DE4341880A1 - Objects e.g. clothing item control system - Google Patents

Abstract

The identification system enable articles, e.g. items of clothing, to be rapidly checked for authenticity. In addition to normal bar code identification the system uses transponder devices that are permanently attached by bonding or stitching to the item. Identification data is stored in a chip with in the transponder and to accessed by an external reader that supplies the data to a computer. An alternative can be based upon magnetic card or optical memory storage.

Description

The invention relates to a control system for objects according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for Control of objects according to the preamble of the claim 24th

Control systems in which data carriers hold data as informa tion codes that are evaluated externally known. This is how electronic data carriers are used in automa table production on workpieces or workpiece carriers brought to the location of the workpiece or machining Progress or assembly progress with the help of stationary Senso to determine.

In a system known from DE 32 34 345 A1 Formation acquisition are used as electronic data carriers Modules on the workpiece carriers removable or exchangeable arranged, the data abge by means of stationary sensors gropes and used to control production. To For this purpose, the data of the electronic module continuously updated. The data acquisition and data ver work is computer-based.  

Identification codes are also used in a control process Ren used to waste in a waste incinerator be delivered to the system, quantitative and per supplier to be able to evaluate and bill qualitatively (DE 41 17 926 A1).

Furthermore, automatic identification is known of objects with electronic data carriers and external Data acquisition devices as well as a local or central Data processing in the management of animals and objects as well as security and access controls the.

Everyday goods are increasing Barcodes common with automatic data entry tels reading devices, in particular with scanners and reading pens ten, and a computer-aided data evaluation, in particular re for sales accounting and inventory con trolls for reordering.

It is also known that the manufacturers of Markenarti always with unauthorized and mostly qualitatively min equivalent imitations and replicas of their goods and Articles faced that lead to business harm lead and associated with considerable loss of profit are. Such illegal replicas are on the Ge offers high-quality branded goods, especially from Swiss Watches or in the clothing industry, at De designer fashion, increasingly also with and from fabrics manufactured articles, for example brand jeans hold true. The counterfeit cheap products are with near provided with identical or confusable characters, so that the impression of a high quality and recognized Mar kenartikels is given.  

The plagiarism can only be determined in exceptional cases. The fakes themselves, which mostly come from abroad cannot be prevented and the mix-up danger with the branded articles to be protected cannot be excluded.

The invention is based on the object Control system as well as a control procedure to create which an unauthorized imitation of articles, esp in particular of branded articles with generally recognized quality counteract the standard of quality by selling or to protect sale between a plagiarism and one distinguished the article and forged a counterfeit can be shown.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that a computer-aided control system with data carriers, esp special electronic data carriers for marking and er identification of articles to be protected, in particular brands particles, is applied according to claim 1.

The protection of branded articles is in accordance with the procedure Claim 24 reached.

Appropriate training and further training in control systems are contained in subclaims 2 to 23. Advantageous embodiments of the control procedure be write subclaims 25 to 27.

The invention is based on the basic idea of sales restrict unauthorized replicas or to prevent that the articles to be protected, for example wise brand jeans, designer fashion and consumer goods, provided with a forgery-proof identification code be by external readers, possibly also by  Read / write devices can be read as often and at any time can be. The recorded data becomes a computer supported evaluation for control and identification we at least supplied by the manufacturer of the item.

The identification code can be unique as a single item be stored in a data carrier. By this Code after the production of the article, at the latest before ei a first sales, selected and a local or zen central computer station supplied and ge as a control code is saved with the help of data acquisition devices, in particular portable or stationary Readers, for example, in the outlets that Possibility to contact the manufacturer of the item upon delivery, in the event of a sale or other transition by a Confirm comparison with the data of the central memory counterfeiting.

A low expenditure on equipment is advantageous ne clear software and with networking any Access to a local or central computer with the stored data of the manufacturers of branded articles as Control codes.

