A smart indicator label, a method of fabrication thereof, and a memory medium or device with a code data record for the method

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an indicator label with a changeable code. The changeable code is configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code and in a changed state indicating an occurrence of a certain condition by a second code. The first code includes a first plurality of image features encoding at least a first string, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features. The second code is different from the first code and includes a second plurality of image features encoding at least a second string different from the first string, the second plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the second string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features. The first plurality of image features includes a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region. The second plurality of image features includes a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic. A subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic is reactive and configured to change the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition, and thereby to turn into a respective subset of the second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code upon the occurrence of the condition.

Description

A SMART INDICATOR LABEL, A METHOD OF FABRICATION THEREOF, AND A MEMORY MEDIUM OR DEVICE WITH A CODE DATA RECORD FOR THE METHODTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to techniques used for and with smart indicator labels (also called smart label indicators).BACKGROUND

[0002] Smart labels allow for better tracking and monitoring of various products, and information sharing regarding these products and events associated them. The labels are used in the automatic identification and data capture (AIDC) relating to the methods of automatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering them directly into computer systems, without human involvement, as discussed in Non-Patent Literature 1; as well as they are used in many cases with the human involvement. As a rule, the automatic system or a human would use a reader, for example, a smartphone, or a barcode scanner (e.g. with its own lighting system, for example, red or infrared), and in some cases a connection to a network, for example, the internet, to capture and decode information encoded in the label. A barcode label, or, for instance, a 2D barcode label, such as a Quick Response, QR, label present examples of the smart label. QR code is widely used for its storage capacity and fast readability; but there is a range of other formats. Such an optical code label (a print-coded label) may be combined with, e.g. applied over, a flat transponder, which includes chip and antenna, so that the resulting smart label could be easily found and read. The transponder may be implemented, for example, as a radio frequency identification, RFID, tag. At the same time, a smart label does not have to include the optically coded image, and, for example, the RFID tag presents a smart label by itself.

[0003] Smart labels may be designed as indicators. For example, in Non-Patent Literature 2, a continuous production process is presented for smart labels specifically designed as timetemperature indicators (TTI). Printing and converting technologies was set out on a traditional rotary press that works at high web speed with a great repeatability of the printed product. TTI labels were based on a functional water-based ink that impregnated some areas of an absorbent paper whose edges were waterproofed by a ultraviolet (UV) graphic ink. A rotary screen printing process was used for the deposition of the inks and a plastic layer was applied by lamination on both sides of the substrate to ensure optimum wetness of the functional ink. The formulation of the ink included a chromogenic growth medium with a starter culture; the metabolism of the bacteria acidified the ink, hence changing the pH indicator color. A model based on the Gompertz equation was developed to simulate the color change of the labels for different starter culture loadsand temperatures, with a substantial match between predictions and experimental data. Consequently, it was proposed to use those TTI labels for improving traceability and quality of those foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, for which maintaining an adequate temperature during postproduction stages of perishable products is essential, more frequently requiring cold chain control.

[0004] TTIs or other indicators may be based on different smart label technologies. For example, Non-Patent Literature 3 discusses a food freshness smart indicator implemented as a cost-effective smart label using CO2 indicating technology developed by Insignia Technologies Ltd. The label changes color over a specified time and temperature; the used can use printed reference colors for tracking the freshness of the product. In particular, the labels are designed to change color over a pre-set number of days at a prescribed temperature, and an increase in temperature speeds up the color change.

[0005] Then, Non-Patent Literature 4 discusses an indicator that can detect changes in the meat packaging, indicating its freshness through color change. To this end, phenol red and bromothymol blue are applied onto the indicator strip. As the meat degrades, it releases nitrogenous compounds such as amines into its surroundings caused by the consumption of sugars by the invading spoilage microbes. These compounds can be detected as Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) by the indicator. Alkalinity is another parameter affected by degrading meat, where increased pH indicates further meat degradation. Phenol red, which is red in color, is used to analyze the change of pH of the meat. If the indicator changes its color from red to yellow, it indicates that the meat is fresh. On the other hand if the color changes from red to reddish pink, it indicates that the meat is not fresh and is not safe for consumption. Bromothymol blue is used in indicators to quantify the TVBN inside the meat packaging. A color change from yellowish to green or greenish-blue indicates a high number of TVBN in the vicinity of the product. This would point to the degradation of the meat, not only due to the change in its biochemical composition (less sugars in the meat and more released nitrogen), but also due to the increase in spoilage microbes in the meat.

[0006] Non-Patent Literature 5 is aimed at using smart labels as indicators of tomato freshness using mangosteen peel extract. The motivation was that although several studies had added synthetic substances as smart labels, this was non optimal for fresh products that are consumed directly. For this reason, smart labels with natural ingredients taken from plant extracts are to be preferred, and it has been proposed to use the rind of the mangosteen fruit as an indicator on a smart label. The technique quantifies the color change of the indicator label by assessing chroma and hue scores, and following the ripening and further process on a map of hue and chroma scores.

[0007] Non-Patent Literature 6 is aimed at indicating if insulin is of a proper temperature. If insulin is still too cool, it is often painful to use. In addition, the effectiveness of the medication could bedelayed by the wrong viscosity. To support the user, a label with a sensor that turns blue has been made. It displays a snowflake when the medicine is stored below eight degrees Celsius and issues the message "OK" as soon as the medicine warms up above 18 degrees Celsius.

[0008] According to Non-Patent Literature 7, smart labels may also be used as indicators of, for example, tilt or impact, besides temperature.

[0009] For another example, there is further a technique relating to the smart labels: a so-called Open Monitor Technology of PolyTaksys GmbH, described in Non-Patent Literature 8 as a nano film processor based on the lateral oxidation of aluminum windows - depending on either time, temperature and humidity or combined.Non-Patent Literature 1 : https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Automatic_identification_and_data_capture (accessed in Dec. 2023)Non-Patent Literature 2: "Development of a time-temperature indicator (TTI) label by rotary printing technologies", by S. Zabala, J. Castan, C. Martinez in Food Control, Volume 50, April 2015, Pages 57-64Non-Patent Literature 3: https: / / www.leadingedgeonly.com / innovation / view / food-freshness- smart-indicator (accessed in Dec. 2023)Non-Patent Literature 4: https: / / i31.ac.id / smart-label-the-new-way-of-food-packaging / (accessed in Dec. 2023)Non-Patent Literature 5: Vonny Indah Sari et al 2023 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1177 012049Non-Patent Literature 6: https: / / www.faller-packaging.com / en / lp / temperature-indication-labels (accessed in Dec. 2023)Non-Patent Literature 7: https: / / www.shockwatchuk.com / smart-labels-indicators / (accessed in Dec. 2023)Non-Patent Literature 8: https: / / www.globalinnovations.de / en / open-monitor / (accessed in Dec. 2023)BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, its Examples, and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figures 1A and IB show examples of schematic diagrams of the changeable label in the initial state and in the changed state, according to the present disclosure.

[0012] Figures 2A to 2D provide an example relating to the generation of a changeable QR code for the changeable label, Figs. 2A and 2D show unperturbed codes for two different strings, while Figs. 2B and 2C show perturbed codes being respectively the initial and the changed states of the changeable code.

[0013] Figures 2E to 2G indicate the differences between successive pairs among Figures 2A to 2D; in particular, Fig. 2F indicates the reactive features in the code shown in Fig. 2B.

[0014] Fig. 3 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a label decoder according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 4 shows an example of a schematic diagram of a mobile device according to the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig. 5 shows another example of a schematic diagram of a mobile device according to the present disclosure.

[0017] Fig. 6 schematically shows a memory medium or memory device with a code data record for fabricating the indicator label according to the present disclosure.

[0018] Fig. 7 schematically shows an example of a label including a sensor and a connective structure according to the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In some cases, it is desirable to inform a user or an automated system in detail about an occurrence of at least one condition, while not using too much space for various labels. At the same time, there are many situations in which the use of an optically coded label, for example, a barcode, a QR code or another two-dimensional (2D) code is expected in any case. Hence, the inventor of the present disclosure has found a way for an optically coded label to change its coded message, including an at least one string, depending on an occurrence of a predetermined condition, by using error correction capabilities of the code in an initial and in a changed state.

