Disclosed herein are methods and systems for encoding data in composite patterns such that the encoded data is perceptible in one or more infrared spectral ranges while significantly imperceptible in visible light spectral range by encoding the data in one or more first partial patterns and/or in one or more second partial patterns of the composite pattern where the first partial pattern(s) is painted using a first print material and the second partial pattern(s) is painted using a second. The first and second paint materials are characterized by reflecting substantially similar light in the visible light spectral range and significantly different light in the infrared spectral range(s) such that the first and second patterns are indistinguishable in the visible light spectral range while highly distinguishable in the infrared spectral range(s). further disclosed are methods and systems for decoding the composite patterns to decode and extract the encoded data.

A display device is disclosed that includes a plurality of pixels and a plurality of code pixels. The pixels include light-emitting elements, which display an image. The code pixels are disposed in the same layer as the pixels and are adjacent to a reference point disposed between the pixels. The code pixels include infrared light-emitting elements, which emit infrared light. At least one of the code pixels, disposed in a particular direction from the reference point, emit the infrared light to provide a code pattern having position information.

The present invention provides improved spectral signature strategies for use in a wide range of product and service applications. The present invention encodes spectral signature features into one or more optical brightener compounds and/or one or more infrared absorbing compounds. Equipment is modified with appropriate ultraviolet/violet or infrared LED illumination sources and corresponding detectors, optionally optical filters, and optionally mask elements, in order to read the spectral responses. These features desirably are used in combination with one or more other luminescent taggant compounds.

Indicia readers may be configured with two illumination light sources: a primary light source for illuminating primary indicia (e.g., a barcode) and a secondary ultraviolet (UV) light source for revealing secondary indicia (e.g., UV fluorescent watermarks) that are used to protect against counterfeit and fraud. Ultraviolet light can be harmful. The present invention embraces methods and a device for controlling the secondary UV light source to limit UV exposure. When an exposure risks is detected, the UV light source is deactivated.

The described device allows a user to set preference and receive the preferences by simply allowing a payment device to communicate with a preference reader.

A secure indicator includes a substrate, a barcode symbol that has a plurality of barcode modules provided on the substrate, and a security material positioned proximate the barcode symbol on the substrate. The security material is configured to be activated by irradiation at one or more predetermined activation wavelengths. Additionally, the barcode symbol is configured to be read (i) before the security material is activated and (ii) while the security material is activated.

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

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.

An article of manufacture may include a matrix barcode on a physical medium and associated with an environment. The matrix barcode may include a plurality of colors, where at least one of the plurality of colors is a least prevalent color, of a plurality of prevalent colors in the environment.

An identification device and procedure for pharmaceutical containers comprising at least one means of marking at least one secured identification code on each of the containers, characterised in that the device comprises at least one inkjet system configured to print the identification code on at least one surface of the moving container with at least one ink which exhibits visible fluorescence when radiated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and whose drying time is 1 to 3 seconds or less than about 3 seconds.