US4392476A — Method and apparatus for placing identifying indi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 104 words

A method for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond comprising: applying a laser beam to a surface of said diamond; and controlling said laser beam to enable said laser beam to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and adjusting the laser beam power to graphitize and inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 104 words

A method for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond comprising: applying a laser beam to a surface of said diamond; and controlling said laser beam to enable said laser beam to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and adjusting the laser beam power to graphitize and inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 12 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said indicium is indelible.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said indicium is of any preselected character.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said indicium is indicative of the origin of said diamond, whereby said diamond can be identified if stolen or lost.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein: said indicium is indicative of the value of said diamond, whereby said value cannot be misrepresented.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein: said indicium is indicative of one of the color, weight, degree of perfection and vendor of said diamond.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: controlling of said laser beam is such that said inscribed indicium is of a character which substantially preserves the value of said diamond.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: controlling of said laser beam is such that said inscribed indicium is of a character which would result in an appreciable reduction in the value of said diamond if said indicium were removed.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said inscribed indicium is imperceptible to the human eye.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the intensity, width and time duration of application of said laser beam are controlled to inscribe said indicium.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the expanse of said laser beam having sufficient intensity to inscribe said diamond is controlled to be equal to or less than approximately 100 microns at said surface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein: the expanse of said laser beam having sufficient intensity to inscribe said stone is controlled to be equal to or greater than approximately 1 micron at said surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein: the expanse of said laser beam having sufficient intensity to inscribe said stone is controlled to be equal to or greater than approximately 10 microns at said surface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the power of said laser beam is controlled to be within a range of approximately 0.5 to 5 kW at said surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: controlling of said laser beam includes adjusting the laser beam power to a level sufficient to graphitize said diamond at the start of inscribing said indicium.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: moving of said beam includes deflecting said beam in a first direction and a second direction transverse to said first direction.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein: the degree of deflection of said beam in said first and second directions is changed intermittently.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said surface is on the girdle of said diamond.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: controlling of said beam includes focusing said beam onto said surface of said stone.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said beam is controlled to inscribe a plurality of further indicia on said surface.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 53 words

A method in accordance with claim 20 further including: maintaining said diamond stationary during inscription of each said indicium and moving said diamond subsequent to inscription of an indicium and prior to the inscription of the next successive indicium to bring a non-inscribed area of said surface into confronting relationship with said beam.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 99 words

A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein: said method further includes initially orienting said diamond to situate the center of rotation of said surface at a point which is on the axis of said beam and which is spaced from the point of focus of said beam by a distance equal to the radius of curvature of said surface; and moving of said diamond includes rotating said diamond about said point to bring each non-inscribed area into confronting relationship with said beam, whereby said beam is maintained in focus on the successive areas of said surface being inscribed.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 55 words

A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising: prior to initially orienting said diamond, moving said diamond to at least three positions for which said surface is at the point to which said beam is to be focused and calculating from said positions the center of rotation and radius of curvature of said surface.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 63 words

A method in accordance with claim 21 wherein: said method further includes initially orienting said diamond to situate said surface orthogonal to the axis of said beam; and moving of said diamond includes translating said diamond to bring each non-inscribed area into confronting relationship with said beam, whereby said beam is maintained in focus on the successive areas of said surface being inscribed.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method in accordance with claim 24 further comprising: prior to initially orienting said diamond, moving said diamond to a number of positions for which said surface is at the point to which said beam is to be focused and calculating from said positions the intersection angle of said surfaces.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 61 words

A method in accordance with Claim 1 wherein: said diamond has an energy absorbing material on said surface; and said method further comprises adjusting said laser beam such that a pulse of said beam applied to a first position on the path of said indicium is of higher energy than that of the pulses applied to succeeding positions on said path.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 13 words

A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein: said material is carbon black.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method in accordance with claim 26 further comprising: applying said energy absorbing material to said surface of said diamond.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: applying said laser beam includes Q-switching the output of a continuous laser source.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 100 words

Apparatus for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond comprising: means for controllably applying a laser beam to a surface of said diamond to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: means for intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and means for adjusting the laser beam power to graphitize and inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 100 words

