(12) United States Patent
`Kaplan et ai.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US00647635IBI
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`*Nov. 5, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) LASER MARKING SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: George R. Kaplan, Rye Brook, NY
`(US); Avigdor Shachrai, Netanya (IL);
`Oded Anner, Kfar-Saba (IL); Leonid
`Gurvich, Rishon Lezion (IL)
`
`(73) Assignee: Lazare Kaplan International, Inc.,
`New York, NY (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.c. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/688,655
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 16, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(62) Division of application No. 09/309,982, filed on May 11,
`1999, now Pat. No. 6,211,484, which is a division of
`application No. 08/690,309, filed on Jul. 30, 1996, now Pat.
`No. 5,932,119.
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/009,638, filed on Jan. 5,
`1996.
`
`Int. CI? .......................... B23K 26/38; B23K 26/03
`(51)
`(52) U.S. CI. ............................ 219/121.69; 219/121.68;
`219/121.83
`(58) Field of Search ................ 283/70, 74; 219/121.68,
`219/121.69, 121.83, 121.62, 121.82; 700/166;
`380/51; 356/30
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`671,830 A
`4/1901 Loesser
`671,831 A
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`2/1902 Stuurman
`6/1903 Schenck
`732,118 A
`6/1903 Schenck
`732,119 A
`6/1944 Deckel et al.
`2,351,932 A
`10/1968 Turner
`3,407,364 A
`12/1968 Siegler, Jr.
`3,414,354 A
`4/1969 Otstot et al.
`3,440,388 A
`9/1970 Taksoka .................. 125/30.01
`3,527,198 A
`11/1970 Barrett
`3,537,198 A
`11/1971 Steffen .................... 219/121.7
`3,622,739 A
`10/1972 Lumley et al.
`........ 219/121.69
`3,700,850 A
`11/1973 Flint et al. ............. 219/121.63
`3,775,586 A
`11/1976 Eickhorst
`3,989,379 A
`9/1977 Liu
`4,048,515 A
`4,056,952 A * 11/1977 Okuda
`4,059,471 A
`11/1977 Haigh ........................ 156/244
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`10/1978 Williams
`4,178,404 A
`12/1979 Allen et al.
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`4/1980 Wacks et al.
`4,247,318 A
`1/1981 Lee et al.
`4,259,011 A
`3/1981 Crumm et al.
`4,275,810 A * 6/1981 Waldmeier
`7/1983 Gresser et al. ............ 125/30 R
`4,392,476 A
`4,394,580 A
`7/1983 Gielisse
`4,397,556 A
`8/1983 Muller
`4,401,876 A
`8/1983 Cooper .................. 219/121.69
`
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`4,507,744 A
`4,514,085 A
`
`9/1983 Rivest et al.
`11/1983 Shapiro
`7/1984 McNeight et al. .......... 235/385
`8/1984 Ehrenwald et al. .... 219/121.68
`1/1985 Lessard
`3/1985 Fromson et al.
`3/1985 McFiggans et al.
`4/1985 Kaye
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`DE
`FR
`FR
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`WO
`WO
`
`12/1900
`133023
`5/2001
`130138
`10/1927
`643142
`2496888
`12/1980
`1/1919
`122470
`10/1963
`1057127
`12/1965
`1059249
`12/1965
`1094367
`12/1968
`1254120
`1/1969
`1292981
`2/1970
`1265241
`12/1970
`1326775
`4/1971
`1324903
`2/1972
`1377131
`2/1972
`1384813
`9/1972
`1405487
`10/1973
`1416568
`4/1974
`1446806
`1/1979
`2010474
`6/1980
`2052369
`2140555
`5/1984
`11/1973
`48100291
`5/1977
`50134362
`* 4/1981
`56-32131
`8/1982
`57137091
`3/1989
`01-58544
`1/1992
`4-08489
`4-66283 A * 3/1992
`6170571
`6/1994
`7-77989
`8/1995
`* 6/1993
`W096/12496
`WO 93/16631
`9/1993
`
`............ 219/121.68
`
`Primary Examiner-Geoffrey S. Evans
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Milde & Hoffberg, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A laser energy microinscribing system, including a semi(cid:173)
`conductor excited Q-switched solid state laser energy
`source; a cut gemstone mounting system, allowing optical
`access to a mounted workpiece; an optical system for
`focusing laser energy from the laser energy source onto a cut
`gemstone; a displace able stage for moving the gemstone
`mounting system with respect to the optical system so that
`the focused laser energy is presented to desired positions on
`the gemstone, having a control input; an imaging system for
`viewing the gemstone from a plurality of vantage points; and
`a rigid frame supporting the laser, the optical system and the
`stage in fixed relation, to resist differential movements of the
`laser, the optical system and the stage and increase immunity
`to vibrational misalignments.