It is useful to have an organisa for the control system form of the interested brand manufacturers and the po to form potential customers to capture and evaluate processing of the data of the identification codes of the articles protect allowed access.

The control system according to the invention provides that everyone is closed Protect articles with a module as a data carrier which is arranged in or on the article and  in which the data of the identification code electronically, are stored magnetically, optically or mechanically.

The module, for example a particularly small one, electroni Very small data carrier with an individual for each article duel code, which is permanently stored, can be from one external data acquisition device, for example a read station, be activated so that the data to the station be sent.

An article to be protected can expediently with a Be provided module, which with an external writing Reading station exchanges data or its data through Interaction with the external data device can be generated.

As external data acquisition devices can expediently portable or stationary readers or read / write devices te can be used.

Data collection can continue through direct contact the module with the external data acquisition device, for example with a chip card, or without contact.

Non-contact data transmission and acquisition can with the help of HF transmission or by means of magnetic strips take place, with an extension to hybrid technology using optical, acoustic, magnetic, electro-magnetic, induc tive and capacitive components is possible.

For HF transmissions with optical or optoelectronic Components it is useful to secure against failure triggering to define light of a certain wavelength Ren. The module is then usefully with a corresponding filter and a photo / solar cell.  

When using a laser beam, it is advantageous to Securing against false triggering a defined phase position determine. The module is then also with a corresponding filter.

When using acoustic techniques, the module can be used with a Generator be equipped, which sound waves a be agreed frequency and a minimum power in electrical Converts energy with which the transmission of information is started.

When using inductive components for transmission The storage of data by means of HF transmission is in the Module provided a coil or a Hall generator. The Energy for sending out the data of the module can, for example generated by a passing magnet.

A capacitively expanded module contains a capacitor order, which by a counter plate in the external Le segerät over a created medium, for example in one flexible container in front of the counter plate, capacitively charged becomes. This electrical charge activates the disk Module for sending the saved data.

The data can be stored in a data carrier module electronic, magnetic, optical, for example as a holo gram or barcode, and mechanical, especially as Engraving or laser eroding. The for Counterfeit-proof control of branded goods stored data should the manufacturer, if necessary the date of manufacture, the country of delivery and control mark included for system identification. Furthermore, you can a serial number, type and department are saved his.  

When using an electronic module, the Power supply through a contact, a battery, a Solar cell or an acoustically, optically, by heat, in ductive, electro-magnetic, capacitive or magnetic to realize chargeable capacitor.

The use of an HF transponder is particularly useful. Module, hereinafter called transponder, which has a Da transmission without direct contact and line of sight enables. In addition, a transponder is particularly robust and due to its dimensions, for example, in egg A rivet button integrated into an elastic carrier mat embedded, fixed to the inside of a fabric or in a seam or in a hem of a garment be worked. There is also the possibility of a Implement transponder in a chip card, which on Article attached, for example glued into the article and / or sewn in.

Factory data acquisition in a transponder preprogrammable, individual and unchangeable Identification codes are made with the help of readers, which as autonomous, battery powered, portable devices especially for use in sales or at a other transition of a branded item are suitable. It makes sense to have the readers with at least one acoustic or optical element to indicate a fall ver and / or the authenticity of a branded article see so that both the supplier or the seller as also the customer or customer the test or controller can perceive the result clearly.

It is useful that the control system at the manufacturer begins and is about picking, shipping up to every sale and resale or to one other delivery of the article extends so that at for example, thefts can also be detected.  

It is particularly useful to use a write Use reading transponders. If in addition to the id tification code in a read-only memory data of the com missioning etc. are saved, there is the advantage There is an opportunity to store this data in a computer-supported manner Record database and according to various criteria be able to evaluate For example, there is the possibility possibility of computer-aided control and billing already in the production, and also in the com missioning, shipping, sales, warehousing and to trigger repeat orders.

To a read / write transponder to counterfeit protect, it makes sense after reading in data activate a write protection that is based on a defined th memory area can be obtained.

