Method and system for generating and printing three dimensional barcodes

• US 9,864,940 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Flores, Eliud Robles, Anderson, Jr., Robert Bruce, Foley, Timothy P.
• Primary Examiner(s): KELLY, RAFFERTY D
• Application Number:
  US14/635,529
• Publication Number:
  US 20160260001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 235490, 425135, 700118
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/386 Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06159 the marking being relief type, e.g. three-dimensional bar codes engraved in a support

Abstract

A system that includes a three-dimensional (3D) printing device, processor and computer-readable memory a 3D barcode and prints a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in the 3D barcode by: (i) receiving information to be embedded in the 3D barcode; (ii) determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension; (iii) generating a build sequence that will cause the 3D-printing device to print the 3D barcode that embeds the received information in the 3D barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and (iv) using the build sequence to print the 3D object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the 3D object.

Claims

1. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, sorting the received information into public information and non-public information;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension and the non-public information is embedded in the at least one symbol character in the z-direction;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

by a three-dimensional printing device, using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the public information includes at least one of the following:

a part number, part identification information, inventory information, user manual, safety information, or licensing information; and

the method also includes, by the three-dimensional printing device, printing the public information as two-dimensional symbol characters on a surface of the object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-public information includes at least one of the following:

information relating to printing of an object, information relating to printing of parts of an object, secondary manufacturing information, or information defining the sequencing of parts in manufacturing an object.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising encoding at least one copy of the barcode symbology within the three-dimensional barcode.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

saving at least one copy of the barcode symbology at a location external to the three-dimensional barcode; and

encoding at least one link to the location within the three-dimensional barcode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receiving a set of supplemental data;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation, converting the second pixels to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

10. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

sort the received information into public information and non-public information,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension and wherein the non-public information is embedded in the at least one symbol character in the z-direction,

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology, and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that;

each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object, and

the public information is printed as two-dimensional symbol characters on a surface of the object.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to encode at least one copy of the barcode symbology within the three-dimensional barcode.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

save at least one copy of the barcode symbology at a location external to the three-dimensional barcode; and

encode at least one link to the location within the three-dimensional barcode.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receive a set of supplemental data;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation, convert the second pixels to a second height representation, and convert the supplemental data to a color representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

17. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

by a three-dimensional printing device;

using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object, and

encoding at least one copy of the barcode symbology within the three-dimensional barcode.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

saving at least one copy of the barcode symbology at a location external to the three-dimensional barcode; and

encoding at least one link to the location within the three-dimensional barcode.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receiving a set of supplemental data;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation, converting the second pixels to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

23. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology;

saving at least one copy of the barcode symbology at a location external to the three-dimensional barcode; and

by a three-dimensional printing device;

using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object, and

encoding at least one link to the location within the three-dimensional barcode.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein:

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receiving a set of supplemental data;

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation, converting the second pixels to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

28. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

by a three-dimensional printing device, using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces,

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

29. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

by a three-dimensional printing device, using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

receiving the information comprises receiving a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data,

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation, and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

30. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

by a three-dimensional printing device, using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels,

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation, and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

31. A method of printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the method comprising:

by a processor, receiving information to be embedded in the three-dimensional barcode;

by the processor, determining a barcode symbology, wherein the barcode symbology includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension;

by the processor, generating a build sequence that will cause a three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

by a three-dimensional printing device, using the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

receiving the information comprises receiving a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receiving a set of supplemental data,

determining the barcode symbology comprises converting the first pixels to a first height representation, converting the second pixels to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation, and

generating the build sequence comprises generating instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and augmenting at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

32. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension,

encode at least one copy of the barcode symbology within the three-dimensional barcode,

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology, and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object.

33. The system of claim 32, further comprising additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

save at least one copy of the barcode symbology at a location external to the three-dimensional barcode; and

encode at least one link to the location within the three-dimensional barcode.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

37. The system of claim 32, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receive a set of supplemental data;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation, convert the second pixels to a second height representation, and convert the supplemental data to a color representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

38. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension,

save at least one copy of the barcode symbology at a location external to the three-dimensional barcode,

encode at least one link to the location within the three-dimensional barcode

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology; and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein:

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receive a set of supplemental data;

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation, convert the second pixels to a second height representation, and convert the supplemental data to a color representation; and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.

43. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension,

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology, and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces,

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

44. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension,

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology, and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a one-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of bars and a plurality of spaces, along with a set of supplemental data,

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the bars to a first height representation and converting the spaces to a second height representation, and converting the supplemental data to a color representation, and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the bars at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the spaces at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the bars or spaces with a second color to represent the color representation.

45. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension,

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology, and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels,

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation and converting the second pixels to a second height representation, and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a single color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation so that the first height and second height are imperceptible to an unaided human eye.

46. A system for printing a three-dimensional object containing information embedded in a three-dimensional barcode, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing device;

a processor; and

a memory device containing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to;

receive information to be embedded in a three-dimensional barcode,

determine a barcode symbology that includes at least one symbol character in a z-dimension,

generate a build sequence that will cause the three-dimensional printing device to print the three-dimensional barcode that embeds the received information in the three-dimensional barcode in accordance with the barcode symbology, and

cause the three dimensional printing device to use the build sequence to print the three-dimensional object so that each symbol character of the symbology that is to appear in the z-dimension is printed as a physical representation in the z-direction on the three-dimensional object;

wherein;

the instructions to receive the information comprise instructions to receive a two-dimensional barcode comprising a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels, wherein the first pixels exhibit a color that is different from the second pixels, and also receive a set of supplemental data,

the instructions to determine the barcode symbology comprise instructions to convert the first pixels to a first height representation, convert the second pixels to a second height representation, and convert the supplemental data to a color representation, and

the instructions to generate the build sequence comprise instructions to generate instructions to use a first color to print the first pixels at a first height corresponding to the first height representation and print the second pixels at a second height corresponding to the second height representation, and to augment at least some of the first pixels or second pixels with a second color to represent the color representation.