Abstract
The invention relates to a method for the detection of modified information patterns of a capacitive information carrier comprising at least one electrically conductive material forming at least one modifiable electrically conductive pattern, wherein information is encoded within the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern. The method comprises at least the steps of modifying the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern and capacitively detecting a second information pattern encoded within the characteristics of the modified electrically conductive pattern. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a capacitive information carrier for use in the method according to the invention and a method for manufacturing a capacitive information carrier for use in the method according to the invention.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method for transmitting information from a capacitive information carrier to a capacitive surface sensor comprising: a) providing the capacitive surface sensor, b) providing the capacitive information carrier wherein a first information pattern is encoded within the characteristics of an electrically conductive pattern, c) modifying the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern due to external conditions to encode a second information pattern on the capacitive information carrier, and d) bringing the capacitive information carrier into contact with the capacitive surface sensor wherein the second information pattern is capacitively detected by the capacitive surface sensor.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the capacitive information carrier comprises the electrically conductive pattern applied on a non-conductive substrate.
4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by external conditions selected from a group consisting of a mechanical impact, an electric impact, an electromagnetic impact, a magnetic impact, an environmental impact, a chemical impact and an addition of an electrically conductive material.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by a mechanical impact comprising at least one of abrasion, scratching, separating, cutting, perforation, punching, velocity, acceleration, shock, physical tampering and a pressure change.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by at least one of laser radiation, electromagnetic radiation, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, infrared (IR) radiation, radiofrequency (RF) radiation, microwave radiation, the application of electrostatic fields and the application of electrodynamic fields.
7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by an environmental impact comprising a change in at least one of temperature, humidity and moisture.
8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by a chemical impact comprising chemical reactions of the conductive pattern with an acidic solution or an alkaline solution.
9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by an addition of an electrically conductive material, selected from a group of conductive colors, pencils, conductive bridges, inks and foils.
10. The method according to claim 2, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern are modified by a combination of at least two external conditions selected from a group consisting of a mechanical impact, an electric impact, an electromagnetic impact, a magnetic impact, an environmental impact, a chemical impact and an addition of an electrically conductive material.
11. The method according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive pattern comprises at least two different conductive materials.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said at least two different conductive materials differ in terms of tensile strength, hardness, ductility, brittleness, thermal coefficient of resistance or solubility in water.
13. The method according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive pattern is formed by at least one sub-area limited by an outline and wherein the information is encoded within at least one of shape, size, arrangement and geometry of the electrically conductive pattern.
14. The method according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive pattern is detected by capacitive surface sensors comprising at least one of capacitive touchscreens and touchpads.
15. The method according to claim 2, wherein the modification of the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern activates a new conductive pattern, deactivates at least a part of the conductive pattern or destroys a conductive pattern completely.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0108] FIG. 1A: Top and side view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier, wherein the electrically conductive pattern comprises sub-areas
[0109] FIG. 1B: Top view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier as shown in FIG. 1A wherein the conductive pattern has been changed due to external conditions, i.e. by a mechanical impact
[0110] FIG. 10: Top view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier as shown in FIG. 1A wherein the conductive pattern has been changed due to external conditions, i.e. by moisture
[0111] FIG. 2: Side view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier comprising a sealing functionality, wherein the conductive pattern is arranged on a screw cap
[0112] FIG. 3: Side view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier comprising a sealing functionality wherein the conductive pattern is arranged on a snap-on lid
[0113] FIG. 4: Preferred embodiment of an information carrier comprising two electrically conductive materials with different mechanical properties
[0114] FIG. 5A: Preferred embodiment of an information carrier with two different conductive patterns arranged on the front and top panel of a cubic object, such as a package
[0115] FIG. 5B: Preferred embodiment of an information carrier wherein a combined conductive pattern is created by unfolding a cubic object, such as a package
[0116] FIG. 6: Preferred embodiment of an information carrier comprising two contact areas
[0117] FIG. 7: Preferred embodiment of an information carrier comprising a connecting bridge
[0118] FIG. 8: Preferred embodiments of an electrically conductive pattern
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0119] FIG. 1 shows a top and side view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier (1), wherein the electrically conductive pattern comprises sub-areas (3). In particular, FIG. 1 shows a beverage or food container (17) which is equipped with a capacitive information carrier (1) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sub-areas (3) are distributed according to a certain conductive pattern in which information is encoded.
