WO1999004355A1

WO1999004355A1 - Method and system for identification of registered articles

Info

Publication number: WO1999004355A1
Application number: PCT/RU1997/000344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Iliya Isayevich Shaulov
Original assignee: Iliya Isayevich Shaulov
Priority date: 1997-07-15
Filing date: 1997-11-03
Publication date: 1999-01-28
Also published as: RU2106689C1; AU5141098A

Abstract

The invention relates to methods and systems for manufactured and registered article identification. Its use makes it possible to identify any registered articles, in particular, by law-enforcing authorities and insurance companies. The method consists in storing parameters of manufactured articles together with individual numbers allocated to them in a reference and at least one working database, comparing the data requested in the databases and updating information about a particular article in the working database. The technical result is achieved due to the fact that each article in the process of its manufacture is marked with allocated individual numbers, while during introduction of the article into economic circulation, information is requested about such article with the same individual numbers in the databases. When the ccompared parameters coincide, updating of information on this article is performed at least with respect to its legal status, and when even a part of information fails to coincide, checking is performed by means of comparative analysis of the given article parameters and/or by means of corresponding physical methods in order to determine even one valid individual number. A system for implementation of the method comprises a reference database (2), a working database (3), a database access means (6), a comparison means (7) and communication links (8, 9). The system is supplemented with a marking means (1), data input means (4) and data input station (5).

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFICATION OF REGISTERED ARTICLES

Technical field

The present invention relates to methods and systems for identification of manufactured and registered articles such as automobiles, arms, etc.

Description of the prior art

Currently, various methods and system implementing them are known that allow to identify manufactured and registered articles in the process of their use.

Thus, a method for credit card identification is known consisting in marking each credit card with an identification number, inputting this identification number at each use of the credit card into a terminal working memory together with other identifying data, transferring the input identification number to a central facility to enquire information stored in its memory under this identification number, transmitting this information to the terminal and comparing it with information from the credit card (application EPO No.01 12944, CI.G07 F 7/10, publ.1984). This method is implemented in an appropriate system including a central facility with the main memory (database), a network of remote terminals having their own databases, communication links to connect the remote terminals with the central facility, a set of credit cards and a device for applying to them (for their marking) a corresponding identification code (the above- mentioned application EPO No.01 12944). Disadvantages of this method and system include impossibility to determine legitimacy of credit card use in the case when its illegal owner during his or her next accessing the terminal inputs an identification number which coincides with the number stored in the central facility database.

A method is also known for article identification comprising marking an article being manufactured and storing this marking in a database, supplying articles to remote points, recognition of desired articles by reading their marking at each point and comparing the marking read with corresponding data in the database, and on the basis of this comparison result decision is made on further transfer of the article or on retaining it at the given point (International application No. WO91/10202, Cl. G06 F 15/46, publ. 1991 ). This method is implemented within a system including a point for marking an article, a device for inputting marking into the database, devices for reading the marking at remote points, a communication link between the database and the devices for marking reading, a device for comparing the marking read with that stored in the database and a decision-making device (the above-mentioned application No. WO 91/10202). Disadvantages of this method and system include a rather limited field if application not enabling to use them for identification (and registration) of such articles as automobiles, motorcycles, fire-arms, since this method and system do not provide for any means for article identification during their illegal use.

A similar method and system are known from the French application No. 2731816 (Cl. G06 F 17/60, publ. 1996) which has the same drawbacks as the previous method and system.

The closest to the claimed method is a method for registered article identification in which parameters of each article being manufactured are stored in a reference database together with individual numbers allocated to it, the article parameters are stored together with the individual numbers allocated to it in at least one working database, information is retrieved from databases, retrieved information is compared from at least the reference database and/or at least one working database, and information on specific article is updated in at least one working database (US patent No. 5528490, Cl. G06 F 17/60, publ. 1996). Correspondingly, the closest to the claimed system is that for registered article identification comprising a reference database, at least one working database, at least one database access device, a communication link connecting the reference database and at least one working database with at least one database access device, and at least one comparison means connected with the corresponding database access device and designed to compare information from the reference database and at least one working database (the above-mentioned US patent No 5528490). This method and system have the same drawbacks as the above-listed objects

In this connection, the object of the present invention is no develop such a method for registered article identification and a system implementing it which would allow to eliminate the above disadvantages, i.e. which would enable to use them for identification of any registered articles, including with the aim of detecting their illegitimate use, for example, in re-selling a stolen car, or for the purposes of insurance when it is necessary to minimise the risks of insurance organisation due to possible client's lack of conscientiousness.

