# US 9,434,204 B2 · Time-dependent identification systems, methods, and uses thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,204 B2 - Document ID: US9434204B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/470,655 - Filed: 2014-08-27 - Published: 2016-03-03 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-27 - Assignees: Elwha LLC - Applicants: Elwha LLC - Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde; Tony S. Pan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434204B2 ## CPC - B42D 25/30: Identification or security features, e.g. for preventing forgery - B42D 25/305: Associated digital information (record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00) - B42D 25/378: Special inks - B42D 25/405: Marking - B44F 1/08: characterised by colour effects - B44F 1/10: Changing, amusing, or secret pictures - G06K 1/121: {by printing code marks (applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26)} - G06K 19/06046: {Constructional details} - G07D 7/00: Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency - G07D 7/003: {using security elements (using digital security elements G07D7/004)} - G07D 7/0043: using barcodes - G07D 7/207: Matching patterns that are created by the interaction of two or more layers, e.g. moiré patterns - B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS - B44F: SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G07D: HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING ## Abstract The present disclosure provides for identification systems and related methods of use. The disclosed identification systems can include a first ink and a second ink, each of which can comprise one or more time-dependent properties. The first and second inks can be disposed in a spatial pattern on a substrate. A time-dependent property of the first ink can cause a portion of the first ink to migrate from one location to another location over time, and a time-dependent property of the second ink can cause a portion of the second ink to migrate from one location to another location over time. Migration of the inks can also cause the spatial pattern to change from a first state at a first time to a second state at a second time. Evaluation and/or interpretation of the state of the spatial pattern at a second time can provide information about a product. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An identification system, comprising: a first ink; and a second ink; the first ink and the second ink being disposed in a spatial pattern on a substrate; wherein a first portion of the first ink migrates from a first location at a first time to a second location at a second time, and a first portion of the second ink migrates from a third location at the first time to a fourth location at the second time; wherein migration of the first portions of the first and second inks causes the spatial pattern to change from a first state at the first time to a second state at the second time; wherein interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state provides identifying information about a product. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the first ink migrates from the first location to the second location via wicking through the substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a rate of migration of the first ink differs from a rate of migration of the second ink. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the spatial pattern comprises a pattern selected from the group consisting of a barcode, a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a linear barcode, a universal product code, a matrix barcode, a quick response code, text, and an icon. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a date is encoded in the spatial pattern. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the date corresponds to a date on which the first and second inks are disposed on the substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the date corresponds to at least one of a manufacturing date of the product, a packaging date of the product, and an expiration date of the product. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state comprises an evaluation of the spatial pattern in the second state and a determination of whether the spatial pattern is authentic. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state comprises a comparison between the spatial pattern in the second state and the spatial pattern in the first state. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state comprises a comparison between the spatial pattern in the second state and a control image of how the spatial pattern should appear at the second time. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state comprises a comparison between the spatial pattern in the second state and a standard. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state comprises an evaluation by a computing device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein evaluation by a computing device comprises capturing an image of the spatial pattern in the second state and submitting the image to a website. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the identifying information comprises encoded information that changes between the first time and the second time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the encoded information comprises dosage-related information. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more reference inks disposed in the spatial pattern. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein a reference ink comprises a static ink that is substantially devoid of time-dependent properties. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein a reference ink provides a baseline reference for the interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein one or more reference inks comprise an anti-counterfeiting characteristic. ### Claim 20 A method of labeling a product, comprising: disposing a first ink onto a substrate; and disposing a second ink onto the substrate; wherein the first ink and the second ink are disposed onto the substrate to form a spatial pattern; wherein a first portion of the first ink migrates from a first location at a first time to a second location at a second time, and wherein a first portion of the second ink migrates from a third location at the first time to a fourth location at the second time; wherein migration of the first portions of the first and second inks causes the spatial pattern to change from a first state at the first time to a second state at the second time; wherein the spatial pattern in the second state provides identifying information about the product. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the first portion of the first ink migrates from the first location to the second location via wicking through the substrate. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein a rate of migration of the first ink differs from a rate of migration of the second ink. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the spatial pattern comprises a pattern selected from the group consisting of a barcode, a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a linear barcode, a universal product code, a matrix barcode, a quick response code, text, and an icon. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein a date is encoded in the spatial pattern. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the date corresponds to a date on which the first and second inks are disposed on the substrate. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein the date corresponds to at least one of a manufacturing date of the product, a packaging date of the product, and an expiration date of the product. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein identifying information is determined by evaluating the characteristic of the spatial pattern in the second state. ### Claim 28 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the identifying information is determined by comparing the characteristic of the spatial pattern in the second state with the spatial pattern in the first state. ### Claim 29 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the identifying information is determined by comparing the characteristic of the spatial pattern in the second state with a control image of how the spatial pattern should appear at the second time. ### Claim 30 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the identifying information is determined by comparing the characteristic of the spatial pattern in the second state with a standard. ### Claim 31 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the identifying information is determined by evaluating the characteristic of the spatial pattern in the second state with a computing device. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, wherein an evaluation by a computing device comprises capturing an image of the spatial pattern in the second state and submitting the image to a website. ### Claim 33 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the identifying information comprises encoded information that changes between the first time and the second time. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The method of claim 33, wherein the encoded information comprises dosage-related information. ### Claim 35 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, further comprising: disposing one or more reference inks in the spatial pattern. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein a reference ink comprises a static ink that is substantially devoid of time-dependent properties. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein a reference ink provides a baseline reference for the interpretation of the spatial pattern in the second state. ### Claim 38 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, wherein one or more reference inks comprise an anti-counterfeiting characteristic.