`
`26 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`1
`
`TIFFANY 1001
`
`

`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`10/1986 Schnell et al.
`4,620,284 A
`12/1986 White ........................ 364/408
`4,630,201 A
`1/1987 Clark
`4,637,051 A
`9/1987 Gerrard et al.
`4,693,377 A
`1/1989 Gerrard
`4,799,786 A
`3/1989 Taylor
`4,812,965 A
`3/1989 Storch et al.
`4,814,589 A
`3/1989 Musyck et al.
`4,816,655 A
`8/1989 Pastor
`4,853,961 A
`10/1989 Bowley et al.
`4,875,771 A
`4/1990 Miekka et al.
`4,913,858 A
`1/1991 Dziewit et al.
`4,981,370 A
`5/1991 Wicker
`5,018,767 A
`5,056,826 A * 10/1991 Suwa
`5,073,935 A
`12/1991 Pastor
`5,113,445 A
`5/1992 Wang
`5,124,935 A * 6/1992 Wallner et al.
`5,142,577 A
`8/1992 Pastor
`5,149,938 A
`9/1992 Winston et al. ........ 219/121.69
`5,163,091 A
`11/1992 Graziano et al.
`11/1992 Quisquater
`5,166,978 A
`5,190,024 A
`3/1993 Senanayake
`5,191,613 A
`3/1993 Graziano et al.
`5,193,853 A
`3/1993 Wicker
`5,243,641 A
`9/1993 Evans et al.
`11/1993 Shamir
`5,263,085 A
`
`................. 283/74
`
`5,267,756 A * 12/1993 Molee et al.
`5,283,422 A
`2/1994 Storch et al.
`5,337,362 A
`8/1994 Gormish et al.
`11/1994 Storch et al.
`5,367,148 A
`5,367,319 A
`11/1994 Graham
`5,370,763 A
`12/1994 Curiel
`12/1994 Shamir
`5,375,170 A
`5,379,102 A * 1/1995 Tajeuchi
`5,380,047 A
`1/1995 Molee et al.
`5,384,846 A
`1/1995 Berson et al.
`5,388,158 A
`2/1995 Berson
`2/1995 D'Amato
`5,393,099 A
`5,410,125 A
`4/1995 Winston et al. ........ 219/121.69
`5,420,924 A
`5/1995 Berson et al.
`5,422,954 A
`6/1995 Berson
`5,426,700 A
`6/1995 Berson
`5,430,538 A * 7/1995 Kobayashi
`5,464,690 A
`11/1995 Boswell
`3/1996 Friedman ..................... 380/10
`5,499,294 A
`5,521,984 A * 5/1996 Denenberg et al.
`5,595,624 A * 1/1997 Curiel
`5,799,092 A * 8/1998 Kristol et al.
`5,828,405 A * 10/1998 Vanier et al.
`5,899,503 A * 5/1999 Yoshizawa
`5,974,150 A * 10/1999 Kaish et al.
`5,983,238 A * 11/1999 Becker et al.
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`filter to eliminate
`780mm from diode pumps
`
`filter to eliminate
`1047mm output
`\
`)1
`I Nd:YLF 2nd harmonic Fmt;v~ Xl 0 ,beam expander·.·"
`) ) (L....
`L . . . . ____ __ :..:::..J
`2 J
`( "- 4 "-- 5
`3
`
`I
`
`<) 9
`
`I
`
`\
`
`8
`< : . ; : . dichroic
`'''; mirror
`(
`
`10
`
`X10 microscope
`objective
`12
`~)-.-- diamond
`13
`"--11
`
`29
`
`FIG. 1
`
`LED
`650mm
`r-v-20
`-e.
`21/ .
`~22
`v
`
`t'
`II'
`co Ima mg
`lens
`
`24
`
`Top
`CCO
`reflecting
`~~~r---~--~ __ ~
`mirror
`\
`beam ~ camera
`- - I 25
`"-
`9 IS
`27
`splitter
`______ -7 L _~ di c,h roie
`laser beam
`II
`mirror
`
`r'---,..--~--.
`
`Girdle
`X200
`mag
`
`Camera
`View
`
`" 12
`
`l_microscope
`1 O~JJ objective
`26---11
`12
`~diamond
`'- 11
`13
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`10
`
`microscope
`objective
`
`LED,
`
`30
`LED
`650mm 33
`650mm 31-->" /~~~~_f~4 __ '----~_~D..,...e....l
`
`J - - - , .2
`
`/
`
`~amera
`
`11
`
`wi ndow
`doublet
`
`12
`
`r'-----{---------.
