Method and system for the clear characterization of products using intelligent paint

Abstract

The present invention relates to the unambiguous characterization of a handicraft (100), such as a work of art, through the application of a substrate or paint in which a certain number of microtransponders (110) are distributed. A detection system (130) reads (220) the identifiers of the transponders (110) detectable at the aforementioned positions and measures one or more of the parameters of each transponder (RSSI, reading speed, response time of each transponder, position, distance, and / or proximity to / from adjacent transponders). A pattern composed of or based on the aforementioned information is stored (230) as a reference pattern or identification pattern of the handicraft (100). A recognition scan (240) can be performed by acquiring the same parameters as a part of the handicraft. The pattern of such parameters in the reference scan can be compared (250, 260) with the reference pattern to determine whether the original handicraft (280) has been replicated (270).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for the unambiguous characterization of products through smart paint.

Background Art

[0002] There is a class of irreversible mathematical functions that map digital data of any length to a string of a defined length, known as hash functions or hashing functions. There are many algorithms that perform the aforementioned functions with specific properties depending on the application. In cryptographic applications, a hash function must have the following properties. (a) Preimage resistance: It should be computationally infeasible to find an input string that gives the same hash as a given hash. (b) Second preimage resistance: It should be computationally infeasible to find an input string that gives the same hash as the hash of a given string. (c) Collision resistance: It should be computationally infeasible to find a pair of input strings that give the same hash. A hash algorithm must meet the following requirements: (a) The output is called a message digest (fingerprint of the message), composed of numbers and characters, and generated based on an arbitrary bitstream of any size. (b) The algorithm is irreversible, i.e., the original data cannot be reconstructed from the output, i.e., it is a one-way function. Therefore, there is no bijective correspondence between the hash and the initial data. Considering that there can be data strings with more finite dimensions than the hash, by the "pigeonhole principle", various possible strings correspond to at least one hash. When two strings generate the same hash, when referring to a collision, the quality of the hash function is measured by the difficulty of identifying the two strings that cause the collision. A cryptographically secure hash does not allow strings to be found and generated within a certain period comparable to the use of that hash. The length of the hash value varies depending on the algorithm used. The most commonly adopted value is 128 bits, which gives good reliability in a relatively small space according to today's computer computing power. For example, SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) represents a group of functions, and for each variation, it belongs to SHA-1, SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA384, SHA-512. The latter four variations are often generally shown as SHA-2, distinguished from the first one.The first variation generates a digest of only a 160-bit message. On the other hand, the other variations generate a digest with a bit length equal to the number indicated in shorthand (i.e., SHA-256 generates a 256-bit digest). Hash functions play an essential role in encryption. They help verify the integrity of a specific string of data, and the execution of the algorithm with even a slightly changed string gives a completely different digest message, revealing the attempted change.

[0003] A shared and "immutable" data structure called a blockchain is known and defined as a digital register in which its items are grouped into "blocks" connected in chronological order, and its integrity is ensured by cryptography. Once its content is written by a standardized process, it cannot be changed or erased unless the entire process is invalidated. Thus, the effect of the blockchain has made it possible to uniquely identify digital resources.

[0004] A blockchain is part of a large group of distributed ledger technologies or DLTs, i.e., technologies based on a distributed ledger that can be read and modified by various nodes of a network. To validate a change made to the ledger, the nodes must reach an agreement without a central body. The methods for reaching an agreement and the structure of the ledger are some of the features that characterize various DLTs.

[0005] Tokens on the blockchain are composed of digital information items recorded in a distributed ledger that are uniquely associated with a single specific user of the system and represent any form of right, such as ownership of an asset (e.g., access to a service, receipt of payment, etc.). Various forms of tokens are known by their legal status. (a) Utility tokens provide exclusive access to the features of digital services within a distributed network (e.g., Ether, Stellar, etc.). (b) Security tokens represent ownership of an asset and grant the owner rights similar to shares (e.g., voting rights, dividends, profit distributions, etc.). From an economic function perspective, such tokens are security assets, stocks, equities, debts, bonds, liabilities. They confer all or some of the represented rights. Security tokens derive value from the underlying assets, but another important point is that cryptographic tokens exhibit programmable characteristics, giving assets additional features, greater liquidity, easier market access, faster generation speed, fewer intermediaries, lower issuance costs, transparency, and integrated automation of security-related processes. (c) Payment tokens are synonymous with cryptocurrencies and have no connection to any further function or other development project (e.g., Bitcoin, Monero, Tether, etc.). These forms of tokens are shown in initial coin offerings and cryptocurrency documentation and are created by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) similar to the guidelines issued by the Swiss Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), the first country in the world to establish a relevant regulatory structure.

[0006] Many cryptographic tokens in circulation are hybrid in the sense that they have practical characteristics and provide some property rights, especially of an economic nature, and may have characteristics that fall into various categories.

