Article identification system
First Claim
1. An article identification system for identifying the authenticity of an article, comprising:
- identification means provided on said article;
light emitting means for impinging light emitted therefrom onto said identification means, said light having a prescribed wavelength, and linearly polarized in a prescribed direction;
light detecting means for detecting light reflected by said identification means; and
control means for evaluating light detected by said light detecting means and determining the authenticity of said article associated with said identification means;
wherein;
said identification means comprises at least a first layer having a reflective property adapted to be detected by said light detecting means for identification purpose, and a second layer, said second layer underlying said first layer;
said light detecting means being provided with a filter which selectively allows transmission of light having a certain polarization direction, and said second layer being provided with such a polarization plane rotating property that light which has passed through said first and second layers and reflected by a surface underlying said second layer onto said light detecting means is substantially prevented from passing through said filter.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is a system for identifying the authenticity of an article which is reliable, and would not restrict the freedom of design. An identification region is defined on the article for identification purpose. The identification region comprises a light reflecting layer which is adapted to transmit visible light and reflect light of a certain wavelength other outside the visible light band with a certain diffractive property. Therefore, the identification region is hardly visible to human eyes, and this not only discourages an attempt to counterfeit the identification region but also would not affect the external appearance of the article. Further, the visible light which has passed through the reflecting layer and reflected by the surface of the article itself or an underlying layer is prevented from reaching the light detecting device so that spurious noises which may disturb the identification process can be eliminated.
53 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An article identification system for identifying the authenticity of an article, comprising:
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identification means provided on said article; light emitting means for impinging light emitted therefrom onto said identification means, said light having a prescribed wavelength, and linearly polarized in a prescribed direction; light detecting means for detecting light reflected by said identification means; and control means for evaluating light detected by said light detecting means and determining the authenticity of said article associated with said identification means; wherein; said identification means comprises at least a first layer having a reflective property adapted to be detected by said light detecting means for identification purpose, and a second layer, said second layer underlying said first layer; said light detecting means being provided with a filter which selectively allows transmission of light having a certain polarization direction, and said second layer being provided with such a polarization plane rotating property that light which has passed through said first and second layers and reflected by a surface underlying said second layer onto said light detecting means is substantially prevented from passing through said filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification