U.S. patent application number 11/029270 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for security marking and security mark.
Invention is credited to Douglas, Joel S..
Application Number | 20050156318 11/029270 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34752464 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050156318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Douglas, Joel S. |
July 21, 2005 |
Security marking and security mark
Abstract
The application discloses a security mark consisting of a
plurality of layers, of which the cover layers are highly
conductive films and the layers of the card core are films of
varying transparency. One layer carries information, which can be
read directly, if desired, above a security print, while the
transparent conductive layer has an additional security markings,
such as biometric or product identifiers marking which can be read
conductively only with the aid of a special reader. All the layers
consist of polymers, papers or mixtures which can be fused together
to form a laminate which is fused together. The conductive layers
form conductive traces which may be formed with single-walled or
multi walled nano tubes or they can be formed from multiple layers
or dispersions containing, carbon nano tubes, carbon nano
tubes/antimony tin oxide, carbon nano tubes/platinum, or carbon
nano tubes/silver, carbon, silver or carbon nano
tubes/silver-cloride. An alternative layer can be formed from a
separate conductive layer or suitable dispersion and the encoding
accomplished by overlaying a nonconductive trace.
Inventors: |
Douglas, Joel S.; (Groton,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Joel S. Douglas
66 Neptune Dr
Groton
CT
06340
US
|
Family ID: |
34752464 |
Appl. No.: |
11/029270 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60536775 |
Jan 15, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
257/761 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/18 20130101;
B82Y 10/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
257/761 |
International
Class: |
H01L 023/52 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An identity marking, comprising: a patterned layer of conductive
material on an object, wherein the pattern of conductive material
comprises identifying indicia that can be read by a conductivity
meter.
2. The identity marking as of claim 1, wherein the identity marking
is disposed in a layer of translucent material applied to a
security card or product label.
3. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein the conductive material
comprises carbon nano tubes.
4. The identity marking of claim 3, the carbon nano tubes are less
than 15 nm in diameter.
5. The identity marking of claim 3, the carbon nano tubes are less
than 70 um in length.
6. The identity marking of claim 3, further comprising a polymer
coating over the identity marking.
7. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein the conductive layer
has conductive indicia encoded therein.
8. The identity marking of claim 7, wherein said conductive indicia
comprise biometric information.
9. The identity marking of claim 7, wherein said conductive indicia
comprise gaming information.
10. The identity marking of claim 7, wherein said conductive
indicia comprise product information.
11. The identity marking of claim 7, wherein said conductive
indicia is formed to provide a binary representation.
12. The identity marking of claim 7, wherein said conductive
indicia is formed to provide a barcode representation.
13. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein said conductive
indicia is formed to provide a graphical representation.
14. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein said conductive
indicia is formed to provide representations of information based
on the resistance reading of the conductive material.
15. The identity marking as defined in claim 7, wherein said
conductive indicia is unique to a particular product.
16. The identity marking as defined in claim 13, wherein said
conductive indicia is applied to the product as a traceable
marking.
17. The identity marking as defined in claim 7, wherein said
conductive indicia is encoded to contain information that is read
by a computer peripheral and used to confirm the identity of a
computer user.
18. The identity marking as defined in claim 7, wherein said
conductive indicia is applied to the identification device
containing a microprocessor such that the conductive indicia form a
representation of identification information.
19. The identity marking as defined in claim 7, wherein said
conductive indicia is applied to the identification device
containing a semiconductor electronic circuit such that the
conductive indicia form a representation of identification
information.
20. The identity marking as defined in claim 7, wherein said
conductive indicia is applied to a identification device containing
a microprocessor such that the conductive indicia forms a
representation of identification information.
21. The identity marking as defined in claim 19, wherein said
conductive indicia is a representation of gaming information.
22. The identity marking as defined in claim 20, wherein said
conductive indicia is a representation of gaming information.
23. The identity marking as defined in claim 19, wherein said
conductive indicia is a representation of security information.
24. The identity marking as defined in claim 20, wherein said
conductive indicia is a representation of security information.
25. An identity marking contained in the first layer of a security
card, comprising: a conductive material containing at least one
element of identifying indicia that can be read by conductivity and
the conductive material is mixed with fluorescence dye.
26. An identity marking contained in a layer of a security card,
comprising: a conductive material containing at least one element
of identifying indicia that can be read by conductivity and the
conductive material is mixed with infrared dye.
27. The identity marking of claim 1, comprising conductive
materials containing carbon.
28. The identity marking of claim 1, comprising conductive
materials containing selected from metals such as silver, copper or
gold.
29. The identity marking of claim 19, where the conductive
materials form identification means as well as an antenna.
30. The identity marking of claim 20, where the conductive
materials form identification means as well as the antenna.
31. The identity marking of claim 1, comprising conductive
materials containing metal oxide types.
32. The identity marking of claim 31, wherein the metal oxides are
selected from tin-indium mixed oxide (ITO), antimony-tin mixed
oxide (ATO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) or aluminum-doped zinc
oxide (FZO).
33. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein said indicia comprise
conductively readable information for use with a computerized
workstation to provide access information to the workstation or
resources.
34. The identity marking of claim 3, wherein the conductive film is
formed from single and multi walled carbon nano tubes and the
average outer diameter size of the carbon nano tubes is greater
than 0.5 nm.
35. The identity marking of claim 34, wherein said nano tubes are
selected from the group consisting of single-walled nano tubes
(SWNTs), double-walled nano tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano tubes
(MWNTs), and mixtures thereof.
36. The identity marking of claim 32, wherein said nano tubes are
substantially single-walled nano tubes (SWNTs).
37. The identity marking of claim 34, wherein said nano tubes are
present in said film at about 0.001 to about 10% based on
weight.
38. The identity marking of claim 34, wherein said nano tubes are
present in said film at least about 0.5% by weight.
39. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein the film has a surface
resistance of less than about 25,000 ohms/square.
40. The identity marking of claim 1, further comprising a polymeric
material.
41. The identity marking of claim 34, wherein said nano tubes are
selected from the group consisting of single-walled nano tubes
(SWNTs), double-walled nano tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano tubes
(MWNTs), and mixtures thereof to form a dispersion.
42. The identity marking of claim 41, wherein the dispersion
comprises a plurality of nano tubes with an outer diameter of less
than 15 nm.
43. The identity marking of claim 42, wherein said nano tubes have
an outer diameter of about 0.5 to 15 nm.
44. The identity marking of claim 42, wherein said nano tubes are
substantially single-walled nano tubes (SWNTs).
45. The identity marking of claim 41, wherein the dispersion
further comprising a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric
material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
thermoplastics, thermosetting polymers, elastomers, conducting
polymers and combinations thereof.
46. The identity marking of claim 41, the dispersion further
comprising a polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material
comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ceramic
hybrid polymers, and phosphine oxides chalcogenides.
47. The identity marking of claim 41, the dispersion further
comprising a plasticizer, softening agent, filler, reinforcing
agent, processing aid, stabilizer, antioxidant, dispersing agent,
binder, a cross-linking agent, a coloring agent, a UV absorbent
agent, or a charge adjusting agent.
48. The identity marking of claim 41, the dispersion further
comprising conductive organic materials, inorganic materials, or
combinations or mixtures thereof.
49. The identity marking of claim 48, wherein the conductive
organic materials are selected from the group consisting of
buckeyballs, carbon black, fullerenes, nano tubes with an outer
diameter of greater than about 0.5 nm, and combinations and
mixtures thereof.
50. The identity marking of claim 49, wherein the conductive
inorganic materials are selected from the group consisting of
antimony tin oxide, iridium tin oxide, aluminum, antimony,
beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, doped metal oxides,
iron, gold, lead, manganese, magnesium, mercury, metal oxides,
nickel, platinum, silver, steel, titanium, zinc, and combinations
and mixtures thereof.
51. The identity marking of claim 50, further comprising a
conductive material selected from the group consisting of
tin-indium mixed oxide, antimony-tin mixed oxide, fluorine-doped
tin oxide, aluminum-doped zinc oxide and combinations and mixtures
thereof.
52. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein the conductive coating
is formed from single and multi walled carbon nano tubes and the
average outer diameter size of the carbon nano tubes is less than
15 nm.
53. The identity marking of claim 52, wherein said nano tubes are
present in said coating at about 0.001 to about 10% based on
weight.
54. The identity marking of claim 52, wherein said nano tubes are
present in said coating at about 0.05%.
55. A method for making conductive film specified in claim 3,
comprising: providing a plurality of nano tubes with an outer
diameter of less than 15 nm; and forming a film of said nano tubes
on a surface of a substrate.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the step of forming the film
comprises a method selected from the group consisting of spray
painting, dip coating, spin coating, knife coating, kiss coating,
gravure coating, screen printing, ink jet printing, and pad
printing.
57. A multi-layered structure comprising: an electrically
conductive film comprising a plurality of nano tubes with an outer
diameter of less than 15 nm; and a polymeric layer disposed on at
least a portion of said electrically conductive film.
58. The multi-layered structure of claim 57, wherein said nano
tubes are selected from the group consisting of single-walled nano
tubes (SWNTs), double-walled nano tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano
tubes (MWNTs), and mixtures thereof.
59. The multi-layered structure of claim 57, wherein said nano
tubes are substantially single-walled nano tubes (SWNTs).