[0020] In particular, the above and other aims are attained by the Example 1, as well as other examples:Example 1 : An indicator label with a changeable code, wherein the changeable code is configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code and in a changed state indicating an occurrence of a certain condition by a second code, wherein the first code includes a first plurality of image features encoding at least a first string, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, and wherein the second code is different from the first code and includes a second plurality of image features encoding at least a second string different from the first string, the second plurality being redundant with an error correctioncapability for decoding the second string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, wherein the first plurality of image features includes a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, the second plurality of image features includes a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, and a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic is reactive and configured to change the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition, and thereby to turn into a respective subset of the second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code upon the occurrence of the condition.

[0021] Example 2: The label of Example 1, wherein the at least one optical characteristic includes an at least one characteristic from a list including a color, a hue, a chroma, a reflectivity, a transmittance, a refractivity; and / or includes a composite optical characteristic being a combination of at least two from the list.

[0022] Example 3: The label of Example 1 or 2, wherein the first code is a matrix barcode, optionally a QR code, and the second code is a corresponding matrix barcode, optionally a QR code. In such a case, image features may also be called elements, or symbol elements, or modules (especially for QR codes), or pixels.

[0023] Example 4: The label of Example 3, wherein the first code is selected by encoding the first string and changing a result within its error correction capability.

[0024] Example 5: The label of Example 4, wherein the first code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from the result of encoding of the first string.

[0025] Example 6: The label of any Example from 3 to 5, wherein the second code is selected by encoding the second string and changing a result within its error correction capability.

[0026] Example 7 : The label of Example 6, wherein the second code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from the result of encoding of the second string.

[0027] Example 8: The label of any of (i.e. of any one of) preceding Examples, wherein the first string and the second string have a same prefix, wherein, optionally, the same prefix is a valid URL or a domain name.

[0028] Example 9: The label of any of preceding Examples, including at least one sensor positioned outside of the changeable code and configured to sense the occurrence of the certaincondition and issue at least one respective signal, the label further including one or more connective structure for transmitting said one or more signal from one or more sensors for causing the reaction of the subset of the first plurality of features, wherein the at least one sensor and the one or more signal connective structure are thereby configured to enable by said at least one signal said turning of the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

[0029] Example 10: The label of Example 9, wherein at least one from said one or more connective structure includes an at least one transport structure for a chemical configured to act on the first the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

[0030] Example 11 : The label of any of preceding Examples, wherein the first plurality of features of the first value region includes at least one side-connected set of the features of the first value region, wherein any of the at least one side-connected sets extends from at least one side of the first code, and when said any of the at least one side-connected sets includes at least two features of the first value region, these at least two features are connected by virtue of belonging to a chain of the features of the first value region lying side by side, and wherein the subset of the first plurality of features belongs to one side-connected set or is distributed between two or more side-connected sets.

[0031] Example 12: The label of any of preceding Examples, wherein the subset of the first plurality of features includes at least 9, or 15, or 21, or 29, or 33, or 37 image features of the first value region.

[0032] Example 13: A label decoder, including an interface configured to receive an image of the label of any of Examples 1 to 12 and a processing unit configured to process this image and to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby configured to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

[0033] Example 13S: A software for a label decoder including an interface for receiving an image and including a processing unit, wherein the software includes instructions configured to cause the processing unit to process a received image of the label of any of Examples 1 to 12 to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

[0034] Example 14: A mobile device, including a camera configured to capture an image of the label of any of Examples 1 to 12 and a processing unit configured to process the image, and todecode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby configured to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

[0035] Example 14S: A software for a mobile device including a camera and a processing unit, wherein the software includes instructions causing the mobile device to capture an image by the camera, and to cause the processing unit to process the image, of the label of any of Examples 1 to 12, to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

[0036] Example 15: The mobile device of Example 14, wherein the processing unit is configured to invoke or generate a URL or a link for invocation of an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string.

[0037] Example 15S: The software of Example 14S, wherein the software includes instructions causing the processing unit to invoke or generate a URL or a link for invocation of an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string.

[0038] Example 16: A mobile device, including a camera configured to capture an image of the label of any of Examples 1 to 12 and a processing unit configured to initiate a transmission of the image to a label decoder for decoding the changeable code and to invoke an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string upon receiving by the mobile device a respective URL or link from the decoder, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string. Herein the label decoder may be as in the Example 13.

[0039] Example 16S: A software for a mobile device including a camera and a processing unit, wherein the software includes instructions causing the mobile device to capture an image by the camera, and to cause the processing unit to initiate a transmission of the image to a decoder for decoding the changeable code and to invoke an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string upon receiving by the mobile device a respective URL or link from the decoder, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string.

[0040] Example 17: A memory medium or device with a code data record for fabricating an indicator label with a changeable code for indication of an occurrence of a certain condition, wherein:the code data record is indicative of a spatial positioning of a first plurality of image features for a first code redundantly encoding at least a first string with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, for presenting an initial state of the changeable code, wherein the first plurality of image features is to include a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, and the code data record is indicative of which from the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic are to be configured reactive for changing the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition and thereby to turn the first code into a second code presenting a changed state of the changeable code, wherein the second code is to include a second plurality of image features redundantly encoding at least a second string with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, and the second plurality of image features is to include a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic.

[0041] Example 18: A method of a fabrication of an indicator label with a changeable code configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code encoding at least a first string, and in a changed state, indicating an occurrence of a certain condition, by a second code different from the first code and encoding at least a second string, the method including: creating on or in a substrate the first code including a first plurality of features encoding at least the first string, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the features, wherein the first plurality of features includes a first plurality of features within a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features within a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, wherein a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region is being created reactive to react to the occurrence of the certain condition and to change the values of the at least one optical characteristic into the second value region upon the occurrence of the certain condition, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code including a second plurality of optical features including a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, the second plurality of optical features being redundant with an errorcorrection capability for decoding the second string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the features.

[0042] Example 19: The method of Example 18, including accessing said memory medium or memory device of Example 17 to obtain the code data record, wherein in said method said creating is based on said code data record.

[0043] In further examples, the changeable code encoding rather a same data in at least two states may be used for the aim as above, i.e. for efficiently providing information to user or an automated system about an occurrence of at least one condition, while not using too much space for various labels. The following examples are provided:

[0044] Example SD1 : An indicator label with a changeable code, wherein the changeable code is configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code and in a changed state indicating an occurrence of a certain condition by a second code, wherein the first code includes a first plurality of image features encoding a data, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, and wherein the second code is different from the first code and includes a second plurality of image features encoding the data, the second plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, wherein the first plurality of image features includes a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, the second plurality of image features includes a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, and a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic is reactive and configured to change the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition, and thereby to turn into a respective subset of the second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code upon the occurrence of the condition.

[0045] Example SD2: The label of Example SD1, wherein the at least one optical characteristic includes an at least one characteristic from a list including a color, a hue, a chroma, a reflectivity, a transmittance, a refractivity; and / or includes a composite optical characteristic being a combination of at least two from the list.

[0046] Examples SD3: The label of Example SD1 or SD2, wherein the first code is a matrix barcode, optionally a QR code, and the second code is a corresponding matrix barcode, optionally a QR code, wherein, optionally, the first code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from a result of encoding of the data and the second code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from a result of encoding of the data.

[0047] Example SD4: The label of any preceding Examples (numbered as “SD... ”), wherein the data includes a string, optionally including an URL or a domain name, optionally, pointing at metadata for a product, and / or for launching using this string or the URL a program at a mobile device, or obtaining by the mobile device said program by accessing this URL or the domain, wherein the program is configured to make the mobile device to obtain a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in an image of the label, and thereby being indicative of non-occurrence or occurrence of the condition, wherein, optionally, a status of the product, being, optionally, an expiration, guarantee or spoilage status, depends on the occurrence of the condition, wherein the product, optionally, is a food product, wherein the mobile device, optionally, is a smartphone or a tablet.

[0048] Example SD5: The label of any preceding Example (numbered as “SD... ”), wherein the data includes metadata for a product, which status, optionally, an expiration, guarantee or spoilage status, changes upon the occurrence of the condition, wherein, optionally, the metadata includes a date of manufacturing of the product, and / or a date of a delivery of the product, and / or an expiration date of the product in case of nonoccurrence of the condition, wherein the product, optionally, is a food product.

