Tag, tag blank, method and arrangement for representing information

Abstract

The invention relates to a tag (52), which, includes a dynamic machine- readable code (51) configured to be formed from unit elements (29, 39), wherein the unit elements (29, 39) have at least two visual states (B, W) and are configured to form two or more visual representations (43.1, 43.2). The visual representations (43.1, 43.2) are configured to be formed by a constrained static pattern part (44) formed from static unit elements (29), in which static pattern part (44) dynamic unit elements (39) are arranged, which are dynamic based on a set criterion of the visual representation. One aspect of the invention in the area of circular economy lies in loss reduction in products that, for example, perish easily, expire within a certain period of time and become unusable under the wrong conditions. A few examples of such products are food, pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

Description

[0001] TAG, TAG BLANK AND ARRANGEMENT FOR REPRESENTING INFORMATION,

[0002] METHOD FOR CREATING VISUALLY DISTINCT REPRESENTATIONS FOR A

[0003] MACHINE-READABLE CODE, AND SERVER ARRANGEMENT

[0004] The invention relates to a tag . The invention additionally relates to a tag blank and an arrangement for representing information, a method for creating visually distinct represen- tations for a machine-readable code, and a server arrangement .

[0005] The utilization of a dynamic QR code with a sensor device that is configured to perform measurements is known from the Appli- cant's international patent application publication

[0006] WO 2019 / 086763. By means of a reader device that reads a QR code in which successive measurement results are updated, these results can be sent to a server . The server collects the meas- urement results and, as a consequence of a transmission, pro- vides feedback to the reader device as to whether all measure- ments remained within set limits for conditions .

[0007] However, such a sensor device requires a display to represent the respective updatable QR code, which is updated based on the measurement results . The display element constitutes a consid- erable part of the manufacturing cost of the sensor device .

[0008] This raises the threshold for a utilization of the sensor device in high-volume, mass-produced products . In addition, in many situations, instead of measurement results, it would be suff i- cient for the server to receive information as to whether or not a status of a monitored object still complies with, f or example, set conditions .

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a tag and a machine-readable code, more specifically a QR code, which is simpler to implement and consequently also less expensive . The characteristic features of a tag and a tag blank according to the invention are set out in the accompanying Claims 1 and 23 , while methods for creating visually distinct representations for a machine-readable code and for manufacturing a tag are set out in Claims 26 and 36 .

[0010] In the invention, the machine-readable code of the tag includes a set static pattern part and one or more dynamic, i . e . , vari- able parts . According to one embodiment, it is possible with the one or more dynamic parts of the machine-readable code to express information relating to a status of a monitored object and, more specifically, to determine if a change has occurred in that status . The dynamic part can have, in connection with the static pattern part, a first visual state . It can be set so as to signify a baseline status of the monitored object , a situation in which everything has remained in a good state, such as, for example, to comply with set conditions . Moreover, the dynamic part also has, in connection with the same static pattern part, at least one other visual state . This can be set so as to signify a change in the status of the monitored object, from a first status to the second status . In other words, this would be a situation in which something, for example, a measured phenomenon or a quantity derived therefrom, has changed from the baseline status signified by the first state . This makes it possible to determine a current status of the monitored object and, more specifically, a change in condition that has occurred in the status and / or that conditions and / or a quantity derived therefrom has exceeded and / or fallen below a set limit .

[0011] According to one embodiment, optically machine-readable two- dimensional visual code pairs are utilized in the invention .

[0012] There can thus be a code corresponding to a baseline status and one or more codes corresponding to a changed status . Further, the one or more codes corresponding to a changed status can be divided into a simple indication of a change (yes / no) as well as a specification of its type (duration, magnitude, etc . , of the change) . In addition, each code has a URL, so that a URL can be encoded with the same . The URL indicates a server ar- ranged in the data network . When it knows the code and how to process it, the reader device, after it has read the code, makes a server call defined by the URL . In the server call, the data formed from the code is sent to the server . The server interprets the meaning associated with the data and automati- cally returns information generated based on that data to the reader device . Thus, from the standpoint of the reader device, everything functions automatically, without any specific user interaction . This makes the operation easy and smooth . From the standpoint of the end user, it is sufficient that the code is read by the reader device in the usual manner in which it generally reads optically machine-readable codes .

[0013] In addition, an identifier that can be associated with a re- spective read monitored object can also be read or derived from each code, wherein the identifier can be, such as, for example, a product serial number, a batch number of a product batch, or both . It can be used to identify different monitored objects .

[0014] In one more advanced embodiment, it is even possible for a generic product identifier that has been assigned to it to be encoded in the code . An example of such an identifier is a GTIN code, including any metadata .

[0015] Code pairs can be sought and found and, if necessary, even created using a computer program run on computer hardware .

[0016] According to one embodiment, an algorithm can be used to go through different code pair candidates in order to find suita- ble code pairs . In addition, an algorithm can be used to analyze code pair candidates and even make necessary changes to them .

[0017] By means of these changes, it is possible to use the code pair candidates to create code pairs or even codes with multiple visual representations for a single object . One criterion for changes to be made to code pairs can be that they are still readable by a reader device following the harmonizing changes .

[0018] This way, a working machine-readable code can still be created from the code pairs .

[0019] More specifically, a machine-readable code that indicates at least two statuses can be created based on a code pair . Encoded in the code pair is the network address of the server arrange- ment . In addition, data is also encoded in the code pair at least a part of which indicates a status change . This data forms, in together with the address of the server arrangement, the URL in the machine-readable code . A URL call is made ac- cording to this URL when the machine-readable code is read by a reader device .

[0020] The data in a code pair includes static data and dynamic data .

[0021] According to one embodiment, the dynamic data can be provided in the machine-readable code, for example, in connection with the static data, such as, for example, to follow the static data, so that they can form a single code series . The static data can be, for example, a number series and is the same for both machine-readable codes of the code pair . It can be called, for example, the serial number of the codes of the code pair .

[0022] The dynamic data is in turn, as its name implies, the variable data of the machine-readable code . According to one embodiment, it can be, for example, a character pair , i . e . it can include two characters . The state of the machine-readable code is iden- tified based on the dynamic data . At least one of the characters in the character pair thus constitutes a discrepancy, which makes the character pairs different and thus identifiable . The meaning of the character pairs is stored on the server arrange- ment, where it is interpreted following a reading of the ma- chine-readable code . The result of the interpretation is returned to the reader device . According to one embodiment, it is possible to define a ratio of an amount of static data to an amount of dynamic data in the code, for example, by making the character length of the static data greater than that of the dynamic data .

[0023] According to the method of the invention, code pairs are sought, modif ied and found with which it is possible to indicate a change in a status of a monitored object with a small amount of data, such as, for example by a change in only a few char- acters . In particular, this can be implemented without it being necessary to update and rewrite the entire visual representa- tion of the machine-readable code in order to represent it .

[0024] In the method according to tive invention, according to one embodiment of the same, code pairs that have a common, i . e . identical, static pattern part, regardless of their variable data, are searched for and actively created from their dynamic data . In this search, it is possible to go through code pairs created for static data, i . e . for a single serial number, until a code pair that works is found . Where necessary, error is introduced into the unit elements of the codes of the code pair to render them identical so as to obtain the identical repre- sentation required for the static pattern part of the code pair . If a position of a dynamic area of a code pair, i . e . an area that is variable in its visual representation, is prede- termined in the visual representation of the code, for example, for reasons relating to the implementation of its display, error is also provided in the unit elements of this dynamic area of the code, where necessary . The required change property for expressing a changed status can thus be implemented in the unit elements of the codes of the code pair, wherein this property is implemented using a selected dynamic element . If the code pair can still be read by a reader device after the generation process, i . e . the number of errors provided in the unit elements of the codes of the code pair does not exceed the capability of an error correction to correct the errors intro- duced into the codes, the codes of the code pair are accepted .

[0025] From these codes, a single machine-readable code tag is subse- quently manufactured, which has a static, i . e . identical, pat- tern part common to both codes of the code pair and at least one dynamic element by means of which a change is produced in the visual state of the unit elements .

[0026] Owing to the invention, a variable area, i . e . an area in which a dynamic element is provided which is smaller in terms of its area size relative to the area si ze of the overall visual representation of the machine-readable code, can be relatively small in the machine-readable code relative to the visual rep- resentation of the entire code . Owing to the invention, f or example the changing of one or two characters does not require the visual representation of the entire machine-readable code to be updated again and for the updated code to be subsequently rewritten in order to represent the changed code for a reading with a reader device . A small display element thus suffices compared to a variable display of the size of the entire code .

[0027] Owing to the invention, by selecting an appropriate size of the static data of the code, i . e . of the serial number of the code pair, a sufficient number of code pair candidates are obtained even, for example, for the needs of a high-volume logistics .

[0028] In other words, owing to the invention it is possible to create unique code pairs although only a small amount of data in the code changes in terms of data size . Only a few variable char- acters per code pair still does the job .

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, it should also be noted that, for a practical implementation of the invention, the physical position of the variable data of the visual representations of a code pair, i . e . of the codes, such as, for example, the site at which the aforementioned character pair is encoded in the code and the physical position of the varia- ble, i . e . , dynamic area of the visual representations of the codes do not have to correspond to each other in the machine- readable code . It follows that a change that occurs in the visual expressions of character pairs provided in the code can be said to be synthetic inasmuch as it is not (necessarily) directly apparent, for example, from the visual representations of the code . Instead, the character pair per se is present , for example, when the code pairs are generated, in the URL generated after the reading of the code and in particular its error correction, as well as in the data of the codes of the code pairs stored on the server . The bits encoding this variable character pair, in the respective codes of the code pair, can thus be located in the code at its static pattern part . A visually perceptible change in the code thus occurs somewhere else in the code other than at the site of the bits of the character pairs . The area in which that change occurs in the unit elements is defined by the area of influence of the dy- namically variable element . In any case, no matter where the actually visually variable, i . e . dynamic, unit elements are located in the code, after the reading of both codes and their subsequent error correction, the data contained in the codes, i . e . , for example, a serial number shared by the codes and the distinct character pairs , i . e . the variable information, of the codes are unambiguously clear . Their meaning can thus be que- ried from the server arrangement with a common URL call, wherein the URL call is created from the code following the reading of the code .

[0030] According to one embodiment, in addition to, or even instead of , simply determining a status change, the dynamic part of the machine-readable code can also provide even more detailed information on a status change that has occurred . According to one embodiment, the information can be, for example, inf or- mation on a magnitude and / or a type of status change . An example would be, for instance, a temperature experienced by a product and a duration associated with that temperature . These kinds of circumstances can affect , for example, a usability of a product .

[0031] The aforementioned status change can be, for example, a change in temperature . The temperature can initially be, for example, in a permitted range and then have changed to a non-permitted range, which can be further categorized, in different ways .

[0032] When the temperature has changed ( at that instant or in the past ) to a non-permitted range, it is possible to subsequently also determine, as additional information, a magnitude of the change or of the deviation from the permitted range, for example in terms of temperature and / or elapsed time . In this case, it is possible to establish, for example, whether the temperature exceeded the permitted range by less than 10 degrees or by more than 10 degrees . Additionally or alternatively, it can also be established, for example, whether the change lasted only a minute or whether it perhaps lasted hours . Different rules can be devised for these phenomena and corresponding information can be provided accordingly . If a condition / usability of a monitored object is def ined on this basis, it is determined, for example, whether the product is still usable, whether the product is still usable but must be used within a given time window, whether the product is still usable but needs to be used immediately, or whether the product has become unusable .

[0033] The possibilities here are wide-ranging . It is thus possible with a very small change, in terms of the number of bits, in the visual representation of the code to indicate a plurality of statuses . Other characteriztic features of the invention are set out in the attached claims, while further advantages that can be achieved are listed in the following description .

[0034] The invention, which is not limited to the embodiments described in the following, is explained in the following in more detail with reference to the attached figures, wherein

[0035] Figure 1 shows an example of an algorithm for searching for a QR code pair in the form of a flowchart ,

[0036] Figure 2 shows an example of an algorithm for cre- ating a QR code pair in the f orm of a flowchart,

[0037] Figure 3a shows an example of a QR code at a general level,

[0038] Figure 3b shows an example of a QR code in terms of the data areas it includes ,

[0039] Figure 4 shows at a schematic level a search for code pairs and their creation at the site of their different visual unit element pairs, i . e . , pixels,

[0040] Figure 5 shows an example of a QR code formed on a substrate with static pixels and provided with a background with a visually variable element for changing the visual appearance of the dynamic pixels,

[0041] Figure 6 shows an example of the display element for displaying the QR code used in Figure 5,

[0042] Figure 7a shows the display element of the QR-code shown in Figure 6 when it is turned off ,

[0043] Figure 7b shows the display element of the QR-code shown in Figure 6 when it is turned on,

[0044] Figure 8 shows an example of a reading of a QR code for the first time and without a status change of the associated monitored object in the form of a f lowchart,

[0045] Figure 9 shows an example of a reading of a QR code for the first time and in the case of a status change of the associated monitored object in the form of a flowchart,

[0046] Figure 10 shows an example of a reading of a QR code for a second time after a status change and the generation of additional information in the form of a flowchart ,

[0047] Figure 11 shows an example of an optically machine- readable code and its object of applica- tion,

[0048] Figure 12a shows the machine-readable code shown in

[0049] Figure 11 with reference numbers in its first state,

[0050] Figure 12b shows the machine-readable code shown in

[0051] Figures 11 and 12a with reference numbers in its second state,

[0052] Figure 13 shows a schematic example of a tag blank, i . e . the static pattern part of the code, for the machine-readable code of Figure 11 ,

[0053] Figure 14 shows an example of a web user interface for a customization of tags and the asso- ciated options,

[0054] Figure 15 shows a few options for alert modes of a tag,

[0055] Figure 16a shows an example of the principle of a sta- bility budget logic in color,

[0056] Figure 16b shows an example of the principle of a sta- bility budget logic in black and white,

[0057] Figure 17 shows an example of a process for creating and manufacturing a machine-readable code in the form of a flowchart, Figures 18a and 18b show a first example of a URL according to the invention in a first state of the tag and in a changed state of the tag,

[0058] Figures 19a and 19b show a second example of a URL according to the invention in a first state of the tag and in a changed state of the tag, and

[0059] Figure 20 shows an example of a hardware arrangement according to the invention for hardware for generating code pairs, a server arrangement and a reader device .

[0060] Next, with reference to Figures 1 and 2 , an example algorithm for searching for and creating a QR code pair for a single object of application 58 is described . The object of applica- tion 58 of the machine-readable code 51 ' can be called, for example, the monitored object . For example, the monitored ob- ject can be a product 90 . Reference is additionally made to

[0061] Figure 3a, which shows an example of a QR code 51 according to the invention with at least one dynamic part 15 and at least one static part 14. Figure 3b shows an example of a QR code on a general level in terms of the data areas it comprises . In addition, reference is also made to Figure 4, which shows on a schematic level the search for and creation of code pairs at the site of their discrepant visual unit element pairs, i . e . , pixels . The table shows only the different variations of the pixels of the code pairs, a principle for their processing in order to implement the basic idea of the invention, and the state information (black, B or white, W) of the pixels of the code pairs at the different stages of code pair generation, the reading of the codes, and finally the interpretation of the codes 51 ' .

