A method of determining an identity of an optically readable security element

Abstract

There is described a method, performed by an image capturing device (10), of determining an identity of optically readable security element (20). The optically readable security element (20) comprises an optically readable first portion (21) encoding a first part of the identity and an optically readable second portion (22) encoding a second part of the identity. The first portion (21) and the second portion (22) are physically separate and moveable with respect to each other. The method comprises reading S1 the optically readable security element (20) by reading the first portion (21) and the second portion (22) and extracting S2 the identity from the optically readable security element (20).

Description

[0001] A METHOD OF DETERMINING AN IDENTITY OF AN OPTICALLY READABLE SECURITY ELEMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a method of determining an identity of an optically readable security element, an optically readable security element readable by an image capturing device and a related system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Security elements or tags are used to provide security in relation to an object to which they are attached. These security elements provide security in relation to the object by labelling the object. For example, a security element may be encoded with a unique identity that can be extracted from the security element, thereby enabling authentication of the object. However, if the identity can be replicated by a nefarious party, the security of the object may be compromised.

[0006] Hence, there is a desire to provide a method of determining an identity of an optically readable security element that provides improved security, for example, by encoding an identity that is more difficult to replicate.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] It is one aim of the present disclosure, amongst others, to provide a method of determining an identity of (i.e., an identity for) an optically readable security element which at least partially obviates or mitigates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere, or to provide an alternative approach. For instance, it is an aim of embodiments of the invention to provide a method of determining an identity of an optically readable security element that provides improved security.

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a method of determining an identity of (i.e., an identity for) an optically readable security element, as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the description that follows.

[0010] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method, performed by an image capturing device, of determining an identity of an optically readable security element. The optically readable security element comprises an optically readable first portion encoding a first part of the identity and an optically readable second portion encoding a second part of the identity. The first portion and the second portion are physically separate and moveable with respect to each other. The method comprises reading the optically readable security element by reading the first portion and the second portion and extracting the identity from the optically readable security element, based on the reading.

[0011] Reading the optically readable security element may comprise reading the first portion and the second portion in a same field of view of the image capturing device.

[0012] The method may comprise moving the optically readable security element by moving the first portion, whereby, when read, a response of the first portion is configured to interact with a response of the second portion and / or the second portion, optionally wherein the interaction is at least one of: absorption, reflection and stimulated emission.

[0013] The method may comprise moving the optically readable security element by moving the first portion, whereby, when read, the first portion and the second portion align.

[0014] Moving the optically security element may comprise moving the first portion and the second portion, whereby the first portion and the second portion overlap in a region.

[0015] The first portion may be read through the second portion in the region.

[0016] A part of the second portion may be partially transparent in the region.

[0017] The optically readable security may comprise an optical emitter arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom.

[0018] The first portion may comprise a first optical emitter arranged to be read via emission emitted therefrom and the second portion comprises a second optical emitter arranged to be read via emission emitted therefrom. At least one of the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter may be arranged to be excited by excitation radiation. The excitation radiation may be emitted from the image capturing device.

[0019] The method may comprise determining whether the first portion is aligned with the second portion. In the event that the first portion and the second portion are misaligned, the method may comprise transmitting a signal prompting a user to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device and / or the first portion and repeating the method of any preceding claim. The optically readable security element may comprise an alignment mark, and determining whether the first portion is aligned with the second portion may comprise calculating a feature size, an aspect ratio or a colour of the alignment mark.

[0020] The signal may be transmitted to a display and cause the display to display a guide for guiding a user of the image capturing device to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device and / or the first portion.

[0021] The signal may be transmitted to a speaker and cause the speaker to output a sound for guiding a user of the image capturing device to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device and / or the first portion.

[0022] According to a second aspect, there is provided an optically readable security element readable by an image capturing device. The optically readable security element may comprise an optically readable first portion encoding a first part of an identity and an optically readable second portion encoding a second part of the identity. Thein the first portion and the second portion are physically separate and each moveable with respect to each other.