[0049] Example SD6: The label of any of preceding Examples (numbered as “SD... ”), including at least one sensor positioned outside of the changeable code and configured to sense the occurrence of the certain condition and issue at least one respective signal, the label further including one or more connective structure for transmitting said one or more signal from one or more sensors for causing the reaction of the subset of the first plurality of features, wherein the at least one sensor and the one or more signal connective structure are thereby configured to enable by said at least one signal said turning of the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

[0050] Example SD7: The label of Example SD6, wherein at least one from said one or more connective structure includes an at least one transport structure for a chemical configured to act on the first the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

[0051] Example SD8: The label of any of preceding Examples, wherein the first plurality of features of the first value region includes at least one side-connected set of the features, wherein any of the at least one side-connected sets extends from at least one side of the first code, and when said any of the at least one side-connected sets includes at least two features of the first value region, these at least two features are connected by virtue of belonging to a chain of the features of the first value region lying side by side, and wherein the subset of the first plurality of features belongs to one side-connected set or is distributed between two or more side-connected sets.

[0052] Example SD9: The label of any of preceding Examples, wherein the subset includes at least 3, or 5, or 7, or 9 image features of the first value region.

[0053] Example SD10: The label of any of preceding Examples, wherein the first code and / or the second code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from a result of encoding of the data.

[0054] Example SD11: A code state detector device for the code of the indicator label of any of Examples SD1 to SD10, wherein the code state detector device includes a camera configured to capture an image of the label, and / or an interface configured to receive the image and / or reduced data, derived from the image and indicative of the first or the second code; and wherein the code state detector device includes a processing unit configured to process the image or the reduced data, respectively; and, upon detecting a presence of the first or the second code in the image by analysing, respectively, the image or the reduced data, to generate a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, and thereby being indicative of non-occurrence or occurrence of the condition, based on if the first code or the second code was present in the image, wherein, optionally, the code state detector device is a mobile device and, optionally, is a smartphone or a tablet.

[0055] Example SD12: A software for a code state detector device for the code of the indicator label of any of Examples SD1 to SD10 and including a camera configured to capture an image of the label, and / or an interface configured to receive the image and / or reduced data, derived from the image and indicative of the first or the second code, and including a processing unit, wherein the software includes instructions configured to cause the processing unit to process the image or the reduced data, respectively; and, upon detecting a presence of the first or the second code in the image by analysing, respectively, the image or the reduced data, to generate a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, and thereby being indicative of non-occurrence or occurrence of the condition, based on if the first code or the second code was present in the image.

[0056] Example SD13: The code state detector device of Example SD11 or the software of Example SD12, wherein, respectively, the processing unit is configured to, or the software makes the processing unit: process the image or the reduced data to decode the data, and perform said generation of the code state indicator based on the decoded data, optionally, by: launching at the code state detector device a program for generating the code state indicator, or by obtaining the program by the code state detector device, wherein the program or its storage is identified by the decoded data, optionally, an URL or a domain name included in the decoded data.

[0057] Example SD14: A camera-equipped communication device, optionally being a mobile device, optionally being a tablet or a smartphone, wherein the device includes a camera configured to capture an image of the label of any of Examples SD1 to SD10 and a processing unit configured to cause the device to obtain a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, by:(a) sending at least a part of the image including the first or the second code to a code state detector device, or(b) processing the image to generate reduced data, indicative of the first or the second code, and sending the reduced data to a code state detector device; and: receiving the code state indicator in response from the code state detector device, wherein, optionally, the code state detector device is implemented according to Example SD11.

[0058] Example SD15: A software for a device including a camera and a processing unit and optionally being a mobile device, optionally a smartphone or a tablet, wherein the software includes instructions configured to cause the camera to capture an image of the label of any of Examples SD1 to SD5 and to cause the processing unit to cause the device to obtain a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, by:(a) sending at least a part of the image including the first or the second code to a code state detector device, or(b) processing the image to generate reduced data, indicative of the first or the second code, and sending the reduced data to a code state detector device; and: receiving the code state indicator in response from the code state detector device, wherein, optionally, the code state detector device is implemented according to Example SD6.

[0059] Example SD16: The camera-equipped communication device of Example SD14, or the software of Example SD15, wherein, respectively, the processing unit is configured to, or the software makes the processing unit: process the image or the reduced data to decode the data, and optionally, perform said sending of the at least a part of the image or the reduced data to the code state detector device, identified by an URL or a domain name included in the decoded data, and / or optionally, perform said processing the image to generate the reduced data by launching at the camera-equipped communication device a program for generating the reduced data, or by obtaining the program by the camera-equipped communication device, wherein the program or its storage is identified by the decoded data, optionally, an URL or a domain name included in the decoded data.

[0060] Example SD17: The device of Example SD11, SD13, SD14, or SD16, including an at least one output interface, optionally including a screen, an indicator light, or an audio unit, wherein the device is configured to use the at least one output interface to signal to a user at least one of the non-occurrence and the occurrence of the condition, based on the obtained code state indicator.

[0061] Example SD18: The software of Example SD12, SD13, SD15, or SD16, for the device further including an at least one output interface, optionally including a screen, an indicator light, or an audio unit, wherein the software includes instructions causing the device to signal to a user at least one of the non-occurrence and the occurrence of the condition, based on the obtained code state indicator.

[0062] Example SD19: A memory medium or device with a code data record for fabricating an indicator label with a changeable code for indication of an occurrence of a certain condition, wherein: the code data record is indicative of a spatial positioning of a first plurality of image features for a first code redundantly encoding a data with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, for presenting an initial state of the changeable code, wherein the first plurality of image features is to include a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, and the code data record is indicative of which from the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic are to be configured reactive for changing the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition and thereby to turn the first code into a second code presenting a changed state of the changeable code,wherein the second code is to include a second plurality of image features redundantly encoding the data with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, and the second plurality of image features is to include a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic.

[0063] Example SD20: A method of a fabrication of an indicator label with a changeable code configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code encoding a data, and in a changed state, indicating an occurrence of a certain condition, by a second code different from the first code and encoding the data, the method including: creating on or in a substrate the first code including a first plurality of features encoding the data, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the features, wherein the first plurality of features includes a first plurality of features within a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features within a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, wherein a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region is being created reactive to react to the occurrence of the certain condition and to change the values of the at least one optical characteristic into the second value region upon the occurrence of the certain condition, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code including a second plurality of optical features including a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, the second plurality of optical features being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the features.

[0064] Example SD21: The method of Example SD20, including accessing said memory medium or device of Example SD19 to obtain the code data record, wherein in said method said creating is based on said code data record.

[0065] Example embodiments are described below in more detail, but it is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

[0066] Fig. 1A shows an example of the schematic diagram of a changeable label (or changeable indicator label) 10 in the initial state, and Fig. IB shows an example of the schematic diagram ofthe changeable label 10 in the changed state, according to the present disclosure. In these figures, the label 10 incudes a changeable code for checking whether a condition has occurred; this changeable code is presented in the initial state by a first code, and in the changed state by a second code. The first code includes a first plurality 110 of image features Fl-1, Fl -2, ... , Fl -9, in this case pixels, encoding at least a first string SI. The first code may have other features, but they are not shown in Fig. 1A. The first plurality 110 is redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string SI with respect to a possible incorrect determination (e.g. incorrect fabrication or detection) of a subset of the first plurality 110 of the image features Fl-1, Fl -2, . . . , Fl -9. The second code is different from the first code and includes a second plurality 120 of image features F2- 1 , F2-2, . . . , F2-9 encoding at least a second string S2 different from the first string S 1. The second code may have other features, but they are not shown in Fig. IB. The second plurality 120 is redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the second string S2 with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality 120 of the image features F2-1, F2-2, ... , F2-9.

[0067] The first plurality 110 of image features Fl-1, Fl -2, ... , F 1 -9 includes a first plurality 110A of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic. In Fig. 1 A this plurality 110A includes features Fl-1, Fl-3, Fl-5 and Fl-9; values in the first value region are translated into zeros in the digital code. Also, in Fig. 1 A the first plurality 110 includes a first plurality HOB of features of the second value region of at least one optical characteristic: Fl-2, Fl-4, Fl-6, Fl- 7, and Fl -8. Values in the second value region may correspond to ones in the code. In the present example, the features Fl-1 and Fl-9 have approximately the same, between them, value of the at least one optical characteristic, to which zero value is assigned in the code, and features Fl -3 and Fl -5 have another approximately the same, between them, value of the at least one optical characteristic, because they are configured for the change for indicating the occurrence of the condition and are prepared in at least one step differently from the features Fl-1 and Fl -9, as discussed below. Still, this another value relevant of the at least one optical characteristic to the features Fl -3 and Fl -5 corresponds to the zero value in the code (for example, within the error correction capability). At the same time, the case may be that the features Fl -3 and Fl -5 would be implemented differently even between them, and would have different, between them, values of the at least one optical characteristic: for example, different features may be made to react to different chemicals or physical parameters associated with the occurrence of the condition. In principle, each of the reactive features, such as Fl -3 and Fl -5, may change the state based on a technical condition, for example, a physical, mechanical, chemical, electrochemical, enzymatic or microbial condition, which is therefore expressed as the change in the at least one optical characteristic value. The change in the expression may be caused by occurrence of the momentarycondition, for example, if a temperature exceeds a pre-set threshold, or by occurrence of the accumulated condition based on a continuous response of one or more reactive features depending on the temperature along a time period (for example, as in the Non-Patent Literature 2).

