Registers – Records – Particular code pattern
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-17
2001-01-23
Le, Thien M. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Records
Particular code pattern
C427S007000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176434
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system for marking a solid object for identification. More specifically it relates to a method and system of marking a solid object with identification which is durable, unique, substantially tamper proof, easy to incorporate into an object to be identified and easy to read when desired. In this specification, dynamic surface means a precision machine contact surface subject to rolling, sliding or pressure contact, such as gear surfaces, piston and cylinder surfaces, gun barrels etc.
2. Description of the State of the Art
Systems for identification of solid objects have been in use for many years and have taken on many forms. Putting serial numbers on objects either on a separate label or as part of the object have been common practice. Often the systems for marking have made the identification markings part of the object during the manufacturing process by making the identification part of the molding process used to form the object. Holes forming patterns on a portion of the object to be identified have also been used together with attempts to attach them, so they are not easily removed or altered.
Most of these identification systems are subject to alteration or tampering, often the serial or identification markings can be removed by grinding, abrading or altered without noticeable indications that such has happened. This inability to indelibly mark an object has been particularly acute with respect to firearms and automobiles. This has added to the burden of the police, since firearms are often the subject of criminal activity or used in the commission of a crime. The existing schemes for identification have a number of deficiencies, in that none are really tamper proof. Also, attempts to make them tamper proof have tended to make the manufacturing process difficult, costly and complex.
Thus, what is needed, is a durable unique and substantially tamper proof system of marking an object for easy identification. Additionally, such a system must not interfere with the manufacturing process, be easy to implement in a cost effective manner and be easily and quickly read when the need to do so arises.
SUMMARY
It is an object of the present invention to provide a durable, secure and substantially tamper proof identification system. In brief, the object of the present invention is achieved by placing on a dynamic surface, such as a precision machine contact surface, markings which do not affect the function or structural integrity of the surface. The markings are placed in a readable pattern. Additionally, the markings are fabricated such that they are tamper proof, in that any attempt to deface, alter or grind away the markings is immediately noticeable and will result in a severe degradation or outright destruction of the function of the object marked for identification.
According to the system of this invention, there is provided a durable, secure and substantially tamper proof identification system of the present invention placed on a dynamic surface of an object to be identified. The markings of the identification system comprise small deep holes so that it does not affect the operation of or the structural integrity of the object so marked. However, any attempts to remove or deface the markings of the identification system can degrade or destroy the function of the object and any attempt to alter or change the markings is readily discoverable.
Additionally, the holes are arranged in a unique code. The holes themselves can have a predetermined shape which can include circle, cross, star, square, triangle, polygon or similar geometrical shape.
In yet another aspect of the system of this invention, the holes are minute, meaning that the holes are very small, needing to be inspected using an optical aid, and do not interfere with the structure or operation of the surface marked for identification, as for example 0.050 inches in diameter to 0.0010 inches in diameter or even much smaller. Additionally, the holes may be 0.010 inches deep or much deeper depending on the thickness of the surface on which the holes are being implanted. The small deep holes being such that they do not interfere with the structure or operation of the device marked for identification. However, attempts to remove the holes by grinding or otherwise requires the removal of a significant portion of the surface that such action seriously degrades the operation of the object or in fact destroys it for all practical purposes.
In yet another aspect of the system of this invention the code created with the markings in the present invention can be formed into a binary code where the holes or the absence of holes represent the binary one or zero. The code of holes and blank areas can be set up in a linear array or some other geometrical shape including a matrix, circle or similar shape. The code can include a check sum as part of the code to prevent tampering. Also, the code can be set up such that the presence or absence of a hole in a particular spot with respect to a reference mark can provide the key for the code.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the indentations or holes of the code are fabricated on the selected surface by electrical discharge machining. This allows for implanting the identification markings on any object made up of an electrically conductive material. Firearms provide one class of items where this system of identification provides unique advantages. Specifically, tremendous advantages can be obtained by placing the markings which make up this invention on the inside of a barrel of the firearm; such as on the trailing edge of a land area. The markings can also be used on other objects which have precision machine contact surfaces such as the inside cylinder wall of an engine block.
According to the invention there is also provided a method for creating a durable, secure and substantially tamper proof identification marking system comprising locating a dynamic surface on an object to be identified; determining on which portions of this surface markings can be placed without affecting the function or structural integrity of the object; placing at least one marking on the surface in a readable pattern, so that removal degrades or destroys operation of the of the object so marked, and alteration is immediately detectable.
In another aspect of the method of this invention, fabricating the markings consists of making indentations on the selected surface which generally consists of small deep holes. Additionally, when fabricating the holes they are arranged into a unique code. The holes themselves can be fabricated with a predetermined shape which can include circle, star, cross, square, triangle, polygon or similar geometrical shape.
In yet another aspect of the method of this invention fabricating the holes includes making the holes minute, as small as 0.0010 inches in diameter or even much smaller and deep, as deep as 0.010 inches or much deeper depending on the thickness of the surface on which the holes are being implanted. Making the holes minute: such as small in diameter but deep assures that they do not interfere with the structure or operation of the device marked for identification. However, attempts to remove the holes by grinding, or otherwise, requires the removal of a significant portion of the surface that such action seriously degrades the operation of the object or in fact destroys it for all practical purposes.
In yet another aspect of the method of this invention it includes forming the holes into a binary code where the holes or their absence represent a binary one or zero. Additionally, the forming of the holes or their absence into a code can include forming it into a linear array or some other geometrical shape including a matrix, circle or similar shape. The code can include forming a check sum as part of the code, when needed, to prevent tampering. Also, the forming of the code can include arranging it such that the presence or absence of a hole in a particular spot with respect to a re
Forensic Technology (Wai) Inc.
Le Thien M.
Swabey Ogilvy Renault
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