An article, for example a bran, is expedient in addition to the data carrier with the identifi cation code with a customary and prescribed arti Marking

Because transponder modules preloaded with production data are not are visually recognizable, it is e.g. B. in clothing useful in addition to a "lee ren "or only the transponder module loaded with basic data (e.g. rivet button) as before a tag with barcode or OCR labeling for product data, such as Her manufacturer, year of production, model, size, color, serial number mer to use. This product data with a read device, for example a reading pen or a scanner, be read into a computer, z. B. during the Picking around data, customer and shipping apt, expanded.  

It is particularly beneficial to have this information with Ver using a read / write transponder with the help of a Read / write device in the memory of the transponder Article.

In a further development, the reader of the Barcodes or the OCR lettering and the reader for the identification code in a common data acquisition arrange device, which is designed as a handheld device can be. If the product tag is in close proximity the transponder is arranged, there is the possibility a particularly effective data acquisition and transmission. To avoid the transponder reader at the same time the data of another transponder module are recorded, it is provided that a parallel reading from the reader is shown.

If additional sales data is included in a sale Read / write transponders are saved, there is Possibility of later theft of the item to be able to point.

When using a read-only transponder module in which the permanently programmed, unique, non-erasable code is saved as a serial number, it makes sense to enter the individual manufacturers and / or manufacturing companies assign coding groups.

The memory content of the read-only transponder can be arbitrary often and at any time with an appropriate reader be, so the risk of counterfeit products instead to buy the desired branded items, excluded is.  

Appropriately, the media should be on the brands be attached to the articles that removal only with Zer malfunction of the data carrier and at least with a damage delivery of the article is possible.

The control system also sees the use of a magnetic card systems for monitoring and detection of counterfeiting before. Includes a printable card with magnetic stripes the usual product data is magnetically stored. With egg A magnetic card reader / writer is possible speed, data of picking, e.g. B. the customer and that Shipping date, for a complete information in a central Transfer and save computers. When selling the Article can be a fake or the authenticity of the article checked with the magnetic card. For example it is useful to put a magnetic card reader / writer in one to integrate a computer connected cash register. By Interaction with the cash register becomes the magnetic stripe of the card provided with additional information through which a ordinary sale is confirmed.

The invention is illustrated below with reference to embodiments play for control systems further described. The execution Examples of applications relate to applications for a touch loose data transfer.

example 1 Use of an HF transponder module with Read-write function

A garment that comes with the usual tag Provide barcode or OCR labeling for product data receives an HF transponder with reading Write function. This transponder is in one in the Garment glued and sewn in chip card, in a button or in another company specific Accessory implemented.  

For simplified handling during assembly contains the data memory of the transponder at the time the attachment to the garment the manufacturing spec fishing data: manufacturer, assembler and year of manufacture, if applicable. The data storage can made visible or recognizable to the initiate from the outside be, for example, by the color of the chip card.

When picking the items are per customer or Buyers merged using the usual, legible tags poses. For the creation of the shipping documents the each trailer with a reader, one Reading pen or scanner, in a connected computer read. The successful data transfer becomes acoustic and / or optically acknowledged.

From the computer, this data is used for further information, for example customer, shipping date, for a new shipping information related to the respective article. This information will then correspond with one the read / write device in the transponder on the garment transferred and saved. After completing a Acknowledgment.

Are in a particularly advantageous device configuration in a common data acquisition device, which as Handheld device is designed, both a scanner for one Barcode as well as an RF transmitter-receiver integrated. If the usual product tag in the immediate vicinity of the If a transponder is attached, the data acquisition can be be carried out simply. The common data acquisition device is held to the usual, legible trailer and the reading process started. After reading the barcode the data is completed and on in the computer closing via the common data acquisition device in the Transponder transmitted. This transfer will also acknowledged and a write protection in the transponder module ak  activated. This read-write process takes two to three Seconds. A parallel reading in of the data of another nearby transponders is used by the common Data acquisition device prevented by activating a warning lamp fourth. After completion of the picking work the shipping documents printed out.