[0007] Smart contracts are known in blockchain platforms known as non-fungible tokens or NFTs. Non-fungible tokens are a special form of cryptographic tokens that represent being unique. Unlike cryptographic assets, NFTs are not interchangeable with each other. They cannot be exchanged for the same amount of the same form. This is because precisely they are unique and probably rare (scarce), and each NFT has various features and characteristics. An example in the real world could be an object like a work of art that cannot be replaced by other similar ones. If someone borrows this work, he / she has to return exactly the same work. One of the main differences between fungible tokens (e.g., cryptocurrencies) and non-fungible tokens is that the former can be divided into pieces while the latter cannot be divided at all.

[0008] NFTs are used to generate verifiable digital scarcity, digital property, and / or the possibility of interoperability of resources on various platforms. NFTs thus represent the evolution of the physical nature of specific assets. These are unique digital assets that enable users to become actual owners. They can be exchanged in appropriate markets and generate a tokenization process from the real to the digital.

[0009] As a result, NFTs are digital content that represents real-world objects such as works of art, music, games, and any form of collection. The purchaser of an NFT is not buying the work itself but the possibility of proving the rights to the whole work guaranteed by the smart contract.

[0010] It all starts with a digital version of the art piece. Usually, digital photos or the photographed documents saved in digital format (i.e., in the form of long binary sequences) are used, from which hashes are calculated by the aforementioned irreversible hash process. Usually, the next step is the generation of a file containing metadata including the hash of the art piece and the associated timestamp, and the storage of the aforementioned metadata and the digital version of the work in a distributed file system (such as the InterPlanetary File System (or IPFS), a protocol for distributed data storage and sharing, and a peer-to-peer network, etc.). NFTs keep track of the buying and selling of the hashes, which makes it possible to trace the change of the owner of the hash all the way back to its producer, thereby proving ownership. This mechanism provides evidence of authenticity and the ownership of the work. The owner of the hash can prove his / her rights by the content of the NFT without the need to connect to the medium and without time limitations. Therefore, NFTs in the art field can not only be an optimal solution in terms of the "notarization" of works, but also contribute to the automation of the existing copyright management of works and its economic utilization. On the other hand, from the perspective of authenticity, the technology that helps guarantee the identity of the person claiming to be the author of the work has not yet been developed. In the case of "paper" authentication, it is possible to perform handwriting analysis with the author's signature, while this cannot be done with smart contracts.

[0011] From an IT perspective, NFTs consist of three elements. (a) A token identifier or ID, a numerical representation associated with the NFT and its owner that enables differentiation from others. (b) The token owner, i.e., the address associated with the owner's wallet. (c) Metadata associated with the token, i.e., a JSON-formatted data structure containing descriptions, links to digital media (such as images in gif or jpeg format, etc.), features (such as characteristics, attributes, etc.).

[0012] When an NFT is associated with a physical art piece such as a painting, there is an issue of uniqueness in the relationship between the piece and the NFT itself. As mentioned, according to the prior art, an NFT hash can be generated from a digitized version of an art piece (e.g., an image of a digitized painting, etc.), but this process presents the problem of essentially converting analog data into a digital equivalent such that the characteristics of the piece (e.g., color, shape, etc.) are approximate. The process of digitizing an image can vary depending on the form of light used, the acquisition sensor, and its sensitivity and resolution. Further, the piece may undergo physical changes over time, such as color changes due to an oxidation process or degradation of the pigments due to exposure to sunlight. If it is necessary to prove that a physical piece actually corresponds to a particular NFT, a new digitization of the piece is required to derive a hash that must be identical to the hash stored in the NFT. As described by the prior art, the hashing process can generate a completely different hash string even with a minimal difference from the original data, making it easy to understand that this process cannot be effectively used to reliably guarantee the identity of the piece over time.

[0013] A RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) system is known as a method for identifying an object using tags. In a RFID system, a reader transmits an interrogation signal to tags in the vicinity, and the tags respond in turn via backscattering. The reader analyzes the response and reports the tag data along with the received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the signal. RSSI is a measure of the power received from the signal returned by a RFID tag when interrogated by the reader.

[0014] When the reader reports the RSSI value of the tag, it actually reports the power level of the tag's backscatter response signal, which is related to the initial broadcast signal power level of the reader. This power level is generally reported in decibels per milliwatt or dBm. The decibel is a unit of measurement that relates two physical characteristics on a logarithmic scale. In the case of RFID, the property being measured is the change in power, which is measured relative to 1 milliwatt. Considering how much this power level can vary, a typical fixed RFID reader can output a signal of 1 watt or 30 dBm, and the RSSI value of a typical tag can vary from -30 to -85 dBm. This means that substantially only a small fraction (about one millionth) of the original power is returned to the reader.

[0015] Other measurable parameters when reading a transponder are the reading speed and the response time. That is, the number of tags read per second and the time it takes for the tag to respond initially.

[0016] Many usage methods of RFID systems are known. The most widespread is the usage method of uniquely characterizing products through reading information from unique RFID tags applied to products in various ways. Even if there is an aspect of anti-counterfeiting in the application method, counterfeiting is still possible, and the characterization is insufficient to prove products with uniqueness, rarity, high value, or complexity like artworks.

[0017] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 009930 describes an ink in which RFID tags less than 0.75 mm are dispersed for the unique characterization of color or products through the application of ink in combination with a resin. The characterization is carried out through the information contained in the memory of each RFID. For example, this information is the same as that contained in the product's barcode and is always the same information for each tag in any case. This enables the simultaneous reading of multiple products, which is impossible with barcodes. This solution has the same level of reliability in characterization as individual tags.