`
`Diameter
`profile
`X200
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Camera
`View
`
`microscope
`
`10--0--- objeclive
`12
`11~.13 13
`diamond
`..... ~ view along
`41,----?:»-.--r41 symmetry axis
`. .. : .. :~,~.
`.. '~ :" .
`
`I
`
`miniature ~~ 40J>",--- miniature
`arc lamp
`40
`arc lamp
`
`FIG. 4
`
`4
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`50
`\
`
`Y axis
`encoder
`
`XYZ
`motor
`Driver
`
`Y ~
`
`I - - - - - - - I
`
`L---------------~~ ~
`X a xis ---.----i ____ ~
`Z -elevator
`encoder
`
`Z axis/
`encoder
`L - -_ - - , - -__ -I Breakout '--_________ - -1
`control
`box
`cable
`
`cable 1':-/ cable
`55
`
`controller ~ 60
`
`PC ~52
`
`FIG. 5
`
`5
`
`

`
`I--"
`~
`I--"
`(I)
`~
`CJ\
`""-l
`~
`-..CJ\
`rJ'l
`
`e
`
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`
`'""'" 0'1
`o ....,
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
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`z o
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`--
`
`DRIVER I
`I
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`I
`
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`
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`
`\.L \J B(
`B)-r 83 -~ ·~L-J-l
`
`B1
`
`B5
`
`1-----~--
`
`PROCESSOR I ~DRIVER
`
`MICRO-
`CONTROL
`
`I ~88 __ BB7.
`
`-----
`
`I
`I
`
`--89
`
`B
`
`L'
`I DISPLAY
`
`MEMORY··
`
`I
`I KEYBOARD
`
`FIG. 6
`PRIOR ART
`
`l~ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ 1 L ----~ ---J-
`I ---
`
`-~ 75
`78 ":fL ________ ~--7 4
`__ 66 I 77 I ~r ~___ ---_li--73
`
`---
`
`---
`
`-
`
`I 79
`
`68 MICROSCOPE
`
`65
`
`_t _ __ _ V ~
`
`I 1--71
`
`___ ------==-
`--------~-===~~~ __ -_
`[MJCR~~C:QPEI 101
`
`-
`
`:
`:
`
`I
`I
`
`LENS
`
`ATTENUATOR
`VARIABLE V
`
`67
`
`___
`
`L -~ ---
`
`RF
`
`RF
`
`-
`
`--
`I I
`I I
`
`------
`
`II
`
`II
`
`RF PULSE
`
`1'
`
`6
`
`I 1
`
`I SYST lM
`COOLl~G
`AND
`
`I SUPPLY
`
`I-POWER
`
`I
`
`EXPANDER
`
`SCANNER
`
`6(~ -i
`
`.
`
`13
`
`BEAM §d BEAM
`
`j6 ~ll --~ 1 ----62· . ~ 6
`
`II MODULATOR L--_--'
`EXPANDER
`I I
`
`SCANNER
`
`X
`
`I
`LASER -FREQUENCY Q-SWITCH SHUTTER -
`I
`I 9~---~ -
`
`MULTIPLIER
`
`-
`
`;-___ -
`
`-
`
`6
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`n l' I
`
`I
`'
`
`I
`
`,
`
`~--~~f£
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`
`7
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`CX) o
`
`\
`
`I
`o
`
`8
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`~l
`
`9
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`/
`
`W
`r-
`
`co
`o
`
`10
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`H I
`~
`
`-127
`
`Perform
`home and
`loser
`warmup
`
`Jog diamond -V 128
`in top and
`side view
`screens
`
`y Main
`
`screen
`
`21
`
`Check
`all protections
`(interrupTs)
`
`!
`!
`I 122 Emergency stop
`I 123 laser ready
`124 limit reached
`125 door open
`
`I
`
`I
`126
`
`)
`I
`
`i
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`~
`
`( 135
`
`I
`!
`I
`
`Sys parom - adjust system
`parameters
`
`( 136
`"
`
`Diaa - motion system diagnostic LJ
`
`.J
`
`Report - Summary of inscription data
`
`Start new
`inscription
`
`134
`
`Inscri tion
`OK
`
`- V 129
`
`I
`Edit and
`position
`inscription
`top view
`
`I
`
`Bruled diamond
`I profile (side view)
`
`130
`
`I
`
`Run inscription
`(operate laser
`and move XYZ)
`
`131
`
`Repeat all or
`part of
`inscripticn
`
`i
`
`i
`
`132 ~, i Modulate laser
`
`"
`, according to the
`i
`font structure
`,/
`
`133
`
`FIG. 8
`
`11
`
`

`
`I--"
`~
`I--"
`(I)
`~
`0'1
`""-l
`'l.
