Patent Description:
Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:.

Features of electronic products shipped in containers are often configurable to different hardware and/or software settings at a late point in a manufacturing and/or shipping process (e.g. just prior to shipping) using a scanner which wirelessly communicates with the electronic products to configure the features. Such configuration differentiates the features of the electronic products at the late point in the shipping process, and the like. For example, such features may be selected based on a region to which the electronic products are to be shipped. However, the electronic product is often both configured and packaged in a container based upon a forecast of where it may be shipped before it is determined where the electronic product will be shipped and/or how the electronic product is to be configured, which may result in either excess or shortages of the electronic product relative to actual demand, (e.g. when the forecast changes and/or is not accurate). While it is possible to electronically configure or "bitflip" the product remotely (e.g. from outside of the container) at some point after the electronic product has been manufactured and placed in a container for shipment (or sale), the container would at that later point have to be marked or have its configuration and/or shipping location differentiated manually, for example by affixing labels to the containers, checking checkboxes, or the like. Even if the containers are labelled and/or marked by machines, after the electronic configuration, the process is dependent on a human configuring the machines to accurately perform the labelling and/or marking. Such dependency can lead to errors in the labelling and/or marking, and incorrectly labelled containers may be shipped to regions where the electronic products contained therein are not intended for use, which can result in the electronic products being shipped back to source or discarded. Furthermore, the labelling and/or marking machinery would generally need to be in close proximity to the container, or make physical contact with the container, in order to apply a label or ink to the container. Hence, the machinery and process for labelling or inking the container can also be a limiting factor in terms of how quickly and cost effectively the containers can be shipped.

Hence, containers describe here includes two labels each of a respective type of polychromatic ink that may be activated at different wavelengths in tandem with configuring respective features of an electronic product contained in the container. The claims relate to an apparatus that includes light sources to activate the respective types of polychromatic ink and a circuit to emit wireless signals to
configure features of the electronic product;.

Referring to <FIG>, a container <NUM> to enhance late point feature differentiation is depicted. The container <NUM> may include a box, and the like to contain and ship an electronic product <NUM>, shown in a cutaway view in <FIG>. As depicted, the electronic product <NUM> contained in the container <NUM> is a printer, though containers for other types of electronic products are within the scope of present examples. The electronic product <NUM> is generally configurable within the container <NUM> using wireless signals, for example to bitflip circuits (not depicted), and the like, at the electronic product <NUM> to activate and/or configure hardware and/or software features of the electronic product <NUM>.

The container <NUM> comprises: a structure <NUM> having an interior <NUM> and an exterior <NUM>. The structure <NUM> includes a box, and the like, which may be opened, such that the electronic product <NUM> may be placed therein, and closed and/or sealed for shipping.

The interior <NUM> is to contain the electronic product <NUM>. While the electronic product <NUM> is depicted, in the cutaway view, as occupying only a portion of the interior <NUM>, the electronic product <NUM> may occupy a substantial portion of the interior <NUM>, and a size and/or shape of the container <NUM> may be specifically adapted to contain the electronic product <NUM>, as well as any packaging material (not depicted), instructions, and the like.

The exterior <NUM> comprises: a first label <NUM> of a first type of polychromatic ink to be activated at a first wavelength; and a second label <NUM> of a second type of polychromatic ink to be activated at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The first label <NUM> is to indicate a first set of features to be configured at the electronic product <NUM> using a first wireless signal; and the second label <NUM> is to indicate a second set of features to be configured at the electronic product <NUM> using a second wireless signal. The structure <NUM> is generally transparent to the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal so that the electronic product <NUM> may be configured while the electronic product <NUM> is contained in the container <NUM> and the container <NUM> is closed and/or sealed for shipping.

As depicted, each of the labels <NUM>, <NUM> are dot matrix patterns, the dots of each of the dot matrix patterns depicted using different line types; for example, dots of the first label <NUM> are depicted in broken lines, while dots of the second label are depicted in solid lines.

While the labels <NUM>, <NUM> are visible in <FIG>, the labels <NUM>, <NUM> are generally transparent and/or invisible to the human eye and/or a human vision system (e.g. a machine vision system to electronically view items according to human vision parameters) until activated and/or exposed to different wavelengths of light. Indeed, a person of skill in the art understands that each of the first type of polychromatic ink and the second type of polychromatic ink are one or more of transparent, and invisible to a human vision system, until respectively activated by the first wavelength and the second wavelength.

