AU2002317540A1 - Coded Message Device and Method for Producing the Same - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PATENT OF ADDITION Invention Title: Applicant: CODED MESSAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE

SAME

ASIA TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 JM Document4 2 CODED MESSAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Field of the Invention The subject matter of the present invention is additional to the subject matter of Australian Patent Application 89351/01 entitled "Advertising and Marketing Over the Internet", the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

This invention relates to a coded message device and a method for producing the same. It relates particularly but not exclusively to a coded message device for use with a system for promoting an organisation or individual over the internet.

Background to the Invention Coded message devices have enjoyed prevalent use as marketing and promotional tools. The appeal of coded message devices lies in the ability to entice potential customers to interact with the coded message device in the hope of winning a prize. Generally some form of interaction is required in order to decode the message enabling the potential customer to claim a reward.

In coded message devices, the coded or hidden message may be printed or otherwise stored on a transparent or partially transparent substrate, and may be revealed by means such as viewing the coded message through various coloured light filters, exposing the coded message to heat or chemical reaction or by placing the device over a corresponding coloured or illuminated element.

There are a number of known methods of producing coded or concealed messages. Typically the method involves the printing of the message or image to be concealed onto the desired base followed by printing a second layer or pattern over the message or pattern which acts to encode or conceal the message. For example the message to be encoded may be applied to the base in one colour and then the pattern which has been designed to conceal the message is printed over the coded message using a different colour.

A disadvantage of these methods is that the coded message can often be deciphered simply by holding the coded message device up to the natural light, or to a readily available coloured light. Therefore in many cases the potential customer does not need to pursue the steps intended to be taken to reveal the coded message, and accordingly the value of the promotional exercise is greatly limited.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved or alternative coded message device and a method for producing the same.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a coded message device including: a semi-transparent or transparent base; a first pattern of coloured ink deposited on the base at a density of 5-50; a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern deposited at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; no less than one additional pattern of coloured ink deposited at least partially over the second pattern.

A further aspect of the invention provides a coded message device including: a semi-transparent or transparent base; a first pattern of coloured ink deposited on the base at a density of 5-50; a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern deposited at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern deposited at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; no less than one additional pattern of coloured ink deposited at least partially over the third pattern.

Another aspect of the invention provides a coded message device including: a semi-transparent or transparent base; a first pattern of coloured ink deposited on the base at a density of 5-50; a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern deposited at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern deposited at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; a fourth pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the second and third patterns deposited at least partially over the third pattern; a fifth layer of coloured ink being of a different colour to the ink used to produce the fourth pattern deposited at least partially over the fourth pattern at a density of 8-80.

It is preferred that the semi-transparent or transparent base consists of a semi-transparent or transparent window within the coded message device, and that the window has the patterns on its surface.

It is preferred that the patterns in the coded message device window contain text or graphics which promotes a product, service, organisation or individual.

It is preferred that the coded message device additionally contains an identifying string such as a serial number which enables the distributor of the coded message devices or their agent to keep track of the number of coded message devices which have been distributed and the pattern of distribution. It is also preferred that the coded message device contains instructions relating to the use of the coded message device.

In another aspect of the invention is provided a method for producing a coded message device including: depositing a first pattern of coloured, ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50; depositing a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; depositing no less than one additional pattern of coloured ink at least partially over the second pattern.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method for producing a coded message device including: depositing a first pattern of coloured ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50; depositing a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; depositing a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; depositing no less than one pattern of coloured ink at least partially over the third pattern.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a method for producing a coded message device including: depositing a first pattern of coloured ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50; depositing a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; depositing a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; depositing a fourth pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the second and third patterns at least partially over the third pattern; depositing a fifth layer of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the fourth patterns at least partially over the fourth pattern at a density of 8-80.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will herein after be described in greater detail by reference to the attached drawings. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

Figure 1 is an example of one embodiment of a coded message device.

Figure 2a is another example of an embodiment of a coded message device.

Figure 2b is a further example of an embodiment of a coded message device with two coded message windows.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of how a "winning" webpage may be arranged.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative winning page which is accessed over a mobile phone or other wireless communications device.