`0'1
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`
`55
`
`~
`
`1
`
`1
`
`60
`\
`
`56
`
`SYSTEM
`--------
`COMPUTER
`
`-1 CARD
`~I GRAPHIC
`~
`
`52
`
`).
`
`' COMPUTER-V()-CONTROL
`
`CARD
`
`___ L
`I
`I
`I
`
`1
`
`MOTION
`
`57
`
`SCREEN
`COMPUTER
`VIDEO(UU
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`I
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`L-
`
`I 1=
`
`59
`
`58
`
`MOUSE
`
`I
`II I I
`I
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`I I
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`I I
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`I I
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`I I KEYOOAR~~
`I
`
`FIG. 9
`
`54
`'\
`
`BREAKOUT t-----
`
`J ," BOX
`
`I/O
`
`-l
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`SIDE
`
`r-------------------I X -Y STAGES ~ C -
`
`I J I
`-l I
`
`[ Z ELEVATOR
`
`I
`
`------.-
`
`51
`
`DRIVERS
`
`HOLDER 50-"-r--__
`DIAMOND ~ 11
`
`-
`
`13
`
`I OPTICAL ASSEMBLY !
`I CAMERA
`J
`I
`I
`-------
`l 32
`
`20
`
`------10
`8
`
`28
`
`I
`:
`
`I
`
`1
`
`CAMERA
`VERTICAL
`
`EXPANDER
`BEAM
`
`9
`
`,],
`
`14
`
`SUPPLY
`POWER
`
`L -
`-I -
`I FOCUSING
`I
`J-A2£R ~NI~ _1 ____ -.-J I
`I
`I
`I MIRROR
`I
`SYSTEM
`IJ DICHROIC 1_ LIGHT
`I [-U,SER
`I
`5 I:
`I
`I
`II
`I:
`i ,-
`II
`II
`I
`,-------,
`
`-
`
`12
`
`LENS
`
`--INPUT/OUTPUT
`
`---OPTICAL CONNECTION
`
`,-___ ---, ,-__________ --I
`
`I/O
`
`12
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`SIDE
`CCD
`ItvlAGER
`,¥
`
`I
`
`110
`\
`
`146
`28
`\/
`r-----,i(
`~ I
`I TOP
`13 ~~¥====F==;?-j- - - -~ ~ CCD
`:1'
`1(47
`:
`IMAGER
`II 'SENSOR 114.1
`I
`I I '
`Q-SWITCHED
`i
`Nd:YLF
`!
`LASER
`
`12
`
`!
`
`III
`
`145
`
`WORKPIECE
`MOUNT
`
`I LASER POWER
`, SIJPPLY AND
`CONTROL
`
`X
`~--I' TRAt~SLATIO~j
`CO NTROL
`~~=-1 !---:.Y:,..----i
`Z
`DRIVERS
`
`I I
`
`II
`
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`
`I '------~I
`WORKPIECE
`i
`I CHARACTERISTIC
`I I MANUAL
`INPUT
`INPUT
`L....,
`(KEYBOARD) ,
`
`148
`OPTICAL SENSOR
`BAR CODE 1 - - - - - - '
`
`155
`
`)
`153
`
`MARKING
`GENERATOR
`AND HIGH
`LEVEL CONTROL 1 - - - - - ,
`
`MARKING
`CONTROL
`SYSTEM
`I
`158
`
`MARKING
`DATABASE
`SYSTEM
`
`ENCRYPTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`{I MIKE ~I-__ .-.J
`
`MAGNETIC
`DISK OR
`STRIP
`
`150
`
`\
`
`151
`
`152
`\
`TELECOMMUNICATION
`LINK
`
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`156
`
`157
`
`TERMINAL
`
`I~f-----I
`H
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`LJ
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`1 ;:;1
`'''' I
`
`160
`
`FIG. 10
`
`13
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`170~ AUTOMATIC MARKING
`GENERATOR
`
`171----1"'
`
`IMAGE
`RECEIVE
`OF WORKPIECE
`
`172
`
`173
`
`I~~AGE ANALYSIS
`TO DETERMINE
`CHARACTERISTICS
`
`ARE
`CHARACTERISTICS
`UNIQUE
`
`NO
`
`I
`
`PROPOSE
`CHARACTERISTIC
`CHANGE WITH
`MARKING
`
`\
`\
`I
`174
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`175 ----+-
`
`GENERATE
`ENCRYPTED
`CODE
`
`1761 I
`
`I
`
`I r
`OUTPUT
`ENCRYPTED CODE
`TO MARKING
`CONTROL
`I
`
`177 - -0
`
`FIG. 11
`
`14
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`:BC~' ,
`
`S~QiJErKE
`
`1 3 1 -----;--
`!
`!
`
`ViEW WORKPiECE
`UNC:3 i~jAGNIFICA TlON
`
`183
`\
`
`I
`
`PROCESS ~lARKt~jGS
`WI 7 H PU8UC KC:Y
`TO REVEAL
`CHARACTERISTIC
`
`COMPARE ENCODED
`CHARACTERISTIC
`TO ACTU.4L
`CHARACTERISTiC
`
`I
`
`1821 ~------~----~
`
`TRANSf~IT ~jARKINGS
`TO CENTRAL
`SYSTEM
`
`I
`185 ------t I
`
`i
`I
`1 8 6 -------+
`I
`
`I
`187 ----l
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`.. M'i
`
`i? j j - ! '
`
`EXTRACT/READ
`CHARACTERISTIC
`INFORMATION
`FROM WORKPIECE
`
`TRANSMIT
`CHARACTERISTICS
`TO CENTRAL SYSTEM
`
`AUTHENTICATE
`WCRKPIECE AT
`C::NTRAL SYSTEM
`BY COMPARING
`CHARACT::RISTICS TO
`DATABASE RECORD
`
`TRANSMIT
`AUTHENTICATION
`TO REMOTE
`SiTE
`
`END
`AUT~E~HICATION
`
`FIG. 12
`
`15
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`/' 200
`
`/
`I
`
`201
`
`\
`
`~
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`!
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`/
`
`0
`
`FIG. 13A
`
`II K IClDO 1 {324 5 6~206 JJ1
`
`210
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`I
`
`208
`
`(9
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`202
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`I
`
`207
`('\)
`I
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`\- .. /
`
`FIG. 13D
`
`16
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`211
`
`I "'--I - I - I -II
`
`I
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`I
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`:
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`214
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`FIG. 138
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`222
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`
`221
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`224
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`
`223
`
`17
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 5, 2002
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 6,476,351 Bl
`
`142
`
`LASER 1
`
`1 41
`
`141
`
`142
`
`140
`
`- - - - - - -1
`I
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`
`18
`
`

`
`1
`LASER MARKING SYSTEM
`
`US 6,476,351 B1
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`The present application is a divisional of application Ser. 5
`No. 09/309,982, filed May 11, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,211,484, which was a divisional of application Ser. No.
`08/690,309, filed Jul. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,119,
`issued Aug. 3, 1999 which claims the benefit of provisional 10
`application 60/009,638 filed Jan. 5, 1996.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the field of inscribing
`indicia on a surface of gemstones, and more particularly to
`a system employing a Q-switched pulse laser for forming
`markings on a portion of a gemstone.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`1980, pp. 90 and 91; "Laser Application Notes", 1(1)
`(February 1979); "New Hyperyag", on Model DLPY
`4-System 2000 Yag Laser; and "Diamonds": N.A.G. Press
`LTD, Chapter Eleven, pp. 235-242.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,786, incorporated herein by reference,
`relates to a method of diamond identification in which a
`sample to be identified is placed in a beam of monochro(cid:173)
`matic laser radiation of pre-determined wavelength. The
`scattered Raman radiation emitted from the sample is passed
`through a filter adapted to pass only scattered Raman
`radiation of frequency characteristic of a diamond. The
`filtered radiation is then detected by the human eye or a
`photocell device. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,397,556 and
`4,693,377, and foreign patent GB 2,140,555, Melles Griot,
`15 Optics Guide 3, 1985, pp, 1, 333, 350, 351; and Solin et aI.,
`Physical Review B, 1(4):1687-1698 (Feb. 15, 1970).
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,771, incorporated herein by reference,
`relates to a method for assessing diamond quality, by assess(cid:173)
`ing diamonds with a laser Raman spectrometer. The system
`20 is initially calibrated by use of diamonds with known quality
`characteristics, the characteristics having been assessed, for
`example, by a conventional subjective procedure. Diamonds
`of unknown quality characteristics are then placed in the
`spectrometer and irradiated with laser radiation. The inten-
`25 sity of the scattered Raman signal from the diamond is
`monitored for one or more orientations of the diamond, the
`resultant signal being a characteristic of the diamond and
`believed to indicate a quality level of the diamond. See also,
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,414,354, 3,989,379, 4,259,011, 4,394,580,
`30 4,397,556 and 4,620,284, and foreign patents FR 643,142,
`FR 2,496,888, JP 01-58,544, GB 1,384,813, GB 1,416,568,
`GB 2,010,474, GB 0,041,348 and GB 2,140,555, S. A. Solin
`and K. A. Ramdas, Raman Spectrum of Diamond, Physical
`Review vol. 1(4), pp. 1687-1698.