[0120] FIG. 1 B shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier (1) as shown in FIG. 1 A, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern have been changed due to an impact of an external condition. In FIG. 1 B, the modification was caused by a mechanical impact on the beverage or food container (17) comprising the information carrier (1). In particular, at least some sub-areas (4) are destroyed by the mechanical impact which is caused by the use of the beverage or food container (17) in a preparation machine. When for example the container (17) is filled with coffee powder in order to be used in a coffee machine, an information carrier (1) which is applied on top of the container (17) will be mechanically punctured by the coffee machine due to the handling of the beverage or food container (17) within the brewing machine. FIG. 1 B shows a mechanically modified conductive pattern after a container (17) comprising the information carrier (1), i.e. the electrically conductive pattern, has been used.
[0121] FIG. 1 C shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier (1) as shown in FIG. 1 A, wherein the characteristics of the electrically conductive pattern have been modified due to an impact of an external condition. In FIG. 1 C, the change was caused by the application of moisture to the electrically conductive pattern. By the application of moisture to the electrically conductive pattern a new conductive pattern is obtained. The application of moisture may for example lead to sub-areas of the electrically conductive pattern (5) whereas the conductivity of modified sub-areas have been changed due to the impact of moisture. In the context of this preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the moisture affects either all or a just subset of sub-areas. The application of moisture to the electrically conductive pattern may occur in a food or beverage preparation machine, e.g. a brewing machine.
[0122] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a capacitive information carrier (1) comprising a sealing functionality on a bottle with a screw cap (19). In this particular embodiment of the invention, a screw cap (19) comprises a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the capacitive information carrier (1) has been applied to the screw cap. e.g. by the use of label. The information carrier (1) comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate (2), an electrically conductive pattern and a predetermined breaking point (14). It is preferred that the screw cap (19) can be attached on a container (18), such as a bottle. In the context of this preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferred that the electrically conductive pattern comprises sub-areas (3), connecting lines (6) and a contact area (7). The predetermined breaking point (14) is located between the sub-areas and connecting lines and the contact area. As soon as the screw cap (19) is removed from the container (18), the electrically conductive connection between a connecting line (6) and the contact area (7) is interrupted. Thereby, the connection between the sub-areas and the contact area is disconnected as well. Thus, the screwing off represents a modified conductive pattern by which the electrically conductive pattern is changed in the sense that the contact area (7) is separated from the sub areas (3) and connecting lines (6). By said modification, the conductive pattern can no longer be detected by a capacitive touchscreen as no external potential can be coupled in by the contact area. Due to the arrangement of the capacitive information carrier on a screw cap a user is not able to touch a sub-area directly so there is no option to couple in any external potential. By said change, the second information pattern may be preferably detected by a dedicated surface sensor but no longer on a capacitive touchscreen.
[0123] A similar preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 3 in which a capacitive information carrier (1) is part of a snap-on lid (20). In this preferred embodiment, an electrically conductive pattern is arranged on an electrically non-conductive substrate (2) wherein the electrically conductive pattern comprises sub-areas (3), connecting lines (6) and a contact area (7). A predetermined breaking point (14) is located between the contact area (7) and the sub-areas (3), so if the snap-on lid (20) is removed from the container (18), such as a bottle, the connecting line (6) formerly connecting a sub-area (3) to the contact area (7) is broken. In other words, the electrically conductive connection between the sub-areas (3) and the contact area (7) is interrupted. This represents a modified conductive pattern, caused by a mechanical impact, in particular by separating the electrically conductive pattern into at least two parts. Similar to the application example shown in FIG. 2, said modified conductive pattern can no longer be detected by a capacitive touchscreen, therefore no information is transmitted to the capacitive touchscreen.
[0124] The preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may for example be used in order to detect if a container (18) was opened or not.
