GB2210235A

GB2210235A - An article with embedded marker

Info

Publication number: GB2210235A
Application number: GB8822216A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony G Guiliano
Original assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corp
Priority date: 1987-09-24
Filing date: 1988-09-21
Publication date: 1989-06-01
Also published as: DE3832289A1; SE8803368L; GB8822216D0; SE8803368D0; BR8804934A; FR2621156A1; JPH01106199A

Description

1 "An article with embedded marker" 2210 The present invention relates to

markers and, in particular, to markers for use in conjunction with articles whose presence Is to be detected.

There are many systems in existence today wherein markers such as magnetic markers, R-F (radio-frequency) markers and the like are affixed to articles whose presence is to be detected for some purpose or another. In systems of this type, the systems are constructed to be responsive to the particular markers used and the markers typically are incorporated into tags which are attached to the articles.

A conventional tag for a marker is formed from a backing layer and an overlayer between which the marker is laminated. The rear surface of the backing layer is coated with an adhesive and the tag and, therefore, the marker is attached to an article by pressing the rear surface of the backing against the article.

While using a tag to affix a marker to an article has found widespread practice, it is not entirely satisfactory because the tag and, hence, the marker, can, in many cases, be removed from the article without substantial destruction of the article. As a result, the marker can be removed so as to defeat detection, while the article itself is substantially preserved.

This ability to remove the marker without substantial damage to the article presents a particularly acute problem where the articles are sensitive government or business 2 documents or papers which are not to be copied or removed from a given location. Thus, removal of the marker in such a case, leaves the document substantially intact, so as to permit the document to be removed and/or copied without detection. As can be appreciated, this could have serious consequences to the government or business involved.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a practice of affixation of a marker to an article which necessitates at least partial destruction of the article in order to remove the marker.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the aforesaid practice in the context of articles of paper.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above disadvantages are overcome by providing an article in which a marker is embedded in the article itself and, thus, can only be removed by at least partial destruction of the article. Incorporation of the marker within the article preferably occurs during the article formation process so that upon formation of the article the marker is automatically within the article. Furthermore, by embedding markers at various locations in the article, protection is enhanced, since more of the article has to be destroyed in order to remove the markers.

In one of the illustrative embodiments of the invention to be disclosed hereinafter, the article is a sheet of paper and the marker is embedded in the paper in a position which requires substantial tearing of the paper to remove the J 3 marker.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a sheet of paper incorporating a marker in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-section through the paper sheetf Fig. 1; Figs. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating electronic surveillance systems used in conjunction with the paper sheet of Figs. 1 and 2; Figs. 5 and 6 schematically illustrate methods of forming the paper sheet of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of a sheet of paper incorporating a marker in accordance with the principles of the present invention and providing enhanced protection; Fig. 8 shows a tape cartridge incorporating a marker in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and Fig. 9 illustrates a food boat or tray incorporating a marker in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In Fig. 1, an article 1 in the form of a sheet of paper is shown. In accordance with the invention and as can be more clearly seen in the cross-section of Fig. 2, the paper article 1 has embedded within it a marker 2.

The marker 2 may be any type of marker whose presence can be detected by a suitable detection system. One example 4 might be a low frequency R-F marker comprised of a sandwich construction of foil and dielectric material. Another example might be a high frequency R-F marker comprised of a diode element sandwiched between foil layers. The marker may also be a magnetic marker formed from a magnetic means such as a magnetic material or a combination of magnetic materials.

The presence of a marker 2 in the article 1 is detectable by an appropriate detection system which develops an electrical signal indicative of marker presence. This signal can then be used for a variety of surveillance purposes. For example, the signal may be used to activate an alarm to prevent removal of the paper from a given area. Alternatively, the signal may be used to inhibit operation is of a copier to prevent copying of the paper.

Fig. 3 shows a typical electronic article surveillance system 31 usable in situations where the marker is a magnetic marker, whose presence in a magnetic field causes. detectable perturbations to the field. The system 31 is adapted to detect the presence of the article 1 with magnetic marker 2 when the article is in an interrogation or surveillance zone 32, shown in dotted lines. A transmitter portion of the system includes a frequency generator 33 whose output is fed to a power amplifier 34 which, in turn, feeds a field transmitting coil 35. The field transmitting coil generates an alternative magnetic field of desired frequency and amplitude in the interrogation zone 32.

The receiver portion of the system includes a field

Q V receiving coil 36, the output of which is applied to a receiver 37. When the receiver detects signals received from the coil 36 and resulting from the magnetic marker 2 in the article 1 in the zone 32, the receiver furnishes a triggering signal to activate an alarm unit 38.