[0062] Figure 1 shows an example of an algorithm for generating QR code pair candidates in the form of a flowchart . In step 101 , it is possible to select and set a serial number for which pair candidates are generated . A serial number can be a code series comprising a set of numbers and / or characters for which a code pair is sought in the shown embodiment for the variable part of the characters of the code series provided in connection with the code pair . The serial number is part of the data 27 represented by the QR code 51 . It constitutes the static data in the same which does not change even if the status indicated by the code 51 changes . One example of a serial number is constituted by a character series from the URL 80 , which is designated by the reference number 82 ' in Figures 18a - 19b .

[0063] As shown for example in Figures 18a and 18b, it is the same for both codes ( "CUE123123" ) . In Figures 18a and 18b, the variable part of the characters of the code series, which will be ex- plained in greater detail later on, is constituted by the two bold characters 83 at the end of the serial number . They have the values AA and BB here . In Figures 19a and 19b, the variable part of the code is constituted by the two bold characters at the end of the metadata, i . e . at the end of the best-before date . They have the values 17 and 10 here . In Figures 19a and

[0064] 19b, the serial number 82 ' of the code is now separate from the information that is variable between the codes . In other words, they do not even necessarily have to be in the same character string in the code or in the URL generated therefrom. Moreover, a combination of the two is also possible, for example, in a code that can change in two steps .

[0065] In step 102 , code pair candidates can be generated for the serial number attempt in question, such as, for example,

[0066] "CUE123123" . The creation of serial number attempts will be explained in greater detail later on in the description in connection with an alternative presentation of the algorithm.

[0067] However, for example in the case of a variable part including two characters, all possible character combinations are generated for the serial number that is respectively being processed. For example, if the characters A Z and 0 9 are used, then the variable part of the combinations can run, for example, as follows, (AA, AB) , (AA, AC) , (AA, AD) ..., (AA, AZ ) ,

[0068] (AA, A0 ) ..., (AA, A9 ) , (AB, AC) . . . etc . , ( 99 , 98 ) .

[0069] In step 103, a code pair is selected and retrieved from a memory

[0070] 112 for a processor 111 , wherein the code pair is checked with regard to its suitability and functionality and to be matched .

[0071] In step 104, an attempt is made to match the code pair that is being processed . In step 105, it is checked whether the matching of the pair with regard to the set criteria and the optimization of the pair were successful . If they were successful , then in step 107 the respective matched QR code pair is stored in a database 36 as a basis for a manufacturing process for manu- facturing the QR code 51 (reference number 37 in Figures 17 and

[0072] 20 ) . Likewise in step 107, the code pair candidates are also stored in their original form. When the code 51 ' is read at its object of application, the read code is compared with the stored code pairs in order to determine the status information of the object . In addition, the object can also simultaneously be identif ied, for example, by the serial number or some other analogous identification information embedded in the code 51 ' .

[0073] There can be different levels of precision of the identifica- tion . In the case of products, the product can be identified, for example, at the level of a general product designation

[0074] (GTIN) , at the level of a manufacturing batch of the product or even at the level of an individualized product package ( if such is necessary) . After step 107, the algorithm returns to step 101 , where the same cycle starts again, but now for a new, next serial number .

[0075] If it is determined in step 105 that a matching and optimization of the respective pair was not successful, i . e . no functional code pair was found for the respective character pairs for the serial number being processed, then in step 106 it is checked whether there are still code pairs to be checked for the serial number in question . If there are still code pairs to be checked, then the algorithm returns to step 103 and the next code pair to be checked is selected . If no more code pairs remain, the algorithm returns to step 101 , where the next serial number is selected and loaded for the search for the next code pair .

[0076] Next, with reference to Figure 2, step 104 of Figure 1, in which an attempt is made to match code pairs, is explained in more detail as an example of one mode of implementation . Before that, however, a schematic example of a QR code 51 is explained with reference to Figures 3a and 3b . In Figure 3a, different areas according to the invention that are comprised by the QR code 51 in the shown embodiment are designated at a schematic level . Similarly, standard data areas comprised by a QR code

[0077] 51 are designated in Figure 3b . At least some of these data areas are utilized in the solution according to the invention in order to produce a code that is variable in its visual representation in order to express variable information with the same .

[0078] In the shown example embodiment , the QR code 51 has data areas

[0079] 11 for a server address 80 ' ("ab . fi" in Figure 3a) as well as for the other data contained in the QR code 51 . This data

[0080] (payload) contained in the QR code 51 is represented in the shown embodiment, for example, by the area ( 12 ) reserved for the serial number of the QR code 51, the area ( 13 ) reserved for the variable status information (AA) , (BB) indicated after the reading and error correction of the QR code 51 , possible product identifier data (e . g . GTIN code) and metadata relating to the product 90 (e . g . expiration date of the product ) . Together, all these, the server address 80 ' encoded in the QR code 51 as well as the data following the server address 80 ’ , can be interpreted by the reader device 30 as a URL 80 (Figures 18a 19b) . In addition, the data contained in the QR code 51 also includes , in a manner known per se, error correction data (El - E7 ) and various format data (Enc, Len, End, format info) and alignment data, as shown in Figure 3b . All these data conjointly encode the data contained in the QR code 51 . The data block distribu- tion of the QR code 51 applied in the invention can be fully compliant with QR code standards, with respect to its data areas as well as its error correction areas and other areas and parts characteriztic of the format, as shown, for example, in

[0081] Figure 3b as one embodiment of the same .

[0082] The visual representation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the QR code 51 according to the invention can be said to have one or more static parts

[0083] 14 and one or more dynamic parts 15. Both parts 14, 15 can include one or more visual unit elements 29 , 39 . If a plurality of parts are included, the parts can be separate from one another and thus even on different sides of the QR code 51 . The static part 14 and thus one or more static areas of the QR code

[0084] 51 can contain data in which the URL 80 of a server 130 ' is encoded so as to be interpretable by a reader device 30 . The server 130 ' in this case is a computer behind a data communi- cation network by means of which, for example, status infor- mation indicated by the QR code 51 is determined following a reading that took place with a reader device 30 . The server

[0085] 130 ' is equipped with a memory 132 and one or more processors

[0086] 131 . In addition, the static part 14 and thus one or more areas of the QR code 51 can contain data in which an identifier such as, for example, a serial number and / or batch number - of the QR code 51 and thus of the associated monitored object is encoded . Moreover, the static part 14 and thus one or more areas of the QR code 51 can contain data in which the status information (AA) , (BB) or at least part of the same is encoded . This can be used to generate the status information respectively indicated by the QR code 51 for the associated monitored object.

[0087] The visual unit elements 29, i.e. the pixels, of the static part and thus also of the static area or areas of the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 are characterized by the fact that they are static with respect to their visual state. In other words, they do not change even if the status of the monitored object or other unit elements of the code 51 ' change. Each of these unit elements thus invariably remains individually either black or white, depending on what it was originally in the code

[0088] 51' provided for the monitored object. In other words, with respect to the static areas and the pattern part 44 they form, both QR codes 51 of the QR code pair appear outwardly identical in the two or more visual representations 43.1, 43.2 of the code 51' . With respect to its static areas and its pattern part

[0089] 43, it is thus possible to implement the QR code 51 with very simple arrangements and on very simple media, i.e. supporting layers and substrates. According to one embodiment, the static area 51, i.e., static pattern part 43 of the QR code 51 can be, for example, printed with ink or some other analogous printing technology on a printable or impressible material. One can proceed in this manner for at least a part of the pattern part

[0090] 44, but in particular for the entire pattern part 44.

[0091] The dynamic part and thus the one or more dynamic areas, more specifically the dynamic unit elements 39, of the visual rep- resentation 43.1, 43.2 of the QR code 51 can contain data from the encoding of which it is possible to interpret either all status information of the QR code 51 or at least as part of the same (together with the data of the static area) . The pixels, i.e., visual unit elements 39 of the dynamic part, and thus also of the dynamic area or areas, are characterized by the fact that they include dynamic pixels, at least some of which are configured to change their visual state when the status of the monitored object or the information inferred from that status changes, or some other criterion changes in a specified manner, such as, for example, time. Thus, thanks to the dynamic pixels, and when they change their state, i . e . their visual state, i.e. , their representation, the QR code 51 of the tag

[0092] 52 changes from a first QR code 51, with its visual represen- tation 43.1 and thus also its interpretation, into a second QR code 51, with its visual representation 43.2 and thus also its interpretation. Thus, when they are read, the first QR code and the second QR code can be interpreted as different QR codes 51 due to their different visual representations 43.1, 43.2. Their meanings can thus also be distinguished from each other. Thanks to the variable pixels of the code 51', it is possible to determine a change that has occurred in the status of the monitored object or in some other phenomenon according to a set criterion, which is configured to change the dynamic unit ele- ments 39 of the code 51' in a set manner.

[0093] It should be noted that, according to the logic used to explain the invention in the foregoing with reference to the parts of the QR code 51, in one or more areas that are numbered as a dynamic part 15 of the QR code 51, all pixels of these areas are not necessarily required to be dynamic. Among the dynamic pixels in the dynamic part 15 there can also be static, i.e. , invariable pixels amidst, i.e., around the dynamic pixels, i.e. the pixels that are configured to change. In other words, at least some of the set static unit elements 29, as part of at least one constrained static pattern part 44, are thus arranged in the gaps between the dynamic unit elements 39. This inter- leaving occurs in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2 of the tag 52, at least in a part of the machine-readable code 51' formed by the visual representations 43.1, 43.2. The division into static and dynamic parts 14, 15 here is only useful for the explanation and a practical implementation of the inven- tion. For example, if the invention is implemented with a var- iable display element 21', as described later on in the de- scription, such a display element 21' can be positioned in, i.e. , "span" a such part of an area of a visual representation

[0094] 43.1, 43.2 of the QR code 51 in which dynamic pixels in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2 are located. Thus, this area of the display element 21' or analogous variable medium con- tains not only dynamic pixels but also static pixels, in the gaps between the dynamic pixels. The logic of the static part

[0095] 14 and the dynamic part 15 used to explain this function is practical. Using this same logic, an extreme example of a dy- namic part of a QR code 51 could be a dynamic part consisting, for example, of just one pixel. This would in particular make sense if the corresponding display element 21' for its imple- mentation were also only the size of a single pixel, i.e., unit element 39.

[0096] Reference can now also be made to Figure 4. Figure 4 shows on a schematic level a search for and generation of code pairs in particular at the site of their discrepant visual unit element pairs, i.e. , pixels. Now the pixels of the QR codes 51 are stored in a one-dimensional table for illustrative purposes.

[0097] The purpose of the table is merely to show the comparison and manipulation of the QR codes 51 in order to show the idea of the invention. Solely all possible matching pixel pairs are thus shown in the table, for dynamic unit elements 39 as well as for static unit elements 29, i.e. the static pattern part.

[0098] One skilled in the art will understand that in reality there are many more pixels in a two-dimensional optically machine- readable code 51' and that the number of pixels depends of course on the size of the QR code 51. In step 201 of Figure 2 , the QR code pair qrO , qrl to be checked and modif ied is input into an extraction algorithm. The extrac- tion algorithm i s a computer-based implementation . It is a program code 114 that can be executed by a processor 111 of a computer 110 . When the program code 114 is executed by a pro- cessor 111, a memory 112 is used for storing data and for performing operations . In step 202 , a pixel to be processed is selected from the pixels (payload) that encode the data in the

[0099] QR code 51. These pixels encode here, for example, the status information and a serial number . The pixels of the QR code 51 that encode the server address 80 ' are not touched in the shown embodiment . In step 203 , the colors of one pixel pair of the two QR codes are fetched from corresponding, i . e . identical, pixel positions in order to compare them. In step 204, it is checked whether the colors are the same in the relevant pixel of both QR codes . If the colors in both QR codes are the same in the respective pixels, as is the case, for example, with the pixels designated by the reference number 16 in Figure 4, then it is concluded in step 205 that the pixels in that pixel position do not require any changes, in either code candidate qrO , qrl . In other words, the QR codes thus already match with respect to the pixel in question . In this case, the algorithm next moves on to step 206 in which it is checked whether all pixels that encode the data of the QR code have already been processed. If it is determined in step 206 that not all data- encoding pixels have been processed yet, the algorithm returns to step 202 , where the next pixel to be processed in the Be- quence is selected from the data-encoding pixels (payload) be- fore proceeding to step 203 already described in the foregoing .

[0100] If , on the other hand, it is determined in the course of the check in step 204 that the colors are not the same in the relevant pixel in the two QR codes, as is the case, for example, with the pixels designated by the reference number 17 in Figure 4, then the algorithm proceeds to step 207. In step 207, it is checked whether the pixel in question is within an area of the

[0101] QR codes 51 that is specified as variable, i.e., dynamic. An area specified as dynamic means here an area which comprises at least one unit element 39, i.e., pixel in the code 51', i.e. , visual representation of the same and which is dynamic, i.e. configured to change when the visual representation 43.1,

[0102] 43.2 of the code 51' changes from one representation to another.

[0103] Depending on the technology used to implement the dynamic unit elements 39, a dynamic area can even include a plurality of unit elements 39. This is in particular the case when a plu- rality of dynamic pixels change in a status change. In that case the change in their visual state is implemented by a visual element 21, such as, for example, a dynamic means 59' (Figures

[0104] 12a and 12b) which covers at least the pixel positions of the respective dynamic pixels 39, so that a change in this visually dynamic element produces a change in the visual state of the plurality of pixels 39.

[0105] If it is determined in step 207 that the relevant pixel is in a dynamic area of the QR code 51, as is the case, for example, with the pixels designated by the reference number 17.1 in

[0106] Figure 4, the algorithm proceeds to step 208. In step 208, it is checked whether the change in direction of the color in the pixel in question in a representation sequence from the first

[0107] QR code qrO to the second QR code qrl here is from white to black (W -> B) , or more generally from lighter to darker. If it is determined in step 208 that the change in direction of the color between the QR codes qrO, qrl is from white to black, as is the case, for example, with the pixels designated by the reference number 17' in Figure 4, the algorithm proceeds to step 209. In step 209, the pixel position in question is added to the list of pixels with a dynamic color change. Depending on the technical implementation of the QR code 51, this list can also be called, for example, a punch list . This point will be discussed a little bit later on in the description when a way to implement a dynamic QR code 51 according to the invention on a technical level is explained . Step 209 is followed by step

[0108] 206 , which was explained above, from which the algorithm re- turns to step 202 if all data-encoding pixel pairs of the QR code 51 have not yet been processed .

[0109] Instead, if it is determined during the check in step 208 that the direction of the color change in the relevant pixel position in the sequence from the first QR code qrO to the second QR code qrl is from black to white (B -> W) , as is the case, for example, with the pixels designated by the reference number 17* in Figure 4, then the algorithm proceeds to step 210 . In step

[0110] 210 , the locational information of the pixel in question is added to the list of error pixels . From here the algorithm proceeds next to step 211 , where the color of the relevant pixel in one QR code qrO of the QR code candidate pair is switched so as to match the color of that pixel in the other

[0111] QR code qrl of the QR code candidate pair . In Figure 4, this color change is shown in bold and designated by the reference number 18 . This change occurs here in the QR code qrO configured to indicate the initial state, whose originally black pixel has now been changed to white here . In light of this pixel change, it is possible to speak of a generated QR code qrO . In other words , a pixel-level error is thereby introduced into the QR code in which a change in pixel color was produced, i . e . in the

[0112] QR code qrO here . This way, the QR codes qrO , qrl can be made to correspond to each other visually at the respective pixel position in terms of their encoding, i . e . visual state . Tech- nical modes of implementation relating to the change in pixel color will be discussed a little bit later on in the descrip- tion . After step 211, the algorithm moves to step 206 and continues from step 202 if there are still data pixels left to compare .