Essence of invention

In order to achieve the above result in the method for registered article identification wherein parameters of each article being manufactured are stored together with individual numbers allocated to it in a reference database, article parameters are stored together with the individual numbers allocated to it in at least one working database, information is retrieve from the database, information is compared retrieved from at least the reference database and/or at least one working database, and information on specific article is updated in at least one working database, according to the present invention, each article is physically marked during manufacture with at least one of individual numbers allocated to it, in introducing an article into economic circulation, the above enquiry is made for information in databases about a similar article having the same individual numbers, subject to availability of requested information in a corresponding database, the above comparison is made for article parameters contained therein with parameters of the above article being introduced into economic circulation, when the compared parameters from the requested information coincide with those of the above article being introduced into economic circulation, in said at least one working database said information updating on the given article is performed at least in the part relating to its legal status, when at least a part of compared parameters of the article being introduced into economic circulation does not coincide with corresponding parameters from information retrieved from the reference and/or said working database, or in the absence in the reference database of any information on the article having the requested individual numbers, check is made by means of comparative analysis of the set of parameters of the actual article with corresponding parameters of similar articles information on which is available in the databases, and/or using appropriate physical techniques to determine at least one valid individual number of the given article.

Here a specific feature of the method according to the present invention is that after determining the valid individual number of the article information is requested about an article of similar type having the same individual number in the reference and said working databases and upon receipt in response to this enquiry of information, the legal status of the given article is determined and decision is made on the possibility of the give article introduction into economic circulation.

Further, a specific feature of the present method is that in an article introduction into economic circulation, said requesting information on an article of similar type with the same individual numbers is performed simultaneously in the reference and at least in one working databases, and said comparison of article parameters from the requested information with parameters of the above article being introduced into economic circulation is made subject to availability of the requested information in the reference database.

Alternatively, in the present method in introducing an article into economic circulation, said requesting information on an article of the same type with the same individual numbers is made in at least one working database, in the absence of the requested information, in said at least one working database, requesting the same information is made in the reference database, while said comparison of article parameters from the requested information with those of the above article being introduced into economic circulation is performed subject to availability of the requested information in the reference database and/or in said at least one working database.

One more distinction of the present method is that at least one individual number allocated to an article is an individual number of at least one of its part which is physically applied to this part during the process of its manufacture.

A distinction of this method is also that storing of information on each article manufactured in the reference database is effected only once.

Further distinction of the claimed method is that the working database is formed for the purposes of insuring articles or of struggle against stealing articles.

Yet further distinction of the present method is that introduction of a manufactured article into economic circulation is initial or repeated.

Finally, a distinction of the present method is that information about each manufactured article is entered, apart from the reference database, into a first memory area of an identification data carrier which is subsequently accessible only for readout, while next information on introduction of the given article into economic circulation is updated, apart from at least one working database, in a second memory area of said identification data carrier which is accessible both for write-in and for readout.

In order to achieve the same result, the system for registered article identification comprising a reference database, at least one working database, at least one means for accessing databases, communication links connecting the reference database and at least one working database with at least one database access means, and at least one comparison means connected with the corresponding database access means and designed for comparing information from the reference database with that of at least one working database, according to the present invention, additionally incorporates at least one marking means designed for marking each article during or after the process of its manufacture with at least one individual number allocated to the given article, at least one data input means designed for inputting information about a manufactured article into the reference database, at least one data input station designed for inputting information on an article being introduced into economic circulation into at least one working database via a corresponding database access means.

A distinction of the present system is that it additionally comprises at least one decision-making means designed for making decisions on the possibility of introducing into economic circulation of the given article based on comparison results, in the comparison means, of this article parameters with those from the information requested in the corresponding database.

Yet one more distinction of the system of this invention is that the reference database is intended for one-time data recording.

Here in the present system the data input means may be connected with the marking means for automatic entry into the reference database of information about each manufactured article at the time of its marking.

