METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING AN ITEM AND MOBILE DEVICE

Abstract

Procedure for authenticating an object (100), comprising the following steps: Positioning a millimeter wave transceiver (202) relative to an object (100) containing one meta-material marker (104) or several meta-material markers (104A, 104B); Sending a transmit signal (206) from the millimeter wave transceiver (202) in the direction of the meta-material marker (104), wherein the transmit signal (206) is converted into a receive signal (208) based on the meta-material marker (104), which has a first characteristic and is radiated in the direction of the millimeter wave transceiver (202); Receiving the received signal (208) by the millimeter wave transceiver (202); processing the received signal (208) to capture the first characteristic; wherein the processing of the received signal (208) includes the detection of at least one of the following characteristics: a radiation direction of the received signal (208); a phase position of the received signal (208); a phase position of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction; a frequency of the received signal (208); a frequency of the received signal (208) in a direction of radiation; an amplitude of the received signal (208); or an amplitude of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction Generating initial comparative information (210) based on the first characteristic; and Authenticating the item (100) based on the initial comparison information (210), where the authentication of the item (100) includes at least one of the following steps: provided a meta-material tag (104) is present: Determining a position of the meta-material marker (104) and comparing it with a predetermined position; Determining a form of meta-material marking (104) and comparing it with a predetermined form; Determining a size of the meta-material label (104) and comparing it with a predetermined size of the meta-material label (104); or if multiple meta-material markers (104A, 104B) are present in the item (100): Determine a number of spatially separated meta-material markers (104A, 104B) of the multiple meta-material markers (104A, 104B) in the object (100) and compare them with a predetermined number; or Determining relative distances between spatially separated meta-material markers (104A, 104B).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for authenticating an object and a mobile device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In many areas of everyday life, it is desirable to verify the authenticity of an object. Authentication, i.e., checking the authenticity of an object with regard to the characteristic or property claimed by the object, may be necessary or desirable, for example, when verifying official documents such as certificates, ID cards, passports, or official confirmations in order to detect forgeries or alterations. Another example includes the desire of buyers of objects, such as special branded products, to verify the authenticity of the products by determining whether the product was actually produced by the company indicated, for example, by a brand logo applied to the object.Many consumers would like to carry out verification themselves in a simple way, for example to be certain about the origin of the item during or after the purchase.

[0003] Document DE 697 33 615 T2 discloses a system with a radio-frequency transmitter and a radio-frequency receiver for detecting a target, which includes a carrier for a radio-frequency-responsive means. The target can be attached to an object to enable it to be detected or identified by the system. The target is formed from a pattern of thin dipoles. The pattern is generated such that each of the thin dipoles has a position and angular orientation within the pattern of thin dipoles.

[0004] Document DE 10 2004 026 557 A1 describes an authentication method and an authentication system in which a pattern is displayed and a partially transparent authentication card with a predetermined diffraction structure is provided. Upon input of the image captured through the authentication card, a comparison of the captured image with an expected image is performed.

[0005] The publication Metamaterial in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, edited on December 17, 2021 URL: https: / / de.wikipedia.org / w / index.php?title=Metamaterial&oldid=218281596 describes that a metamaterial is an artificially produced structure formed by mostly periodic structures (cells).

[0006] It is therefore desirable to create a concept with which an object can be authenticated in a simple way.

[0007] This is achieved by a method according to claim 1 or 14 and a mobile device according to claim 9. SUMMARY

[0008] The present application discloses a method for authenticating an object, which comprises positioning a millimeter-wave transceiver relative to an object containing a metamaterial marker. A transmit signal is transmitted from the millimeter-wave transceiver toward the metamaterial marker, wherein the transmit signal is converted, based on the metamaterial marker, into a receive signal having a first characteristic and radiated toward the millimeter-wave transceiver. The receive signal is received by the millimeter-wave transceiver and processed to detect the first characteristic. First comparison information is generated based on the first characteristic, and authentication of the object is performed based on the first comparison information.