[0068] Still, in some examples, the occurrence of a condition may be sensed by a sensor belonging to the label but positioned outside of the changeable code; and the label may be configured to transfer the associated signal, issued, provided or enabled by the sensor, to the changeable subset of the first plurality of features, thereby facilitating the change of the values of the at least one optical characteristic. In such a case the subset of the first plurality of features may be considered as indirectly reactive to the occurrence of the condition; or condition may be considered as occurred when the sensor issues the signal for acting on the subset of the first plurality of features, with this subset being directly reactive to the signal. Generally, the sensor is to be useful for allowing a more accurate determination of the occurrence of the condition. This signal may be electrical, or chemical, or optical, or of other type, or present a combination of them, in series and / or in parallel. The sensor may be active, for example, fed by a battery or an electric accumulator, or passive, not requiring an electric supply.

[0069] The sensor may be attached to the label, and / or positioned anywhere within the label without obstructing the visibility of the code. For example, a part of the sensor may be transparent and he over the code, or it may he on the same surface of the label as the code, but outside the code, or it may be on another, e.g. opposite, surface of the label, or be at least partially buried in the label, for example, buried under the code. There may be more than one sensor. For example, there may be two or more sensors of the same or different types configured to cause the reaction of the same part or the whole of the subset, for more robust functioning of the label. Also, there may be two or more sensors for causing reaction in respective different, non-intersecting or partially intersecting, parts of the subset: such a configuration, as well as the configuration with only one sensor, may be chosen for simplifying a connective structure between one or more sensors and the subset. The connective structure, for transmitting one or more signals from one or more sensors for causing the reaction of the subset or a part of the subset of the first plurality of features may include one or more electric wire, or an optical waveguide, for example, a optical fiber, or a transport structure for one or more chemical, for example, an electrolyte (e.g. a weak acid), or a base, or alcohol, or water, or oxygen, or carbon monoxide. The connective structure is simpler, for example, in cases when a part of the path defined by the structure is shared by the signals from two or more sensors. Still, more than one connective structure may be provided for any particular sensor, also for the sake of robustness. Further, in some examples, any two or more sensors may themselves sense different conditions. At the same time, these sensors may be configured to provide same or substantially the same signals (i.e. being within appropriate tolerance levels) tocause the reaction of the subset of the first plurality of features to turn it into the respective subset of the second plurality of features. An example of a label including a QR code in one of its states, one sensor 714 (for detecting the occurrence of the condition, or, equivalently, for creating the signal presenting the occurrence of the condition), and a connective structure 716 is schematically shown in Fig. 7.

[0070] As for the chemical, it may be allowed by the one or more sensor to penetrate from the label packaging or from the ambient into the one or more connective structure. For example, the sensor may be in the form of a chemical cell which is activated in response to the occurrence of the condition with a consequent release of the chemical. The chemical may change its form after it enters the connective structure: for example, the connective structure may be configured to capture vapor and condense it into water. The chemical may but does not have to directly move from the one or more sensor, i.e., for example, may but does not have to be pre-stored to be used by the sensor: in any case, when the chemical reaches the subset of the first plurality of features in consequence of the sensor reaction to the occurrence of the condition, the act of this chemical may be considered as presenting or enabled by the signal of the sensor. For example, in some cases the sensor may be configured to open a hole to under a cover of the changeable code, and the subset of the first may thus be enabled to change the color by dissolution or another reaction of ink or another material in water, or a reaction of a material of the subset of the first features with oxygen, carbon monoxide, electrolyte, etc. Hence, for example, the sensor may be as described in EP3626650 or EP3665093, which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, or additionally, nanoscale aluminium may present the material of the subset of the first plurality of the optical features, as described in EP3626650 or EP3665093, with an electrolyte (e.g. NaCl) pouring out of a chemical cell and reaching the nanoscale aluminium by one or more electrolyte canal when the sensor releases the cell. As disclosed therein, once the reaction is initiated, it proceeds according to the principle of lateral oxidation until the reactant is consumed. Through this process, information (i.e. the subset of the second plurality of features) lying beneath the layer of the reaction partner (nanoscale aluminium) can be optically released.

[0071] In all these cases, the at least one optical characteristic may be or may include an at least one characteristic from a list including a color, a hue, a chroma, a reflectivity, a transmittance, a refractivity; and / or or may be or include a composite optical characteristic being a combination of at least two from this list. For example, the color characteristic may be considered in some cases as a one-dimensional characteristic, and in some other cases as a two-dimensional characteristic, for example, using hue and chroma scores, as in Non-Patent Literature 5, i.e. two characteristics. In any case, there would be a region, for example, an interval in the one-dimensional case, in which an image feature would correspond to 0 in the code based on its value of the optical characteristic,and a region in which the image feature would correspond to 1 in the code based on its value of the optical characteristic; just each of the regions would become two-dimensional in the two- dimensional case, etc. The first and second value regions may share a pre-defined border or a separation line, or there may be a pre-defined region where it is not possible to assign 0 or 1 in the code to the image feature based on its value of the at least one optical characteristic.

[0072] Then, in Fig. IB, the second plurality 120 of image features F2-1, F2-2, ... , F2-9 includes a second plurality of features 120A of the first value range of the at least one optical characteristic: features F2-1 and F2-9 in Fig. IB; these features correspond to zeros in the code and thus are respectively the same and maintain the state of Fl-1 and Fl-9. Also, the second plurality 120 includes a second plurality 120B of features of the second value range of the at least one optical characteristic: features F2-2, F2-3, F2-4, F2-5, F2-6, F2-7, and F2-8. These features, based on these values, correspond to ones in the code. The value of the at least one optical characteristic may be approximately the same for the features F2-2, F2-4, F2-6, F2-7 and F2-8, while the values of the at least one optical characteristic for the features F2-3 and F2-5 may be approximately the same between them, but different from the value of F2-2, etc, since the features F2-3 and F2-5 are implemented differently and may acquire the value in the second value region only in result of the occurrence of the technical condition, after the change from their values in the first value region.

[0073] That is, the plurality 110A of the features includes a subset 110AS of the reactive features Fl-3 and Fl-5 in Fig. 1 A configured to change their values of the at least one optical characteristics from those in the first value range upon the occurrence of the condition to those in the second value range. Thereby, the subset 110AS is configured to turn into a respective subset 120BS, including features F2-3 and F2-5 from the second plurality 120B in Fig. IB with values of the at least one optical characteristic in the second value range. Overall, the first code and the second code are such that the changes of values of the at least one optical characteristic for the features of the subset 110AS turn the first code into the second code upon occurrence of the technical condition.

[0074] For example, implemented according to the present disclosure, the label therefore may be configured as a temperature, or a time-temperature indicator (TTI), or a pH indicator, based on color as the at least one technical characteristic. The choice of colors for the first value region and the second value region may be made as, for example, as in any of Non-Patent Literature 1 to NonPatent Literature 8. Although, clearly, many more other various choices are possible.

[0075] As for the colors, in many cases they are approximated by various shades of grey (for example, the function “print in grayscale” is ubiquitous). In the example of Figs. 1A and IB, the colors may be chosen to correspond to white, based on approximation or a standard barcode reflectance measurement, for Fl-1 and Fl -9, very light grey for Fl -3 and Fl -5, and black for Fl-2, Fl-4, Fl-6, Fl-7, and Fl-8; and again white F2-1 and F2-9, very dark grey for F2-3 and F2-5, and again black F2-2, F2-4, F2-6, F2-7, and F2-8. However, these choices may as well be inverted, depending on the fabrication method of the features: in this case Fl-1 and Fl-9 may be black (but still correspond to zeros in the code), Fl -3 and Fl -5 may be rather dark grey, and Fl-2, Fl-4, Fl- 6, Fl-7, and Fl-8 may be white; and F2-1 and F2-9 as well would be black, F2-3 and F2-5 would be light grey, and F2-2, F2-4, F2-6, F2-7, and F2-8 would be white.

