Product authentication

Abstract

Product package, comprising a data storage device, packaging material, and an authentication system. The authentication system comprises first and second coatings coated on the storage device and the packaging material. One of the coatings comprises chromogenic microcapsules capable of reacting to produce color. The other coating comprises color developer. The coatings can be bonded to each other or a composite coating can be a self-contained color former such as on the storage device. The invention further comprises methods of affirming authenticity of a data storage device. The method comprises applying to the storage device a color-reactable coating which can react with a color-producing second composition, packaging the storage device to provide a closed and sealed packaged, opening the package, and concurrent with or after opening the package, reacting the chemical compositions to produce the color as an indication of authenticity of the data storage device.

1 . A product package, comprising: 
 (a) as a contained product, a primary data storage device capable of receiving and storing data in electronic format;    (b) packaging material comprising enclosure structure generally enclosing said data storage device; and    (c) an authentication system for affirming authenticity of source of said data storage device, said authentication system comprising 
 (i) a first coating coated on a first outer surface of said primary data storage device, and  
 (ii) a second coating coated on a second surface of said packaging material,  
 one of said first and second coatings comprising a population of microcapsules containing substantially colorless color forming material capable of reacting to produce visible color, the other of said first and second coatings comprising color developer material which can chemically react with said color forming material to produce visible color.  
   
   
   
       2 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said first coating comprises said color developer and said second coating comprises said microcapsules containing said color former.  
   
   
       3 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said second coating comprises said color developer and said first coating comprises said microcapsules containing said color former.  
   
   
       4 . A product package as in  claim 1 , said packaging material comprising a sheet material separate and distinct from both said enclosure structure and said data storage device and enclosed in said product package with said data storage device, one of said first and second coatings being coated onto said sheet material.  
   
   
       5 . A product package as in  claim 4 , said sheet material being releasably attached to said data storage device.  
   
   
       6 . A product package as in  claim 4 , said sheet material being attached to said enclosure structure.  
   
   
       7 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said first coating defines alphanumeric indicia, graphics and logos.  
   
   
       8 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said first coating is coated onto said enclosure structure and said second coating is coated onto said primary data storage device, and wherein said first and second coatings are bonded to each other such that such bond therebetween is broken when said package is opened, with corresponding breaking of ones of said microcapsules and reaction of said color forming material to form color.  
   
   
       9 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said first coating is symmetric with respect to a central axis of said primary data storage device.  
   
   
       10 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said first coating comprises at least first and second coating elements physically spaced from each other, and wherein said at least first and second coating elements, in combination, are symmetric with respect to each other when referenced to a central axis of rotation of the primary data storage device.  
   
   
       11 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein the first outer surface of said primary data storage device defines an outer edge-to-outer edge projected area of said primary data storage device, and wherein said first coating is disposed inwardly toward a center of such projected area with respect to any portion of said primary data storage device on which data is stored.  
   
   
       12 . A product package as in  claim 1  wherein said second coating is disposed on a cover of said enclosure structure which is in face-to-face close association with the first outer surface of said primary data storage device when said package is closed with said primary data storage device inside, and wherein said second coating is positioned on an inner surface of said cover so as to overlie said first coating on said primary data storage device when said package is closed, whereby pressure on an outer surface of said cover causes said cover to deflect so as to bring said second coating into engaging contact with said first coating sufficient to break said microcapsules and produce visible color.  
   
   
       13 . A primary data storage device capable of receiving and storing data in electronic format, said primary data storage device having an outer surface and comprising: 
 (a) a substrate;    (b) a recording medium in association with said substrate; and    (c) a self-contained coating comprising a chromogenic coating composition, and color developer therefore, on the outer surface of said primary data storage device, said self-contained coating composition comprising substantially colorless color forming material contained in readily ruptured microcapsules and capable of reacting to produce visible color, and color developer material which can chemically react with said color forming material to produce visible color.    
   
   
       14 . A primary data storage device as in  claim 13 , packaged in a package comprising packaging material wherein said self-contained chromogenic coating composition is disposed in close relationship with said packaging material when the package is closed such that said packaging material can be manipulated while said package is closed and sealed so as to rupture ones of said microcapsules to cause a sufficient quantity of the color forming material to react with said color developer thereby to produce visible color as an indicator of authenticity of said primary data storage device.  
   
   
       15 . A primary data storage device as in  claim 13 , packaged in a package comprising packaging material, further comprising adhesive material bonding said coating composition to both said primary data storage device, and to a displaceable outer wall of said package.  
   
   
       16 . A primary data storage device as in  claim 15 , compositions of said adhesive material and said microcapsules being cooperatively selected such that, when said displaceable outer wall of said package is displaced in opening said package, ones of said microcapsules are ruptured and said color forming material contained therein reacts with said color developer thereby to produce visible color as an indicator of authenticity of said primary data storage device.  
   
   
       17 . A primary data storage device as in  claim 13  wherein said self-contained coating defines an outline representing alphanumeric indicia.  
   
   
       18 . A method of affirming authenticity of a primary electronic data storage device, comprising: 
 (a) applying to an outer surface of the primary data storage device a coating comprising a first chemical composition which can be reacted with a second different chemical composition to produce a color;    (b) packaging the primary data storage device in packaging material so as to provide a closed and sealed packaged product;    (c) subsequent to packaging the primary data storage device, opening the package;    (d) concurrent with or after opening the package, reacting the first chemical composition thereby to produce the color as an indication of authenticity of the data storage device.    
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18  wherein the coating on the outer surface of the primary data storage device comprises a first coating comprising microcapsules containing chromogenic material capable of reacting to produce a color as the first chemical composition, the method further comprising: 
 (e) as part of the packaging material, providing a coated sheet in the closed and sealed package, the coated sheet comprising a substrate, and a second coating thereon as the second different chemical composition, the second different chemical composition comprising a color developer reactive with the chromogenic material in the first coating, and    (f) bringing the first and second coatings into activating contact with each other thereby to activate a reaction between the first and second coatings and accordingly to develop the color on the coated sheet.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , further comprising returning the coated sheet, with the color developed thereon, to a manufacturer's representative at an authorized authentication facility for manufacturer authentication of the primary data storage device in accord with the color so developed.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 19 , further comprising authenticating the primary data storage device through comparison of the developed color on the coated sheet with a color standard.