[0009] The present application further provides a mobile device comprising a millimeter-wave transmitter circuit for transmitting a millimeter-wave transmission signal and a millimeter-wave receiver circuit for receiving a millimeter-wave reception signal from an object. The mobile object comprises a processing circuit for detecting at least one characteristic of the millimeter-wave reception signal and a device for generating first comparison information for authentication based on the detected first characteristic.

[0010] Those skilled in the art will recognize further features and advantages of the invention upon reading the following detailed description and upon viewing the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar or identical elements. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The features of the various examples shown may be combined, provided they are not mutually exclusive. Fig. 1A shows a document object according to an example. Fig. 1B shows the document subject matter according to Fig. 1A with a partial section of an interior of the document subject matter. Fig. Figure 1C shows a mobile device for authenticating the document object according to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. Fig. Figure 1D shows another mobile device for authenticating the document according to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B. Fig. 2 shows a flowchart for authenticating an object according to an example. Fig. Figure 3A shows metamaterial structures according to an example. Fig. Figure 3B shows transmission spectra of the metamaterial structures according to an example. Fig. 4A shows the near-front environment of a document object according to an example. Fig. 4B shows the surroundings of the document object near the back according to Fig. 4A. Fig. 4C shows the document subject matter according to Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B in review. Fig. 4D shows a cross section through the document object according to Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B and Fig. 4C. Fig. 5 shows a document object and another substrate for authenticating the document object. Fig. 6 shows a semiconductor chip with a meta-material marking according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following description discloses, in various embodiments, a novel concept for authenticating objects. The concept is based on the use of millimeter waves and corresponding metamaterials capable of modifying millimeter waves.

[0013] The already widespread use of millimeter-wave transceivers, for example in smartphones or smartwatches, allows for simple user authentication without excessive or additional circuitry. The use of metamaterials also allows for the modification of millimeter waves required for authentication in a cost-effective and compact manner.

[0014] The embodiments described here thus enable an object to be authenticated in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0015] It should be understood that the description and drawings merely illustrate the principles of the proposed methods and devices. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement various arrangements which, although not expressly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examples and embodiments outlined in this document are fundamentally and expressly intended for explanatory purposes only to assist the reader in understanding the principles of the proposed methods and devices. Furthermore, all statements in this document describing principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to include their equivalents.In particular, the concept described as an example for a document object can be applied in the same way to authenticate other objects, such as clothing, shoes, motor vehicles, official documents, semiconductor products, etc.

[0016] With reference to the Fig. 1A to 1D, examples according to the present description will now be explained. Fig. 1A shows an external view of an object 100 representing a document, for example a certificate, with a visual marking 102 applied thereto. The visual marking 102 may, for example, be a seal (as in Fig. 1A), a signature or trademark, and is typically affixed or incorporated into the article 100 to indicate to the user and others that the article 100 has a particular characteristic or property.

[0017] The characteristic or property specified by the visual marking 102 can, for example, be a property of an official document, such as a certificate, ID card, passport, official confirmation, or other official document. In other examples, the characteristic can include a property such as being a special branded product, where, for example, a trademark, logo, or other company mark indicates the product's particular origin.

[0018] Objects that rely on having a specific property are inherently vulnerable to counterfeiting, modification, or other forms of manipulation. Therefore, many consumers desire the ability to perform authentication—i.e., verify the specified characteristic or property—they themselves. Furthermore, authentication should be simple and straightforward, making it accessible to as wide a range of people as possible.

[0019] For this purpose, a meta-material marking 104 is introduced into the object 100, which is not visible to the observer from the outside. Fig. Fig. 1B shows the article in a partially cut-open state, in which the meta-material marking 104, which is not visually perceptible from the outside, can be seen. The meta-material marking 104 has a predetermined shape (in Fig. 1B into a leaf shape) and a predetermined position within the object (in Fig. 1B in the upper right area). Furthermore, the meta-material marking 104 has a specific orientation, for example, with the tip of the leaf shape facing upwards.

