A tangible object (such as a microprocessor, wristwatch, pharmaceutical,
compact disc, vehicle part, etc) is surface-textured to encode a
plural-bit code thereon. In one arrangement, this encoding conveys date
information. In use, the object can be imaged by a scanner apparatus, and
the resulting scan data analyzed to discern the plural-bit code. The
decoded date information can be used in a determination relating to the
object. For example, at a port of entry, date information encoded on a
Rolex wristwatch can be used to determine whether importation of the
wristwatch should be permitted. The texture-encoded data can also convey
other information, such as a vehicle identifier for an automotive part, a
place of fabrication, a specification with which the part complies, etc.
