On-line verification of an authentication mark applied to products or product packaging

• US 20030112423A1
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verification Technologies, Inc. (Sun Chemical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verification Technologies, Inc. (Sun Chemical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Swanson, Drew, Miller, Peter, Vig, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US10/274,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112423A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/378 Special inks
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/382 absorbing or reflecting infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/387 absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/405 Marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/00 Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/12 using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks

Abstract

A system and method of verifying application of an authentication mark on a substrate is disclosed. Light-sensitive compounds can be used to identify the product or product packaging. A printer, locatable at the production line, prints at least one light-sensitive compound on the product or product package to produce at least a portion of the authentication mark. A verification device, locatable at the production line, verifies the application of the at least one light-sensitive compound on the product or product package.

Claims

1. A system for applying at least a portion of an authentication mark to a substrate and verifying the application of at least a portion of the mark on the substrate, the substrate being disposed on a production line, the system comprising:

an applicator locatable at the production line and configured and arranged to apply at least one light-sensitive compound on the substrate to produce at least a portion of the authentication mark; and

a verification device locatable at the production line and configured and arranged to verify application of the at least one light-sensitive compound on the substrate.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is a continuous ink jet printer.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the applicator is a printer that prints an ink mixed with the at least one light-sensitive compound.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the ink is a water-insoluble ink.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the verification device verifies whether a correct light-sensitive compound has been applied.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the verification device verifies whether a correct light-sensitive compound has been applied.

7. The system according to claim 3 wherein the verification device irradiates at least the at least one light-sensitive compound with light and detects a first light response of the at least one light-sensitive compound.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first light response is compared with a fingerprint.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the printer produces at least the portion of the mark by printing a first ink mixed with a first light-sensitive compound and a second ink mixed with a second light-sensitive compound with a second ink.

10. The system according to claim 9 wherein the first and second inks are the same ink.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the verification device detects a second light response.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second light response is compared with the fingerprint.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second light response is different from the first light response.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the verification device determines a ratio of the first and second responses and compares the ratio to a fingerprint.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the printer prints the at least one light-sensitive compound mixed with a solvent.

16. The system according to claim 1, in combination with the substrate.

17. The combination according to claim 16, wherein the substrate is a product or a product package.

18. The system according to claim 1, in combination with the production line.

19. The combination according to claim 18, wherein the applicator is placed at the production line.

20. The combination according to claim 18, wherein the verification device is placed at the production line.

21. The combination according to claim 18, wherein the verification device and the applicator are placed at the production line and wherein the verification device is placed downline of the applicator.

22. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller communicating with both the applicator and the verification device.

23. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator coupled to the verification device and adapted to indicate the verification of at least the portion of the mark.

24. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller communicating with the verification device and a production line controller.

43. The system according to claim 1, wherein the verification device comprises:

a frame;

a light source mounted to the frame, the light source adapted to emit light having a predetermined wavelength to irradiate the at least one light-sensitive compound and the substrate; and

an excitation filter mounted to the frame and cooperating with the light source to filter an undesired wavelength of light emitting from the light source;

wherein the frame and at least one of the light source and the excitation filter are constructed and arranged such that at least one of the light source and the excitation filter is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ at least one of a different light source capable of emitting light having a different predetermined wavelength of light and a different excitation filter capable of filtering a different undesired wavelength of light emitting from the light source.

44. The system according to claim 43, wherein the verification device further comprises an emission filter mounted to the frame and adapted to filter an undesired wavelength of light emitting from at least one of the substrate, the at least one light-sensitive compound and ambient light;

wherein the frame and the emission filter are constructed and arranged such that the emission filter is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ a different emission filter capable of filtering a different undesired wavelength of light emitting from at least one of the substrate, the least one light-sensitive compound and the ambient light.

45. The system according to claim 43, wherein the verification device further comprises a detector mounted to the frame and adapted to detect light response from the at least one light-sensitive compound.

46. The system according to claim 43, wherein the verification device further comprises an excitation lens mounted to the frame and adapted to focus light emitting from the light source.

47. The system according to claim 46, wherein the frame and the excitation lens are constructed and arranged such that the excitation lens is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ a different excitation lens.

48. The system according to claim 44, wherein the verification device further comprises an emission lens mounted to the frame and adapted to focus light emitting from at least one of the substrate, the least one light-sensitive compound and the ambient light.

49. The system according to claim 48, wherein the frame and the emission lens are constructed and arranged such that the emission lens is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ a different emission lens.