`The aforementioned documents detail components, meth(cid:173)
`ods and systems which may be applied in the construction
`and operation of the present invention.
`
`35
`
`Aknown system, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,476,
`incorporated herein by reference, for inscribing diamonds
`includes a Nd:YAG (1.06 ,um, frequency doubled)
`Q-switched laser which marks diamonds by graphitizing the
`surface at a laser focal point. The beam position is computer
`controlled to create overlapping treated regions. The accu(cid:173)
`racy of known embodiments of this system are limited by
`vibration and laser steering system accuracy.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,172, incorporated herein by reference,
`describes a laser beam diamond inscribing system, which
`provides a Q-switched fiashlamp pumped YAG laser (1.06
`,um, frequency doubled) with the diamond mounted on a
`computer-controlled positioning table for inscribing alpha(cid:173)
`numeric characters. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,351,932,
`3,407,364, 3,527,198, 3,622,739, 3,775,586 and 4,048,515,
`and foreign patents JP 00-48,489 and JP 00-77,989
`U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,410,125 and 5,149,938 describe systems
`which produce a gemstone marking by employing an exci(cid:173)
`mer laser (193 nm) with a masked marking image. Thus,
`repositioning to form complete characters or graphics is 40
`unnecessary. The diamond selectively absorbs the excimer
`laser radiation and undergoes a partial allotropic transfor(cid:173)
`mation without losing its diamond crystal lattice configura(cid:173)
`tion. See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,527,198 and 4,401,876. U.S.
`Pat. No. 5,410,125 is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 45
`595,861, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,938.
`Gemstone News, Nov. 2, 1995, "Serial Numbers are Laser
`Inscribed", and Jeweler's Keystone-Circular, June 1996, pp.
`76 relate to gemstones inscribed with serial numbers or
`markings.
`U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,198 relates to a method of working
`diamonds using laser energy. U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,024,
`relates to a diamond sawing process. A laser can be used
`both to mark and saw the diamond in one operation. See
`also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 671,830, 671,831, 694,215, 732,118, 55
`732,119, 3,527,198 and 4,392,476, as well as Foreign Ref(cid:173)
`erence GB 122,470.
`U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,876 relates to a system for kerfing a
`gemstone such as a diamond, employing a high energy, high
`pulse rate, low order mode, laser beam. See also, U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 3,440,388, 3,527,198 and 3,700,850, as well as foreign
`references BE 877,326, DE 130,138, DE 133,023, GB
`1,057,127, GB 1,059,249, GB 1,094,367, GB 1,254,120, GB
`1,265,241, GB 1,292,981, GB 1,324,903, GB 1,326,775, GB
`1,377,131, GB 1,405,487, GB 1,446,806, GB 2,052,369,
`Laser Institute of America, "Guide for Material Processing
`by Lasers" 1978; "Industrial Diamond Review", March
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a system having a pulse
`laser, such as a Q-switched laser diode excited Nd:YLF
`laser, which produces a series of ablated or graphitized spots
`on the surface of a workpiece, such as a diamond gemstone.
`The workpiece is mounted on a translatable stage, for
`focusing and positioning of the beam.
`The translatable stage is controlled by a computer to
`produce a complex marking pattern. This computer may also
`be used for process control and imaging, as well as other
`50 functions.
`The process according to the present invention typically
`achieves a positioning accuracy of about ±1 micron. The
`laser and translatable mounting stage are compact and are
`preferably rigidly mounted on a common platform, allowing
`sufficient common mode vibration immunity so that only
`standard vibration damping need be employed rather than
`extraordinary damping. Therefore, simple and small passive
`vibration isolation mounts for the platform or chassis are
`employed, rather than requiring active vibration suppression
`60 systems as in known systems.