For example, each of the labels <NUM>, <NUM> may be printed at the exterior <NUM> of the container <NUM> using respective polychromatic inks that are not visible until activated using ultraviolet light of different respective wavelengths. However, any type of polychromatic ink is within the scope of the present specification.

As depicted, the first type of polychromatic ink (and/or the first label <NUM>) and the second type of polychromatic ink (and/or the second label <NUM>) each comprise respective dot matrix patterns on the exterior <NUM>, the respective dot matrix patterns interwoven with each other.

Hence, for example, the first label <NUM> comprises a first dot matrix pattern of dots of a first polychromatic ink that form the letters "USA", and the second label <NUM> comprises a second dot matrix pattern of dots of a second polychromatic ink that form the letters "MX", the second dot matrix pattern interwoven with the first dot matrix pattern. Hence, in this example, the electronic product <NUM> may be configured using a first wireless signal with features intended for use in the United States (e.g. as indicated by "USA" of the first label <NUM>), or the electronic product <NUM> may be configured using a second wireless signal with features intended for use in Mexico (e.g. as indicated by "MX" of the second label <NUM>). When the electronic product <NUM> is configured using the first wireless signal for use in the United States, the first label <NUM> is activated, and when the electronic product <NUM> is configured using the second wireless signal for use in Mexico, the second label <NUM> is activated, for example using an apparatus described below.

Hence, as depicted the first set of features is associated with a first region and the second set of features is associated with a second region, and the first label <NUM> and the second label <NUM> are to respectively indicate the first set of features and the second set of features by respectively indicating the first region and the second region, when respectively activated by the first wavelength and the second wavelength. However, the first label <NUM> and the second label <NUM> may indicate the respective features in any suitable manner using images, graphics, symbols, alphanumeric lettering, and the like.

Hence, for example, the first label <NUM> and the second label <NUM> are to respectively indicate the first set of features and the second set of features by alphanumerically indicating the first set of features and the second set of features (e.g. by indicating a region to which the electronic product <NUM> is to be shipped), when respectively activated by the first wavelength and the second wavelength.

Furthermore, while the labels <NUM>, <NUM> are depicted as respective dot matrix patterns interwoven with each other, the labels <NUM>, <NUM> may be separate from each other at the exterior <NUM>. Furthermore, the labels <NUM>, <NUM> may include labels different from dot matrix patterns, such as images, graphics, symbols, alphanumeric lettering, and the like. The depicted dot matrix patterns, however, may be printed in tandem using any type of printer that can prints dot of the two types of polychromatic ink (including, but not limited to, a dot matrix printer).

Attention is next directed to <FIG> which depicts a system <NUM> that includes the container <NUM> in use with an apparatus <NUM> to enhance late point feature differentiation, for example by both activating a respective label <NUM>, <NUM> at the container <NUM> and configuring the electronic product <NUM>, using a wireless signal, with a respective set of features that correspond to a label <NUM>, <NUM> being activated. <FIG> depicts a schematic block diagram of the apparatus <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> may include additional components, such as various additional interfaces and/or input/output devices such as displays to interact with a user or an administrator of the apparatus <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> includes: a first light source <NUM> to emit a first wavelength to activate a first type of polychromatic ink; and a second light source <NUM> to emit a second wavelength to activate a second type of polychromatic ink. For example, the first light source <NUM> may be to emit a first wavelength to activate a first type of polychromatic ink of the first label <NUM>, and the second light source <NUM> may be to emit a second wavelength to activate a second type of polychromatic ink of the second label <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes: a circuit <NUM> to emit a first wireless signal to configure a first set of features at the electronic product <NUM> and a second wireless signal to configure a second set of features at the electronic product <NUM>, for example in a respective bitflip process.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a memory <NUM> storing instructions <NUM>, described in further detail below.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes an interface <NUM> to receive an indication to configure one of the first set of features and the second set of features at the electronic product <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> further includes a processor <NUM> connected to the first light source <NUM>, the second light source <NUM>, the circuit <NUM>, the memory <NUM> and the interface <NUM>, the processor <NUM> to execute the instructions <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM>, the instructions <NUM> to: when the indication (e.g. as received via the interface <NUM>) indicates that the first set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM>, control the circuit <NUM> to emit the first wireless signal and control the first light source <NUM> to emit the first wavelength; and when the indication indicates that the second set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM>, control the circuit <NUM> to emit the second wireless signal and control the second light source <NUM> to emit the second wavelength.

