EP0587263A2 - Article with identification mark for composition or collection purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

Article for consumption or collecting, in particular having a high replacement value or collecting value, having an identification mark which is designed as an optical mark which cannot be perceived when lit by a light source which has a range of wavelength inside the sensitivity range of the human eye but can be perceived by the eye when lit by a light source outside this range of sensitivity. This mark is provided in a housing or surface or other region of the article which is optically transparent in a range of wavelength which serves the purpose of reading the mark and is situated for at least a part of the range of wavelength inside the range of sensitivity of the human eye and for a further part outside the range of sensitivity of the human eye. The intactness of said region of the article codetermines, at least to a substantial extent, the consumption value or collecting value of the article. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an object of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

In the case of high-quality consumer goods or art objects, identification marks are often provided, which are distinctive and allow the object to be clearly identified or its owner to be identified.

These identifiers often form numerals or Strings that are attached to labels or signs or that are embossed.

The disadvantage here is that these markings can either be easily removed or are so firmly connected to the object that the latter is no longer intact with the marking and is therefore less valuable in terms of use or collectors' value.

From FR-PS 2 560 119 a marking method is known which works by means of a so-called stream laser head. The object to be marked arrives in front of the stream laser print head by means of a conveyor belt. The laser head is positioned and guided by means of a microprocessor-controlled device for the sequential generation of a predetermined writing pattern. For example, a number of predefined letters and numbers are specified according to their coordinates in their position. Three photo elements control the position of the object to be marked on the assembly line. When this has reached a predetermined position, the stream laser print head switches on and places the markings on the surface material point by point.

With this procedure, visible and therefore falsifiable markings are created for everyone, as well as the visual ones Impair the impression of the surface of the object.

From DE 34 11 797 A1 a method for marking plastic parts is known, in which visible laser markings (such as abrasion-resistant key labels) are written into a plastic layer under a transparent layer, which absorbs the laser light, by means of a laser beam.

DE 31 47 385 C2 discloses a method for identifying laminated glass panes, in which a visible marking is written into the intermediate layer of laminated glass by means of a laser beam and has an absorption coefficient for the laser radiation that differs from the glass.

Both labeling methods can only be used for special items and, because of the visibility of the markings, only provide forgery-proof labeling to a limited extent.

From DE 37 23 856 A1 a method for identifying lost objects is known which uses three different markings, two markings being perceptible only in UV light (at different wavelengths) and the third being of a conventional type.

This method appears to be impractical because of the high marking and recognition effort involved, and the crucial one of the three markings is no more forgery-proof than any other conventional marking.

In all cases, the markings do not fulfill the intended purpose or only incompletely.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an object of the type mentioned at the outset with a marking which, on the one hand, does not impair the value of the object when it is attached or read out and, moreover, cannot be removed from the object without damage.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of claim 1.

The invention includes the idea that additional protection of the object to be provided with the marking is associated with this if it does not lose value when it is attached, but only when an attempt is made to remove the marking, so that any abusive owner or user who may have an interest in removing the mapping label, which will not be removed. This can be the case for property offenses if the labeling helps to secure existing legal relationships through individualization of the labeled item or through owner identification, or on the other hand if a sales or trading channel, which the item has taken until its sale to its end customer, is disclosed shall be.

Such a marking is particularly effective in a transparent area of the surface of the surface to be marked Subject, since the attempted elimination leads to particularly obvious defects. Transparent areas are specifically provided for optical purposes - be it that there should be an insight or perspective - be it that, as with transparent gemstones, refraction or reflection effects should be used. In any case, the resulting visual impairment in the event of damage or destruction of the area in question will result in an impairment, which will constitute an obstacle to the intention to remove the marking in question. This obstacle will also be at least indirectly decisive in the decision of a person who wants to pursue an illegal or otherwise unfair purpose by removing the label.

Furthermore, a major advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it is not readily recognizable at which point of the object in question the marking is provided, so that for this reason alone the attempt to remove it does not lead to the desired result.

