WO2005027677A2 - Identification electronique de gemmes - Google Patents

Identification electronique de gemmes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005027677A2
WO2005027677A2 PCT/IL2004/000892 IL2004000892W WO2005027677A2 WO 2005027677 A2 WO2005027677 A2 WO 2005027677A2 IL 2004000892 W IL2004000892 W IL 2004000892W WO 2005027677 A2 WO2005027677 A2 WO 2005027677A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gemstone
information
integrated circuit
bearing
jewelry
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2004/000892
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2005027677A3 (fr
Inventor
Howard Loboda
Michael Jacoby
Original Assignee
Gemtouch Inc.S
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gemtouch Inc.S filed Critical Gemtouch Inc.S
Publication of WO2005027677A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005027677A2/fr
Publication of WO2005027677A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005027677A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44C—PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS
    • A44C17/00—Gems or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to gemstones and more particularly to information- bearing gemstones as well as systems and techniques useful in merchandizing thereof.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved information-bearing gemstone as well as systems and techniques useful in merchandizing thereof.
  • an information-bearing gemstone including a gemstone and an integrated circuit mounted onto the gemstone.
  • a method of associating information with a gemstone including providing an integrated circuit capable of bearing information relating to a gemstone and mounting an integrated circuit onto the gemstone.
  • an information-bearing gemstone system including a gemstone, an integrated circuit mounted onto the gemstone and a reader for wirelessly reading information contained in the integrated circuit.
  • the gemstone includes multiple facets including at least a first plurality of facets defining viewing surfaces of the gemstone and at least a second plurality of facets defining non-viewing surfaces of the gemstone and wherein the integrated circuit is mounted onto one of the second plurality of facets.
  • the integrated circuit includes a non-volatile memory.
  • the integrated circuit includes interrogation functionality.
  • the integrated circuit additionally includes a remote communications antenna.
  • the integrated circuit includes information indicating value parameters of the gemstone. Additionally or alternatively, the integrated circuit includes information indicating history parameters of the gemstone.
  • the integrated circuit includes information useful to a salesman attempting to sell the gemstone to a potential customer.
  • the integrated circuit is mounted onto the gemstone in a manner such that unauthorized removal or tampering with the integrated circuit renders the integrated circuit at least partially inoperative. Additionally or alternatively, the integrated circuit is operative such that attempted unauthorized re-writing of information thereon renders the integrated circuit at least partially inoperative.
  • the integrated circuit includes an RFID circuit.
  • the integrated circuit is coated with a protective coating.
  • the integrated circuit is mounted in such a manner that it is not readily noticed when viewed from a viewing surface of the gemstone.
  • the integrated circuit includes information useful to a salesman attempting to sell the jewelry to a potential customer.
  • the integrated circuit is mounted in such a manner that it is not readily noticed when viewed from a viewing surface of the jewelry.
  • the integrated circuit is colored such that it is not readily noticed when viewed from a viewing surface of the jewelry.
  • the integrated circuit is mounted so that it is readily noticed when viewed from a viewing surface of the jewelry.
  • the reader includes apparatus for sequentially operating the antenna elements.
  • the reader also includes an RF switch and an RF coupler as well as integrated circuit reading electronics communicating with the array of antenna elements via the RF switch and RF coupler. Additionally or alternatively, the reader also includes a controller operative to select antenna elements from among the array of antenna elements.
  • an information-bearing jewelry system including at least one item of jewelry, an integrated circuit mounted onto the at least one item of jewelry, a reader for wirelessly reading information contained in the integrated circuit, a computer coupled to the reader for providing information relating to the item of jewelry and a salesman prompting output device operative to provide to a salesman information received from the computer and relating to the at least one item of jewelry.
  • an information-bearing gemstone merchandising system including a multiplicity of gemstones, integrated circuits mounted onto each of the multiplicity of gemstones, an assortment tray including a plurality of gemstone grouping locations and having associated therewith at least one reader operative for wirelessly reading information contained in the integrated circuits and correlating it with gemstone locations of gemstones on which the integrated circuits are mounted and an output device operative to provide an operator sensible output indicating information relating to the multiplicity of gemstones according to their placement in the plurality of gemstone grouping locations.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of an information-bearing gemstone constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified illustration showing particulars of a preferred configuration and mounting arrangement of an RFID chip on a gemstone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified illustration showing UV curing of a chip mounting adhesive via a gemstone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a simplified illustration showing the appearance of an information-bearing gemstone constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of an information-bearing gemstone constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified illustration showing particulars of a preferred configuration and mounting arrangement of an RFID chip on a gemstone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified illustration showing UV curing of a chip mounting adhesive via a gemstone in accord