Apparatus for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond comprising: means for controllably applying a laser beam to a surface of said diamond to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: means for intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and means for adjusting the laser beam power to graphitize and inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said applying means controls said laser beam such that said inscribed indicium is indelible.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said applying means controls said laser beam such that said inscribed indicium is of a character which substantially preserves the value of said diamond.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said applying means controls said laser beam such that said inscribed indicium is of a character which would result in an appreciable reduction in the value of said diamond if said indicium were removed.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said applying means controls said beam such that said inscribed indicium is imperceptible to the human eye.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said control means provides an expanse of said laser beam having sufficient intensity to inscribe said surface which is equal to or less than approximately 100 microns at said surface.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein: said control means provides an expanse of said laser beam having sufficient intensity to inscribe said surface which is equal to or greater than approximately 1 micron at said surface.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 38 wherein: said control means includes a lens means for focusing said beam onto said surface.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 37 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said adjusting means provides a laser beam of sufficient power such that the power of said beam is within a range of approximately 0.5 to 5 kW at said surface.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said adjusting means adjusts the laser beam power to a level sufficient to graphitize said surface at the start of inscribing said indicium.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 13 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said adjusting means includes a Q-switch.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said generating means includes a continuous laser source.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 36 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said moving means further includes: means for deflecting said beam in a first direction; and means for deflecting said beam in a second direction transverse to said first direction.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 47 wherein: said deflecting means each include a digital deflector.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said beam is controlled to inscribe a plurality of further indicia on said surface.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 46 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 44 further including: means for maintaining said diamond stationary during inscription of each said indicium and moving said diamond subsequent to inscription of the next successive indicium to bring a non-inscribed area of said surface into confronting relationship with said beam.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 70 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 wherein: said diamond moving means includes: a first table means for translating said diamond in a first direction; a second table means for translating said diamond in a second direction; a third table means supporting said first and second table means for rotating said diamond; and a fourth table means for supporting said third table means and translating said diamond in said first direction.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 45 further including: computer means for sequentially controlling the operation of said applying means, beam moving means and said diamond moving means.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 64 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein: said diamond has an energy absorbing material on said surface; and said means for adjusting said laser beam further includes means for causing a pulse of said laser beam applied to a first position on the path of said indicium to be of higher energy than that of the pulses applied to succeeding positions on said path.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus in accordance with claims 30 wherein: said surface is on the girdle of said diamond.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 149 words

A method for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond, a surface of said diamond having an energy absorbing material thereon, comprising: applying a laser beam to said surface of said diamond; and controlling said laser beam to enable said laser beam to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and adjusting the laser beam power to inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions including causing a pulse of said laser beam applied to a first position on the path of said indicium to be of higher energy than that of the pulses applied to succeeding positions on said path.

Claim 53

Independent Claim 149 words

A method for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond, a surface of said diamond having an energy absorbing material thereon, comprising: applying a laser beam to said surface of said diamond; and controlling said laser beam to enable said laser beam to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and adjusting the laser beam power to inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions including causing a pulse of said laser beam applied to a first position on the path of said indicium to be of higher energy than that of the pulses applied to succeeding positions on said path.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method in accordance with claim 50 further comprising: applying said energy absorbing material to said surface.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 145 words

Apparatus for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond, a surface of said diamond having an energy absorbing material thereon, comprising: means for controllably applying a laser beam to said surface of said diamond to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: means for intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and means for adjusting the laser beam power to inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions including causing a pulse on said laser beam applied to a first position on the path of said indicium to be of higher energy than that of the pulses applied to succeeding positions on said path.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 145 words

Apparatus for providing an identifying indicium to a diamond, a surface of said diamond having an energy absorbing material thereon, comprising: means for controllably applying a laser beam to said surface of said diamond to inscribe into said diamond surface an indicium including: means for intermittently moving said laser beam to successive positions on said diamond surface along a path corresponding to said indicium, said beam at each position covering a diamond surface area overlapping the diamond surface area covered by the beam at the immediately preceding position on said indicium; and means for adjusting the laser beam power to inscribe said diamond surface at each of said positions including causing a pulse on said laser beam applied to a first position on the path of said indicium to be of higher energy than that of the pulses applied to succeeding positions on said path.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1986-07-11	1987-01-10	1987-07-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1990-07-11	1991-01-10	1991-07-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1994-07-11	1995-01-10	1995-07-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for placing identifying indicia on the surface of precious stones including diamonds

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