[0076] Figs. 2A-2D show an example of a generation of a changeable QR code (Type 2 or Model 2, 25x25 size, Level Q, as explained below). Strings Sl=“scnvg.com / ku0v9n_z6” and S2=“scnvg.com / k40v9n_z6” have been encoded with standard (canonical, unperturbed) QR codes shown as q(Sl) and q(S2) in Figs. 2A and 2D, respectively, using the corresponding Python language library called “qrcode”. Then, based on the error correction capability, 15 pixels (QR modules, which are as a standard black or white squares; or synonymically, or maybe more generally, elements or symbol elements) have been modified from black to white (from 1 to 0, but in general the choice of colors as black and white is not limiting and they just represent the first and second regions of the at least one optical characteristic) within this error correction capability to remove ones which are not present in Fig. 2D and to obtain Fig. 2B. Such a code as in Fig. 2B may present the first, initial, code of the label. It has the error correction capability in the sense that if it is captured and decoded without any errors, it would yield S 1 after decoding, and it would yield SI also if errors bringing this code closer to the q(S 1) of Fig. 2A occur. Further, there is some error correction capability left even for some errors which would move the code of Fig. 2B further away from the unperturbed code of Fig. 2A.

[0077] Then, in Fig. 2B a subset of white (zero) pixels is selected to turn this code into the code shown in Fig. 2C, which corresponds to the changed state of the changeable code. The code in Fig. 2C is within the error correction capability of the unperturbed code in Fig. 2D. Those pixels, which change color between Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, do not change color between Figs. 2B and 2C; otherwise, it would be inefficient (although not as a rule impossible). With such a generation procedure, the code in Fig. 2C has some black pixels not found in Fig. 2D, but by 15 less than such pixels than the code in Fig. 2A has. As for the zero pixels, in the present example, for efficiency of the use of the error correction capability, Fig. 2C does not have any pixels which are not found in Fig. 2D: such pixels were present in Fig. 2B, but were included into the subset of the pixels which change the state, i.e. flip into ones, upon the occurrence of the condition changing the state of the changeable code from the first code in Fig. 2B to the second code in Fig. 2C.

[0078] As mentioned above, Fig. 2E to 2G indicate the differences between successive pairs among the codes of Figures 2A to 2D. In particular, Fig. 2F thus indicates the reactive features in the initial code shown in Fig. 2B.

[0079] Such a generation method for the changeable code allows avoiding first codes which, when the state is changed to the second code, do not correspond to any string (i.e. cannot be decoded), and at the same time allows switching the code from the first string to the second string, i.e. going beyond the error correction capability of the unperturbed code encoding the first string, and far enough in the proper direction so as to leap over the undecodable configurations, and reach the second code being within the error correction capability of the unperturbed code encoding the second string.

[0080] With regard to the number of flipped pixels being 15 in the first preparatory step in the above example, it has to be noted that generally there is no full freedom of which and exactly how many pixels may be used in such a step. The error correction capability (error tolerance) is more directly determined based on the remaining integrity of the codewords, rather than based on the number of corrupted pixels. For type 2 QR codes (including 25x25 modules), each level has a distinct number of available codewords and, consequently, error tolerance capability. The following definitions are standard:Level L (Low) up to 7% of codewords can be damaged;Level M (Medium) up to 15% of codewords can be damaged;.Level Q (Quartile) up to 25% of codewords can be damaged;Level H (High) up to 30% of codewords can be damaged; without the loss of the readability of the whole message. In worst-case scenarios, corruption distributed across different codewords can render a QR code unreadable with fewer corrupted bits - for example, at level Q, even some 13 corrupted data bits may lead to the unreadability if each corrupts a separate codeword. Thus, a more efficient way for searching the perturbed (modified) codes as similar to the visualized in Figs. 2B and 2C may include first assessing a range of a number of pixels which may be different between each of them and its respective unperturbed code (similar to the codes in Figs. 2A and 2D) without corrupting the string SI or S2. Also, pixels changing the state (value of the at least one optical characteristic, color in the present example) between Figs. 2B and 2C may be among the most corruptive pixels. As for the choice of the level of the code, it the message, like a string SI or S2 is longer, then there is less bits left for the error correction capability. That is, in general, there are ways to accelerate the search for the suitable perturbed QR codes, which would serve as the first and second codes of the changeable code, or sooner to arrive at the conclusion that for a certain combination of strings SI and S2 unperturbed codes are so remote that it would not be possible to find appropriate perturbed codes; however, in any case, the inventor’s idea to use the error correction capabilities of the unperturbed codes to search for the perturbed codes, which would encode different strings SI and S2 and in which onecode could transform by the reaction of reactive pixels (or features) into the other code, apparently allows generating the codes in a great range of various specific cases or embodiments.

[0081] In this regard, the convenience of working with QR codes is in part due to the fact that the balance of “black” and “white” is one of the factors that the QR code generators use. Hence, for QR codes, it is quite likely that the unperturbed codes for two strings SI and S2 would not be very remote.

[0082] For example, each of the encoded strings may even correspond to a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or just a domain name, in the internet or another network. The length of each of the strings SI and S2 may be, for example, at least 4, or 8 symbols, each from the range of symbols acceptable in URLs. Strings SI and S2 may even share the prefix, even of 11 symbols, as in the example above. With less degrees of freedom for the choice of the strings, there are less pairs of the unperturbed codes, and hence a smaller chance that the unperturbed codes would be such that a pair of the appropriate perturbed codes would exist; however, as the example of Figs. 2A-2D shows, the inventor’s idea has led to the appropriate pair of the unperturbed codes (since it has led to the appropriate pair of the perturbed codes in Figs. 2B and 2C).

[0083] In view of the example of Figs. 2A-2G, and the above relevant considerations, it is thus clear that the features may be pixels. The first code may be a QR code, and the second code may be a corresponding QR code (e.g. in size). Then, the first code may be selected by encoding the first string and changing a result within its error correction capability. The first code may be within, for example, Level Q or H of error correction capability from the result of encoding of the first string. The second code may be selected by encoding the second string and changing a result within its error correction capability. The second code may be within Level Q or H error correction capability from the result of encoding of the second string. The first string and the second string may have a same prefix. Herein, optionally, the same prefix is a valid URL or a domain name.

[0084] At the same time, as it can be seen from Fig. 2F, the subset consisting of those of the first plurality of features, which have to change in response to the occurrence of the condition, may include a plurality of pixels. In the example of Fig. 2F this subset consists of 37 pixels. Consequently, this subset may be selected not to be too small: it may include, for example, at least 9, or 15, or 21, or 29, or 33, or 37 image features of the first value region. Such selections provide various degrees of robustness with respect to reading and other errors which could lead to incorrect decoding of the encoded string so that for example the second string would be decoded by accident instead of the first, or vice versa.

[0085] Similar to QR codes, there are several other two-dimensional (2D) barcode standards designed to store information. These standards include:Data Matrix: Similar to QR codes, Data Matrix codes are conventionally made of black and white cells (but the error correction capability allows for deviations) in a square or rectangular pattern. They are widely used in various industries, especially for marking small items.PDF417: A stacked linear barcode symbol format used in a variety of applications, primarily transport, identification cards, and inventory management.Aztec Code: A 2D matrix barcode used by the transportation industry, particularly for tickets and airline boarding passes. It's known for its distinctive square bulls-eye pattern at the center.MaxiCode: Developed by UPS, it's used for managing and tracking shipments. It appears as a hexagonal grid with a bulls-eye center.Micro QR Code: A smaller version of the QR code, designed for applications where space is at a premium.High Capacity Color Barcode (HCCB): Developed by Microsoft, these use colored triangles to store data and are used in applications that require storing large amounts of data in small spaces.

[0086] The generic notion for these technologies is "2D barcodes" or "matrix barcodes". Unlike traditional barcodes, which are one-dimensional and represent data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, 2D barcodes are graphical images that store information in two dimensions. They can hold a significantly larger amount of data and are designed to be scanned and read by specific devices, including smartphones and dedicated barcode readers. Hence, the inventor’s idea of avoiding using too much space for various labels by using the changeable code as described above may be applied to them too.