Figure 5 illustrates a method for producing a coded message device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description Figures 1 to 4 illustrate generally a method by which a coded message device may be used. An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated more specifically in Figure Referring firstly to Figure 1, the decoder usage method is a list of instructions for using the coded message device. The instructions may be textual or illustrations which indicate how the user may decode the message which is contained in the coded message device. The instructions may include a web address or URL which must be accessed in order to decode the message. The decoder represents the coded message window which, when placed over a particular region of a webpage in part of the accessed website, enables the coded message to be decoded. The web-decoder serial number is a unique identifier which identifies the coded message device to aid in preventing forgery and duplication or reuse of coded message devices.

Figure 2a illustrates a similar coded message device wherein an additional region entitled "instant winning prize" is included. The "instant winning prize" region provides an indication of a prize which may be won if the coded message is decoded. The "instant winning prize" region may also act as an incentive for coded message device holders to access the website and register their details which can subsequently be used in future promotional campaigns, and placed in a customer database. Figure 2b illustrates another coded message device further including a second coded message window, which may provide the coded message device holder with a second opportunity to win a prize.

To determine if a prize has been won, the device holder places the coded message window over the "confirmation screen" region of the webpage as in Figure 3 and the pattern in the window changes so that a message appears. If the message indicates that the device holder has won a prize, the device holder enters the serial number on the coded message device and, if the serial number matches a number in the Internet website management server's database, the win will be confirmed.

An alternative confirmation screen is illustrated in Figure 4, where the coded message is decoded by placing the coded message device over the display of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other wireless communication device. Such a wireless communication device may use a standard wireless application protocol (WAP) to provide access to the Internet over which the coded message is transferred.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the coded message device.

The device is produced by depositing a first pattern of coloured ink on the semi transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50. A second pattern of coloured ink of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern is deposited at least partially over the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at as density of 30-100. This second pattern forms the image or message to be concealed. A third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as that used to produce the second pattern is deposited at least partially 8 over the second pattern at a density of 30-100 in order to conceal the message or image beneath.

Preferably, a fourth pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the second and third patterns is deposited at least partially over the third pattern. A fifth pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produced the fourth pattern at a density of 8-80.

The present invention provides an improved coded message device suitable for use with a system for promoting an organisation or individual over the internet. Distribution of the coded message device encourages potential customers to access an organisation or individual's website, in order to decode the message. Further, the invention provides a method for producing an improved coded message device by depositing multiple layers of coloured ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base.

It is to be understood that various alterations, additions and/or modifications may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A coded message device including: a semi-transparent or transparent base; a first pattern of coloured ink deposited on the base at a density of

5-50; a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern deposited at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; at least one additional pattern of coloured ink deposited at least partially over the second pattern. 2. A coded message device including: a semi-transparent or transparent base; a first pattern of coloured ink deposited on the base at a density of 5-50; a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern deposited at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern deposited at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; at least one additional pattern of coloured ink deposited at least partially over the third pattern; 3. A coded message device including: a semi-transparent or transparent base; a first pattern of coloured ink deposited on the base at a density of 5-50; a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern deposited at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern deposited at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; a fourth pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the second and third patterns deposited at least partially over the third pattern; a fifth layer of coloured ink being of a different colour to the ink used to produce the fourth pattern deposited at least partially over the fourth pattern at a density of 8-80; 4. A coded message device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the patterns on the coded message device contain text or graphics which promotes a product, service, organisation or individual. 5. A coded message device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the coded message device additionally includes: an identifying string; and instructions relating to the use of the coded message device.

6. A method for producing a coded message device including: depositing a first pattern of coloured ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50; depositing a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; depositing no less than one additional pattern of coloured ink at least partially over the second pattern;

7. A method for producing a coded message device including: depositing a first pattern of coloured ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50; depositing a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; depositing a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; depositing no less than one pattern of coloured ink at least partially over the third pattern;

8. A method for producing a coded message device including: depositing a first pattern of coloured ink on a semi-transparent or transparent base at a density of 5-50; depositing a second pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the first pattern at least partially over the first pattern at a density of 30-100; depositing a third pattern of coloured ink being of the same colour as the ink used to produce the second pattern at least partially over the second pattern at a density of 5-50; depositing a fourth pattern of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the second and third patterns at least partially over the third pattern; depositing a fifth layer of coloured ink being of a different colour than that used to produce the second and third patterns at least partially over the fourth pattern at a density of 8-80. Dated: 13 December 2002 Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Attorneys for: Asia Technologies Pty Ltd