Fig. 4 shows the system 31 of Fig. 3 modified to detect the article 1 when it is placed in the vicinity of or on a copy machine 41. Inthis case, the signal from the receiver 37 is used to prevent operation of the copier 41 by, for example, opening a switch 42 in the power line to the copier. In actual practice, the components 33-37 may all be incorporated into the copy machine 41.

In cases where the marker 2 is a magnetic marker, the magnetic material of the marker can comprise any magnetic material or combination of materials capable of functioning as above- described, i.e., to provide a detectable perturbation to a magnetic field. The material may be a crystalline or an amorphous magnetic material. A typical crystalline magnetic material might be Permalloy. An amorphous magnetic material might be the magnetic material disclosed in our U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,660,025 (equivalent British Patent Specification No. 2,167,627). The magnetic material disclosed in this Patent Specification No. 2,167,627 exhibits a hysteresis characteristic with large Barkhausen discontinuities, i.e., step changes in magnetic polarization. These step transitions result in a detectable signal from the marker 2 which is of short duration and rich in high harmonics.

1 6 The magnetic material of the marker 2 might also be a so called "hard" magnetic material, i.e., one that is permanently magnetized, as compared with the above-referred to materials which are so called "soft" magnetic materials, i.e., materials whose magnetization changes with applied field. The magnetic material might also be made deactivatable, i.e., capable of being conditioned to no longer cause perturbations in the applied field, as by forming the material from magnetic materials having different coercive forces as described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 3, 747,086.

The magnetic material may also take on a variety of configurations. Thus, for example, it might be in the form of a ribbon or alternatively, it might be in the form of a wire, sheet, film or any other desired configuration.

The dimensions used for the marker 2 will be dictated by the particular application and the requirements of the detection system being used. In the particular paper application of Figs. 1 and 2, it is important that the material be as thin as possible so that the marker does not significantly interfere with the ability to write or print on the paper and so that the marker cannot be felt or be easily observed. A thickness of about 0.15 mm or less is believed practical for normal copy or writing paper.

The position of the marker 2 in the article 1 is also dependent upon the nature of the article and the particular application. Preferably, the positioning is such that at least partial destruction of the article is necessitat ed in 7 order to removed the marker. In Figs. 1 and 2, the material has been positioned centrally of the paper article 1 so as to require significant ripping of the paper to remove the marker. This ripping destroys the written information on the paper so that the copying of the ripped portions, which is now possible due to removal of the marker 2, or removing of the ripped portions from the secured location (which is now also possible due to removal of the marker 2) and attempting to place them back together, does not result in reproduction of all the information.

In order to afford enhanced protection of the article additional markers 2 can be embedded in the article. Fig. 7 illustrates the article 1 modified to include additional makers located both vertically 2A, 2B and horizontally 2C, 2D. With these additional markers, it is evident that the paper article 1 would have to be entirely ripped apart to remove the markers 2 and 2A-2D, thereby totally obliterating any writing on the paper. Security of the article 1 is thereby increased.

In accordance with the invention, it is preferable to embed the marker 2 in the article 1 during the formation of the article. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate two techniques for adapting conventional paper making methods to allow for embedding a marker in the resultant paper.

In Fig. 5, a pulp slurry supply 51 sprays paper pulp onto belts 52 and 53 which carry the slurry past respective rollers 54 and 55. The rollers 54, 55 compress the slurry on the belts 52, 53 into thin layers which are brought a together for entry into a baking oven 56. At the point of junction of the two layers, a marker strip from a supply roll 57 is introduced between the layers. The resultant paper sheet 59 from the oven 56 thus has embedded within it the marker 2. This sheet with the embedded marker is then conveyed to a coiling mechanism 58 which forms paper rolls of the resultant paper.

In Fig. 6, the System of Fig. 5 is modified so that the layers on the belts 52 and 53 are first each passed through the oven 56 to form individual paper sheets. These sheets 62 are then brought together for entry into a lamination unit 61. At the point of entry into the unit 61, the marker strip is introduced. The resultant laminated paper sheet thus has embedded with it the marker 2.

While the modified paper processes illustrated above demonstrate the invention in conjunction with paper articles, it is evident that the processes for making other articles can be similarly modified to allow for introduction of the marker 2. The particular modifications will of course depend on the articles and processes involved.

Figs. 8 and 9 show two further articles, a tape cartridge 81 and a food or meat boat or tray 91 such as is used to carry food in a cafeteria, which have embedded within them markers 2. The markers, in conjunction with an electronic surveillance system, as depicted in Fig.-3, allows detection of the presence of the articles in order to deter unauthorized removal of the articles.

