Object comprising coded data and randomly dispersed ink taggant

• US 8,387,889 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2011
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): ST CYR, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US13/196,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20110284635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/487, 235/494, 235/380, 235/382, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06009 with optically detectable marking G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G09C 5/00 Ciphering apparatus or methods not provided for in the preceding groups, e.g. involving the concealment or deformation of graphic data such as designs, written or printed messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 involving a third party or a trusted authority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures

Abstract

An object has first coded data and a random pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The first coded data identifies a plurality of fiducials on the surface and the random pattern defines a fingerprint for the object. The random pattern is defined by a taggant randomly dispersed in ink printed on the surface. A data reader for reading the first coded data and random pattern includes first and second optical sensors.

Claims

1. An object comprising first coded data disposed on or in a surface thereof and a random pattern disposed on or in said surface, said first coded data identifying a plurality of fiducials on the surface and said random pattern defining at least one fingerprint for the object, wherein the random pattern is defined by a taggant randomly dispersed in ink printed on the surface, and wherein the ink is superimposed with the first coded data such that the fiducials identify different zones of the random pattern.

2. The object of claim 1, wherein the or each fingerprint identifies any one of:

an object identity;

a serial number;

or

an Electronic Product Code (EPC).

3. The object of claim 1, wherein the fiducials are all distinct from each other.

4. The object of claim 3, wherein each fiducial identifies a unique location on the surface.

5. The object of claim 1, wherein the first coded data further identifies a layout of at least one interactive element associated with the surface.

6. The object of claim 5, wherein the layout is identified by a layout number, and one layout number is associated with a plurality of objects.

7. The object of claim 1, wherein the object is a consumer product item and the first coded data further identifies a product class.

8. The object of claim 7, wherein the product class is identified by any one of:

a product class number;

a manufacturer number;

or

a Universal Product Code (UPC).

9. The object of claim 1, wherein the first coded data further identifies a unique identity of the object.

10. A data reader for interacting with an object, said object comprising first coded data and a random pattern disposed on or in a surface thereof, said first coded data identifying a plurality of fiducials on the surface and said random pattern defining at least one fingerprint for the object, said data reader comprising:

a first optical sensor for sensing at least some of the first coded data;

a second optical sensor for sensing at least some of the random pattern defined by a taggant randomly dispersed in ink printed on the surface;

a processor configured for generating fingerprint data using the sensed coded data and the sensed random pattern, said fingerprint data identifying at least some of the random pattern and at least one fiducial; and

communication means configured for communicating the fingerprint data to a computer system,

wherein the ink is superimposed with the first coded data such that the fiducials identify a unique zone of the random pattern in the fingerprint data.

11. The data reader of claim 10, wherein the first and second optical sensors are the same optical sensor or different optical sensors.

12. The data reader of claim 10, which is selected from any one of the group comprising:

a fixed scanner;

a handheld scanner;

a mobile phone;

a pen;

a stylus; and

a personal digital assistant.