60. The multi-layered structure of claim 57, wherein said nano
tubes are present in said film at about 0.001 to about 10% based on
weight.
61. The multi-layered structure of claim 57, further comprising a
polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises a
material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics,
thermosetting polymers, elastomers, conducting polymers and
combinations thereof.
62. The multi-layered structure of claim 57, further comprising a
polymeric material, wherein the polymeric material comprises a
material selected from the group consisting of ceramic hybrid
polymers, phosphine oxides and chalcogenides.
63. The multi-layered structure of claim 57, wherein said film has
a thickness between about 0.005 microns to about 0.005 inches.
64. A dispersion of nano tubes comprising a plurality of nano tubes
with an outer diameter of less than 15 nm.
65. The dispersion of claim 64, wherein said nano tubes have an
outer diameter of about 0.5 to 15 nm.
66. The dispersion of claim 65, wherein said nano tubes are
selected from the group consisting of single-walled nano tubes
(SWNTs), double-walled nano tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano tubes
(MWNTs), and mixtures thereof.
67. The dispersion of claim 65, wherein said nano tubes are
substantially single-walled nano tubes (SWNTs).
68. The dispersion of claim 65, further comprising a polymeric
material, wherein the polymeric material comprises a material
selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics, thermosetting
polymers, elastomers, conducting polymers and combinations
thereof.
69. The dispersion of claim 65, further comprising a polymeric
material, wherein the polymeric material comprises a material
selected from the group consisting of ceramic hybrid polymers, and
phosphine oxides chalcogenides.
70. The dispersion of claim 65, wherein the conductive inorganic
materials are selected from the group consisting of aluminum,
antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, doped metal
oxides, iron, gold, lead, manganese, magnesium, mercury, metal
oxides, nickel, platinum, silver, steel, titanium, zinc, and
combinations and mixtures thereof.
71. The dispersion of claim 65, further comprising a conductive
material selected from the group consisting of tin-indium mixed
oxide, antimony-tin mixed oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide,
aluminum-doped zinc oxide and combinations and mixtures
thereof.
72. The dispersion of claim 65, further comprising conductors,
fluids, gelatins, ionic compounds, semiconductors, solids,
surfactants, or combinations or mixtures thereof.
73. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein the conductive coating
is formed with conductive film or ink and a non conductive upper
layer placed on top of the conductive layer which is selectively
relived to allow access to the conductive layer below thereby
providing a non conductive and conductive encoding means.
74. An identity marking contained in a layer of a security marking,
comprising: a conductive material containing at least one element
of identifying indicia that can be read by conductivity.
75. An identity marking of claim 74, wherein said first layer is a
non conductive layer.
76. The identity marking of claim 1, wherein the conductive coating
formed with carbon nano tubes and other conductive materials.
77. The identity marking of claim 1 were the conductive layer is a
plastics film.
78. The identity marking of claim 1 were the conductive layer is a
coating wherein the conductive inorganic materials are selected
from the group consisting of aluminum, antimony, beryllium,
cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, doped metal oxides, iron, gold,
lead, manganese, magnesium, mercury, metal oxides, nickel,
platinum, silver, steel, titanium, zinc, tin-indium mixed oxide,
antimony-tin mixed oxide, fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum-doped
zinc oxide and further comprising conductors, fluids, gelatins,
ionic compounds, semiconductors, solids, surfactants, or
combinations or mixtures thereof.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/536,775 entitled Identity Card, filed on Jan.
15, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a security marking formed
from a layer of conductive materials that is patterned so as to
have identification information captured therein. The conductive
coating layer may be formed by printing, etching, or formulation.
The conductive layer can be made from carbon nano tube conductive
ink, conductive films or conductive inks formed from metals and
oxides, but is not so limited. As will be shown, the conductive
coating layer may be applied to security cards, or directly to
products to prevent counterfeiting.
[0003] In preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to a
security marking consisting of several layers of materials. For
example, the present security marking may consist of a layer of
conductive material sections with an overlying layer of protective
material. The positioning of conductive materials in the conductive
layer of the security marking carries, at a suitable point,
information which serves to identify the card holder or product,
and may have additional security markings, such as biometric
information or product identification information. The conductive
coating layer can be applied to a security card so that the
conductive layer and can be formed to have either a single or
series of resistors that make the identity tag virtually forgery
resistant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Security cards are used as information carriers or data
carriers for security markings, identity cards, check cards, credit
cards, personal passes, passports, product identifiers and other
identification carriers. Security cards must be secure against
forgery. Also, it must be easy to check the authenticity of the
security cards. Security markings are increasingly manufactured in
the form of a fused laminate in which a card core carrying the
information is protected by other transparent films.
[0005] German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2,308,876 provides an
identity card consisting of a relatively thick carrier film and a
thin transparent film, between which there is a special paper
having internal features, such as watermarks, banknote printings or
the like, which serve for protection against forgeries and cause
differences in the thickness of the paper. The three layers are
plastified together in such a way that the internal features are
manually, mechanically and/or visually detectable through the
transparent film. Further markings which serve to identify the card
holder are provided at a suitable point on this known security
marking. For example, a photograph in the form of a film
transparency is inserted during plastifying between the special
paper and the carrier film and is firmly bonded to the special
paper. Furthermore, it is possible, at any desired point on the
front or rear of the security marking, to laminate a strip of
special paper, printed according to security technology, onto the
outside of the plastic material, as a field for later insertion of
signatures or other handwritten entries.
[0006] Paper has the advantage that numerous latent security
markings, such as watermarks, banknote printings, security
filaments and the like, can be contained therein, while, by
contrast, the material which is used for the manufacture of plastic
cards and consists entirely of plastic does not contain any
authenticity or security markings of this type. When it is
laminated to paper cores, it is unfortunately a disadvantage that
these laminations can be opened up relatively easily and are thus
accessible to manipulations and forgeries of any kind.
[0007] German Auslegeschrift No. 2,163,943 discloses a personal
security marking which comprises a combination of a support layer,
an electrically conductive layer, a barrier layer, a
photoconductive layer with an organic photoconductor, optionally a
cover layer, a protective layer on the photoconductive layer or on
the cover layer, a protective layer on the rear of the layer
support and, optionally, a cover layer on the last-mentioned
protective layer. In this personal security marking, a number of
different materials are assembled to give a laminate which, due to
the lack of homogeneity of the individual layers, can be split up
so that it is possible to carry out forgeries.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,408 issued to Keskin, et al. describes
an identification card and access control device which includes a
header piece with stored memory and terminals for interfacing with
an electronic port of a reader device, with encoded data programmed
into the memory. An identification card, identifying the holder, is
attached to the electronic header piece and bears printed
information relating to and identifying the intended holder.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,367 issued to Forster, describes an
identification tag comprising a multilayer assembly incorporating,
in sequence, a metal backing layer, a bulk structural layer, a
piezo-electric layer and an electrode layer. The electrode layer
incorporates antennas structures for receiving interrogating
radiation comprising a first radiation component at a relatively
lower frequency and a second radiation component at a relatively
higher frequency. The electrode layer also incorporates a structure
for modulating a second signal generated in response to receiving
the second component by a first signal generated in response to
receiving the first component to generate a modulated signal which
is re-emitted as reflected radiation from the tag. The presence of
the tag is determinable from modulation components present in the
reflected radiation, thereby distinguishing the tag from other
objects capable of reflecting radiation, but not modulating it.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,015 issued to Norton, describes a
system, apparatus and method for enabling the operation of a
vehicle or other equipment by using a smart card for transmitting
an authorization code to the vehicle or the other equipment.
Without the authorization code from the smart card the vehicle or
other equipment is inoperable.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,830 issued to Gelbman, describes a
flexible electronic label. The electronic label provides for
displaying information in connection with a mammal, non-mammal, an
item or location. The label includes a display assembly having
electronic ink disposed on a support, one or more antennas for
sending or receiving signals corresponding to one of instructions,
programs, data or selected indicia to be displayed by said display
assembly, a storage element in circuit with the antenna for storing
the instructions, programs, data and indicia, and one or more
processors for intelligently determining the indicia to be
displayed by the display assembly, for controlling and coordinating
operation of the label, and for generating output signals for
instructing the display assembly to display the indicia.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,719 issued to Curiel, describes methods
of creating tamper resistant informational articles, also related
products are disclosed. In one embodiment, a lens has a preformed
transparent hologram, metallized portions are provided and may be
altered through selective application of heat to predetermined
parts thereof to create information which may be fixed or variable.
Printing may be provided on the hologram before metallizing. A base
portion underlies the metallized layer. In yet another embodiment
of the invention, an opaque base portion has a hologram formed in
the upper surface thereof with portions of the hologram being made
readily visible by partial metallization covering only portions of
the hologram with or without information provided as by printing
overlying or underlying portions of the metallized sector or both.
A transparent overlying lens is secured in overlying relationship.