The apparatus <NUM> further generally comprises a housing <NUM> which may contain the components of the apparatus <NUM>. The light sources <NUM>, <NUM> may be contained in the housing <NUM>, the housing <NUM> being adapted with apertures, and the like, through which respective wavelengths of the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> are emitted; alternatively, the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> may be mounted external to the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is further transparent to the wireless signals emitted by the circuit <NUM> and/or components of the circuit <NUM> which emit wireless signals that may be mounted external to the housing <NUM>.

In some examples the interface <NUM> may comprise one or more of a switch and a manually operated input device, and the like, used to manually change the apparatus <NUM> between a first mode and a second mode. Hence, the indication received by the interface <NUM> may indicate a position of the switch, and the like. In the first mode, the processor <NUM> controls the circuit <NUM> to emit the first wireless signal and control the first light source <NUM> to emit the first wavelength. In the second mode, the processor <NUM> controls the circuit <NUM> to emit the second wireless signal and control the second light source <NUM> to emit the second wavelength. Hence, in this example, the indication to configure one of the first set of features and the second set of features at the electronic product <NUM> comprises a setting of the switch. In these examples, the housing <NUM> may be a hand-held housing and/or the apparatus <NUM> may comprise a hand-held housing.

The switch (and/or manually operated input device), may further be biased to a neutral position, and when the switch is manually activated to control the apparatus <NUM> to the first mode or the second mode, the apparatus <NUM> may further be turned on to emit a wireless signal and a corresponding wavelength. Alternatively, the apparatus <NUM> may include an on/off switch, and the like, which, when activated, causes the apparatus to emit a wireless signal and a corresponding wavelength depending on the position of the switch.

In other examples, the interface <NUM> may be one or more of a wireless interface, a wired interface, and a network interface to communicate with a remote device, and the indication received by the interface <NUM> may be wired and/or wireless signal to switch the apparatus <NUM> between the first mode and the second mode. The interface <NUM> may hence be to communicate with a network such as a wired or wireless network which may include one or more of a cellular network, a WiFi network, and the like. For example, the housing <NUM> may be to mount the apparatus <NUM> adjacent a conveyor belt conveying the container <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> being remotely controlled via the indication to activate one of the labels <NUM>, <NUM> and respective features of the electronic product <NUM> depending on where the container <NUM> is to be shipped.

The circuit <NUM> may comprise a near field communication (NFC) circuit and the like, and/or any type of circuit to emit signals to configure features at the electronic product <NUM> using bitflipping and the like. Hence, each of the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal may be to bitflip a circuit, and the like, at the electronic product <NUM> to respectively activate the first set of features and the second set of features.

Each of the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a respective set of one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like, to emit respective wavelengths to activate the labels <NUM>, <NUM>. However, the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> may be one type of one or more LEDs which emits both the first wavelength and the second wavelength depending a bias voltage, and the like, applied to the one or more LEDs. While the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> are depicted as separate from one another, the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> may alternatively be integrated with one another.

The memory <NUM> also stores and/or is encoded with the instructions <NUM> executable by the processor <NUM> to enhance late point feature differentiation. The processor <NUM> is to execute the instructions <NUM> stored in the memory <NUM>, the instructions <NUM> to: when the indication (e.g. received via the interface <NUM>) indicates that the first set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM>, control the circuit <NUM> to emit the first wireless signal and control the first light source <NUM> to emit the first wavelength; and when the indication indicates that the second set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM>, control the circuit <NUM> to emit the second wireless signal and control the second light source <NUM> to emit the second wavelength.

The memory <NUM> is coupled to the processor <NUM> and may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium that may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device. The non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, a storage drive, an optical disc, and the like. The memory <NUM> may also be encoded with executable instructions to operate the light sources <NUM>, <NUM>, the circuit <NUM>, the interface <NUM> and other hardware in communication with the processor <NUM>. In other examples, it is to be appreciated that the memory <NUM> may be substituted with a cloud-based storage system.