`Optical feedback of the process is possible through one or
`more video cameras, e.g., 2 CCD imagers provided at right
`angles, which are provided with a field of view including the
`focal point of the laser. The correct positioning of the
`65 gemstone may thus be assured by correct alignment of the
`imagers on the workpiece. One imager is directed at the
`work surface along the axis of the laser, and has a focal plane
`
`19
`
`

`
`US 6,476,351 B1
`
`3
`including the focal point of the laser. Optical feedback
`through the imagers may also be used to monitor the
`progress of the marking process, and therefore may be used
`to adjust workpiece positioning as well as inscription speed,
`number, intensity and/or rate of pulses at a given location, as
`well as to verify progress of the marking process. One
`imager is directed to view a top portion of the workpiece,
`e.g., directed perpendicular to the table surface of a
`diamond, allowing identification of a girdle profile, while
`the second imager is directed to view a side portion of the
`workpiece, e.g., a profile, and also providing a direct view
`of the girdle of a gemstone. Thus, the second imager may be
`used to view the marking process in real time.
`The optical feedback system also allows the operator to
`design an inscription, locate the inscription on the
`workpiece, verify the marking process and archive or store
`an image of the workpiece and formed markings.
`The markings themselves may have an invariant
`inscription, a fully automated inscription, e.g., a serial
`number, a semiautomated inscription, e.g., having a fixed
`and variable portion, or a fully custom inscription, including
`graphics.
`According to one embodiment, an inscription for a gem(cid:173)
`stone is defined in relation to a bar code which accompanies 25
`the packaging for the gemstone or a preprinted sheet. A bar
`code reader is provided for the operator to input the bar
`codes into a computer, without having to retype the data and
`with lower risk of error. Thus, an inscription may include a
`fixed portion, e.g., a logo or trademark, a semivariable 30
`portion, e.g., a gem rating or grading, and a hypervariable
`portion, e.g., a serial number. In this case, for example, a
`logo or trademark is preprogrammed, and inscribed on every
`workpiece in a series. The gem rating or grading can be
`scanned as a bar code, printed on a sheet associated with that 35
`gemstone, such as a receipt or label. The serial number may
`be automatically determined, and for example, printed on a
`receipt or label, and employed as a unique identifier to be
`applied to the stone. The inscribed characters need not be
`limited to alphanumeric symbols, and in fact may be fonts 40
`in any language, line-drawing characters, custom characters
`or pictorial representations.
`The workpiece may be associated with data, stored in a
`medium physically associated with the workpiece or in a
`remote medium accessible through use of an identification 45
`of the workpiece. For example, the associated memory is a
`nonvolatile memory, such as a battery-backed random
`access memory, an electrically erasable read only memory,
`a ferroelectric memory, or other storage media such as
`magnetic stripes, rotating magnetic media, optical 50
`memories, and printed matter.
`A vanity inscription may be provided on the workpiece as
`a custom or semicustom inscription, which may be provided
`as computer test, graphics or a computer-scanned image.
`The marking system may be employed to mark portions of 55
`a gemstone other than the girdle, for example the table.
`Therefore, in the case of such vanity inscriptions, the intent
`may be to provide a visible inscription, to enhance the
`sentimental value of the workpiece, rather than to provide an
`unobtrusive microscopic identification or authentication 60
`marking.
`In many instances, it is desired that each inscribed work(cid:173)
`piece be separately identifiable. This may be by way of a
`unique marking on the stone or a unique combination of
`marking and easily identified characteristics of the
`workpiece, such as weight, shape, type, etc. In one
`embodiment, the markings themselves form a code, such as
`
`4
`an alphanumeric or bar code, which may be electronically or
`automatically read or ascertained from an examination of the
`workpiece.
`An image of the marked workpiece may be formed or
`5 printed on a certificate which accompanies the workpiece,
`allowing verification that the workpiece corresponds to the
`certificate by studying the image in comparison with the
`actual workpiece. The image advantageously includes all or
`a portion of the marking, as well as identifiable features of
`10 the workpiece, such as landmarks, edges, facets, etc. Thus,
`the image may be used as a "fingerprint" identification of the
`workpiece. The image on the certificate may be formed
`photographically or electronically. Thus, the image as stored
`need not be formed through the CCD images or the marking
`15 system, and may be produced as a separate step.
`Advantageously, an image of a completed marking or a
`bitmap of an inscription program is stored in a database, and
`therefore is available for comparison and later authentication
`of a workpiece, and to prevent inadvertent or undesired
`20 duplicate markings. The storage may be electronic or
`photographic, and thus the database may reside on magnetic
`or magneto optical media, microfilm, paper or film, holo(cid:173)
`graphic crystals, magnetic or optical tape, or other known
`media.
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a
`duplicate-prevention function is provided integral to the
`marking device which may not be overridden by a user, e.g.,
`to prevent inadvertent or intentional misuse of the system. In
`this case, the laser system may include a lockout circuit
`which prevents activation of the laser control and position-
`ing systems under unauthorized circumstances. Such a lock(cid:173)
`out may be provided in the power supply or other critical
`subsystem of the device.
`Based on the use of the marking system, a report may be
`generated by the computer/controller. Because the inscrip(cid:173)
`tion is a raster ablated image, such report may advanta(cid:173)
`geously include either the programmed inscription as a
`graphic printout or an image received from the optical
`feedback imaging system, e.g., the video camera. As stated
`above, the report may also include or be associated with a
`certificate of authenticity, e.g., including a facsimile of the
`workpiece image including the marking. A known image
`authentication scheme is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,
`294, incorporated herein by reference.
`The entire workpiece is generally mounted on a translat(cid:173)
`able stage, allowing precise positioning. Thus, for compact
`designs, the holder may accommodate workpieces of less
`than about 30 mm in a largest dimension, although the stage
`is capable of accurate positioning over a larger distance. The
`stage is generally translatable along three axes, X, Y, and Z
`in a Cartesian coordinate system, but may also include other
`axes, e.g., rotational axes. For example, a brilliant cut
`diamond is radially symmetric. Therefore, where an inscrip(cid:173)
`tion or marking is desired around the diamond girdle, the
`diamond may be held in focus by adjusting a Z axial
`displacement and an inscription defined by translation along
`the X and Y axes during laser pulsing. Alternately, the
`diamond may be initially positioned appropriately along the
`X, Y and Z axes, and rotated about an axis and translated
`sequentially along a Y axis to define the inscription. In this
`case, the Z axis and possibly X axis may also be used to
`retain focus condition. Where X, Y and Z axes are employed
`for automated control, a manual rotational control is pref-
`65 erably provided with detents at regular intervals.
`The positioning system, for moving the workpiece in
`relation to the laser focal point may also include or be
`
`20
`
`

`
`US 6,476,351 B1
`
`15
`
`5
`formed from beam steering systems, such as mirrors, elec(cid:173)
`troop tical elements, spatial light modulators, such as the
`Texas Instruments Digital Mirror Device ("DMD", also
`known as Digital Light Processor, "DLP"), holographic or
`diffractive elements, or other optical systems. However, a 5
`translatable stage is a preferred means for directing the
`focused laser energy onto a desired portion of the workpiece.
`The workpiece generally sits in a holder which detachably
`mounts to the translatable stage. Thus, a workpiece may be
`suitably mounted in a holder outside the apparatus while
`another workpiece is being inscribed. These holders may
`also increase the versatility of the device by providing
`adaptation to workpieces or various sizes and shapes. For
`example, round, oval, heart, marquis and other cut diamonds
`may each be provided with separately optimized holders;
`further, diamonds of various size ranges may be accommo(cid:173)
`dated by differing holders, as necessary.
`According to another embodiment, a mounted workpiece,
`e.g., a diamond in a setting, may be inscribed on portions
`which are not obscured. For example, in a pronged setting,
`a portion of the girdle may be exposed, and thus may be
`available for marking. In this case, a multi-articulated holder
`or set of holders may be provided to properly position the
`workpiece within the inscribing chamber of the device.
`Holders may be provided to accommodate mounted gems in
`rings, earrings, pendants, and possibly bracelets, brooches,
`and other common forms.
`The computerized control system provides a user inter(cid:173)
`face making the various functionality accessible to users,
`and may further limit use and operation to safe and/or
`desired activities. Therefore, the computerized control sys(cid:173)
`tem may be programmed to limit activities which would
`damage the workpiece, circumvent security or authentica(cid:173)
`tion procedures, or otherwise be undesired. The computer(cid:173)
`ized control system may therefore require user
`authentication, employ video pattern recognition of the
`workpiece, especially markings on the workpiece, and con(cid:173)
`trol operation of the laser system to avoid damage to the
`system components or the particular workpiece. The system
`may also acquire an image, fingerprint, retinal image or
`other secure identification of the operator.
`The system may also include a diamond or gemstone
`analysis system for describing the quality and/or character(cid:173)
`istics of the workpiece. This analysis may be employed by
`the system in order to optimize the marking process, gen(cid:173)
`erate data to be marked on the workpiece, and/or to store
`data identifying the workpiece in relation to the marking.
`This system may operate automatically or semiautomati(cid:173)
`cally. It is noted that, where gemstone classification auto- 50
`mation is employed, a failsafe classification scheme will
`generally be employed which provides a manual classifica(cid:173)
`tion or preclassification first. Thus, the risk of mismarking or
`misclassification will be reduced by the redundancy. The
`characteristics of the workpiece may be used to control
`parameters of th