[0018] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0087369 describes, for example, the use of RFID to verify the effective decomposition of disposable or soluble instruments used in underground operations such as temporary isolation areas or flow diversion. The purpose is to ensure that the instrument is completely decomposed and does not obstruct or interfere with the underground flow. Micro-RFIDs are distributed within or on the instrument, and their decomposition results in a signal that decreases over time to substantially zero.

[0019] This solution does not characterize the product but only verifies effective disappearance.

[0020] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 180647 describes a method of identifying an object using RFID. Information about the product or person to be identified can be stored in the RFID. Information about the RFID itself is not stored or utilized. This does not secure the identification, for example, in the field of art where it is necessary to guarantee the authenticity of a work and the RFID remains vulnerable to forgery.

[0021] Chinese Patent No. 103065109, instead, addresses the protection of artworks, particularly paintings, using the detection of calligraphy and micro-textures on the surface of the painting to generate information stored in the RFID. Subsequent scans of the surface micro-texture are compared with the stored work to prove the originality of the work. The core of the invention thus lies in the optical detection of the micro-texture of the painting, which requires significant and expensive optical devices and digital algorithms and does not guarantee the stability of the method, for example, in the case of deterioration of the micro-texture of the painting over time.

[0022] There remains a need for unique product characterization via an RFID system or transponder that is generally resistant to forgery and can be used for purposes such as NFT generation or the identification and / or tracking of high-value objects. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Regarding the unambiguous characterization of a product and the identification of the author, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system that solve problems and overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, in whole or in part.

[0024] In particular, the present invention attempts to associate a natural digital uniqueness that is physically invariant over time, is unambiguously correlated with the identity of the author (understood as an artist or AI or producer of a handiwork, thus a natural person and / or a legal entity and / or a digital agent), is easy to detect, and is inseparable from the work itself, with a physical work. The aforementioned unit character is defined as the digital fingerprint of the work. In particular, the aforementioned digital fingerprint can be detected by a radio frequency signal without a physical connection to the work. The long digital string that constitutes the aforementioned digital fingerprint (for example, a sequence of transponder IDs) can be processed to obtain a unique hash used within an NFT associated with the work itself.

[0025] The method and system according to the appended claims are the subject matter of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be described by way of non-limiting example, with particular reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings.

[0027]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] As can be easily understood by those skilled in the art from the description, it is stated herein that the elements of various embodiments can respect and combine the technical idea of the present invention, and can provide further embodiments without limitation.

[0029] Furthermore, this specification also refers to the prior art for the implementation of details not described, such as less important elements commonly used in the prior art in the same form of solution means.

[0030] When an element is introduced, it is understood that it may always be "at least one" or "one or more".

[0031] When a list of elements or features is given in this description, it is understood that the discovery according to the present invention "includes" those elements, or alternatively "consists of" the elements.

[0032] When arranging features within the same sentence or list of items, one or more of the individual features may be included in the present invention without connection to other features in the list.

[0033] Two or more of the aforementioned parts (elements, devices, systems) can be freely associated and considered as a parts kit according to the present invention.

[0034] (Embodiment) According to one aspect of the present invention, referring to FIG. 1, a handicraft 100 (for example, a work of art) is uniquely identified through the application of a base material that contains a certain number of transponders 110 (for example, UHF band micro RFID) inside, for example, an epoxy resin in which the transponders 110 are dispersed inside. When the resin hardens, the micro transponders are randomly dispersed and held at positions inside the base material (step 210 in the flowchart of FIG. 3).

[0035] The base material can be obtained through the application of a paint (or another spreadable material) that contains a dispersion of transponders. Alternatively, the transponders can be dispersed in a liquid material that holds them in fixed positions by hardening. For example, the material is a molten plastic material that hardens in a mold forming the product (as long as the shape of the product is not changed, the fixed position remains the same. For example, if it is elastic, the mutual positions can change and then return to the initial positions, and in any case, the mutual positions (proximity) are maintained, so a "stable" application of the dispersion can be described). The transponders can also be randomly applied to fibers during the manufacturing process. More generally, the base material can be composed of any product that incorporates a dispersion of micro transponders inside, regardless of the manufacturing process by which it is obtained.

[0036] Generally, the dispersion of transponders can be obtained by randomly mixing a plurality of the transponders 110 with a binding substance. The binding substance is composed of a plant-derived or synthetic resin that includes, for example, an aqueous phase emulsion (tempera), drying oil, acrylic, epoxy, phenol, polyester, vinyl ester, thermoplastic resin, thermosetting resin, elastomer, or colloid. After the drying process, the positions of the transponders are stable over time.

[0037] The dispersion may be a simple powder without binder substances and is used only during the application to the product.

[0038] In any case, it is possible to first apply the dispersion to the label and then apply this to the product. Everything described herein is also valid in the case of the label.

