# US 7,744,130 B2 · Secure product authentication tags > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,130 B2 - Document ID: US7744130B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/803,387 - Filed: 2007-05-14 - Published: 2007-11-15 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-05-15 - Inventors: Victor Zazzu; Wenyu Han - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744130B2 ## CPC - G06K 19/14: the marking being sensed by radiation - G06K 7/12: using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks - G06K 19/06009: {with optically detectable marking (G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence)} - G06K 19/16: the marking being a hologram or diffraction grating - G06K 19/18: Constructional details - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - Y10S 283/901: Concealed data - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A tag with features to enable its authenticity to be determined includes a hidden code intermixed with a visible pattern such that the hidden code is not readily detectable under ambient light condition, without the use of a specially designed reader. In one embodiment the tag is formed with a first layer containing a hidden code, formed of reflective elements, which overlies a second layer which is designed to absorb light having a predetermined wavelength (e.g., IR light). The hidden code can be detected by projecting a light source having the predetermined wavelength (e.g., an IR source) at a predetermined angle on the tag and using a sensor to sense the reflection from the tag. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An instrument with features for enabling its authenticity to be determined, comprising: a top surface area; a first optical pattern and a second coded optical pattern formed within a single layer underlying said top surface, said first and second patterns being formed such that: (a) under ambient light conditions incident on said top surface the light reflected from the underlying first and second patterns produces a reflected image which is dominated by the first pattern while the image reflected from the second optical pattern is generally unrecognizable to a reader; and (b) when the top surface is illuminated by a controlled linear light source, the image reflected through the top surface from said second coded optical pattern is recognizable and decodable while the image reflected from the first pattern is unrecognizable and unreadable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second patterns are formed with reflective elements having sloping surfaces presenting angles for reflecting light impinging on the sloping surfaces, the orientation of the coded elements being different than the orientation of the elements forming the first pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said single layer is a first layer and wherein a second layer is formed beneath said first layer, said second layer being an infrared (IR) absorbing layer, and wherein said first layer is a layer formed of a material having a high refractive index (HRI). ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An instrument as claimed in claim 3 wherein a third layer is formed below the second layer, the third layer functioning as a substrate for the instrument. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said single layer is a first layer and wherein a second layer is formed beneath said first layer, said second layer being of a highly reflective material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein said single layer is a first layer and wherein a second layer is formed beneath said first layer, said second layer for absorbing light having a predetermined wavelength for absorbing light projected onto said instrument having said predetermined wavelength. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) An instrument as claimed in claim 2 wherein the angle of the sloping surfaces of the reflective elements is selected to reflect light impinging on the instrument from said linear light source onto a sensor of predetermined size. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) An instrument as claimed in claim 2 further including means contained within the instrument storing data corresponding to the coded pattern. ### Claim 9 An instrument with features to enable determining its authenticity, comprising: a first layer formed over a second layer; said first layer having a high refractive index (HRI); said first layer including a first optical pattern formed within said first layer, the pattern being visible in response to ambient light incident on the instrument; said first layer having a designated area in which a second coded optical pattern is formed which is not readily discernible to the unaided eye in response to incident ambient light; and the second layer is formed of a material to absorb light having a specified wave length whereby when the instrument is illuminated with a light source having said specified wave length the coded information in said second coded optical pattern can be read by a sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An instrument as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second layer is an infrared (IR) absorbing layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An instrument as claimed in claim 10 wherein the coded information is sensed by illuminating the instrument with an IR source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) An instrument as claimed in claim 9 further including means contained within the instrument storing data corresponding to the coded optical pattern. ### Claim 13 A system for increasing the security of instruments comprising: forming an instrument which includes a first visible optical pattern with which there is intermixed a second coded optical pattern formed within a designated area of the instrument, said second coded optical pattern not readily discernible under ambient light conditions, the instrument being formed such that: (a) in response to ambient light incident on the instrument a pattern corresponding to the visible optical pattern is discernible while the coded optical pattern is not discernible; and (b) in response to a controlled linear light source incident on the instrument the second coded optical pattern can be read; and means for projecting a controlled linear light source onto said instrument at a specified angle; and means for sensing and decoding the coded optical pattern present in the instrument. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said instrument includes a first top layer having a high refractive index (HRI); wherein said visible pattern and said coded pattern are formed within said top layer which includes a coded pattern, and a second layer formed beneath said first layer of a material which absorbs light having a specified wave length. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said second layer includes a material which absorbs infrared light, and wherein said means for projecting a light source includes means for projecting an infrared (IR) light source over and along the entire coded pattern; and wherein said sensing and decoding means includes means for sensing the light reflected from the coded pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for projecting a light source having said specified wave length onto said instrument at a specified angle includes a uniform light source of sufficient length to project light across the full length of the coded pattern within the designated area and to enable the light reflected from the coded pattern to be captured by said sensor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said coded pattern includes distributed triangular shaped reflective elements having sloped surfaces for reflecting light at a predetermined angle and wherein said light source projects light of a specified wavelength at predetermined angles onto the distributed triangular shaped elements; and wherein said means for sensing and decoding the coded pattern present in the instrument includes an image sensor capturing the reflected light from the reflective elements and said sensing means being programmed to detect the presence of a valid code. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein said light source extends so as to project light across the full length of the coded elements and their triangularly shaped elements. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the light incident on the sloped surfaces of the different triangular elements strikes them at different angles, and wherein the image sensor is positioned to capture the reflected light.