Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for the characteristic marking and/or identification of a data carrier which is inserted into a processing station for the purpose of being characteristically marked and identified using data which are specifically characteristic of said data carrier, wherein in marking said data carrier said data are derived from individual physical properties of said data carrier scanned along a detection track in a first region thereof and stored on said data carrier in the form of a protocol, and in identifying said data carrier the individual physical properties thereof are scanned over a second region of said data carrier including and being larger than said first region and comprising a number of detection tracks being disposed parallel adjacent to each other and covering said first detection track, identification data are derived from said scanned individual physical properties of said second region, said data stored on said data carrier are read out and said identification data are compared with said stored data by checking for the presence of correlations between the physical properties represented by said stored data and said identification data.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method for the characteristic marking and/or identification of a data carrier which is inserted into a processing station for the purpose of being characteristically marked and identified using data which are specifically characteristic of said data carrier, wherein in marking said data carrier said data are derived from individual physical properties of said data carrier scanned along a detection track in a first region thereof and stored on said data carrier in the form of a protocol, and in identifying said data carrier the individual physical properties thereof are scanned over a second region of said data carrier including and being larger than said first region and comprising a number of detection tracks being disposed parallel adjacent to each other and covering said first detection track, identification data are derived from said scanned individual physical properties of said second region, said data stored on said data carrier are read out and said identification data are compared with said stored data by checking for the presence of correlations between the physical properties represented by said stored data and said identification data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second regions of said data carrier are defined by a feed direction of the latter in said processing station and by an extension transversely of this direction of a line-scanner scanning the physical properties, the extension being transverse to the feed direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said line-scanner is a charge-coupled device (CCD) photo-pick-up array.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
35 words
The method of any of claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein for marking said data carrier the physical properties of said data carrier are scanned within a predetermined planar pattern area, within said first region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein for marking said data carrier the physical properties of said data carrier are scanned within a random planar pattern area within said first region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for the characteristic marking and identification of a data carrier, comprising a processing station in which said data carrier is inserted for characteristic marking and authenticity identification, said processing station comprising scanning means for scanning physical properties of said data carrier along a first detection track in a first region thereof for the characteristic marking process and in a second region thereof for authenticity identification, wherein said second region includes and extends beyond said first region and comprises a number of detection tracks being disposed parallel adjacent to each other and covering said first detection track, and analyser means comparing said data scanned in the marking process and in the identification process and checking said data for the presence of correlations between the physical properties represented by said data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for the characteristic marking and identification of a data carrier, comprising a processing station in which said data carrier is inserted for characteristic marking and authenticity identification, said processing station comprising scanning means for scanning physical properties of said data carrier along a first detection track in a first region thereof for the characteristic marking process and in a second region thereof for authenticity identification, wherein said second region includes and extends beyond said first region and comprises a number of detection tracks being disposed parallel adjacent to each other and covering said first detection track, and analyser means comparing said data scanned in the marking process and in the identification process and checking said data for the presence of correlations between the physical properties represented by said data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said scanning means comprises a CCD photo-line-scanner array and in that drive means are provided for relative displacement of said data carrier and said CCD-photo-line-scanner array, the CCD photo-line scanner being arranged transversely to the direction of data carrier movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the authenticity criterium of a data carrier is a predetermined correlation coefficient which corresponds to an incomplete coincidence between said data compared for identification of said data carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said correlation coefficient is selected such that normal variations in physical data carrier properties arising from normal use and wear will not prevent authenticity verification of an authentic data carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said authenticity record is inscribed in said data carrier itself.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said authenticity record is stored at said processing station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said data carrier comprises a semiconductor memory integrated therein.