Provided herein is a label structure for tagging a product item. The label structure includes a first graphic pattern having a first number of pixels and printed on a first portion of the label structure; a second graphic pattern having a second number of pixels and printed on a second portion of the label structure, the second graphic pattern forming an optical code readable by an optical decoding device; and shielding means capable of hiding or making visible the first graphic pattern depending on the values taken by a physical quantity to which the label structure is exposed. The first and second graphic patterns can be observed in combination, when the first graphic pattern is made visible by the shielding means.

A barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, the barcoded indicator including at least a first barcode and at least a second barcode, the at least a second barcode being in a second barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one threshold and upon exceedance of the at least one threshold the at least a first barcode becoming unreadable and generally simultaneously the at least a second barcode becoming readable.

A barcode, comprising: a code region, comprising at least bright point and a dark point, comprising code information; and a boundary region, formed as a closed shape surrounding the code region. A decoding direction of the code region is not relative to the boundary region. The code information is represented by at least one of: a color sequence, an intensity sequence and a relation between the bright point and the dark point. The present invention also provides a barcode processing system which can process the barcode to generate a control command, and provides a coffee machine using the barcode processing system. The barcode can be easily aligned by a closed boundary region, without using a frame buffer with a large size.

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.

A unique secured product identification method, system, and apparatus for product such as precious gemstones prevent counterfeiting by incorporating a marked product with fake identification (ID) mark or fake barcode. Authentication process requires at least two identifying data sets, an overt mark or overt data and covert data. The overt data may be a unique product identifier like a barcode. Covert data may be any additional data derived from the specific product. Additional data points come from a created data point not originally part of the product, or a unique data point already existing in the product but not existing in any other similar product. Product is authenticated when the combination of data sets compared to original data sets creates positive product identification. Authentication may be done with centralized, or de-centralized databases. A partially or non-automated method may be implemented, for example, where a barcode links to a database.

A barcode, comprising: a code region, comprising at least bright point and a dark point, comprising code information; and a boundary region, formed as a closed shape surrounding the code region. A decoding direction of the code region is not relative to the boundary region. The code information is represented by at least one of: a color sequence, an intensity sequence and a relation between the bright point and the dark point. The present invention also provides a barcode processing system which can process the barcode to generate a control command, and provides a coffee machine using the barcode processing system. The barcode can be easily aligned by a closed boundary region, without using a frame buffer with a large size.

An encoded substrate to be filmed by a camera device for generating an image is provided. The encoded substrate includes a plurality of grids arranged in a form of two-dimensional array, wherein each grid includes a first pattern and a second pattern not overlapped with each other. The first pattern corresponds to a first-dimensional encoded value, and the second pattern corresponds to a second-dimensional encoded value. The image is processed by a processor for scanning the plurality of grids. In a first-dimensional direction, the processor outputs a first coordinate according to at least two first patterns corresponding to at least two consecutive grids among the plurality of grids. In a second- dimensional direction, the processor outputs a second coordinate according to at least two second patterns corresponding to at least two consecutive grids among the plurality of grids.

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.

Systems and methods for generating a series of connected secure, unique glyph carriers configured to interface with customizable finite state machines are described herein. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for scanning the secure, unique glyph carriers disclosed herein. The systems and methods may include a database in communication with a finite state machine. In various configurations, the systems and methods may be used to detect a forgery of the secure, unique glyphs described herein.

Described is a device formed by at least two layers, one of which is invariable and contains a visual code with error correction capacity, and at least one layer that is variable according to particular physical or chemical conditions. The invention also relates to a method for creating these devices and encoding the messages included in same; a method for reading or decoding the information contained in the devices; and a system capable of analysing and decoding the information contained in the messages of the device.