The memory <NUM> may also store an operating system that is executable by the processor <NUM> to provide general functionality to the apparatus <NUM>, for example, functionality to support various applications such as a user interface to access various features of the apparatus <NUM>. Examples of operating systems include Windows™, macOS™, iOS™, Android™, Linux™, and Unix™. The memory <NUM> may additionally store applications that are executable by the processor <NUM> to provide specific functionality to the apparatus <NUM>, such as those described in greater detail below and which may include the instructions <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a processing core, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or similar. The processor <NUM> and memory <NUM> may cooperate to execute various instructions such as the instructions <NUM>.

The instructions <NUM> may be further to: receive the indication from one or more of a switch and manually operated input device (e.g. when the interface <NUM> comprises one or more of a switch and a manually operated input device).

The instructions <NUM> may be further to: receive the indication from one or more of a wired interface and a wired interface (e.g. when the interface <NUM> comprises one or more of a wired interface and a wired interface, and/or a network interface).

The instructions <NUM> may be further to: control the circuit <NUM> to emit the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal for a given time period, only one of the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal being emitted during the given time period; and control the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> to respectively emit the first wavelength and the second wavelength for the given time period, only one of the first wavelength and the second wavelength being emitted during the given time period. For example, when the circuit <NUM> is controlled to emit one of the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal and one of the light sources <NUM>, <NUM> is controlled to emit a respective wavelength, the wireless signal and the respective wavelength may be emitted for the given time period, which may be selected based on one or more of: a time to activate the polychromatic ink of the labels <NUM>, <NUM>; and a time to configure the electronic product <NUM> using the wireless signals.

Referring to <FIG>, a flowchart of a method <NUM> to enhance late feature differentiation is depicted. In order to assist in the explanation of method <NUM>, it will be assumed that method <NUM> may be performed with the apparatus <NUM>, and specifically by the processor <NUM>. Indeed, the method <NUM> may be one way in which apparatus <NUM> may be configured to interact with the container <NUM> and the electronic product <NUM> contained therein. Furthermore, the following discussion of method <NUM> may lead to a further understanding of the processor <NUM>, and apparatus <NUM> and its various components, as well as the container <NUM>. Furthermore, it is to be emphasized, that method <NUM> may not be performed in the exact sequence as shown, and various blocks may be performed in parallel rather than in sequence, or in a different sequence altogether.

At a block <NUM>, the processor <NUM> receives, for example from the interface <NUM>, an indication to configure one of the first set of features and the second set of features at the electronic product <NUM>.

At a block <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines whether the indication indicates that the first set of features or the second set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine that a switch and/or a manually operated input device is in a given position and/or the processor <NUM> may determine whether an indication received via a wired interface and/or wireless interface and/or network interface is indicative of the first set of features or the second set of features.

When the indication indicates that the first set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM> (e.g. a decision "First Set Of Features" at the block <NUM>), at a block <NUM>, the processor <NUM> controls the circuit <NUM> to emit the first wireless signal and controls the first light source <NUM> to emit the first wavelength.

Similarly, when the indication indicates that the second set of features are to be configured at the electronic product <NUM> (e.g. a decision "Second Set Of Features" at the block <NUM>), at a block <NUM>, the processor <NUM> controls the circuit <NUM> to emit the second wireless signal and controls the second light source <NUM> to emit the second wavelength.

Referring to <FIG>, which is substantially similar to <FIG> with like elements having like numbers, <FIG> depicts the interface <NUM> receiving an indication <NUM> that a first set of features are to be activated at the electronic product <NUM>, for example at a circuit <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM> shown in a cutaway view at the electronic product <NUM> in <FIG>. The indication <NUM> is received at the processor <NUM> and the processor <NUM> responsively controls the circuit <NUM> to emit a first wireless signal <NUM> for configuring the circuit <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM> to the first set of features as indicated by "<NUM>" on the circuit <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM>. The processor <NUM> further controls the first light source <NUM> to emit light <NUM> of a first wavelength that irradiates the labels <NUM>, <NUM>. As the first wavelength is selected to activate the polychromatic ink of the first label <NUM>, the dot matrix pattern of the first label <NUM> changes color (e.g. from transparent to black) such that the letters "USA" are visible to a human vision system. A person of skill in the art understands that the first features as indicated by "<NUM>" on the circuit <NUM> are features that are to be used in the United States. The second label <NUM> remains transparent and/or invisible to a human vision system as the second label <NUM> is activated by a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. Hence, the apparatus <NUM> simultaneously configures the electronic product <NUM> to the first set of features and activates the respective label <NUM> at the exterior <NUM> of the structure <NUM> of the container <NUM>. In some examples the first wireless signal <NUM> and the light <NUM> of the first wavelength are emitted for a given time period.