Since the identification mark is designed as an optical marking, which is not recognizable when irradiated with a light source with a wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye and which is transparent in at least a part of the wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye, the object remains in the relevant one Transparent area - but can be used if necessary tinted or tarnished (opaque). For reading out with appropriate aids, the range is transparent to a further wavelength range - outside the sensitivity range of the human eye.

In the case of a consumer item in the high-quality consumer area, in particular in the photo / video / electronics area, the transparent element to be marked is in particular the cover of an element which emits light, receives light or forms an optical control display, which is preferably on the front or in the viewing area of the viewfinder is arranged, since the attempt to remove a marking by removing material would be particularly noticeable here.

The same applies to the screen area of a computer or other computer with a display, in particular if it is connected in one piece to the computer part, such as, for example, if it is a laptop, notebook or palm-top type computer. The same applies to computers in which the display also serves as an input device through local pressure. In the case of video or other image or text display devices, the transparent area of the display can also be the front pane of a cathode ray tube, an LCD or plasma screen.

The object can preferably also be a wristwatch, and the transparent area can be the cover for the dial or another display for time display. Here, too, the attempt to remove the marking would be extremely disruptive. Drilling or weakening the watch cover glass would also weaken the mechanical stability so that it could break or another property - for example the water or pressure resistance - could no longer be guaranteed.

The application of the invention is also easily possible with cover glasses made of transparent plastic. It is particularly expedient if the transparent area is connected to the rest of the object by gluing, welding or the like and cannot be removed without destruction, so that removal or replacement of the transparent area together with the marking does not lead to its removal while maintaining its usability or Value of the item.

The collectible according to the invention with identification identification can also be a gem or piece of jewelry - such as an uncut or cut diamond - in which an unrecognizable identification is of particular economic benefit.

Furthermore, it can be an object of art - such as a valuable painting - where the color layer or another valuable surface area can be used as a marking area.

In the invention it is particularly advantageous that neither the material surface of the object to be treated nor its structure are damaged. On the one hand, this has the advantage that high-quality objects such as works of art are not damaged and therefore do not suffer any loss in value. This circumstance therefore means a significant advantage compared to, for example, labeling methods which work with X-rays, wherein elements which are opaque to X-radiation and which cannot be embedded in the material without damage must be connected to the item to be labeled. Because of the undamaged surface, the location of the marking cannot be determined, for example, by looking closely at the surface structure - such as gloss or roughness.

The wavelength to be selected for the irradiation depends on the molecular structure of the material and is experimentally determined in a preferred embodiment of the method for generating the label by determining the absorption of the material over a sufficiently wide wavelength range with the aid of one or more tunable light sources. If this results in the presence of a plurality of absorption maxima or resonance wavelengths, the most pronounced or a maximum for the identification radiation is preferably close to the working wavelength of an available identification light source. selected, whereby it must be ensured that the selected wavelength is also in the working range of the lighting device (s) which will later be used for reading out the identification.

Furthermore, it is necessary in advance, at least in material-related tests, to find the optimal effective energy input to be determined, in which the desired irreversible change in the molecular excitation states or the microstructure takes place, but still no thermally induced, permanent change in the mechanical properties or material properties.

The markings are then generated with high-energy light, preferably by means of coherent high-energy pulse radiation (laser radiation), with a wavelength in the range of resonance absorption and with a beam speed and beam parameters which give the desired value of the effective energy input.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, when the object to be marked is irradiated, the thermal energy generated in the material is partially dissipated or the object is precooled in such a way that the irradiated areas can only heat up to a temperature at which a substantial permanent change in the Material is still reliably excluded by the radiated or converted thermal energy. This ensures that, apart from the intended marking, no other indication of the presence of the marking is visible, so that it cannot be found without further aids.

In particular, the marking is carried out by means of laser radiation with a wavelength tuned to a resonance maximum in the range from 250 to 450 nm - for example using a nitrogen, excimer or dye laser. Insofar as there are resonance maxima in the UV / A range, that is to say above a wavelength of approximately 300 nm, this range is preferably used for identification because of the availability of inexpensive and easy-to-use light sources.

