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Methods and systems for identifying inkRelated Patent Categories: Radiant Energy, Invisible Radiant Energy Responsive Electric Signalling, Infrared ResponsiveMethods and systems for identifying ink description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070102635, Methods and systems for identifying ink. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is related to a patent application entitled, "Methods for Tagging and Authenticating Inks Using Compositions" (Attorney Docket No. 200309791-2), filed on even date with this application. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to methods for identifying inks. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for tagging or adding a detectable marker to an ink. Further, the present invention relates to methods for authenticating ink samples by probing the ink for the presence of the detectable marker in an ink sample. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Inkjet printers operate by placing small droplets of ink onto a medium, (e.g., a sheet of paper) to create an image. Inks used in inkjet printers are typically stored in and dispensed from one or more inkjet cartridges that are specific for the inkjet printer with which they are used. Once the ink in the inkjet cartridge has been used, the cartridge must be replaced or refilled. Refilling of inkjet cartridges is a relatively simple task and refill kits are readily available. [0004] The ease with which inkjet cartridges may be refilled lends itself to a high susceptibility for counterfeiting. This can lead, for instance, to damage to the reputation of an ink manufacturer if in an inkjet cartridge is replaced with a counterfeit ink of inferior quality and sold with the manufacturer's label attached to the cartridge. Additionally, counterfeiting may lead to large expenditures of warranty monies paid out by an ink manufacturer if, for example, an authentic ink of the ink manufacturer is replaced with a counterfeit ink, or diluted, and then returned to the manufacturer accompanied by a complaint of substandard ink quality. [0005] Techniques have been developed for tagging various articles to prevent counterfeiting or at least reduce the incidence thereof. For instance, the various articles may be tagged with code-bearing micro-particles, bulk chemical substances, or radioactive substances. However, tagging techniques that are applicable to other articles or materials are not necessarily suitable for tagging inks. Inks are typically formulated to provide maximum performance in terms of, among other traits, color, physical and chemical properties, and interaction of the ink with the medium on which they are printed. [0006] Some identification techniques for tagging and tracing materials such as inks, paintings, explosives, pollutants, and other articles exist. These techniques may employ inorganic salts, ultraviolet (UV) absorbers, nucleic acids or metals as a tag, wherein the tag is used to identify or authenticate the tagged material. Analytical tools. used to detect these tags or traces include paper chromatography, UV-visible spectrophotometers, X-ray microanalysis or electrophoresis. [0007] Although these techniques may enable the detection or quantification of the tagged material, the incorporation of the tag into the ink may hinder ink development by the ink manufacturer. For instance, ensuring printer performance is an expensive and time-consuming process for the ink manufacturer and the prevention of counterfeiting inks further frustrates the goal of ensuring printer performance. [0008] While some metal and other multi-valent salts may have utility in tagging certain articles, they are not suitable for tagging inks used in thermal ink-jet printers because trace amounts of unwanted cations such as Fe3+, Cr3+ and Si4+ may cause mis-directed ink drops or misfiring of the ink jet nozzles. Further, the use of UV absorbent materials or other fluorescent brighteners may add unwanted effects to color appearances of the ink or may fade upon prolonged exposure to light. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one embodiment, a method for identifying an ink comprises obtaining a sample of the unidentified ink and subjecting the sample of the unidentified ink to infrared light capable of causing a detectable marker, if present, in the sample of the unidentified ink to fluoresce. The method further includes determining whether fluorescence emitted from the sample of the unidentified ink, if any, corresponds to fluorescence of an authentic ink known to include the detectable marker. [0010] In an additional embodiment, a method for tagging an ink includes providing an ink comprising a colorant visible under visible light. The method further includes mixing the ink with a detectable marker capable of fluorescing when subjected to infrared light, such that the detectable marker is present in the ink at a concentration of between about 10 ppm and about 10000 ppm. [0011] In another embodiment, a method for deterring the incidence of ink counterfeiting is described. The method includes adding a detectable marker capable of fluorescing when subjected to infrared light or a tagging composition having at least one isotope of an element to an ink, thus producing an authentic ink. The method further includes obtaining an ink sample, exposing at least part of the ink sample to infrared light or determining whether the unidentified ink includes an abundance of at least one isotope, and determining whether the ink sample includes the detectable marker. [0012] An ink composition is disclosed in yet another embodiment. The ink composition includes a colorant visible under visible light and means for fluorescing the same when subjected to infrared light, wherein the means for fluorescing is present in the ink composition at a concentration of between about 10 ppm and about 10000 ppm. [0013] In yet a further embodiment, a system for identifying an unidentified ink includes a separation means for separating a detectable marker, if present, from a component of the unidentified ink. The system also includes a light source for producing infrared light and an infrared viewer for detecting fluorescence generated by the detectable marker, if present, when subjected to the infrared light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is chart which illustrates the .sup.6Li isotope count, .sup.7Li isotope count, and .sup.6Li .sup.7Li isotope ratio of a number of authentic ink samples tagged with one embodiment of a detectable marker including 10 ppb .sup.6Li isotope and a corresponding number of ink samples which have been adulterated by 20% so that they contain 8 ppb .sup.6Li; [0016] FIG. 2 is chart which illustrates the .sup.6Li isotope count, .sup.7Li isotope count, and .sup.6Li/.sup.7Li isotope ratio of a number of authentic ink samples tagged with one embodiment of a detectable marker 10 ppb .sup.6Li isotope and a corresponding number of ink samples which, in one embodiment, have been adulterated by 50% so that they contain 5 ppb .sup.6Li; [0017] FIG. 3 is chart which illustrates the .sup.6Li isotope count, .sup.7Li isotope count, and .sup.6Li/.sup.7Li isotope ratio of a number of authentic ink samples tagged with one embodiment of a detectable marker 10 ppb .sup.6Li isotope and a corresponding number of ink samples which, in one embodiment, have been adulterated by 80% so that they contain 2 ppb .sup.6Li; [0018] FIG. 4 is chart which illustrates the .sup.6Li isotope count, .sup.7Li isotope count, and .sup.6Li/.sup.7Li isotope ratio of a number of authentic ink samples tagged with one embodiment of a detectable marker 10 ppb .sup.6Li isotope and a corresponding number of ink samples which, in one embodiment, have been diluted by 50% so that they contain 5 ppb .sup.6Li; [0019] FIG. 5 is chart which illustrates the .sup.6Li isotope count, .sup.7Li isotope count, and .sup.6Li/.sup.7Li isotope ratio of a number of authentic ink samples tagged with one embodiment of a detectable marker 10 ppb .sup.6Li isotope and a corresponding number of ink samples which, in one embodiment, have been diluted by 80% so that they contain 2 ppb .sup.6Li; Continue reading about Methods and systems for identifying ink... 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