Method of displaying information by using an LC resonance tag

• US 6,094,133 A
• Filed: 01/22/1998
• Issued: 07/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sensor Technos Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Sensor Technos Company Limited
• Inventors: Sakamoto, Tsutomu, Shimamura, Chikara
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/012,018
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 340/505, 340/572, 340/825.54, 340/572.8, 340/572.3, 340/572.1, 340/10.1, 340/10.42, 340/10.6, 235/375, 235/378, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/505
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2471 Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22

Abstract

To discriminate counterfeit articles by incorporating invisible ID information recording apparatus in the true articles. An LC resonance tag 1 is buried in the articles 21 and 22 at the time when they are being produced in compliance with the contraction of a license. Upon bringing transmission and reception antenna units 15, 16 of a reflected wave analyzer 11 close to the articles, the resonance frequencies of the LC resonance tags 1 are specified, and voice messages such as brand, name of article, explanation of article, etc. are produced from a speaker of the reflected wave analyzer 11 based on the display data related to the resonance frequencies, verifying that the articles are true ones.

Claims

1. A method for discriminating articles for use in authenticating the articles and identifying a manufacture comprising:

associating a resonance tag having a predetermined resonance frequency with an article at the time of being produced;

affixing the resonance tag sealing the article so that upon removal the resonance tag is disabled, whereby unauthorized tampering is detected;

storing pattern data characteristics of the predetermined resonance frequency of the resonance tag and corresponding identifying data identifying the article and the manufacturer;

transmitting a frequency band to be received by the resonance tag;

receiving the predetermined resonance frequency emitted by the resonance tag;

matching the received predetermined resonance frequency with the stored pattern data characteristics and corresponding identifying data; and

providing the corresponding identifying data to a user,

whereby the article is discriminated from other unauthorized articles.

2. A method for discriminating articles as in claim 1 wherein:

the step of affixing comprising using an adhesive for applying the resonance tag to an article stronger than a peeling strength of an adhesive adhering the resonance tag together, whereby when the resonance tag is removed it is disabled.

3. A method for discriminating articles for use in authenticating the articles and identifying a manufacture comprising:

associating a resonance tag having a predetermined resonance frequency with an article at the time of being produced;

the resonance tag has upper and lower surfaces,

adhering a metal toil used in forming the resonance tag over the upper and lower surfaces in order to set the predetermined resonance frequency, such that when unsealed a capacitance of the resonance tag changes, whereby tampering may be detected;

storing pattern data characteristics of the predetermined resonance frequency of the resonance tag and corresponding identifying data identifying the article and the manufacturer;

transmitting a frequency band to be received by the resonance tag;

receiving the predetermined resonance frequency emitted by the resonance tag;

matching the received predetermined resonance frequency with the stored pattern data characteristics and corresponding identifying data; and

providing the corresponding identifying data to a user,

whereby the article is discriminated from other unauthorized articles.

4. A system for discriminating authorized articles from unauthorized articles comprising:

a resonance tag affixed to an article at the time of being produced and having a predetermined resonance frequency;

a first adhesive used to affix said resonance tag to the article;

a second adhesive used to form said resonance tag, said first adhesive having a peeling strength stronger than a pealing strength of the second adhesive, whereby when the resonance tag is removed it is disabled;

means for storing pattern data characteristics of the predetermined resonance frequency of the resonance tag and corresponding identifying data identifying the article as being authorized;

a transmitter, said transmitter transmitting a frequency band to be received by said resonance tag;

a receiver, said receiver receiving the predetermined resonance frequency emitted by said resonance tag;

means for matching the received predetermined resonance frequency with the stored pattern data characteristics and corresponding identifying data; and

a display, said display displaying the corresponding identifying data,

whereby the article is discriminated from other articles.

5. A system for discriminating authorized articles from unauthorized articles comprising:

a resonance tag affixed to an article at the time of being produced and having a predetermined resonance frequency;

said resonance tag has upper and lower surfaces,

a metal foil used in forming said resonance tag is placed over the upper and lower surfaces in order to set the predetermined resonance frequency, such that when the article is unsealed a capacitance of the resonance tag changes, whereby unsealing may be detected;

means for storing pattern data characteristics of the predetermined resonance frequency of the resonance tag and corresponding identifying data identifying the article as being authorized;

a transmitter, said transmitter transmitting a frequency band to be received by said resonance tag;

a receiver, said receiver receiving the predetermined resonance frequency emitted by said resonance tag;

means for matching the received predetermined resonance frequency with the stored pattern data characteristics and corresponding identifying data; and

a display, said display displaying the corresponding identifying data,

whereby the article is discriminated from other articles.

6. A method of discriminating articles for use in authenticating the articles comprising:

associating a resonance tag having a plurality of different resonance frequency with an article at the time of being produced;

transmitting a plurality of preset frequency bands maintaining a predetermined scan interval to be received by the resonance tag;

receiving the plurality of different resonance frequencies emitted by the resonance tag;

detecting a phase difference between each of the frequencies in the plurality of preset frequency bands and each of the plurality of different resonance frequencies emitted by the resonance tag;

compiling a resonance level pattern having a resonance sharpness from the phase differences;

storing pattern data characteristics of the resonance sharpness associated with the resonance tag;

storing identifying data comprising data sufficient to authenticate the article including brand and name of the article;

linking the resonance sharpness associated with the resonance tag with corresponding stored identifying data;

matching the resonance sharpness with the stored pattern data characteristics; and

providing the corresponding identifying display data to a user based upon the matching of the resonance sharpness with the stored pattern data characteristics and the linking of the corresponding stored identifying data,

whereby it is possible to discriminated the article from authorized and unauthorized articles.

7. A method for discriminating articles as in claim 6 further comprising:

affixing the resonance tag sealing the article so that upon removal the resonance tag is disabled, whereby unauthorized tampering is detected.

8. A method of discriminating articles as in claim 7 wherein:

the step of affixing comprising using an adhesive for applying the resonance tag to an article stronger than a peeling strength of an adhesive adhering the resonance tag together, whereby when the resonance tag is removed it is disabled.

9. A method of discriminating articles as in claim 6 further comprising:

the resonance tag has upper and lower surfaces,

adhering a metal foil used in forming the resonance tag over the upper and lower surfaces in order to set the predetermined resonance frequency, such that when unsealed a capacitance of the resonance tag changes, whereby tampering may be detected.