ITMI942418A1 - "CHECK SYSTEM FOR OBJECTS AND PROCEDURE FOR CHECKING OBJECTS" - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system for objects, which are equipped with data carriers, in which data are stored as an identification code, where with external devices these data can be collected and added to a computer-aided data processing system To counter an undue imitation of items, especially branded items with generally recognized quality standards, a control system is used to protect branded items, so that each branded item can be distinguished from plagiarism via a code of identification of a data medium protected against forgery. The control system provides for the provision of data carriers with at least manufacturer-specific data as an identification code on each item, which at any time and with frequency as desired, especially by customers and buyers, with data collection devices and computer-aided data processing, are controllable and possibly variable in a controlled manner.

Description

The invention relates to a control system for objects according to the introductory definition of claim 1, as well as a method for controlling objects according to the introductory definition of claim 24.

Control systems are known in which data carriers contain data such as information code, which are evaluated externally. Thus, electronic data carriers in automatic production are applied to workpieces or workpieces to define machining or assembly progress with the aid of stationary sensors.

In a system, known from DE-3234 345 A1, in order to collect the information as electronic data carriers, removable or replaceable modules are arranged on the piece holders, the data of which are scanned by stationary sensors and used to control production. For this purpose, the data in the electronic form are updated progressively. Data collection and data processing are carried out with the aid of a computer

The identification codes are also used in a control procedure, in order to be able to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the calculation, for each supplier, of the rejects that are adduced

in a garbage burning plant

(DE-E-41 17 926 A1).

It is also known to employ automatic identification of objects with electronic data carriers and external data recording devices as well as with local processing and

data center for the management of animals and objects as well as for security and access control

Barcodes are becoming increasingly common for goods with a daily requirement, which enable automatic data acquisition by reading devices, especially scanners and pencils.

reading, and an evaluation of the data assisted by

calculator, especially for billing at the time of sale and stock control for subsequent orders.

It is also known that manufacturers of branded articles come into contact again and again with imitations and reproductions of their goods and articles, which are not permitted and are mostly of poor quality, which lead to commercial damage and involve considerable losses of I earn. Undue imitations

of this type in the sector of articles of gear of ele

In terms of quality, especially for Swiss watches or in the clothing industry, in designer fashion, there is also an increasing amount of fabrics and articles produced with them, for example for brand jeans. The imitative economic products are endowed with almost identical or confusing brands, so that there is the impression of a high quality and recognized branded article.

Only in exceptional cases is it possible to detect the imitator. The forgery itself, mostly produced externally, cannot be prevented and it is not possible to exclude the risk of confusion with the branded items to be protected.

The invention has the task of realizing a control system as well as a control procedure, which counteract an undue imitation of articles, especially branded articles with generally recognized quality standards, since with the marketing or sale it is possible to distinguish between a plagiarism and an article to be protected and certainly proved a forgery.

According to the invention, the problem is solved by adopting a computer-aided control system with data carriers, especially electronic data carriers for marking and recognizing articles to be protected, especially branded articles in accordance with claim 1. In accordance with method provides branded item protection in accordance with claim 24.

Sub-claims 2 to 23 contain suitable embodiments and further developments of the control system. Sub-claims 25 to 27 describe advantageous embodiments of the control method.

The invention is based on the fundamental concept of limiting or preventing the marketing of undue imitations, as the items to be protected, such as branded jeans, designer fashion items and designer everyday items, are provided with an identification code. not falsifiable, which can be read at any time and as often as desired by external reader devices, possibly also by recorder-reader devices. These collected data are added to a computer-assisted evaluation system to check and identify at least the manufacturer of the article.

The identification code can be stored in a data carrier as a unique feature of a single anticulum. Since this code after the manufacture of the article, at most before a first marketing, is read and given to a local or central computer station and neutralized as a control code. with the aid of data recording devices. especially of portable or stationary reader devices, for example in the sales places there is the possibility of confirming the manufacturer of the article at the time of supply at the time of sale or during another passage, by means of a comparison with the data of the central memory , respectively to indicate a forgery.