[0087] Also, among the 2D barcodes, the QR code and the Data Matrix Code provide for higher error correction levels than some other 2D codes. Hence, according to the present disclosure, the changeable code in both the initial and changed states may be, for example, a matrix barcode of some type, or, specifically, a QR code (e.g. of a canonical type, for example, of the type complying with an international standard, for instance, ISO / IEC 18004 or ISO / IEC 23941, in one or another version), or a Data Matrix code (for which ISO / IEC 16022 standard is currently relevant, and which is capable of encoding up to 2,335 alphanumeric characters, or up to 3,116 numerical characters). The QR code may be Micro QR code, or the QR Code Model 1 or more, or it may be of a different type. The error correction capability (or capacity) of the code in the initial and changed states, i.e. the error correction capability of either of the codes, obtained by moving from the generated code encoding the first or the second string by the acceptable perturbations, may be ECC 200 (generally corresponding to the Level H in the QR codes).

[0088] Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a label decoder 300, including an interface 310 for receiving an image of the label as in any examples described in the present disclosure, and a processing unit 320 for processing this image and decoding the first string, upon finding the firstcode in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image: that is, the decoder 300 in the same configuration is configured to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image, without the need to retake the image with, for example, a different camera or scanner or scanning unit (possibly, with its own lighting system) adapted for a code of a different type if the received code is the second code rather than the first code, or vice versa. The interface 310 may be, for example, a wireless or a wired network interface; or it may be a camera or a scanner connection interface. Other elements, such as RAM and non-volatile memory and an output interface (if different from the input interface) are not shown, but may be present in the label decoder 300 too. The processing unit 320 may include one or more processor, including, for example, a central processing unit. The label decoder 300 may be presented, for example, by a remote server or by a barcode scanner (of which the scanning unit is a part).

[0089] That is, in some examples, according to the present disclosure, a software installed on the label decoder 310, or configured for installation on the label decoder, may include instructions to the processing unit 310 to process an image, received by the label decoder and comprising the label of any of Examples 1 to 12, to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

[0090] The software may be stored in a computer-readable memory, for example, non-volatile: for example, a hard drive of a developer’s computer or of a digital distribution platform, an app store or marketplace, or an on-chip storage, for instance, an SD or microSD-card. Additionally, or alternatively, the computer-readable memory may be readable by the mobile device 300, or the memory storing the software may be a part of the mobile device 300, independently if this memory is readable by a general-purpose computer or not.

[0091] Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile device 400, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, including a camera 405 for capturing an image of the label in any of its configurations described in the present disclosure and a processing unit 420 for processing the image captured by the camera 405 and for decoding the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby for decoding the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image. The camera 405, useful for the techniques disclosed in the present disclosure, may include one or more camera units or sensors, and the image may be captured with one of them or it may be a composite image based on images captured by different camera units or sensors.

[0092] Also, the processing unit 420 may be configured to invoke or generate a URL or a link for invocation of an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string.Herein, a first application (or a first webpage) may correspond to the first string, and a second application (or a second webpage) may correspond to the second string. For example, in case of a raw food item delivered without an indication of the disruption of the time-temperature condition by the label, a webpage with recommended recipes for this raw food item would be opened; and in case of the spoilt food time, an application of the delivery company with a warning regarding the handling of the spoilt items and for claiming the loss would be opened.

[0093] That is, in some examples, according to the present disclosure, a software installed on the mobile device 400, or configured for installation on the mobile device, for instance, the smartphone or the tablet, may include instructions to the processing unit 420 to allow a user to instruct the mobile device 400, via at least one of its interfaces, to capture an image by its camera 405. The image may be of the label in any of its configurations or states described in the present disclosure. Alternatively, the mobile device 400 may be configured to receive the image, for example, from the internet.

[0094] Independently of the presence or absence of the instructions to capture the image in the software, the software installed on the mobile device 400, or configured for installation on the mobile device, may include instructions for the processing unit 420 to cause it to process the image (captured by the camera 405 or received from another device, for example, via a network or some standard connection, such as USB) and to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image. For example, the instructions may allow a user, via one or more of the interfaces of the mobile device, to cause such image processing.

[0095] Optionally, the software may include instructions to the processing unit 420 for causing it to invoke or generate a URL or a link for invocation of an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string (as in examples provided above for the mobile device 400).In any case, the software may be presented by a component, an application (an app), or a set or a combination of two or more components or applications (e.g. two components, or a component and an application, or two applications, one of which, for example, in the set, may be a camera application, such as provided with the tablet or smartphone operating system). The software may be stored in a computer-readable memory, for example, non-volatile: for example, a hard drive of a developer’s computer or of a digital distribution platform, an app store or marketplace, or an on- chip storage, for instance, an SD or microSD-card. Additionally, or alternatively, the computer- readable memory may be readable by the mobile device 400, or the memory storing the software may be a part of the mobile device 400, independently if this memory is readable by a general- purpose computer or not.

[0096] Fig. 5 relates to an alternative scheme, in which a schematically shown mobile device 500, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, includes a camera 505 for capturing an image of the label as in any of the examples in the present disclosure, and a processing unit 520 for initiating a transmission of the image to a decoder for decoding the changeable code via an interface 530 (which may be a wireless network interface of any kind). Also, the processing unit 520 may be used for invoking an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string upon receiving (e.g. via the interface 530) by the mobile device a respective URL or link from the decoder. Herein, a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string, and these applications and webpages are different between them.

[0097] Accordingly, a software installed on the mobile device 500, or configured for installation on the mobile device, for instance, the smartphone or the tablet, and stored in the memory readable by a computer or the mobile device (as its external or internal memory), may include instructions to the processing unit 520 to initiate the transmission of the image to the decoder. Also, this software may include instructions for the processing unit 520 to invoke an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string upon receiving by the mobile device a respective URL or link from the decoder.

[0098] This software may be stored similarly to as described for the software for the mobile device 400: in a computer-readable memory, for example, non-volatile: for example, a hard drive of a developer’s computer or of a digital distribution platform, etc. Additionally, or alternatively, this computer-readable memory may be readable by the mobile device 500, or the memory storing the software for the mobile device 500 may be a part of the mobile device 500, independently if this memory is readable by a general-purpose computer or not.

[0099] Referring to Fig. 6, there is schematically shown a memory medium or device 600 with a code data record 650 for fabricating the indicator label with the changeable code for indication of an occurrence of a certain condition, as discussed in the present disclosure. The code data record 650 is indicative of a spatial positioning (i.e. include spatial position data 660) of a first plurality of image features; this first plurality is to represent a first code redundantly encoding at least a first string with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality. Thus, this first plurality would be useful for presenting an initial state of the changeable code. The first plurality of image features is to include a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region.

[0100] Also, the code data record 650 is indicative of which from the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic are to be configured reactive (for example, the code data record 650 may include a list 670 of such features). These features are to be used for changing the values of the at least one optical characteristic into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition and thereby to turn the first code into a second code presenting a changed state of the changeable code. The code data record 650 is such that the second code is to include a second plurality of image features redundantly encoding at least a second string with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features. Also, it is taken into account in the spatial position data 660 and the list 670 that the second plurality of image features is to include a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic.

[0101] The memory medium 600 may be medium of a RAM, or of any non-volatile computer readable memory, internal or external, for example, flash or a hard drive, or it may be a memory device, e.g. a solid-state memory device.

[0102] Also, according to the present disclosure, a method of a fabrication of an indicator label with a changeable code configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code encoding at least a first string, and in a changed state, indicating an occurrence of a certain condition, by a second code different from the first code and encoding at least a second string has been contemplated by the inventor.

[0103] This method includes creating on or in a substrate the first code including a first plurality of features encoding at least the first string, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the features, wherein the first plurality of features includes a first plurality of features within a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features within a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region. However, a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region is being created reactive to react to the occurrence of the certain condition and to change the values of the at least one optical characteristic into the second value region upon the occurrence of the certain condition, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code including a second plurality of optical features including a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, the second plurality of optical features being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the second string withrespect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the features. The creation step may use, for example, printing or deposition or various other known methods (including described in the Non-Patent Literature 2 to 8, for example growing a certain culture). However, the subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region is being created reactive; and for this reason it does not need to be printed, or deposited and so on with the rest of the features of the first value region. Rather, it may be applied in one of the ways discussed in the Non-Patent Literature 2 to 8 or known in the art.

[0104] In view of the above, the method of fabrication may also include accessing the memory medium or memory device according to the examples present in the disclosure to obtain the code data record 650, and using the code data record 650 (for example, the spatial positioning data 660 and the list 670) for creation (e.g. positioning) of the features, including the reactive features.

