GB2299544A

GB2299544A - Concealed bar code label

Info

Publication number: GB2299544A
Application number: GB9607025A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ray Kirk
Original assignee: LABELGRAPHICS (GLASGOW) Ltd
Current assignee: LABELGRAPHICS (GLASGOW) Ltd
Priority date: 1995-04-03
Filing date: 1996-04-03
Publication date: 1996-10-09
Also published as: GB2299544A8; GB9506877D0; GB9607025D0

Abstract

The label has the code 1 placed in a covert or concealed condition by having a backing "e" (Fig 3A) or overlying layer (Fig 3B) the same (black) colour as the code. The backing or overlying layer is carbonless so as not to preclude reading of the code by a scanner. The code may be one or two-dimensional. The label includes a "void" tamper evident adhesive layer "c".

Description

"INFORMATION MEDIA OR CODE DEVICE" The present invention relates to a device for the provision of information media or codes, especially in connection with products for identification purposes and/or security purposes. In particular the invention concerns graphic or alpha numeric codes which can serve in the identification and tracking of components, assemblies and products etc., and with the possible associated requirements of establishing security protected data bases for example relating to these items.

A graphic information code is known in the ubiquitous overt bar code (as shown in attached Fig. 1) which is applied universally to products for example as a label so as to be especially beneficial at the sales interface by enabling quick and convenient production of product information including the price e.g. on a sales receipt for example. The code is usually 'read' by means of a scanning device normally in the form of a laser scanner. A further use of such a code lies in a security aspect whereby the code data or lack of it can establish a products authenticity. Well known ancillary benefits are present with regard to stockholding and also the ability to track down the source of a product for example in a quality control excercise. A disadvantage of the present bar code graphic is a lack of security in the presentation meaning that the graphic code can be rather easily copied.Further product information content can be rather limited. A principal object of the present invention is the provision of an improved information media or code presentation obviating or mitigating these disadvantages.

According to the present invention an information media or code device with â code presentation readable by a scanning device is provided with a concealment means whereby the media or code is concealed or covert, or substantially concealed, the material of said concealment means being chosen so as not to preclude scanning of the media or code by said scanning device. Preferably a backing for the media or code is adapted to provide said concealment means.

In particular, the colour of the code graphics can be the same as the colour of the backing. Preferably the backing is of a dark colour, and compatible with the colour of the code material or graphics. In one preferred embodiment the media or code is applied to a backing of compatible colour, whereas in an alternative embodiment the information media or code is first applied to the backing and a coloured layer then applied to the backing to establish the covert condition.

For this inventive aspect, the unique backing including the possible colouring layer has to be such as not to detract from the machine readability of the code, and generally the presence of carbon will be avoided in any colouring operation for the backing.

The media or code device can be arranged to be readable in either a single dimension or in two dimensions.

The information media or code may be applied to a product by means of a label which is attached to the product so as to provide the required information code/media of the product, or alternatively the media/code could be applied directly to a product for example a carton or container. The media/code will be applied by a suitable printing technique.

Preferably the product information for printing of the medla/code is taken from a product data bank having an additional input for feed-back of code information e.g. for subsequent checking ofa product source etc.

The information media/code can be scannable for example by a laser scanner for identification of the product, the scanner reading preferably being passed to data processing equipment, and suitable data presentation means can be coupled to said processing equipment.

The code can include a "password" whereby any attempt to enter the data bank with a bogus code will be blocked or use of an incorrect code prevented.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 shows an established graphic bar-code in respect of information concerning a product but provided with the present invention; Figs. 2A to 2D are various examples of graphic information codes in respect of products or items, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3A shows diagramatically and to a very much amplified scale, the various layers of a "label" to provide a graphic information code satisfying the present invention while Fig. 3B showsx a modification; and Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram demarcated to show on the upper part the production and application of an information media/code to identify the product i.e.

the supply side (S) and on the lower part the customer side (C) where media/code is appraised to retrieve the pertinent product information.

