Product Packaging Including Digital Data

Abstract

Light sensitive materials applied in shipping materials, including security seals and tear tape, for authentication, discrimination and recognition of items.

1 . A tape having a first longitudinal surface and a second longitudinal surface comprising: a layer comprising light-sensitive material on said second longitudinal surface, a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on said layer of light-sensitive material, a release agent on said first longitudinal surface.  
     
     
         2 . The tape of  claim 1  wherein the light-sensitive material is an optical state change security material.  
     
     
         3 . The tape of  claim 2  wherein the optical state change security material is a transient optical state change security material.  
     
     
         4 . A band of material having a first longitudinal surface and a second longitudinal surface, either or both of said longitudinal surfaces being coated with layer of light-sensitive material.  
     
     
         5 . The band of material of  claim 4  wherein the light-sensitive material is an optical state change security material.  
     
     
         6 . The band of material of  claim 5  wherein the optical state change security material is a transient optical state change security material.  
     
     
         7 . A method for verifying an authentication mark comprising transient optical state change security material, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) illuminating the authentication mark with a wavelength causing said transient optical state change security material to change optical state from a first optical state to a second optical state;    (b) determining the time it takes for reversion of the transient optical state change security material from said second optical state to said first optical state;    (c) comparing the time in step (b) with a reference time for optical state change to verify the authentication mark.    
     
     
         8 . A method for providing an authenticity mark on an item, said method comprising the steps of: 
 incorporating onto the packaging of a product a light-sensitive security material activated by a defined wavelength of light;    exposing said light-sensitive security material to said defined wavelength of light in a manner so as to form changes in the light-sensitive security material decipherable as digital data.    
     
     
         9 . A method of authenticating an item associated with a packaging, said packaging having digital data recorded thereon in the form of activated light-sensitive security material, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) scanning the package with an optical reader to decipher the digital data represented by the activated light-sensitive security material on said packaging;    (b) authenticating the item if the digital data of step (a) matches a standard of digital data that should be on a genuine item.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said light-sensitive security material is a transient optical state change security material.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said light-sensitive security material is a recording dye.  
     
     
         12 . A method of providing an authenticity mark on an item having incorporated thereon digital information in discernible optically recorded forms, said method comprising the step of: overlaying a transient optical state change security material capable of existing in a first optical state and a second optical state over said optically recorded forms.  
     
     
         13 . A method for authenticating an authenticity mark on an item comprising a transient optical state change security material overlaid on optically recorded forms of digital information, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) reading said digital information when said transient optical state change security material is in said first optical state and said second optical state;    (b) comparing said digital information read in said first optical state and said second optical state with a reference read of said digital information on an authentic item in both of said first and said second optical state.