[0113] If , on the other hand, it is determined during the check in step 207 that the relevant pixel is not in a dynamic area 15 of the QR code 51 , but is rather in a static area 14, then the algorithm also proceeds in this case to step 210 and after that to step 211 . In step 210 , the locational information of the pixel in question is added to the list of error pixels . In step

[0114] 211 , the color of the relevant pixel in one QR code of the QR code pair candidate is changed so as to match the color of that pixel in the other QR code of the QR code pair candidate . In

[0115] Figure 4, these types of color changes in the static area of the QR code are shown in bold and designated by the reference numbers 19. 1 19 .3 . An error is thus again introduced in one

[0116] QR code of a QR code pair candidate at a pixel position so that they correspond to each other visually, at the site of the pixel in question, as a pair of QR codes . After step 211 , the algorithm moves to step 206 and continues from step 202 if there are still unprocessed data pixels left in the code pair that have yet to be processed .

[0117] If it is determined in step 206 that all data pixels have already been processed, the algorithm moves to step 212 . In step 212 , it is checked whether the number of error pixels in the first or second generated, i . e . manipulated, QR code qr0_generated, qrl_generated is greater than an applicable er- ror correction with a selected safety margin . The applicable error correction with the selected safety margin can be com- pliant with QR code standards, e . g . , 7%, 15%, etc . ( L, M, Q,

[0118] H) . If it is determined in step 212 that the number of error pixels in either generated QR code qr 0_generated, qrl_generated of the QR code pair is greater than the applicable error cor- rection with the selected safety margin, the algorithm moves to step 214, where it is determined that the optimization of the QR code pair in question was unsuccessful and as a result that QR code pair in question is rejected .

[0119] If it is determined in step 212 that the number of error pixels in both modified QR codes is not greater than the applicable error correction with the selected safety margin, the algorithm moves to step 213 . In step 213 , it is determined that the optimization of the QR code pair qrO , qrl was successful so that the generated modified QR code pair qr0_generated, qrl_generated is output from the algorithm as the result . This generated code pair is stored in the database 36 (Figures 17 and 20 ) for its manufacture . As can be seen from the table in

[0120] Figure 4, from the static areas, the two QR codes qr0_generated, qrl_generated of the generated QR code pair are now identical in their static areas, i . e . in their static pattern part 44.

[0121] Their differences are now only in the dynamic area, i . e . in the dynamic unit elements 39 . In addition, the data contents of the generated code pairs qrO_candidate and qrl_candidate are stored on the server 130 ' for the performance of the reading, identi- f ication and interpretation of the QR code . These are desig- nated in Figure 4 by the references qr0_data and qrl_data .

[0122] Figures 1 and 2 correspond as follows . Steps 201 - 211 can be considered to be included in step 104 of Figure 1 , and step 212 can be considered to be included in step 105 of Figure 1 . Step

[0123] 213 is in turn followed by step 107 of Figure 1 and step 214 is followed by step 106 of Figure 1 .

[0124] In step 211 , according to one embodiment, the color of a pixel can be changed in one QR code of the code pair candidates so that a change is made alternately in the first QR code qr0_gen- erated in the representation sequence and in the second QR code qrl_generated in the representation sequence . Error is thus introduced in the QR codes qrO_generated, qrl_generated in this case . Moreover, error is thus introduced alternately in the QR codes qrO_generated, qr l_gener at ed . This way, both QR codes will have nearly the same number of changed pixels and thus about the same error ( ±1 ) . This can improve performance in the finding of QR code pairs, by saving QR code pairs ( and finding more of them) , and in the computation and time associated with their mining . This way, so long as the number of errors in both codes of a code pair remains within the allowed limits, both

[0125] QR codes of the code pair are also more likely to remain read- able .

[0126] According to another embodiment, the search / modif ication algo- rithm shown in Figure 2 can be represented alternatively as follows :

[0127] QR code 21x21 pixels

[0128] ECC low

[0129] Alphanumeric, enabled characters

[0130] 0123456789 ABCDEFGH I JKLMNOPQRS TUVWXY Z

[0131] Contains one URL

[0132] URL

[0133] URL as long as can f it in the QR : HTTP : / / ab . fi / xxxxxxxxxxxyy

[0134] - xxx xxx xxx is the serial number ( i . e . the static part of the character string)

[0135] - yy is the extracted content ( i . e . the variable character pair of the character string) The serial number is just numbers here. It is also possible for letters to be used in it as well. Numbers alone yield a billion options .

[0136] Extraction

[0137] 1) For each serial number, all possible yy QRs are created. yy is an alphanumeric, and there are 36 different characters.

[0138] 36 * 36 = 1296 QRs

[0139] 2) Each created QR is tested against each created QR:

[0140] 1296 * 1296 = 1679616 test pairs

[0141] Testing

[0142] Each pixel of the code pair (qrO, qrl) is checked:

[0143] 1) If the pixel is the same color in both, then the algorithm moves to the next pixel.

[0144] 2) If it is in an area n 0 <= x <= 8 and 9 <= y <= 12", i.e. E4

[0145] E7 (Figure 3b) , i . e . an area where a variable background

[0146] (i.e. the visually dynamic element 59) is set to be provided, then :

[0147] - if qrO is black (i.e. qrl is white), then the algorithm adds the coordinates to the changes list,

[0148] - if qrO is white (qrl black) , then the algorithm moves to the next pixel, because white -> black is an allowed change here

[0149] (and can be implemented with the visually dynamic element 59) 3) If it is not in the E4 E7 area, i.e. in the area of the dynamic element 59, then the pixel of qrO and qrl in the pixel position in question is changed to the same color. The color is selected alternately from qrO and qrl. In other words, both qr1s will thus have the same amount of error . The coordinates of the pixel positions of the pixels having undergone a color change are added to the changes list.

[0150] When the algorithm has gone through all the pixels and created the lists, basic tests are carried out. On the basis of these tests, most of the pairs are rejected:

[0151] 4) If the length of the changes list > 15, the QR pair in question is rejected and the algorithm moves to the next pair.

[0152] 5) The remaining pairs are tested to see if the modified qrO and qrl can be read. If the modified qrO and qrl cannot be read at this stage, then the QR pair is rejected. Testing can occur, for example, with some kind of decoding library, for example the ZXing ("Zebra Crossing") scanning library.

[0153] => Otherwise, a code pair was found.

[0154] Figure 5 shows one example of a technical implementation of a

[0155] QR code 51 containing a dynamic part in a tag 52. According to one embodiment, it can be implemented, for example, in layers.

[0156] According to one embodiment, it can have a static substrate 20 on top, i.e. facing the reader device 30. For example, static black and white pixels, i.e. , areas 14, i.e. a set static pattern part 44 common to both QR codes, are printed into the static substrate 20. The static white and black pixels that are to lie in the gaps between, i.e. amidst, the dynamic unit elements 39 are also printed in the static substrate 20, i.e. as part of the static pattern part 44. These include, for example, the white pixels of a dynamic area 15, i . e . , for example, of a variable background, in which the color change is in the wrong direction, i . e . black -> white, in the sequence between the successive QR codes qrO , qrl . As a result, a pixel that was originally black in the visual representation of one

[0157] QR code was changed into a white pixel (reference number 18 in

[0158] Figure 4 ) . These additionally include the white pixels of the dynamic area that do not change in a status change (reference number 25 in Figures 4 and 12a and 12b) . In addition, one or more static black pixels (reference number 24 in Figures 4 and

[0159] 12a and 12b) of the dynamic area are possible also printed on the static substrate 20 .

[0160] The static substrate 20 can be formed by one or more sublayers .

[0161] For example, static black pixels can be printed on one layer and static white pixels can be printed on another layer . In this case, the sublayer of static black pixels is transparent at the site of the static white pixels, so that the white pixels are visible from behind the sublayer of black pixels . The pos- sibilities for the implementation of static pixels and their substrate structure are manifold and are in no way limited by the idea of the invention . One example is substrates which are made of a plastic material that are filmy, membranous or which are made of a fibrous material, such as, for example, paper or cardboard. In the case of a visually opaque substrate 20 , holes

[0162] 28 can be provided in the substrate 20 , for example, by laser cutting or some other suitable means .

[0163] According to one embodiment, one or more visually variable elements 21 can be arranged under the static substrate 20 .

[0164] According to one embodiment, these can be, for example, elec- tronic display elements 21 ' , such as, for example, an LCD panel or an ePaper display . With the display element 21 ' or equivalent means, it is possible to produce a change in the QR code 51 , i . e . a change in the visual representation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the code 51 ' , which occurs, from the standpoint of the visually variable element 21 , in the dynamic part 15 of the QR code 51 , even more specifically in its dynamic unit elements 39 located in the dynamic part of the QR code 51 . The dynamic part 15, i . e . one or more dynamic areas, of the QR code 51 thus has a hole 28 in the static substrate 20 through which the display element 21 ' is visible for a reader device 30 reading the QR code 51 . The display element 21 ' can have at least two visual states, for example black and white . These can vary, for exam- pie, electronically, or physically, such as, for example due to a change in temperature, or chemically, such as, for example based on a gas concentration . A mechanism-type implementation is equally possible . In this case, the visually variable ele- ment 21 can be, for example, a glass ink cartridge . Should it break, for example, due to a vibration, the ink spreads, such as, for example, to change the visual representation of the QR code 51 , i . e . the status information indicated by the same . If the ink is black, then the originally white pixels of the QR code 51 in the dynamic area covered by the action of the ink element, which pixels are visible through the holes 28 in the substrate, turn black thanks to the ink or a corresponding dye .

[0165] Once again it is possible to speak of a change produced in the visual state of at least a part of the dynamic unit elements

[0166] 39 .

[0167] Based on the foregoing, a tag 52 according to the invention provided with a QR code 51 can even be understood as a kind of

[0168] AD converter . In other words, a status change does not neces- sarily have to be based solely on a quantity that can be meas- ured, for example, electronically . The tag 52 can be calibrated as an AD converter . One or more trigger points can be specified for the latter wherein, for example, it is indicated using black pixels whether or not a specified change has occurred in the status . Yet another example can be a color of media that change due to physical and / or chemical phenomena . In this case, the medium can change color when it encounters a chemical sub- stance, a lack of such a substance or, for instance, a specified change in temperature or humidity . Such embodiments of the invention do not require any electronics at all and consequently do not require operating power . Other random examples that one can mention include a temperature detector based on the vis- cosity of an ink, the impact sensor with a visual detector already mentioned in the foregoing ( an ampoule filled with ink is broken) , an ePaper display, any object that changes color .

[0169] The overlay method can be thought of as an analog-to-digital converter of luminance . In this method, a threshold can be calibrated with the luminance of the light and dark areas of the QR code 51 .

[0170] It is equally possible for the dynamic visually variable ele- ment 21 to be in mainly the same plane as the pixels that make up the static part . An example of this is, for instance, a thermosensitive film integrated into a substrate printed with static pixels . When it experiences a rise or fall by a specified temperature, the f ilm changes color, for example from white to black .

[0171] In the state corresponding to the initial or baseline status, i . e . to the QR code QRO , the display element 21 ' by means of which a change in at least a portion of the dynamic unit ele- ments 39 is configured to be produced can be entirely white so that, through the holes 28 in the substrate 20 , white pixels at the site of those holes 28 are visible for a reader device

[0172] 30 . When the state, i . e . the visual representation, of the QR code 51 changes from qrO to qrl , then the display element 21 ' turns in this case from white to black and black pixels are visible at the site of the dynamic unit elements 39 through the holes 28 in the substrate 20 for a reader device 30 reading the

[0173] QR code 51 .

[0174] The static pattern part 44 accordingly remains visually iden- tical for both QR codes 51 . As the static part of the code 51 ’ is, for example, printed with permanent ink, its pixels cannot change even if the QR code 51 changes its state . This feature is achieved according to one embodiment precisely by alter- nately modifying, in a static area which is not in an area of the visually variable element 21 , the pixels of the two QR codes 51 which differ from each other so as to match each other in the step of generating code pairs . Both codes 51 ' are thus forced so as to look the same in their static areas, even if the status of the monitored object changes . In the case of a

[0175] QR code 51 that operates according to a standard, such an operation ( or rather inoperability) would often not be possi- ble, because a change in only a few pixels somewhere in the code 51 ' would affect the visual representation of the code 51 ' in a normal operation throughout a large part of the area of the code 51 ’ . In other words, here and there in the code 51 ’ , the individual pixels would then change from one visual state to the other .

[0176] In addition to the extraction principle, Figure 4 also shows an embodiment of a use of a QR code 51 according to the inven- tion at a very schematic level . Let a first status , such as , for example an initial or baseline status, of the monitored object be represented by the QR code qr0_read generated accord- ing to the invention . The data qr0_data of the original version of the relevant QR code qrO is stored together with the data content of the other original, i . e . unmodified, QR codes on the server 130 ' or the like . Let a second status, such as, f or example a changed status, of the monitored object be represented by a QR code qrl generated in accordance with the invention . The data content qrl_data of the original version of the rele- vant QR code qrl is in turn stored together with the data content of the other original QR codes on the server 130 ' or the like . The QR codes qrO and qrl are thus the QR code pairs generated in Figures 1 and 2 . The QR codes qrO or qrl read optically by the reader device 30 are compared after the error correction performed for them at the reader device 30 - for example on the server 130 ’ , with, for example, the data contents qr0_data and qrl_data of all original QR code pairs and all QR code pairs that have gone into production that are stored there . The URL 80 configured in the data 27 of the QR code pairs is thus configured to indicate a server arrangement

[0177] 130 shared by the numerous tags 52 . The URL 80 , or rather at least a server address 80 ' comprised by the same, can have been configured as part of the static pattern part 44. By comparing the data content of the read QR code with the data contents of all QR codes stored in the database 55 configured in the memory

[0178] 132 provided for the use of the server 130 ' , it is determined which QR code 51 was respectively read, the monitored object associated with the same ( for example, a product package) , as well as what the status information configured in its URL call, i . e . the character pair difference (AA) , (BB) between the vis- ual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the codes, means in the case of that particular monitored object and the read code 51 ' and the character pair (AA) , (BB) ( reference number 38 in Figure

[0179] 4 ) . It should be pointed out at this point that the purpose of

[0180] Figure 4 is naturally not to show the information provided in the QR code 51 ( for example, the serial number and the variable information AA, BB of the code pair) as such, but merely the principle of encoding them in black and white unit elements .

[0181] The rows qr0_data and qrl_data in the table could equally have the data of the URL corresponding to those codes, followed by the status information designated by that data as information

[0182] 38 . As error was introduced in the QR codes qrO_generated and qrl_generated represented in the tag 52, they, or more specif - ically the data decoded from them, naturally do not yet match their counterpairs stored on the server 130’, i.e. the data content qrO_data and ql_data. Thus, when the QR code qr0_gen- erated, qrl_generated is read with the reader device 30, an error correction 35' comprised by a QR code standard is employed in a manner known per se, which error correction 35' is carried out, for example, in connection with the reader device 30. It is based, in a manner known per se, on code-word and code-block pairs formed by data areas and error correction areas, and on a Reed-Solomon error correction. In other words, the data 27 of the QR code 51 can be said to be in the QR code 51 twice.

[0183] In this case, if one or more of the areas contain errors, they can still be salvaged so that the QR code 51 is still readable.

[0184] The invention takes advantage of this error correction feature embedded in the QR code 51 and the manner in which it is read.