It is advantageous to have a modest technical expenditure on equipment and in addition a clear software and in the case of a distribution network, access at will to a local or central computer with the stored data of the manufacturers of branded articles as a control code.

A form of organization of the concerned brand manufacturers and potential users should be formed for the control system to protect the collection and evaluation of the data of the article identification codes from unauthorized access.

The control system according to the invention provides that each article to be protected is equipped with a module as a data carrier, which is arranged in or on the article and in which the data of the identification code are stored electronically, magnetically, optically or mechanically. canically.

The module, for example a particularly small, electronic mini data carrier with an individual code for each article, which is stored permanently, can be activated by an external data acquisition device, for example a reading station, so that the data is sent to the station.

An article to be protected can be suitably equipped with a module, which exchanges data with an external recording-reading station or whose data can be generated by interacting with the external data apparatus.

As external data recording devices, it is convenient to use portable or stationary reader devices, respectively recording-reading devices.

Furthermore, the data collection can take place by direct contact of the module with the external data regulation device, for example with a chip card, without mechanical contact.

Data transmission and recording can take place without mechanical contact, with the aid of the HF transmission or by means of magnetic strips, being possible an expansion to form the hybrid technique by means of optically acting components, acoustically magnetically, electromagnetically, inductively and capacitively ,

In HF transmissions with optical-respectively optolelectronic components for protection against non-activation it is advisable to define light of a certain wavelength. The module is therefore suitably equipped with a corresponding filter and with a photocell / solar cell.

Using a laser beam it is advantageous to determine a defined phase allocation for protection against non-activation. In this case the module is also equipped with a corresponding filter. Using acoustic techniques, the module can be equipped with a generator, which converts acoustic waves of a certain frequency and a minimum power into electrical energy, with which the emission of information is started.

Using inductive action components

In order to transmit the stored data by HF transmission, a coil or a Hall generator is provided in the module. The energy for the emission of the sides of the module can be produced for example by a nagnet passing through the front.

A capacitively expanded module contains an arrangement of capacitors which by means of a counter plate in the external carrier device is capacitively charged via an applied medium, for example in a flexible container, in front of the counter plate This electrical charge activates the data carrier module for emission of the stored data.

The storage of data in a data carrier module can be accomplished electronically magnets, optically, for example as a hologram or bar code, and mechanically, especially as a laser etching or erosion. The data stored for a control against falsification of branded items must contain the manufacturer, possibly the date of manufacture, the supplier country as well as control marks for systematic identification. In addition, a serial number can be stored. type and product group.

By using an electronic module, it is foreseen to realize the energy supply by means of a contact, a battery, a solar cell or a capacitor which can be charged acoustically, optically, by heat, inductively, electromagnetically, capacitively or magnetically.

It is particularly advisable to use an HF Transponder module, hereinafter referred to as a transponder, which allows data transmission without direct contact and visual connection. In addition, a transponder is particularly robust and due to its size it can be integrated into a rivet head, for example, it can be integrated into an elastic support material, fixed on the inside of a fabric or incorporated into a seam or edge of a fabric. garment · There is also the possibility of implementing a Transponder in a chip card, which is fixed to the article, for example glued and or sewn into the article.

The detection of the data of the individual and invariable identification code, pre-programmed in the factory in a transponder, takes place with the aid of reader devices suitable as autonomous portable devices, powered by batteries, particularly for use for sale or for a another passage of a branded article. Conveniently, the reader devices are equipped with at least one acoustic or optical element to indicate a forgery, or the authenticity of a branded article, so that it is the supplier or the seller, as well as the user or customer can clearly perceive the result of the control or e-

same.

It is advisable that the control system starts at the manufacturer and continues through the composition of orders, the shipment to each point of sale or resale, respectively to another point of delivery of the article, so that for example it is also possible to recognize thefts.

It is particularly advisable to use a reading recording transponder as data carrier. When, in addition to the identification code, data relating to the composition of orders, etc. are stored in a read-only memory, there is an advantageous possibility of recording these data, with the aid of a computer, in a database and evaluating them according to the most diverse criteria. For example, there is the possibility of a command and a con-

manufacturing process and also at the time of order composition, shipment, sale, for keeping stocks in the warehouse and for activating subsequent orders

To protect a recording-reading transponder from f alsification, it is advisable to activate, after data entry, a recording protection, which can refer to a defined memory area.

In addition to the data medium with the identification code, an article, for example a garment, is equipped with a usual and prescribed marking of the article.

As the preloaded Transponder modules. with production data are not optically recognizable, for example for garments, in the production in addition to an "empty" transponder module (e.g. rivet head) or only loaded with master data, as up to now it is advisable to use a label with barcode or with OCR wording for product data Such as manufacturer, year of production, model, cut, color, serial number These product data, which with a reader, for example a reading device or a Scanners, are read into a computer, expanded for example during order composition based on data concerning the customer and shipping.

It is particularly advantageous to transfer this information, in the case of using a recording-reading tranaponder with the aid of a recording-reading device in the article's Transponder memory.

In a further development it is envisaged to arrange the reader of the bar code respectively of the wording OCR and the reader for the identification code in a common data detection device, which can be executed as a manual device. When the label of the product is placed in the immediate vicinity of the transponder, there is the possibility of a particularly effective data detection and transmission To avoid that the data of an additional transponder module is detected at the same time by the transponder carrier, a reading is provided parallel output from the reader.

When additional sales data are stored in a Read-Record Transponder for a sale, there is a possibility of detecting a subsequent theft of the item.

Using a read-only transponder module, in which the fixed, unique, non-erasable programmed code stored as a serial number, it is advisable to tie certain coding groups to the individual manufacturers and / or packaging companies

The memory content of the read-only transponder can be detected as often as desired and at any time with a corresponding reader, so that the danger of purchasing imitated products instead of the desired branded item is excluded.

The data carriers should appropriately be attached to the branded articles, so that a deletion is only possible by destroying the data carrier and at least with damage to the article.

The control system also provides for the use of a magnetic card system for surveillance and detection of counterfeits. A printable magnetic constructions card contains the usual product data magnetically stored. With a magnetic card reading / recording device, it is possible to transmit and store data relating to the composition of orders, for example the customer and the date of shipment, to form an overall information in a central computer. At the time of sale of the articles it is possible to check a forgery or the authenticity of the article with the magnetic card. For example, it is advisable to integrate a magnetic card reader / recording device in a cash box connected by a computer. By interacting with the cashier, the magnetic strip of the card is provided with additional information, with which a regular sale is confirmed.

The invention is further described below on the basis of embodiments for control systems. The examples of embodiments concern applications for a data transmission without mechanical contact

Example 1: Use of an HF transponder module with read-record function

An item of clothing, equipped with the usual barcode or OCR label for product data, additionally receives HF transponder with reading-recording function. This Transponder is implemented in a chip card, glued and sewn into the garment, in a button or in another specific accessory of the Company.

To simplify the handling during the packaging phase, the data memory of the Transpon der at the time of attachment on the garment contains the specific manufacturing data: manufacturer, packaging company and possibly year of manufacture. The data storage can be made visible or recognizable from the outside for experts, for example by the color of the chip card.

For the order commission, the items are grouped by customer respectively by users, on the basis of the usual eligible labels, for the preparation of shipping documents. the label concerned from time to time is read in a computer connected to a reader, a reading pencil or scanner. The data acquisition is confirmed acoustically or optically. From the computer, this data is expanded by additional information, e.g. customer, shipment date, in order to create a new shipping information for the respective article. This information is subsequently transferred and stored in the transponder on the garment with a corresponding reading recording device. At the end, a confirmation takes place.

In a particularly advantageous device configuration, both a barcode scanner and also an HF transmitter / receiver are integrated in an overall data acquisition device, which is designed as a manual device. proximity of the Sponder, it is possible to carry out the data collection in a simplified way. The common data detection apparatus is brought to the usual readable label and the reading process is started. After reading the barcode into the computer, the data is completed and then transferred to the transponder via the shared data entry device. This transmission is likewise conformed and a record protection is activated in the transponder module. This read-record operation lasts from 2 to 3 seconds. Parallel reading of the data from a further neighboring TR transponder is prevented by the shared data acquisition device by activating a signal lamp. At the end of the commission or order work, the shipping documents are printed.

To check the authenticity of a branded item with the user or the customer, the memory content of the transponder can be read out, as often as desired without modifying the memory content. In the event of invoicing, the transponder is provided with additional information containing a regular sale via the reading-recording device connected to a cash desk by means of an interaction with the cash desk. items that may later be stolen. By connecting the checkout system to the suppliers it is possible to follow the sale of the articles directly and use this for logistical purposes, for example for an automatic subsequent supply.

Example 2-: Use of an HF transponder module with read-only function

At first, similarly to example 1, each garment is equipped with the label, known and prescribed up to now, with a bar code or OCR wording for product data. In addition, an HF transponder with a read-only function is attached to the garment. As this example concerns jeans trousers, the transponder is integrated into a rivet head and cannot be recognized by third parties from the outside. Using the Transponder, the jeans trousers are identifiable, protected against forgery, like branded jeans, as the identification code is available in the central memory as a control code for control operations

The order composition of the garments thus marked and protected against falsification is carried out similarly to Example 1, so that the relevant information, the data of the usual label, the identification data of the read-only Transponder and the composition data orders are sent to a computer and stored there. The identification data of the Tansponder are serial numbers, so that the matching of the data is obtained in a database, which can be queried according to the most diverse criteria. With a common data detection device for the barcode and the identification code of the transponder, as in Example 1, particularly effective data detection and transmission is possible. At the customer or the user with a reader device as a data recording device, the identification code of the Transoonder can be read as often as desired at any time. A forgery can be detected immediately with the reader device connected via a network to the database of a local or central computer

The issue of invoices at the time of sale can also be read through the connected reader and the serial numbers of the Transponder. By connecting the checkout system to suppliers via the database, it is possible to follow the sale of the items directly and use it for logistical purposes, for example for an automatic subsequent supply.

Example 3: Use of a magnetic stripe module with reading-recording function -Using a magnetic striping module with reading-recording function, this additionally to the usual label can be fixed to a garment. There is also the possibility of applying this magnetic stripe form to a printed card where this card simultaneously contains the product data, for example also as binary code. The detection and transmission of the order composition data are carried out in a comprehensive manner. Since it is a module with reading and recording functions, this new data is transmitted with a corresponding device on the magnetic strip module on the garment and the conclusion of the transmission is confirmed. In a combined common data detection apparatus, analogously to Example 1, it is possible to complete the incoming data read and subsequently transmit them by means of the written part of the magnetic strip of the shared apparatus on the magnetic strip module. An inspection of the branded item takes place at the customer or user with the aid of the magnetic stripe module and with a reader device that is connected to a central computer. The issue of the invoice, the incoming reading of the sales data and the subsequent automatic supply assisted by a computer take place as in Examples 1 and 2.

Example 4 Use of a magnetic card system Each garment at the time of packaging receives the usual barcode label or OCR wording for product data, such as manufacturer, year of production, model, size, color, serial number .

Alternatively, instead of the barcode card, a printable card with magnetic strips can also be used, in which the previously indicated data are magnetically stored. For order composition, the individual articles for a specific customer are combined on the basis of readable labels. In order to obtain the shipping documents, the respective label is read with a reader in a connected computer. The recruitment is confirmed acoustically or optically

some data.

When a printable card with magnetic strips is used, it is introduced into the magnetic card reader-recording apparatus and the related data is read into the computer. The calculator expands this data in reasons of further information, such as customer and shipping date to form a new overall information for the respective item. This information is then transferred to a new magnetic card or to an already introduced magnetic card. magnetic card, this is then attached to the article and shipping documents are printed at the end of the order composition work. To check the item at the customer's premises, the magnetic card can be read as often as desired with a corresponding reader.

In order to produce the corresponding invoice of the cash register (computer) by means of the connected reading-recording device for magnetic cards by interacting with the cash register, the magnetic strip is provided with additional information confirming a regular sale.