[0020] Fig. 1C shows a mobile device 200 that can be used to authenticate the object 100. The mobile device 200 can, in particular, be a wireless communication device, such as a smartphone, a tablet, or a laptop, etc. The mobile device 200 has a millimeter-wave transceiver 202 that transmits a transmission signal 206 with a frequency in the millimeter-wave range to the object 100 via an antenna system (e.g., an antenna array). The frequency in the millimeter-wave range can, for example, be a frequency in the frequency band from 30 GHz to 500 GHz. The metamaterial marker 104 converts the transmission signal 206 into a reception signal 208, so that the reception signal 208 is radiated back to the antenna system of the millimeter-wave transceiver 202. The received signal 208 has at least one predetermined characteristic, for example a phase, frequency, beam direction, etc.which is imprinted on the received signal 208 by the meta-material marking 104, for example by changing the characteristics of the transmitted signal 206. The meta-material marking 104 can, for example, cause a phase change relative to a phase of the transmitted signal 206, a change in amplitude, a change in the frequency response relative to the frequency of the transmitted signal 206, or a specific radiation in a direction. The meta-material marking 104 can, for example, cause a reflection, so that the received signal 208 represents a signal reflected by the meta-material marking 104. In other examples, the meta-material marking 104 can cause a transmission, so that the received signal 208 represents a signal transmitted through the meta-material marking 104. The received signal 208 is detected by the mobile device 200.Reflection is particularly advantageous for use in mobile devices, as both the transmitter and receiver of a millimeter-wave transceiver in a mobile device can be used for transmitting and receiving, respectively. This enables simple and straightforward handling.

[0021] Based on the detected characteristics, for example the beam directions of the received signal 208 transmitted back to the millimeter wave transceiver, a shape or orientation of the meta-material marking 104 can be detected and according to Fig. 1C as first comparison information 210 on a screen of the mobile device 200. The millimeter-wave transceiver can be configured, in particular, as an imaging transceiver, which enables very precise detection of position and shape. Cascaded millimeter-wave chips with corresponding antenna arrays can also be used for this purpose.

[0022] Furthermore, for example, an amplitude, frequency or phase position can be detected as a characteristic and converted, for example, into a color scheme, which is displayed on the screen of the mobile device 200 as first comparison information 210.

[0023] The first comparison information 210 displayed to the user enables authentication of the object 100. If the displayed first comparison information 210 is identical or similar to predetermined second comparison information, the object 100 can be authenticated as trustworthy. The predetermined second comparison information may be known to the user, for example, if the second comparison information represents generally known information or information known to the user, such as the shape, orientation, and color of a generally known logo.

[0024] In other examples, the predetermined second comparison information may be unknown to the user and may either be stored in a memory of the mobile device or transmitted to the mobile device 200 in real time, for example, via a secure wireless communication connection. The comparison between the displayed first comparison information and the predetermined second comparison information may, for example, be performed visually by the user, and the user may decide for themselves whether to classify the object as trustworthy. The second comparison information may, for example, also contain time information, for example a year of manufacture of the object, or identification information such as a serial number. It is understood that corresponding information should then also be contained or encoded in the meta-material marking 104.

[0025] In another example, which is shown in Fig. 1D, the comparison between the acquired first comparison information and the predetermined second comparison information can be performed by the mobile device 200 itself, for example, in a data processing unit of the mobile device 200. For this purpose, the data processing unit can compare the first information obtained from the acquired characteristics with second comparison information. Using appropriate algorithms, a decision can be made as to whether the first comparison information matches or approximately matches the second comparison information. Here, too, the advantage of using a mobile device becomes apparent, since corresponding data processing options are already available in smartphones, tablets, etc. In particular, the comparison can also be initiated and performed in an app on the smartphone or tablet.

[0026] The result of the decision can be displayed visually on the screen. If there are excessive discrepancies between the captured first comparison information and the predetermined second comparison information, it can be indicated that the object is untrustworthy, for example, a fake object.

[0027] With reference to Fig. 2, the basic authentication process will now be briefly explained. In step S10, a millimeter-wave transceiver is positioned relative to an object containing a meta-material marking. In step S20, a transmission signal is emitted by a millimeter-wave transceiver in the direction of the meta-material marking. The transmission signal is converted, based on the meta-material marking, into a reception signal having a first characteristic and radiated in the direction of the millimeter-wave transceiver. In step S30, the reception signal is received by the millimeter-wave transceiver, and in step S40, first comparison information is generated based on the first characteristic. In step S50, the object is authenticated based on the first comparison information.

