Method and apparatus for labeling using optical identification elements characterized by X-ray diffraction

• US 20070121181A1
• Filed: 11/16/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illumina Incorporated
• Original Assignee: CyVera Corporation (Illumina Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kersey, Alan, Moon, John, Szczepanek, Paul, Putnam, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,623,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 23/2005 Preparation of powder samples therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0016 Covert holograms or holobjects requiring additional knowledge to be perceived, e.g. holobject reconstructed only under IR illumination microholograms G03H2230/10
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 5/00 Holographic processes or apparatus using particles or using waves other than those covered by groups G03H1/00 or G03H3/00 for obtaining holograms; Processes or apparatus for obtaining an optical image from them G03H1/22 takes precedence; construction of electron microscopes H01J37/26; investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves G01N22/00, by the use of particles wave or X-rays G01N23/00, G21K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/003 using security elements using digital security elements G07D7/004

Abstract

An optical identification element for identifying an item comprises a binder material and one or more materials embedded in the binder material. The one or more materials provide an encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern when illuminated by an X-ray beam. The encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern is indicative of the item. The one or more materials are preferably powdered crystal materials. The optical identification element may be shaped as a microbead or a macrobead. Alternatively, the binder material may be in the form of a thread or fiber. The labeled item may be selected from the group, comprising: large or small objects, products, solids, powders, liquids, gases, plants, pharmaceuticals, currency, ID cards, minerals, cells and/or animals. The item may be a chemical or a DNA sequence. The optical identification element may be used for many different purposes, such as for sorting, tracking, identification, verification, authentication, anti-theft/anti-counterfeit, security/anti-terrorism, or for other purposes. In a manufacturing environment, the elements 8 may be used to track inventory for production information or sales of goods/products.

Claims

1. An optical identification element for identifying an item, the optical identification element comprising:

a binder material; and

one or more materials embedded in the hinder material, the one or more materials providing an encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern when illuminated by an X-ray beam, the encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern being indicative of the item.

2. The optical identification element of claim 1, wherein the encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern is indicative of a binary or higher order.

3. The optical identification element of claim 2, wherein a number of bits in the binary code is correspond to a number of unique Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns in the encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern.

4. The optical identification element of claim 2, wherein the binary code is arranged in a protocol including one or more error-check bits and a plurality of data bits.

5. The optical identification element of claim 1, wherein the one or more materials each include a powdered crystal material.

6. The optical identification element of claim 1, wherein the binder material is selected from glass, plastic, one or more polymers, and combinations including one or more of the foregoing.

7. The optical identification element of claim 1 shaped as a microbead.

8. The optical identification element of claim 1 shaped as a macrobead.

9. The optical identification element of claim 1, wherein the binder material is in the form of a thread or fiber.

10. The optical identification element of claim 1, where the item is selected from the group, comprising:

large or small objects, products, solids, powders, liquids, gases, plants, pharmaceuticals, currency, ID cards, minerals, cells and/or animals.

11. The optical identification element of claim 1, wherein the item is a chemical.

12. The optical identification element of claim 1, wherein the item is a DNA sequence.

13. A method of labeling an item, the method comprising:

selecting at least one material from a plurality of materials having differing X-ray diffraction patterns;

embedding the at least one material in a binder material to form at least one optical identification element, the at least one material providing an encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern when illuminated by an X-ray beam, the encoded composite X-ray diffraction pattern being indicative of the item; and

physically associating the at least one optical identification element with the item.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

shaping the binder material as a microbead.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

shaping the binder material as a macrobead.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

shaping the binder material in the form of a thread or fiber.

30. The method of claim 13, wherein the identification element includes:

a binder material; and

one or more materials embedded in the binder material, the one or more materials being selected from powdered crystal materials.

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25. A method of identifying an item, the method comprising:

illuminating an optical identification element physically associated with the item using an X-ray beam;

detecting a composite X-ray diffraction pattern from the illuminated optical identification element; and

decoding the composite X-ray diffraction pattern to identify the item.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the decoding includes:

identifying at least portions of Debye-Scherrer diffraction patterns in the composite X-ray diffraction pattern.

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