[0039] Product 100 can be composed of the support on which the artistic work is produced. Said support can be provided with a natural or synthetic substrate including paper, canvas, fabric, ceramic, wood, glass, metal, stone, rock, plastic, from which the author can produce the work. Said transponder 110 can be applied during the process of manufacturing said support or after during the production of the work.

[0040] In the right magnification of FIG. 1, the distribution of the transponder 110 can be observed with respect to the drawing of the artistic work. The application of the dispersion of the microtransponders may be only on a part, and not necessarily on the whole surface of the artistic work, for example, on the opposite side of its pigments or on the inner layer of the artistic work (which is not necessarily a painting). In this case, the term "surface" should be used in a broader sense of the inner or outer face, whether connected or not to other parts of the handwork.

[0041] The detection system for the dispersion of the microtransponders 110 is composed of at least one antenna (RFID) 130 and a data processing unit (not shown) that can be successively connected to a server for the storage or processing of the detected information.

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the detection system may include one or more RF amplification systems and / or RF resonators, one or more television cameras, one or more detection systems (not shown) of the position of the antenna.

[0043] The detection system (and as a result, antenna 130) is moved towards an art piece 100, which can be at any location, e.g., placed on its surface (step 220 in the flowchart of FIG. 3). A plurality of micro RFID transponders (a subset of the existing transponders) present in the substrate of the piece come within the reading range of the identification system. , for example, around the face line 120 The transponders preferably have an anti-collision protocol such that all recognized transponders (i.e., recognized by the antenna as a function of the power of the backscattered signal) can be read by the same antenna.

[0044] The detection system reads one or more items of characterization information (EPC (Electronic Product Code), TID (Tag ID), memory, user memory, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), reading speed, response time, position, distance from adjacent transponders) for each transponder. Proximity is used to mean the relative position or the topological position of the transponders as explained below.

[0045] The preferred minimum set of information is the tag ID and its position. Optionally, it is advantageous to include RSSI, and possibly the detected RGB color of the object at the point or area being scanned. Other parameters are convenient and advantageous, but to a lesser extent. For example, the EPC memory is used to write information to the tag if there is not enough user memory. The distance from adjacent transponders can be calculated from the position. The response speed and / or reading time can help verify a correct RFID reading.

[0046] The reading can be performed over the entire surface where the dispersion of transponders is present, or from parts that are either fully connected or separated, regardless of whether they are part of it or not.

[0047] This information is processed by a local data processing unit or transmitted to a server (not shown). Patterns composed of or based on said information are stored as reference patterns or characterization patterns or identification patterns of the workpiece 100 (step 220 in the flowchart of FIG. 3). This pattern uniquely characterizes how the transponder is detected by the antenna as a function of the relative position. In fact, the relative position can vary depending on the relative inclination between the antenna 130 and the transponder 110, as shown in FIG. 2. In fact, the component 112 of the signal in the direction of the antenna 130 is maximum when the two antennas (of the reader and the transponder) are parallel and minimum when the antennas are perpendicular. where the component 113 appears The component 111 perpendicular to the antenna decreases in relation to the mutual representation of the antennas.

[0048] The transponder 110 remaining in a fixed and unchangeable (or "stable") position over time within the workpiece 100 (see above) means that the relative position cannot change over time. Thus, antennas present at the same point at different times (and at the same inclination and distance from the workpiece) detect the same group of transponders having substantially the same detection information. This can be considered as the true unique digital fingerprint of the workpiece (hereinafter also referred to as "unique identification pattern" or "characterization pattern").

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, for each transponder, at least data contained in one or more of the memory areas of the transponder (EPC (Electronic Product Code) memory, TID (Tag Identification) memory, user memory) is recorded for better characterization of the product.

[0050] This result may be achieved by a system positioning the antenna at the same position or by performing a reference scan to obtain various patterns when the inclination and / or distance of the antenna vary at each detection position, and the characterization pattern is a combination of the information obtained for each predetermined scan position and inclination.

[0051] However, obtaining different slopes or a fixed slope is not an essential feature of the present invention. This is because pattern recognition may be performed within a certain margin of error, and the proximity of multiple transponders that is substantially independent of the slope can also be detected, as will be described below.

[0052] Generally, the ID may be detected, and the hash of the pattern of the transponder ID may be calculated and stored in the blockchain. The RFID pattern of the information obtained in the characterization step may use the hash as an encryption key, for example, and save it and encrypt it, which makes the system more robust against fraud.

[0053] The information detected through the RFID fingerprint can be further associated with the information detectable using a camera on the surface of the handicraft, at each predetermined scan position (or by acquiring the entire image and extracting the corresponding part). The camera may be part of the reading system. This provides an RFID / RGB fingerprint (RFID and RGB if possible). The information detected through the RFID fingerprint can be further associated with the information detectable via a 3D sensor (RGBD image, color + depth), or by a sensor sensitive to other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum (such as a thermographic camera).

[0054] The RFID / RGB fingerprint constitutes the electronic or unique DNA or unique digital fingerprint of the handicraft 100. The electronic DNA can be systematized by an RFID or a matrix code that constitutes proof of the authenticity of the work. It may also be recorded on a blockchain such as an NFT so that the electronic identity cannot be forged. In particular, the hash code of the RFID / RGB fingerprint can be stored in the blockchain.

[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, unique digital fingerprint information can be stored in a memory unit (not shown).

[0056] According to one aspect of the present invention, the digital fingerprint information can be compressed, encrypted, and stored in the user memory of each transponder 110. Optionally, a digitized biometric sample proving the identity of the author of the product 100 can be stored in the memory unit and / or blockchain and / or the user memory of the transponder. This digitized biometric sample proving the identity of the author of the product 100 can conveniently be composed of at least a part of the digitized genetic information of the author of the product, its compressed and encrypted version, or a hash code of at least a part of the genetic information.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, when a unique reference pattern is obtained at 230, the originality of the workmanship 100 can be verified by first performing a recognition scan 240. In this recognition scan, the reading system can cover the whole work or only a part thereof. In this case, it is positioned at one or more positions with respect to the workmanship 100. Reading is not required at all places where the reference scan is performed, and the originality check can be simpler and faster than the characterization scan.

[0058] Measurement of the same parameters / information as the reference scan (even at different inclinations and / or distances) gives a shorter recognition pattern corresponding to a section of the electronic DNA of the work. By repeating the measurement several times at different predetermined scan positions, several segments of the electronic DNA can be compared, further increasing the probability of correct identification.

[0059] The comparison of block 250 can be performed using an appropriate pattern search algorithm at 260, with reference to a margin of a predetermined bias that can be defined in many known ways. If the reference scan is performed at various inclinations of antenna 130, the comparison is made for all inclinations of the reference scan. In the case of identifying the pattern of the recognition scan (even within a predetermined error) within a unique pattern of the reference scan, a unique identification of the workpiece 100 is made at 280, or else it is determined at block 270 to be a duplicate (generating corresponding digital information).

[0060] According to one aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the characterization information obtained in the first scan step is read from the user memory of the transponder 110 and compared with at least a part of the verification information obtained in the next scan executed for verification purposes.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a method for localizing the position of a transponder according to one aspect of the present invention. Consider a detection system composed of a plurality of antennas AN1, AN2, AN3 (this is an example, and there may be more antennas), and assume that the mutual positions are exactly known. When the system is moved towards a substrate integrating a plurality of transponders at random positions (for example, depicted and shown by ID1), the detection of each tag from all of the antennas, for example, ID, RSSI, reading speed, and the number of readings, enables the calculation of its position using prior art, such as microzoning, triangulation, trilateration (using RSSI), etc. In particular, in the trilateration of each reading point, the measurement or approximation of the corresponding distance creates a circular region of possible tag positions. The basic approach of trilateration is to calculate the intersection of the circles and estimate the position of the tag. If the positions of a subset of tags are known for each antenna of the reading system, the processing unit can calculate the respective mutual positions of the tags with respect to the other tags using known techniques of Euclidean geometry. This process is known as "scene analysis" for identifying the positions of tags with respect to a known set of antennas.

[0062] The relative positions can be understood alone or in combination, in the said characterization and recognition patterns, with the advantage that the robustness of the method with respect to the replicas is improved. In fact, only the ID can be obtained from a scan similar to the characterization step. The relative positions have the advantage of being applicable to surfaces whose shape can vary, such as elastic surfaces, etc. Considering the simplification of the aforementioned reading system with reference to the attached FIG. 5. In this system, there is a pair of antennas ANT1 - ANT2 at a fixed distance d, which detect tags ID1 and ID2 and determine their mutual distance in the approximation of the area of each antenna. The same pair of antennas is rotated and, in the same way, detects tags ID3 and ID4 on the one hand and ID5 on the other. Small antennas can be used to characterize the relative positions of the tags. This concept is extended to (a) the detection being carried out with the positioning of a double antenna that only detects two adjacent tags, and (b) detecting three adjacent ones, as shown in FIG. 6. In the characterization phase, by mapping the relative positions, the verification can be carried out by randomly moving the pairs of antennas.

[0063] Both the scene analysis process by trilateration and the localization process by proximity enable the detection of mutual distances between at least one subset of transponders present on the substrate. The said relative positions are invariant with respect to the position and orientation of the reading system and they represent invariant physical properties of the substrate. The mutual distances can be included in the characterization and recognition patterns with the advantage that the robustness of the method is improved.

[0064] In the detection step of the reference scan, the said physical properties of the RFID substrate or a part thereof are measured. In the verification step (recognition scan), any subset of the substrate is scanned, the said physical properties are derived therefrom and compared with the reference scan related to the same subset of transponders.

[0065] Considering the random distribution of transponders on the substrate of the work, the set of transponders must take into account, among other things, situations where they are close or partially overlapping. The nearby transponders form clusters that are all or partially within the reading range of the antenna. In this case, it is possible to set selection criteria between different IDs at the same position and between the detected pattern and the pattern (part of it) detected in the characterization step, based on the product characterization step and the criteria of the "tolerance range". According to the present invention, this distance criterion can be provided mathematically or by calibrating the system.

[0066] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the RFID 110 is provided with a writable user memory, preferably of the Write Once Ready Many type, and after the characterization step and before the recognition step, a subset of the characterization patterns obtained based on the pattern or local parameters of the RFID is stored in the user memory of the transponder. - In the recognition step, the pattern stored in the RFID is read. - In the comparison step, the pattern stored in the characterization pattern is searched for.

[0067] According to the present invention, a system for uniquely characterizing a product comprises - A dispersion of transponders (e.g., micro RFID UHF 110) that can be applied to the surface of the product 100. - At least one RFID antenna 130 - Includes at least one processing unit. The processing unit is configured to receive and store the product pattern of the product 100 as defined above, receive the presence of the recognition pattern, and verify it using information of the same format within the unique reference pattern.

[0068] According to one aspect of the present invention, the camera is configured to obtain an image of the surface at a set of scan positions of the surface of the product.

[0069] According to another aspect of the present invention, the processing unit is configured to store the hash of the characterized pattern as an NFT in the blockchain.

[0070] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is one or more systems for detecting the position of the antenna 130.

[0071] (Method of Scanning and Uniqueness Recognition) Referring to FIG. 7, having an antenna 3 that moves in the X-Y direction through the corresponding guides 4 and 5 The scanning system aims to map the positions of all the RFID2 tags distributed within the object 1 (e.g., a painting), and at the same time map the color and three-dimensional surface information of the object. Considering that the reading area of the RFID antenna is larger than the forward steps in x and y, each tag is ready for various subsequent steps in both x and y around its actual position. At the end of the entire scanning process, a specific algorithm can obtain the actual position of all tags by averaging the detected positions (x, y, z) of each tag.

[0072] For each detected tag, the ID, actual position (xyz, average of positions), RSSI (average of all measurements), and the RGB image detected around the actual position of the tag are saved. Suppose a total of N tags are detected. The algorithm considers all possible ways to divide the set of N tags into subgroups consisting of M elements (obviously M < N), calculates the average distance of the M tags existing in each subgroup, rearranges the groups so that the average distance is shortened, and selects the subgroup with the largest average distance and in which each of the N tags appears in the M subgroups.

[0073] Finally, the scanning system repeats the entire scanning process again and saves the codes of the M - 1 tags of the group belonging to the encrypted form.

[0074] The flow of the device scanning process 300 may be as shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, one flowchart is divided into sub - parts (a) - (d) that are continuous.

[0075] Starting from 310, the position X (and / or Y) of one step increases at 311. The position Z of the reading head at 312 is (optionally) adjusted to maintain a fixed distance from the surface, making the reading more reliable.

[0076] The scan for each RFID is performed at 313. At this point, if an RFID exists (314), at 315, the ID, position, and optionally the RSSI are recorded. Instead, if there is no RFID, the process through the block 316 moves to block 317 (reachable from 315 in any case) and optionally reads the color of the object (e.g., a painting) scanned using the RGB sensor.

[0077] Next, position control is performed. Specifically, at 321, it is verified whether X has reached the end of the object. If this is not true (has reached), the process proceeds to the increase of Y at block 341. Otherwise, X increases by one step at 322, and the Z part can be (optionally) adjusted again as above. at 323 At this point, the scan for each RFID is performed at 32 4 and. in the block 325, If an RFID exists, the ID, position, and optionally the RSSI are recorded at 326. If it does not exist, after block 326 ends, it proceeds to the connecting block 327 that it heads towards. at 328, Immediately afterwards, optionally, as described above, the color is read by the RGB sensor.

[0078] Upon reaching block 341, Y is incremented by 1 step, X is decremented by 1 step at 342, the position Z is adjusted as described above at 343, and the scan for each RFID is performed at 344 as described above. If an RFID exists at 345, its ID, position, and optionally RSSI are recorded at 346; otherwise, the process proceeds to connection block 347, and thereafter, any detection and storage of color are performed as described above.

[0079] At 361, it is verified whether X has reached the opposite end of the object at this point. If so (if not reached), X is decremented by 1 step at 362, Z is adjusted as described above at 363, and the scan for each RFID is performed at 364. If an RFID exists (block 365) , the ID, position, and optionally RSSI are at 366 read, and then, even if X has not reached the opposite end, the process proceeds to connection block 367, and at 368, color is optionally detected as described above.

[0080] Immediately thereafter, Y is incremented by 1 step at 371, and at 372, it is verified whether Y has reached the lower end. If this is not true (reached), the process ends at 390. Instead, if Y has not reached the lower end, X is incremented by 1 step at 373, the position Z is optionally adjusted at 374, and the scan for each RFID is performed at 375. Thereafter, at 376, it is verified whether an RFID exists. If this is true, the ID, position, and optionally RSSI are recorded (block 377) , and then the process proceeds to connection block 378, which also proceeds when no RFID exists. At this point, the process proceeds to 379, and as described above, color is optionally detected and the process starts again from 372 until Y reaches the lower end.

[0081] This process is effective for all 1 - dimensional (1D), 2 - dimensional (2D), and 3 - dimensional (3D) objects with appropriate adjustment of the axis and scan steps.

[0082] The proposed scanning system aims to detect and accurately map the positions of RFID tags embedded in 3D objects. The object may be, for example, a painting or part of a composite material. Similar to the localization of RFID tags, the system also records color information and maps the 3D surface of the object.

[0083] The scanning system is based on a series of cyclic steps including increasing / decreasing the position along the X-axis, adjusting the position along the Z-axis to maintain a fixed distance from the surface of the object, detecting the presence of RFID tags, and reading the color using an RGB sensor.

[0084] The scanning system moves along the X-axis and scans the surface of the object. When it reaches the end of the object, it increases the position along the Y-axis and proceeds in the opposite direction along the X-axis. This process continues until it reaches the lower end of the object along the Y-axis.

[0085] During all steps, the position along the Z-axis is adjusted to maintain a fixed distance from the surface of the object. This ensures that RFID and RGB readings are consistent and reliable even if the surface of the object is irregular.

[0086] All detected RFID tags are recorded with the values of position (X, Y, Z), ID, and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), which indicates the power of the signal received from the tag. If the reading area of the RFID antenna is larger than the forward steps in X and Y, all tags are detected in various subsequent steps in both X and Y around the actual position.

[0087] Referring to Figure 9, to determine the actual position of all tags, it is advantageous to save all the detected positions for each tag in a dictionary using the tag's ID as a key. At the end of the scan, the algorithm can calculate the average of the detected positions for each ID and obtain the actual position of the corresponding tag. This process reduces errors caused by the overlap of the reading area of the RFID antenna with respect to the forward steps.

[0088] In addition to the location, the algorithm can also calculate the average value of RSSI and the RGB image detected around the actual location of the tag. These data are useful for later analysis such as, for example, the identification of RFID data patterns or the analysis of object colors.

[0089] In the specific flowchart 400, the process starts at 401, and an empty dictionary of tags is generated at 410. Then the scan is performed as described above. If an RFID is detected in the scan at 420, the ID, location, optionally RSSI and / or RGB are at 430 extracted. At 440, if the identifier ID already exists in the dictionary, the above-mentioned parameters are updated in the dictionary at 450, and in the opposite case, they are added to the dictionary at 460. In either case, the process proceeds to the connection block 470, and a scan of another tag is restarted at 420. Instead, if no further tags are scanned at 420, the calculation of the actual location, RSSI, and RGB is at 480, performed for each scanned tag (using the reader described above).

[0090] The actual location / RSSI / RGB is calculated as the average (any form of average) for each tag.

[0091] In fact, the location and other data for each tag are updated in each scan and averaged and determined for the purpose of calculating the distance between tags. To calculate these relative positions, all groups having at least two tags are analyzed, and the average distance between the tags in each group is calculated based on the average positions already calculated (using the algorithm described above or an equivalent algorithm).

[0092] In fact, the algorithm takes into account all possible ways of dividing the set of detected tags into subgroups consisting of M elements (M is 2 or more). The algorithm calculates the average of the distances between the tags in the group for each possible subgroup. Then, the groups are sorted by the average of the decreasing distances.

[0093] At this point, the algorithm selects (and saves in a specific dictionary) the subgroup with the average of the largest distances, ensuring that each of the detected tags appears in at least M subgroups. This step helps to identify groups of tags that are relatively close to each other.

[0094] Finally, the scanning system repeats the scanning process, and additionally, between each step, it saves the IDs of M - 1 other tags in that group in an encrypted manner. This is used to directly generate a map of the tag groups on the tags themselves, enabling the identification of the groups without a grouping algorithm.

[0095] The above - mentioned solution means is an advanced object identification and anti - forgery protection method based on the application of a random distribution of RFID tags inside an object. The technical effect of this solution means is to enhance the redundancy and security of the identification system, thereby overcoming the single - point - of - failure (SPOF) problem. In fact, in the identification systems according to the prior art, the presence of a single tag represents a potential SPOF. If the tag is damaged, removed, or otherwise impaired, the entire identification system may fail and all related information may be lost. However, by using the application of a random distribution of redundant RFID tags according to the proposed method, the probability of its failure is significantly reduced.

[0096] A further technical effect of this solution means is the improvement of anti - forgery security compared with the prior art. The complexity resulting from the random distribution of RFID tags within the object makes it significantly difficult to replicate or forge the object. Potential forgers cannot only not replicate the object itself, but also cannot replicate all the individual tags and arrange all the tags in the same way because they are randomly distributed within the original object. This involves a level of complexity and precision that exceeds the capabilities of many forgery methods.

[0097] Furthermore, the proposed system uses a specific algorithm to map the position of each tag and group the tags based on topology. This allows for the generation of a unique "digital fingerprint" for each object, based not only on the ID of the individual tags but also on their distribution within the object, and taking into account other information such as RSSI and color data if possible. This digital fingerprint is further protected by encryption, making forgery even more difficult.

[0098] Finally, the scanning system stores the encrypted IDs of other tags in each tag group. This feature further adds to the level of security and redundancy, enabling the identification of tag groups even without a grouping algorithm.

[0099] In summary, the technical features of this solution significantly improve the redundancy and security of the object identification system, overcome the SPOF problem, and provide strong anti-forgery protection.

[0100] Here, it is stipulated that the dispersion or powder of RFID tags does not necessarily have to be used as paint, and can be applied to labels in various forms and may be applied for anti-tampering of objects.

