Patent ID: 8585956

Claim:
A method of producing a pattern for use with a laser marking apparatus configured to mark visible surface markings on a work piece within a first predetermined range of power settings electronically stored on at least one computer, and further configured to engrave depth engravings on the work piece within a second predetermined range of power settings electronically stored on the at least one computer, the pattern having at least one surface marked portion and at least one depth engraved portion, the method comprising: associating a first range of grayscale shades with the first predetermined range of power settings, such that a lightest shade in the first range of grayscale shades corresponds to a low end of the first predetermined range of power settings, and a darkest shade in the first range of grayscale shades corresponds to a high end of the first predetermined range of power settings; associating a second range of grayscale shades with the second predetermined range of power settings, such that a lightest shade in the second range of grayscale shades corresponds to a low end of the second predetermined range of power settings, and a darkest shade in the second range of grayscale shades corresponds to a high end of the second predetermined range of power settings; electronically storing, on the at least one computer, a digital grayscale image of the pattern to be laser marked, the digital grayscale image including a first layer including a surface marked portion of the pattern, and a second layer separable from the first layer, the second layer including a depth engraved portion of the pattern; obtaining, on the at least one computer, a modified grayscale image in which grayscale shades of pixels in the first layer have been adjusted while maintaining grayscale shades of the second layer constant, wherein the adjusted grayscale shades of the first layer pixels that correspond to the surface marked portion of the pattern are within the first range of grayscale shades, and in which the grayscale shades of the second layer have been adjusted while maintaining the grayscale shades of the first layer constant, wherein the adjusted grayscale shades of the second layer pixels that correspond to the depth engraved portion of the pattern are within the second range of grayscale shades; and operating the laser marking apparatus at power settings associated with the adjusted grayscale shades of the first and second layers to produce the pattern on the work piece.