By connecting the checkout system to the suppliers it is possible to follow the sale of the articles directly and use this for logistical purposes, for example for an automatic subsequent supply. Example 5: Use of a chip card system Instead of the printable card with magnetic strips in example 4, it is possible to use a printable chip card, in which the product data is stored. The process for order composition, data transmission and data evaluation, the creation of shipping documents, the process at the customer site including the issuing of invoices and the connection of the supplier checkout system for logistical purposes take place in the same way as for Example 4

Example 6 Use of a module with an optical memory A module with an optical memory can be made of metal, a ceramic material or the like. A specific identification code

of the manufacturer with the aid of a laser beam erosion device is recorded in a memory layer of the module. The memory layer is subsequently equipped with an infrared filter or with a transparent layer of, for example, paint, glass or ceramic. The reading out of the identification code is carried out with the aid of an optoelectronic explorer system. The comparison with the control code is made with the aid of a computer.

A button or an accessory of a mask article, especially a garment, can be used as an erosible module.

The erosion itself is carried out in a device, in which it is possible to position exactly the similar button as a module. A similar positioning device is provided on the device, reading output as a device for detecting data.

When you want to check different accessories. Respectively modules with a detection device, it is advisable to arrange an interchangeable housing device for positioning.

To simplify the detection of the data, a scanning device that does not require a defined position with respect to the module can be applied.

Claims (2)