[0101] (Advantages of the present invention) The advantages of the method and system according to the present invention are listed below, which may be considered separately or in combination. - Unambiguous identification of handicrafts - Non-reproducibility of the unique pattern of handicrafts - Invariance over time - Impossibility of separating the unique pattern of RFID from handicrafts - Unambiguous and strict connection between the author and the work - Identification speed - Inviolability of the fingerprint (e.g., when included in a blockchain) - Low implementation cost - Non-infringement of handicrafts

[0102] In the above disclosure, preferred embodiments have been described and some variations of the present invention have been proposed. However, it is understood that those skilled in the art may make modifications and changes without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for verifying the originality of a product and optionally the identity of its author, comprising: A. applying a dispersion of transponders (110) to at least one surface of the product (100), or applying a label to a surface previously coated with the dispersion of said transponders (110) (210); B. moving at least one antenna (130) towards at least a part of the surface of the product or the label in order to scan at least one subset of said transponders (110) for detecting a set of transponder characteristics including at least the transponder ID and the transponder position with respect to a predetermined reference system, thereby characterizing said surface of the product or the label (220); C. storing the characterization information obtained in step B as a product characterization pattern in a memory unit (230); D. moving the at least one antenna (130) towards the surface of the product to scan at least one region of at least a part of the surface of the product or the label where at least a part of the dispersion of the transponders (110) applied in step A is present, thereby obtaining the information of step B (240) and thereby obtaining a pattern of verification information; E. storing the verification information obtained in step D regarding the product in a genuineness verification pattern of the product (250); F. searching for the verification pattern in the characterization pattern within a margin of a predetermined bias (260); G. generating digital information on the identity and genuineness of the product (100) and optionally the identity of its author as a function of the positive or negative result of step F (280). A method as described above.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of transponder characteristics includes a received signal strength indication (RSSI).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the set of transponder characteristics includes one or more of an EPC (Electronic Product Code) memory, a TID (Tag Identification) memory, a user memory, a reading speed, and a response time.

4. In steps C and E, the characterization pattern and the genuineness pattern of the product include, for each transponder, a distance indication of each transponder (100) from other transponders. - A step of dividing all the sets of the transponders into subgroups each composed of M elements, where M is 2 or more and less than the total number of transponders on the product or label. - A step of calculating, for each subgroup, the average of the distances between the transponders in the group. - A step of selecting the subgroup having the largest average distance greater than a predetermined threshold and confirming that each of the detected transponders appears in at least M subgroups. - A step of storing the average of the distances for each of the subgroups selected in the previous step in the characterization pattern of step C and the authenticity verification pattern of step E. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, which is executed.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transponder position is calculated as the average of the transponder positions detected at each antenna position for each transponder ID.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein in step A, the product (100) is composed of a support on which a work of art is produced.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein in step A, the dispersion of the transponders is obtained by randomly mixing a plurality of transponders (110) with a binding substance, and after the drying process, the transponder position stabilizes over time.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in steps B and D, the RGB-D information of the color and depth of the product (100) is obtained when scanning with a camera for each scanned position of the product, and the characterization information and verification information are added.

9. In step C, the storing is hashing at least a part of the characterization information obtained in step B, minting a non-fungible token (NFT) including the hash and a reference to the storage location of the characterization information in the metadata, preferably on a distributed file system (DFS) such as the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), by which is executed on a blockchain. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in step C, at least a part of the characterization information obtained in step B is compressed, encrypted, and stored in each of the user memories of the transponder (110).

11. In step C, the digitized biometric sample that proves the identity of the author of the product (100) is stored and optionally stored in the blockchain according to claim 9 and / or the user memory according to claim 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The digitized biometric sample that proves the identity of the author of the product (100) is at least a part of the digitized genetic information of the author of the product, its compressed and encrypted version, the hash code of at least a part of the genetic information, The method according to claim 11, comprising one of them.

13. In steps B and D, a plurality of antennas (AN1, AN2, AN3; ANT1, ANT2) are used and have a known mutual position in the two steps. The mutual position of the transponder (110) is obtained by trilateration based on the proximity to the antenna or the RSSI, The mutual position is included in the characterization and recognition information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. In step G, at least a part of the characterization information obtained in step B is read from the user memory of the transponder (110) according to claim 10, compared with at least a part of the verification information obtained in step D. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A system for unambiguous product characterization, comprising - a dispersion of a transponder (110) that can be applied to the surface of the product (100), or a label that can be applied to the product, - at least one RFID antenna (130), - at least one processing unit, The processing unit is configured to receive and store the characterization information obtained in step B of the product (100) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, receive the existence of the verification information obtained in step D, and verify using information of the same format in the characterization information. characterized by System.

16. ​ The system according to claim 15, comprising a camera configured to obtain an image of the product at a set of scan positions on the surface of the product (100).

17. The processing unit is configured to calculate and store a hash of the characterization information, and to mint an NFT on a blockchain, preferably on a distributed file system (DFS) such as the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), so as to include the hash and a reference to the storage location of the characterization information, for example, in the metadata. The system according to claim 15 or 16.

18. The system according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, comprising one or more systems for detecting the position of the antenna (130).

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