Method and apparatus for making articles
First Claim
1. Apparatus for associating data with an article selected from a plurality of articles, the apparatus including:
- generator means arranged to generate and apply to a substrate of the article a unique, meaningless composite indicium that is unique to each article selected from the plurality of articles, the generator means comprising a print cylinder for printing at least part of the composite indicium, said unique composite indicium comprised of a combination of at least two starting indicium;
scanning means arranged to scan the composite indicium to acquire an image of the composite indicium,processing means arranged to apply an algorithm to the acquired image to derive a character string associated with the composite indicium, and to attribute selected data to the character string, andstorage means arranged to store the character string and attributed data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for applying unique composite indicia or markings to a succession of articles, in which each unique composite indicium comprises two or more indicia. At least part of each of the indicia may be co-located at a predetermined location on the article with such co-location being unique or distinct for each composite indicium for each article. The indicium may be overprinted with one or more images, logos or color-schemes. A code (e.g. an alphanumeric string) that is stored in a database may be derived from the composite indicium from one or more mathematical properties. The code may be later accessed for identifying or verifying the article with the indicium.
39 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for associating data with an article selected from a plurality of articles, the apparatus including:
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generator means arranged to generate and apply to a substrate of the article a unique, meaningless composite indicium that is unique to each article selected from the plurality of articles, the generator means comprising a print cylinder for printing at least part of the composite indicium, said unique composite indicium comprised of a combination of at least two starting indicium; scanning means arranged to scan the composite indicium to acquire an image of the composite indicium, processing means arranged to apply an algorithm to the acquired image to derive a character string associated with the composite indicium, and to attribute selected data to the character string, and storage means arranged to store the character string and attributed data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Apparatus for associating data with each article selected from a plurality of articles, the apparatus including:
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means arranged to apply a unique, meaningless composite indicium to a substrate of the article, scanning means arranged to scan the composite indicium disposed on the article to acquire an image of the composite indicium, processing means arranged to apply an algorithm to the acquired image to derive a character string associated with the composite indicium, and to attribute selected data to the character string, and storage means arranged to store the character string and attributed data, wherein the means arranged to apply the composite indicium is one or more techniques selected from the group consisting of gravure-, form-, letterpress-, laser-, inkjet-, dot pen-, thermo transfer- or offset- printing means;
laser engraving means and embossing means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of associating data with each article selected from a plurality of articles, the method including:
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generating and applying to a substrate of the article a unique, meaningless composite indicium, scanning the composite indicium, applying an algorithm to convert the scanned composite indicium into a character string, attributing selected data to the character string, and storing the character string and attributed data in a storage device, wherein the method includes printing the composite indicium on the substrate, using a print cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of associating data with each article selected from a plurality of articles, the method including:
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applying by machine a unique, meaningless composite indicium to a substrate of the article; scanning the composite indicium disposed on the article; applying an algorithm to convert the scanned composite indicium into a character string; attributing selected data to the character string; and storing the character string and attributed data in a storage device, wherein the step of applying the composite indicium is one or more techniques selected from the group consisting of;
printing by gravure, form, letterpress, laser, inkjet, dot pen, thermo transfer or offset;
laser engraving and embossing. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification