U.S. patent application number 14/406527 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-28 for apparatus for preventing counterfeiting and alteration.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jae Hyun Joo. Invention is credited to Jae Hyun Joo.
Application Number | 20150146206 14/406527 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46714181 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150146206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joo; Jae Hyun |
May 28, 2015 |
APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING COUNTERFEITING AND ALTERATION
Abstract
An apparatus for preventing counterfeiting and alteration
according to the present invention includes a magnetic changeable
substance carrier part containing a magnetic changeable substance
to vary reflected or transmitted light rays as an applied magnetic
field is varied; a magnetic field generation part for generating a
magnetic field applied to the magnetic changeable substance; and a
moveable part for varying at least one of the intensity, direction
and pattern of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic
changeable substance according to an externally applied stimulus so
as to change the appearance of the magnetic changeable
substance.
Inventors: |
Joo; Jae Hyun; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Joo; Jae Hyun |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
46714181 |
Appl. No.: |
14/406527 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
June 10, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2013/005065 |
371 Date: |
December 8, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
356/402 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 21/66 20130101;
G07D 7/1205 20170501; B42D 25/378 20141001; B42D 25/29 20141001;
B42D 25/369 20141001; G07D 7/003 20170501; G09F 2003/0276 20130101;
G01N 21/251 20130101; B65D 2203/12 20130101; G07D 7/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
356/402 |
International
Class: |
G01N 21/25 20060101
G01N021/25; G01N 21/66 20060101 G01N021/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 8, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0061695 |
Claims
1. A counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus comprising: a
magnetically responsive substance container to contain a
magnetically responsive substance in which a reflected light or a
transmitted light is changed when a magnetic field applied thereto
is changed; a magnetic field generator to generate a magnetic field
capable of being applied to the magnetically responsive substance;
and a movable part to perform a function of changing an indication
state of the magnetically responsive substance, wherein the movable
part is moved, rotated or deformed in response to a given external
stimulus to change at least one of an intensity, a direction and a
pattern of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field
generator and applied to the magnetically responsive substance.
2. (canceled)
3. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the movable part is moved, rotated or deformed in response
to the given external stimulus to move the magnetically responsive
substance container to a region where the magnetic field generated
by the magnetic field generator is applied.
4. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the movable part is moved, rotated or deformed in response
to the given external stimulus to move the magnetically responsive
substance contained in the magnetically responsive substance
container to a region where the magnetic field generated by the
magnetic field generator is applied.
5. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the movable part is moved, rotated or deformed in response
to the given external stimulus to move the magnetic field generator
to a region where a magnetic field is capable of being applied to
the magnetically responsive substance.
6. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein at least one of the magnetically responsive substance
container, the magnetic field generator and the movable part is
irreversibly fractured by the external stimulus, and when at least
one of the magnetically responsive substance container, the
magnetic field generator and the movable part is irreversibly
fractured, the reflected light and the transmitted light of the
magnetically responsive substance are not changed even if the
magnetic field is applied.
7. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the magnetically responsive substance is set to reflect
light having a preset wavelength or transmit light at a preset
transmittance as the magnetic field is applied thereto.
8. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein at least one of the magnetically responsive substance
container, the magnetic field generator and the movable part is
configured in the form of at least one of a container plug, a tag,
a card, a film, and a sticker.
9. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the magnetically responsive substance includes a solution
in which magnetic particles are dispersed, and intervals between or
positions of the magnetic particles are changed according to a
change of the magnetic field applied thereto.
10. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the magnetically responsive substance includes at least one
of a fluorescent material, a phosphorescent material, a quantum dot
material, a temperature indicating material, and an optically
variable pigment (OVP) material.
11. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
wherein the magnetically responsive substance is encapsulated into
a capsule made of a light-transmissive material.
12. The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus of claim 1,
further comprising an additional counterfeit and alteration
prevention means using at least one of hologram, radio frequency
identification (RFID) and biometric information recognition.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for preventing
counterfeit and alteration. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an apparatus to allow a user to determine
whether an object of counterfeit and alteration prevention is
counterfeited or altered, the apparatus comprising a magnetically
responsive substance container to contain a magnetically responsive
substance which indicates a preset color or light transmittance by
changing a reflected light or a transmitted light when a magnetic
field is applied thereto; a magnetic field generator to generate a
magnetic field which may be applied to the magnetically responsive
substance; and a movable part to perform a function of changing an
indication state of the magnetically responsive substance by
changing a condition of applying the magnetic field to the
magnetically responsive substance (i.e., an intensity, direction or
pattern of the magnetic field) in response to a given external
stimulus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Various techniques have been introduced to prevent
counterfeit and alteration of high-priced goods or goods having
contents of which authenticity is required. Conventionally,
techniques using fine patterns, braille, hologram, RFID and the
like have been mainly used to prevent counterfeit and alteration of
goods. However, such conventional techniques have limitations in
that it is difficult for an ordinary user to determine whether
goods are counterfeited or altered, or have problems in that it
costs a lot to manufacture a means for preventing counterfeit and
alteration.
[0003] In this regard, the inventor has developed a method and
apparatus which allow an ordinary user to easily determine whether
an object of counterfeit and alteration prevention is counterfeited
or altered using a substance of which color or light transmittance
is changed as a magnetic field is applied thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] One object of the invention is to solve all the
above-described problems.
[0005] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus
for preventing counterfeit and alteration, which may use a
magnetically responsive substance that changes a reflected or
transmitted light to indicate a preset color or light transmittance
when a magnetic field is applied thereto, and may change an
indication state of the magnetically responsive substance by
changing a condition of applying the magnetic field to the
magnetically responsive substance (i.e., an intensity, direction or
pattern of the magnetic field) in response to a given external
stimulus.
[0006] A counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus according
to the invention comprises a magnetically responsive substance
container to contain a magnetically responsive substance in which a
reflected light or a transmitted light is changed when a magnetic
field applied thereto is changed; a magnetic field generator to
generate a magnetic field capable of being applied to the
magnetically responsive substance; and a movable part to perform a
function of changing an indication state of the magnetically
responsive substance by changing at least one of an intensity, a
direction and a pattern of the magnetic field applied to the
magnetically responsive substance in response to a given external
stimulus.
[0007] The movable part may be moved, rotated or deformed in
response to the given external stimulus to change at least one of
the intensity, direction and pattern of the magnetic field
generated by the magnetic field generator and applied to the
magnetically responsive substance.
[0008] The movable part may be moved, rotated or deformed in
response to the given external stimulus to move the magnetically
responsive substance container to a region where the magnetic field
generated by the magnetic field generator is applied.
[0009] The movable part may be moved, rotated or deformed in
response to the given external stimulus to move the magnetically
responsive substance contained in the magnetically responsive
substance container to a region where the magnetic field generated
by the magnetic field generator is applied.
[0010] The movable part may be moved, rotated or deformed in
response to the given external stimulus to move the magnetic field
generator to a region where a magnetic field is capable of being
applied to the magnetically responsive substance.
[0011] At least one of the magnetically responsive substance
container, the magnetic field generator and the movable part may be
irreversibly fractured by the external stimulus. When at least one
of the magnetically responsive substance container, the magnetic
field generator and the movable part is irreversibly fractured, the
reflected light and the transmitted light of the magnetically
responsive substance may not be changed even if the magnetic field
is applied.
[0012] The magnetically responsive substance may be set to reflect
light having a preset wavelength or transmit light at a preset
transmittance as the magnetic field is applied thereto.
[0013] At least one of the magnetically responsive substance
container, the magnetic field generator and the movable part may be
configured in the form of at least one of a container plug, a tag,
a card, a film, and a sticker.
[0014] The magnetically responsive substance may include a solution
in which magnetic particles are dispersed, and intervals between or
positions of the magnetic particles are changed according to a
change of the magnetic field applied thereto.
[0015] The magnetically responsive substance may include at least
one of a fluorescent material, a phosphorescent material, a quantum
dot material, a temperature indicating material, and an optically
variable pigment (OVP) material.
[0016] The magnetically responsive substance may be encapsulated
into a capsule made of a light-transmissive material.
[0017] The counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatus may
further comprise an additional counterfeit and alteration
prevention means using at least one of hologram, radio frequency
identification (RFID) and biometric information recognition.
[0018] According to the invention, an ordinary user may easily
determine whether an object of counterfeit and alteration
prevention is counterfeited or altered by merely operating the
movable part and observing an indication state of the magnetically
responsive substance with the naked eye.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 illustratively shows a principle of adjusting a
wavelength of light reflected from a magnetically responsive
substance according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a result of photographing color changes of a
magnetically responsive substance appearing when various
intensities of magnetic fields are applied thereto according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a graph representing measured wavelengths of
light reflected from a magnetically responsive substance with
regard to intensities of a magnetic field according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows an SEM photograph (a) of magnetic particles
constituting a magnetically responsive substance according to one
embodiment of the invention, and a photograph (b) of the
magnetically responsive substance according to one embodiment of
the invention being encapsulated into a capsule made of a
light-transmissive material and then subjected to a magnetic field
so that a greenish light is reflected therefrom.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows photographs taken by observing changes in color
and pattern of a magnetically responsive substance according to one
embodiment of the invention, wherein the magnetically responsive
substance is formed with a butterfly pattern thereon and positioned
above a magnet in which magnetic poles for generating different
intensities of magnetic fields are alternately formed in a stripe
shape, and then the magnet is rotated.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustratively shows how light transmittance of a
magnetically responsive substance is changed according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIGS. 7 to 21 illustratively show the configurations of
counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatuses according to one
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] In the following detailed description of the present
invention, references are made to the accompanying drawings that
show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the
invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. It shall be understood that the various embodiments
of the invention, although different from each other, are not
necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes,
structures and characteristics described herein may be implemented
as modified from one embodiment to another without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, it shall be
understood that the locations or arrangements of individual
elements within each of the disclosed embodiments may also be
modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not
to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention, if
properly described, is limited only by the appended claims together
with all equivalents thereof. In the drawings, like reference
numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the
several views.
[0027] Hereinafter, the configurations of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the invention
pertains may easily implement the invention.
Configuration of a Magnetically Responsive Substance
[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, particles
included in a magnetically responsive substance may be magnetic so
that they are rotatable or movable when subjected to a magnetic
force by a magnetic field. For example, the particles may include a
magnetic material such as nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and cobalt
(Co).
[0029] Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
particles may include a material which becomes magnetic (i.e.
becomes magnetized) when a magnetic field is applied thereto. In
particular, according to one embodiment of the invention, a
superparamagnetic material, which is magnetized when an external
magnetic field is applied thereto but does not have a remanent
magnetization when no external magnetic field is applied thereto,
may be employed to prevent magnetic particles from agglomerating
together when no magnetic field is externally applied thereto.
[0030] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention,
the surface of the particles may be coated with charges with the
same polarity so that the particles may be well dispersed in a
solvent without being flocculated. In addition, in order to prevent
the particles from being precipitated in the solvent, a material
having a specific gravity different from that of the particles may
be coated on the surface of the particles, or may be mixed with the
solvent.
[0031] Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
particles may be configured to reflect light having a specific
wavelength, i.e., to have a specific color. More specifically, the
particles according to the invention may have a specific color by
adjusting an oxidation state thereof or by coating an inorganic
pigment, dye or the like thereon. For example, Zn, Pb, Ti, Cd, Fe,
As, Co, Mg, Al or the like including a chromophoric group may be
used as the inorganic pigment coated on the particles according to
the invention, in the form of oxide, emulsion or lactate, and a
fluorescent dye, acidic dye, basic dye, mordant dye, sulfide dye,
vat dye, dispersed dye, reactive dye or the like may be used as the
dye coated on the particles according to the invention. In
addition, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
particles included in the magnetically responsive substance may
consist of a fluorescent material, a phosphorescent material, a
quantum dot material, a temperature indicating material, an
optically variable pigment (OVP) material, or the like.
[0032] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention,
silica, polymer, monomer or the like may be coated on the surface
of the particles so that the particles may have high dispersibility
and stability in the solvent.
[0033] Meanwhile, the diameter of the particles according to the
invention may range from tens of nanometers to tens of micrometers,
but not limited thereto.
[0034] Next, the configuration of a solvent included in the
magnetically responsive substance will be described in detail.
[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, the solvent
may consist of a material having a specific gravity similar to that
of the particles so that the particles may be evenly dispersed
therein, or a material suitable for allowing the particles to be
stably dispersed in the solvent. For example, the material may
include halogen carbon oil, dimethyl silicon oil or the like, which
has a low dielectric constant.
[0036] Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
solvent may be configured to reflect light having a specific
wavelength, i.e., to have a specific color. More specifically, the
solvent according to the invention may include a material having an
inorganic pigment or a dye, or a material having a structural color
based on photonic crystals.
[0037] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention,
by allowing magnetic particles to be evenly dispersed in a
fat-soluble solvent, it is possible to prevent the particles from
agglomerating together or adhering to an inner wall of a capsule in
an encapsulation process.
[0038] However, the configurations of the particles and the solvent
according to the invention are not limited to those described
above, and may be appropriately modified as long as the objects of
the invention may be achieved.
[0039] Next, it will be described in detail how the particles and
solvent included in the magnetically responsive substance according
to the invention are encapsulated or partitioned.
[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the particles
may be encapsulated into a plurality of capsules made of a
light-transmissive material as dispersed in the solvent. According
to one embodiment of the invention, occurrence of direct
interference such as intermixing between different capsules may be
prevented by encapsulating the particles and solvent, so that the
particles included in the magnetically responsive substance may be
independently controlled for each capsule. As a result, light
transmission may be adjusted in more various patterns and light
transmittance control characteristics may be improved.
[0041] For example, gelatin, acacia, melamine, urea, protein,
polysaccharide or the like may be used as a material constituting
the capsules according to one embodiment of the invention, and a
material for fixing the capsules (i.e., a binder) may be used.
However, the configuration of the capsules according to the
invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described
examples, and any material may be used as the material for the
capsules according to the invention as long as it is
light-transmissive, physically strong, elastic but not hard,
non-porous, and resistant to external heat and pressure.
[0042] In addition, according to one embodiment of the invention,
the particles may be partitioned as dispersed in the solvent.
According to one embodiment of the invention, direct interference
such as intermixing between different cells divided by partitions
may be prevented, and thus the particles included in a magnetically
responsive substance container to be described later may be
independently controlled for each capsule.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustratively shows a principle of adjusting a
wavelength of light reflected from a magnetically responsive
substance according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, when a
magnetic field is applied to a plurality of particles 110 which are
magnetic and have charges on the surface thereof, a magnetic
attractive force acts on the particles 110 in a predetermined
direction due to the magnetism of each of the particles 110. Thus,
a distance between the particles 110 gathered to one side is
reduced, while a magnetic repulsive force caused by Coulomb's law
(when the particles have the same surface charges) or a physical
repulsive force caused by steric hindrance effects (when a
hydrodynamic size of the particles is large due to a detecting
functional group attached to the surface of the particles) acts
between the particles 110. Accordingly, an interval of the
particles 110 may be determined based on a relative strength
between the attractive force caused by the magnetic field and the
repulsive force between the particles caused by the charges. As a
result, the particles 110 arranged at a predetermined interval may
function as photonic crystals. That is, according to Bragg's law, a
wavelength of light reflected from the particles 110 is determined
by the interval of the particles 110, and thus the wavelength of
the light reflected from the particles 110 may be adjusted by
controlling the interval of the particles 110.
[0045] Here, a wavelength pattern of the reflected light may be
varied depending on factors such as an intensity and direction of
the magnetic field, a size and mass of the particles, refractive
indices of the particles and the solvent, a magnetization value of
the particles, an amount of the charges of the particles, and a
concentration of the particles dispersed in the solvent.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, when no magnetic field is applied, the
particles 110 may be irregularly arranged in a capsule 130. In this
case, the particles 110 do not exhibit any specific color. Next,
when a predetermined magnetic field is applied, an attractive force
caused by the magnetic field and a repulsive force between the
particles 110 caused by the charges may be balanced so that the
particles 110 may be regularly arranged at a predetermined
interval. As a result, the interval of the plurality of particles
110 may be controlled so that light having a specific wavelength
may be reflected therefrom. In addition, when the intensity of the
magnetic field applied to the particles 110 is increased, the
attractive force caused by the magnetic field is also increased so
that the interval of the particles 110 is narrowed and thus the
wavelength of the light reflected from the particles 110 is
shortened. That is, according to one embodiment of the invention,
the wavelength of the light reflected from the particles 110 may be
adjusted by adjusting the intensity of the magnetic field applied
to the particles 110. As the intensity of the magnetic field is
further increased, the wavelength of the light reflected from the
particles may go beyond a visible light range and fall within an
ultraviolet range. Then, the particles may transmit visible rays
without reflecting them, and in this case, the light transmittance
may be increased.
[0047] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetically responsive substance consisting of the particles 110
and solvent 120 may be encapsulated into the capsule 130 made of a
light-transmissive material, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows a result of photographing color changes of a
magnetically responsive substance appearing when various
intensities of magnetic fields are applied thereto according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that as the intensities
of the applied magnetic fields are adjusted, the light reflected
from the particles may be adjusted to have any color ranging from
red to green and to violet, i.e., in the entire visible light
wavelength range.
[0050] FIG. 3 shows a graph representing measured wavelengths of
light reflected from a magnetically responsive substance with
regard to intensities of a magnetic field according to one
embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that as the intensity
of the applied magnetic field is increased, the light is gradually
changed from a reddish light having a long wavelength to a bluish
light having a short wavelength.
[0051] (a) of FIG. 4 shows an SEM photograph of magnetic particles
constituting a magnetically responsive substance according to one
embodiment of the invention. In (a) of FIG. 4, superparamagnetic
Fe.sub.3O.sub.4 particles ranging from 50 nm to 300 nm are used as
the magnetic particles.
[0052] (b) of FIG. 4 shows a photograph of the magnetically
responsive substance according to one embodiment of the invention
being encapsulated into a capsule made of a light-transmissive
material and then subjected to a magnetic field so that a greenish
light is reflected therefrom. Referring to (b) of FIG. 4, it can be
seen that the particles within the capsule are regularly arranged
at a specific interval according to the magnetic field, and thus a
greenish light in a specific wavelength range is mainly
reflected.
[0053] FIG. 5 shows photographs taken by observing changes in color
and pattern of a magnetically responsive substance according to one
embodiment of the invention, wherein the magnetically responsive
substance is formed with a butterfly pattern thereon and positioned
above a magnet in which magnetic poles for generating different
intensities of magnetic fields are alternately formed in a stripe
shape, and then the magnet is rotated.
[0054] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetically responsive substance may include particles having
magnetophoretic properties.
[0055] Specifically, when a magnetic field is applied to the
magnetically responsive substance according to one embodiment of
the invention, the magnetic particles may be moved in the same
direction as the magnetic field or in the opposite direction. As a
result, an inherent color of the particles or the solvent may be
indicated.
[0056] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetically responsive substance may include a material having a
light transmittance which may be changed as a magnetic field is
applied thereto.
[0057] FIG. 6 illustratively shows how light transmittance of a
magnetically responsive substance is changed according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, the magnetically responsive substance
container according to one embodiment of the invention may contain
a plurality of magnetic particles 610, a solvent 620 and a capsule
630, and the plurality of magnetic particles 610 may be contained
in the capsule 630 as dispersed in the solvent 620.
[0059] First, referring to (a) of FIG. 6, when no magnetic field is
applied to the magnetically responsive substance container, the
plurality of magnetic particles 610 may be irregularly dispersed in
the capsule 630. In this case, the transmittance of light incident
on the magnetically responsive substance is not particularly
controlled. That is, the light incident on the magnetically
responsive substance is scattered or reflected by the plurality of
irregularly dispersed particles 110, and thus the light
transmittance becomes relatively low.
[0060] Next, referring to (b) of FIG. 6, when a magnetic field is
applied to the magnetically responsive substance, the plurality of
magnetic particles 110 within the capsule 130 may be arranged in a
direction parallel to that of the magnetic field, and thus the
transmittance of the light incident on the magnetically responsive
substance container may be controlled.
[0061] Specifically, when a magnetic field is applied to the
magnetically responsive substance according to one embodiment of
the invention, each of the plurality of the particles 110, which
are originally magnetic or magnetized by the magnetic field, may be
rotated or moved such that a direction from S-pole to N-pole of the
plurality of particles 110 is the same as that of the magnetic
field. The N-pole and S-pole of each of the rotated or moved
particles 110 become closer to the S-pole and N-pole of the nearby
particles 110, respectively, so that a magnetic attractive or
repulsive force is generated between the plurality of particles
110, and thus the plurality of particles 110 may be regularly
aligned in a direction parallel to that of the magnetic field. That
is, the plurality of particles 110 may be regularly aligned in a
direction parallel to that of the vertically applied magnetic
field. In this case, the light incident on the magnetically
responsive substance is less scattered or reflected by the
plurality of particles 110, and thus the light transmittance
becomes relatively high.
Configuration of a Counterfeit and Alteration Prevention
Apparatus
[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, a counterfeit
and alteration prevention apparatus may comprise a magnetically
responsive substance container, a magnetic field generator, and a
movable part.
[0063] First, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetically responsive substance container may contain a
magnetically responsive substance in which a reflected light or a
transmitted light is changed when a magnetic field applied thereto
is changed. Specifically, the magnetically responsive substance
contained in the magnetically responsive substance container may be
configured (or set) to reflect light having a specific wavelength
or to indicate a specific light transmittance when a magnetic field
having a specific intensity and direction is applied thereto. As
will be described below, the magnetically responsive substance may
be utilized as a visual indicator when an ordinary user determines
with the naked eye whether an object of counterfeit and alteration
prevention is authentic or not.
[0064] Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetically responsive substance container may be configured to be
fractured when the object of counterfeit and alteration prevention
is opened. Thus, after the object of counterfeit and alteration
prevention is opened, the reflected or transmitted light of the
magnetically responsive substance may not be changed even if a
magnetic field is applied to the magnetically responsive substance,
and thus the magnetically responsive substance may not reflect
light having a preset wavelength or indicate a preset light
transmittance.
[0065] Next, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetic field generator may perform a function of generating a
magnetic field which may be applied to the magnetically responsive
substance. According to one embodiment of the invention, the
magnetic field generator may be formed in a preset pattern so that
the magnetically responsive substance may indicate a preset color
or light transmittance according to a predetermined pattern. For
example, the magnetic field generator may generate a magnetic field
having a predetermined intensity and direction along a shape such
as a logo, character, bar code and figure, which serves as a
reference in determining whether an object of counterfeit and
alteration prevention is counterfeited or altered.
[0066] Next, according to one embodiment of the invention, the
movable part may perform a function of changing an indication state
of the magnetically responsive substance by changing a condition of
applying a magnetic field to the magnetically responsive substance
(i.e., an intensity, direction or pattern of the magnetic field) in
response to a given external stimulus. Here, the external stimulus
given to the movable part may be induced by a user who desires to
determine whether an object of counterfeit and alteration
prevention is authentic or not, a user who desires to open the
object of counterfeit and alteration prevention, a user who desires
to use the object of counterfeit and alteration prevention, or the
like.
[0067] Specifically, the movable part according to one embodiment
of the invention may be moved, rotated or bent in response to the
given external stimulus to perform a function of moving the
magnetically responsive substance container to a region where the
magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator is
applied.
[0068] Further, the movable part according to one embodiment of the
invention may be moved, rotated, bent, or fractured in response to
the given external stimulus to perform a function of moving the
magnetically responsive substance contained in the magnetically
responsive substance container to a region where the magnetic field
generated by the magnetic field generator is applied.
[0069] Furthermore, the movable part according to one embodiment of
the invention may be moved, rotated or bent in response to the
given external stimulus to perform a function of moving the
magnetic field generator to a region where the magnetic field may
be applied to the magnetically responsive substance.
[0070] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the counterfeit and
alteration prevention apparatus according to the invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0071] FIGS. 7 to 21 illustratively show the configurations of
counterfeit and alteration prevention apparatuses according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0072] First, referring to FIG. 7, a magnetically responsive
substance container containing a magnetically responsive substance
710 may be coated on the top of a bar-shaped movable part 730. When
the magnetically responsive substance 710 is positioned in the
vicinity of a magnetic field generator 720 as the movable part 730
is slid along a route provided on a cap of an object of counterfeit
and alteration prevention by an external stimulus 740 such as a
user's operation, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetically
responsive substance 710 so that a preset color may be indicated
along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo, character, bar code, or
figure) or a preset light transmittance may be indicated along the
preset pattern (see (c) of FIG. 7).
[0073] Next, referring to FIG. 8, a magnetically responsive
substance container containing a magnetically responsive substance
810 may be disposed along the circumference of a ring-shaped
movable part 830. When the magnetically responsive substance 810 is
positioned in the vicinity of a magnetic field generator 820 as the
movable part 830 is moved downward along a route provided on a cap
of an object of counterfeit and alteration prevention by an
external stimulus 840 such as a user's operation, a magnetic field
is applied to the magnetically responsive substance 810 so that a
preset color may be indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo,
character, bar code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may
be indicated along the preset pattern (see (b) of FIG. 8).
[0074] Next, referring to FIG. 9, a magnetically responsive
substance container containing a magnetically responsive substance
910 may be disposed on the top of a ring-shaped movable part 930.
When the magnetically responsive substance 910 is positioned in the
vicinity of a magnetic field generator 920 as the top of the
movable part 930 is bent downward by an external stimulus 940 such
as a user's operation, a magnetic field is applied to the
magnetically responsive substance 910 so that a preset color may be
indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo, character, bar
code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may be indicated
along the preset pattern (see (d) of FIG. 9).
[0075] Next, referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, a magnetically responsive
substance container containing a magnetically responsive substance
1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 may be disposed along the circumference of a
ring-shaped movable part 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330. When the
magnetically responsive substance 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 is
positioned in the vicinity of a magnetic field generator 1020,
1120, 1220, 1320 as the movable part 1030, 1130, 1230, 1330 or the
magnetic field generator 1020, 1120, 1230, 1330 is rotated along a
route provided on a cap of an object of counterfeit and alteration
prevention by an external stimulus 1040, 1140, 1240, 1340 such as a
user's operation, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetically
responsive substance 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310 so that a preset color
may be indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo, character,
bar code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may be
indicated along the preset pattern (see (d) of FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and
13).
[0076] Next, referring to FIG. 14, a liquid magnetically responsive
substance 1410 may be disposed on the top of a movable part 1430
made of an elastic material such as a spring. When the magnetically
responsive substance 1410 flows downward to be positioned in the
vicinity of a magnetic field generator 1420 as the movable part
1430 is pressed downward by an external stimulus 1440 such as a
user's operation, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetically
responsive substance 1410 so that a preset color may be indicated
along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo, character, bar code, or
figure) or a preset light transmittance may be indicated along the
preset pattern (see (b) of FIG. 14).
[0077] Next, referring to FIG. 15, a magnetic field generator 1520
may be disposed on the top or bottom of a bar-shaped movable part
1530. When a magnetically responsive substance 1510 is positioned
in the vicinity of the magnetic field generator 1520 as the movable
part 1530 is slid into a space below a surface formed with the
magnetically responsive substance 1510 by an external stimulus such
as a user's operation, a magnetic field is applied to the
magnetically responsive substance 1510 so that a preset color may
be indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo, character, bar
code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may be indicated
along the preset pattern (see (b) of FIG. 15).
[0078] Next, referring to FIG. 16, a liquid magnetically responsive
substance 1610 may be injected into a first space 1631 within a
movable part 1630 and a magnetic field generator 1620 may be
disposed to generate a magnetic field for a second space 1632
within the movable part 1630. When the magnetically responsive
substance 1610 is positioned in the vicinity of the magnetic field
generator 1620 as the first space of the movable part 1630 is
pressed by an external stimulus 1640 such as a user's operation so
that the magnetically responsive substance 1610 is moved from the
first space 1631 to the second space 1632, a magnetic field is
applied to the magnetically responsive substance 1610 so that a
preset color may be indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo,
character, bar code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may
be indicated along the preset pattern (see (b) of FIG. 16).
