WO2008050156A2

WO2008050156A2 - Security label and method of labelling an article

Info

Publication number: WO2008050156A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zahir Ahmed
Original assignee: Zahir Ahmed
Priority date: 2006-10-23
Filing date: 2007-10-23
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Also published as: WO2008050156A3; GB0620980D0; GB2443178A

Abstract

The present invention relates to security labels. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to security labels and a method of labelling an article, for the purpose of distinguishing genuine articles from counterfeit articles. Embodiments of the invention provide a label (10) comprising: a blockcode (12) comprising a plurality of indicia, wherein each one of the indicia comprises a block (14) having a width selected from between solely a first width and a second width, the first width being less than the second width, a block (14) of the first width corresponding to a first numerical value and a block (14) of the second width corresponding to a second numerical value.

Description

SECURITY LABEL AND METHOD OF LABELLING AN ARTICLE

The present invention relates to security labels. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to security labels and a method of labelling an article in order to enable counterfeit articles to be distinguished from genuine articles.

It is known to attach identification entities such as tags or labels to articles in order to assist in determining the authenticity of an article. For example, an identification label may be used to determine whether an article is genuine or counterfeit, for example at the point of sale of the article. Identification entities known in the art include tags or labels bearing barcodes and/or alphanumeric characters, RFID transmit/receive modules, and holographic images.

Identification entities comprising barcodes have the advantage that they are generally cheaper to produce than entities comprising RFID devices, since they do not require electrical or electronic components, or a power supply. However, entities comprising

RFID tags or barcodes require electronic reading devices in order for a user to read identification data stored by such entities. In the case of an RFID tag the reader may comprise an RF transmit/receive module. In the case of a barcode, the reader may comprise an optical scanning device.

In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label comprising: a blockcode comprising a plurality of indicia, wherein each one of the indicia comprises a block having a width selected from between solely a first width and a second width, the first width being less than the second width, a block of the first width corresponding to a first numerical value and a block of the second width corresponding to a second numerical value.

This feature has the advantage that an identification code associated with a blockcode may be quickly and conveniently determined by a person viewing the label.

Furthermore, numerical values associated with the indicia can also be read using a relatively simple electronic scanning device similar in construction to those used to read conventional barcodes. This feature also has the advantage that indicia may be readily incorporated into labels constructed from a fabrics material, since the indicia may be made in the form of a simple geometrical shape such as a rectangular figure.

Since the blockcode may be conveniently read by a person viewing the label, it is not necessary to provide alphanumeric characters in combination with the blockcode, in order to enable a person to read the identification code represented by the blockcode.

Thus, in the event that a scanning device is unavailable to read the blockcode, the identification code may still be read by a person.

Preferably, each block comprises a substantially rectangular block..

This feature has the advantage that the blockcode may be easily viewed by a person or by an electronic device in a rapid and efficient manner. Furthermore, relatively low- resolution weaving techniques may be employed in producing fabric labels bearing rectangular blocks or bars or block-like or bar-like elements. More complex indices, such as alphanumeric characters, would require more complex and hence more expensive weaving looms than are necessary to implement a blockcode.

Preferably, the indicia represent a code comprising a sequence of numerical integers. Optionally, the blockcode comprises a plurality of units, each unit corresponding to a numerical integer of the code, each unit comprising one or more indicia.

These features have the advantage that an identification code having a relatively large number of integers may be represented by a blockcode.

Preferably, at least one unit corresponds to a reference unit.

The presence of a reference unit serves to assist a person or a machine in determining the start portion of a blockcode.

Preferably, the reference unit is provided at a start of the code. Preferably, the indicia of a unit of the code are provided in a single row. Preferably, the plurality of units of the code are provided in a single row. These features provide the advantage that a blockcode may be read in a single scan of a user's eyes or a single scan of a machine. Furthermore, a label may be made of a relatively narrow width. If a plurality of rows of blockcode are provided along a length of a label, a width of the label must be made sufficiently large, or the size of the indices made sufficiently small, to fit the indices onto the label.

Preferably, a spacing between adjacent units in a row of code corresponds to a first spacing. A spacing between indicia of a unit may correspond to a second spacing different from the first spacing. The second spacing may be less than or more than the first spacing.

This feature has the advantage units of the code may be more conveniently distinguished, thereby facilitating the reading of the code by a person, or by an electronic device.

Preferably, a unit comprises a plurality of indicia and the numerical integer of the code corresponding to the unit comprises a sum of the numerical values of the indicia of the unit.. Optionally, a unit comprises a single indicium, and the numerical integer of the code corresponding to the unit comprises the numerical value of the indicium.

These features have the advantage that a person reading the code can readily determine a value of each numerical integer of the code.

Preferably, a label comprises a fabrics material. A label may comprise a groundweft of a first type and a groundweft of a second type, the groundweft of the first type corresponding to a background of the label and the groundweft of the second type corresponding to the indicia of the label.

Preferably, the ground weft of the first type corresponds to a first colour and a ground weft of the second type corresponds to a second colour.