Metallizing may be such as to permit viewing underlying hologram
portions or information or not.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,591 issued to Griswold, et al. describes
a token for use in a cashless transaction involving an electronic
device that includes a token body having a coin shape. The token
has a digital circuit embedded within the token body and a memory
embedded within the token body that is coupled to the digital
circuit. The token also includes an input/output interface embedded
within the token body that is coupled to the digital circuit and
which enables the digital circuit to communicate with the
electronic device.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,039 issued to Knight, et al. describes a
method of manufacture of a security thread suitable for use in
security articles including security paper such as that used for
banknotes.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,151 issued to Baldi, describes a
currency note having an identification and/or authentication
element including an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit can
store, securely in electronic form and accessible from outside,
such information as: the value, serial number, issuer, and date of
issuance.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,024 issued to Haghiri-Tehrani, et al.
describes an identification card equipped with an integrated
circuit, in which the circuit along with its connection leads is
arranged on a carrier element which is embeddedly enclosed by the
card on all sides by use of the hot lamination technique.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,217 issued to Moraw, et al. describes an
identity card consisting of a plurality of layers, of which the
cover layers are highly transparent films and the layers of the
card core are films of moderate to low transparency, as a result of
added pigment.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,155 issued to Soules, et al. describes a
conventional playing card that is invisibly coded so that it can
only be read face down, by an electro-optic reading means.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,615 issued to Hurier describes a
security device for identifying products that includes a printing
medium in which luminescent agents are dispersed, having at least
one opaque part disposed on at least one luminescent part of the
medium. The opaque part is the same color as the luminescent part
and has at least one contour of a different color. When illuminated
by predetermined radiation in the non-visible spectrum, the device
shows an image different than that observed in ordinary light.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,069 issued to Outwater, et al. describes
a product authentication system and method employing a unique mark
that is simple and cost-effective to apply and read, but provides
several layers of protection, including anti-counterfeit and
anti-diversion, against counterfeiters. The unique mark includes a
bar code that is printed in invisible ink comprising a UV or
near-IR ink and an IR mark. The first layer of protection is
invisibility. The second layer of protection is the bar code
itself. The third layer of protection is the presence of the IR
mark in the unique mark. The fourth layer of protection is the IR
emitting characteristics of the IR mark.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,039 issued to Irwin, Jr., et al.,
describes a document having printed electronic circuits by using an
electronic verification machine that determines the electrical
characteristics or signatures of the circuits printed on the
document. The electronic verification machine electronically
couples with the circuit and applies an excitation signal such as
an AC signal having a predetermined frequency to the circuit. A
detection circuit in the electronic verification machine then
generates a detection signal in response to the excitation signal
which represents the characteristics of the circuit printed on the
document. The electronic verification machine can also be used to
stigmatize the document by applying a signal to the electronic
circuits having sufficient strength to alter the electronic
circuit.
[0022] U.S. Patent application 2001/0035822 applied for by Seidel
describes an anti theft tack device incorporating a detectable
element which can be attached to the body component of an existing
electronic article surveillance security tag to replace the
tack-like connecting component of the security tag.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,684 issued to Becker, describes a tag
circuit system using resonant circuit technology in conjunction
with an insulative substrate and conductive ink or metal conductor
to permit the tag to be sewn into the clothing, protecting the
circuit elements, yet providing a trace on a portion of the tag
which can be clipped from the main portion of the tag to change the
operation of the tag.
[0024] Various gaming applications using optically readable arrays
and readers are known such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,848 issued to
Soltys, et al. Method and apparatus for monitoring casinos and
gaming, U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,435 issued to Soltys, et al. Method and
apparatus for monitoring casinos and gaming, U.S. Pat. No.
6,652,379 issued to Soltys, et al. Method, apparatus and article
for verifying card games, such as blackjack, U.S. Pat. No.
4,782,221 issued to Brass, et al., Printed data strip including
bit-encoded information and scanner control.
[0025] Biometric information such as a fingerprint can be reduced
to a series of terminations or bifurcations (called "minutia")
corresponding to various locations on the fingerprint. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,947,442 issued to Tanaka, et al. describes a method and
apparatus for matching fingerprints in which the collation rate is
improved by using both characteristic and non-characteristic
minutia for the collation process. An image processing unit used in
the apparatus cannot determine whether the collation minutia
searched are characteristic or non-characteristic since an
Integrated Circuit (IC) card holds a list of collation minutia
records, thus offering improved security. Further, random numbers
may be utilized for accessing the collation minutia record list for
further improved security. However the need to have the data stored
on a processing unit increases the cost and complexity.
[0026] A standard accepted means of identifying an individual is
through their fingerprint or retinal image. Numerous fingerprint
algorithms and methods have been proposed and used in existing art
such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,196 issued to Yamaguchi, et al. which
achieves the reliability and simplicity in registering a
fingerprint by indicating the quality of a fingerprint image by the
number of pseudo minutiae.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,823 issued to Tasaki, et al. describes a
card and a card identifying apparatus. The card is imparted with
predetermined characteristic information in the form of an
embossment pattern, a character pattern, a fingerprint pattern, a
colored pattern or a combination of selected ones of these
patterns, while information corresponding to the predetermined
characteristic information is stored in a memory incorporated in
the card. Upon insertion of the card into the card identifying
apparatus, the latter senses the characteristic information while
reading out the corresponding information from the card for
collation. When coincidence is found between both sets of
information, it is decided that the card is genuine. However the
need to have the data stored on a processing unit increases the
cost and complexity.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,741 issued to Gerety, et al. attempts to
eliminate the microprocessor based card and utilizes a
two-dimensional, high-density, damage-tolerant printed code
suitable for encoding multiple biometrics and text for positive
off-line identity verification. The two-dimensional, high-density,
damage-tolerant printed code is suitable for printing on a
conventionally sized ISO card or other papers used in verifying
identity. An ISO-sized card or other identity paper bearing a
two-dimensional, high-density, damage-tolerant printed code
encoding multiple biometrics, e.g., encoded image likeness and
multiple fingerprint templates, may be used with an off-line
integrated positive identity verification apparatus that is capable
of decoding the image and fingerprint samples taken from an
individual whose identity is sought to be verified. However, since
the two dimensional code can be read by conventional means the two
dimensional code can be readily forged because it does not have a
built in verifying mechanism to allow the reader to check for
authenticity.
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,623, Soules, et al., describes an
apparently conventional document such as an identification (ID)
card that is constructed as a laminate within which a code or other
coding indicia such as a photograph, bar code or fingerprint is
concealed from human view. The document is read by a conventional
electro-optic reader means placed against a face of the card. The
reader uses a beam of light in the wavelength absorbed by the
material with which the coded indicia is produced, but reflected by
the background against which the coded indicia is "seen" by the
beam. The card is preferably a laminate of at least an upper lamina
and a lower lamina, each made of a synthetic resin which has a
substantially white imprintable surface conventionally printed with
the identification of the owner of the card with a pigment-free,
non-aqueous ink which is visible to the human eye but substantially
transparent to wavelengths outside the visible range. Typically,
both the upper and lower laminae, are opaque to visible light, but
the face through which the coded indicia is to be read by the
reader, is transparent to the reader's beam. The code is read
because there is sufficient contrast between the transmitted and
absorbed light in the wavelength used by the reader. Each of the
forgoing patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
[0030] Various gaming applications using optically readable arrays
and readers are also seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,848 issued to
Soltys, et al. entitled Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Casinos
and Gaming; U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,435 issued to Soltys, et al.
entitled Method and Apparatus for Monitoring Casinos and Gaming;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,379 issued to Soltys, et al. entitled Method,
Apparatus and Article for Verifying Card Games, Such as Blackjack;
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,221 issued to Brass, et al., entitled
Printed Data Strip Including Bit-Encoded Information and Scanner
Control.
[0031] The prior art is replete with identification and
verification systems; however the need exists for a low cost and
simple security marking system which can be used as an individual
identification system, gaming mark or a security mark for product
identification of forged or non licensed replicas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention provides an identity marking formed
from a layer of conductive materials that is deposited or formed in
a pattern so as to represent encoded identification information.
The marking can be applied to a security card, or to a product
label. The pattern of conductive material sections in the identity
marking represents the security information encoded therein. The
security code in the conductive layer of the marking is read by a
reader that measures or verifies conductivity.
[0033] It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an
improved security marking system which can be used as an individual
identification system, gaming mark or a security mark for
identification of forged or non licensed product replicas.
[0034] In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides
security marking comprising at least one layer of conductive
material which withstands any attempt to forge the information
encoded thereon and thus resists any attempted forgery of the
information fixed in the conductive layer of the security
marking.
[0035] In accordance with the present invention, an algorithm which
registers a fingerprint by indicating the quality of a fingerprint
image by pseudo minutia can be used with the present invention to
capture the fingerprint information in the conductive material and
using this image as an identification system.
[0036] In accordance with the present invention, the layer of
conductive material can comprise numerous materials, including, but
not limited to, conductive inks, plastics and coatings.
[0037] The present invention provides, a security marking having a
single layer of conductive material containing at least one element
of conductively readable identifying indicia. This conductive layer
can be made by applying a conductive film to the surface of a
security card or to a product "tag". The conductive layer is formed
from a film that has a surface resistance in the range of less than
about 150,000 ohms/square, or more preferably about 25,000
ohms/square.
[0038] In preferred aspects, the layer of conductive material can
be formed from a variety of conductive films, coatings or inks,
including, but not limited to those described in U.S. patent
application 2002/0143094 entitled Polymer Nanocomposites and
Methods of Preparation, Conroy, Jeffrey L., et. al.; U.S. patent
application 2002/0035170 entitled Electromagnetic Shielding
Composite Comprising Nano Tubes, Glatkowski, Paul; et al; U.S.
patent application 2002/0180077 entitled Carbon Nano Tube
Fiber-Reinforced Composite Structures for EM and Lightning Strike
Protection, Glatkowski, Paul; et al; U.S. patent application
2003/0008123 entitled Nanocomposite Dielectrics, Glatkowski, Paul;
et al; U.S. patent application 2003/0164427 entitled ESD Coatings
For Use With Spacecraft, Glatkowski, Paul; et al; and U.S. patent
application 2003/0122111 entitled Coatings Comprising Carbon Nano
Tubes and Methods For Forming Same, Glatkowski, Paul; et al; all
included herein by reference. The dispersion that form the
conductive material can be further comprising a plasticizer,
softening agent, filler, reinforcing agent, processing aid,
stabilizer, antioxidant, dispersing agent, binder, a cross-linking
agent, a coloring agent, a UV absorbent agent, or a charge
adjusting agent.
[0039] In preferred embodiments, the present conductive coating
layer can also be made from single wall or multi wall carbon nano
tubes that may preferably be sized to be less than 3.5 nm and
greater than 0.1 nm in outer dimension size. In optional
embodiments, additional conductive dispersions such as Acheson
Electrodag 427 or Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO) ink can be alloyed with
either single wall or multi wall carbon nano tubes preferably sized
to be greater than 3.5 nm and less than 15 nm in outer dimension
size. In preferred embodiments, the carbon nano tubes can be mixed
uniformly into the Acheson Electrodag 427 such that their percent
by weight is between 0.5 to 10%. Alternately, they may be applied
as a first layer of a two part coating. Preferably the carbon nano
tubes are added such that they make up 3% by weight of the mixture.
The nano tubes are preferably present in the film from about 0.001
to about 10% based on weight. The present nano tubes may be
selected from the group consisting of single-walled nano tubes
(SWNTs), double-walled nano tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano tubes
(MWNTs), and mixtures thereof. Optionally, platinum nano particles
can be added and mixed uniformly to the conductive coating layer
such that their percent by weight is between 0.5 to 10%. Preferably
the platinum nano size particles are added such that they make up
4% by weight of the mixture.
[0040] Additional traditional conductive films such as conductive
carbon based inks, silver inks, metal oxides based inks where the
metal oxides are selected from tin-indium mixed oxide (ITO),
antimony-tin mixed oxide (ATO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) or
aluminum-doped zinc oxide (FZO) and conductive plastics such as
those produced by Bayer or Southwall Technologies Altair M10 can be
used to form the conductive layer. The dispersion further
comprising conductive organic materials, inorganic materials, or
combinations or mixtures thereof. The conductive organic materials
are selected from the group consisting of buckeyballs, carbon
black, fullerenes, nano tubes with an outer diameter of greater
than about 0.5 nm, and combinations and mixtures thereof.
Additionally conductive inorganic materials used to form useful
conductive films can be selected from the group consisting of
antimony tin oxide, iridium tin oxide, aluminum, antimony,
beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, doped metal oxides,
iron, gold, lead, manganese, magnesium, mercury, metal oxides,
nickel, platinum, silver, steel, titanium, zinc, and combinations
and mixtures thereof.
[0041] In preferred embodiments, the layer of conductive material
sections is patterned so as to form resistors. The resistors can be
formed either by modifying the conductive makeup of the regions of
conductive material in the conductive layer or the resistors can be
formed by printing or etching of the conductive coating to form the
resistance features on a security card or product tag.
Additionally, these resistors can be formed by printing with
conductive inks. Applicable printing methods include spray
painting, dip coating, spin coating, knife coating, kiss coating,
gravure coating, screen printing, ink jet printing, and pad
printing or other printing means or by either chemical or
mechanical means such as using a Versa Laser made by Universal
Laser Systems of Phoenix, Ariz., to remove the conductive material
to form non conductive areas. Once the resistors are formed by the
pattern of conductive materials in the conductive layer, then the
security information or identification can be marked into or onto
the conductive layer. In preferred embodiments, the code that is
marked on or into the conductive layer can represent biometric
information for use with an identity card, gaming value or lottery
ticket information for gaming applications or product/manufacture
information when used as a product identifier.
[0042] Another security issue that has not been effectively handled
by existing marking technology is the grey market diversion and
authentic licensed material. Grey market material is a problem in
the high value consumer goods market where manufacturers distribute
the products at different price points to different markets due to
various pressures such as price controls in a market. Authentic
licensed material such as sports logo materials are regularly
copied and the licensing fees not paid. A better way of discretely
identifying the product is needed to minimize these problems.
[0043] An advantage of the present security marking is that it an
be used in packaging applications such as tamper proof seals or
package identification to assist manufacturers to identify their
products. Specifically, the conductive layer can be encoded with
information such as lot, destination (country to be exported to),
manufacturing date, or other useful information so that a
manufacture or retailer can quickly determine if the product is
"grey market" or authentic. Advantageously, the security code or
marking in the conductive layer is not readable to the consumer,
however, such conductive layer is machine readable. Moreover, as
the conductive layer may be transparent, it does not block visual
indicia (e.g.: a photograph) therebelow. In preferred embodiments,
the transparent conductive layer may include an ink like Acheson
Electrodag 427 or conductive films, coatings or inks such as
described in U.S. patent application 2002/0143094 entitled Polymer
Nanocomposites and Methods of Preparation, Conroy, Jeffrey L.; et
al.; U.S. patent application 2002/0035170 entitled Electromagnetic
Shielding Composite Comprising Nano Tubes, Glatkowski, Paul; et al;
U.S. patent application 2002/0180077 entitled Carbon Nano Tube
Fiber-Reinforced Composite Structures for EM and Lightning Strike
Protection Glatkowski, Paul; et al; U.S. patent application
2003/0008123 entitled Nanocomposite Dielectrics, Glatkowski, Paul;
et al; U.S. patent application 2003/0164427 entitled ESD Coatings
for Use with Spacecraft, Glatkowski, Paul; et al; and U.S. patent
application 2003/0122111 entitled Coatings Comprising Carbon Nano
Tubes and Methods for Forming Same, Glatkowski, Paul; et al.
Therefore, determining the authenticity or whether the product has
been diverted from another market is easily accomplished by the
present invention since the security marking in the conductive
layer (i.e.: the pattern of conductive sections making up the
conductive layer) can be read by a conductivity meter, yet is not
optically visible to an observer with the naked eye due to the
transparent nature of the conductive material.
[0044] In optional embodiments of the present invention, the
conductive inks or coatings can also be impregnated or printed onto
a primary packaging material. The ink or coating could be
formulated to provide a specific resistance so that the product
could be easily identified by resistive readings of the package.
Specifically, a resistance reader can be used to identify the
package.
[0045] In an alternate embodiment, the encoding on the security
marking is customized for gaming applications. For example, a
similar coding method as used in the biometric coding application
described above is used, but instead using a typical gaming card
deck as the information which is converted into a pixel code. In
preferred embodiments, the system has redundant encryptions and
this eliminates the possibility of forgery and requires the card
reader to initiate start of game and end of game. Start of game is
when the shoe or shuffler is loaded and end of game is at the end
of the playable cards or can be signaled by the dealer. The wrapper
for each deck has the card deck code on it and that is entered into
the card reader to allow it to validate the card deck. This
provides a machine readable conductive system that is tamper
resistant. Advantageously, such system need not be readable by
optical means.
[0046] In various embodiments, the invention can also be extended
to identifying and controlling high value products. For example,
the conductive layer can be used to store product, manufacturer,
lot and manufacturing facility identifiers such that a product can
be verified as authentic and or licensed. Such an intelligent tag
with the anti forgery properties in the conductive layer would help
the manufacturer identify both diverted and grey market products.
Optionally, the layer of conductive material can be applied to a
tag or integrated into a logo by coating an embossing thread with
the conductive material which will act as a conductive tag.
Optionally as well, the conductivity of the tag can be controlled
by the amount of conductive media that is in the ink.
[0047] The reading of the encoded conductive material could be
accomplished by a reader similar in design to U.S. Pat. No.
6,776,337, 6,435,408 or 5,471,039 all issued to Irwin, Jr., et al.
which provides a means for the determination of the authenticity
and integrity of various types of documents such as lottery tickets
accomplished by using an electronic verification machine to compare
data contained in electronic circuits printed on the document to
document data printed on the document. The electronic circuits are
printed on the document in conductive or semiconductive ink using,
for example, the gravure printing process, and the presence and
status of the circuits can be used to verify or authenticate the
document. Data can be represented in the electronic circuits by the
electrical signature of the circuit which is measured by the
electronic verification machine. In the case of lottery tickets, a
ticket can be validated by having the electronic verification
machine determine which play spots have been removed from the
ticket and comparing data on the ticket with the removed play spots
to determine a play redemption value for the ticket. Document
verification or lottery ticket validation can also be accomplished
by transmitting signature data from the electronic circuits via the
electronic verification machine to a central computer for
comparison with document data.
[0048] In various embodiments, the conductive layer can be used
with a traditional radio frequency identification device (RFID).