Alternatively, in the present system the data input means may be provided with a marking readout means connected to the input of said data input means and designed for reading from each article of at least one individual number applied to it.

It is also possible that the data input means includes at least a data input unit, a display unit and a communication unit for communication with the reference database correspondingly connected to provide for a human operator the possibility to enter into the reference database information about a manufactured article together with its at least one individual number.

Moreover, in the claimed system the data input station may be provided with a marking readout means connected to said data input station and intended to read from each article at least one individual number applied to it.

Alternatively, in the present system it is possible that the data input station includes at least a data input unit, a display unit and a communication unit for communication with the working database correspondingly connected to provide a human operator the possibility to enter into a corresponding working database information on a manufactured article together with its at least one individual number.

Apart from this, a distinction of the system of this invention is the fact that it may additionally comprise identification data carriers each of which is placed in correspondence with any of manufactured articles and includes at least a storing medium a first area of which is designed for one-time storing of information on the given article together with at least one individual number allocated to it, while a second area of the storing medium is designed for updateable recording of information about the given article when it is introduced into economic circulation, whereby each data input station is supplemented with a identification data carrier readout/write-in means.

Finally, one more distinction of the present system is that at least one individual number allocated to an article is an individual number of at least on its part which is physically applied to that part during the process of its manufacture.

Brief description of drawings

Fig.1 is a general block-diagram of the system for registered article identification of the present invention.

Fig.2 is a flowchart of one of possible embodiments of the data input means of the present invention.

Fig.3 is a block-diagram of another possible embodiment of the data input means of the present invention.

Fig.4 is a block-diagram of one of possible embodiments of the data input station of the present invention.

Fig.5 is a block-diagram of another possible embodiment of the data input station of the present invention.

Detailed description of invention The further discussion of the invention is carried out taking as an example a system intended for registering and checking automobiles. This example serves as an illustration only and by no means as a restriction of the claimed invention.

The claimed method for registered article identification may be implemented in the claimed system for registered article identification. According to Fig.1 , this system comprises a marking means 1 , a reference database 2, at least one working database 3, a data input means 4, at least one data input station 5, at least one database access means 6, at least one comparison means 7. Fig.1 conventionally illustrates the presence in the claimed system of n working databases 3.1 -3.n where n may be any non-negative numeral, as well as the same number of data input stations 5, database access means 6 and comparison means 7 associated with them. However, the equality of the number of database access means 6 to the number of the working databases 3 themselves is by no means mandatory since a situation is quite likely to occur when one database access means 6 serves several working databases 3, or when some (or all) working databases 3 are connected with several database access means 6. Fig.1 also shows a communication link 8 designed to connect database access means 6 with the reference database 2 and communication links 9 designed to connect database access means 6 with corresponding working databases 3. Fig.1 shows connection of each of database access means 6 to a corresponding working database 3 using its own communication link 9. However, another version is possible shown by the dotted extension of the communication link 9.1 when one database access means 6 (in the present case, the means 6.1 ) is connected with several working databases 3. it is also possible to unite all or a part of database access means 6 with one communication link 9 with all working databases 3 (or with a part thereof, including with one working database 3).

Besides, Fig.1 shows in dotted lines decision-making devices 10 being optional for this system and identification data carrier readout/write-in means 1 1 whose number not necessarily must be equal to the number n of working databases 3 (though Fig.1 represents this particular version).

The data input means 4 is connected with the reference database 2 to provide entry into it of the desired information. The reference database 2 is made non- updateable and intended for only one-time data recording, i.e. information entered into it is subject to storing in unchangeable form. However, this requirement may be met also by closing access to making amendments to the reference base for ail users, except for certain (maybe one) authorised ones.

Connection between the marking means 1 and the data input means 4 is shown in fig.1 by a stroke-and -dotted line because this connection may be both direct and indirect. The marking means 1 may be of any arrangement providing applying a marking common for such articles to any article in the process of its manufacture (or upon completion of manufacture). This may be a press for imprinting numbers on a surface of metal articles, heavy ion irradiator, a special bar code printer, and the like.

The marking means 1 may be directly connected to the input means, whereby information about marking made on the next article is immediately supplied to the reference database 2 from the data input means 4 which, in this case, represents an interface to interlink the marking means 1 and the reference database 2.