These features have the advantage that the identification code may be incorporated into the label as the fabric of the label is woven. The identification code is thereby integrally formed with the label. Removal of the identification code from the label is thereby rendered extremely difficult. This reduces the likelihood of tampering with labels made according to this technique. The first colour may be black and the second colour may be white. This feature has the advantage of providing a relatively high level of contrast between the symbols and a background. Consequently, the symbols may be readily identified by a person reading the code, and by a relatively simple (and low cost) electronic device.

Groundweft of the first type may correspond to a UV-responsive material, and groundweft of the second type may correspond to non-UV-responsive material.

Alternatively groundweft of the first type may correspond to non-UV-responsive material and groundweft of the second type may correspond to a UV-responsive material.

This feature had the advantage that the code may be made visible to the eye or to an electronic device only during exposure to UV radiation.

Alternatively or in addition to a UV-responsive material, materials responsive to radiation in other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum may be used. For example, IR- responsive materials may be used.

The groundweft of the first type and the groundweft of the second type may be substantially indistinguishable under normal lighting conditions.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of labelling an article comprising the steps of: providing a label; and providing a blockcode on the label, whereby the blockcode comprises a plurality of indicia, each one of the indicia comprising a block having a width selected from between solely a first width and a second width, the first width being less than the second width, a block of the first width corresponding to a first numerical value and a block of the second width corresponding to a second numerical value.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

FIGURE 1 shows a series of groups of blocks, corresponding to numerical integers 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0; FIGURE 2 shows a group of blocks corresponding to a START unit;

FIGURE 3 shows an example of an identification code according to the first embodiment; and

FIGURE 4 shows a label comprising a fabrics material during the process of fabricating a label according to the first embodiment.

According to a first embodiment of the invention an identification label 10 (Figure 4) is made from a fabrics material. The fabric is woven using a Jacquard-type loom, and in a manner so as to form a representation of a blockcode 12 in the fabrics material.

The fabrics material is woven using a pair of groundwefts. One groundweft corresponds to a blockcode background, whilst the other groundweft corresponds to a blockcode foreground.

The blockcode is in the form of a series of blocks 4 having only one of two widths. A block of a first width 16 is approximately one third the width of a block of a second width 18. A block of the first width 16 corresponds to the decimal numeral '1 ', whilst a block of the second width 18 corresponds to the decimal numeral '5'.

One or more blocks 14 corresponding to each integer are arranged in 'groups' of blocks 20. Groups of blocks 20 are separated by a second distance, the second distance being equal to the width of a block of the second width 18.

Where a group has more than one block 14, the blocks 14 of the group 20 are separated by a first distance equal to the width of a block of the first width 16. The integer corresponding to a group 20 is calculated by adding the numerical values associated with blocks 14 of the unit. Where the group has only one block, the integer corresponding to the group is equal to the numerical value associated with the block.

For example, the number '1 ' is represented by a single block of the first width, separated from one or more adjacent groups by a distance equal to the second distance. The number '2' is represented by two blocks of the first width, the two blocks being separated by a distance equal to the first distance. The number 7' is represented by a block of the second width and two blocks of the first width, each of the three blocks being separated by a distance corresponding to the first distance.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a series of blocks representing the integers 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0. It can be seen that the first 'group' corresponds to the decimal numerical integer "1 ", the second group corresponds to the decimal numerical integer "2", etc.

In order to enable the first integer of the code to be identified, a 'START' group is placed at the beginning of a series of groups forming an identification code. According to the first embodiment of the invention the START group is as shown in Figure 2. It is composed of a block of the second width having on either side a block of the first width.

Figure 3 shows an example of a blockcode according to the first embodiment of the invention. The blockcode has a START group followed by four groups of blocks. The four groups of blocks correspond respectively to the decimal integers '3', 7', '4' and '5'.

Figure 4 shows a label 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention in a process of manufacture using a Jacquard-type loom.

Warp threads 30 are disposed along a length of the label 10. Groundweft threads (detail not shown) are woven in a conventional manner together with the warp threads 30 thereby to form a representation of the barcode in the label 10.

A label according to the first embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the identification code represented by the blockcode may be conveniently read by a person viewing the label. In addition, the blockcode may be conveniently read by a conventional handheld electronic scanning device adapted to read blockcode according to the first embodiment.

In some embodiments of the invention, the blockcode is woven using groundwefts of a type such that the blockcode is only visible when exposed to UV or other non-visible electromagnetic radiation. For example, the groundweft corresponding to the blockcode background may be dyed with a UV-responsive dye such as a UV-reflective or UV- fluorescent dye, the groundweft being otherwise substantially indistinguishable from the groundweft corresponding to the blockcode foreground. Upon exposure of the label to UV radiation, a person or electronic scanning device viewing the label would then be able to read the identification code.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that in some embodiments of blockcodes according to the invention the first and second distances need not be the same as the first and second distances according to the first embodiment of the invention. Similarly, the first and second widths of blocks according to some embodiments need not be the same as those according to the first embodiment.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A label comprising: a blockcode comprising a plurality of indicia, wherein each one of the indicia comprises a block having a width selected from between solely a first width and a second width, the first width being less than the second width, a block of the first width corresponding to a first numerical value and a block of the second width corresponding to a second numerical value.