[0185] According to Figure 4, the QR code qrO_generated of the first status has a hole 28 at its third pixel, i .e . at the pixel designated by the reference number 17' . The visually variable element 21, i.e. the display element 21' here, is thus visible below the substrate 20 at this pixel. It is white in its first state. Analogously, the fourth pixel, i.e. the pixel designated by the reference number 18, is erroneously white in the first state. Similarly, the fourth pixel of the static part, i.e. the pixel designated by the reference number 19.2, is also errone- ously white here. When the QR code qrO is read by the reader device 30, the reader device 30 uses its processor 121 and memory 122 to correct the respective errors that were intro- duced in the QR code, i.e. it rectifies the QR code so that it is readable and interpretable. The error correction algorithm

[0186] 35’ thus corrects the fourth pixel, which is designated by the reference number 18, to black and the fourth pixel of the static part, which is designated by the reference number 19.2, to black . These pixels, in their corrected forms, are shown in bold in Figure 4 and designated by the reference numbers 22.1 and 22.2. As a result, the QR code qrO_generated becomes read- able, i .e . it is changed into the QR code qr0_read, and the serial number it contains is transmitted with the variable part

[0187] (AA) by means of the URL call it contains to the server 130' indicated by the URL call. At the server 130', it is compared with all data sets stored in the database 55 configured in the memory 132 provided for the use of the server 130 ' in order to determine the status indicated by the QR code as well as the associated monitored object. A single QR code constitutes a single data set here. When a data set is found on the server

[0188] 130' for which the data set of the read QR code is a match, the corresponding status of the monitored object is determined

[0189] (read) from the information 38 stored in the memory 132 on the server 130' that is associated with that data set. If the status is positive, i.e. corresponds to the first, initial status, this information ("All OK") is returned from the server 130' to the reader device 30. When made as a URL call, this infor- mation is automatically visible in the web browser 31 of the reader device 30.

[0190] If the status at the monitored object has changed from the initial, i.e. , baseline status to a negative status, as shown in Figure 4, the visually variable element 21, i.e. the display element 21' here, which has turned black in its second, changed state, is visible under the substrate 20 through the hole 28 at the third pixel designated by the reference number 17' in the QR code qrl_generated of the changed state. Analogously, the fourth pixel, designated by the reference number 18, is white in the second state in its generated mode. Similarly, the third pixel of the static part, i.e. the pixel designated by the reference number 19.1, is erroneously white here, and the fifth pixel, i.e. the pixel designated by the reference number

[0191] 19.3, is erroneously black. When the QR code qrl_generated is read by the reader device 30, the latter corrects with its processor 121 the respective errors introduced in the QR code

[0192] 51, i.e. it rectifies the QR code 51 so that it is once again readable and interpretable. The error correction algorithm 35' thus corrects the third pixel of the static part, i.e. the pixel designated by the reference number 19.1, to black, and the fifth pixel, i.e. the pixel designated by the reference number 19.3, to white. These pixels, in their corrected forms, are indicated in bold in Figure 4 and designated by the refer- ence numbers 23.1 and 23.2. As a result, the QR code qrl_gen- erated becomes readable, i.e. it is changed into the QR code qr0_read, and the serial number and the variable data (BB) it contains is again transmitted by means of the URL call it contains to the server 130' . At the server 130', it is again compared with all datasets stored there. Here as well, a single data set is found that is a match with the read and error- corrected QR code qrl_read. As a respective match was found, the information stored on the server 130' relating to this data set is used to determine the associated monitored object as well as its status, according to which the status in the moni- tored object is negative. This information ("Alert!") is re- turned from the server 130' to the reader device 30.

[0193] It is noted based on the foregoing that the serial number of a single monitored object (e.g. a package for food products), more generally the data set of the QR code associated with it, can be different (AA) , (BB) between the different states. This gives confidence in the reliability of the reading and inter- pretations. In addition, because each QR code 51 is unique, it allows the meaning of the one, two or three bits to be trans- ferred to the server 130' to be very complex in terms of their information value . In other words, there is no limitation on the meaning of the serial number string stored on the server

[0194] 130 " , but rather it can vary from case to case, for example as a function of the nature of the associated monitored object .

[0195] It follows from the uniqueness of the QR code 51 that it is always known based on the same which tag 52 (monitored object ) has respectively been read and what its status information is .

[0196] According to one embodiment, in cases where it is determined based on a first reading of a QR code 51 that a status change has occurred in the monitored object, it can provide additional information that specifies the respective status change more exactly . To this end, according to one embodiment, pixels 40 . 1 ,

[0197] 40 .2 can be arranged in the same QR code 51 with which the first reading was performed in order to provide more detailed data 26 regarding the status change, for example as shown in

[0198] Figure 5. Likewise to this end, the reader device 30 that reads the QR code 51 (Figure 20 ) is provided or can be provided with a special application 32 , which can be run by a processor 121 of the reader device 30 and by means of which the additional information pixels 40 . 1 , 40 .2 contained in the QR code 51 are processed. The application 32 finds and also identifies the relevant pixels 40 . 1 , 40 . 2 configured to provide the additional data 26 in the QR code 51 , is able to interpret and process the data 26 provided by these pixels 40 . 1 , 40 .2 and / or request further clarification from the server 130 ' regarding the mean- ing of the data 26 in question or the status indicated by the additional data pixels 40 . 1 , 40 . 2 for the monitored object to which the QR code 51 is attached .

[0199] For additional data 26 , the QR code 51 can have at least one additional pixel, but most preferably at least one pixel pair .

[0200] According to one embodiment, the additional pixels can be part of the pixels of the QR code 51 and / or even of its alignment squares (not shown) , but it is equally possible for at least a part or even all of these additional pixels to be outside the

[0201] QR code 51, for example, in the immediate vicinity of the QR code 51 . There, they can be read simultaneously with the QR code 51 per se .

[0202] The advantage of using a pixel pair - or more generally a set of pixels, such as, for example, three, four or even more pixels to display additional information is, for example, that if there is an error in one pixel of a pixel pair or set, this can be discovered using the other or another pixel . One of the pixels of the pixel pair can thus act as a kind of a check digit . The pixels of a pixel pair thus constitute the inter- mation and its check digit . If the additional data pixels are provided in pairs, then the pixel pairs can also be interpreted independently of one another . Moreover, it is also possible for one or more additional data pixels to be a check digit shared by all additional data pixels . In this case, a validity inter- pretation is performed to check whether the whole package of additional data pixels is intact or else whether none of them is trusted .

[0203] For example, according to one embodiment, six pixels, i . e . three pixel pairs, can be used for this purpose . In this case,

[0204] 6 bits of information can be represented . According to one embodiment, for example, 3 alert limits can be used in this case . One alert limit thus uses one bit and its check digit uses another bit . The check digit provides certainty that the code 51 ' has been interpreted correctly .

[0205] According to one embodiment, for example, the pixels 40 .2 of a format area 41 of the QR code 51 can be used as additional information pixels . In addition to these, it is also possible to use a few payload pixels 40 . 1 . One format pixel and one payload pixel can thus always form a single pixel pair . Accord- ing to one embodiment, the least significant bits of the pay- load, i . e . of the pixels of the data area of the QR code 51 , can be used to this end . In addition, in an embodiment with three pixel pairs, the third pixel pair can be formed by two format-info pixels . As already explained, instead of payload pixels, it is also possible to use, for example, the areas of the alignment squares 42 of the QR code 51 and their pixels .

[0206] The additional information pixels (the information bit and its check bit ) can in principle be located anywhere in or even around the QR code 51 . For example, the alignment squares have a lot of dark or light that could be utilized for this purpose .

[0207] However, the use of format pixels 41 and payload pixels for this purpose is advantageous because it ensures a better read- ing reliability also in situations in which the reader device

[0208] 30 is sensitive to the alignment of the QR code 51 . Using format pixels for this purpose is also advantageous because their information is in the QR code 51 twice . The additional infor- mation can thereby be placed in one section of the QR code 51 in its format info, as said format info is still readable from the duplicated section of the QR code 51 .

[0209] According to one embodiment , the additional information pixels provided, for example, in the format info could even be adjacent to one another if , for example, the employed display technology allows it . For example, if the display is implemented using LCD technology, then the format info could even contain a plurality of adjacent pixels . By using every second pixel 40 . 2 of the format info, four pixels can be provided for this purpose in the shown embodiment . In the shown embodiment with three alert levels, two pixels 40. 1 are thus additionally used from the payload area . In principle, the color combinations of the additional data bits can be chosen quite freely . A random example of a pixel pair might be that, when a specified temperature limit has not been exceeded, then the color coding of the pixel pair is

[0210] (white, black) . When the specified temperature limit is in turn exceeded, the color coding of the pixel pair can become the opposite, i . e . can be (black, white) . In order to make this change determinable, it can be necessary to provide error in the QR code 51 in a manner and process analogous to the process and manner used to determine a simple status change, in order to place the pixel pairs of the additional data bits in a desired visual position .

[0211] Thus, if the maximum number of errors allowed in the QR code

[0212] 51 is, for example, 15 pixels, then those 2 - 4 pixels in the payload data area of the QR code 51 can still be found rela- tively easily, even if erroneous pixels were already provided in the QR code 51 during the generation of the QR code pairs .

[0213] The fact that the additional bit and its check bit , i . e . a pixel pair, are provided at a distance from each other also improves an error tolerance in the sense that it makes it less likely that, for example, an error at the site of one pixel also affects the other pixel .

[0214] According to one embodiment, it is possible with even just one additional bit to indicate whether, for example, a measured quantity dropped below a lower limit specified for the moni- tored object or whether an upper limit was exceeded . Three additional bits can provide even more information . If a reading of just the additional information bits is implemented for a reading of a QR code 51 , no information is obtained from a reading at a first scan of the QR code 51 , i . e . during a scan that only detects a status change . In principle, this could even work, but this would be a clumsier embodiment in terms of its usability, as the first scan would thus provide no infor- mation . A combination of scans is thus a more advantageous embodiment . According to one estimate, a first scan provides the information that everything is OK in the monitored object in up to 90 95% of scans . The remaining scans will then require a second scan in order to obtain any additional infor- mation provided that such a feature is even provided in the embodiment at all .

[0215] There are different possibilities for the processing of a read- ing in order to obtain additional information . Reference is made to Figures 9 and 10 . In any case, the embodiment with additional information can be server-centric at least inasmuch as the serial number of the QR code tag 52 attached to the monitored object must be obtained in order to ascertain the additional information option . This is because there are dif- ferent types of monitored objects, which have, for example, different alerts and alert limits . More generally, the status information associated with the objects monitored with the tags

[0216] 52 can be very diverse, i . e . it does not include in a simple monitoring of a transgression of upper and lower limits . One can also speak of events . In step 906 of Figure 9 , the server

[0217] 130 ' interprets the data 27 of the QR code 51 and responds to the reader device 30 whether the QR code 51 should be read a second time in cases where it is determined in steps 907 and

[0218] 1001 (Figure 10 ) that the QR code 51 contains additional in- formation 26 . If the server 130 ' indicates that the QR code 51 should be read a second time, according to one embodiment the server 130 ' simultaneously also informs the reader device 30 of the coordinates of the additional pixels, i . e . where in the

[0219] QR code 51 they are read and interpreted . In addition, the server 130 ' possible also indicates their status information options, for local, i . e . possible already in the reader device

[0220] 30 occurring interpretation of the additional data pixels . Thus, according to a first embodiment, the interpretation of the additional data pixels can be performed in the reader device

[0221] 30 , more specifically with a software 32 provided in the same for localizing, reading and interpreting the additional data pixels . Thus, as in the server-centric embodiment explained a little bit later on and shown in Figure 10 , a normal scan, i . e . , optical reading of the QR code 51 is first performed with the reader device 30 in accordance with steps 801 803 of

[0222] Figure 8 and steps 901 - 903 of Figure 9 . This can occur with a camera 34 of the reader device 30 and with a standard reader software 35 for reading a QR code 51 , i . e . no special customized reader software downloaded and installed on the reader device

[0223] 30 is required . An example of a reader device 30 is a mobile communication device, i . e . a smartphone 30 ' . With a modern smartphone, if a reading application 35 for reading a QR code

[0224] 51 is not already built-in or has been provided via a download, then it can alternatively be downloaded and installed free of charge from an open application store, wherein the reading application 35 makes it possible for the QR code 51 according to the invention to be read by the camera 34 of the smartphone

[0225] 30 ' and for a URL 80 encoded in the visual representation 43 .1 ,

[0226] 43 .2 of the QR code 51 and including the data according to the invention to be formed from said QR code 51 .

[0227] At the first reading, the web link (URL 80 ) , the identifier

[0228] ( serial number) of the monitored object and thus of the read

[0229] QR code 51, and the character code (AA) , (BB) indicating the status information of the monitored object are obtained from the QR code 51 in the manner described in the foregoing . The reader device 30 then makes a URL call to the server 130 ' specified in the web link, wherein the serial number of the read object and the character code encoding the status infor- mation at the moment of the reading are transmitted together with the call ( steps 803 and 903 ) . Thus, for example, an image of the QR code 51 or a decoded data matrix of the same ( for example as an email ) is not sent to the server 130 ' here, but rather the data decoded from the QR code 51 embedded in the URL

[0230] 80 . The server 130 ' receives, in step 804, 904, the URL call and the data contained in it, i . e . the serial number of the QR code 51 as well as the character code that indicates the status .

[0231] For example, the serial number can be used by the server 130 ' in step 907 to interpret, using the database 55 provided for its use, whether the respectively read QR code 51 also includes the additional information feature (reference number 26 in Fig- ure 4 ) . If it does, the server 130 ' decides, for example based on the status information determined after the first reading, whether the QR code 51 should be scanned a second time in order to obtain additional information ( step 1004 ) .

[0232] If it is determined after the comparison performed by the server

[0233] 130 ' in step 805 that, based on the determined status infor- mation, there are no alerts or corresponding changes in the status of the monitored object ( step 806 ) , for example, the information "All OK" ( step 807 ) is sent to the reader device

[0234] 30 and displayed on its display 33 ( step 808 ) . This can of course also include other information relating to the product .

[0235] If , based on the status information obtained from the compari- son carried out by the server 130 ' in step 905, it is determined in step 906 that there is an alert in the monitored object, i . e . the status information of the QR code 51 has changed from the original, first visual representation to a second visual representation, the corresponding information ( "Alert ! " ) is sent in step 908 along with, after steps 1001 , 907, in step

[0236] 1002 , a prompt to the reader device 30 to scan the QR code 51 a second time, and the prompt is displayed to the user 50 , for example on the display 33 of the reader device 30 ( in step

[0237] 1003 ) , in addition to the alert displayed in step 909 . When the QR code 51 is read a second time ( 1004 ) by the special appli- cation 32 provided ( or to be provided) on the reader device 30 , the reader device 30 , according to one embodiment, can already know the pixel positions of the additional information bits and possibly already know their meaning . According to one embodi- ment, at least one or even both of these pieces of information can already be built into the special application 32 provided on the reader device 30 . It is also possible, on the other hand, for the aforementioned one or more pieces of information

[0238] (pixel positions and / or meaning) to be sent from the server

[0239] 130 ' to the reader device 30 for the second reading of the QR code 51 , as indeed occurs in step 1003 . This in particular makes sense when the same reader device 30 is used to scan different monitored objects and thus QR codes with, for exam- pie, different alert levels . The location of the pixel posi- tions of the additional information bits can of course also differ between the different QR codes 51 , depending on the implementation .