In another instance, as shown in Fig.2, the data input means 4 may be supplemented with a marking reading means 12 arrangement of which corresponds to the type of marking used. Thus, if the marking is made in a bar code using a luminescent ink, the marking reading means 12 is an ultraviolet radiator and a photosensor with an appropriate bar code recognition unit. When the marking is made by magnetising individual portions of specially treated surface of an article, the marking reading means 12 is made as a reading magnetic head and a marking code converter for conversion into the binary form. Here the marking operation performed by the marking means 1 may be separated in time from the operation of readout of this marking performed by the means 12. In this case, the data input means 4 is an interface to interlink the marking readout means 12 with the reference database 2.

The data input means 4, as seen from Fig.3, may be arranged as a data input unit 13 (for example, a keyboard), a display 14 (for example, on a cathode-ray tube) and a communication unit 15 for communicating with the reference database serving as an interface, appropriately interconnected. Here the marking operation may also be time-separated from the data readout and input operations which, in this case, are performed by a human operator who visually observes the next manufactured article.

Fig.4 and 5 illustrate possible embodiments for data input station 5. These embodiments are similar to those for data input means 4 with that difference only that output of the station 4 couples to the working database 3 via the database access means 6, therefore, in particular, instead of communication unit 15 for communication with the reference database, the communication unit 16 for communication with the working database is utilised which may form a part of the corresponding database access means 6. When both the reference 2 and the working 3 databases are arranged identically (for example, on a PC hard disk), then the communication units 15 and 16 may be identical to each other.

As already discussed, the system may include decision-making means 10 specific arrangement of each of which is determined by the nature of the decision to be made and will be discussed in more detail below.

In the event when the system discussed employs identification data carriers which may be, for example, smart-card type identification cards in whose memory data are recorded which are relevant for an article, the system is supplemented with readout means 1 1 designed for reading these identification data carriers. As such readout means may be used, for example, the devices taught in the US patent No.545309 (Cl. G06 K 5/00, publ. 1995). The memory of such identification data carrier must comprise at least one area writing access to which is closed for all users after marking relating to an article with which the given identification carrier is associated has been entered into it. Information on the article which is updateable, even by an authorised user, may be input in another memory area(s) of this identification data carrier.

The claimed method for registered article identification is implemented in the system discussed as follows (taking as an example automobile registration and checking.

The marking means 1 and data input means 4 are in-factory installed. The reference database 2 also may be installed there though it is not a requirement. During the process of manufacture of individual automobile parts, for example the motor, chassis, they are marked by an appropriate marking means 1 which in this case may be more than one, both for different assemblies and for the same assembly when they are manufactured concurrently. The marking means 1 may be connected to a separate data input means. Otherwise, only one data input means may be connected with all marking means. Also the event may take place when one data input means 4 is connected with several, but not with all, marking means 1 . In the case when marking is applied the an article prior to its leaving the conveyer or during its delivery to the storehouse, i.e. at the manufacturing factory of this final article, the marking means 1 may be directly connected with the data input means 4. But in the case when assembling the automobile is performed from imported units, the marking means 1 may be installed at the manufacturing factories of these units, and then the data input means 4 is arranged as shown in Fig.2 or Fig.3. Here the marking applied to the assemblies is read out using the marking readout means 12 and is transmitted by the data input means 4 to the reference database 2, or this marking is read by a human operator and is input into the reference database 2 using the keyboard 13 with control on the display 14 via the communication unit 15 for communication with the reference database.

As previously discussed, the marking may be of any type, for example, it may be made by striking an appropriate unique number on the surface of the automobile chassis or motor. Only important is the fact that the marking possesses the two necessary features: that it is unique for each marked article and can be read in some way, both by a human and (or only) by a machine means. Corresponding parameters of the manufactured article are entered into the reference database such as make of the automobile, the colour of its body, the final date of its production, the type of its body, the type of motor, its volume, etc., and the read-out marking. That is, the reference database 2 stores the individual car number which may be represented by individual numbers of its motor and chassis or at least one of these individual numbers as well as any other required information which the system developers or customers consider useful for further operation of this system. All this information is entered into the reference database 2 such that in the future nobody could either change or destroy it. In particular, this may be provided by burning in recording of fusible jumpers in onetime programmed permanent memory, and then the stored information may be accessible only for reading. Or the information may be closed using the software with a special password known only to a very limited number of persons.

Finally, the ready article is marketed or supplied according to a special order. If the new owner does not wish to turn to the services of the given system, then this article registered only in the reference database 2 will be operated without any limitations whatever but also without the possibility to make use of those advantages which this system provides. These advantages are due to the fact what working databases 3 are available in the system. These working databases may be created by law-enforcing authorities to facilitate search for lost cars, by insurance companies to minimise risks of losses in car insuring, by other entities and companies. In order to make further discussion definite, we will consider that in Fig.1 the working database 3.1 belongs to law-enforcing authorities while the working database 3.n is owned by an insurance company. Correspondingly, the data input station 5.1 is installed at the car inspection facility while the data input station 5.n is installed in the insurance company office. The owner who has acquired the car, be it a new or a second-hand one, addresses the car inspection office and provides documents for the acquired automobile and information about himself. The car inspection officer enters at the data input station 5.1 appropriate information about this car according to the documents provided (at least its individual number) and using the database access means 6.1 enquires information on this particular car in the working database 3.1. If up to that time this car has not been registered in the working database 3.1 of law-enforcing bodies, the enquiry for the same information is transmitted to the reference database 2. Of course, the case is possible when this information is requested simultaneously from the reference database 2 and from the working database 3.1 of the car inspection office. Information may be requested both on the car individual number(s) and on its other parameters such as the date of release, the car make, the colour and type of its body, etc.

If information is available in the reference database 2 about the automobile having the requested individual number, it is passed through the database access means 6.1 to the comparison means 7.1 where comparison is made of the information on the car transmitted in response to the enquiry with the information entered at the data input station 5.1 when the car owner addressed it. In the case the information entered at the data input station 5.1 coincides with that requested from the working (3.1 ) and/or reference (2) databases, into the working database 3.1 information is input about the owner of the present car in addition to information already available in this working database 3.1 . If no information on this car is available in this working database 3.1 , it is entered into it together with information about this car owner. The latter situation may take place both at the initial automobile introduction into economic circulation and at its repeated introduction into economic circulation provided that up to that point its legal belonging has not been registered in this system in the event when the owner addressing this system is voluntary. However, if this system is legally fixed as the necessary system in registering vehicles, fire-arms, etc., such situation of lacking information in the working database 3.1 may arise only at the first addressing of the owner.

The case is also possible when in addressing the working (3.1 ) and/or reference databases for a corresponding individual number, information will be communicated a part of which differs from the information provided by the owner, for example another body colour or the motor with another number but with the same chassis number. Upon checking legitimacy of such changes, this information will be also entered into the working database 3.1 instead of previous one. The reference database 2 will retain the original information whereas in the working database 3.1 the new information may be stored as the next version or may completely replace previous information under the same individual number. All these operations are accomplished at the data input station 5.1 which, via the corresponding database access means 6.1 (we remind that the number of such devices 6 may me less that the number of data input stations 5), is connected with the working database 3.1 in the car inspection office.

Also such situation may occur when neither the working (3.1 ) nor the reference (2) databases have any information according to the individual number provided, or a car of entirely another make is listed under this number. This may happen when the car was acquired although lawfully but before this it had been stolen and its assembly numbers (for the motor and chassis) were re-struck and documents were counterfeited. In this case, from the reference database 2, via the database access means 6.1 , information may be requested about all cars of this make released during a definite time period, or - if the body has not been re-painted - with the body of definite colour, or some other information which could assist in identification of this car. Further, the car nay be subjected to examination using various physical methods (inspection under the microscope, X-ray structural analysis, investigation in infrared or ultraviolet rays, etc.) in order to detect even one valid individual number. Possible types of physical methods will result from the type of the examined article and from the way in which marking was applied to it and are not included into the scope of patent claims according to the present invention.

Upon determining even one valid individual article number, in the present case of a car, from the working database 3.1 and/or from the reference database 2 information is requested on a car having such individual number. Based on information received in response to this enquiry, the law-enforcing authorities determine the legal status of this automobile and make an appropriate decision about its future destiny.

