GB2346583A

GB2346583A - Microdot security marker with mirror image code

Info

Publication number: GB2346583A
Application number: GB9922316A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Northey
Original assignee: ALPHA SCIENT
Current assignee: ALPHA SCIENT
Priority date: 1998-09-24
Filing date: 1999-09-22
Publication date: 2000-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-22
Also published as: GB2346583B; GB9922316D0; GB9820672D0

Abstract

A microscopic marker for tagging artefacts includes a first line 14 of alphanumeric code and a second line 16 of code which is a mirror image of the first code so that the code can be read even when the marker is reversed. An asymmetric character 18 can be included to aid identification of orientation.

Description

SECURITY MARKER The present invention relates to security markers.

Security markers are used to tag artefacts such that in the event of the artefact being lost or stolen and subsequently recovered, the appropriate authorities can return the artefact to the rightful owner by virtue of a code inscribed on the tag. The marker also assists in criminal prosecution by providing proof that the artefact is not the property of the suspect.

Such markers are very small, about 1 mm in diameter, and consist of a piece of celluloid on which is marked an alphanumeric code. They are suspended in a glue solution, which is brushed onto the artefact or artefacts.

The code is then registered on a central computer.

If the artefact is stolen and recovered by the police, the dot is inspected under a microscope or other magnifying apparatus and the code is read. The central computer is then interrogated to identify the original owner. This then allows the artefact to be returned to them and proves that it has indeed been stolen and is not the property of the person in custody.

Current markers only permit accurate reading of the alphanumeric code whenever the tag is read on the marked side ie., the side showing the image in normal aspect. In instances where the tag is brushed onto the artefact"upside down", such that the image on the tag is reversed, the investigator needs to read the data through the dot. The resultant mirror image may be difficult to read and also subject to error by, for example, the incorrect interpretation of"6"s and"9"s.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a security marker in which the code is displayed in a manner which does not suffer from these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a security marker on which is provided a first legible identifying code and a second legible identifying code, the second code being a mirror image of the first code.

In the preferred arrangement, every other line is a mirror image of a main line.

It is also preferable for at least the first legible identifying code to include an asymmetric recognition character. This allows the orientation of the line to be determined quickly without confusion caused by characters such as A, 8,0, 1, H etc.

According to the invention, the tag can be read accurately regardless of its orientation on deposit. This eases interpretation for law enforcement agencies and will decrease the likelihood of incorrect identification.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a security marker according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a reversed view of the marker of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a security marker according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a reversed view of the marker of Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the security tag is a dot-shaped piece of photographic celluloid 10 approximately 1 mm in diameter. This is immersed in a adhesive lacquer, which is then brushed onto an artefact as a means of tagging the artefact. The security tag is marked with a code marking 12, in this case alphanumerical, marked on the celluloid 10. The code marking comprises main lines of code 14 which are printed normally, interspersed with secondary lines of code 16 in mirror image format. As shown, the secondary lines are arranged between each main line 14.

In the first embodiment, the main lines 14 include an alpha (a) symbol 18, correctly oriented. This allows easy determination of the orientation of the tag. If the alpha symbols can be read normally, as in figure 1, then the tag is the"right"way up and the lines adjacent to the alpha symbol should be read. If the alpha symbol is incorrectly oriented and cannot be read correctly, as in figure 2, the tag is upside down and the lines without alpha symbols should be read.

It will be understood that it is not necessary to employ an alpha symbol. Any character which Is asymmetric in reflection will be appropriate.

However, it is preferable to employ a character which is not part of the usual character set for the language concerned, as this aids identification of the character as an orientation marker only.

The orientation marker character could be incorporated into both the main and secondary lines. In that case, an observer need only identify an orientation character which is visible in the correct orientation and read the code adjacent that character.

Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the tag 10. In this version, neither the main lines 14 or the secondary lines 16 include a alpha symbol. It is then necessary to ensure that the code for the tag concerned is not symmetric, such as AHH881 for example as this would be indistinguishable from 188HHA.

Many variations to the above-described embodiments could be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the main line of code could in fact comprise several lines of alphanumeric characters, some or all of which lines of characters could be repeated in reversed form in the secondary lines.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A security marker on which is provided a first legible identifying code and a second legible identifying code, the second code being a mirror image of the first code.
2. A security marker according to claim 1 in which the codes are arranged in lines forming a main line including the first legible identifying code and a secondary line including the second legible identifying code.
3. A security marker according to claim 2 in which every other line is a secondary line.
4. A security marker according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which every other line is a main line.
5. A security marker according to any preceding claim in which at least the first legible identifying code inclues an asymmetric recognition character.
6. A security marker according to any preceding claim in which the codes consist of alphanumeric characters.
7. A security marker on which is provided a first legible identifying code and a second legible identifying code, the second code being a mirror image of the first code, the marker being formed of substantially transparent or translucent material.
8. A security marker according to claim 7 formed of celluloid.
9. A security marker substantially as any one described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. A container in which is present an adhesive substance in liquid form and a plurality of security markers according to any preceding claim.
11. A container according to claim 10 in which the markers are suspended in the glue.