[0240] According to another embodiment, a special manuf acturer-spe- cific application 32 for reading additional information bits is used by the reader device 30 to read the QR code 51 a second time only in step 1004, and the statuses of the additional information bits are decoded therefrom by the reader device 30 in step 1005. This information is then sent in step 1006 to the server 130 ' for analysis . Following the reception of the sta- fuses ( step 1007 ) , the analysis of their validity ( step 1008 ) and the determination of the meaning of the additional data bits ( step 1009 ) , the server 130 ' returns more detailed status information of the monitored object in step 1010 . The status information can be constituted by, for example, the numbers 0

[0241] 8 . Three bits can represent 8 statuses . Thus, in this embod- iment , the determination is carried out by the server 130 ' , which returns meaningful information to the reader device 30 . In an embodiment centered around the reader device, step 1005 could be followed here by steps 1008 and 1009 executed by the server 130 ' , which are executed by the reader device 30 here .

[0242] The reading application 32 for reading the additional bits can be, for example, downloadable from an app store . On the other hand, it can also be a web-based application . In this case, the application 32 runs in the web browser 31 of the reader device

[0243] 30 . Thus, when the server 130 ' returns the status information

[0244] "Alert ! " in step 1002 , it can also simultaneously send the program code of the reading application 32 to the reader device

[0245] 30 . If the reader application 32 is web-based, its program code is executed in the web browser 31 of the reader device 30 while the status information ("All OK" / "Alert" ) is simultaneously displayed on its display 33 . In this case, the web browser 31 can, for example, request permission to use the camera 34 of the reader device 30 to perform another scan for additional information . This is carried out with the camera 34, wherein the image it captures is analyzed in the reader device 30 by the program code 124 of the reader application, which is part of the software product 123 stored on the storage device, i . e . in the memory 123 of the smartphone 30 ' here . Since the pixel position of the status information bits 40. 1 , 40.2 was also received from the server 130 ' , the position of the additional data bits 40 . 1 , 40 .2 in the QR code 51 can be determined, their states can be extracted from the QR code 51 , and the data they encode can then be decoded . It is either interpreted by the reader device 30 and / or sent, for example, as image information and / or as a data matrix to the server 130 ' for an interpretation and storage of the validity and meaning of the additional data bits .

[0246] Figures 6 and 7a and 7b show an example of a visually variable element 21 used in the tag 52 shown in Figure 5. It thus comprises a visually variable display element 21 ' here . In order to be able to produce, where necessary, a change indi- eating status information in the additional bits 40 . 1 , 40.2 and their check bits, these can be implemented, for example, on a corresponding display substrate 60 capable of producing two visual states, such as the dynamic areas or display elements

[0247] 21 , 211of the first scan . Figure 6 shows an example of a display device 57 used in the tag 52 of Figure 5 by way of example . In Figure 7a, the display device 57 is dark, i . e . , off . It thus appears white through the holes 28 in the substrate

[0248] 20 of the QR code 51 . In Figure 7b, the display device 57 is turned on . In this case, it appears black through the holes 28 in the substrate 20 of the QR code 51 . It thus has at least two different visual states OFF and ON, wherein it is in one visual state at a time . The display device 21 ' could of course also have multiple states if it is desired to use the same display device 21 ' to produce a plurality of changes in different stages rather than simply from one state to a second state .

[0249] The displays of the display unit 57 are connected to a circuitry

[0250] 61 of an electronics system 62 . The electronics system is only shown very schematically in Figure 7a . The electronics system

[0251] 62 can include a display controller 63 , measurement electronics

[0252] 64 and a processor 65 including a logic and a memory 66 , by means of which, for example, it is determined whether a value has exceeded or fallen below a limit value stored in the memory

[0253] 66 , and the display 21 ' and pixels 40 . 1 , 40 . 2 are then con- trolled accordingly in order to express this in a machine- readable and visual manner . The electronics system 62 can also include a clock circuit 67. In the shown embodiment, the display device also includes the optional status symbols "FAIL" and

[0254] "OK" 56 , 53 arranged outside the area of the QR code 51 . These can be used to immediately indicate, even without a reading of the tag 52, a status of the monitored object, based on which the QR code 51 can then be read to get a clearer picture of the situation .

[0255] According to yet another embodiment, the site of one or more alignment squares 42 can also be influenced by the display device 57. To this end, the display device 57 has a display area 54 aligned with an alignment square 42 . When the display device 57 is switched off , the display area 54 is dark . It is thus not possible to read the QR code 51 since its one alignment square 42 is not visible . When the display device 57 is on, the display area 54 of the display device 57 at the site of the alignment square 42 turns black and the alignment square 42 of the QR code 51 is visible to the reader device 30 in its intended form . The QR code 51 can thus be read .

[0256] In the foregoing, additional information was only requested if it was determined in step 806 , 906 that the state of the QR code 51 had changed . It is equally possible, however, to request additional information in cases in which a state has not changed . It is thus possible to first check, for example, a state relating to a temperature . If it is within allowed limits, i . e . if the response from the server 130 ' would be "All OK" , it is still possible to proceed to step 907, 1001 and check whether there is nevertheless additional information associated with the respective monitored object, such as, for example, relating to another measurement / monitored quantity . In this case, the server 130 ' can return a prompt in step 1002 , 1003 to also read the additional information pixels 40 . 1 , 40 .2 .

[0257] These can be used to indicate, for example, a humidity status of the monitored object . The embodiment with additional infor- mation pixels is thus also very versatile in this respect .

[0258] An example of a size of a QR code 51 according to the invention can be a 21 * 21 code . However, according to one embodiment, the code 51 ' could be even bigger than this . A larger code 51 ' provides better data security ( it is harder to guess a larger code) . Moreover, the larger the code, the more serial numbers , i . e . code pairs, are available . A QR code 51 is shown in this application by way of example . However, instead, any existing machine-readable visual 2D code 511can be used for the purpose according to the invention . A 2D code is also advantageous in that it provides enough data for the purposes of the invention and for a search for and generation of unique code pairs .

[0259] In the embodiment shown in the foregoing, the visual change in the dynamic pixels 39 between different states was uniform.

[0260] They thus all turned from white to black . The change could just as well be the other way round, i . e . from black to white .

[0261] Moreover, a further embodiment could be possible in which some of the dynamic pixels 39 change in one direction, for example, from white to black, and some change in the opposite direction, from black to white . The change can be simultaneous or take place at different times . The dynamic areas 15 corresponding to the visual changes that occur in both directions can be located on different sides of the QR code 51 , as separate areas, more specifically as separate visual means 59 ' .

[0262] A QR code 51 can have one, two or even more areas implemented with means that are variable in their outward appearance, in which changes in the appearance of the pixels occur in an area of the visual representation . The areas can operate inde- pendent ly . A plurality of dynamic areas and their independent operation with respect to one another makes it possible to get more information into the first scan ( 801 , 901 ) .

[0263] The invention has been mainly explained in the foregoing as an embodiment in which a one-step change occurs in the tag 52 . Its visual representation thus changes from one representation to another . They can be interpreted as different information after error correction . Another important aspect of the invention can be changes with multiple steps . The tag 52 can then include two or more dynamic means 59 ' . An example of these can be thermo- chromic inks with different state properties . The QR code 51 can thus have a plurality of areas, more generally a plurality of dynamic means 59', in which the dynamic pixels change their visual state in steps . This can occur, for example, at different times . In one area ( in a group of dynamic pixels ) , a change in a visual state (e . g . from white to black) can occur, for exam- pie, at a first temperature, such as, for example 20°C . In a second area ( in a group of dynamic pixels ) , a change in a visual state (e . g. from white to black) can occur, for example, at a second temperature, such as, for example 30°C, etc . Thus, the first scan does not necessarily include merely a determination relating to a normal status and one change status, but rather more than just two statuses can be expressed with this princi- pie . For example, they can change in steps as described above if a given limit is exceeded or a criterion is met . Just one tag 52 can thus represent a plurality of different statuses and pieces of information . A change in the visual representation

[0264] 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the code 51 ' can occur even two or more times as a function of , for example, a temperature load or its duration that an object experiences . Quantities to be monitored can naturally also be completely independent of each other (e . g . heat and vibration) . A change in the dynamic unit elements 39 can thus even occur unidirectionally for each status change according to one embodiment .

[0265] In the foregoing, the invention has been explained with a rel- ative emphasis on method . A person skilled in the art will understand, however, that the objects of the invention are very diverse . The invention can be extended to, for example, tags, codes, their blanks, methods, systems, hardware and computer programs relating to a representation, reading and interpreta- tion of variable information in 2D visual machine-readable codes, as well as a generation and extraction of a visual machine-readable code 51' that represents variable information.

[0266] As explained in the foregoing, one aspect of the invention is a tag 52, or more generally a machine-readable code 51' . One example of these is shown in Figures 11 and 12a and 12b.

[0267] The tag 52 and code 51' include visual unit elements 29, 39 which have at least two visual states B, W and which are con- figured to encode data 27 for the reading of the tag 52 by a reader device 30 and for the generation of a URL 80 therefrom.

[0268] A visual unit element 29, 39 can thus be said to be configured to encode a data bit in a visual representation 43.1, 43.2.

[0269] The tag 52 has two or more visually distinct representations

[0270] 43.1, 43.2 produced by the unit elements 29, 39 (Figure 4) .

[0271] Figures 11 and 12a show, for instance, a first of these repre- sentations 43.1. The unit elements 29, 39 configured to form the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 include unit elements 29 configured to form a set, such as, for example constrained, static, i .e . , invariable pattern part 44. The unit elements 29 configured to form the invariable pattern part 44 are config- ured to form a set part of the visually distinct representations

[0272] 43.1, 43.2 of the tag 52 that are configured to encode the data

[0273] 27. In other words, the unit elements 29 that form the static pattern part 44 are configured to be set, such as, for example forced, so as to be invariable with respect to their visual states B, W in the distinct visual representations 43.1, 43.2 of the tag 52. The static unit elements 29 are shown in Figures

[0274] 11 and 12a and 12b as black B pixels (excluding the black pixels with white borders in Figure 12b) and grey W pixels. For technical reasons, the statically white pixels W appear as grey pixels in the figures.

[0275] In addition, the unit elements 29, 39 configured to form the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 also include dynamic unit el- ements 39. These are represented by the lightest pixels in

[0276] Figures 11 and 12a. The visual state of the unit elements 39 can thus be interpreted as white. Thus, the difference in hue between the grey and white pixels visible in Figures 11 and 12a is not significant for the reading of the code 51’, but rather both hues are interpreted by the reading device 30, and in particular for the purposes of the explanation of the inven- tion, as white pixels W. This difference in hue is an advantage, however, for the illustration of the code 51' according to the invention. In at least some of the dynamic unit elements 39, a change is configured to occur in the visual state of the unit element 39 in order to change the visual representation 43.1,

[0277] 43.2 of the tag 52. When this change occurs, the lightest pixels, i.e. the dynamic unit elements 39, of Figures 11 and

[0278] 12a become black pixels. The representation of Figure 12b shows this situation, i.e. the machine-readable code 51', in its second, changed state. It is obtained from the code 51' shown in Figures 11 and 12a when the lightest squares, i.e., dynamic unit elements 39 change their color to black B. In Figure 12b, these unit elements 39 are now black B and, for the sake of clarity, also provided with a white dashed border. The visually variable element 21, i.e. the variable background, is also visible as a rectangle designated by a dashed line in the visual representation 43.1, 43.2.

[0279] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, a change in the visual state B, W of the dynamic unit elements 39 of the tag 52 between the distinct visual representations 43.1, 43.2 is configured to occur in all dynamic unit elements 39 unidirectionally from a first visual state W,

[0280] B to a second visual state B, W of the same . This simplifies the implementation inasmuch as it is possible to get by with just one visually variable element 21. The change produced by the same affects all desired dynamic unit elements 39 , as the visually variable element 21 is provided in the area and at the sites of these dynamic unit elements 39 .

[0281] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, error is configured in the visual states B, W of the visual unit elements 29 , 39 in order to modify at least some of the static unit elements 29 of the tag 52 so that they match each other with respect to their visual states B, W in the distinct visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 in a set , such as, for example, constrained manner . In addition, error is configured in the visual states B, W of the visual unit elements 29 , 39 in order to modify at least some of the dynamic unit elements 39 of the tag 52 so that they differ from each other with respect to their visual states W, B in the distinct visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 in a set, such as, for example, constrained manner in order to in- dicate, for example, a change in a condition or the fulfilment of some criterion .

[0282] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, the number of unit elements 29 , 39 that are erro- neous with respect to their visual states W, B in the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 is configured so that the tag 52 is readable by a reader device 30 in both of the two distinct visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 . In the dynamic pixels 39 that contain an error, the error is always in one of the two visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 . 2 . The number of errors is, however, optimized so that the tag 52 is readable in both visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 . According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, error is configured in the visual states B, W of the dynamic unit elements 39 of the tag 52 in such a manner that a change in the visual state B, W of the dynamic unit elements 39 between the distinct visual representations 43 . 1 ,

[0283] 43 .2 of the tag 52 is configured to occur unidirectionally from a first visual state W to a second visual state B .

[0284] According to one embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, at least some of the static unit elements 29 in- eluded to the pattern part 44 are arranged in gaps between the dynamic unit elements 39 . This is thus naturally also true in reverse, i . e . at least some of the dynamic unit elements 39 are arranged in gaps between the static unit elements 29 . The con- strained static pattern part 44 can include one or more code areas with only static unit elements 29 next to one another, i . e . so as to cover the entire area (without dynamic unit elements 39 in their midst ) , and the dynamic unit elements 39 are only in a given code area, for example, determined by the position of a dynamic element 59 . The position of a dynamic element 59 can be determined, for example, by technical reasons of manufacture or generally by a desired outward appearance of the tag 52. In the shown embodiment , most of the dynamic unit elements 39 are arranged in the area E4 E7 conf igured to encode an error correction of the data 27 in the visual repre- sentation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52. A static pattern-part area intermixed with dynamic unit elements 39 can just as well be intermixed with dynamic unit elements 39 throughout, i . e . over its entire area . In this case as well, there is still at least one set, i . e . constrained, static pattern part 44 shared by both visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 . 2 of the code 51 ’ . Accord- ing to one definition, in a nutshell, it can also be stated that the unit elements 29 of the visual representation 43 . 1 , 43.2 that are not dynamic unit elements 39 belong to the static pattern part 44 of the code 51' . In other words, for example, the static unit elements 29 located in the area of the rectangle designated by the dashed line in Figure 12a in the part of the code 51' on the left, between the alignment squares, are also part of the static pattern part 44 of the code 51' .

[0285] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, at least some of the constrained static unit ele- ments 29 belonging to the pattern part 44, which are arranged in gaps between the dynamic unit elements 39, are configured to form one or more intermixed areas in the visual representa- tions 43.1, 43.2 of the tag 52. In this case, the visual rep- resentations 43.1, 43.2 can correspondingly have one or more pattern parts, i . e . areas that only contain static unit ele- ments 29. It can also be the case that the greater part or even the entirety of the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 is an intermixed area, i.e. it contains both static unit elements 29 and dynamic unit elements 39. It can also be the case that at least one dynamic area of the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 is purely dynamic, i.e. is not intermixed with static unit elements 29. In addition, an area of the code 51' can even contain two or more types of dynamic unit elements 39. Their visual state is configured to change, for example, when trig- gered by different changes. For example, some of the unit ele- ments 39 can change color at a given first temperature and some of the unit elements can change color at a given second tern- perature. The change in color can occur unidirectionally or in opposite directions, i.e. a first set of unit elements 39 changes from a first color to a second color while in a second set of unit elements 39 the color changes in the opposite direction . According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, error is configured in the unit elements 29 , 39 forming the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 so that the total number of erroneous unit elements 29 , 39 is evenly distributed between the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43.2 . More specifi- cally, the error in the static unit elements 29 and dynamic unit elements 39 that is provided in the visual representations

[0286] 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 is mainly the same in terms of an overall amount in both visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 . 2 of the tag 52 . However, like other features mentioned in the forego- ing, this is not an absolutely necessary feature for the ap- plication of the idea according to the invention . An even dis- tribution of error between visual representations is not a necessary feature, for example, in QR codes in which a change in the visual representation is simple . For example, four black pixels and 1 white pixel can be provided . In an embodiment involving three visual states of the unit elements (B, Wl , W2 ) , there can be, for example, 8 black pixels and 11 white pixels .