[0125] FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a capacitive information carrier (1) with two electrically conductive materials with different mechanical properties. In FIG. 4, an electrically conductive pattern is arranged on an electrically non-conductive substrate (2) wherein a first subset of sub-areas (8), a first subset of connecting lines (10) and the contact area (7) are formed from a first electrically conductive material, wherein the first electrically conductive material is characterized by mechanical feature A. Said electrically conductive material may be preferably chosen from a group of conductive inks which are typically very flexible. The electrically conductive pattern additionally comprises a second subset of sub-areas (9) and a second subset of connecting lines (11) which are formed from a second electrically conductive material which is characterized by mechanical feature B. The second electrically conductive material may be advantageously a conductive foil, e.g. a cold foil. Such materials are typically more sensitive to a mechanical impact, e.g. bending, rolling or folding an electrically conductive pattern. Preferably, the connecting lines (10, 11) connect either two sub-areas (8, 9) to each other or a sub-area (8, 9) to the contact area (7).
[0126] When the information carrier according to drawing 1 of FIG. 4 is brought into contact with a capacitive surface sensor, preferably with a touchscreen, the detection device will detect the entire electrically conductive pattern comprising both the first and the second subsets of sub-areas. Drawing 2 of FIG. 4 shows a creasing/folding/binding line (15) at which the information carrier according to the preferred embodiment of the invention can be creased and/or folded which preferably leads to a modified conductive pattern. It is preferred that due to the creasing and/or folding of the information carrier (1) the connecting line formed by the electrically conductive material B (11) is interrupted. As can be seen from drawing 3 of FIG. 4, the connecting line (11) between one of the sub-areas (9) and the contact area (7) is broken (16). This is due to the specific electrically conductive material of which the second subset of sub-areas (9) and connecting lines (11) are manufactured. As described above, electrically conductive materials such as foils are particularly sensitive to a mechanical impact. By folding or bending, the connecting lines formed by said material are influenced whereas sub-areas and connecting lines formed by material A will not change. It is preferred that the connecting lines formed by the second material are broken whereas the connecting lines formed by the first material are still intact. The interruption of the broken connecting line (16) preferably leads to an interruption of the electrically conductive connection between the second subset of sub-areas (9) and the contact area (7). In the context of the preferred embodiment, these sub-areas (9) can no longer be detected by the capacitive touchscreen since no external potential can be coupled in. Therefore, the interruption of the electrically conductive connection between the second subset of sub-areas (9) and the contact area (7) preferably leads to a second conductive pattern. Said second conductive pattern is represented by the first subset of sub-areas (8) which are still connected to the contact area (7), therefore enabling to couple in external potential to detect the second conductive pattern on a touchscreen.
[0127] FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of an information carrier (1) with two different conductive patterns arranged on a front and a top panel of a package. In FIG. 5 A, a cubic object (without reference sign) is shown comprising a top panel and four side panels (of which two can be seen). One of the side panels comprises a subset of sub-areas (3) and a number of connecting lines (6), forming a first conductive pattern. This side panel will preferably be referred to as “front panel” of the cubic object. Two of the sub-areas (3) which are applied on the front panel of the cubic object are connected to the contact area (7) which is arranged on the side panel of the cubic object. As can be seen from FIG. 5 A, the top panel of the cubic object comprises the first conductive pattern wherein a second conductive pattern is presented on the front panel.
[0128] The cubic object which may for example represent a packaging can be brought into contact with a capacitive surface sensor, either with the top panel facing the surface of the detection means or with the front panel facing the surface of the detection means. If the top panel of the cubic object is brought into contact with a surface of the detection means, the detection means will detect the first information pattern. If the cubic object is brought into contact with a detection means with its front panel facing the surface, the detection means will recognize the second information pattern.
[0129] FIG. 5 B shows a preferred embodiment of an information carrier (1) wherein a combined additional information pattern is preferably created by unfolding the cubic object. If the former top panel and the former front panel are placed on the surface of a capacitive surface sensor, the combined electrically conductive pattern comprising six sub-areas (3) is advantageously detected as an information pattern being different to the former information patterns represent by the conductive patterns of the top and front panel. Thus, a third information pattern can be created by unfolding the cubic object, thus combining the former two electrically conductive patterns. Advantageously, a third information pattern is encoded within the cubic object by unfolding.
[0130] FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a capacitive information carrier (1) comprising two contact areas (7). A first drawing of FIG. 6 shows an electrically non-conductive substrate (2) comprising two parts (12) of an electrically conductive pattern which can advantageously be detected separately or as a combined electrically conductive pattern if an electric connection is established between the two contact areas (7).
[0131] In drawing 1 of FIG. 6, a hand (21) of a human user touches one of the two coupling areas (7) where through the lower part of the electrically conductive pattern is “activated”. In other words, the sub-areas (3) are set on the same potential as the user which makes the electrically conductive pattern detectable by a capacitive touchscreen. When the information carrier (1) is brought into contact with a touchscreen, this lower part will be detected by a touchscreen. The upper part of the electrically conductive pattern will advantageously not be detected as the contact area (7) is not touched by a human user and thus not “activated”.
[0132] In drawing 2 of FIG. 6, the upper coupling area (7) of the electrically conductive pattern is touched by a hand (21) of a human user. It is preferred that by this touch, the upper part of the electrically conductive pattern is “activated”, i.e. the upper part of the electrically conductive pattern can be detected.
[0133] In drawing 3 of FIG. 6 the thump of the hand (21) of a human user is arranged so that both contact areas (7) are touched by the human user and thus “activated”. By touching both contact areas (7), the upper part of the electrically conductive pattern and the lower part of the electrically conductive pattern can be detected. Advantageously, a combined third electrically conductive pattern which is different from the upper part of the electrically conductive pattern and from the lower part of the electrically conductive pattern is created. As can be seen from the three drawings of FIG. 6, three different electrically conductive patterns can be detected so three information patterns are preferably encoded.
[0134] FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a capacitive information carrier (1) comprising a connector bridge (13). The connector bridge (13) can also be referred to as connecting bridge. The first drawing of FIG. 7 shows an information carrier (1) which is identical to the information carrier (1) of FIG. 6. The inventors of the present invention have found that a third electrically conductive pattern can be created by connecting the two contact areas (7) of the information carrier (1) by a connecting bridge (13). This connecting bridge (13) serves the same purpose as the finger of the human user in the preferred embodiment described in FIG. 6, i.e. the connecting bridge (13) establishes an electric connection between the two coupling areas (7).
[0135] Thus, three different information patterns can be detected, namely the upper part, the lower part and the third electrically conductive pattern representing the combination of the latter two electrically conductive patterns. Advantageously, three different information patterns may be encoded. It is noted that the application of the connecting bridge (13) represents a modification of the information pattern caused by addition of conductive material in the sense of the present invention.
[0136] FIG. 8 presents four preferred embodiments of a capacitive information carrier (1). In the first drawing a capacitive information carrier is shown that comprises several sub-areas (3) that are not connected among each other. As can be seen, sub-areas (3) are formed differently. In the second drawing of FIG. 8, a conductive pattern is formed by one sub-area (3) whereas the sub-area is formed as free-hand form.
[0137] Preferably, the capacitive information carriers (1) as seen in the first and second drawing are detected by a dedicated reading device. In the third drawing of FIG. 8 a capacitive information carrier (1) is shown which connects sub-areas (3) by the use of a connecting line (6) to the contact area (7). By said layout the information pattern can be detected by a capacitive multitouch screen, integrated into devices such as a smartphone or tablet. The last drawing of FIG. 8 shows a capacitive information carrier (1) whereas the sub-areas (3) are connected to each other by the use of connecting lines (6). To be detected on a multitouch screen, a conductive potential needs to be applied. Therefore, one sub-area needs to be touched as soon as the capacitive information carrier (1) will be in a close contact with a touch-screen. By said embodiment, the entire conductive pattern will be set on the same potential as the conductive object which makes the conductive pattern detectable for a multi-touch screen device.
[0138] It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that the method and information carrier within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0139] 1 capacitive information carrier [0140] 2 electrically non-conductive substrate or base material [0141] 3 electrically conductive sub-area of a conductive pattern [0142] 4 electrically conductive sub-area affected by a mechanical input [0143] 5 electrically conductive sub-area affected by moisture [0144] 6 connecting line [0145] 7 contact area [0146] 8 sub-area (1.sup.st material) [0147] 9 sub-area (2.sup.nd material) [0148] 10 connecting line (1.sup.st material) [0149] 11 connecting line (2.sup.nd material) [0150] 12 electrically conductive pattern comprising sub-areas, connecting lines and a contact area [0151] 13 connecting bridge [0152] 14 predetermined breaking point [0153] 15 creasing/folding/bending line [0154] 16 broken connecting line [0155] 17 food or beverage container [0156] 18 container [0157] 19 screw cap [0158] 20 snap-on lid [0159] 21 hand