  • FIG. 9 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially block-diagram illustration of a RFID reader constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention operative in association with a personal digital assistant;
  • Fig. 10 is a simplified, partially pictorial, partially block-diagram illustration of a gemstone assortment management system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
  • Fig. 11 is a simplified, partially pictorial, partially block-diagram illustration of a jewelry merchandising system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved information-bearing gemstone as well as systems and techniques useful in merchandizing thereof.
  • value parameters as used hereinbelow in the present invention includes but is not limited to physical characteristics such as color, clarity, cut, weight, to assayed value and to gemological certification.
  • history parameters as used hereinbelow in the present invention includes but is not limited to authentication, certification, "non-conflict", non-synthetic, origin, rough lot number, ownership and insurance appraisal.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified illustration of an information-bearing gemstone constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in Fig. 1, an RFID integrated circuit 100 is mounted onto gemstone 102.
  • the RFID integrated circuit 100 is preferably mounted with its metal layer, circuit defining side 110 facing the facet 104 and is adhered to the gemstone 102 by a layer of adhesive 112, preferably UV curable adhesive, such as UV15X-5 or UV15-7DC, commercially available from Master Bond Inc. of Hackensack, New Jersey or alternatively OG142, commercially available from Epoxy Technology Inc. of Billerica, Massachusetts.
  • adhesive 112 preferably UV curable adhesive, such as UV15X-5 or UV15-7DC, commercially available from Master Bond Inc. of Hackensack, New Jersey or alternatively OG142, commercially available from Epoxy Technology Inc. of Billerica, Massachusetts.
  • the nature of the mounting of the RFED integrated circuit 100 onto the gemstone 102 is such that removal of the RFID integrated circuit 100 either destroys some or all of the functionality thereof or leaves a traceable record on the chip. Destruction of the RFID integrated circuit 100 typically occurs due to partial removal of the metal layer, circuit defining side 110 of the RFID integrated circuit from the remainder of the RFID integrated circuit 100, as the RFID integrated circuit is separated from the gemstone 102.
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified illustration showing UV curing of a chip mounting adhesive, such as adhesive 112 (Fig. 2) via a gemstone in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • adhesive curing radiation 120 such as that emitted by a handheld UV source 122, such as a UVA-26 commercially available from Ultra-Lum Inc. of Claremont, California, or BONDWand 81002 commercially available from PolyTec GMBH of Waldbronn, Germany, passes through the gemstone and through facet 104 (Fig. 1), for curing adhesive 112 between facet 104 and the circuit defining side 110 of RFID integrated circuit 100.
  • a handheld UV source 122 such as a UVA-26 commercially available from Ultra-Lum Inc. of Claremont, California, or BONDWand 81002 commercially available from PolyTec GMBH of Waldbronn, Germany
  • facet 104 Fig. 1
  • a diamond is transmissive to radiation having a wavelength longer than 300 nm and accordingly the UV curable epoxy and UV source may be selected to minimize curing time.
  • Writing into the RFID integrated circuit 100 is preferably permanent and is not capable of being written over and is accomplished by directing modulated IR radiation through the gemstone 102 onto a suitable detector (not shown) forming part of an RFID integrated circuit, such as an MM chip, commercially available from First-Hills Electronic Company of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • an electronic scale 136 is connected to workstation 130 such that the weight of gemstone 102 is automatically entered and may be written to RFID integrated circuit 100.
  • further information may be written into the RFID integrated circuit 100 of a given gemstone 102, which by this time may have been mounted onto a piece of jewelry, such as a ring 138.
  • This additional information may include information relating to the jewelry, such as its item identifier, the total weight of all gemstones on an item of jewelry, certification , date of acquisition, sales price and appraisal value.
  • Fig. 6 is a simplified illustration of part of an integrated information-bearing gemstone information reading system, which may be integrated with the system of Fig. 5 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system functionality shown in Fig.
  • the gemstone-mounted RFID reader 150 includes a gemstone-mounted RFID reader 150, a computer work station 152 which communicates with the reader 150 and preferably but optionally has a connection to a remote or local database 154 via a data network 156, such as the Internet and an output device 158, such as a conventional printer, which can be used for printing some or all of the information contained in a gemstone- mounted RFID 160 read by reader 150.
  • the gemstone-mounted RFID reader 150 is preferably generally in the form of a tablet having formed thereunder an array of RFID interrogation antennas, such as pairs of antenna elements 162. Each pair of antenna elements 162 has a detection region indicated by a dashed circle 164.
  • each dashed circle 164 is typically about 3 - 5 mm.
  • the gemstone-mounted RFID reader 150 may be of the type described hereinbelow with reference to Fig. 8 or of the type shown in Fig. 9 or any other suitable RFID reader.
  • Computer workstation 152 operates reader 150 to interrogate and read the gemstone-mounted RFID 160 in a conventional manner and may store and/or transmit any or all of the information contained therein to database 154 via network 156.