2. A label as claimed in claim 1 wherein each block comprises a substantially rectangular block.

3. A label as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the indicia represent a code comprising a sequence of numerical integers.

4. A label as claimed in claim 3 wherein the blockcode comprises a plurality of units, each unit corresponding to a numerical integer of the code, each unit comprising one or more indicia.

5. A label as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one unit corresponds to a reference unit.

6. A label as claimed in claim 5 wherein the reference unit is provided at a start of the code.

7. A label as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the indicia of a unit of the code are provided in a single row.

8. A label as claimed in claim 7 wherein the plurality of units of the code are provided in a single row.

9. A label as claimed in claim 8 wherein a spacing between adjacent units in a row of code corresponds to a first spacing.

10. A label as claimed in claim 9 wherein a spacing between indicia of a unit corresponds to a second spacing different from the first spacing.

1 1. A label as claimed in claim 10 wherein the second spacing is less than the first spacing.

12. A label as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein a unit comprises a plurality of indicia and the numerical integer of the code corresponding to the unit comprises a sum of the numerical values of the indicia of the unit.

13. A label as claimed in claim 1 1 or 12 wherein a unit comprises a single indicium, and the numerical integer of the code corresponding to the unit comprises the numerical value of the indicium.

14. A label as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a fabrics material.

15. A label as claimed in claim 14 comprising a groundweft of a first type and a groundweft of a second type, the groundweft of the first type corresponding to a background of the label and the groundweft of the second type corresponding to the indicia of the label.

16. A label as claimed in claim 15 wherein the groundweft of the first type corresponds to a first colour and the groundweft of the second type corresponds to a second colour.

17. A label as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first colour is black and the second colour is white.

18. A label as claimed in claim 15 wherein groundweft of the first type corresponds to a UV-responsive material and groundweft of the second type corresponds to a non-UV- responsive material.

19. A label as claimed in claim 15 wherein groundweft of the first type corresponds to a non-UV-responsive material and groundweft of the second type corresponds to a UV- responsive material.

20. A label as claimed in claim 19 wherein groundweft of the first type and groundweft of the second type are substantially indistinguishable under normal lighting conditions.

21 . A method of labelling an article comprising the steps of: providing a label; and providing a blockcode on the label, whereby the blockcode comprises a plurality of indicia, each one of the indicia comprising a block having a width selected from between solely a first width and a second width, the first width being less than the second width, a block of the first width corresponding to a first numerical value and a block of the second width corresponding to a second numerical value.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the steps of forming each block in the form of a substantially rectangular block.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 comprising the steps of forming the indicia to represent a code representing a sequence of numerical integers.

24. A method as claimed in claims 23 comprising the steps of forming the blockcode to comprise a plurality of units, each unit corresponding to a numerical integer of the code, each unit comprising one or more indicia.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 comprising the steps of forming at least one unit to correspond to a reference unit.

26. A method as claimed in claim 21 comprising the steps of claim 5 wherein the reference unit is provided at a start of the code.

27. A method as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the indicia of a unit of the code are provided in a single row.

28. A method as claimed in claim 27 wherein the plurality of units of the code are provided in a single row.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 wherein a spacing between adjacent units in a row of code corresponds to a first spacing.

30. A method as claimed in claim 29 wherein a spacing between indicia of a unit corresponds to a second spacing different from the first spacing.

31 . A method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the second spacing is less than the first spacing.

32. A method as claimed in claim 31 wherein a unit comprises a plurality of indicia and the numerical integer of the code corresponding to the unit comprises a sum of the numerical values of the indicia of the unit.

33. A method as claimed in claim 31 or 32 wherein a unit comprises a single indicium, and the numerical integer of the code corresponding to the unit comprises the numerical value of the indicium.

34. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the label comprises a fabrics material.

35. A method as claimed in claim 34 wherein the label comprises a groundweft of a first type and a groundweft of a second type, the groundweft of the first type corresponding to a background of the label and the groundweft of the second type corresponding to the indicia of the label.

36. A method as claimed in claim 35 wherein the groundweft of the first type corresponds to a first colour and the groundweft of the second type corresponds to a second colour.

37. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first colour is black and the second colour is white.

38. A method as claimed in claim 35 wherein groundweft of the first type corresponds to a UV-responsive material and groundweft of the second type corresponds to a non-UV-responsive material.

39. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein groundweft of the first type corresponds to a non-UV-responsive material and groundweft of the second type corresponds to a UV-responsive material.

40. A method as claimed in claim 39 wherein groundweft of the first type and groundweft of the second type are substantially indistinguishable under normal lighting conditions.

41 . A label substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

42. A method of labelling an article substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.