US6309690B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for retrospective identification and method of marking articles for retrospective identification
Assignee: MICROTRACS Inc
•
Filing: 1999-04-01
•
Granted: 2001-10-30
•
Expires: 2019-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A system and method using microcoded marks provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with microparticles having multiple layers. The particles form a unique spatial pattern on the article. An image is made of the mark as applied to the article. The digitized image is stored in a database with information about the article. The database can be accessed by users to verify the authenticity of an article.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Brogger
- 👤 William J. Kerns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:22
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; A; A63; A63B; A63B45/00; A63B45/02; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06046; G06K19/08; G06K19/083; G06K19/086; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G07F7/12; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/15; G06K2019/06215; G06K2019/06234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
Method of marking an article for retrospective authentication, comprising the steps of simultaneously: a) forming a unique mark including a set of microparticles, each said microparticle having two or more distinguishable layers with the sequence of the layers having an assigned meaning; and b) applying the unique mark to an article to be authenticated, said mark being unique as a result of the pattern formed by the spatial relationship of said microparticles and said pattern being determined upon placement of said mark on the article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
Method of marking an article for retrospective authentication, comprising the steps of simultaneously: a) forming a unique mark including a set of microparticles, each said microparticle having two or more distinguishable layers with the sequence of the layers having an assigned meaning; and b) applying the unique mark to an article to be authenticated, said mark being unique as a result of the pattern formed by the spatial relationship of said microparticles and said pattern being determined upon placement of said mark on the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of marking an article for retrospective authentication according to claim 1 , wherein said layers are colored.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said microparticles have a thermochromic layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said microparticles have a photochromic layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method of marking an article for retrospective authentication according to claim 1 , wherein said mark is formed by applying liquid adhesive to the article, said adhesive having microparticles entrained therein, said microparticles forming a unique spatial pattern as said adhesive solidifies on the article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of marking an article for retrospective authentication according to claim 5 wherein said adhesive is applied with a brush.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of marking an article for retrospective authentication according to claim 5 wherein said adhesive is applied with an eye dropper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of marking an article for retrospective authentication according to claim 1 wherein said mark is formed by applying an ink to the article, said ink having microparticles entrained therein, said microparticles forming a spatial pattern after said ink is applied to said article as said ink dries.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said ink is applied to said article with a writing instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said ink is applied to said article with a stamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said ink is thermochromic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said ink is photochromic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said microparticles are not discernable to the naked eye.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said microparticles have a layer of thermochromic material that is transparent within a first temperature range including the temperatures of 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit and are opaque within a second temperature range that excludes the temperatures within the first temperature range, and wherein the method includes the step of exposing said microparticle to a temperature within said second temperature range to reveal the layer's color.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said microparticles have a layer of near-infra-red material that is transparent when exposed to light that is not ultra-violet and which flouresces when exposed to ultra-violet light, and wherein the method includes the step of exposing said microparticle to ultra-violet light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4238524A
Cited
US4812171A
Cited
US5310222A
Cited
US5267756A
Cited
US5380047A
Cited
US5521984A
Cited
US5673338A
Cited
US5873604A
Cited
US5837042A
Cited
US6030000A
Cited
US6200628B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-10-29 | 2005-04-30 | 2005-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-29 | 2009-04-30 | 2009-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-29 | 2013-04-30 | 2013-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |