Decryption device

Claim 2

A decryption device, comprising: a) a substrate carrying a representation of an article of merchandise; b) a plurality of encrypted information symbols for identifying said article of merchandise which are located within an array of further symbols carried by said substrate, said array being arranged in a plurality of rows by a further plurality of columns; c) a pair of registration marks carried by said substrate and located at a predetermined orientation with respect to said array, said predetermined orientation being selectable to within a predetermined number of said rows and columns of said array; and d) overlay means adapted for covering said rectangular array, said overlay means including a first pair of apertures arranged to uncover said pair of registration marks, and a plurality of further apertures arranged to uncover said encrypted information symbols responsive to said first pair of apertures uncovering said pair of registration marks, thereby identifying said article of merchandise.

Claim 3

A decryption device as defined by claim 1, said plurality of rows of said array being M in number, said further plurality of columns of said array being N in number, and wherein said predetermined orientation of said pair of registration marks is selectable to within M-3 of said rows and N-3 of said columns.

Claim 4

A decryption device as defined in claim 2, wherein said plurality of further apertures are arranged in a further predetermined number of rows, said further predetermined number of rows being M-2 in number.

Claim 5

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a page from a sample book, said page carrying a representation of a sample of wallpaper.

Claim 6

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises a page from a book of wallpaper patterns, said page carrying a representation of a predetermined wallpaper pattern, and said plurality of encrypted information symbols comprises an order number for identifying said page and said predetermined wallpaper pattern.

Claim 7

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said overlay means comprises a generally rectangular card having plurality of small rectangular apertures extending therethrough.

Claim 8

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of encrypted information symbols and said further symbols are a combination of numbers from 0 to 9, letters A to Z, and spaces.

Claim 9

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said plurality of rows is six, said further plurality of columns is twenty, said plurality of apertures are arranged in four rows, and said predetermined orientation of said pair of registration marks is-adjustable to within three rows and three columns.

Claim 10

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said overlay means comprises a generally rectangular card having twelve apertures, at least two of said twelve apertures being located in the same row for uncovering said pair of registration marks.

Claim 11

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said registration marks are asterisks.

Claim 12

A decryption device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pair of registration marks are located at least one column space from opposite sides of said array.

Claim 15

A decryption device, comprising: a) a substrate carrying a representation of an article of merchandise; b) a plurality of encrypted information symbols for identifying said article of merchandise which are located within an array of further symbols carried by said substrate, said array being arranged in a plurality of rows by a further plurality of columns; c) a pair of registration marks carried by said substrate and located at a predetermined orientation with respect to said array, said predetermined orientation being selectable to within a predetermined number of said rows and columns of said array; and d) overlay means adapted for covering said rectangular array, said overlay means including a first pair of apertures arranged to uncover said pair of registration marks, and a plurality of further apertures arranged to uncover said encrypted information symbols responsive to said first pair of apertures uncovering said pair of registration marks, thereby identifying said article of merchandise, said plurality of rows of said array being M in number, said further plurality of columns of said array being N in number, and wherein said predetermined orientation of said pair of registration marks is selectable to within M-3 of said rows and N-3 of said columns, and wherein said plurality of further apertures are arranged in a further predetermined number of rows, said further predetermined number of rows being M-2 in number.

Claim 16

A decryption device, comprising: a) a substrate carrying a representation of an article of merchandise; b) a plurality of encrypted information symbols for identifying said article of merchandise which are located within an array of further symbols carried by said substrate, said array being arranged in a plurality of rows by a further plurality of columns; c) a pair of registration marks carried by said substrate and located at a predetermined orientation with respect to said array, said predetermined orientation being selectable to within a predetermined number of said rows and columns of said array; and d) overlay means adapted for covering said rectangular array, said overlay means including a first pair of apertures arranged to uncover said pair of registration marks, and a plurality of further apertures arranged to uncover said encrypted information symbols responsive to said first pair of apertures uncovering said pair of registration marks, thereby identifying said article of merchandise, said plurality of rows of said array being M in number, said further plurality of columns of said array being N in number, and wherein said predetermined orientation of said pair of registration marks is selectable to within M-3 of said rows and N-3 of said columns, and wherein said plurality of further apertures are arranged in a further predetermined number of rows, said further predetermined number of rows being M-2 in number.