[0287] These 11 white pixels can be distributed so that fewer of them

[0288] ( for example, 5 ) are used for the more common state (Wl ) while

[0289] 6 are used for the second state (W2 ) . This is an easier case for the reader device 30 to read and carry out an error cor- rection . Moreover, a white pixel is easier to scan .

[0290] According to one embodiment, the visual states of the dynamic unit elements 39 of the tag 52 are a lighter W unit element and a darker B unit element . A change in the visual state B, W of the dynamic unit elements 39 of the tag 52 is configured to occur unidirectionally in all dynamic unit elements 39 from lighter W to darker B .

[0291] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, the tag 52 includes one or more substrates 20 in which are arranged unit elements 29 configured to form at least one set static pattern part 44. In addition, the tag 52 includes one or more elements 21 , 21 ' conf igured to change their visual state B, W in order to provide dynamic unit elements 39 in the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 . According to some embodiments, the substrate 20 can be, for example, a phys- ical medium or substrate, such as, for example, a ( sticker) label , a film, or a display, i . e . an element 21 ' with, for example, static pixels printed on its surface . The substrate

[0292] 20 can also be referred to as the means of physical represen- tation, regardless of the manner of technical implementation .

[0293] According to one embodiment, the element 21 , 21 ' configured to change with respect to its visual state B, W can be, for exam- pie, an electronic display 21 ' . In this case, according to one embodiment , as already described in the foregoing, at least some of the unit elements 29 configured to form the static pattern part 44 can be printed directly on the surface of the electronic display 21 ' . On the other hand, it is also possible for a substrate 20 such as, for example, a film, paper or some other analogous physical medium on which the static unit elements 29 are printed - to be provided on the display 21 ' , which it covers either in part or even entirely . For example, in the case of a film, it can be transparent at the dynamic areas of the tag 52 . In the case of an opaque film or some other opaque physical medium, the substrate 20 includes an arrangement for providing the dynamic unit elements 39 in the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 . According to one embodiment , this arrangement can include, for example, a system of perfo- rations . In this case, the holes 28 belonging to the system of perforations are arranged at the sites of the dynamic unit elements 39 . The arrangement can also be characterized more generally by a transparency of the substrate 20 , regardless of how the dynamic unit elements 39 manifest themselves in the visual representation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 . According to a random example embodiment, an object of appli- cation 58 of the invention can be, for example, a package of ground meat . The package can contain a visually variable ele- ment 21 , which changes color depending, for example, on whether or not there is a protective atmosphere inside the package . As a result, it becomes possible, even at the checkout in connec- tion with the reading of the code 51 ' of the product item 90 ' , to immediately detect if the product 90 ' is already spoiled and immediately pull it aside . The wrapping of the package can be, for example, a transparent plastic film. In this case, there can be a sticker label, which acts as the substrate 20 , on the transparent film, wherein the sticker label includes static unit elements 29 configured to form a static pattern part 44.

[0294] In this case, the sticker has a system of perforations for the dynamic unit elements 39 . The holes 28 in the sticker label in this case are located at points in the formed visual represen- tation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 where a dynamic unit element 39 should be .

[0295] Alternatively, instead of a sticker label, the static pattern part 44, i . e . the static unit elements 29 , can also be printed directly on food packaging, i . e . on a protective film / plastic part . The color-changing dynamic element 21 arranged inside the package is aligned, i . e . overlaps, with the static pattern part

[0296] 44 here . Together, they thus form a visual representation 43 . 1 ,

[0297] 43 .2 visible to the reader device 30 . Yet, according to a further embodiment, the static pattern part 44 , i . e . the static unit elements 29 that make it up, could even be printed directly on a visual element 21 that changes color as a function of a condition, also even in cases where it is not an electronic display 21 ' .

[0298] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, the tag 52 includes one or more visual elements

[0299] 40 . 1 , 40 .2 provided, for example, in or in connection with the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 for providing additional data

[0300] 26 in addition to the information 38 interpreted from a change that has occurred in the visual representation 43.1, 43.2. The additional data 26 is configured to be read by the reader device

[0301] 30 in a separate reading process. The reading process is trig- gered, for example, following an observed change in a visual representation 43.1, 43.2 or even without such a change.

[0302] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, the additional data 26 is configured to be formed of one or more groups formed by visual elements 40.1, 40.2 in order to ensure the correctness of the additional data 26. An example of such a group can be a pixel pair. Individual pixels can be placed so as to form a group, for example, in order to ensure the correctness of a status. The change occurring in the pixels can be unidirectional, i.e. all pixels change from one color to another, or it can also be bidirectional, i.e. one or more pixels change from a first color to a second color (B ->

[0303] W) and one or more pixels change from the second color to the first color (W -> B) , i.e. in the opposite direction. The pixels and more specifically the group formed by the same can thus form a pattern that changes when the status of the object changes. If the pattern is certain (or if it is not certain), then it can be interpreted that something has gone wrong and that the data cannot be accepted. The additional pixels con- figured to form the pixel groups or at least a pair can operate in the manner of a checksum, i.e. they contain check digits.

[0304] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, the visual elements 40.1, 40.2 provided for the additional data 26 and to be readable by the reader device 30 can be arranged in connection with the tag 52 so as to be quite freely. According to one embodiment, they can be arranged, for example, in a format area 41 of the visual representation 43.1, 43.2, in a payload area of the visual representation 43.1,

[0305] 43.2, in alignment areas 42 of the visual representation 43.1,

[0306] 43.2, in an error correction area and / or even outside the visual representation 43.1, 43.2.

[0307] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, a server address 80' is configured in the data 27 configured in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2. Together, the server address 80 ' and the rest of the data 12, 13 of the

[0308] QR code 51' following the server address 80 ' form a web link

[0309] 80.1 80.4, or more generally a URL 80, indicating a server

[0310] 130', which can also be called a URL call.

[0311] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, besides a tag 52, the invention also relates to a tag blank 20' for forming a tag 52 and, more generally, a machine-readable code 51' . An example is shown in Figure 13.

[0312] The tag 52 includes, as described in the foregoing, visual unit elements 29, 39 which have two or more visual states B, W. The unit elements 29, 39 are configured to encode data 27 so that the tag 52 can be read by a reader device 30 and so that a URL

[0313] 80 can be formed from the read data 27. The tag 52 has two or more visually distinct representations 43.1, 43.2 produced by the unit elements 29, 39. A change between the visually distinct representations 43.1, 43.2 is configured to be controlled, for example, by one or more changes in a condition or based on a condition for meeting a specified criterion.

[0314] The unit elements 29, 39 configured to form a visual represen- tation 43.1, 43.2 include unit elements 29 configured to form a set static pattern part 44, which unit elements 29 are con- figured to form a set part of the visually distinct represen- tations 43.1, 43.2 of the tag 52 that are configured to encode the data 27. The static pattern part 44, i.e. thus also the constrained static unit elements 29, are at least partially configured as part of the tag blank 20' . The tag blank 20' can be provided on an object of application 58 of the tag 52, on which object of application 58 the tag blank 20' forms part of the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 of the code 51' . The tag blank 20', together with one or more dynamic elements 59 in connection with which at least a part of the tag blank 20' is to be provided, is configured to conjointly form the tag 52 and the machine-readable code 51' . According to one embodiment, the tag blank 20' or one or more dynamic elements 59 can be pre- arranged on the object of application 58.

[0315] At least part of the area 28' of the visual representation

[0316] 43.1, 43.2 that forms the tag blank 20', the tag blank 20' is configured so that the dynamic unit elements 39 formed in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2 by one or more dynamic ele- ments 59 can be read by the reader device 30 simultaneously with the static pattern part 44 provided in the tag blank 20' .

[0317] At least some of the dynamic unit elements 39 are configured to undergo a change in the visual state B, W of the unit element

[0318] 39 in order to change the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 of the tag 52.

[0319] According to a random example embodiment, one physical expres- sion of a tag blank 20' can be a substrate 20 on which a static pattern 44 is printed or otherwise provided. If dynamic unit elements 39 are located in gaps in the static pattern, the substrate 20 is transparent or provided with a system of per- forations 28 at these points (Figure 13) for the dynamic unit elements 39. On the other hand, it is also possible for the substrate 20 to be part of the display element 21', or more generally of the visually variable element 21, for example, a layer of the same. When a film is arranged in connection with the display element 21' or more generally the visually variable element 21 - for example integrated in the display element 21 ' or glued to or printed on the surface of the display element

[0320] 21 ' or arranged as a film in any layer of the display element

[0321] 21 ' - the film can be perforated or transparent at the site of the dynamic unit elements 39 . Yet, according to a further em- bodiment, the tag blank 20 ' can be understood as solely the pattern part 44 or even solely as the data (pixel coordinates of the pattern part 44 and their visual state, (B, W) ) provided on a computer-readable storage medium from which the physical expression that is or that will be part of the machine-readable code 51 ' , i . e . of the visual representation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 , can be formed in a selected manner . According to a further embodiment, the positional relationship between the tag blank 20 ' and at least one dynamic element 59 at a physical level can be defined, for example, in such a manner that they are superimposed so as to be simultaneously readable as a single entity by the reader device 30 . The tag blank 20 ' including the pattern part 44 can thus be the uppermost part of the entity when viewed from the direction of the reader device 30 , with the dynamic element 59 below it , so that together they form the machine-readable tag

[0322] 52 , i . e . the code 51 ' . On the other hand, however, a super im- position is by no means a necessary feature of the invention .

[0323] Both parts, i . e . the static pattern part 44 and the dynamic element 59 , can be physically integrated in the same substrate

[0324] 20 . An example of such a substrate 20 is a medium configured to change its color directly according to a condition, wherein the static pattern part 44 is provided in the medium, for example, by printing . In this case, the unit elements 29 formed by the static pattern part 44 printed on the medium cover the dynamically variable surface or part .

[0325] According to an embodiment of the invention that can be combined with other embodiments, besides a tag 52 and a tag blank 20 ’ , the invention also relates to an arrangement for representing information. The arrangement includes visual unit elements 29,

[0326] 39 which have two or more visual states B, W. The visual unit elements 29, 39 are configured to encode data 27 for a reading by a reader device 30 in such a manner that by them is arranged to be formed two or more visually distinct representations

[0327] 43.1, 43.2. The representations 43.1, 43.2 include a URL 80 as data 27, wherein the URL 80 is generated by the reader device

[0328] 30 after a reading. The representations 43.1, 43.2 are config- ured to be controlled as a function of a specified criterion, such as, for example, by a change in a condition . The unit elements 29, 39 configured to form a visual representation

[0329] 43.1, 43.2 include unit elements 29 configured to form a set static pattern part 44, wherein the unit elements 29 are con- figured to form a set part of the visually distinct represen- tations 43.1, 43.2 that are configured to encode the data 27.

[0330] In addition, the unit elements 29, 39 configured to form the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 include dynamic unit elements

[0331] 39. In at least a part of these, a change is configured to occur in the visual state B, W of the unit element 39 in order to change the visual representation 43.1, 43.2, which is ma- chine-readable with the reader device 30, for example based on a change in a condition or based on a fulfilled condition of a specified criterion.

[0332] Of the unit elements 29, 39 included by the arrangement, at least the static unit elements 29 are configured in the sub- strate 20, which can be provided on the object of application

[0333] 58 of the visual representation 43.1, 43.2 that is readable with a reader device 30. The dynamic unit elements 39 are configured to be formed by one or more dynamic means 59 ' for changing the visual state B, W of the dynamic unit elements 39 in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2. As explained in the foregoing, according to one embodiment, the pattern part 44 can be in the substrate 20. The dynamic means 59', or more generally the dynamic unit elements 39, can be visible to the reader device 30 through areas 28' configured in the substrate 20, such as, for example, through holes 28 of the size of the dynamic unit elements 39. According to one embodiment, the dynamic means 59 ' can, for example, already be integrated in the object of application 58 of the tag 52. An example is, for instance, the ground beef package already mentioned in the foregoing, in which a material that varies in its visual ap- pearance is provided as the dynamic means 59' inside the package for the indication of the presence of a protective atmosphere.

[0334] The material can be provided inside the package during packing.

[0335] The material can also be in a protective wrapping of the pack- age . Thus, the dynamic means 59' can also already be pre- integrated in the object of application 58 of the tag 52, so that it is possible to form the final machine-readable tag 52 from two or more sub-components 20', 59' .

[0336] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, besides the tag 52, the tag blank 20', and the arrangement, the invention also relates to a method for creat- ing visually distinct representations 43.1, 43.2 for a machine- readable tag representation, i.e. , for a code 51 ' . The visual representations 43.1, 43.2 include visual unit elements 29, 39 which have two or more visual states B, W. The unit elements

[0337] 29, 39 encode data 27 for reading by a reader device 30 that reads the code 511and for forming a URL 80 from the read data

[0338] 27. The code 51' has two or more visually distinct representa- tions 43.1, 43.2 produced by the unit elements 29, 39, which are configured to be controlled based on a specified criterion, such as, for example, as a function of a change.

[0339] In the method, at least two distinct visual representations

[0340] 43.1, 43.2 are generated. These are used in an attempt to create a code pair or analogous dynamic machine-readable code 511with multiple readable visual representations 43.1, 43.2. In the method, a set, more specifically a constrained, static pattern part 44 including unit elements 29 and, in connection there- with, dynamic unit elements 39 for producing one or more changes in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2 are generated in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2 while preserving the reada- bility of the same.

[0341] In other words, the unit elements 29, 39 are formed so as to include unit elements 29 which form the set static pattern part

[0342] 44. The pattern part 44 thus forms a set part of the visually distinct representations 43.1, 43.2 of the code 51' that encode the data 27. In addition, the unit elements 29, 39 are formed so as to include dynamic unit elements 39, in at least a part of which a change occurs in the visual state B, W of the unit element 39 in order to change the visual representation 43.1,

[0343] 43.2 based on, for example, a change in a condition or a con- dition for meeting a specified criterion.