[0028] With reference to Fig. Figure 3A will now explain an example of a metamaterial marking and how the characteristic is generated. A metamaterial is a material designed to have properties that do not occur in naturally occurring materials. A metamaterial is a material that is engineered to have a property that is not found in naturally occurring materials. It is made from a variety of structural elements made of composite materials such as metals or plastics. The materials can be arranged in repeating or periodic patterns at sizes smaller than the wavelengths of the phenomena they affect. In other words, metamaterials achieve the desired effects by incorporating structural elements with subwavelength sizes, i.e., features that are actually smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves they affect.

[0029] Consequently, metamaterials do not necessarily derive their properties from the properties of the base materials, but rather from their engineered structures. Their precise shape, geometry, size, orientation, and arrangement of structural elements give metamaterials their special properties, which allow them to manipulate electromagnetic waves: by blocking, reflecting, absorbing, amplifying, or redirecting waves, or by emitting them in a direction-dependent manner. A metamaterial is therefore defined as a man-made composite material that derives its electrical properties from its precisely designed structures and their arrangement, rather than inheriting them directly from the materials of which it is composed.

[0030] A metamaterial can be a subset of a larger group of heterogeneous structures consisting of a solid base material and elements of another material. Metamaterials are characterized by exhibiting special, sometimes anomalous, properties in a limited frequency band. For example, millimeter-wave metamaterials can exhibit special properties in a millimeter band, the frequency band between 30 GHz and 500 GHz mentioned above.

[0031] In the context of the examples described, a metamaterial is a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of elementary structures that are coupled to one another. "Elementary structures," as used herein, can be referred to as discrete structures, elemental structures, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the elementary structures may simply be referred to as "structures."

[0032] The overall arrangement offers macroscopic properties that can be tailored by the elementary structures used and their coupling paths. Metamaterials are designed for various types of waves, such as electromagnetic waves (e.g., optical, infrared (IR), and mm-waves) and mechanical waves (e.g., ultrasound). The scale of the elementary structures and their pitch scale with the wavelength of the target frequency range.

[0033] The elementary structures of metamaterials can, for example, be applied to objects using printing processes, which enables a very cost-effective manufacturing process.

[0034] Elementary structures for millimeter-wave metamaterials can be resonator elements, antenna elements, filter elements, waveguide elements, transmission line elements, or a combination thereof. Purely by way of example, Fig. 3A shows elementary structures 300A and 300B, each formed by two open ring elements that are electromagnetically coupled to each other. The size of the elementary structure can range up to several wavelengths, but is typically less than one wavelength. They consist of parts that generate magnetic fields (e.g., conductor rings) and other parts that generate electric fields (e.g., gaps between conductors). In addition, they can also contain elements that have electromagnetic wave properties, such as a short transmission line segment.

[0035] By shifting the two ring elements relative to each other, a characteristic that can be influenced by the millimeter-wave metamaterial can be changed. Elementary structure 300B has a lower ring element that is shifted by an amount Δs relative to the corresponding ring element of elementary structure 300A, thereby changing the electromagnetic coupling between the two ring elements.

[0036] Fig. 3B shows the effect on the frequency characteristics based on the respective transmission spectra 310. A shift in the resonance frequency and generally a shift in the transmission spectrum 302B, which is assigned to the elementary structure 300B, can be observed compared to the transmission spectrum 302A, which is assigned to the elementary structure 300A.

[0037] The changed frequency characteristic can be exploited, for example, by determining the resonance frequency. A phase change can also be observed and determined in the same way.

[0038] In examples, it may therefore be provided that the meta-material marking 104 has different characteristics at different positions (e.g., different couplings due to different spacings of the elementary structures), whereby the characteristics of the reflected millimeter waves become dependent on the position of the reflection. In some examples, the characteristics may change continuously across an entire surface of the meta-material marking 104. Replicating or counterfeiting the meta-material marking 104 therefore requires precise information about the structure and geometry of the elementary structures across the entire surface of the meta-material marking 104, which makes it significantly more difficult for potential fraudsters to counterfeit or copy products.