[0105] In further examples, the changeable code encoding a same data in at least two states may be used for the aim as above, i.e. for efficiently providing information to user or an automated system about an occurrence of at least one condition, while not using too much space for various labels. Such further examples have been disclosed as Examples SD1-SD21 above.

[0106] For these Examples, Figs. 1A and IB are applicable too, for showing a schematic diagram example of a variation of a changeable label (or changeable indicator label), according to the present disclosure. Again, in these figures, the label 10 incudes a changeable code for checking whether a condition has occurred; this changeable code is presented in the initial state by a first code, and in the changed state by a second code. Again, the first code includes a first plurality 110 of image features Fl-1, Fl -2, . . . , Fl-9, in this case pixels, but encoding in this variation some data (which may be a string, for example, the string SI or string S2). The first code may have other features, but they are not shown in Fig. 1A. The first plurality 110 is redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the encoded data with respect to a possible incorrect determination (e.g. incorrect fabrication or detection) of a subset of the first plurality 110 of the image features Fl-1, Fl-2, . . . , Fl-9. The second code is different from the first code and includes a second plurality 120 of image features F2-1, F2-2, . . . , F2-9 encoding in this variation the same data. The second code may have other features, but they are not shown in Fig. IB. The second plurality 120 is redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the encoded data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality 120 of the image features F2-1, F2-2, . . . , F2-9. As before, the plurality 110A of the features includes a subset 110 AS of the reactive features Fl-3 and Fl-5 in Fig. 1A configured to change their values of the at least one optical characteristics from those in the first value range upon the occurrence of the condition to those in the second value range. Thereby, the subset 110AS is configured to turn into arespective subset 120BS, including features F2-3 and F2-5, from the second plurality 120B in Fig. IB with values of the at least one optical characteristic in the second value range. Overall, the first code and the second code are such that the changes of values of the at least one optical characteristic for the features of the subset 110AS turn the first code into the second code upon occurrence of the technical condition.

[0107] The techniques for detection, based on such a same data smart indicator label, of the occurrence of the condition may be based on the detection of a closer proximity to the first or the second code, which are perturbed codes of the same canonical code and are to be within its error tolerance (i.e. within its error correction capability or capacity). For example, it may be accepted that the condition has not occurred if the read code is closer to the first code; and it may be accepted that the condition has occurred if the read code coincides with the second code or is within a selected level of tolerance from the second code, or is closer to the second code than to the first code (for example, the read code has more pixels or elements with corresponding optical characteristics in common with the second code than with the first code).

[0108] Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An indicator label with a changeable code, wherein the changeable code is configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code and in a changed state indicating an occurrence of a certain condition by a second code, wherein the first code comprises a first plurality of image features encoding at least a first string, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, and wherein the second code is different from the first code and comprises a second plurality of image features encoding at least a second string different from the first string, the second plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the second string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, wherein: the first plurality of image features comprises a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, the second plurality of image features comprises a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, and a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic is reactive and configured to change the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition, and thereby to turn into a respective subset of the second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code upon the occurrence of the condition, wherein the first code is a Quick Response, QR, code, and the second code is a QR code, and wherein the first string and the second string have a same prefix.

2. The label of claim 1, wherein the at least one optical characteristic comprises an at least one characteristic from a list including a color, a hue, a chroma, a reflectivity, a transmittance, a refractivity; and / or comprises a composite optical characteristic being a combination of at least two from the list.

3. The label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the subset of the first plurality of features comprises at least 9, or 15, or 21, or 29, or 33, or 37 image features of the first value region.

4. The label of claim of any of preceding claims, wherein the first code is selected by encoding the first string and changing a result within its error correction capability and, optionally, whereinthe first code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from the result of encoding of the first string.

5. The label of claim 3 or 4, wherein the second code is selected by encoding the second string and changing a result within its error correction capability, wherein, optionally, the second code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from the result of encoding of the second string.

6. The label of any preceding claims, wherein the same prefix is a valid URL or a domain name.

7. The label of any preceding claims, comprising at least one sensor positioned outside of the changeable code and configured to sense the occurrence of the certain condition and issue at least one respective signal, the label further comprising one or more connective structure for transmitting said one or more signal from one or more sensors for causing the reaction of the subset of the first plurality of features, wherein the at least one sensor and the one or more signal connective structure are thereby configured to enable by said at least one signal said turning of the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

8. The label of claim 7, wherein at least one from said one or more connective structure comprises an at least one transport structure for a chemical configured to act on the first the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

9. The label of any of preceding claims, wherein the first plurality of features of the first value region comprises at least one side-connected set of the features, wherein any of the at least one side-connected sets extends from at least one side of the first code, and when said any of the at least one side-connected sets comprises at least two features of the first value region, these at least two features are connected by virtue of belonging to a chain of the features of the first value region lying side by side, and wherein the subset of the first plurality of features belongs to one side-connected set or is distributed between two or more side-connected sets.

10. A label decoder, comprising an interface configured to receive an image of the label of any of claims 1 to 9 and a processing unit configured to process this image and to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby configured to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

11. A software for a label decoder comprising an interface for receiving an image and a processing unit, wherein the software comprises instructions configured to cause the processing unit to process a received image of the label of any of claims 1 to 9 to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in theimage, and thereby to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

12. A mobile device, comprising a camera configured to capture an image of the label of any of claims 1 to 9 and a processing unit configured to process the image, and to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby configured to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image, wherein, optionally, the processing unit is configured to invoke or generate a URL or a link for invocation of an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string.

13. A software for a mobile device comprising a camera and a processing unit, wherein the software comprises instructions configured to cause the mobile device to capture an image by the camera and to cause the processing unit to process the image, of the label of any of claims 1 to 9, to decode the first string, upon finding the first code in the image, and the second string, upon finding the second code in the image, and thereby to decode the first string or the second string depending on a state of the changeable code captured in the image.

14. A mobile device, comprising a camera configured to capture an image of the label of any of claims 1 to 9 and a processing unit configured to initiate a transmission of the image to a decoder for decoding the changeable code and to invoke an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string upon receiving by the mobile device a respective URL or link from the decoder, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string.

15. A software for a mobile device comprising a camera and a processing unit, wherein the software comprises instructions causing the mobile device to capture an image by the camera, and to cause the processing unit to initiate a transmission of the image to a decoder for decoding the changeable code and to invoke an application or a webpage corresponding to the decoded first or second string upon receiving by the mobile device a respective URL or link from the decoder, wherein a first application or a first webpage corresponds to the first string, and a second application or a second webpage corresponds to the second string.

16. A memory medium or device with a code data record for fabricating an indicator label with a changeable code for indication of an occurrence of a certain condition, wherein: the code data record is indicative of a spatial positioning of a first plurality of image features for a first code redundantly encoding at least a first string with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of theimage features, for presenting an initial state of the changeable code, wherein the first plurality of image features is to comprise a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, and the code data record is indicative of which from the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic are to be configured reactive for changing the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition and thereby to turn the first code into a second code presenting a changed state of the changeable code, wherein the second code is to comprise a second plurality of image features redundantly encoding at least a second string with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, and the second plurality of image features is to comprise a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic.

17. A method of a fabrication of an indicator label with a changeable code configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code encoding at least a first string, and in a changed state, indicating an occurrence of a certain condition, by a second code different from the first code and encoding at least a second string, the method comprising: creating on or in a substrate the first code comprising a first plurality of features encoding at least the first string, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the first string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the features, wherein the first plurality of features comprises a first plurality of features within a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features within a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, wherein a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region is being created reactive to react to the occurrence of the certain condition and to change the values of the at least one optical characteristic into the second value region upon the occurrence of the certain condition, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code comprising a second plurality of optical features comprising a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, the second plurality of optical features being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the second string with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the features.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising accessing said memory medium or device of claim 16 to obtain the code data record, wherein in said method said creating is based on said code data record.

19. An indicator label with a changeable code, wherein the changeable code is configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code and in a changed state indicating an occurrence of a certain condition by a second code, wherein the first code comprises a first plurality of image features encoding a data, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, and wherein the second code is different from the first code and comprises a second plurality of image features encoding the data, the second plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, wherein the first plurality of image features comprises a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, the second plurality of image features comprises a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, and a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic is reactive and configured to change the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition, and thereby to turn into a respective subset of the second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code upon the occurrence of the condition, wherein the first code is a QR code and the second code is a QR code.