[0344] According to an embodiment that can be combined with other embodiments, according to an embodiment of the method, in par- ticular a set of visual representations 43.1, 43.2 are created which can be respectively read without error by the reading device 30. The visual representations 43.1, 43.2 can subse- quently be provided, for example, in pairs. Pairs that comprise a static pattern part 44 and dynamic unit elements 39 in con- nection therewith are extracted from the generated pairs. Ac- cording to one embodiment, the static pattern part 44 of the code 51', i.e. the pattern part 44 that is identical in all states of the code 51' , is obtained by generating error in both visual representations 43.1, 43.2 so that the pattern parts of the code pair candidate that are initially discrepant become identical with respect to their unit elements 29. In other words, error is provided in the code pairs during mining in order to provide them in such a manner that the visual repre- sentations 43 .2 , 43 .2 of the code 51 ' match at least with respect to their static pattern parts 44. Error is likewise also generated in the dynamic unit elements 39 as required. For example, error is provided in the latter so that the change that occurs in their visual state between the distinct visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tag 52 occurs unidirection- ally, i . e . from one color to a second color only . They are thus made to operate according to, for example, the principle for implementing the code 51 ' and / or according to the principle of a change that occurs in the visual representations . After the extraction and the associated generation, which modif ies the visual representations, the readability of the visual repre- sentations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 is tested and determined, and finally the extracted and generated readable code pairs, i . e . both visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the code pair, and the instruc- tions for their manufacture are stored (reference number 36 in

[0345] Figures 17 and 20 ) . Accordingly, code pairs are rejected in which at least one of the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 forming the code pair is unreadable due to the generated amount of error when it is read by a reader device 30 . The codes of a code pair can thus be said to be matched during generation in order to produce in the pair a static pattern part 44 shared by both codes . The static pattern part 44 is preferably smaller in size than the visually variable element 21 . In addition, the code pairs are modif ied so that the change that occurs in them can be implemented easily in a relatively small area and by means of an implementation that is simple compared to the im- piementation of a change that occurs pixelwise . An example of this simplicity is the unidirectional nature of the change . The modif ication, however, is carried out so that the codes of a code pair are still unambiguously readable after the error correction by the reader device 30 and, in addition, so that there is a difference of even just a single character between them, so that they can be interpreted accordingly as different codes . Thus, when the meaning of each code 51 ' is known, for example on the server 130 ' , also the meaning of the code is established .

[0346] According to an embodiment of the invention that can be combined with other embodiments, a further aspect of the invention is a server arrangement 130 for interpreting the codes 51 ' . A pro- cessor means 131 is configured for the use of at least one server 130 ' belonging to the server arrangement 130 , wherein the processor means 131 is configured to interpret data 27 relating to a machine-readable code 51 ' received from a reader device 30 in a URL call 80 . In addition, the processor means

[0347] 131 is configured to compare this data 27 with data 55 relating to a set of machine-readable codes 51 ' stored beforehand, for example, on the server arrangement 130 in question . These stored codes 51 ' include all tags 52 , all data 27 indicated by the distinct visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 of the tags 52 and all meanings of the distinct visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 . 2 for the respective tag 52 and associated product 90 , i . e . the object of application 58 . The server arrangement 130 finds the respective code 51 in this set or, more specifically, the data formed from the current visual representation of the read tag

[0348] 52 . A set meaning 38 , which is also stored so as to be retriev- able on the server arrangement 130 , is provided for each set of data 27 encoded in the visual representations 43 . 1 , 43 .2 .

[0349] The meaning 38 is configured to be returned, in response to a reading of the tag 52 , to the reader device 30 that sent the data 27 contained in the URL call from the tag 52 to the server arrangement 130 . In addition, the server arrangement 130 can have been configured to handle, if necessary, a prompt to read additional data and an interpretation of the same . A program code 134 can be run on the server 130 from a computer-readable storage device 135 using a processor 131 , wherein together these form a program product 133 .

[0350] Figure 14 shows an example of a web user interface for a cus- tomization of tags 52 and the associated options for formulat- ing alert rules . The alert rules include alerts 45 and alert logics 46 . Similarly, Figure 15 shows some options for alert logics of a tag 52 to be manufactured .

[0351] A tag 52 can be configured with n alerts 45. The tag 52 is able to communicate, for example, a master alert status (OK / Alert ) as well as 3 bits of information in custom format ( as additional information, additional information pixels 40 . 1 , 40 .2 ) . Multi- pie alert logics 46 can be provided . The alerts can thus be mapped, for example, to the aforementioned three bits (addi- tional information pixels ) and to the master status (dynamic pixels 39 ) . Parameters can be, for example, an alert type, alert limits, an effect of an alert on the master status

[0352] (whether or not there is an effect and how the master status is affected) and / or an effect of an alert ( s ) on the three status bits (whether or not there is an effect and how the status bits are affected) .

[0353] Alert logics 46 are predefined and more can be created if necessary . The available logics are listed in a web configura- tor, an example of which is shown in Figure 14. A measurement interval 70 and a start delay 71 can also be set here .

[0354] The simplest example of these logics is the first alert logic

[0355] 47, i . e . 3 alerts . Each of these alone can trigger an "alert" status of the master status . Each of these is mapped to a single status bit ( alert 1 -> bit 1 etc . ) . A slightly more complex implementation could be, for example, the second alert logic 48 , i . e . , for example, 6 alerts . For example, alerts 1 - 4 can individually trigger an "alert" status of the master status . In this case, for example, alerts 1 3 are mapped to the status bit 1 , so that these alerts individu- ally or conjointly trigger the bit 1 . The alerts 4 5 can have been mapped to the status bit 2 so that both must be triggered in order for bit 2 to be triggered . The alert 6 can in turn be mapped directly to the status bit 3 .

[0356] An example of a third alert logic 49 can be, for example, a stability budget logic . This can have, for instance, 4 alerts of a cumulative-time type . The alerts 1 - 4 respectively trigger an "alert" status of the master status . A percentage of time still remaining can be respectively calculated from the alerts

[0357] 1 4 . The smallest of these four percentages is selected and the result is rounded to the nearest possible number that can be indicated by three bits . Rough indicative percentages are shown in Figure 14 and in Figure 15. Figures 16a and 16b in turn show the principle of the embodiment with a stability budget logic using a random example ( in color and black and white) . Figure 17 in turn shows an example of a production line for manufacturing a tag according to the invention ("Cue") .

[0358] Elements relating to the generation of codes are designated by a few reference numbers at the start of the flowchart .

[0359] Although the tag 52 and the machine-readable code 51 ' , too, are provided with separate reference numbers in the foregoing dis- cussion, they can also be understood as synonyms in the context of the invention . The tag 52 can also be a physical expression of the invention for representing the code 51 ' while the ma- chine-readable code 51 ' can in turn be a visual expression represented by the tag means . In other words, the machine- readable code 51 ' can be understood as only a 2D pattern representation . In such a 2D pattern representation, a machine- readable 2D pattern, such as, for example, a QR (quick response) code, is created using at least two colors that can be distin- guished from each other .

[0360] One important advantage of the solution according to the in- vention is that it is possible to produce huge quantities of machine-readable code pairs or sets of codes in which more than just two status changes are indicated by a single tag 52 , which is, moreover, achieved with a very small amount of variable data . This makes it suitable for mass-produced products, for example, so that running out of code pairs is not an immediate issue . The number of code pair candidates can come from the amount of data generated by the selected QR code . The standard- format data configured in the visual representation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 relating to the web link can take up a space of , for example,

[0361] 10 characters . Not every serial number can be utilized. For example, 1 character can be reserved for the data "status ok" and "status not ok" . The shortest QR code can be 21 characters, of which 10 characters are reserved for the serial number . For example, approximately 30 character options ( letters and num- bers ) can be provided . A space of 3010can thus be used to go through the codes . For example, based on tests in the pilot phases, a few working codes are found in a set of approximately

[0362] 30 codes .

[0363] The idea according to the invention has been shown in the foregoing based on serially numbered code pairs . They have had a variable character code (AA) , (BB) that indicates a change in the machine-readable code 51 ' . According to one embodiment, the functionality according to the invention can also be com- bined with a standardized method for encoding identifiers . An example of such a method could be the Digital Link standard provided by GS1 . One can more generally also speak of GTIN codes . The solution according to the invention can be imple- mented in connection with this method, for example, in at least two ways .

[0364] According to a first embodiment, the functionality according to the invention can be incorporated, for example, in a Digital

[0365] Link code in such a manner that the digital link and the func- tionality according to the invention both operate in tradi- tional manners on their own . In this case, a single machine- readable code 51 ' can thus implement both functionalities : the communication of static product information ( for example GTIN) and, in addition, a dynamic web link according to the invention .

[0366] When the link is opened, a user 50 (who is entitled to view that information) will be able to see, among other things, temperature alerts according to the invention .

[0367] With reference to Figures 18a and 18b, these web links, i . e . ,

[0368] URLs 80 can be represented as follows by way of example :

[0369] No alert : https : / / id.yourbrand. com / CUE123123AA / 01 / 09312345678907 / 10 / ABCDE

[0370] Alert status : https : / / id.yourbrand. com / CUE123123BB / 01 / 09312345678907 / 10 / ABCDE

[0371] Thus, the QR code 51 changes according to the invention here, for example according to a temperature . The change is indicated by the variable character string "AA" "BB" following the serial number, i . e . , identifier of the code pair

[0372] "CUE123123123" . The meanings of the character strings are stored on the server 130 ' . It was thus possible to generate codes 51' according to the invention, i.e. visual representations 43.1, 43.2 in which data

[0373] 27 is configured, for the character pairs for this serial num- ber . The data 27 includes at least one dynamic information field 81 configured to indicate variable data 38. The variable data 38 here now includes a static code part 82, i.e. the serial number of the code pair, and a dynamic code part 83, which is configured as the variable data. The dynamic code part here is a variable character pair that expresses a change in the code

[0374] 51' . The data 27 configured in the visual representations 43.1,

[0375] 43.2 that is configured to indicate the variable data 38 thus includes a static code part 82, i.e. the aforementioned serial number of the code pair. When it is invariable, it can even act as a unique identification code for a product item 90' . It additionally includes a dynamic code part 83. This is config- ured to change as a function of a set criterion. Together, these form a dynamic information field in the URL 81. According to one embodiment, the dynamic code part 83 is shorter in terms of its character length than the static code part 82. In addi- tion, according to one embodiment, the dynamic code part 83 is a character pair (AA) , (BB) . In addition to the status infor- mation, the data 27 here further includes a serial number and, immediately following the serial number, behind the variable character string, specific-format static product data 84' such as, for example, a generic identification code 84 of the product

[0376] 90, such as, for example, a GTIN code 84*.

[0377] As already described in the foregoing, the data 27 configured in the visual representations 43.1, 43.2 can also include prod- uct data 84' in a specified format. This data can include, for example, one or more of the following: a generic identification code 84 of the product 90, such as, for example, a GTIN code

[0378] 84*; manufacture batch data 89 of the product 90; metadata 85 ' of the product 90, such as, for example, information relating to a shelf life of the product 90 and / or information 85 relating to a usability of the product 90 .

[0379] According to another embodiment, the dynamics according to the invention can be utilized in the metadata 85 ' of the Digital

[0380] Link standard . In this case, the functionality according to the invention is able to change the metadata 85 ' added to the URL

[0381] 80 directly . This variable data can be, for example, a GTIN number 84*, best-before metadata 85 or something similar . The information in question can thus be utilized directly, for example, at a cash register . The information is again accessed when the web link is opened . In this case, the information is extracted from the respective metadata 85 ' instead of a sepa- rate " status" information field according to the invention .

[0382] Figures 19a and 19b show an associated example .

[0383] Best before 2024-06-17 https : / / id.yourbrand. com / CUE123123 / 01 / 09312345678907 / 10 / ABCDE715-240617

[0384] Best before 2024-06-10 https : / / id.yourbrand. com / CUE123123 / 01 / 09312345678907 / 10 / ABCDE715-240610

[0385] " 15=" is the Digital link standard code for a best-before date .

[0386] The value of the QR code changes here in the value of the best- before parameter 85 from " 17" -> " 10" as a function of temper- ature . In other words, instead of the character codes AA and

[0387] BB, the variable data here is represented by the day field 88 of the date . It can also be conceived as having at least one dynamic information field 81 configured to express variable information 38 . It includes a static code part 82 , i . e . the serial number of the code pair, and again a dynamic code part

[0388] 83 configured to change based on a set criterion . However, the dynamic code part 83 is configured as part of the metadata 85 ' here . At least one dynamic parameter 88 , here the day of the date, which is configured to change according to a set crite- rion, can thereby be formed in the metadata 85 ' . The rest of the date in the metadata (year and month) is static information

[0389] 87 here .

[0390] The functionality of the invention can change any identifier, parameter or its value . The standard has hundreds of such pre- def ined parameters (meaning, syntax, identifier) .

[0391] The two embodiments described in the foregoing can also be applied simultaneously . In this case, both an information field

[0392] ( for the character code) of the Cue and the metadata of the

[0393] Digital link standard change in the link of the QR code 51 according to the invention . These can change, for example, simultaneously, or separate triggers can also be defined for both . For example, the best-before day can change very sensi- tively, even when a threshold is exceeded by a very small temperature ( second criterion) . The status of the Cue, i . e . of the dynamic information field 81 , can in turn only be updated when the product is completely spoiled and unusable (first criterion) .

[0394] It is also possible to implement a plurality of status changes with a single active, i . e . dynamic, area . In this case, this area can become darker in steps . In this case, the pixels will also change in stages, for example, from light to darker . The statuses can be, for example, "Product ok", "Do not use prod- uct", "Product close to spoiling, use immediately" . The person skilled in the art will understand from the descrip- tion of the invention that the foregoing explanation of the machine-readable code 51 ' can also be extended with respect to many features and steps so as to form a method for creating visually distinct representations 43 . 1 , 43 . 2 for a machine- readable code 51 ' as well as a method for manufacturing a tag

[0395] 52 . This can also be derivable from the forgoing statements made in the description relating to the machine-readable code

[0396] 51 ' .

[0397] In addition, a further object of the invention can also be a program product 113 as shown in Figure 20 for creating visually distinct representations 43 . 1 , 43.2 for a machine-readable code

[0398] 51 ’ . The product 113 includes a program code means 114 stored on a medium / storage device 115 that can be read by a computer

[0399] 110 , wherein the program code means 114 is provided to carry out the steps according to the method of the invention when the program is run on a computer 110 .

[0400] The invention also relates to hardware 110 for creating visu- ally distinct representations 43 .1 , 43 .2 for a machine-readable code 51 ’ . The hardware 110 includes a memory unit 112 for storing the program code 114 and a processor 111 for executing the program code 114. During execution, the hardware 110 im- plements at least one of the steps according to the method of the invention .

[0401] The machine-readable code 51 ' according to the invention is also inexpensive in terms of its production costs, which makes it particularly suitable for mass-produced products . A change in the machine-readable code 51 ’ , which indicates that its status has changed, can be achieved with a simple dynamic ele- ment 59 . Instead of individual pixels formed in the dynamic element 59 , a change in the visual state occurs in such a manner that the dynamic element 59 affects an area of two or more pixels in the visual representation 43 . 1 , 43 .2 in the code 51 ' .

[0402] In other words, the dynamic element 59 is thus, in terms of its visual partition, a panel covering an area of two or more pixels instead of individual pixels . This simplifies, for example, the implementation of an electronically implemented dynamic element

[0403] 59 . No electronics and display technology are thus required for individual pixels, but ideally the entire dynamic area or ra- ther the dynamic pattern, i . e . the dynamic unit elements 39 , can be implemented with a simple electronic panel with two visual states . Equally, as described in the foregoing, this also even renders possible a completely non-electronic imple- mentation, as the dynamic area, i . e . the dynamic unit elements

[0404] 39 , can be implemented using a simple panel with at least two visual states in which a change in the visual state is caused by one or more physical, chemical, biological, radioactive, electrical, magnetic and / or electromagnetic phenomena or changes . In addition to temperature and vibration, which have already been mentioned, it is possible to mention, for instance, light and UV exposure . The medium in which the color change occurs can be a a liquid, a gas, a solid or a fluid . In the case of the embodiment using ink, a dynamic ink or dynamic indicator can be sensitive to an environmental factor, such as, for example, temperature, time, time and temperature, freezing, radiation, toxic chemicals, or a combination of such factors, or the like . In an example embodiment, the ink can be a ther- mochromic ink . The thermochromic ink can also be of a reversible type . The ink can also be a photochromic ink ( for example, changes are based on exposure to UV light ) . The ink can also be an ink sensitive to time and temperature . The set criterion can also be solely time-based . In other words , the ink does not have any effect that specifically affects the product or orig- inates from the product . It becomes possible with the invention to reduce product loss due to, for example, an ageing and / or spoiling of products .