The system discussed may be provided with a decision-making means 10.1 which will automatically perform a part of aforementioned actions. For instance, it may automatically generate an enquiry to the corresponding database in the case when during comparison in the comparison means 7.1 discrepancy is revealed for one of the car individual numbers or a response is received from the corresponding database that a car with such individual numbers is not registered. Or, in the case of checking firearms using the marking readout means 12 by placing the arms into a corresponding chamber for such readout, the decision-making means 10.1 may block the arms in this chamber if the individual number of such arms is absent in the reference database 2. Thus, the specific arrangement of the decision-making means 10.1 will be determined by functions which it is to perform. Generally, it may be a correspondingly programmed processor. Or, when the functions of the data input station 5.1 , database access means 6.1 , comparison means 7.1 and the working database 3.1 are implemented within a computer, for example a PC, the functions of the decision-making means 10.1 may also be implemented within the same computer.

Functioning of the part of the discussed system pertaining to the working database 3.n of the insurance company proceeds similar to that described above. The difference consists only in the fact what decisions are made based on results of comparison in the comparison means 7.n. For the insurance company, such decision would be, for example, refusal to insure an article if it is revealed that the data on the owner fail to coincide with the corresponding data stored in the working database 3.n. The decision-making means 10.n may, for example, automatically execute an insurance policy in the case when all information on the article corresponds to that stored in any one of databases.

In order to increase the operating efficiency of each working database 3. all of them or individual groups may be connected by appropriate communications links 9 with "alien" database access means 6. In the example discussed, the database access means 6.1 of the law-enforcing authorities may be connected (see the dotted extension of line 9.1 in Fig.1 ) with the working database 3.n of the insurance company. The database access means 6.n in the insurance company may, in turn, be connected with the working database 3.1 of the law-enforcing authorities (not shown in Fig.1 ). In this case, this will allow the insurance company to reveal all attempts to insure, for example, a car registered as being stolen.

The system discussed can be improved due to use therein of identification data carriers, for example, in the form of identification smart-cards with memory chips. Such cards are supplied with each manufactured article. Each card memory has at least one area into which the individual number(s) of manufactured article is entered upon which this memory area remains accessible only for readout but not for writing or rewriting of information available in it. Into remaining memory areas of such card information may be entered repeatedly, including with deleting previous information. These remaining memory areas are intended for recording all other car data and, possibly, information about its owner. In this manner, we have a kind of a car passport. Data readout from this identification carrier and entering into its memory new information is carried out in the identification carrier readout/write-in means 1 1 at the corresponding data input station.

The discussed method and system for registered article identification may be used, as discussed, for registering automobiles and fire-arms. However, this far from exhausts the field of their possible application. For example, the discussed method and system are applicable for identification of special-purpose medical preparation (e.g. containing drugs) which are produced for specific patients with corresponding marking. Other applications of the present invention are obviously possible.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for registered article identification and a system for its implementation which are applicable for identification of any registered articles, including for use by law-enforcing bodies and insurance companies.

The above-listed examples serve for illustration of the present invention only and in no way restrict the scope of rights in it determined by the appended claims.

Claims

The claims

1. A method for registered article identification wherein:

- parameters of each manufactured article are stored together with individual numbers allocated to it in a reference database;

- parameters of the article are stored together with individual numbers allocated to it in at least one working database;

- information is requested from the databases;

- information is compared requested from at least the reference database and/or at least one working database;

- information about the particulate article is updated in at least one working database, distinguished in that

- in the manufacture process each article is marked with at least one of individual numbers allocated to it;

- during introduction of any article into economic circulation, said information requesting is made from databases about an article of the same type having the same individual numbers;

- subject to presence of the requested information in a corresponding database, said comparison is performed of article parameters contained therein with parameters of said article being introduced into economic circulation;

- when the compared parameters from the requested information coincide with parameters of said article being introduced into economic circulation, in said at least one working database said updating is performed of information on the given article at least with respect to its legal status;

- when at least a part of compared parameters of the article being introduced into economic circulation fails to coincide with corresponding parameters from the information from said reference and/or working databases, or subject to absence in the reference database of information about the article having requested individual numbers, checking is made by means of comparative analysis of the set of parameters of the actual article with corresponding parameters of similar articles information on which is available in the databases, and/or using appropriate physical methods to determine at least one valid individual number of the given article.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , distinguished in that upon determining the valid individual number of the article:

