Identification device and method

• US 20070057054A1
• Filed: 09/14/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Maranov, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,546,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/440
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0672 with resonating marks
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/086 sensing passive circuit, e.g. resonant circuit transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10544 by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum

Abstract

The invention provides an identification device and method. The device includes a pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information. The pattern is formed at least in part by electrically conductive material. The device also includes a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from the electrically conductive material of the pattern. The device may include a plurality of conductive members and may be adapted and configured to be read optically by a bar code reader. The plurality of parallel conductive members may be formed in a serpentine pattern or a continuous winding pattern, among others. The resonant circuit may also be configured to act as a dipole. Each of the conductive members may be connected by a straight conductor at an end of each of the conductive members.

Claims

1. A device for containing information comprising:

a) a pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern formed at least in part by electrically conductive material; and

b) a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from at least a portion of the electrically conductive material of the pattern.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pattern includes a plurality of conductive members and is adapted and configured to be read optically by a bar code reader.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed in a serpentine pattern.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed in a continuous winding pattern.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the resonant circuit acts as a dipole.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the conductive members are connected by a straight conductor at an end of each of the conductive members.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the conductive members are connected by a straight conductor proximate to a central region of each of the conductive members.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conductive members are arranged into a two-dimensional bar code pattern.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is an identification tag configured to receive a first electromagnetic wave at the resonant frequency, and transmit a second electromagnetic wave in response to the first electromagnetic wave.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the identification tag is configured to transmit unique identification information in the second electromagnetic wave.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 125 kHz and 150 kHz.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 13 MHz and 14 MHz.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 850 MHz and 1000 MHz.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the pattern made from conductive material is formed from metal.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the portion of the pattern made from conductive material is formed from a metallic wire.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the portion of the pattern made from conductive material is formed from a metallic sheet.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a substrate, wherein the pattern is formed by printing the conductive material onto the substrate.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the resonant circuit is formed on the substrate.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the pattern is formed by using a laser printer.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the pattern is formed by using an ink jet printer.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the pattern includes:

a) a first layer disposed the substrate, the first layer including an initial pattern, the initial pattern including conductive material;

b) a second layer disposed on the first layer, the second layer including dielectric material; and

c) a third layer disposed on the second layer, the third layer including a terminal pattern configured and adapted to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, wherein the terminal pattern includes conductive material, and wherein the initial pattern and the terminal pattern are in operative communication with each other.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein an additional layer of material is disposed between at least one of:

a) the substrate and the first layer;

b) the first layer and the second layer; and

c) the second layer and the third layer.

54. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a) an object to be sold; and

b) the device of claim 1 disposed on the object.

55. The article of manufacture of claim 54, wherein the object to be sold is a product contained inside protective packaging.

23. A method for forming a device comprising:

a) providing a substrate;

b) forming on the substrate a pattern capable of being read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern formed at least in part by conductive material;

c) forming a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from at least a portion of the electrically conductive material of the pattern.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the pattern forming step includes forming a plurality of parallel conductive members, the plurality of conductive members configured and adapted to be read by a bar code reader.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed into a serpentine pattern.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the plurality of parallel conductive members are formed into a continuous winding pattern.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of conductive members are arranged into a two-dimensional bar code pattern.

28. The method of claim 24, further including the step of connecting the parallel conductive members with conductive material.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the pattern is formed at least in part from a metallic member.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the pattern is formed at least in part from a metallic wire.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the pattern is formed at least in part from a metallic sheet.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the first conductor is formed by printing conductive material onto the substrate.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein additional portions of the resonant circuit are formed by printing conductive material on the substrate.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the conductor is formed by using a laser printer.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the conductor is formed by using an ink jet printer.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the pattern forming step includes the steps of:

a) printing a first layer on the substrate, the first layer including an initial pattern including conductive material;

b) printing a second layer over the first layer, the second layer including dielectric material; and

c) printing a third layer over the second layer, the third layer having a terminal pattern configured and adapted to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, the terminal pattern including conductive material, wherein the initial pattern of conductive material and the terminal pattern of conductive material are in electrical contact.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the device is formed by a printer having a first printing head configured and adapted to deposit conductive material, and a second printing head configured and adapted to deposit dielectric material.

38. A machine readable program containing instructions for controlling a system for forming a pattern of conductive material on a substrate, the system including a substrate and a printer capable of printing material on the substrate, wherein the program comprises:

means for instructing the printer to print a pattern on the substrate, the pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern including conductive material.

39. The machine readable program of claim 38, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print a plurality of parallel conductive members in the portion of the pattern that is read optically.

40. The machine readable program of claim 39, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print the plurality of parallel conductive members in a serpentine pattern.

41. The machine readable program of claim 39, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print the plurality of parallel conductive members in a continuous winding pattern.

42. The machine readable program of claim 39, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print the plurality of parallel conductive members in a two-dimensional bar code pattern.

43. The machine readable program of claim 38, further comprising means for instructing the printer to print additional components of a resonant circuit on the substrate.

44. The machine readable program of claim 38, wherein the printer is a laser printer.

45. The machine readable program of claim 38, wherein the printer is an ink jet printer.

46. The machine readable program of claim 38, further comprising:

a) means for instructing the printer to print a first layer on the substrate, the first layer including an initial pattern including conductive material;

b) means for instructing the printer to print a second layer over the first layer, the second layer including dielectric material; and

c) means for instructing the printer to print a third layer over the second layer, the third layer having a terminal pattern configured and adapted to be read optically by the reader to obtain the information, the terminal pattern including conductive material, wherein the initial pattern of conductive material and the terminal pattern of conductive material are in electrical contact.

47. A system for identifying an object comprising:

a) a device comprising;

i) a pattern adapted and configured to be read optically by a reader to obtain information, the pattern formed at least in part by electrically conductive material; and

ii) a resonant circuit configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, the resonant circuit formed at least in part from at least a portion of the electrically conductive material of the pattern; and

b) a reader adapted and configured to read information from the device.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the reader is configured to optically scan the pattern to obtain the information.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the reader is configured to transmit a first electromagnetic wave to the device at the resonant frequency, and receive a second electromagnetic wave from the resonant circuit in response to the first electromagnetic wave.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 125 kHz and 150 kHz.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 13 MHz and 14 MHz.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 850 MHz and 1000 MHz.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein the resonant frequency is between about 2 GHz and 3 GHz.