  • the computer workstation 152 may also provide a hard-copy output of any or all of the information, using output device 158, typically in the form of a gemological certificate 166. Reference is now made to Fig.
  • RFID reading electronics 206 typically provides interrogation pulses to the antenna array 190 via RF coupler 202 and RF matrix switch 200 and the controller 204, which preferably includes an interrogation pulse sensor receiving an input from RF coupler 202, operates RF matrix switch 200 to interrogate the plurality of antennas 192 in a suitable order and manner to most time efficiently, power efficiently and reliably read the information on RFID-equipped jewelry irrespective of its precise location on antenna array 190.
  • Fig. 8 is suitable for use with a wide range of commercially available RFID reading electronics and RFID protocols.
  • Fig. 9 is a simplified partially pictorial, partially block-diagram illustration of a RFID reader constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which operative in association with a personal digital assistant (PDA).
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • the reader is preferably embodied in a card 220, which is insertable into a port 222 such as an SDIO port or an SD port, which are commercially available from PalmOne of Milpitas, California or a Compaq Flash I port or a Compaq Flash II port which are commercially available from HP (Compaq) of Palo Alto, California, of a conventional PDA 224.
  • the reader preferably includes an antenna array 230 having a multiplicity of RFID interrogation antennas, such as pairs of dipole antennas 232. Each pair of antennas has a detection region indicated by a dashed circle 234 of diameter typically about 3 - 5 mm.
  • RFID reading electronics 242 typically provides interrogation pulses to the antenna array 230 via RF coupler 238 and RF matrix switch 236 and the controller 240, which preferably includes an interrogation pulse sensor receiving an input from RF coupler 238, operates RF matrix switch 236 to interrogate the plurality of antennas 232 in a suitable order and manner to most time efficiently, power efficiently and reliably read the information on RFID-equipped jewelry irrespective of its precisely location on antenna array 230. It is noted that the apparatus of Fig. 9 is suitable for use with a wide range of commercially available RFID reading electronics and RFID protocols. All or part of the electronic circuitry providing functionalities of the controller 240 and the RFID reading electronics 242 may be located in the PDA 224 rather than on card
  • Antennas 312 preferably communicate via an RF matrix switch 320, such as model SW90-0004A, commercially available from MA-COM of Lowell, Massachusetts, and an RF coupler 322, such as a such as model BDCN-15-25, commercially available from Mini-Circuits of Brooklyn, New- York, with a controller 324, such as a suitably programmed microprocessor such as for example model M68HCO5B8 which is commercially available from Motorola Inc.
  • RF matrix switch 320 such as model SW90-0004A, commercially available from MA-COM of Lowell, Massachusetts
  • an RF coupler 322 such as a such as model BDCN-15-25, commercially available from Mini-Circuits of Brooklyn, New- York
  • controller 324 such as a suitably programmed microprocessor such as for example model M68HCO5B8 which is commercially available from Motorola Inc.
  • RFID reading electronics 326 typically provides interrogation pulses to the antenna array 310 via RF coupler 322 and RF matrix switch 320 and the controller 324, which preferably includes an interrogation pulse sensor receiving an input from RF coupler 322, operates RF matrix switch 320 to interrogate the plurality of antennas 312 in a suitable order and manner to most time efficiently, power efficiently and reliably read the information on gemstone mounted RFIDs irrespective of their precisely location on antenna array 310.
  • Reader 304 preferably communicates with a computer 330, such as computer workstation 152 (Fig. 6).
  • Computer 330 or another computer linked thereto via network 156 (Fig. 6) is operative to monitor the contents of each of the bins 301 and to provide to a display 332 information relating to one or more bins 301, separately or in any combination.
  • Such information may include total bin contents, weight, price, average weight, color, clarity, and classification information in real time.
  • FIG. 11 is a simplified, partially pictorial, partially block-diagram illustration of a jewelry merchandising system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system of Fig. 11 is designed to assist sales personnel in a retail jewelry establishment in interacting with customers, by providing visually and or aurally sensible information to a sales person relating to a given item of jewelry which bears an RFID integrated circuit.
  • a gemstone trader typically works with a customer using a presentation tray 370 and an RFID reader 374.
  • presentation tray 370 includes in a base thereof RFED reader 374.
  • Reader 374 preferably includes an antenna array 380 comprising a multiplicity of RFID interrogation antennas, such as pairs of dipole antennas 382 printed onto a suitable substrate. Each pair of antennas has a detection region indicated by a dashed circle 384 of diameter typically about 3 - 5 mm.
  • Antennas 382 preferably communicate via an RF matrix switch 390, such as model SW90-0004A, commercially available from MA-COM of Lowell, Massachusetts, and an RF coupler 392, such as model BDCN-15-25, commercially available from Mini- Circuits of Brooklyn, New- York, with a controller 394, such as a suitably programmed microprocessor such as for example model M68HCO5B8 which is commercially available from Motorola Inc.
  • RFID reading electronics 396 typically provides interrogation pulses to the antenna array 380 via RF coupler 392 and RF matrix switch 390 and the controller 394, which preferably includes an interrogation pulse sensor receiving an input from RF coupler 392, operates RF matrix switch 390 to interrogate the plurality of antennas 382 in a suitable order and manner to most time efficiently, power efficiently and reliably read the information on gemstone mounted RFIDs irrespective of their precisely location on antenna array 380.