not detected centrally as a control code and can be recalled to check the authenticity of the item Control system according to claim or or 2, characterized by the fact that the data are stored permanently in the module and can be activated by an external data recording device, or by the fact that the data can be generated in the module by interaction with the external data recording device. 4. control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the data is recorded by contacting the module with an external device Control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the data is recorded without mechanical contact, for example by means of HF signals, by means of components acting optically, acoustically, magnetically, electromagnetically, inductively or capacitively, by means of reader-devices Control system according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that the articles are equipped with electronic modules as data carriers, as well as by the fact that the power supply of an electronic module takes place via contact direct, with the help of a battery, of a solar cell or with a capacitor which can be charged acoustically, optically, by heat, inductively, electromagnetically, capacitively or magnetically. 7. Control system according to claim 6, characterized in that as an electronic module a transponder is arranged in or on an article or integrated in the article, as well as by the fact that the data of the transponder can be detected without mechanical contact with a reader device and evaluable with the aid of a computer. 8 Control system as claimed in claim 7, characterized by the fact that a read-only transponder is arranged, which contains fixed programmed data as unique characteristics and at least for the identification of the manufacturer, as well as by the fact that the data are detectable and controllable during the of the order composition of the items, of the shipment and of each sale or on the occasion of any other delivery of the item. 9 Control system according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that a recording-reading transponder is arranged with fixed programmed data of the manufacturer, in which it is possible to read in input further data for the composition of orders, for the sale of the article and the like with external recording-reading devices Control system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that a transponder is fixed in accessories in a seam or in a rivet head of an article, for example of a textile garment or is incorporated in the material of the article or of a resilient support material connectable to the article 11. Control system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized by the fact that a transponder is implemented in a chip card, which is fixed in or on the article, for example glued and / or sewn. Control system according to claim 11, characterized in that the chip card with the transponder implanted is arranged next to a label of the article with a barcode or OCR wording for product data, as well as in that a device reader of the bar code and the transponder reader device are placed in a common data detection device, and furthermore by the fact that the data, detected with the common device, of the bar code respectively of the wording OCR and of the identification code of the transponder after detection can be transferred to a central computer and can be evaluated as a database according to different criteria Control system according to claim 12, characterized in that a read-record transponder a read-record device is arranged in the common data recording apparatus, as well as by the fact that the data of the barcode or of the After detection and possible processing in the computer can be transmitted in parallel with the reading of the transponder in the transponder. Control system according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the device is designed for reading data from a transponder and in that a parallel reading of a further transponder can be recognized and prevented. on the appliance. Control system according to one of the preceding claims 9 to 14, characterized in that after reading further data in the read-receiving transponder, a protection against recording can be activated, at least for a defined memory area. 16. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed programmed data and the further data can be used for the control and accounting, assisted by a computer, of the composition of orders, or of the shipment, or of the accounting. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data from the data carrier can be used for confirmation and sale and at the same time for stock implementation for placing orders 18. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data carrier attached to an article is detachable or detachable from the article only by destroying the data carrier. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the identification code of the fixed programmed data medium, a control character or code groups can be defined respectively as a control character for the different manufacturers, packaging companies, suppliers, users and further data. Control system according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a magnetic stripe module is arranged as a data carrier, for example on a card where data is stored in the magnetic stripe module in addition to the identification code of the product and further manufacturer-specific indications of the usual barcode or OCR wording, as well as from the fact that the data of the magnetic stripe module can be detected with a reader-recording device of magnetic cards and can be updated, and also from the fact that data on the composition of orders, shipping and sales are detectable and assessable with reference to the articles and specifically by manufacturer. Control system according to claim 20, characterized in that the data of a magnetic stripe module can be recorded as often as desired and evaluated with the aid of computers, as well as by the fact that regular sale of the article can be inserted for reading in the magnetic strips module, it can be evaluated with the aid of a computer and used for logistic purposes, for example for the subsequent automatic supply Control system according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the module has an optical memory in which the identification code by laser beam coding is recorded and arranged protected, as well as by the fact that the stored data can be detected with an optoelectronic explorer system and can be evaluated with the aid of a computer. 23. Control system according to claim 22, characterized in that as a module with an optical memory an accessory, especially a specific accessory of an article company, for example a button, is equipped with the optically stored identification code, as well as by the fact that the form with the registration and reading of the identification code is kept in an almost identical arrangement, for example in a CLAIMS 1. Control system for objects with data carriers on which data can be stored as an identification code, and with external data recording devices and computer-aided data processing, characterized in that the control system is used to protect undue restrictions on the production of articles, especially branded articles, as well as from the fact that each article to be protected is equipped with a data carrier, and also from the fact that at least specific data of the manufacturer, as an identification code, which for the identification of an article can be checked at any time and as often as desired with external devices for data acquisition and data processing with the aid of computers. Control system according to claim 1, characterized in that a module in the article or on an article is arranged as the data carrier, in which the data of the identification code are stored electronically, magnetically, optically or mechanically, as well as by the fact that the data of all articles of the positioning device 24. Method for checking objects, in which the objects are equipped with data carriers, the data of which stored as identification codes are detected with external devices and evaluated with the aid of a computer, characterized in that they are used as objects branded articles as well as the fact that for the production of the branded articles at the latest prior to the external sales or other delivery of the branded articles, a data carrier, especially an electronic data carrier, is placed in or on each branded article, furthermore by the fact that especially manufacturer-specific data in the form of identification codes protected against falsification of each article are stored in the data carrier, furthermore by the fact that the identification code data is read with identification devices data and adduced to a central computer as a control code, and furthermore by the fact that in the In the event of a sale or passage of the item, the identity is checked as the identification code of the data medium is read with an external detection device, especially with a reader device operating without mechanical contact and compared with the control code stored in the central computer. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that as data carrier a read-record module, especially a read-record transponder, is applied in or on each article, in addition by the fact that in the read-record transponder they are stored permanently manufacturer-specific data, such as identification code, furthermore by the fact that manufacturer-specific data is extended by ordering, shipping, supply, invoicing and sales data, and furthermore by the fact that a barcode or code OCR of a normal label of the article and the identification code of the electronic data carrier with a combined reading device are read out almost simultaneously and in parallel, after reading, processed and processed are recorded in the reading receiving module, for example in the record-read transponder, and further by fact c h in this case the reading at the output of a further transponder is prevented, and also by the fact that in the case of an article passage, for example in the case of a sale, an identification is carried out as the data is read, they are compared, with the identification code data stored as a control code in a central computer, and finally by the fact that additional data is read in for the actualization. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that a write protection is activated for the overall memory area or a defined area of the memory of an electronic data medium 27. Method according to claim 25, characterized in which to determine You companies are assigned control characters, which are provided with a protection against deletion and / or registration.