Identification particles and system and method for retrospective identification using spectral codes
AssigneeMicrotrace, LLC
InventorsWilliam J. Kerns, Brian Brogger, Justin L. Esterberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method using reporter elements provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with reporter elements such that the mark has a characteristic spectral response when exposed to energy stimulation. To verify the authenticity of the article, a reader scans the mark containing the reporter elements and obtains a spectral signature. The reader then compares the detected signature to the characteristic signature to determine the authenticity or identity of the marked article.
Claims39
A method of determining if an article includes a taggant that comprises coded information, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an article;
- b) subjecting the reporter element to energy stimulation to determine whether the article incorporates a taggant particle comprising at least one reporter element that emits a spectral signature responsive to energy stimulation;
- c) detecting the reporter element's spectral signature response to the stimulation, wherein said spectral signature provides a first code;
- and
- d) if the article incorporates the at least one reporter element, determining if the taggant particle further comprises a second constituent that provides a second code.
A method of marking an article for retrospective identification, comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a taggant particle comprising at least one reporter element and an encoded particle, wherein the at least one reporter element is entrained in a layer of a particle comprising a sequence of colored layers, wherein a spectral signature of a reporter element is associated with a first code and the sequence of colored layers is associated with an independent, second code;
- and
- b) attaching the microcoded particle to the article.
An identification particle for use in retrospective identification, comprising:
- a) an encoded particle comprising a sequence of colored layers;
- and
- b) at least one reporter element entrained in a layer of said encoded particle, wherein a first code is associated with the at least one reporter element and a second code is associated with the sequence of colored layers.
A method of forming an identification particle for use in retrospective identification, comprising the steps of:
- a) forming an encoded particle comprising a sequence of colored layers;
- b) entraining at least one reporter element in a layer of the encoded particle;
- c) associating a first code with the at least one reporter element;
- and
- d) associating a second code with the sequence of colored layers.
A method of marking an article for retrospective identification, comprising the step of incorporating a taggant particle into the article, wherein the taggant article comprises (a) at least one reporter element that emits a spectral signature responsive to energy stimulation, wherein said spectral signature provides a first code;
- and (b) a second constituent that provides a second code.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.