For example, a microprocessor or ASIC (application specific
integrated circuit) can be embedded in the card and identification
information can be captured in the conductive material in
communication with the microprocessor or ASIC. The conductive
material can be etched to form a reference resistor and a series of
information resistors on the card. The reference resistor provides
the RFID, and the reference resistor and the information resistors
can be arranged such that the information contained in the
conductive material is readable by testing the resistance of the
applicable encoded line of information resistors. Optionally, the
conductive material can also be formed such that an antenna for the
RFID device is formed from the same conductive material as the each
information line.
[0049] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of
preferred embodiments, when considered in light of the attached
figures of drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] FIG. 1 is a view of a security card according to the
invention with diagrammatically indicated information and a
security marking thereon.
[0051] FIG. 1A is an illustration of a fingerprint showing
fingerprint minutia.
[0052] FIG. 2 is an illustration comparing the security mark on the
security card with biometric information of the individual.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process of writing the
security marking according to the invention.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a process of reading and
comparing the security marking according to the invention.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a schematic showing a pattern of conductive
material sections representing a serial code on a security
card.
[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic showing an alternative serial
code.
[0057] FIG. 7 is a schematic of pattern of conductive material
sections representing an analog code on a security card.
[0058] FIG. 8 is a representative SEM image of single wall carbon
nano tubes.
[0059] FIG. 9 is a schematic of a security card computer access
device.
[0060] FIG. 10 is a schematic of a security card that holds data in
a pattern of conductive material sections representing analog
resistance values printed on a card.
[0061] FIG. 11 is a representation of a playing card having
sections with conductive materials positioned thereon in a pattern
to represent a value pixel code information which is converted to a
7.times.7 pixel code.
[0062] FIG. 12 is a representation of a card value pixel code
information which is converted to a bar code.
[0063] FIG. 13 is a representation of a security tag with pixel
code information.
[0064] FIG. 14 is a representation of a security card having a
magnetic strip with security markings such as a security code or a
picture integrated therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0065] (a) General Description:
[0066] The present invention provides a security marking or
identity "tag" that can be affixed to a security card, or to a
product label, or to a product itself. In one embodiment of the
invention, the identity tag is composed of at least two layers
wherein one layer carries identification information such as the
name, photograph and personal reference number, and the other layer
carries additional latent security markings represented by a layer
comprising a pattern of conductive materials either inscribed in or
printed thereon. The two individual layers of the security marking
may have different transparencies. For example, the first of the
two layers may comprise the core (i.e.: main body) of a security
card, and have a matt, preferably white, coloring as a result of
added pigment with moderate to low transparency. By contrast, the
conductive layer of the security marking may have a very high
transparency. Therefore, the conductive layer may be applied
directly over the core layer of the security card, without blocking
visual reading of the indicia (e.g.: photographs) on the core layer
of the security card.
[0067] The conductive material sections in the conductive layer may
be formed from various conductive films, inks or dispersions, and
may have a wide variation in transparency going from opaque to
highly transparent. The formulation of the conductive layer is
important to achieve the desired conductivity of the layer when it
is cured to form part of the security tag. In preferred
embodiments, the identification security information is inscribed
into the conductive material layer in areas which are conductive
and areas which are conductively isolated. One preferred embodiment
of the conductive layer includes the formation of a resistor or
series of resistors that can be verified. The present invention
includes mechanical formation of the resistor by printing or
mechanical removal of material and includes both providing a
reference resistor and a series of resistors. In one embodiment,
the reference resistor is a single resistive shape formed in the
conductive coating layer. This reference resistor can be used by a
conductive reader to determine a base line resistance so that the
base line resistance can be compared to the design and the series
is interpreted based on the base line resistor. For example, the
patterned sections of conductive material can be formed into a
series of resistors, each having a pre-determined resistance. For
example, each resistor can be formed to have a 5 ohm resistance.
When the conductivity meter reads a 50 ohm resistance, it knows
there are 10 resistors on the card. Similarly, if the conductivity
meter reads a 40 ohm resistance, it knows there are 8 resistors on
the card. This provides a means of locking the data to prevent
forgery. Alternatively security information can be stored in the
series of resistors to provide a verification system when used with
a traditional smart card microprocessor for verification of the
security card. For example the resistance of the reference resistor
can be measured and at least one referenced series resistor is
inscribed on the tag. The resistance of the reference resistor can
be measured and then the resistance of the series resistors can be
measured with the resultant resistance of the series divided by the
reference resistant values to yield the digital value of the series
resistor. Additionally, a code such as a binary code that uses
areas of conductivity versus areas of non conductivity to capture
information can be either inscribed or printed as part of the layer
of conductive material. This code can be used to provide an
identity marking for the security marking tag. This marking can be
either biometric information for an identity card or lot and
manufacture information for a product identity tag. The code used
needs to be devised such that forgery or modification to the tag is
prevented. One system of accomplishing this for personal identity
cards is to encode the biometric information on the card and to use
serial encryption of this biometric information to minimize the
ability of a forged identity tag.
[0068] Alternatively the conductivity of the conductive layer can
itself be used as the identifier. For example the conductivity can
be changed by varying the conductive materials in the conductive
layer. For example a card, package or tag for a specific
application could be pre-set so that its conductivity is 150 ohms
squared whereas in another tag or application the conductivity is
300 ohms squared. A valid ID for the first application would
require a conductivity reading of approximately 150 ohms squared
and a material with greater than or less than the 150 ohms square
read would be invalid.
[0069] In addition to storing biometric information the conductive
material can be used to store product, manufacture, lot and
manufacturing facility identifiers such that a product can be
verified as authentic and or licensed. A security marking tag
containing product identification information could be attached to
the product or labeling or it could be incorporated into the
product itself. This would make a forged product easier to identify
and could be used to determine if a product is diverted such as a
grey market product. The security marking tag could contain the
market or channel information on the tag and or the manufacturing
lot information to help identify the product if it was to be
inspected.
[0070] In addition to conductive materials such as carbon
nanotubes, carbon, silver, platinum, tin-indium mixed oxide (ITO),
antimony-tin mixed oxide (ATO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) or
aluminum-doped zinc oxide (FZO) and conductive plastics such as
those produced by Bayer or Southwall Technologies Altair M10 the
conductive layer may also incorporate polymeric materials selected
from the group consisting of thermoplastics, thermosetting
polymers, elastomers, conducting polymers and combinations thereof
or a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, styrenic, polyurethane,
polyimide, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, cellulose,
gelatin, chitin, polypeptides, polysaccharides, polynucleotides and
mixtures thereof, or ceramic hybrid polymers, Ethylene Glycol
Monobutl Ether Acetate, phosphine oxides and chalcogenides. The
conductive coatings can also be formed from carbon nano tubes,
carbon nano tubes/antimony tin oxide, carbon nano tubes/platinum,
or carbon nano tubes/silver or carbon nano tubes/silver-cloride
dispersion or coating. The small size permits the formation of
surface texture less than 0.33 microns. Additionally conductive
dispersions such as Acheson Electrodag 427 Antimony Tin Oxide (ATO)
ink can be alloyed with either single wall or multi wall carbon
nano tubes preferably sized to be greater than 3.5 nm and less than
20 nm in outer dimension size. The carbon nano tubes may be mixed
uniformly into the Acheson Electrodag 427 such that the percent by
weight is between 0.5 to 10%. Preferably the carbon nano tubes are
added such that they make up 3% by weight of the mixture. The nano
tubes used by the aforementioned conductive materials are selected
from the group consisting of single-walled nano tubes (SWNTs),
double-walled nano tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano tubes (MWNTs),
and mixtures thereof. Additionally platinum nano particles can be
added and mixed uniformly to the coating such that the percent by
weight is between 0.5 to 10%. Preferably the nano size platinum are
added such that they make up 4% by weight of the mixture.
Alternatively to produce a system of reading the security card
without contacting it, the conductive material can be mixed with
fluorescence dye and binary numbers can be written in the
fluorescence dye. This allows non contact optical reading of the
card while the conductive contact reading of the conductive
material verifies the card authenticity.
[0071] Additional traditional conductive films such as conductive
carbon based inks, silver inks, metal oxides based inks (where the
metal oxides are selected from tin-indium mixed oxide (ITO),
antimony-tin mixed oxide (ATO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) or
aluminum-doped zinc oxide (FZO)) and conductive plastics such as
those produced by Bayer or Southwall Technologies such as Altair
M10 can be used to form the conductive layer. The aforementioned
patents and materials are hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entirety.
[0072] Alternatively to produce a system of reading the card
without contacting it the conductive material can be mixed with
fluorescence dye and the codes can be written in fluorescence dye.
This allows non contact optical reading of the card while the
conductive contact reading of the conductive material verifies the
card authenticity.
[0073] Alternatively the conductive material layer can be used with
a traditional radio frequency identification device (RFID). In this
embodiment, a microprocessor or ASIC (application specific
integrated circuit) is embedded in the card and identification
information is captured in the conductive material in communication
with the microprocessor or ASIC. The conductive material can be
etched so that there is a reference resistor and a series of
information resistors etched on the card. The reference resistor
provides the RFID, the reference resistance and the information
resistors are arranged such that the information contained in the
conductive material is readable by testing the resistance of an
applicable encoded line of information resistors. The conductive
material layer can also be formed such that the antenna for the
RFID device is formed from the same conductive material as the each
information line.
[0074] In addition to having a consistent and repeatable coating
the present system of representing identity information by the
positioning of regions of conductive material can be such that
attempts at adding or deleting encoded data by adding or removing
regions of conductive material voids the data stored in the
identity marking. To accomplish this, data can be written by
etching, engraving, printing or spraying the appropriate patterns
on the tag.
[0075] For example a preferred means of encoding a fingerprint onto
a card of the present invention is discussed below. In one
embodiment of the invention, the card is composed of at least two
layers, of which one layer carries the information which directly
serves for identification, such as the name, photograph, color code
or personal reference number, and the other layer comprises regions
of conductive material that are positioned on the card to represent
additional conductive security markings. The individual layers of
the identity card can have different transparencies; thus, for
example, one of the two layers of the card core has a matt,
preferably white, coloring as a result of added pigment and
accordingly has a moderate to low translucent. By contrast, the
upper cover layer of patterned conductive material of the identity
card has a very high translucent conductive coating which is etched
or printed to create a coated indicia for the card. The positioning
of conductive materials in layer of translucent cover layer such as
described above represents, information which serves to identify
the card holder, and the colored lower layer has additional
security markings, such as figures, as a protective measure against
forgeries.
[0076] In another preferred embodiment, the packaging material of
the product may have the conductive layer embedded therein. For
example carbon nano tubes or other conductive material could be
mixed with the papers or fibers or box materials of the packaging
and this would make the paper conductive for verification of the
authenticity of the document or packaging. This technique would be
useful for the marking of treasury bills, documents, high value
packages etc.
[0077] In a further embodiment of the invention, the security
marking of the present invention can consist of a single layer used
to validate the authenticity of a security card by providing a
machine readable marking that is transparent to the customers. This
is useful in gaming establishments to validate card decks.
[0078] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is encoded with security information determine if the
document or gaming piece is valid by a reader testing the
resistance level of a portion of the coating or over the whole
area.
[0079] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is replaced with a conductive film and the encoded
information is punched into the film.
[0080] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is replaced with a conductive film and the encoded
information is punched into an over laying film and the film is
adhered to the conductive layer.
[0081] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is replaced with a conductive film and the encoded
information is printed with non conductive ink over the film so
that it adhered to the conductive layer forming the encoded
area.
[0082] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is coated on thread that is used to form the logo on
apparel. In this embodiment of the invention, the conductivity of
the thread can be used by the manufacturer to determine if the
apparel was made for that market or if it was diverted. A
resistance (or conductivity) reader testing the resistance level of
a portion of the coated logo or over the whole area is used to
determine the authenticity and if it was diverted from another
market. The conductivity in the conductive layer of the security
marking can be set at a specific level corresponding to a specific
destination or territory. This can be used to determine the
authenticity of the item.
[0083] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is applied to a security card or identity tag in a two step
process, wherein the first step is to form the conductive layer and
the second step is to form an optional polymer cover layer.
[0084] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating is applied to a security card or identity tag in a one step
process. (IE: the conductive layer is formed without a cover
layer).
[0085] In a further embodiment of the invention the encoding of the
security information is performed with binary numbers.
[0086] In a further embodiment of the invention the encoding of the
security information is performed with bar codes.
[0087] In a further embodiment of the invention the binary numbers
are written with fluorescence dye that is incorporated into the
conductive layer.
[0088] In a further embodiment of the invention the binary numbers
are written with infrared dye that is incorporated into the
conductive layer.
[0089] In a further embodiment of the invention the bar codes are
written with infrared dye or fluorescence dye.
[0090] In a further embodiment of the invention the security
information codes are written in back ground ink. For example, a
security card may be covered with transparent conductive ink and
then using a standard laser printer for quick identification at
trade shows, office buildings, etc.
[0091] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
material can be mixed with fluorescence or infrared dye and the
security information can be encoded in fluorescence dye bearing
material. This allows non contact optical reading of the security
card while the conductive contact reading of the conductive
material layer is used to verify the card authenticity.
[0092] In a further embodiment of the invention the binary numbers
are written in infrared dye or fluorescence dye. If a fluorescence
or infrared dye was used then the system does not require a contact
reader. A digital encoding method using a non-contact infrared dye
reader can be used.
[0093] Fingerprint identification can be accomplished simply by
analyzing the fingerprint for the end of a ridge point
(terminations) or the merger of two ridge points (bifurcations).
Bifurcations and terminations are called minutia points. The set of
minutia points constitute the features characterizing a
fingerprint. The matching of two fingerprints is based on comparing
the locations of the minutia points.
[0094] Utilizing such minutia points provides the present security
marking with two alternate systems for capturing and verifying the
fingerprint information. In either system, the fingerprint is not
replicated on the card but the information describing the unique
characteristics of the fingerprint can be captured on the card.
[0095] In the first system, the card uses graphical information
regarding the relative location of the minutia and specific
location and type information (location and whether a bifurcations
and terminations) that is contained in a corresponding serial code.
In the second system, the card uses graphical information regarding
the relative location of the minutia and specific type information
(whether a bifurcations and terminations) that is contained in a
corresponding serial code.
[0096] In preferred embodiments, the security card will have a
region reserved for fingerprint identification information and that
information will be specific to the individual for whom it is
issued.
(b) Preferred Embodiments
[0097] Creating the card:
[0098] In one embodiment, the security card is formed with a
pattern of conductive material regions that are positioned on the
card in a serial code format to represent fingerprint minutia type
and location. The pattern of conductive material locations also
provides a reverse image plot that provides the relative location
of the minutia points. A fingerprint capture algorithm and
associated equipment can be used to scan the fingerprint and
calculate the minutia information with regards to location and
bifurcations or termination type (see FIG. 1A). For example, the
software calculates the x and y location of the bifurcations and
terminations and identifies the fingerprint. The location and type
data of the fingerprint minutia can then be converted to a serial
code that will have the location information of the minutia and the
type of minutia for each point, being either a bifurcation or a
termination. The location data may be converted into a reverse
image to plot the relative location of the minutia points on the
card.
[0099] The card is then formed with a bar code having both location
and minutia type and a reverse image of the minutia points thereon.
In a preferred embodiment, the security information is encoded by
the position of conductive material sections formed in a conductive
layer of the card.
[0100] A typical two layer security card 100 is shown in FIG. 1.
Card 1000 is formed from a standard security card body such as a
driver's license or credit card (that may optionally be made of a
plastic laminate). In accordance with the present invention,
regions of conductive materials cover areas of the security card
body. This upper covering layer of conductive material is
preferably transparent such that the information on the security
card body can be read through the layer of conductive material. In
accordance with the present invention, security information is
stored on both the security card body, (e.g. in the form of a
photograph or magnetic strip) and also in the covering layer of
conductive material (as determined by the positioning of individual
sections of conductive material).
[0101] As will be explained in detail, certain regions of card 1000
have a layer of conductive material deposited thereon or otherwise
applied thereto. The particular pattern formed by these conductive
material deposits may be used to encode security information. For
example, card 1000 may have reverse image alignment points 1005
formed by regions of of conductive or non-conductive material and
fingerprint minutia points 1010 also formed by regions of
conductive or non-conductive material on the security card. Minutia
locations and type may also be written in a serial code 1015 on the
conductive layer of the security card. Specifically, such a serial
code may be formed by a pattern of regions of conductive material
deposited in a line. The serial code is read by a conductivity
meter detecting the presence (or absence) of individual regions of
conductive material in the line. A serial code is any code that is
written serially so that the information is stacked and new
information can not be inserted in between the code. The Minutia
type is written again in a different serial code 1020 on the
conductive layer of the security card. Security card 1000 can also
contain a pattern of conductive or non-conductive material deposits
forming security code 1030, a picture 1025 on the underlying body
of the security card and a security resistor 1035 formed by the
conductive material. Security resistor 1035 may be etched or
printed on card 1000 to provide a resistive identifier for the
card. In operation, the resistance of resistor 1035 is matched
within a tolerance of acceptable resistances and configuration for
a particular class of security cards.
[0102] Verifying Identity Using the Card
[0103] The fingerprint verification process for the card has two
components. As seen in FIG. 2, the first part is capturing the
scanned fingerprint 2010 using the same algorithm that is used to
create the fingerprint data for the fingerprint shown in FIG. 1A.
This algorithm produces data with respect to the minutia with
regards to location and minutia type (bifurcations or
termination).
[0104] The fingerprint data on the card 1000 is then read, with
both the reverse image alignment points 1010 and the serial codes
1015 and 1020 providing a system of verification, and both the
relative location information from the reverse image alignment
points 1010 and the serial code information 1015 and 1020
containing location and minutia type data. This verification system
uses the location of minutia translated from the reverse image
alignment points 1010 and compares it to location data that is part
of the serial code 1015. This provides an internal check of the
card information based on location data. Then the serial code
information of both the minutia location and type is compared to
the data generated by the fingerprint capture algorithm and the
identity is verified or not verified.
[0105] By using the multi-step process of minutia location
verification on the card with respect to both the reverse image
alignment points 1010 and serial coded information 1015 and 1020,
the data contained on card 1000 is validated and forgery prevented.
