Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting smart components associated with articles and packaging of articles, including articles and packages labeled with shrink sleeve labels, pressure sensitive labels, and other labels.

Abstract: A tracking system for food products includes labeled food product packages and labeled containers for transporting the labeled packages to harvest sites. A data-clearing center receives mobile phone communications from the harvest sites for uploading the container codes. Ancillary information collected from the mobile phone communications including the time, date, location, and phone identification is associated with the container codes for linking the labeled food product packages to details of their harvest.

Abstract: A tracking system for food products includes labeled food product packages and labeled containers for transporting the labeled packages to harvest sites. A data-clearing center receives mobile phone communications from the harvest sites for uploading the container codes. Ancillary information collected from the mobile phone communications including the time, date, location, and phone identification is associated with the container codes for linking the labeled food product packages to details of their harvest.

Abstract: A tracking system for food products includes labeled food product packages and labeled containers for transporting the labeled packages to harvest sites. A data-clearing center receives mobile phone communications from the harvest sites for uploading the container codes. Ancillary information collected from the mobile phone communications including the time, date, location, and phone identification is associated with the container codes for linking the labeled food product packages to details of their harvest.

Abstract: A tracking system for food products includes labeled food product packages and labeled containers for transporting the labeled packages to harvest sites. A data-clearing center receives mobile phone communications from the harvest sites for uploading the container codes. Ancillary information collected from the mobile phone communications including the time, date, location, and phone identification is associated with the container codes for linking the labeled food product packages to details of their harvest.

Abstract: A system is provided in which electronic tags are pre-encoded and mounted on a continuous web for subsequent application to packaging at a packaging supplier plant. A B2B portal provides the information needed to coordinate the pre-encoding of the electronic tags with the packaging manufacture according to a goods packager's requirements.

Abstract: A promotional system initiated by capturing encoded images with mobile phones supports interactions between customers and vendors. A host site receives and decodes an information-bearing image captured with a customer's mobile phone. The image preferably appears on a vendor's product or place of business, such as a retail outlet. The host site also acquires information distinguishing the customer, such as the customer's telephone number or location. The information extracted from the information-bearing image is processed together with the information from the customer and a reply is sent to the customer to engage the customer in a promotion.

Abstract: A unique conductivity pattern is applied to printable articles to provide a “signature” for later verifying the authenticity of the printable articles. Preferably, the conductivity pattern is hidden from sight and differs from other conductivity patterns applied to other printable articles in an effectively random manner. Capacitive sensors read the conductivity patterns, and the resulting data for recording the signatures reflects not only details of the conductivity patterns themselves but also the characteristics of the capacitive sensors and their use.

Abstract: Variably printed media units from an uninterrupted supply are dispensed from vending machines in association with the dispensing of products or services from the machines. The media units, which can take a variety of forms including coupons, vouchers, tickets, collector cards, game pieces, pull tabs, stickers, and web decoders, promote the sales of products or services from the vending machines or other preferably local sales outlets.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for printing linerless media having an adhesive backing, such as a label strip, includes a platen roller rotatably mounted to a support frame for supporting and advancing the label strip and a pick for stripping or separating the printed label strip from the platen roller. Thus, a label strip may be fed from a wound roll between the platen roller and an aligned print head such that predetermined indicia are imprinted thereon. Upon further rotation of the platen roller, the leading edge of the label strip engages the pick which acts to release any appreciable adherence between the adhesive backing of the label strip and the platen roller, and such that the printed labels may extend from and be readily withdrawn from the printing apparatus.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for printing linerless media having an adhesive backing, such as a label strip, includes a platen roller rotatably mounted to a support frame for supporting and advancing the label strip and means, such as a stripping roller, for stripping or separating the printed label strip from the platen roller. Thus, a label strip can be fed from a wound roll between the platen roller and an aligned print head such that predetermined indicia are imprinted thereon. Upon further rotation of the platen roller, the leading edge of the label strip engages the stripping roller which acts to release any appreciable adherence between the adhesive backing of the label strip and the platen roller, and such that the printed labels may extend from and be readily withdrawn from the printing apparatus.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for printing adhesive backed media, such as a label strip or a multi-part form, includes an endless belt which is rotatably mounted to a support frame and is advanced along an endless path of travel such that a label strip may be fed from a wound roll to the endless belt with the adhesive backed side of the label strip directly in contact with the endless belt, and indicia may be imprinted upon the opposite side of the label strip. The printing apparatus includes a platen mounted within the endless belt and a print head positioned in alignment with the platen so that the endless belt and the label strip carried by the endless belt extend between the print head and the platen so as to permit printing on the label strip. The printing apparatus may include a stripping roller mounted at the downstream end of the endless belt and having a relatively small radius to facilitate the release of the adhesive backed label strip from the endless belt.