Fig. 1 shows a typical example of the known bar code 1 comprising a series of dark lines of varying thickness and varying spacing D constituting a code of certain data on the related. product. The code 1 can be applied on a product label or applied directly to a product, and information is retrieved from the code 1 by scanning the code for example by a laser scanner which can be coupled to suitable data processing equipment. As can be seen, the code pattern varies in the direction X, the scanning direction, but. is uniform in the transverse direction: the code therefore is purely uni-dimensional. The numerical code N is also included as a stand-by.

Figs. 2A to 2D show graphic media/codes 2 of two dimensional form. In contrast to the Code 1 of Fig. 1, the code pattern in Figs. 2A to 2D varies in both the X direction and the transverse Y direction so that the code in this case is 2-dimensional. In this case the lines D can have varying thickness in the direction Y for the code pattern variation in this direction. Thus the code 2 can provide information for scanning in both the X and Y directions, and this gives the substantial benefit that for a given code area the information which can be held by code 2 is very substantially greater than that for code 1. As an example, the code 2 of Fig. 2D could contain as much as 140 characters. Also, the size of the code as actually applied could be very much smaller than that shown in Figs 2A to 2D.

The code is placed in a covert or concealed condition, and this will apply to the code of Fig. 1 and also to other codes (both graphic and alpha numeric for example) in addition to the 2-dimension codes of Figs.

2A - 2D. This covert condition is particularly beneficial where a security aspect is to be present in the coding procedure. As an example of the inventive aspect, the code, say any of codes 1 and 2, is applied to a backing, for example a label which is the same colour as that of the integers of the code such that in the completed coded backing/label the code integers are concealed on the backing. The common colour may in general be black but it is of course a requirement that the backing colouring does not detract from the machine readability of the code and normally therefore it will be necessary for the colouring substance to have no carbon content. This concealment is indicated by the crosshatching e.

In an alternative arrangement, the media/code is first applied to the backing/label and a colouring layer then applied to the backing so as to place the media/code in the covert condition on the backing.

Fig. 3 shows a suitable layer formation for a provision of the covert media or code for example in the form of a label. Thus to provide a backing there is present a release liner 'a' including a permanent adhesive 'b' to facilitate attachment of the label to an article and thereon is located firstly a 'void' tamper evident adhesive layer 'c' and secondly a thermal transfer printable polyester layer 'd'. A carbonless concealment substance 'e' is applied to the printable layer 'd'.Variable information or code 'f' is now printed onto the printable layer 'd', which information/code is readable by a scanner device, the arrangement being such that the printing blends with the concealment substance 'e' to place the information/code in a covert condition while the concealment substance 'e' is such as not to preclude scanning of the information/code by the scanner device. The layer formation is completed by an adhesive layer 'g' and an outer gloss polyester layer 'h'. The 'void' layer 'c' provides immediate evidence of any improper tampering with the label for example to vandalise or ascertain the code.

In the modification in Fig. 3b, the variable information/code 'f' is printed onto the printable layer 'd' prior to application of the carbonless concealment substance 'e' onto the layer 'd' placing the information/code in the covert condition.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, which shows in diagrammatic form at side S procedures both for producing identification media including any of the above codes for application to a product or for the direct application of information media/code to a product to provide an identified product. Additionally the use of the code at the customer side C is also shown.

In Fig. 4, portion DSshows the gathering of selected information on products into a data bank or distribution unit 3 from a keyboard 4, MPP or similar unit 5 and an Auto ID6 via line D1, D2, D3.