By varying the charging voltage (in the case of an excimer laser of the pump laser), the pulse repetition frequency, the local dwell time or writing speed and / or the spot diameter of the laser beam, its radiation energy is adjusted in coordination with any cooling provided, so that the local effective energy input is used to achieve this a permanent marking exceeds the necessary threshold value, the thermal energy balance being set such that, taking heat dissipation into account, the local temperature remains below a temperature at which a substantial permanent deformation or other change in the material of the object to be treated occurs.

The marking generated is advantageously made visible or read out by means of an illumination system with the light wavelength close to the resonance absorption wavelength of the marked material.

Depending on the specific material, the marking can advantageously be carried out light on a dark background or dark on a light background.

Particularly when using relatively curvy light, the marking is often shaped by means of radiation expedient of the object through a template or even inevitable. Metal stencils are particularly suitable.

If the identification is generated at a resonance wavelength in the UV range, reading out is possible in a simple manner using a simple broadband UV light source (dark radiator). This has the special effect that, in the case of whitish or brightly translucent object material or occasionally only in the presence of whitish materials in the object space, the marking “modulates” the fluorescence behavior of the object or the other materials. As a result, the marking is made perceptible to the eye in a simple manner, although both the marking and the illuminating light are not in the visible wavelength range.

In another advantageous development of the method according to the invention, the marking is applied in coded form by using holographic methods, the coded marking generated in this way then also being read out using coherent radiation. An evaluation of the marking is then also possible depending on the direction, so that the direction information for coding is additionally available for a possible encryption.

• Figur 1 ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in Form einer Videokamera,
• Figur 2 ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung realisiert bei einem tragbaren Computer,
• Figur 3 ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in Form einer Armbanduhr sowie
• Figur 4 ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel in Form eines geschliffenen Diamanten.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are described below together with the description of preferred embodiments the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

• FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in the form of a video camera,
• FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention in a portable computer,
• Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention in the form of a wristwatch as well
• Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment in the form of a cut diamond.

1 is a photo camera 1 in which an identification mark is designed as an optical marking M which is not recognizable when irradiated with a light source having a wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye. The front lens of the lens is in an optically transparent area of the photo camera for at least a part of the wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye and for another outside the sensitivity range of the human eye, which serves to read out the marking. The alternative is the Marking in the front glass of the viewfinder 3 attached; this marking is designated M 'in the figure.

The integrity of the viewfinder or the optics is of great importance, especially for a photo or video camera, so that the attempt to remove the marking which is invisible to humans would severely limit its usefulness since the optical properties deteriorate. In addition, a flaw in the optics is extremely annoying. This is especially true for SLR cameras, where the optics also serve as a viewfinder.

The identification M or M 'in the photo camera - as in principle also the objects described below - is generated by local irradiation by means of laser light with a wavelength near a resonance wavelength lying outside the visible range of the optical glass forming the material with such an adjusted intensity that On the one hand, a permanent marking M or M 'is created which, when illuminated with light of the appropriate wavelength, has a different optical effect in the visible and / or invisible light range compared to the effect of the non-irradiated areas of the front lens of the lens or the viewfinder.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is a portable computer 4, the transparent area being formed by the front pane of the screen or display 5. Especially with portable computers, the screen and processor parts are usually inseparable, so that if the screen display is impaired when trying to remove the invisible marking M, the usability is severely restricted. In addition, since miniaturized computers are usually more expensive than table-top devices and are more likely to be lost when traveling, an individualized identification of the display, which cannot be removed without damage, is of particular importance. Portable computers are usually those in a laptop, notebook or palmtop housing, with the screen preferably being designed as an input device which reacts to local pressure effects in order to save a keyboard.

