A quick USPTO search revealed:
United States Patent 6,030,657 Butland , et al. February 29, 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Labeling technique for countering product diversion and product counterfeiting
Abstract The present invention is directed to a method for labeling an object for its identification in order to counter product diversion and product counterfeiting. This method includes providing an encapsulated biologic marker labeled with an agent that emits selected detectable wavelengths of energy when exposed to infrared radiation (IR), and associating the labeled marker with the object, whereby, the object to be identified can be exposed to IR and emitted select wavelengths of energy from said agent detected. The agent can be an upconverting phosphor, a lanthenide ion (bound to a naphthalene group), or other chemical that emits selected detectable wavelengths of energy when exposed to infrared radiation (IR). Biologic markers include, inter alia, one or more of a protein, a nucleic acid sequence, an antibody, a polypeptide, or an antigen. The encapsulant for the biologic marker preferably is casein which has been cross-linked with itself.
Inventors: Butland; Charles L. (Playa Del Rey, CA); Baggot; Breffni (Manchester, CT) Assignee: DNA Technologies, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) Appl. No.: 003848 Filed: January 7, 1998 patft.uspto.gov
Their tech is as close as I came to SSTY's - as I understand it. I wonder what IP SSTY has.
CrossOff (OFF:TSX) bought out DNA Technologies: dnatechnologies.com |