[0405] Some arbitrary examples include food, pharmaceuticals, biolog- ical products, vaccines, cosmetics, as well as the raw materi- als of the same . The inexpensive unit cost of the machine- readable codes 51 ' achieved with the invention also essentially relates to this aspect, i . e . it is not a prerequisite for an applicability of the tags 52 . More particularly, in the case of ageing or perishable products, such as, for example, vac- cines, it becomes possible owing to the invention for these to be used in the order in which their use would be prohibited .

[0406] By reading the tag 52 , a state of affairs can be established easily, even at the level of individual product packages . The server arrangement 130 interprets the tag 52 and returns the current status information of the read package after a URL call . In cases where a plurality of packages are in use, it is possible to decide based on the response received based on the reading and interpretation of the tags 52 of the packages which package will spoil first, i . e . which package should be used first . A simple "best-before date" label often does not convey this information, the basis of which is often influenced, for example, by factors, such as, for example, a thermal load / time experienced by each package in the logistics chain ( Stability budget ) . Different limits can be defined for products, accord- ing to which different tags can be produced which change their status as a function of an experienced (thermal ) load and / or duration .

[0407] The person skilled in the art will understand that the invention has countless applications across different technological f ields and disciplinary boundaries . Another arbitrary example can be different diagnostic tests, regardless of the object of application (e . g . humans, animals, food) . It is understood that the foregoing description and the accom- panying figures are intended solely to show the present inven- tion . The invention is thus not limited to the embodiments shown in the foregoing or defined in the claims, but rather many different variations and variants of the invention that are possible within the framework of the inventive concept def ined in the claims will occur to the person skilled in the art .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tag, which includes visual unit elements (29, 39) which have at least two visual states (B, W) and which are configured to encode data (27) for a reading (30) of the tag (52) by a reader device (30), wherein a URL (80) is configured in the data (27), wherein the tag (52) has two or more visually dis- tinct representations (43.1, 43.2) produced by unit elements(29, 39), which are configured to be controlled based on a set criterion, and wherein the unit elements (29, 39) configured to form a said visual representation (43.1, 43.2) include- unit elements (29) configured to form a set static pat- tern part (44), which unit elements (29) are configured to form a set part of the visually distinct representa- tions (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) that are configured to encode the data (27),- dynamic unit elements (39), in at least a part of which a change is configured to occur in the visual state (B,W) of the unit element (39) in order to change the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) based on a set criterion .

2. The tag according to Claim 1, characterized in that the change in the visual state (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements(39) of the tag (52) is configured to occur in the dynamic unit elements (39) unidirectionally from a first visual state (W,B) to a second visual state (B, W) .

3. The tag according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that error is configured in the visual states (B, W) of the visual unit elements (29, 39) in order to modify at least some of the static unit elements (29) of the tag (52) so that they match each other with respect to their visual states (B, W) in thedistinct visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag(52), in order to modify at least some of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) so that they differ from each other with respect to their visual states (W, B) in the distinct visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52), for example, in order to indicate a change, and wherein the number of unit elements (29, 39) that are erroneous with respect to their visual states (W, B) in the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) is config- ured so that the tag (52) is readable by a reader device (30) in both of the two distinct visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) .

4. The tag according to any of Claims 1 - 3, characterized in that error is configured in the visual states (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) so that the change in the visual state (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements (39) is configured to occur unidirectionally from a first visual state to a second visual state.

5. The tag according to any of Claims 1 4, characterized in that the dynamic unit elements (39) are arranged in gaps of the set static pattern part (44) in at least a part of an area of the code (51') formed by the same.

6. The tag according to any of Claims 1 - 5, characterized in that error is configured in the static unit elements (29) so that a total number of erroneous unit elements (29) is evenly distributed between the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) .

7. The tag according to any of Claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the tag (52) includes- one or more substrates (20) in which unit elements (29) are arranged, which are configured to form the set static pattern part (44), one or more elements (21, 21' ) configured to change their visual state (B, W) in order to provide dynamic unit elements (39) in the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) .

8. The tag according to any of Claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the tag (52) includes one or more visual elements (40.1,40.2), for example, provided in or in connection with a visual representation (43.1, 43.2), for providing additional infor- mation (26) in addition to the information (38) interpreted from a change that has occurred in the visual representation(43.1, 43.2) , wherein the additional data (26) is configured to be read in a separate reading process.

9. The tag according to any of Claims 1 8, characterized in that the tag (52) includes one or more visual elements (40.1,40.2), for example, provided in or in connection with a visual representation (43.1, 43.2), for providing additional infor- mation (26) in addition to the information (38) interpreted from a change that has occurred in the visual representation(43.1, 43.2), and wherein the additional information (26) is configured to be formed by one or more groups of visual elements(40.1, 40.2) in order to ensure the correctness of the addi- tional information (26) .

10. The tag according to any of Claims 1 - 9, characterized in that the URL (80) configured in the data (27) is configured to indicate a server arrangement (130) shared by numerous tags(52) .

11. The tag according to any of Claims 1 io, characterized in that the visual unit element (29, 39) is configured to encode a data bit in the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) .

12. The tag according to any of Claims 1 11, characterized in that the data (27) configured in the visual representations(43.1, 43.2), which is configured to express variable infor- mation (38) , includes a static code part (82) and a dynamic code part (83) that is configured to change based on a set criterion.

13. The tag according to Claim 12, characterized in that the dynamic code part (83) is shorter in character length than the static code part (82) .

14. The tag according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the dynamic code part (83) is a character pair ( (AA) , (BB) ) .

15. The tag according to any of Claims 1 14, characterized in that most of the dynamic unit elements (39) are arranged in an area (E4 - E7) configured to encode an error correction of the data (27) in the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) .

16. The tag according to any of Claims 1 15, characterized in that the data (27) configured in the visual representations(43.1, 43.2) includes product information (84') in a specified format, such as, for example, one or more of the following: a generic identification code (84) of a product (90), such as, for example, a GTIN code (84*), manufacture batch information(89) of the product (90), metadata (85') of the product (90), such as, for example, information relating to a shelf life of the product (90) and / or information (85) relating to a usabil- ity of the product (90) .

17. The tag according to any of Claims 1 16, characterized in that the data (27) configured in the visual representations(43.1, 43.2) includes- static product data (84’) in a specific format, such as, for example, a generic identification code (84) of a prod- uct (90), such as, for example, a GTIN code (84*),- at least one dynamic information field (81) configured to indicate variable data (38), which includes a static code part (82) and a dynamic code part (83) that is con- figured to change based on a set criterion.

18. The tag according to any of Claims 1 17, characterized in that the data (27) configured in the visual representations(43.1, 43.2) includes- static product data (84') in a specific format, such as, for example, a generic identification code (84) of a prod- uct (90), such as, for example, a GTIN code (84*),- metadata (85’) of the product (90), such as, for example, information relating to a shelf life of the product (90) and / or information (85) relating to a usability of the product (90),- at least one dynamic information field (81) configured to indicate variable data (38), which includes a static code part (82) and a dynamic code part (83) that is con- figured to change based on a set criterion, and the dynamic code part (83) is configured as part of the metadata (85'), wherein at least one dynamic parameter (88) that is con- figured to change based on a set criterion can thereby be formed in the metadata (85') .

19. The tag according to any of Claims 1 18, characterized in that the data (27) configured in the visual representations(43.1, 43.2) includes- static product data (84') in a specific format, such as, for example, a generic identification code (84) of a prod- uct (90), such as, for example a GTIN code (84*),- at least one dynamic information field (81) configured to indicate variable data (38), which includes a static code part (82) and a dynamic code part (83) that is con- figured to change based on a set first criterion,- metadata (85') of the product (90), such as, for example, information relating to a shelf life of the product (90) and / or information (85) relating to a usability of the product (90) which includes at least one dynamic parameter(88) that is configured to change based on a set second criterion .

20. The tag according to any of Claims 2 19, characterized in that the visual states of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) are a lighter (W) unit element and a darker (B) unit element, and a change in the visual state (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) is configured to take place unidirectionally in all dynamic unit elements (39) from lighter (W) to darker (B) .

21. The tag according to any of Claims 1 20, characterized in that the dynamic unit elements (39) are arranged in the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) in gaps between the set static unit elements (29) in at least part of the machine-readable code (51') formed by the visual represen- tations (43.1, 43.2) .

22. The tag according to any of Claims 1 21, characterized in that the URL (80) is configured as part of the static pattern part (44) .

23. A tag blank for forming a tag, wherein the tag (52) includes visual unit elements (29, 39) which have two or more visual states (B, W) and which are configured to encode data (27) for a reading of the tag (52) by a reader device (30), wherein aURL (80) is configured in the data (27), and wherein the tag(52) has two or more visually distinct representations (43.1,43.2) produced by the unit elements (29, 39), which are con- figured to be controlled based on a set criterion, and wherein the said unit elements (29, 39) configured to form a visual representation (43.1, 43.2) include unit elements (29) config- ured to form a set static pattern part (44), which unit elements(29) are configured to form a set part of the visually distinct representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) that are config- ured to encode the data (27), and which static pattern part(44) is at least partially configured as part of the tag blank(20') that can be provided on an object of application (58) of the tag (52) , wherein the tag blank (20'), together with one or more dynamic elements (59) in connection with which at least a part of the tag blank (20') is to be arranged, is configured to conjointly form the said tag (52), and wherein the tag blank(20') is configured in at least part of an area (28') of the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) so that the dynamic unit elements (39) formed in the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) by the dynamic element (59) can be read by the reader device(30), wherein, in at least a part of the dynamic unit elements(39), a change is configured to occur in the visual state (B,W) of the unit element (39) in order to change the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) based on a set criterion.

24. The tag blank according to Claim 23, characterized in that the tag blank (20'), together with the dynamic unit elements(39) provided in connection with the tag blank (20'), is con- figured to form a tag (52) according to any of Claims 2 - 22.

25. An arrangement for representing data, which includes visual unit elements (29, 39) which have two or more visual states (B, W) and which are configured to encode information for a reading by a reader device (30) in such a manner that by them is arranged to be formed two or more visually distinct representations (43.1, 43.2), which are configured to be controlled based on a set criterion, and wherein the said unit elements (29, 39) configured to form the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) include- unit elements (29) configured to form a set static pattern part (44), which unit elements (29) are con- figured to form a set part of the said visually dis- tinct representations (43.1, 43.2) configured to en- code the data (27),- dynamic unit elements (39), in at least a part of which a change is configured to occur in the visual state (B, W) of the unit element (39) in order to change the visual representation (43.1, 43.2) based on a set criterion, and wherein the static unit elements (29) are configured in a sub- strate (20) , which can be provided on an object of application (58) of the visual representation (43.1,43.2) that is machine-readable with the reader device(30), the dynamic unit elements (39) are configured to be formed by one or more dynamic means (59') for changing the visual state (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements(39) in the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) .

26. A method for creating visually distinct representations for a machine-readable code, which visual representations (43.1,43.2) include visual unit elements (29, 39) which have two ormore visual states (B, W) and which encode data (27) for a reading of a code (51') by a reader device (30), wherein a server address (80') is configured in the data (27), and wherein the code (51') has two or more visually distinct representa- tions (43.1, 43.2) produced with the unit elements (29, 39) , which are configured to be controlled based on a set criterion, and wherein in the method at least two different visual representations (43.1,43.2) are generated,- a set static pattern part (44) including unit elements(29) and, in connection therewith, dynamic unit elements(39) for producing one or more changes in the visual rep- resentations (43.1, 43.2) are generated while preserving a readability of the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) .

27. The method according to Claim 26, characterized in that the dynamic unit elements (39) are generated in the visual repre- sentations (43.1, 43.2) in such a manner that a change in the visual state (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) occurs in the dynamic unit elements (39) unidirection- ally from a first visual state (W, B) to a second visual state(B, W) .

28. The method according to Claim 26 or 27, characterized in that, during generation, error is configured in the visual states (B, W) of the visual unit elements (29, 39) of the tag(52) in order to modify at least some of the static unit elements (29) of the tag (52) so that they match each other with respect to their visual states (B, W) in the distinct visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag(52) , in order to modify at least some of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) so that they differ fromeach other with respect to their visual states (W, B) in the distinct visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) , and wherein the number of unit elements (29, 39) that are erroneous with respect to their visual states (W, B) in the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) is config- ured so that the tag (52) is readable by a reader device (30) in both of the two distinct visual representations (43.1, 43.2) of the tag (52) .

29. The method according to any of Claims 26 - 28, characterized in that error is configured in the visual states (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) so that a change in the visual state (B, W) of the dynamic unit elements (39) of the tag (52) occurs unidirectionally from a first visual state to a second visual state.

30. The method according to any of Claims 26 - 29, characterized in that the dynamic unit elements (39) are provided in gaps in the static pattern part (44) in at least a part of an area of the code (51') formed by the same.

31. The method according to any of Claims 26 - 30, characterized in that error is configured in the static unit elements (29) so that a total number of erroneous unit elements (29) is evenly distributed between the visual representations (43.1, 43.2) .

32. The method according to any of Claims 26 - 31, characterized in that one or more visual elements (40.1, 40.2) are provided in the tag (52) , for example, in or in connection with its visual representation (43.1, 43.2) , for providing additional data (26) in addition to the said information (38) interpreted from a change that occurs in the visual representation (43.1,43.2) , wherein the additional data (26) is provided so as to be read in a separate reading process.

33. The method according to any of Claims 26 - 32, characterized in that one or more visual elements (40.1, 40.2) are provided in the tag (52), for example, in or in connection with its visual representation (43.1, 43.2), for providing additional data (26) in addition to the said information (38) interpreted from a change that occurs in the visual representation (43.1,43.2), and wherein the additional data (26) includes one or more groups of visual elements (40.1, 40.2) in order to ensure a correctness of the additional data (26) .

34. The method according to any of Claims 26 - 33, characterized in that the data (27) configured in the visual representations(43.1, 43.2) includes a server address (80') .

35. A server arrangement, which includes processor means (131) configured to interpret received data (27) relating to a ma- chine-readable code (51’) and to compare it with pre-stored data (55) relating to machine-readable codes (51') for which a set meaning (38) is respectively provided, wherein the set meaning (38) is configured to be returned to the device (30) that sent the data (27) .

36. A method for manufacturing a tag according to Claim 1, characterized in that the method includes- providing unit elements (29) configured to form a set static pattern part (44) on one or more substrates (20),- providing one or more elements (21, 21’) that are vari- able in their visual state (B, W) in connection with the one or more substrates (20) in order to provide dynamic unit elements (39) in the visual representations (43.1,43.2),and wherein the one or more substrates (20) and the one or more elements (21, 21 ' ) that are variable in their visual state conjointly form a functional machine-readable code (51') .

37. A computer program product for creating visually distinct representations for a machine-readable code, characterized in that the product (113) comprises a program code means (114) stored on a medium / storage device (115) that can be read by a computer (110), which program code means (114) is provided to execute any of the steps according to Claims 26 34 when the program is run on the computer (110) .

38. Hardware for creating visually distinct representations for a machine-readable code, wherein the hardware (110) includes a memory unit (112) for storing a program code (114) and a pro- cessor (111) for executing the program code (114), character- ized in that, during execution, the hardware (110) implements at least one of the steps according to method Claims 26 - 34.

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