[0079] Next, referring to FIG. 17, a movable part 1730 may be
configured in the form of a film type sticker attachable to an
object of counterfeit and alteration prevention, and may comprise a
magnetically responsive substance 1710 and a magnetic field
generator 1720. Specifically, the magnetically responsive substance
1710 may be disposed in a first portion 1731 which may be moved by
an external stimulus without adhering to the object of counterfeit
and alteration prevention, and the magnetic field generator 1720
may be disposed in a second portion 1732 which adheres to the
object of counterfeit and alteration prevention. Accordingly, when
the magnetically responsive substance 1710 is positioned in the
vicinity of the magnetic field generator 1720 as the first portion
1731 of the movable part 1730 is folded toward the second portion
1732 by an external stimulus 1740 such as a user's operation, a
magnetic field is applied to the magnetically responsive substance
1710 so that a preset color may be indicated along a preset pattern
(e.g., a logo, character, bar code, or figure) or a preset light
transmittance may be indicated along the preset pattern (see (c) of
FIG. 17). In addition, referring to FIG. 17, the movable part 1730
according to one embodiment of the invention may be configured such
that the first portion 1731 in which the magnetically responsive
substance 1710 is disposed may be fractured when the object of
counterfeit and alteration prevention is opened. After the first
portion 1731 is fractured, the magnetically responsive substance
1710 may not indicate the preset color or light transmittance even
if a magnetic field is applied to the magnetically responsive
substance 1710.
[0080] Next, referring to FIG. 18, a movable part 1830 may be
configured in the form of a film type sticker attachable to both of
a cap and a body of an object of counterfeit and alteration
prevention, and both of a magnetically responsive substance 1810
and a magnetic field generator 1820 may be disposed in a portion
contacting the object of counterfeit and alteration prevention. The
magnetically responsive substance 1810 may be disposed such that a
preset color may be indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo,
character, bar code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may
be indicated along the preset pattern as a magnetic field generated
from the magnetic field generator 1820 is applied thereto. In
addition, the movable part 1830 according to one embodiment of the
invention may be configured such that the portion in which the
magnetically responsive substance 1810 is disposed may be fractured
when the object of counterfeit and alteration prevention is opened.
After the portion is fractured, the magnetically responsive
substance 1810 may not indicate the preset color or light
transmittance even if a magnetic field is applied to the
magnetically responsive substance 1810.
[0081] Next, referring to FIGS. 19 to 21, a movable part 1930,
2030, 2130 may be configured in the form of a tag, card or the like
in at least a portion of which a magnetically responsive substance
1910, 2010, 2110 is disposed. Accordingly, when the movable part
1930, 2030, 2130 approaches an object including a magnetic field
generator 1920, 2020, 2120 (e.g., a tag or a mobile phone), a
preset color may be indicated along a preset pattern (e.g., a logo,
character, bar code, or figure) or a preset light transmittance may
be indicated along the preset pattern as a magnetic field generated
from the magnetic field generator 1920, 2020, 2120 is applied to
the magnetically responsive substance 1910, 2010, 2110 (see (b) of
FIGS. 19, 20 and 21).
[0082] Meanwhile, the counterfeit and alteration prevention
apparatus according to the invention may further comprise an
additional counterfeit and alteration prevention means using at
least one of hologram, radio frequency identification (RFID) and
biometric information recognition. As a result, counterfeiting and
alteration of an object may be prevented more effectively.
[0083] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of specific items such as detailed elements as well as the limited
embodiments and the drawings, they are only provided to help more
general understanding of the invention, and the present invention
is not limited to the above embodiments. It will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains
that various modifications and changes can be made from the above
description.
[0084] Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention shall not
be limited to the above-described embodiments, and the entire scope
of the appended claims and their equivalents will fall within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *