Object marking method.

The invention relates to a method of in the preamble of the specified kind claim 1 and a device for Performing the method.

It is known objects with under optically readable In to provide formations, it is that this the identifi serve tion or mean implied additional information keep that counter in conjunction with the relevant stand of utility.

The information patterns by printing and / or Be stick to a suitable point at which the information verse Henden object positioned.

From FR-PS 2,560,119 a process is especially be known, the so-called means of a stream laser head is working. It passes the object to be marked with means of a conveyor belt in front of the stream laser printhead. By means of a microprocessor-controlled device the laser head for sequentially generating a pre-admit positioned NEN writing pattern and out. Here are For example, a predetermined number of the letters and digits after its coordinates in position PRE- ben. Three photoelements same time checking the position of to characterizing the object on the conveyor belt. If it has reached after a given position switches the Stream laser printhead and wears Markie tion marks pointwise on surface material. A Grid matrix consists for example of thirty ho tal and thirty vertical dots. A nachge switched reader then checks the Quali ity of the mounted flag.

Another method used to protect money seem and securities against counterfeiting and is known from FR-PS 2560119 known. This method is based on that on the material surface a fluorescent substance in a predetermined concentration is applied. Here when it can be both individual areas and to the entire surface of the bill or the paper act. During subsequent illumination of such treated Ma is terials with radiation of a predetermined wavelength is an illumination of the fluorescent substance in a characteristic range within the visible or generates the ultraviolet part of the spectrum.

Another method for encrypted protection and individualizing identification of documents a reproduction on copiers excludes ba Siert on the use of special dyes having ho hem reflectivity in a predetermined part of the Spectrum, and is known from US-PS 3,852,088. Of the selected spectral range is this characteristic for a particular type of electrostatic Kopiergerä th, so that this color is not at normal viewing occurs especially in appearance, after copying means a copier in the copy but considerably ago vortritt. Here, however, the dye absorbs part Radiation of other wavelengths for copiers different type characteristic, so that here the Protective effect is reduced. On the other hand, the color the document paper are chosen so that there is a by special highlight color is masked. All these Measures mean that when copying the document the flag under certain conditions not are reproduced.

In all the aforementioned methods have in common that the like patterns not tamper-proof to a sufficient extent are formed, which means that these patterns or imitated can be changed, which is usually made of rei is accordingly, an existing pattern of another (Genuine or authentic marked) Subject to take. The technology makes it üblicherwei se no difficulties since by conventional printing techniques working devices are freely available commonly.

Based on the deficiencies of the prior art is the invention seeks to provide a method of a initially mentioned generic indicate which among avoid tion of the aforementioned disadvantages creates the possibility of labeling without special chemical or mechanical cal treatment on almost any nonmetallic Objects destructive and essentially FAEL Research securely attach and read again.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of Claims 1 and 13 is released.

The invention includes the observation that by On share the characteristic marking of an object in two information pattern with different Discoverable bility, wherein the for the identification of the object essential information in an invisible Infor contained mationsmuster, a substantial increase in Forgery security can be achieved, since by Mani pulation visible identification alone is not effec is me falsification possible.

In an advantageous development of the invention it is low that only by making physical changes optical properties of the material to be treated in non-visible range of the optical spectrum in ver different materials without changing their Physo chemical structure information patterns can be generated, wel che not destroyed under the influence of external factors who the can and without any technical aid for the human being Liche eye are not visible. The process produces as at by conventional means not copyable Markie ments on objects by means of coherent, hochintensi ver, pulsed radiation, which also usual Funds can not be manipulated.

In the inventive method, it is particularly low that neither the material surface to the behan delnden object nor its structure be damaged the. This has the advantage on the one hand, in that the in normal light is not visible to information patterns any, near the under normal light placed visible information pattern located place can be. The visible information pattern deceives a dealt with forgery intentions person on the existence another mark, and thereby ensuring in the invisible information pattern existing labeling additionally.

In particular, the marking of the article is egg with nem invisible information pattern by means of high energy rich pulse radiation generated, wherein the irradiation with takes place in a wavelength range of 250 to 450 nm. By varying the charging voltage of the pulse train frequency, local residence or write speed and / or the spot diameter of the laser beam whose Radiation energy is set such that the local Be radiation quantity a for achieving a lasting characteristic drawing the necessary threshold exceeds, where simultaneously the integral converted into thermal energy energy is adjusted such that, taking into account the heat dissipation, the local heating below a Tem temperature remains at a substantial permanent defor tion or other modification of the material to the behan delnden article occurs.

The marking thus produced which consists of a, during normal Light invisible information pattern exists, then advantageously by means of an illumination system with the light wavelength close to the resonance absorption made wavelength of the labeled material or visible read. The use of ultraviolet light particularly favorable.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are in are in the dependent claims and below together with the description of the preferred embodiments the invention based on the figures in more detail. It show:

<b>Fig.</b> 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the method used according to the apparatus for marking and identification of an object in cal matic representation,

<b>Fig.</b> 2 the schematic representation of an advantageous of an arrangement of information patterns to the inventive method,

<b>Fig.</b> 3 to 7 advantageous developments of in <b>Fig.</b> 2 Shown,

<b>Fig.</b> 8 shows an embodiment of a device for Carrying out the process in the block diagram,

<b>Fig.</b> 9 an advantageous development of the in <b>Fig.</b> 8th Apparatus and shown

<b>Fig.</b> 10 another favorable further development of in <b>Fig.</b> 8 device shown.

In the <b>Fig.</b> 1 shown in a perspective view Device for marking and recognizes the Item marked according to the method <b>9</b> consists substantially from a radiation source <b>1</b> to produce an invisible information pattern <b>6</b> by Be radiate the surface of the characterizing counter Related <b>9</b> in the marking area with high-energy laser light having a wavelength close to the resonance wavelength (Maximum spectral absorption), a well as the ultravio letten light sensing area illumination device <b>2</b> for visualizing the invisible in normal light information pattern <b>6</b>, An optical system <b>3</b> to sto preparation of the information patterns <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> in lighting device with a light beam <b>7</b> certain wavelength re inflected light <b>8th</b>Two radiation detectors <b>4.1</b>. <b>4.2</b> having different resonance frequencies and (in the <b>Fig.</b> 8th to 10 shown) electronic means for Evaluation of the detectors <b>4.1</b>. <b>4.2</b> recorded optical signals.

The application of in normal light in wavelengths range of 380 to 760 nm visible information pattern <b>5</b> is carried out by gluing, printing or by permanent mechanical deformation of the surface of the characterizing nenden article <b>9</b>, The unsicht in normal light bare information patterns <b>6</b> is by irradiating the characterizing the object <b>9</b> light having a wavelength in the vicinity of the maximum spectral absorption of the The material from which the article <b>9</b> is generated and in the vicinity of the visible information pattern <b>5</b> placed.

The reading of the information patterns <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> contains NEN information is performed with a broadband Be lighting device <b>2</b> in a read cycle. A, with two different wavelength ranges working Be lighting device <b>2</b> on the other hand requires two read cycles each with a different, on the respective information patterns <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> tuned wavelength (X₁ = 1 / f₁ or λ₂ = 1 / f₂). The wavelength λ₂ lies in the ultraviolet range of the spectrum. On read-out the lighting device <b>2</b> and the method according to marked object is moving relative to each other.

The possibilities of an advantageous arrangement of the two different information of recognizable patterns <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> is in the <b>Fig.</b> 2 to 7 shown in schematic form. After that it is favorable, the two information patterns <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> in a plane on the surface <b>15</b> to identify the the article <b>9</b> to arrange. The information pattern<b>5</b>. <b>6</b> preferably as a bar code <b>16</b>. <b>17</b> formed and are either next to each other in series lying (<b>Fig.</b> 2) or lying parallel one above the other (<b>Fig.</b> 3). It is possible in an advantageous manner that the bar code <b>17</b> the visible information pattern <b>5</b> with the corresponding code elements <b>16</b> the only illumination visible with ultraviolet light information pattern <b>6</b> completely coincide (<b>Fig.</b> 2).