[0039] With reference to the Fig. 4A to 4D, examples of the integration of meta-material markers are described. In the examples shown, Fig. 4A to 4D, different metamaterial markings are integrated into different layers of the object 100. The metamaterial markings can differ, for example, in size, shape, and orientation. Fig. 4A shows a cross-section near the front side as an open front view 100A of the object 100. In the front view, a first meta-material marking 104A with a first shape at a first position and a second meta-material marking 404A with a second shape at a second position can be seen. The meta-material markings 104A and 404A are located in a first layer of the object 100. In Fig. 4B shows a near-back cross-section as an open back view 100B, in which a third metamaterial marking 104B is located at the first position and a fourth metamaterial marking 404B is located at the second position. The metamaterial markings 104B and 404B are located in a second layer of the article 100.

[0040] The metamaterial markings 104A and 104B are positioned in the article 100 such that the first metamaterial marking 104A and the second metamaterial marking 104B are effectively coupled, such that coupling of the two metamaterial markings results in a composite metamaterial marking 104 in a shape influenced by both metamaterial markings 104A and 104B, as shown in Fig. 4C. In other words, the metamaterial markings 104A and 104B represent partial markings of the metamaterial marking 104.

[0041] Accordingly, the metamaterial markings 404A and 404B are positioned in the object 100 such that the third metamaterial marking 404A and fourth metamaterial marking 404B are effectively coupled, so that coupling the two metamaterial markings results in a composite metamaterial marking 404 in a shape that is influenced by both metamaterial markings 404A and 404B. Similar to a QR code, the third and fourth metamaterial markings 404A and 404B have a two-dimensional pattern formed by smaller rectangular units and can, in particular, represent a code. Coupling the two metamaterial markings 404A and 404B results in an overall code that differs from the individual partial codes of the metamaterial markings 404A and 404B.

[0042] The meta-material markings 404A and 404B are also arranged in different positions of the object 100, as is the case for a section in Fig. 4D is shown. Fig. Figure 4D shows a cross-section of the article 100 at the second position. It can be seen that the third metamaterial marking 404A is arranged in a layer above the fourth metamaterial marking 404B.

[0043] Authentication is carried out according to the Fig. 1A to 1D and Fig. 2, however, it should be noted that several different metamaterial markers are present in the object. The millimeter waves returned by the metamaterial marker 104 at the first position are correspondingly detected and converted into first comparison information corresponding to the first position. This is compared with predetermined second comparison information corresponding to the first position, wherein the predetermined second comparison information results from a predetermined shape that includes both partial shapes.

[0044] In the same way, the millimeter waves returned by the meta-material marking 404 at the second position are correspondingly detected and converted into first comparison information corresponding to the second position. Detection can occur either simultaneously, as with an imaging millimeter-wave sensor, or through sequential analog beam scanning. The millimeter waves returned by the meta-material marking 404 at the second position are converted into first comparison information, which is compared with predetermined second comparison information corresponding to the second position.

[0045] Additionally, further verification information may include determining the relative distance between the first position corresponding to the first meta-material marking 104 and the second position corresponding to the second meta-material marking 404. Likewise, further information may also be used, such as the relative distance between the first position and the second position with respect to a size of the meta-material marking 104 and / or the size of the meta-material marking 404.

[0046] In other examples, metamaterial markers may be provided at more than two locations. For example, the additional information regarding how many metamaterial markers are present at spatially separated locations can be used as the first or second comparison information for authentication.

[0047] It is understandable that by forming a meta-material mark composed of partial meta-material marks that are spatially separated vertically (i.e., in different layers of the article 100) and / or spatially separated laterally (i.e., at different lateral positions), increased complexity results, allowing additional information to be used for authentication, making it more difficult for counterfeiters to counterfeit or tamper with the article 100.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 5, an example is to be explained in which a meta-material marking introduced into the object 100 forms a composite meta-material marking by relatively positioning a carrier having another meta-material marking.

[0049] In Fig. 5, the object 100 has a meta-material marking 104 in the upper right area, as already described with reference to the Fig. 1A to 1D. A carrier 500 also has a meta-material marking 504 in an upper right-hand region, although the shape of the two meta-material markings 104 and 504 differs. For authentication, the carrier 500 is positioned relative to the object 100, for example, by superimposing the object 100 and the carrier 500. In the combined state, a composite meta-material marking 506 is formed by the two meta-material markings 104 and 504. As already explained above, authentication is based on the composite meta-material marking 506. Successful authentication can, for example, only occur if both meta-material markings 104 and 504 are present in the correct shape and in the correct location.This requires that the carrier 500 be positioned relative to the object 100 in a unique manner, which is facilitated, for example, by matching the size and shape of the object 100 and the carrier 500. In some examples, markings may also be provided to simplify the positioning of the carrier 500 relative to the object 100.

[0050] With reference to Fig. 6 describes another example of using meta-material markers for authentication. Fig.6 shows a semiconductor chip 600 with a metal layer forming respective elements of the semiconductor chip. A metamaterial marking 104 is embedded in a region of the semiconductor chip, indicating the identity of the semiconductor chip. To verify the semiconductor chip, as already described above, it is determined whether the semiconductor chip is an original or a counterfeit based on a characteristic of the radiation returned by the metamaterial marking 104 and the generation of comparison information.

[0051] In summary, a variety of examples and application areas for easy-to-implement authentication are described, which can be carried out using mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets with integrated millimeter wave transceivers.

[0052] In addition to the examples described above, examples of methods and devices are disclosed as follows.

[0053] Example 1 is a method for authenticating an object, comprising the steps of: positioning a millimeter-wave transceiver relative to an object containing a meta-material marker; Transmitting a transmission signal from the millimeter-wave transceiver in the direction of the meta-material marking, wherein the transmission signal is converted into a reception signal based on the meta-material marking, which reception signal has a first characteristic and is radiated in the direction of the millimeter-wave transceiver; Receiving the received signal by the millimeter wave transceiver; Processing the received signal to detect the first characteristic; Generating first comparison information based on the first characteristic; and authenticating the object based on the first comparison information.

[0054] Example 2 is a method according to Example 1, wherein processing the received signal comprises detecting at least one of the following characteristics: a radiation direction of the received signal; a phase position of the received signal; a phase position of the received signal in a radiation direction; a frequency of the received signal; a frequency of the received signal in a radiation direction; an amplitude of the received signal; or an amplitude of the received signal in one radiation direction.

[0055] Example 3 is a method according to Example 2, wherein authenticating the item comprises: Comparing the first comparison information with predetermined second comparison information.

[0056] Example 4 is a method according to example 2 or 3, wherein authenticating the object comprises at least one of the following steps: Determining a position of the meta-material marker and comparing it with a predetermined position; Determining a shape of the meta-material marking and comparing it with a predetermined shape; Determining a size of the meta-material mark and comparing it with a predetermined size of the meta-material mark; Determining a number of spatially separated meta-material markers on the object and comparing them with a predetermined number; or Determining relative distances between spatially separated meta-material markers.

[0057] Example 5 is a method according to any one of examples 3 or 4, wherein the predetermined second comparison information comprises time information or identification information for identifying the object.

[0058] Example 6 is a method according to any one of examples 3 to 5, wherein the millimeter wave transceiver is implemented in a mobile device, and wherein the predetermined second comparison information is stored in the mobile device or loaded onto the device via a wireless connection.

[0059] Example 7 is a method according to Example 6, wherein comparing the first comparison information with predetermined second comparison information is performed by a circuit or software in the mobile device.

[0060] Example 8 is a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the meta-material marking comprises a first partial marking and a second partial marking that are spatially separated.

[0061] Example 9 is a method according to any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the meta-material marking is a first meta-material marking, and the method further comprises: Positioning a second meta-material marker relative to the object such that the first and second meta-material markers are operatively coupled, wherein the second meta-material marker is arranged on a carrier separate from the object, wherein the transmission signal based on the first meta-material marker and the second meta-material marker is converted into a reception signal having the first characteristic and is radiated towards the millimeter-wave transceiver.

[0062] Example 10 is a method according to any one of the preceding examples, the method further comprising at least one of the following steps: Displaying, based on the detected first characteristic, a form of meta-material tag on an image display; or Displaying, based on the detected first characteristic, an authenticity information indicating whether the item has been determined to be genuine.

[0063] Example 11 is a mobile device with the following features: a millimeter wave transmitter circuit for transmitting a millimeter wave transmission signal and a millimeter wave receiver circuit for receiving a millimeter wave reception signal from an object; a processing circuit for detecting at least one characteristic of the millimeter-wave received signal; and a device for generating first comparison information for authentication based on the detected first characteristic.

[0064] Example 12 is a mobile device according to Example 11, further comprising an authentication device configured to perform a comparison between the first comparison information and predetermined second comparison information.

[0065] Example 13 is a mobile device according to one of examples 11 or 12, wherein the processing circuit is configured to detect at least one of the following characteristics based on the received signal: a radiation direction of the received signal; a phase position of the received signal; a phase position of the received signal in a radiation direction; a frequency of the received signal; a frequency of the received signal in a radiation direction an amplitude of the received signal; or an amplitude of the received signal in one radiation direction.

[0066] Example 14 is a mobile device according to any one of examples 12 or 13, wherein the mobile device has at least one of the following features: a memory for storing predetermined second comparison information or a wireless communication interface for wirelessly loading the predetermined second comparison information.

[0067] Example 15 is a mobile device according to any one of Examples 12 to 14, wherein the authentication device is configured to perform at least one of the following steps: Determining a position of the meta-material marker and comparing it with a predetermined position; Determining a shape of the meta-material marking and comparing it with a predetermined shape; or Determining a size of the meta-material mark and comparing it with a predetermined size of the meta-material mark; Determining a number of spatially separated meta-material markers on the object and comparing them with a predetermined number; or Determining relative distances between spatially separated meta-material markers.

[0068] Example 16 is a mobile device according to any one of examples 11 to 15, wherein the mobile device comprises a display circuit to display a form of the first meta-material marking or information indicative of authenticity of the item based on the detected first characteristic.

[0069] Example 17 is a method for authenticating an object, with the following steps: Positioning the article having a first metamaterial marking relative to a carrier having a second metamaterial marking such that the first metamaterial marking is operatively coupled to the second metamaterial marking; Transmitting a transmit signal generated by a millimeter-wave transmit circuit toward the first and second meta-material markings, wherein the transmit signal is converted into a receive signal having a first characteristic based on the operatively coupled first and second meta-material markings; Receiving the received signal by a millimeter-wave receiving circuit; processing the received signal to detect the first characteristic; and authenticating the object based on the detected first characteristic.

Claims

[1] A method for authenticating an object (100), comprising the following steps: Positioning a millimeter-wave transceiver (202) relative to an object (100) containing one or more meta-material markers (104A, 104B); Transmitting a transmission signal (206) from the millimeter-wave transceiver (202) in the direction of the meta-material marking (104), wherein the transmission signal (206) is converted based on the meta-material marking (104) into a reception signal (208) which has a first characteristic and is radiated in the direction of the millimeter-wave transceiver (202); Receiving the received signal (208) by the millimeter wave transceiver (202); processing the received signal (208) to detect the first characteristic; wherein processing the received signal (208) comprises detecting at least one of the following characteristics: a radiation direction of the received signal (208); a phase position of the received signal (208); a phase position of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction; a frequency of the received signal (208); a frequency of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction; an amplitude of the received signal (208); or an amplitude of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction Generating first comparison information (210) based on the first characteristic; and Authenticating the object (100) based on the first comparison information (210), wherein authenticating the object (100) comprises at least one of the following steps: if a meta-material marker (104) is present: Determining a position of the meta-material marker (104) and comparing it with a predetermined position; Determining a shape of the meta-material marker (104) and comparing it with a predetermined shape; Determining a size of the meta-material marking (104) and comparing it with a predetermined size of the meta-material marking (104); or if several meta-material markings (104A, 104B) are present in the object (100): Determining a number of spatially separated meta-material markers (104A, 104B) of the plurality of meta-material markers (104A, 104B) in the object (100) and comparing it with a predetermined number; or Determining relative distances between spatially separated meta-material markers (104A, 104B). [2] The method of claim 1, wherein authenticating the object (100) comprises: Comparing the first comparison information (210) with predetermined second comparison information. [3] Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined second comparison information comprises time information or identification information for identifying the object (100). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the millimeter wave transceiver (202) is implemented in a mobile device (200) and wherein the predetermined second comparison information is stored in the mobile device (200) or loaded onto the device (200) via a wireless connection. [5] The method according to claim 4, wherein the comparing of the first comparison information (210) with predetermined second comparison information is performed by a circuit or software in the mobile device (200). [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the meta-material marking (104) comprises a first partial marking (104A) and a second partial marking (104B) which are spatially separated. [7] The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the meta-material marker (104) is a first meta-material marker (104A) and the method further comprises: Positioning a second meta-material marker (104B) relative to the object (100) such that the first and second meta-material markers (104B) are operatively coupled, wherein the second meta-material marker (104B) is arranged on a carrier (500) separate from the object (100), wherein the transmission signal (206) is converted based on the first meta-material marker (104) and the second meta-material marker (104B) into a reception signal (208) having the first characteristic and being radiated in the direction of the millimeter-wave transceiver (202). [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises at least one of the following steps: Displaying, based on the detected first characteristic, a form of the meta-material marker (104) on an image display; or Displaying, based on the detected first characteristic, authenticity information indicating whether the object (100) has been determined to be genuine. [9] Mobile device (200) with the following features: a millimeter wave transmitter circuit for transmitting a millimeter wave transmission signal (206) and a millimeter wave receiver circuit for receiving a millimeter wave reception signal (208) from an object (100); a processing circuit for detecting at least one characteristic of the millimeter-wave received signal (208); and a device for generating first comparison information (210) for authentication based on the detected characteristic; and an authentication device configured to perform a comparison between the first comparison information (210) and predetermined second comparison information, wherein the predetermined second comparison information comprises time information or identification information for identifying the object (100). [10] Mobile device (200) according to claim 9, wherein the processing circuit is configured to detect at least one of the following characteristics based on the received signal (208): a radiation direction of the received signal (208); a phase position of the received signal (208); a phase position of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction; a frequency of the received signal (208); a frequency of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction an amplitude of the received signal (208); or an amplitude of the received signal (208) in a radiation direction. [11] Mobile device (200) according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the mobile device (200) has at least one of the following features: a memory for storing predetermined second comparison information or a wireless communication interface for wirelessly loading the predetermined second comparison information. [12] Mobile device (200) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the authentication device is designed to perform at least one of the following steps: Determining a position of the meta-material marker (104) and comparing it with a predetermined position; Determining a shape of the meta-material marking (104) and comparing it with a predetermined shape; or Determining a size of the meta-material marking (104) and comparing it with a predetermined size of the meta-material marking (104); Determining a number of spatially separated meta-material markers (104A, 104B) on the object (100) and comparing them with a predetermined number; or Determining relative distances between spatially separated meta-material markers (104A, 104B). [13] Mobile device (200) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the mobile device (200) comprises a display circuit to display a shape of the first meta-material marking (104) or information indicating authenticity of the object (100) based on the detected characteristic. [14] A method for authenticating an object (100), comprising the following steps: Positioning the article (100) having a first meta-material marking (104A) relative to a carrier (500) having a second meta-material marking (104B) such that the first meta-material marking (104A) is operatively coupled to the second meta-material marking (104B); Transmitting a transmit signal (206) generated by a millimeter-wave transmit circuit toward the first and second meta-material markers, wherein the transmit signal (206) is converted into a receive signal (208) having a first characteristic based on the operatively coupled first and second meta-material markers (104A, 104B); Receiving the received signal (208) by a millimeter wave receiving circuit; Processing the received signal (208) to detect the first characteristic; Generating first comparison information (210) based on the first characteristic; and Authenticating the object (100) based on the first comparison information (210), wherein authenticating the object (100) comprises comparing the first comparison information (210) with predetermined second comparison information, wherein the predetermined second comparison information comprises time information or identification information for identifying the object (100).

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