To check the authenticity of a branded article when Ab The trans ponders with an appropriate reader as often and can be read out without changing the memory content. When billing, the transponder is sent to a Cash register connected read / write device through an Interak provide the checkout with further information, which involves a proper sale. This allows also the items that may have been stolen later easily identified. By connecting the cash register systems to the supplier can sell the items directly tracked and for logistical purposes, for example for an automatic subsequent delivery.

Example 2 Use of an HF transponder module with Read-only function

First, each garment is analogous to example 1 with the previously known and prescribed trailer Provide barcode or OCR labeling for product data. In addition, an HF transponder with a read-only function is available on Attached garment. Since this example is a pair of jeans, the transponder is in a never button integrated and not from outside by third parties recognizable. Due to the transponder, the jeans trousers are felled identifiable as brand jeans because of the Identification code in a central memory as a control code for reviews is available.  

The picking of counterfeit-proof in this way marked items of clothing is analogous to example 1 carried out so that the relevant information, the Da ten of the usual trailer, the identification data of the Read-only transponders and the data of the picking, fed to a computer and stored in it. The identification data of the transponder are serial numbers mern, so that the assignment of the data in a database ge is given, which according to various criteria can be asked.

With a common data acquisition device for the barcode and the identification code of the transponder is as in Example 1 a particularly effective data acquisition and Transfer possible.

The customer or customer can use a reader as Da transponder identification code which can be read out as often and at any time. By that with the database of a local or central computer networked reading device, a counterfeit is immediately detectable.

The creation of invoices when selling can be done through the closed reader and the serial number of the transpon which are also imported. By connecting the Kas sensystems to the supplier can be found in the database of Selling the item directly and for logistic Purposes, e.g. B. an automatic subsequent delivery is used become.

Example 3 Using a magnetic stripe module with Read-write function

When using a magnetic stripe module with read / write This can function in addition to the usual trailer be fixed on a piece of clothing. There is also  Possibility to print this magnetic stripe module on one bare card, this card simultaneously the Contains product data, for example as a barcode. The Collecting and transferring the data of the picking is carried out in the proven manner. Since it is a Module with read and write function, these are new data with an appropriate device on the Magnetic stripe module transferred to the garment and the Acknowledgment of completion of transmission. In a combined, common data acquisition device can be analog for example 1 the read data is completed and then over the magnetic stripe label part of the common Device can be transferred to the magnetic stripe module. A check of the mar takes place at the customer or customer article using the magnetic stripe module and a Reader that is connected to a central computer. The creation of the invoice, the reading of the sales data and the computer-supported, automatic subsequent delivery conditions as in Examples 1 and 2.

Example 4 Use of a magnetic card system

Each garment receives the usual tags with barcode or OCR lettering for Product data, such as manufacturer, year of production, model, Size, color, serial number.

Alternatively, instead of the barcode card, a be printable card with magnetic stripes can be used in which magnetically stores the above data are.

When picking the individual items for a specific customer based on the readable tags set. For the creation of the shipping documents  the respective trailer with a reader in egg read a connected computer. The successful one Data transfer is acknowledged acoustically and / or optically.

When using a printable card with magnetic stripes is, this is in the magnetic card reader-writer introduced and its data read into the computer. Of the Computer extends this data with further information, such as Customer and shipping date for a new overall information for the respective article. This information is then on a new or on the already introduced magnetic card transfer. If a new magnetic card is created, then attached to the article and after completion the shipping documents are taken out of the commissioning work prints. To check the item at the customer can Magnetic card with an appropriate reader as often as you like to be read.

When creating the invoice at the (computer) cash register is read via the connected magnetic card read / write Device by interacting with the magnetic stripe till with additional information, which one ordinary sale confirmed.

