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Rockwell International Corporation

James D Teed

Harry F Schramm, Jr

Donald L Roxby

William T Yost

Clyde S Jones

The invention is a method and apparatus for the application of machine readable matrix marking symbols, and especially two-dimensional matrix symbols, to a 'host' substrate, optionally covering the symbols with protective layers, then using an ultrasound imaging apparatus to capture echo signals associated with the matrix symbols, then feeding the resultant information to a matrix symbol decoder to yield human-readable and video monitor displayable information.

Method for marking, capturing and decoding machine-readable matrix

The present invention involves enhancing machine-readable matrix symbol markings on substrate materials by the addition of magnetizable materials, and then, at a later time, taking advantage of the magnetic properties associated with the matrix symbol marking to read the marking using a magneto-optic reading apparatus. For example, the marking material may be mixed with a media having magnetic properties and applied to a component surface either via stencil or as backfill. The magnetic material enables detection with the aid of a magnetic-property detection apparatus. Once detected, the matrix symbol image is transmitted to a symbol decoder so that the information represented by the symbol can be provided to a user.

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Huntsville, AL, United States of America

James D Teed