Abstract:
A vehicle microtagging system employs vehicle paint to assist in tracking vehicles used in criminal activity. Microscopic microtag particles mixed into vehicle paint contain unique alphanumeric code sequences. These particles are designed to be left behind at a crime scene, later to be recovered by law enforcement. When the microtag particles are recovered from a crime scene, law enforcement uses a simple UV light test and a magnification instrument to identify the unique alphanumeric code sequence within the microtag particles.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/359,912, having a filing date 26 Jan. 2009 now abandoned. 
     Please incorporate by reference all information in said patent applications into this continuation-in-part application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to microtagging and, more specifically, to microtagging identification technology in conjunction with vehicle paint to assist in tracking vehicles used in criminal activity. 
     The microtag particles mixed in vehicle paint are essentially unique alphanumeric code sequences in a microscopic format. Sequences are certified and registered on a database with the department of motor vehicles and law enforcement. 
     When the microtagged particles are recovered from a crime scene, law enforcement uses a simple UV light test and a magnification instrument to identify the unique code sequence within the microtag particles. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other tagging methods designed for similar purposes. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,200 issued to Livesay on Nov. 13, 1973. 
     Another patent was issued to Ryan et al. on Dec. 26, 1978 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,064. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,799 was issued to Loving on May 2, 1995 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 30, 2001 to Brogger et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,690. 
     Another patent was issued to Nelson et al. on Aug. 13, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,715. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,031 was issued to McGrew on Feb. 17, 2004. Another was issued to Tsai on Mar. 23, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,618 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 6, 2006 to Safian as U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,691. 
     Another patent was issued to Steenblik et al. on Oct. 30, 2007 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,320. A U.K. Patent No. 1,487,967 was issued to Livesay on Oct. 5, 1977. An international application was published to Drukier on Aug. 26, 1999 as International Patent Publication No. WO99/42613 and still yet another was published on Aug. 16, 2007 to Natan et al. as International Patent Publication No. WO2007/092941. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,200 
     Inventor: Richard Livesay 
     Issued: Nov. 13, 1973 
     A method of tagging individual units of production of a substance comprising the steps of: (1) providing microparticles of a refractory carrier material of characteristic geometric shape and size, the broadest dimensions of which are not less than one nor more than 250 microns, containing tagging elements in amounts of at least 0.1 percent of the total weight, which microparticles have a density greater than 3.3 g./cc. and survive ashing at 400°-500° C.; (2) providing an inventory of batches of microparticles, each batch being uniformly coded by incorporation in the microparticles of a selected combination of the tagging elements, which inventory includes up to (L+1)N−1 uniquely coded batches of microparticles where L is the number of discrete concentration levels at which the individual elements are used and N is the number of available tagging elements, and the microparticles of at least some of the batches contain at least three tagging elements, (3) maintaining a record of the particular elements and their levels employed in each batch of microparticles, and (4) incorporating microparticles from any one batch with only one unit of production of the substance, recovery of a single microparticle being sufficient to identify the unit of production of the substance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,064 
     Inventor: Frederick Ryan et al. 
     Issued: Dec. 26, 1978 
     Small particles for tagging of objects to be identified comprise luminescent material plus other material which provides information indicia for tagging purposes. Included in the tagging particles are very small particles of magnetic material which is reflective both for the radiations which excite the luminescent material and also for the radiations generated by the excited luminescent material. The inclusion of the reflective magnetic particles introduces only a minimal decrease in the effectiveness of the luminescent material to provide a spotting or locating function. The particles may thus be located either by their luminescent response, or by magnetic pickup, or both. Inorganic species of these particles are especially useful for tagging explosives for post-explosion identification of the explosives. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,799 
     Inventor: Charles Loving 
     Issued: May 2, 1995 
     A microtag cut from a sheet of plastic material and having at least one acuminate snag extending outwardly from the microtag. The sheet of plastic material includes a serial number replicated a plurality of times and the microtag is cut so as to contain at least one complete serial number. Each microtag is less than about two millimeters in diameter. The plastic material is nonconductive and can be from a plastic that will fluoresce under certain wavelengths of light. A plurality of microtags can be used to mark an item of personal property. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,690 
     Inventor: Brian Brogger et al. 
     Issued: Oct. 30, 2001 
     A system and method using microcoded marks provides retrospective identification of articles. An article is marked with microparticles having multiple layers. The particles form a unique spatial pattern on the article. An image is made of the mark as applied to the article. The digitized image is stored in a database with information about the article. The database can be accessed by users to verify the authenticity of an article. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,715 
     Inventor: Gregory Nelson et al. 
     Issued: Aug. 13, 2002 
     A method for marking or tagging individual microparticles using a near infrared fluorophore for identification is provided. The near infrared fluorophore is included with one or more layers comprising the microparticle. Desirably, the coating layers contain colorants such as dyes and/or pigments which increases the total possible combinations that may be used to identify the marked material. There is further provided a method for marking a material using these microparticles containing a near infrared fluorophore. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,031 
     Inventor: Stephen McGrew 
     Issued: Feb. 17, 2004 
     Quantum dots are used as fluorescent taggants in security inks, papers, plastics, explosives, or any other item or substance in which it is desired to provide a distinct signature or marking. Quantum dots of specific sizes, compositions and structures may be used to produce specific fluorescence, mixtures of quantum dots can be used to produce random patterns of spectrally varying fluorescence, and particular quantum dot structures can be used to provide desirable physical and optical properties. The quantum dots may be read with an optical reader, which may be combined with readers using other technologies. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,618 
     Inventor: Chialun Tsai 
     Issued: Mar. 23, 2004 
     An apparatus for authenticating an object on the basis of incorporating onto the object at least one security feature known as a microdot which includes plural unique microscopic patterned markers each of which include indicia and the method of making such microdots. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,691 
     Inventor: John Safian 
     Issued: Jun. 6, 2006 
     An improvement to a package is provided that includes a container having a label secured thereto by an adhesive and a closure secured to the container. The improvement is for identifying the package and includes at least one of the container, the adhesive and the closure having a plurality of micro-particle taggants with multiple colored layers to provide a code for identifying the package. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,288,320 
     Inventor: Richard Steenblik et al. 
     Issued: Oct. 30, 2007 
     Microstructured taggant particles, their applications and methods of making the same are described. Precisely formed taggant particles can be formed, in the range of 500 mu and smaller, from either inert polymers or biodegradable materials bearing information indicia, such as through specific shape, size, color, reflectivity, refractive index, surface geometry, imprinting, optical effect or properties, and electromagnetic properties, to uniquely tag, identify or authenticate articles. 
     U.K. Patent Number GB 1,487,967 
     Inventor: Richard Livesay 
     Issued: Oct. 5, 1977 
     An explosive composition comprising explosive material and microparticles of a tack free organic carrier which does not have a softening point below 60° C., which microparticles have a distinctive shape, contain one or more tagging elements each in an amount of at least 0.1 percent of the total weight, and which are capable of surviving detonation of the explosive material and so permit retrospective identification of the explosive although it has been detonated. 
     International Patent Publication Number WO99/42613 
     Inventor: Andrzj Drukier 
     Issued: Aug. 26, 1999 
     Methods and additives for tagging and subsequently detecting commercial products, including industrial liquids, are disclosed. These methods permit the identification of such tags after very high, say 10&lt;−11&gt; dilutions. The present invention encompasses a method of microtagging a liquid, subsequently detecting that the liquid has been microtagged and identifying the liquid, which comprises (i) adding to the liquid an additive comprising at least one signal means which may be detected after extreme dilution, and a coding means to aid in identification of the liquid; (ii) obtaining a sample of the liquid containing said additive; (iii) detecting the presence in the liquid sample of said at least one signal means; (iv) and decoding said coding means, thereby detecting that the liquid had been microtagged and identifying the liquid sample. 