By connecting the cash register system to the supplier the sale of the items is tracked directly and for logisti cal purposes, e.g. B. an automatic subsequent delivery become.

Example 5 Use of a chip card system

Instead of the printable card with magnetic strips from the Bei game 4 can be used a printable chip card the one in which the product data is stored. The Picking procedure, data transfer and evaluation, the preparation of shipping documents, the  Customer procedures including accounting and the connection of the cash register system to the supplier for logistical purposes are analogous to example 4.

Example 6 Using a module with an optical Storage

A module with an optical memory can be made of metal, egg Nem ceramic material or the like exist. A manufacture ler-specific identification code is generated using a Laser beam eroding device in a storage layer of the Module enrolled. The storage layer is then with an infrared filter or with a transparent one ten, for example a lacquer, glass or ceramic layer, Mistake. The identification code is read with With the help of an optoelectronic scanning system. The comparison with the control code is computer-aided.

A button or an accessory can be used as an erodible module a branded article, in particular a piece of clothing, be used. The eroding itself is in a pre direction carried out in which the button and the like can be positioned exactly as a module. An analog butt Sitioning device is on the readout device as data acquisition device provided. If different accessories or modules are to be checked with a recording device, it is recommended to use a replaceable cradle to arrange for positioning.

To simplify data collection, a scan can be done direction, which is not a defined position needed for the module.

Claims (27)

1. Control system for objects with data carriers on which data can be stored as an identification code, and with external devices for data acquisition and computer-aided data processing, characterized in that
that the control system is used to protect against unauthorized copying and replication of articles, in particular branded articles,
that each article to be protected is provided with a data carrier and that at least manufacturer-specific data are stored as identification code in the data carrier, which can be checked at any time and as often as required with the external devices for data acquisition and computer-aided data processing to identify an article. 2. Control system according to claim 1, characterized, that as a data carrier a module in or on an article is arranged, in which the data of the Identifika tion codes electronic, magnetic, optical or me are stored mechanically, and that the data of all Article centrally recorded as control code and for con trolls of the authenticity of an article are available.   3. Control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized, that the data is permanently stored in the module and from a external data acquisition device can be activated or that the data in the module through interaction with the external Data acquisition device can be generated. 4. Control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized, that data acquisition by contacting the module with an external device. 5. Control system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized, that data acquisition is contactless, for example by means of HF signal, optically, acoustically, magnetically, electro-magnetic, inductive or capacitive Components and reading devices. 6. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims 2 to 5, characterized, that the articles with electronic modules as Da are provided and that the energy supply an electronic module through direct contact, with the help of a battery, a solar cell or with an egg A capacitor takes place, which is acoustically, optically, by heat, inductive, electro-magnetic, capacitive or is magnetically chargeable.   7. Control system according to claim 6, characterized, that as an electronic module a transponder in or arranged on an article or in the article is integrated and that the data of the transponder with a contactlessly detectable and computer can be evaluated supported. 8. Control system according to claim 7, characterized, that a read-only transponder is arranged, the fixed programmed data as unique and at least to the Iden manufacturer's certification and that the data when picking the items, shipping and with every sale or every other handover of the Articles are detectable and controllable. 9. Control system according to claim 7, characterized, that a read / write transponder with fixed programming th data of the manufacturer is arranged, in which further data on picking, on the sale of the Ar tikels and the like with external read / write Devices are readable. 10. Control system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized, that a transponder in accessories, in a seam or in a rivet button of an item, for example  a textile garment, is attached or in the material of the item or in an elastic Backing material that can be connected to the article, is embedded. 11. Control system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized, that implemented a transponder in a chip card which is attached in or on the article, for example is glued and / or sewn. 12. Control system according to claim 11, characterized, that the chip card with the implanted transponder near a tag of the item with barcode or OCR labeling for product data is arranged that a reader of the barcode and the reader of the Trans ponders in a common data acquisition device are arranged and that he with the common device recorded data of the barcode or OCR lettering and the identification code of the transponder according to the Er version can be fed to a central computer and as Da tenbank can be evaluated according to various criteria. 13. Control system according to claim 12, characterized, that for a read / write transponder a write Reading device in the common data acquisition device is arranged and that the data of the barcode or the OCR Labeling after recording and a possible loading work in the computer parallel to reading the trans ponders can be transferred to the transponder.   14. Control system according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized, that the device for reading the data of a transponder is set up and that a parallel reading of a other transponders recognizable on the device and prevented is. 15. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims 9 to 14, characterized, that after reading more data into the write le se transponder write protection, at least for one defined memory area, can be activated. 16. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the programmed data and the other Da for computer-aided control and billing of Picking and / or shipping and / or the Billing can be used. 17. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the data of the data carrier for the sales confirmation and at the same time for inventory updates and out order can be used.   18. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the data carrier attached to an article is detachable or only by destroying the data carrier from the article is removable. 19. Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that fixed in the identification code of the disk pro grammed data as a control character or identifier or Coding groups for the different manufacturers, Manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and others re data can be specified. 20. Control system according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 6, characterized, that as a data carrier a magnetic strip module, at is arranged for example on a card, in which Magnetic stripe module in addition to the identification co de the product data and other manufacturer-specific Details of the usual barcode or OCR lettering stored that the data of the magnetic stripe mo duls can be detected with a magnetic card reader / writer and can be updated and that data from the commission tion, shipping and sales item-related and manufacturer-specific can be recorded and evaluated.   21. Control system according to claim 20, characterized, that the data of a magnetic stripe module any number of times that can be recorded and evaluated with the aid of a computer regular sale of the item in the magnetic stripe Module readable, computer-aided evaluation and for lo statistical purposes, for example for automatic Subsequent delivery, is usable. 22. Control system according to claim 2, characterized, that the module has an optical memory, in which the identification code by laser eroding registered and protected is, and that the stored data with a optoelectronic scanning system detectable and can be evaluated with the aid of computers. 23. Control system according to claim 22, characterized, that as a module with an optical memory Accessory, especially a company-specific accessory soire of an article, for example a button with which optically stored identification code is provided and that the module when writing and reading the Identification codes in an almost identical arrangement tion, for example in a positioning device, is held.   24. Procedures for inspecting objects where the Objects are provided with data carriers whose as Identification codes stored data with external Devices are recorded and evaluated with computer support, characterized, that branded articles are used as objects, that to protect the branded articles at the latest before the first Negotiation of sales or other handover of the brands Article a data carrier, in particular an electronic disk, attached to or on each branded item is ordered that in particular manufacturer-specific Da each as a tamper-proof identification code Articles that are stored in the disk that the Identification code data with data acquisition read devices and a central computer as Kon Trollcode are supplied and that in a sale or in the case of a transition of the article the identity is checked by the identification code of the Da carrier with an external recording device, esp especially a contactless reader read and with that stored in the central computer Control code is compared. 25. The method according to claim 24, characterized, that as a data carrier a read-write module, in particular re a read / write transponder, in or on each arti kel is attached that in the read / write transponder manufacturer-specific data as identification code are permanently stored and that the manufacturer-specific data by data of the picking, the ver sandes, delivery, accounting and Sales that can be expanded to a barcode or  OCR code of a normal trailer of the article and the Identification code of the electronic data carrier with a combined reader almost simultaneously and read out in parallel, edited after reading and processed in the read / write module, for example the read / write transponder is written in, that reading out another transponder un is connected and that when the article is transferred, e.g. B. in a sale, identification by is performed by reading out the data and using the stored as a control code in a central computer Data of the identification codes are compared and that additional data is also available for updating will be. 26. The method according to claim 25, characterized, that write protection for the entire memory area or a defined area of memory electronic data carrier is activated. 27. The method according to claim 25, characterized, that control marks are given for certain companies those with a delete and / or write protection be provided.