- information is requested about an article of the same type having the same individual number in the reference and said working databases;

- after receipt of information in response to this enquiry, the legal status of the given article is determined and decision is made on the possibility to introduce this article into economic circulation.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, distinguished in that:

- in introducing an article into economic circulation, said requesting of information about an article of the same type having the same individual numbers is made simultaneously in the reference and in at least one working databases;

- said comparing of article parameters from the requested information with parameters of said article being introduced into economic circulation is performed subject to availability of the requested information in the reference database.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, distinguished in that:

- in introducing an article into economic circulation, said requesting of information about an article of the same type having the same individual numbers is performed in at least one working database;

- subject to absence of the requested information in said at least one working database, the same information is requested in the reference database;

- said comparing article parameters from the requested information with parameters of said article being introduced into economic circulation is performed subject to availability of the requested information in the reference database and/or in said at least one working database.

5 The method as claimed in any one of preceding claims, distinguished in that at least one individual number allocated to an article is an individual number of at least one its part which is physically applied to this part during the process of its manufacture

6 The method as claimed in any of preceding claims, distinguished in that storing information about each manufactured article in the reference database is made only once

7 The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, distinguished in that the working database is formed for purposes of article insurance

8 The method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, distinguished in that the working database is formed for purposes of combatting against article misappropriations

9 The method as claimed in any one of preceding claims, distinguished in that introduction of a manufactured article into economic circulation is initial or repeated

10 The method as claimed in any one of preceding claims, distinguished in that information on each manufactured article is entered, apart from the reference database, into a first memory area of an identification data carrier accessible thereupon only for readout, while next information about introduction of the given article into economic circulation is updated, apart from at least one working database, in a second memory area of said identification data carrier being accessible both for w╧Çting-in and for readout

1 1 A system for registered article identification comprising

- a reference database,

- at least one working database,

- at least one database access means,

- communication links connecting the reference database and at least one working database with at least one database access means, - at least one comparison means connected with a corresponding database access means and designed for comparing information from the reference database with from at least one working database, distinguished in that it additionally includes:

- at least one marking means designed for marking each article in the process or after the process of its manufacture with at least one individual number allocated to this article;

- at least one data input means designed for inputting information on a manufactured article into the reference database;

- at least one data input station designed for inputting information on an article being introduced into economic circulation into at least one working database via a corresponding database access means.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1 1 , distinguished in that it additionally comprises at least one decision-making means designed for making decision as to the possibility of introducing the given article into economic circulation based on results of comparison, in a corresponding comparison means, of this article parameters with parameters from the information requested from an appropriate database.

13. The system as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 12, distinguished in that the reference database is intended for one-time data recording.

14. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 13, distinguished in that the data input means is connected with the marking means for automatic entry into the reference database of information about each manufactured article at the time if marking thereof.

15. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 13, distinguished in that the data input means is provided with a marking readout means connected to the input of said data input means and designed for reading from each article at least one individual number applied to it.

16. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 13, distinguished in that the data input means includes at least a data input unit, a display unit and communication unit for communication with the reference database correspondingly interconnected to allow a human operator to enter into the reference database information about a manufactured article together with its at least one individual number.

17. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 16, distinguished in that the data input station is provided with a marking readout means connected to said data input station and designed for reading from each article at least one individual number applied to it.

18. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 1 to 16, distinguished in that the data input station includes at least a data input unit, a display unit and communication unit for communication with the working database correspondingly interconnected to allow a human operator to enter into a corresponding working database information about a manufactured article together with its at least one individual number.

19. The system as claimed in any one of preceding claims, distinguished in that it additionally comprises identification data carriers each of which is placed in correspondence with any one of manufactured articles and contains at least a storing medium a first area of which is intended for one-time storing of information on the given article together with at least one individual number allocated to it, while a second area of the storing medium is intended for updateable recording of information about the given article during its introduction into economic circulation, whereby each data input station is supplemented with an identification data carrier readout/write-in means.

20. The system as claimed in any one of preceding claims, distinguished in that at least one individual number allocated to an article is an individual number of at least one its part which is physically applied to this part in the process of its manufacture.