Technique for labeling an object for its identification and/or verification

• US 5,599,578 A
• Filed: 11/01/1994
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Art Guard International, Inc., Crossoff.com Ltd. (Mammoth Communications), Polestar LTD
• Original Assignee: Art Guard International, Inc.
• Inventors: Butland, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): BELL, JANYCE A
• Application Number:
  US08/333,077
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 427/7, 427/288, 427/157, 427/265, 427/384, 427/261, 427/256, 427/160
• US Class Current: 427/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/144 using fluorescent, luminescent or iridescent effects
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/68 involving nucleic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 2563/185 Nucleic acid dedicated to use as a hidden marker/bar code, e.g. inclusion of nucleic acids to mark art objects or animals
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06009 with optically detectable marking G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06225 using wavelength selection, e.g. colour code
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0294 where the change is not permanent, e.g. labels only readable under a special light, temperature indicating labels and the like

Abstract

The present invention is addressed to providing a simple, yet reliable method for labeling an object for its verification. The present invention includes applying a mark to said object with a visible ink which contains a first component which is visible to the naked eye and a second component which is invisible to the naked eye and comprises one or more of ultraviolet radiation (UV) dye which is visible only in the presence of selected ultraviolet radiation, an infrared (IR) dye which is visible only in the presence of selected infrared radiation, an ink which displays a selected measurable electrical resistivity, or a biologic marker. The applied mark has said first component which is visible to the naked eye and said second component which is invisible to the naked eye.

Claims

1. Method for labeling an object for identification which comprises the step of:

applying a mark to said object with a visible ink which contains;

(a) a first component which is visible to the naked eye; and

(b) a second component which is invisible to the naked eye and which is one or more of ultraviolet radiation (UV) dye which is visible only in the presence of ultraviolet radiation, an infrared (IR) dye which is visible only in the presence of infrared radiation, an ink which displays a measurable electrical resistivity, or a biologic marker selected from one or more of a protein, amino acid, DNA, polypeptide, hormone, or antibody,

said mark having said first component which is visible to the naked eye and said second component which is invisible to the naked eye.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said visible ink housed in a pen.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said visible ink contains a UV dye and a biologic marker.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said visible ink contains an IR dye and a biologic marker.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said IR dye comprises a phosphor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said phosphor comprises a rare earth oxysulphide.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said phosphor is a gallium oxysulfide.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said visible ink contains two or more of said second components.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said IR dye comprises a phosphor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said phosphor comprises a rare earth oxysulphide.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said phosphor is a gallium oxysulfide.

12. Method for labeling an object for identification which comprises the step of:

applying a mark to said object with a visible ink which contains;

(a) a first component which is visible to the naked eye; and

(b) a second component which is invisible to the naked eye and which is one or more of ultraviolet radiation (UV) dye which is visible only in the presence of ultraviolet radiation, an infrared (IR) dye which is visible only in the presence of infrared radiation, or a biologic marker selected from one or more of a protein, amino acid, DNA, polypeptide, hormone, or antibody,

said mark having said first component which is visible to the naked eye and said second component which is invisible to the naked eye.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said visible ink contains an IR dye and a biologic marker.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said IR dye comprises a phosphor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said phosphor comprises a rare earth oxysulphide.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said phosphor is a gallium oxysulfide.