become activated, receiving personal identification information from the would-be voter personal computing device, and comparing the received personal identification information with voter record information contained in the database of registered voter information a board of elections to determine whether the would-be voter is registered to vote. A balloted voter database is adapted for storing a notation of a positive identification of the would-be voter as a registered voter, and for storing in the balloted voter database a notation that the would be voter is to be sent one of the ballots. A scanning device is adapted for scanning the unique code device on one of the ballots. A sent ballots database stores the identification of the one ballot in the sent ballots database. A voted ballots database receives an indication that a communication has been received from the registered voter personal computing device of the would be voter, the communication comprising the output of a scan of the unique code device on the ballot sent to the would-be voter, the information including the unique identification code, whereby returned voted ballots may be assessed for authenticity, wherein the program of steps comprises assessing authenticity of return ballots by determining that each ballot is included in the sent ballots database and is included in the voted ballots database, whereby the ballots that are included in the sent ballots database and in the voted ballots database are identified as verified ballots, and the election choices in the verified ballots may be counted.