As stated above, a conductivity meter can be used to scan over
regions of the card to determine the position of the deposits of
conductive materials. When these conductive regions are deposited
in a line, the existence of a conductive region can be interpreted
as a (1), and the absence of a conductive region can be interpreted
as a (0), making binary coding possible. For the card to be forged
the forger would have to insert information between the serial
recorded data 1020 or remove the serial encoded information 1020,
thereby destroying the card. Since the information is recorded on
the conductive layer the forger would have to remove and replace
the conductive material with the same material or insert new
information between the serial data 1020 in multiple locations and
replicate the security resistor 1035. The security resistor 1035 is
also checked with the reading of the card 1000 to insure that it is
a valid card. The combination of serial recorded data 1015 of
minutia type and location and the second minutia type serial
information 1020 capture and security resistor 1035 eliminates the
means to adulterate the card with forged biometric information. The
two means of writing the minutia type plus the security resistor
make aldutrading the card impossible. One would have to remove and
add material and the resistor would have to be changed the
formulation problems to match the card stock and all the
resistances would be impossible. To forge the fingerprint identity
the individual would have to recreate the plot on the conductive
material and new points would have to match the old points'
relative locations 1010 and the data on the serial codes 1015 and
1020 would have to match the new plotted location data points.
[0106] The flow chart of the biometric capture processes is shown
in FIG. 3 and the biometric comparision and verification process is
shown in FIG. 4.
[0107] A preferred system of how the card operates is shown in FIG.
5.
[0108] First a card reader (e.g.: a conductivity meter) reads codes
1015 and 1020 and records fingerprint location and minutia type.
(Codes 1015 and 1020 represent physical removed or missing deposits
of conductive materials on the surface of the card). The
conductivity card reader then compares the minutia order to the
code 1021 information and the next step is to compare a pixel map
of the fingerprint minutia data to the minutia locations code 1010
on the card.
[0109] This prevents forgery or adulteration of the card because
minutia location code 1010 stores in the pixel code order the
minutia location and code 1022 stores the same location data
written in a serial manner. The fingerprint minutia site
information is captured in two different and separate codes which
prevents forgery because if they do not match then the card is not
correct. A forger could add pixel and information to the pixel code
1010 however the serial code 1022 will not match. Therefore, it is
not possible for a forger to modify the card by changing the code
1010 because the minutia type code 1022 is written sequentially. As
a result of the above, it is not possible to modify code areas
1010, 1015, and 1022 and get matches when the codes are read
because of the three independent code verifications.
[0110] The encoding for the identification card can be accomplished
as follows.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 5 one method to create the serially encoded
data 1015 and 1010 and 1022 is by capturing biometric information.
In the example below a fingerprint is used but a similar method can
be used for any biometric information desired.
[0112] Fingerprint minutia site information is captured and
converted to a pixel code 1010. The pixel code fingerprint minutia
location information captured in pixel code 1010 allows the card to
capture up to 25 minutia points. The pixel code 1010 code has
alignment points 1005 marked in the conductive material.
[0113] Second is the lower serial code 1021 as shown in FIG. 5
where the minutia type (bifurcation or termination) which are
located in pixel code 1010 is listed in order from left to right
and top to bottom as plotted in pixel code 1010. The minutia
locations and type are also written to the serial code 1015 on the
card. The minutia type are written again in a different serial code
1020 on the card.
[0114] FIG. 6. shows an alternate embodiment of card 100 with code
1010 representing minutia location 1010 and code 1011 representing
minutia type. As illustrated, code 1010 may comprise up to 7
regions where conductive materials are deposited or removed or
missing on the surface of the security card. One or more of these
regions may not have conductive material deposited thereon, making
coding possible. For example, a conductivity meter scanning along
code 1010 will determine whether conductive material is deposited
or removed at each of these 7 regions. A minutia check bit resister
1036 provides a check bit sum plus one for the number of minutia
points. The check resistor 1035 provides the relative basis for the
minutia check bit resister 1036.
[0115] The security card can also contain security code 1030,
picture 1025 (not shown in FIG. 6) and security resistor 1035. The
security resistor 1035 comprises conductive material that may be
etched or printed on card 1000 having a pre-determined resistance
to provide a resistive identifier for the card. Specifically, the
resistance of resistor 1035 has to match within a tolerance of the
acceptable resistance and configuration for a particular class of
cards.
[0116] Alternatively the conductive material encoding can be
integrated into a traditional RFID device such as an identity card
as seen in FIG. 7. A layer of conductive material 7001 is applied
to the card 7000. Embedded in the card 7000 is a radio frequency
identification device (RFID) 7005 which can be a microprocessor or
ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The conductive
layer 7001 can be etched so that there is a reference resistor 7010
and a series of information resistors 7015 etched on the card. The
reference resistor 7010 provides the ASIC 7005 the reference
resistance and the information resistors 7015 are arranged such
that the information contained in the conductive material is
readable by testing the resistance of the applicable encoded line
of information resistors 7015. For example, if the information
"1234" was to be encoded on the card the reference resistor 7005
would be etched in the reference 7010 trace. The first information
line 7016 would have a single information resistor 7015 etched in
the conductive material, the second information line 7017 would
have a two information resistors 7015 etched in the conductive
material, the third information line 7018 would have a three
information resistors 7015 etched in the conductive material, the
fourth information line 7019 would have a four information resistor
7015 etched in the conductive material. Alternatively the
resistance in each information line could be written in reverse
logic where the reference resistor 7010 is high and the information
resistance lines (7016, 7017, 7018, 7019) are lower by an amount
indicating an appropriate identification value. The layer 7001 of
conductive material can also be formed such that the antenna for
the RFID device is formed directly into layer 7001 from the same
conductive material as each information line.
[0117] FIG. 8 shows an SEM of single wall nano tubes which can be
used to form the conductive layer of the invention.
[0118] FIG. 9 shows an identity card according to the present
invention used with a computer system. The conductive card 4810 can
be preprinted with an identification sequence which is then used in
a computer access device 4800. The access device 4800 can plug into
the USB or serial post of the computer (not shown) that contains
contacts for reading the card and the data encoded in a conductive
layer thereon. The data encoded in the conductive layer is used to
store a biometric signature such as a fingerprint. The fingerprint
would be captured by the fingerprint reader 4812 attached to the
computer or built into the computer access device. The computer
access device memory (i.e.: the data encoded in the conductive
layer) would be written at the point of issuing with the individual
biometric information and that would be correlated to the card
identifier. Therefore the user is identified by the card which has
a unique ID and their unique fingerprint. This would permit access
to a LAN, VPN or system access depending on the application.
[0119] Alternatively the conductive card can be printed with
biometric information which is then used in a computer access
device FIG. 9. The access device 4800 can plug into the USB or
serial post of the computer and it contains contacts for reading
the card 4810. The card is used to store a biometric signature such
as a fingerprint. The fingerprint would be captured by the
fingerprint reader attached to the computer or built into the
computer access device. The card in the computer access device
would be written at the point of issuing with the individual
biometric information and when used in a reader the information
would be correlated between the card and that read at the point of
access. Therefore the user is identified by the card which has a
unique fingerprint written to the card and the unique fingerprint
read at the access device. This would permit access to a LAN, VPN
or system access depending on the application.
[0120] FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment for an identity card
without an RFID device. The card 8000 contains verification
resistor 8005 and the minutia location is contained in resistor
traces 8010 and 8011. The minutia type is written in resistor trace
8013. This is replicated to accommodate as many minutia points as
required to identify the individual. A minutia check bit resistor
8036 is encoded on the card to provide check bit information for
the number of minutia recorded on the card. The reference resistor
8035 is encoded on the card to give the reference resistance. The
conductive material can also be formed such that the antenna for
the RFID device is formed from the same conductive material as the
each information line.
[0121] In an alternate embodiment the encoding means is customized
for gaming applications. In a similar coding method as used in the
biometric coding application and using a typical gaming card deck
as an example the card deck information is converted into a pixel
code. The system has redundant encryptions and this eliminates the
possibility of forgery and requires the card reader to initiate
start of game and end of game. Start of game is when the shoe or
shuffler is loaded and end of game is at the end of the playable
cards or can be signaled by the dealer. The wrapper for each deck
has the card deck code on it and that is entered into the card
reader to allow it to validate the card deck. This provides a
machine readable only identifier that is tamper resistant and not
readable by optical means.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 11 a standard playing card is provided. A
pattern of conductive material is applied directly to the face of
the playing card, with the pattern encoding information therein.
Card value pixel code information can be converted to a 7.times.7
pixel code 6005, which can represent 52 cards and a 36 binary deck
identifier. There is a check bit column 4500 that sums each line of
the encoding rows so that the ability to forge the information is
minimized. Having a check bit for each line makes the security
marking hard to forge since each line would have to have two marks
added to the line for the bit to be out of sequence.
[0123] In addition, there is a lower binary code where the deck
identifier 4520 is stored in a 36-2d binary code. This allows a 36
bit number to be the deck identifier. This identifies the deck of
cards a casino could have each deck identified a 36 bit number
means they would change numbers over only ever 100 years.
[0124] The card identifier 4511 is a 4 bit binary code for card
value made up of bits 4510 and a two bit binary code 4505 for card
suit.
[0125] How the Playing Card Information Works.
[0126] First the card reader reads the card identifier 4511 and
card deck information 4520. The check bits 4500 are compared and
then the card deck information 4520 is compared with the valid card
deck information stored in the card reader. If the card deck
identifier 4520 is different than the card deck identifier that was
entered from the card deck wrapper then the card reader alarm
states "bad deck information". Then the value of the card 4510 is
checked against the cards dealt register in the card reader. If the
same card and same deck have already been dealt during that game
then the card reader alarms; if not, then the cards are playable.