To the marking area advantageously in area to shrink, the information pattern can <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> also one another are interleaved, wherein the elements <b>16</b>. <b>17</b> the bar-coding not overlap. The nesting is longitudinally (<b>Fig.</b> 4) or transversely to the longitudinal extension of the infor mationsmuster <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> (<b>Fig.</b> 5) useful.

Moreover, it is a favorable reduction of Markie tion area by arranging the information pattern <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> in superposed planes on the surface <b>15</b> and in the shell <b>19</b> of to characterizing body <b>9</b> possible. The readability of the non-visible information pattern <b>6</b> at a potential areal overlap of the code elements <b>16</b>. <b>17</b> secure, have the elements <b>17</b> of Bar codes of the visible information pattern <b>5</b> a sufficient transparency for the for visualizing information pattern <b>6</b> required ultraviolet light on. In the<b>Fig.</b> 6 (sectional view) and 7 (top view) this form of arrangement of the information pattern <b>5</b>. <b>6</b> shown in schematic form.

The <b>Fig.</b> 8 to 10 show respectively a block circuit diagram the arrangement of reading out the marked in on the recorded article <b>9</b> provided information patterns.

correspondingly <b>Fig.</b> 8 takes the reading of Infor mation in a read cycle. The lighting device<b>2</b> generates a light having a bandwidth, the two, on the individual information patterns tuned wavelengths (Or frequencies f₁ and f₂) Contains. Launched by the correspondingly <b>Fig.</b> 8 takes the reading of Informa nen in a read cycle. The lighting device<b>2</b> generates a light having a bandwidth, the two, on the individual information patterns tuned wavelengths (Or frequencies f₁ and f₂) Contains. Launched by the Be lighting device <b>2</b> emitted light <b>7</b> falls on the Marking area of ​​the body marked <b>9</b> and we reflected there. The reflected light<b>8th</b> happened a optical beam Mineral processing device <b>3</b> and thereafter of a wide-band radiation detector <b>4</b> in electrical cal signals of the same frequency converted. That the Strah ment detector <b>4</b> Subordinated double filter <b>14</b> separates the in frequency the individual information patterns supplied arrange ten volumes of information. These are in the stage<b>12</b> With linked to one another and in the evaluation unit <b>13</b> is shows.

The use of a double filter, in application a single read cycle omitted if the reflected light <b>8th</b> after leaving the jet Mineral processing device <b>3</b> two radiation detectors with resonance points of Sensitivity is supplied to the corresponding to the Wavelengths (or frequencies f₁ and f₂) the individual Information patterns are matched (<b>Fig.</b> 9).

In <b>Fig.</b> 10 is a circuit arrangement shown, with the readout of the information pattern in two cycles takes place. This requires that Beleuchtungsein direction <b>2</b> is on two, to the visible and the invisible information pattern matched wavelengths areas (.lambda..sub.i = 1 / f₁ and λ2 = 1 / f₂) Switchable. Of the radiation detector <b>4</b> has for both wavelengths sufficient sensitivity. The anste at its output Henden electrically equivalent signals are on the filter <b>10.1</b> and <b>10.2</b>Whose resonant frequencies with f₁ or. f₂ match, the link unit <b>12</b> supplied and then in the evaluation unit <b>13</b> displayed.

The timing of the two read cycles adapted takes place Caching the detected information signals the first read cycle in the short term (duration of the second reading cycle) in a memory <b>11</b>To coincide with the two in th read cycle detected signals in the join unit <b>12</b> to be further processed.

The invention is not limited in its execution on the above-described preferred Ausführungsbei game. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable, which of the described solution even for basically different configurations makes use.