20. The label of claim 19, wherein the at least one optical characteristic comprises an at least one characteristic from a list including a color, a hue, a chroma, a reflectivity, a transmittance, a refractivity; and / or comprises a composite optical characteristic being a combination of at least two from the list.21 . The label of claim 19 or 20, wherein the first code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from a result of encoding of the data and the second code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from the result of encoding of the data.

22. The label of any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the data comprises a string, optionally comprising an URL or a domain name, optionally, pointing at metadata for a product, and / or forlaunching using this string or the URL a program at a mobile device, or obtaining by the mobile device said program by accessing this URL or the domain, wherein the program is configured to make the mobile device to obtain a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in an image of the label, and thereby being indicative of non-occurrence or occurrence of the condition, wherein, optionally, a status of the product, being, optionally, an expiration, guarantee or spoilage status, depends on the occurrence of the condition, wherein the product, optionally, is a food product, wherein the mobile device, optionally, is a smartphone or a tablet.

23. The label of any claims 19 to 22, wherein the data comprises metadata for a product, which status, optionally, an expiration, guarantee or spoilage status, changes upon the occurrence of the condition, wherein, optionally, the metadata comprises a date of manufacturing of the product, and / or a date of a delivery of the product, and / or an expiration date of the product in case of nonoccurrence of the condition, wherein the product, optionally, is a food product.

24. The label of any of claims 19 to 23, comprising at least one sensor positioned outside of the changeable code and configured to sense the occurrence of the certain condition and issue at least one respective signal, the label further comprising one or more connective structure for transmitting said one or more signal from one or more sensors for causing the reaction of the subset of the first plurality of features, wherein the at least one sensor and the one or more signal connective structure are thereby configured to enable by said at least one signal said turning of the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

25. The label of claim 24, wherein at least one from said one or more connective structure comprises an at least one transport structure for a chemical configured to act on the first the subset of the first plurality of features into the respective subset of the second plurality of features.

26. The label of any of claims 19 to 25, wherein the first plurality of features of the first value region comprises at least one side-connected set of the features of the first value region, wherein any of the at least one side-connected sets extends from at least one side of the first code, and when said any of the at least one side-connected sets comprises at least two features of the first value region, these at least two features are connected by virtue of belonging to a chain of the features of the first value region lying side by side, and wherein the subset of the first plurality of features belongs to one side-connected set or is distributed between two or more side-connected sets.

27. The label of any of claims 19 to 26, wherein the subset comprises at least 3, or 5, or 7, or 9 image features of the first value region.

28. The label of any of claims 19 to 27, wherein the first code and / or the second code is within Level Q or H error correction capability from a result of encoding of the data.

29. A code state detector device for the code of the indicator label of any of claims 19 to 28, wherein the code state detector device comprises a camera configured to capture an image of the label, and / or an interface configured to receive the image and / or reduced data, derived from the image and indicative of the first or the second code; and wherein the code state detector device comprises a processing unit configured to process the image or the reduced data, respectively; and, upon detecting a presence of the first or the second code in the image by analysing, respectively, the image or the reduced data, to generate a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, and thereby being indicative of non-occurrence or occurrence of the condition, based on if the first code or the second code was present in the image, wherein, optionally, the code state detector device is a mobile device and, optionally, is a smartphone or a tablet.

30. A software for a code state detector device for the code of the indicator label of any of claims 19 to 28 and comprising a camera configured to capture an image of the label, and / or an interface configured to receive the image and / or reduced data, derived from the image and indicative of the first or the second code, and comprising a processing unit, wherein the software comprises instructions configured to cause the processing unit to process the image or the reduced data, respectively; and, upon detecting a presence of the first or the second code in the image by analysing, respectively, the image or the reduced data, to generate a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, and thereby being indicative of non-occurrence or occurrence of the condition, based on if the first code or the second code was present in the image.

31. The code state detector device of claim 29 or the software of claim 30, wherein, respectively, the processing unit is configured to, or the software makes the processing unit: process the image or the reduced data to decode the data, and perform said generation of the code state indicator based on the decoded data, optionally, by: launching at the code state detector device a program for generating the code state indicator, or by obtaining the program by the code state detector device, wherein the program or its storage is identified by the decoded data, optionally, an URL or a domain name comprised in the decoded data.

32. A camera-equipped communication device, optionally being a mobile device, optionally being a tablet or a smartphone, wherein the device comprises a camera configured to capture an image of the label of any of claims 19 to 28 and a processing unit configured to cause the device to obtain a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, by:(a) sending at least a part of the image comprising the first or the second code to a code state detector device, or(b) processing the image to generate reduced data, indicative of the first or the second code, and sending the reduced data to a code state detector device; and: receiving the code state indicator in response from the code state detector device, wherein, optionally, the code state detector device is implemented according to claim 6.

33. A software for a device comprising a camera and a processing unit and optionally being a mobile device, optionally a smartphone or a tablet, wherein the software comprises instructions configured to cause the camera to capture an image of the label of any of claims 19 to 28 and to cause the processing unit to cause the device to obtain a code state indicator, optionally a flag, indicating a state of the changeable code captured in the image, by:(a) sending at least a part of the image comprising the first or the second code to a code state detector device, or(b) processing the image to generate reduced data, indicative of the first or the second code, and sending the reduced data to a code state detector device; and: receiving the code state indicator in response from the code state detector device, wherein, optionally, the code state detector device is implemented according to claim 11.

34. The camera-equipped communication device of claim 32, or the software of claim 33, wherein, respectively, the processing unit is configured to, or the software makes the processing unit: process the image or the reduced data to decode the data, and optionally, perform said sending of the at least a part of the image or the reduced data to the code state detector device, identified by an URL or a domain name comprised in the decoded data, and / or optionally, perform said processing the image to generate the reduced data by launching at the camera-equipped communication device a program for generating the reduced data, or by obtaining the program by the camera-equipped communication device, wherein the program or itsstorage is identified by the decoded data, optionally, an URL or a domain name comprised in the decoded data.

35. The device of claim 29, 31, 32, or 34, comprising an at least one output interface, optionally comprising a screen, an indicator light, or an audio unit, wherein the device is configured to use the at least one output interface to signal to a user at least one of the non-occurrence and the occurrence of the condition, based on the obtained code state indicator.

36. The software of claim 30, 31, 33, or 34, for the device further comprising an at least one output interface, optionally comprising a screen, an indicator light, or an audio unit, wherein the software comprises instructions causing the device to signal to a user at least one of the nonoccurrence and the occurrence of the condition, based on the obtained code state indicator.

37. A memory medium or device with a code data record for fabricating an indicator label with a changeable code for indication of an occurrence of a certain condition, wherein: the code data record is indicative of a spatial positioning of a first plurality of image features for a first code redundantly encoding a data with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the image features, for presenting an initial state of the changeable code, wherein the first plurality of image features is to comprise a first plurality of features of a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features of a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, and the code data record is indicative of which from the first plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic are to be configured reactive for changing the values into the second value region in reaction to the occurrence of the certain condition and thereby to turn the first code into a second code presenting a changed state of the changeable code, wherein the second code is to comprise a second plurality of image features redundantly encoding the data with an error correction capability with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the image features, and the second plurality of image features is to comprise a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic.

38. A method of a fabrication of an indicator label with a changeable code configured to be presented in an initial state by a first code encoding a data, and in a changed state, indicating an occurrence of a certain condition, by a second code different from the first code and encoding the data, the method comprising: creating on or in a substrate the first code comprising a first plurality of features encoding the data, the first plurality being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding thedata with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the first plurality of the features, wherein the first plurality of features comprises a first plurality of features within a first value region of an at least one optical characteristic and a first plurality of features within a second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, not intersecting with the first value region, wherein a subset of the first plurality of features of the first value region is being created reactive to react to the occurrence of the certain condition and to change the values of the at least one optical characteristic into the second value region upon the occurrence of the certain condition, wherein the first code is thereby configured to turn into the second code comprising a second plurality of optical features comprising a second plurality of features of the first value region of the at least one optical characteristic and a second plurality of features of the second value region of the at least one optical characteristic, the second plurality of optical features being redundant with an error correction capability for decoding the data with respect to a possible incorrect determination of a subset of the second plurality of the features.

39. The method of claim 38, comprising accessing said memory medium or device of claim 37 to obtain the code data record, wherein in said method said creating is based on said code data record.

Images