The reader memory then records deck and card information and
position information so that winning hands cards can be verified
electronically. This can be done with a sensor system or manual
input to where each player is in the table position.
[0127] Because of the card deck information 4520 and the card value
information 4511 combined with the check bit 4500, the ability for
a foreign card to be inserted into a game is virtually impossible
and the data storage checks for card playing order and cards in
play eliminate the switching of cards or movement of cards between
players.
[0128] FIG. 12 illustrates a playing card encoded with resistance
codes. The card identifier 4511 works with a 4 bit binary code for
card value 4510 and a two bit binary code 4505 for card suit. The
deck identifier 4520 is stored in a resistance code. This allows a
36 bit number to be the deck identifier. The reference resistor
4535 is used to verify the conductive material (which is read by
the conductive reader that verifies the resistance which is used in
the interpretation of the code) the same as all the other analog
codes that are converted to digital by interpretation of the
reference resistor. A check bit 4520 can be used to provide a
timing marks as well as a check sum.
[0129] FIG. 13 is a representation of a security tag with pixel
code information. The tag can be as simple as a single conductive
reference resistor 9000 where the identity is determined by the
resistance of resistor 9000 or it can be more complex and contain
manufacturers code 9020 and article ID 9010.
[0130] FIG. 14 is a representation of an encoded security marking
500 including a picture or signature 510 integrated into the card
as well as a magnetic strip 505.
[0131] In further embodiments of the invention, other biometric
information can be encoded such as retinal scans, palm prints, etc.
The fingerprint methods are examples and are detailed here for
reference.
[0132] In a further embodiment of the invention the pattern of
conductive material deposits in, or removed from, the conductive
coating is used to determine if the document or gaming piece is
valid by the reader testing the resistance level of a portion of
the coating or over the whole area. This can be done by forming a
resistive trace in resistor 9000 in the card with a resistance
reader testing the resistive trace. This takes into account the
ohms per square relationship of the material. The same effect can
be done by applying three voltages to a card, such as 1, 10 and 100
volts. Because of the phenomenon of electron jumping between the
nano tubes the resulting ohm law result is different. Ohm's law is
most commonly represented by the following equation E=IR.
[0133] In a further embodiment of the invention the layer of
conductive material deposits ae replaced with a conductive film and
the encoding ID punched into the film. A conductive film like the
Bayer conductive film or Ocean Plastics Co., Ltd. conductive
plastic film--(OCC FILM) can be used and the code punched in the
film prior to laminating.
[0134] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
layer is applied in a two step process. The conductive nano tube
coatings can have nano carbon or nano metals in the coating.
Additionally the nano dips can be reformulated to allow a one dip
coating or a two dip coating.
[0135] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
layer is applied in a one step process where the conductive nano
tube coatings can have nano carbon or nano metals in the coating.
Additionally the nano dips can be reformulated to allow a one dip
coating or a two dip coating.
[0136] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating with either one or two part application is replaced with a
conductive film. The encoding ID is punched into an over laying
film and the film is adhered to the conductive layer.
[0137] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
coating with either one or two part application is replaced with a
conductive film. The encoding ID is printed with non conductive ink
over the film so that it adheres to the conductive layer forming
the encoded area.
[0138] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
material can be mixed with fluorescence or infrared dye and the
code is in fluorescence dye bearing material. This allows non
contact (e.g. optical) reading of the card while the conductive
contact reading of the conductive material verifies the card
authenticity.
[0139] In a further embodiment of the invention the conductive
material can be mixed with fluorescence dye with the code being in
the fluorescence dye bearing material. This allows non contact
(e.g. optical) reading of the card while the conductive contact
reading of the conductive material verifies the card
authenticity.
[0140] In a further embodiment of the invention the encoding is
performed with binary numbers.
[0141] In a further embodiment of the invention the encoding is
performed with bar codes.
[0142] In a further embodiment of the invention the binary numbers
are written in fluorescence dye. If a fluorescence dye was used
then the system would not require a contact reader. The digital
encoding method could be read by the fluorescence dye reader and
the system would be a non contact encoding method not requiring the
conductive nano tube material.
[0143] In a further embodiment of the invention the binary numbers
are written in infrared dye. If an infrared dye was used then the
system would not require a contact reader. The digital encoding
method could be read by the infrared dye reader and the system
would be a non contact encoding method not requiring the conductive
nano tube material.
[0144] In a further embodiment of the invention the bar codes are
written in infrared dye. If an infrared dye was used then the
system would not require a contact reader. The digital encoding
method could be read by the infrared dye reader and the system
would be a non contact encoding method not requiring the conductive
nano tube material.
[0145] In a further embodiment of the invention the binary numbers
are encoded using the same printing ink as the back ground ink.
This creates a virtually invisible conductive code. A conductive
code reader would read the digitally encoded signature and
determine the values for use in the system.
[0146] In a further embodiment of the invention the bar codes are
written in the same printing ink as the back ground ink with
conductive material alloyed into the ink. This creates a virtually
invisible conductive code. A conductive code reader would read the
digitally encoded signature and determine the values for use in the
system.
[0147] The encoding can also be expanded to the marking of critical
documents by either printing or engraving an encoded signature to
the document once it is printed with the conductive material.
[0148] The system can also be extended to use the conductive
coating material and mix it in the formation of the document to
create a conductive document. The amount of conductive material
added to the base extrusion will be representative to the
conductance of the document and this can be used as a marker to
verify the document such as currency, retail packaging, or
securities documents.
[0149] It is impossible to forge the information present on the
invention with the conductive materials because the forger must
match the resistivity of the original coating. The multiple stage
identification algorithm eliminates the ability to insert
identification within the code.
[0150] Another security issue that has not been effectively handled
by existing marking technology is the grey market diversion and
authentic licensed material. Grey market material is a problem in
the high value consumer goods market were manufacturers distribute
the products at different price points to different markets due to
various pressures such as price controls in a market. Authentic
licensed materials such as sports logo materials are regularly
copied and the appropriate licensing fees not paid. A better way of
discretely identifying the product is needed to minimize these
problems.
[0151] In accordance with the present invention, a security marking
can be used in packaging applications such as tamper proof seals or
package identification to assist manufacturers in identifying their
products. For example, as seen in FIG. 13 the pattern of conductive
marking 9000 can be formed so as to encode information such as
manufactures code 9020 and article ID 9010, lot, destination
(country to be exported to), manufacturing date, or other useful
information so that a manufacturer or retailer can quickly
determine if the product is "grey market" or authentic. This
marking is not readable to the consumer and when a transparent
coating such as an ink like the Acheson Electrodag 427 or
conductive films, coatings or inks such as described in U.S. patent
application 2002/0143094 entitled Polymer nanocomposites and
methods of preparation, Conroy, Jeffrey L.; et al.; U.S. patent
application 2002/0035170 entitled Electromagnetic shielding
composite comprising nano tubes Glatkowski, Paul; et al.; U.S.
patent application 2002/0180077 entitled Carbon Nano Tube
Fiber-Reinforced Composite Structures for EM and Lightning Strike
Protection Glatkowski, Paul; et.; U.S. patent application
2003/0008123 entitled Nanocomposite dielectrics Glatkowski, Paul;
et al.; U.S. patent application 20030164427 entitled ESD Coatings
for Use With Spacecraft Glatkowski, Paul; et al.; and U.S. patent
application 2003/0122111 entitled Coatings Comprising Carbon Nano
Tubes and Methods for Forming Same Glatkowski, Paul; et al.; all
included herein by reference, are used, then determining the
authenticity or whether the product has been diverted from another
market is easily accomplished. The nano tubes used by the
aforementioned conductive materials can be selected from the group
consisting of single-walled nano tubes (SWNTs), double-walled nano
tubes (DWNTs), multi-walled nano tubes (MWNTs), and mixtures
thereof.
[0152] Alternatively the conductive material can be coated on
thread of substrate that is used to form the logo on apparel or be
incorporated in currency. The conductivity of the logo is then used
by the manufacturer to determine if the apparel was made for that
market or if it was diverted. The reader testing the resistance
level of a portion of the coated logo or over the whole area is
used to determine the authenticity and if it was diverted from
another market. The conductivity can be pre-set to different
amounts corresponding to various destinations (territories) and for
authenticity of the item.
[0153] Alternatively the conductive inks or coatings can also be
impregnated or printed onto the primary packaging material. The ink
or coating would be formulated to provide a specific resistance so
that the product could be easily identified by resistive readings
of the package.
[0154] Alternatively the conductive inks or coatings can also be
printed onto a tag and the tag sewn into a cuff or fold of the
apparel or product. The conductive inks or coatings would be
formulated to provide a specific resistance so that the product
could be easily identified by resistive readings of the tag.
[0155] Alternatively the conductive material can be mixed with
fluorescence or infrared dye and the code is in dye bearing
material. This allows non contact reading of the card while the
conductive contact reading of the conductive material verifies the
card authenticity.
[0156] Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the invention disclosed herein. All references
cited herein, including all publications, U.S. patents and patent
applications including the priority document, are specifically and
entirely incorporated by reference.
* * * * *