     International Patent Publication Number WO2007/092941 
     Inventor: Michael Natan et al. 
     Issued: Aug. 16, 2007 
     Methods and systems for the use of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering nanotags (SERS nanotags) to create homogeneous (no-wash), heterogeneous or sequence detection assay platforms. In certain embodiments the SERS nanotags are used in combination with magnetic particles. Multiplexed assay platforms are also disclosed. In certain embodiments, the assay is useful for clinical proteomics. Assay platforms suitable for use within a biological matrix, for example within whole blood or serum are also disclosed. The assay formats described herein may be used to detect any analyte of interest including but not limited to the detection of cells, viruses, bacteria, proteins, DNA, RNA, or small molecules in any type of biological (animal or plant kingdom) or environmental samples including but not limited to whole blood or serum, occult samples, urine, feces, air, drinking water, phage, any organism, multicellular clumps of cells, for example, cancer tissue homogenate. 
     While these methods of tagging may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. The present invention provides a method of identifying a particular vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident by microtagging the paint used on said vehicle whereby paint residue is encoded with the vehicle identification number. The method includes providing a store of paint to be used on a motor vehicle and a store of microtags with a unique alphanumeric code, e.g., the vehicle&#39;s vehicle identification number (VIN), thereon and applying the paint and microtags in concert to the motor vehicle. 
     The microtagging identification technology in conjunction with vehicle paint is designed to assist in tracking vehicles used in criminal activity. The microtag particles mixed in vehicle paint are essentially unique alphanumeric code sequences in a microscopic format. Sequences are certified and registered on a database with the department of motor vehicles and law enforcement. When the microtag particles are recovered from a crime scene, law enforcement uses a simple UV light test and a magnification instrument to identify the unique vehicle code within the microtag particles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of identifying a particular vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident by microtagging the paint used on the vehicle whereby any paint residue is encoded with the vehicle identification number. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method employing a store of paint to be used on a motor vehicle and a store of microtags with a unique vehicle identification number thereon and applying the paint and microtags in concert to the motor vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide microtagging identification technology in conjunction with vehicle paint to assist in tracking vehicles used in criminal activity. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide microtag particles mixed in vehicle paint that are essentially unique alphanumeric code sequences in a microscopic format. Sequences are certified and registered on a database with the department of motor vehicles and law enforcement. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method where microtag particles are recovered from a crime scene; law enforcement uses a simple UV light test and a magnification instrument to identify the unique code within the microtag particles. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for microtagging land vehicles. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide microtagged land vehicles, including trucks, automobiles, motorcycles and ATVs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for microtagging existing motor vehicles where the vehicle identification number is recorded onto a plurality of microtags that are combined with a liquid medium to form a mixture that is sprayed onto said motor vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid medium consisting of a paint pigment or clear coat. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for indicating a microtagged new motor vehicle by incorporating a suffix added to the vehicle&#39;s identification number as a visual indicator that the vehicle has been microtagged, such as the letter ‘M’. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for encrypting a microtagged vehicle identification number whereby government security services are removed from discovery for national security purposes. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for microtagging an existing motor vehicle by recording the vehicle identification number onto a plurality of microtags and mixing with a liquid medium that is applied to said motor vehicle. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a method of identifying a particular vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident by a microtagging system wherein the paint used on the vehicle produces paint residue which is encoded with a unique vehicle identification number. The system employs a store of paint to be used on a motor vehicle and a store of microtags with the unique vehicle identification number thereon and applying the paint and microtags in concert to the motor vehicle. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a method of microtagging a pre-existing motor vehicle. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a method of microtagging new motor vehicles. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a method of producing an encrypted microtag for a motor vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the motor vehicle microtagging system of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  vehicle microtagging system     11  microtag particles     12  paint     14  vehicle     16  motor vehicle accident scene     18  hit and run victim     20  residual sample     22  tag retrieval personnel     24  unique alphanumeric sequence     26  ultraviolet light     28  magnification instrument     30  database     32  vehicle information     34  paint sprayer     36  vehicle painter     38  microtag retrieval     40 . microtag indicator       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention is a vehicle microtagging system  10  which provides microscopic particles (microtags) dispersed in vehicle paint  12  to assist in identifying a vehicle  14  when only a residual sample of paint from the vehicle  14  is available, for example, as from a hit and run motor vehicle accident scene  16 . Shown is a motor vehicle accident scene  16  comprising a vehicle  14  striking a hit and run victim  18 . The method for identifying a motor vehicle from paint residue removed from the motor vehicle  14  comprises the steps a) providing a motor vehicle microtagging system having paint  12  applied to a motor vehicle  14  with a plurality of microtags dispersed in the paint  12 , each microtag bearing the same unique alphanumeric sequence; b) recovering a residual paint sample; c) retrieving the unique alphanumeric sequence from the microtags dispersed in the residual paint sample; and d) identifying the motor vehicle  14  by the unique alphanumeric sequence. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention is a vehicle microtagging system  10  which provides microscopic particles (microtags) dispersed in vehicle paint to assist in identifying a vehicle  14  when only a residual sample  20  of paint from the vehicle  14  is available, for example, as from a hit and run motor vehicle accident scene  16 . Shown is a motor vehicle accident scene  16  comprising a vehicle  14  leaving an accident scene  16  after striking a hit and run victim  18 . At the accident scene  16 , residual samples  20  of paint, including the microtags  11 , remain as evidence. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. Shown is an illustration depicting the recovery of residual samples  20  of paint including the microtags of the invention. The present invention is a vehicle microtagging system  10  which provides microscopic particles (microtags) dispersed in vehicle paint to assist in identifying a vehicle when only a residual sample  20  of paint from the vehicle is available, for example, as from a hit and run motor vehicle accident scene. At the accident scene, residual samples  20  of paint, including the microtags, remain as evidence. The residual sample  20  is identified and collected by tag retrieval personnel  22  utilizing microtag retrieval equipment  38 , such as a law enforcement officer, and the unique alphanumeric sequence  24  is retrieved by means including one or more of an ultraviolet light  26  and a magnification instrument. Each microtag bears the same unique alphanumeric sequence  24 , which is preferably the same as the vehicle identification number (VIN) assigned to the vehicle. Shown is the microtag retrieval personal  22  recovering a residual sample  20  off of the victim  18 . 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is an illustration depicting the recovery of microtagging identification particles  11  mixed in residual vehicle paint samples  20 . Shown is an illustration depicting the recovery and analysis of residual samples  20  of paint including the microtags  11  of the invention. The present invention is a vehicle microtagging system  10  which provides microscopic particles (microtags)  11  dispersed in vehicle paint to assist in identifying a vehicle when only a residual sample  20  of paint from the vehicle is available, for example, as from a hit and run motor vehicle accident scene. A residual sample  20  is processed by tag retrieval personnel  22 , such as a law enforcement officer, and the unique alphanumeric sequence  24  having a microtag indicator  40  is retrieved by means including one or more of an ultraviolet light  26  and a magnification instrument  28 . A preferred magnification instrument  28  is a 100× magnifier. Each microtag  11  bears the same unique alphanumeric sequence  24 , which is preferably the same as the vehicle identification number (VIN) assigned to the vehicle. 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. Shown is an illustration depicting the recovery and analysis of residual samples  20  of paint including the microtags of the invention. The present invention is a vehicle microtagging system  10  which provides microscopic particles (microtags) dispersed in vehicle paint to assist in identifying a vehicle when only a residual sample  20  of paint from the vehicle is available, for example, as from a hit and run motor vehicle accident scene. A residual sample  20  is processed by tag retrieval personnel  22 , such as a law enforcement officer, and the unique alphanumeric sequence  24  is retrieved by means including one or more of an ultraviolet light and a magnification instrument. Each microtag  11  bears the same unique alphanumeric sequence  24 , which is preferably the same as the vehicle identification number (VIN) assigned to the vehicle. Optionally, a database  30  correlates the unique alphanumeric sequence  24  with vehicle information profile  32 , the database  30  accessible in order to retrieve vehicle information  32  about a vehicle for which the alphanumeric sequence  24  is known. 
