Your iPhone 3G contains a hidden code

there are SEVERAL of these 2D barcodes inside the iPhone (and probably ANY recent electronics device you own!!)

most likely tracking numbers used for production and inventory control. unlikely to be the IMEI.

for example, see the teardown photos at iFixit
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/iPhone3G

other teardown photos I've seen of the 3G show similar codes on the main PCB, battery pack, LCD module.

I found it. Shot w/ night shot mode. Got onto an SD card. Decoded the message. It's not the IMEI. Not sure what it is. Behold:

1080726B0206102714129AB

I've got my 16GB Black iPhone here and a Sony with Nightshot mode. I didn't see anything and went over it for several minutes. It is interesting how the nightshot mode does show you some screw holes on the inside and you can see what looks like some kind of glue or something around the camera lens. But no ID thing.

fake.

So why hasn't anyone that disassembled the iPhone 3G found the code?

I think the code contains your cell phone account info, so if lost, it can be scanned, and return the phone to rightful owner.

The nightvision on some higher-end cameras makes use of the near-infared spectrum, and using infared lights (invisible to the human eye) can film even in apparent pitch black.

What the back of the iPhone has is a patch that isn't just "black plastic" but an IR filter, allowing only IR light to pass through. It appears black to the human eye, but an IR camera would see through it.

Anyone wishing to try this can modify a cheap-o webcam to capture on the near-infared spectrum, really easily. You crack it open, and find a tiny glass plate that serves to filter out IR light. Then you need a few layers of dark film negative (which is clear on IR) to filter out normal light. Replace the two, and voila! A neat look into the world where remote-control tips are blinky, coke is clear, and coloured fabric is white.

I don't think night vision can see through anything. As I understand, it only amplifies the small light that's available, so I'm not sure how this night vision camcorder could see through the black plastic on the back of the iPhone. Even if the plastic is slightly transparent, you could only see something inside with a lot of light, thus drowning out a night vision device. Can someone explain this?

It's not visible on all iPhones.
On my german iPhone 3G 16GB T-Mobile it's not there.
I filmed it with my Sony HD Camcorder using Night Shot.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KIPRpW1MRw

I'll do it when I get home. Too much light at the office.