Section I represents the procedure for producing an identified Product P. One possibility is for a print facility 7 to take selected information from the unit 3 via line I1 whereby a backing or label is printed with the appropriate code. The label or backing is applied physically to the product at the station 8 to produce the identified product P. Alternatively, the code can be printed and applied directly to the product at station 9 via an input I2 from unit 3. Possible subsidiary identifying operations can comprise the provision of identified components and identified assemblies at stations 10, 11 respectively for example, both feeding to the complete identified product P. The identified product P is then transferred to the ready for use/sale condition at the customer side C.At the side C the identified product P can be subject to data tracking at station 12 by means of a suitable scanner 13 scanning as indicated by line C1, the information media/code which has been applied to the product. The scanned signal is fed via line C2 to a data processing station 14 whence the identifying date/information is made available at a data presentation station 15 which can comprise a visual display unit (v.d.u.) and/or a printer. A useful additional feature is the provision of a feed back F from either of the stations 14, 15 to the base unit 3 enabling various ancillary control and monitoring functions to be achieved as desired. In particular, data base management of product supply is facilitated for example in connection with stockholding, and an accurate record of product flow is achievable.In Fig. 4, the dotted lines represent data signal transmissions which can be in a number of ways e.g. via wire, R.F., E.D.I. Internet etc; the thin continuous lines show the physical movement of product identification media and/or identified product or component; while the thick line indicates the transfer form the supply side S to the customer side C Apparatus suitable for the production and printing of the identification media/code is available in the art; or readily obtainable from known technology in the art.

Thus the printing at stations 7, 9 can be suitably achieved using a computer generated data format of information via a laser, or thermal tranfer printers.

The laser based or thermal transfer based printing can comprise variable printing systems, and the printing media may be toner based, incorporating either infra red (IR) sensitive media, or non IR sensitive media.

The computer generated data may contain a password protected segments of information which may only be printed (and consequently interpreted) where authorised entry to the appropriate passwords is present. If desired, the date incorporated and subsequently de-coded can be transmitted subsequently to form appropriate data bases e.g. at unit 3 by suitable transmissions links e.g.

narrow band or broad band radio transmission links.

The information data/code can take a number of -orms such as the single and two dimensional bar codes 1, 2 described above, or the data/code could be in alphanumerical form for example. Again suitable scanning devices are available for handling these various data/code forms or are readily obtainable from known technology in the art. In particular, the data/code is preferably de-coded using a laser scanner. This may be a single beam laser scanner for a code such as the single dimension code 1 described above (which will be in a covert form in accordance with the present invention) or can be in a 2 dimensional raster scan mode for the code 2 which will also be in covert form, in accordance with the present invention. The codes may or may not incorporate IR sensitive media.

The present invention provides the following advantages.

On the supply side (S): (a) Effective control of production rates, (b) Complete tracability of products, (c) Automatic recordation throughout the product flow, (d) Provision of accurate work in progress data.

On the customer side (C): (a) Automatic recordal of receipt of goods, and the facilitating of re-ordering schedules, (b) The effective establishment of reliability data, and product liability records, (c) Effective warranty control, (d) Convenient establishment of automatic maintenance and repair schedule.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. An information media or code device with a code presentation readable by a scanning device said device being provided with a means whereby the media or code is concealed or covert or substantially concealed, the material of said concealment means being chosen so as not to preclude scanning of the media or code by said scanning device.

2. An information media or code device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a backing for the media or code is adapted to provide said concealment means.

3. An infokmation media or code device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the colour of the code graphics is the same as the colour of the backing.

4. An information media or code device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the backing is of a dark colour, and compatible with the colour of the code material or graphics.

5. An informatiom media or code device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the media or code is applied to a backing of compatible colour.

6. An information media or code device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the information media or code is first applied to the backing and a coloured layer then applied to the backing to establish the covert condition.

An An information media or code device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including means to indicate improper tampering with the device.

8 An information media or code device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said indicating means comprises a 'void' tamper evident adhesive.

9. An information media or code device as claimed in laim 7 or 8 including additionally a thermal transfer printable layer e.g. of polyester and an outer release liner

10. An information media or code device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein entry to the code is protected by a password control.

11. An information media or code device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the device takes the form of a label.

12. An information media or code device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the device is applied directly to a product.

13. An information media or code device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a code readable in only a single dimension.

14. An information media or code device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the code is arranged to be readable in two dimensions.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pattern of the code varies in two directions to provide for two dimensional reading.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the code is a bar code and lines or bars of the code vary in the longitudinal direction of the line to provide said 2dimensional reading.

17. An information media or code device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2A to 2D or Fig.

3 of the accompanying drawings.