25. A method of applying at least a portion of an authentication mark to a substrate and verifying the application of at least the portion of the mark, the substrate being disposed on a production line, the method comprising:

applying at least one light-sensitive compound on the substrate to produce at least the portion of the authentication mark, the application occurring as the substrate proceeds through the production line; and

verifying application of the at least one light-sensitive compound on the substrate as the substrate proceeds through the production line.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein verifying application of the at least one light-sensitive compound comprises detecting a light response from the at least one light-sensitive compound as the substrate proceeds through the production line.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising packaging the substrate after the substrate has been verified as having a correct mark.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising shipping the substrate.

29. The method according to claim 25, wherein applying at least one light-sensitive compound to produce the mark comprises mixing a first light-sensitive compound with a first ink.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein verifying the application of the at least one light-sensitive compound comprises irradiating the at least one light-sensitive compound with light and detecting a first light response.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the first light response is compared with a fingerprint.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein applying at least one light-sensitive compound to produce at least the portion of the mark comprises mixing a first light-sensitive compound with a first ink and a second light-sensitive compound with a second ink.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the first and second inks are the same ink.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein verifying the application of the at least one light-sensitive compound comprises detecting a second light response from the second light-sensitive compound.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the second light response is compared with a fingerprint.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein the second light response is different from the first light response.

37. The method according to claim 34, further comprising obtaining a ratio of the first and second light responses and comparing the ratio to a fingerprint.

38. The method according to claim 25, wherein applying at least a portion of the mark comprises mixing the at least one light-sensitive compound with a solvent.

39. The method according to claim 25, wherein applying at least a portion of the mark as the substrate proceeds through the production line comprises stopping the substrate during application.

40. The method according to claim 25, wherein applying at least a portion of the mark as the substrate proceeds through the production line comprises applying at least a portion of the mark as the substrate moves along the production line.

41. The method according to claim 25, wherein verifying application of the at least one light-sensitive compound as the substrate proceeds through the production line comprises stopping the substrate during verifying.

42. The method according to claim 25, wherein verifying application of the at least one light-sensitive compound as the substrate proceeds through the production line comprises verifying as the substrate moves along the production line.

50. A system for applying at least a portion of an authentication mark to a substrate and verifying the application of at least the portion the mark on the substrate, the substrate being disposed on a production line, the system comprising:

a printer locatable at the production line and configured and arranged to print at least one light-sensitive compound on the substrate to produce the at least the portion of the authentication mark; and

a verification device locatable at the production line and configured and arranged to verify application of the at least one light-sensitive compound on the substrate, wherein the verification device comprises;

a frame;

a light source mounted to the frame, the light source adapted to emit light having a predetermined wavelength to irradiate the at least one light-sensitive compound and the substrate; and

an excitation filter mounted to the frame and cooperating with the light source to filter an undesired wavelength of light emitting from the light source;

wherein the frame and at least one of the light source and the excitation filter are constructed and arranged such that at least one of the light source and the excitation filter is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ at least one of a different light source capable of emitting light having a different predetermined wavelength of light and a different excitation filter capable of filtering a different undesired wavelength of light emitting from the light source;

a detector adapted to detect at least a first light response from the at least one light-sensitive compound; and

a controller for comparing at least the first light response to a fingerprint.

51. The system according to claim 50, wherein the detector is adapted to detect a second light response.

52. The system according to claim 51, wherein the controller determines a ratio of the first and second light responses and compares the ratio to a fingerprint.

53. The system according to claim 50, in combination with the production line.

54. The combination according to claim 53, wherein the printer is placed at the production line.

55. The combination according to claim 53, wherein the verification device is placed at the production line.

56. The combination according to claim 53, wherein the verification device and the printer are placed at the production line and wherein the verification device is placed downline of the printer.

57. The system according to claim 50, wherein the verification device further comprises an emission filter mounted to the frame and adapted to filter an undesired wavelength of light emitting from at least one of the substrate, the at least one light-sensitive compound and ambient light;

wherein the frame and the emission filter are constructed and arranged such that the emission filter is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ a different emission filter capable of filtering a different undesired wavelength of light emitting from at least one of the substrate, the least one light-sensitive compound and the ambient light.

58. The system according to claim 50, wherein the verification device further comprises an excitation lens mounted to the frame and adapted to focus light emitting from the light source.

59. The system according to claim 58, wherein the frame and the excitation lens are constructed and arranged such that the excitation lens is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ a different excitation lens.

60. The system according to claim 57, wherein the verification device further comprises an emission lens mounted to the frame and adapted to focus light emitting from at least one of the substrate, the least one light-sensitive compound and the ambient light.

61. The system according to claim 60, wherein the frame and the emission lens are constructed and arranged such that the emission lens is removable from the frame by a user thereby allowing the user to employ a different emission lens.