       FIG. 6  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. Shown is an illustration depicting the arrest of a hit and run driver and a vehicle having the microtagging identification particles. The present invention is a vehicle microtagging system  10  which provides microscopic particles (microtags) dispersed in vehicle paint  12  to assist in identifying a vehicle  14  when only a residual sample of paint from the vehicle  14  is available, for example, as from a hit and run motor vehicle accident scene. After the vehicle  14  is identified from the unique alphanumeric sequence  24  in the residual sample, the hit and run driver  34  can be apprehended and arrested by law enforcement personnel  36 . 
       FIG. 7  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention provides a method for marking a vehicle comprising the steps: a) providing a vehicle microtagging system having paint  12  for applying to a vehicle  14  and a plurality of microtags  11  dispersed in the paint, each microtag bearing the same unique alphanumeric sequence; and b) applying the paint to a vehicle, for example by means such as with a paint sprayer  34 , applied by a vehicle painter  36 . 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of a method of microtagging a pre-existing motor vehicle. The present invention provides for elective microtagging of existing motor vehicles comprising the steps of selecting an existing motor vehicle for microtagging, as shown in S 1 . In step S 2 , the vehicle&#39;s identification number is recorded onto a plurality of microtags and a liquid medium is selected, which may be a paint pigment or clear coat, as shown in step S 3 . In step S 4  the microtags are combined with the liquid medium to form a sprayable mixture that is applied to said motor vehicle, as shown in step S 5 . Once the motor vehicle has been microtagged through application of the microtagged mixture, the vehicle registration bureau is notified, shown in S 6 , so that the bureau&#39;s database can be updated indicating that the vehicle has been microtagged, as shown in step S 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a method of microtagging new motor vehicles. The present invention provides that microtagging new motor vehicles will encourage vehicle operators to be more responsible in their operation. In step S 10 , a motor vehicle is selected for microtagging and a visual indicator is added to the identification number, preferably a suffix letter such as ‘M’, as shown in step S 11 . In step S 12 , the vehicle&#39;s identification number is recorded onto a plurality of microtags and a liquid medium is selected, which may be a paint pigment or clear coat, as shown in step S 13 . In step S 14  the microtags are combined with the liquid medium to form a sprayable mixture that is applied to said motor vehicle, as shown in step S 15 . Once the motor vehicle has been microtagged through application of the microtagged mixture, the vehicle registration bureau is notified, shown in S 16 , so that the bureau&#39;s database can be updated indicating that the vehicle has been microtagged, as shown in step S 17 . 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a method of producing an encrypted microtag for a motor vehicle. The present invention envisions that there may be circumstances where the identity of vehicles used within a government agency require anonymity for national security purposes. Therefore, the present invention provides for encoding or encrypting the vehicle identification number. In step S 20 , a motor vehicle is selected for microtagging and the vehicles identification number is encrypted using a predetermined algorithm as shown in step S 21 . In step S 22 , the vehicle&#39;s identification number is recorded onto a plurality of microtags and a liquid medium is selected, which may be a paint pigment or clear coat, as shown in step S 23 . In step S 24  the microtags are combined with the liquid medium to form a sprayable mixture that is applied to said motor vehicle, as shown in step S 25 . Once the motor vehicle has been microtagged through application of the microtagged mixture, the vehicle registration bureau is notified, shown in S 26 , so that the bureau&#39;s database can be updated indicating that the vehicle has been microtagged, as shown in step S 27 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.