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  • Adornments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une gemme contenant des informations, plus spécifiquement, une gemme et un circuit intégré monté sur la gemme.
PCT/IL2004/000892 2003-09-25 2004-09-23 Identification electronique de gemmes WO2005027677A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US50543303P 2003-09-25 2003-09-25
US60/505,433 2003-09-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005027677A2 true WO2005027677A2 (fr) 2005-03-31
WO2005027677A3 WO2005027677A3 (fr) 2006-02-02

Family

ID=34375576

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL2004/000892 WO2005027677A2 (fr) 2003-09-25 2004-09-23 Identification electronique de gemmes

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2005027677A2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITAR20090002A1 (it) * 2009-01-09 2010-07-10 Arfo Group S P A Etichetta d¿identificazione di prodotti di oreficeria, gioielleria, argenteria e similari
US20110209374A1 (en) * 2010-03-01 2011-09-01 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Identification bracelet with interchangeable segments providing user selectable sizing
EP2803018A4 (fr) * 2012-01-13 2015-09-16 Zydeco Entertainment Llc Accessoires interactifs
IT201700084477A1 (it) * 2017-07-25 2019-01-25 Arfo Group S P A Attrezzatura per la certificazione e il tracciamento di gioielli in oro e relativo processo applicativo
CN110381770A (zh) * 2017-03-02 2019-10-25 古柏林宝石实验室有限公司 一种用于使宝石可追溯的方法
US20240126865A1 (en) * 2022-12-15 2024-04-18 EllansaLabs Inc. System and method for authenticating an integrated circuit using a diamond-based read-only memory

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6536112B1 (en) * 2001-03-13 2003-03-25 Sergio Gutierrez Process for making jewelry incorporating a microchip
US20030121282A1 (en) * 2001-03-23 2003-07-03 Silas Lieberman Interchangeable jewelry setting
US6850160B2 (en) * 2002-05-15 2005-02-01 Walter Rubinstein Gemstone inventory and detection system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6536112B1 (en) * 2001-03-13 2003-03-25 Sergio Gutierrez Process for making jewelry incorporating a microchip
US20030121282A1 (en) * 2001-03-23 2003-07-03 Silas Lieberman Interchangeable jewelry setting
US6850160B2 (en) * 2002-05-15 2005-02-01 Walter Rubinstein Gemstone inventory and detection system

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITAR20090002A1 (it) * 2009-01-09 2010-07-10 Arfo Group S P A Etichetta d¿identificazione di prodotti di oreficeria, gioielleria, argenteria e similari
US20110209374A1 (en) * 2010-03-01 2011-09-01 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Identification bracelet with interchangeable segments providing user selectable sizing
US8296983B2 (en) * 2010-03-01 2012-10-30 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Identification bracelet with interchangeable segments providing user selectable sizing
EP2803018A4 (fr) * 2012-01-13 2015-09-16 Zydeco Entertainment Llc Accessoires interactifs
CN110381770A (zh) * 2017-03-02 2019-10-25 古柏林宝石实验室有限公司 一种用于使宝石可追溯的方法
IT201700084477A1 (it) * 2017-07-25 2019-01-25 Arfo Group S P A Attrezzatura per la certificazione e il tracciamento di gioielli in oro e relativo processo applicativo
US20240126865A1 (en) * 2022-12-15 2024-04-18 EllansaLabs Inc. System and method for authenticating an integrated circuit using a diamond-based read-only memory

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