Referring to <FIG>, which is substantially similar to <FIG> with like elements having like numbers, <FIG> depicts the interface <NUM> receiving an indication <NUM> that a second set of features are to be activated at the electronic product <NUM>, for example at the circuit <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM>. The indication <NUM> is received at the processor <NUM> and the processor <NUM> responsively controls the circuit <NUM> to emit a second wireless signal <NUM> for configuring the circuit <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM> to the second set of features as indicated by "<NUM>" on the circuit <NUM> of the electronic product <NUM>. The processor <NUM> further controls the second light source <NUM> to emit light <NUM> of a second wavelength that irradiates the labels <NUM>, <NUM>. As the second wavelength is selected to activate the polychromatic ink of the second label <NUM>, the dot matrix pattern of the second label <NUM> changes color (e.g. from transparent to black) such that the letters "MX" are visible to a human vision system. A person of skill in the art understands that the second features as indicated by "<NUM>" on the circuit <NUM> are features that are to be used in Mexico. The first label <NUM> remains transparent and/or invisible to a human vision system as the first label <NUM> is activated by the first wavelength different from the second wavelength. Hence, the apparatus <NUM> simultaneously configures the electronic product <NUM> to the second set of features and activates the respective label <NUM> at the exterior <NUM> of the structure <NUM> of the container <NUM>. In some examples the second wireless signal <NUM> and the light <NUM> of the second wavelength are emitted for a given time period.

Hence, depending on whether the electronic product <NUM> is to be shipped to the United States or Mexico, the electronic product <NUM> may be configured using one of the wireless signals <NUM>, <NUM> emitted by the circuit <NUM> just prior to shipping and the corresponding label <NUM>, <NUM> may be activated in tandem with configuring the electronic product <NUM>. Hence, the electronic product <NUM> may be enhanced at a late point in the manufacturing and/or shipping cycle with particular features, for example for a particular region, that differentiate the electronic product <NUM> from other electronic products shipped to other regions, and the container <NUM> labelled accordingly using the apparatus <NUM>.

In some examples, the apparatus <NUM> may be used to configure a plurality of electronic products <NUM> contained in respective containers <NUM> at once, as long as the containers <NUM> are arranged in a manner where the signals <NUM>, <NUM> are transmitted to each of the plurality of electronic products <NUM> and respective labels <NUM>, <NUM> of each of the respective containers <NUM> are visible to the light <NUM>, <NUM>.

In some examples, the container <NUM> may contain a non-electronic product and one of the labels <NUM>, <NUM> is activated depending on a region to which the non-electronic product is to be shipped. Hence, the container <NUM> may also be used for indicating where to ship the non-electronic product late in the shipping cycle.

Claim 1:
An apparatus comprising:
a first light source (<NUM>) to emit a first wavelength to activate a first type of polychromatic ink;
a second light source (<NUM>) to emit a second wavelength to activate a second type of polychromatic ink;
a circuit (<NUM>) to emit a first wireless signal to configure a first set of features at an electronic product (<NUM>) and a second wireless signal to configure a second set of features at the electronic product (<NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>) storing instructions;
an interface (<NUM>) to receive an indication to configure one of the first set of features and the second set of features at the electronic product (<NUM>); and
a processor connected to the first light source (<NUM>), the second light source (<NUM>), the circuit (<NUM>), the interface (<NUM>) and the memory, the processor to execute the instructions stored in the memory, the instructions to:
when the indication indicates that the first set of features are to be configured at the electronic product (<NUM>), control the circuit (<NUM>) to emit the first wireless signal and control the first light source (<NUM>) to emit the first wavelength; and
when the indication indicates that the second set of features are to be configured at the electronic product (<NUM>), control the circuit (<NUM>) to emit the second wireless signal and control the second light source (<NUM>) to emit the second wavelength.