The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a wristwatch 6, in which the transparent area having the invisible identification M serves as a cover glass 7 for the dial area or another display. The watch shown is watertight up to a predetermined limit pressure, the cover glass 7 forming part of the housing which seals the watch against the ingress of water. Damage when attempting to remove the marking would not only make the watch appear damaged on the outside, but would also impair its actual usability due to the reduced pressure resistance. The cover glass 7 is connected to the rest of the clock by gluing in the same material, so that a replacement of the glass is not possible without destroying the entire housing.

In the case of the cut diamond 8 shown in FIG. 4, the entire gem represents the transparent area which is provided with the marking M.

Here, too, the mark cannot be removed without a significant loss in value of the stone, since this would have to be accompanied by a complete re-grinding with a considerable loss of size.

Accordingly, objects of art such as paintings, porcelain, etc. protect effectively against loss by means of the method according to the invention, since the integrity of the surface is also regarded as a quality indicator. In the case of porcelain, surface damage on the underside is generally regarded as an indication of a poor quality sorting. Damage to the upper part of the decoration would be unacceptable for the serious collector, and an otherwise invisible property label that is attached and cannot be removed without damage represents effective protection against theft.

The embodiment of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown, even in the case of fundamentally different types.

Claims (16)

Utility or collector's item (1; 4; 6), in particular with a high replacement or collector's value, with an identification mark (M, M '),
characterized in
that the identification mark is designed as an optical marking (M, M ') which is imperceptible when illuminated with a light source with a wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye, but which is perceptible to the eye when illuminated with a light source outside this sensitivity range and which is in a for at least a part of the wavelength range within the sensitivity range of the human eye and for a further wavelength range of the object that is optically transparent for reading out the marking and is located outside the sensitivity range of the human eye and serves to read out the marking (1; 4; 6) is appropriate, the integrity of which is at least to a significant extent decisive for the use or collector's value of the object. An article according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the transparent region (2, 3; 7; 5) is the cover of a light-emitting, light-receiving or optical indicator forming member. The article of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is in the transparent area around the screen (5) of a computer (4), in particular a laptop, notebook or palmtop housing, or to a simultaneously serving as an input device, screen responding to local pressure. The article of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is a photo, film or video camera (1) is in the transparent region to the front lens (2) or other external cover plate of the lens or the viewfinder (3). The article of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is in the transparent region a the dial or other display covering glass (7), a clock (6), in particular a wristwatch, is. Object according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transparent area forms the viewing window of a cathode ray tube, an LCD or plasma screen. An article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized, in that the transparent area is part of the waterproof housing of an object intended for use under water and not waterproof inside the housing. An article according to claim 1, characterized in that it is the object is a gemstone (8), in particular unpolished or polished diamonds, or a portion of a piece of jewelery is. An article according to claim 1, characterized in that it is in the region around the color layer of a painting or another surface area of a work of art. An article according to claim 1, characterized in that the transparent area a part of the packaging of a cosmetic product, in particular a region of a perfume bottles. In that the transparent area of a part is the subject of claim 1, characterized in that a sound or image data carrier, in particular a video or audio cassette, compact or mini-disc, or a transparency, or its packaging. An article according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent area adhere to the remaining article by Ver is connected detachably welding or the like and not without destruction. Object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking (M, M ') a by local irradiation of the object (1; 4; 6) by means of high-energy radiation having a wavelength near a resonance wavelength of the material into its microstructure irreversibly such reformed region is that, when irradiated with light of the appropriate wavelength, it has an optical effect in the range of visible and / or invisible light that is changed compared to the effect of the unirradiated adjacent material, but is not significantly changed externally. An article according to claim 11, characterized in that the marking (M, M ') a nm by molecular excitation in interaction with an ionizing UV laser beam, in particular in the wavelength range of 150 to 450, micro-structurally modified region. Object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking (M, M ') is visible to the eye when illuminated with light in the UV range. An article according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the marking (M, M ') shows a relative to the adjacent material of the object changes in the reflectivity, fluorescence behavior and or transparency properties. Light shows.

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