In all cases it is understood that the above-identified 1 9 arrangement are merely illustrative of the many possible specific embodiments which represent applications of the present invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can readily be devised in accordance with the principles of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

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Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. An article for use with a detection system, which system is adapted to detect the presence of the article via a marker associated with the article, the article having the 5 marker embedded within the article.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein the marker comprises magnetic material which is such that in the presence of a magnetic field the marker causes detectable perturbations to the field which are indicative of the 10 marker.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic material is a soft magnetic material.

4. An article according to claim 3, wherein the soft magnetic material is a crystalline magnetic material.

5. An article according to claim 4, wherein the crystalline magnetic material is Permalloy.

6. An article according to claim 3, wherein the soft magnetic material is an amorphous material.

7. An article according to claim 6 wherein the amorphous magnetic material has a hysteresis characteristic which :1 C 11 exhibits step changes in magnetic polarization.

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8. An article according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic material is deactivatable.

9. An article according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic 5 material is a hard magnetic material.

10. An article according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article is paper.

11. An article according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the article is a tape cartridge.

12. An article according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the article is a food, or meat boat or tray.

13. An article according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the article is a tape cartridge film configuration.

14. An article according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of the marker is equal to or less than about 0.15 mm.

15. An article according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, further including an additional marker embedded in the article.

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16. An article according to claim 15, wherein the marker and the additional marker are positioned differently within the article.

17. An article according to claim 16, wherein the marker and the additional marker cross each other.

18. An article according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the article Is paper; the marker extends along the length of the paper; and the additional marker extends along the width of the paper.

19. A method of making a bendable article for use with a detection system, which system is adapted to detect the presence of the article via a marker asso ciated with the article, the method including the steps of:

(a) forming the article; and (b) embedding a marker in the article during the formation thereof.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the article is a food, or meat boat or tray.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the article is 20 a tape cartridge.

22. A method according to claim 19, wherein the article is paper.

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23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of forming the article includes laminating two paper sheets together; and wherein the step of embedding the article in the marker includes introducing said marker between said sheets prior to lamination and maintaining said marker between said sheets during lamination.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of forming the article includes developing opposing layers of paper pulp, bringing said layers together, and heating said layers to create a paper sheet; and wherein the step of embedding the article in the marker includes introducing said marker between said layers as they are brought together and maintaining said marker between said layers during the heating of said layers.

25. A method according to claim 19, wherein said marker comprises magnetic material which is such that in the presence of a magnetic field the magnetic material, causes detectable perturbations to the field which are indicative of the material.

26. A system for detecting the presence of a bendable article in an Interrogation zone including:

(a) means for generating a magnetic filed in the interrogation zone; (b) An article having embedded within it a magnetic 14 material; and (c) means for detecting the perturbations in the magnetic field resulting from said magnetic material when said article is in the interrogation zone.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein said article is paper.

28. A method for detecting the presence of an article in an interrogation zone including the steps of:

(a) providing an article with a magnetic material 10 embedded within the article; (b) generating a magnetic field in the interrogation zone; and (c) detecting perturbations in the magnetic field resulting from said magnetic material when said article is in the interrogation zone.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said article is paper.

30. A system for use with a copy machine including:

(a) a bendable article having embedded within it 20 magnetic material; (b) means for generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the copy machine; and (c) means for detecting the perturbations in the magnetic field resulting from said magnetic material when said article is brought in the vicinity of the copy machine.

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31. A system according to claim 30, further including means responsive to said detecting means for inhibiting operation of said copy machine.

32. A system according to claim 30, wherein said article is paper.

33. A method for use with a copy machine including the steps of:

(a) providing an article having embedded within it a 10 magnetic material; (b) generating a magnetic field in the vicinity of the copy machine; and (c) detecting the perturbations in the magnetic field from said magnetic material when said article is brought in 15 the vicinity of the copy machine.

34. A method according to claim 33, further including the step of inhibiting the operation of said copy machine in response to the results of the detection step.

35. A method according to claim 33 or 34 wherein said 20 article is paper.

36. An article for use with a detection system, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as 16 illustrated in Figs.. 1 and 2 or any one of Figs. 7 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.

37. A method of making a bendable article, substantially as herein described with reference to and as illistrated in 5 Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings.

38. A system for detecting the presence of a bendable article, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings.

pubnshe:! 19BB c. 7he Pattent office. State House 6671 HICh London WC1R 4TP Fur:her c--pies ina%l be Obtained Ccr.' The Patent Wice.

Wes Branch. St MLrY CraY. OrpInglon. Kent BRS 3RD. PlInted by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Me--y Cray. Kent. Con. 1. 57.

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