[0023] According to a third aspect, there is provided a system comprising an optically readable security element comprising an optically readable first portion encoding a first part of an identity and an optically readable second portion encoding a second part of the identity, wherein the first portion and the second portion are physically separate and moveable with respect to each other; an image capturing device configured to read the optically readable security element; and a data store configured to store the identity.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be brought into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method of determining an identity of an optically readable security element;

[0027] Figure 2 shows an image capturing device and an optically readable security element in a field of view of the image capturing device;

[0028] Figures 3A shows a first portion and a second portion of an optically readable security element; Figure 3B shows the first portion and the second portion of Figure 3A, where the first portion is overlapped by the second portion;

[0029] Figure 4 shows an image capturing device; and

[0030] Figure 5 shows a system comprising an image capturing device, an optically readable security element and a data store.

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a method of determining an identity of an optically readable security element. Determining an identity of an optically readable security element typically means authenticating an optically readable security element using an existing identity of the optically readable security element but may also include an initial setting of an identity of an optically readable security element. The method shown in Figure 1 is best understood in conjunction with Figure 2, which shows an image capturing device 10 and an optically readable security element 20 in a field of view of the image capturing device 10.

[0033] The method comprises reading S1 the optically readable security element 20 by reading an optically readable first portion of the optically readable security element 20 and an optically readable second portion of the optically readable security element 20. As shown in Figure 2, reading S1 the optically readable security element 20 typically comprises reading S1 the first portion and the second portion in a same field of view 30 of the image capturing device 10. Reading S1 may be performed using sensors, such as image or video sensors (e.g., those typically included in image capturing devices, such as a camera). The method also comprises extracting S2 an identity from the optically readable security element 20 based on the reading S1 , thereby enabling, for instance, authentication of the optically readable security element 20 by comparing the extracted identity with a stored identity.

[0034] The structure of the optically readable security element 20 is shown in detail in Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A shows the first portion 21 on the left and the second portion 22 on the right. Figure 3B shows the first portion 21 being overlapped by the second portion 22 from a perspective view (left side) and a front view (right side).

[0035] As can be seen in Figures 3A and 3B, the optically readable security element comprises the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. The first portion 21 encodes a first part of the identity of the optically readable security element 20, and the second portion 22 encodes a second part of the identity of the optically readable security element 20. In other words, first portion 21 does not include or define the entire identity, and second portion 22 does not include or define the entire identity.

[0036] The first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are physically separate and moveable with respect to each other. In other words, the relative configuration of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 is changeable (e.g., position, orientation, etc). Advantageously, therefore, replicating the identity of the optically readable security element 20 is more difficult for a nefarious party, because even if the identity is known, extracting S2 the identity may depend on adoption of a specific relative configuration.

[0037] For example, in the case of reading S1 including optically challenging (e.g., illuminating) the optically readable security element 20, the method may comprise moving the optically readable security element 20 by changing the relative configuration (i.e., moving one or both of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22) such that a (e.g., optical) response of the first portion 21 to the reading 21 interacts (e.g., is convoluted with) with a response of the second portion 22 to the reading S1 and / or the second portion 22 itself (e.g., by absorption and / or reflection). Effectively, the identity of the optically readable security element 20 is a joint identity comprising the first part of the identity and the second part of the identity. This effective joint identity, advantageously, increases the security provided by the optically readable security element 20, because authentication requires not only each of the two parts of the identity but for these parts of the identity to be specifically arranged. A nefarious party in possession of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 would not be able to extract or replicate the identity simply from the portions 21 , 22 in isolation from each other. Moreover, the respective parts of the identity cannot be determined from the (joint) identity, advantageously, hindering manufacture of counterfeit optically readable security elements. Therefore, while the concept is subtle, it is extremely powerful. Having at least two (i.e., split) portions is very advantageous. Of course, more than two portions may be used, but two portions is perhaps the simplest approach.

[0038] The relative configuration may be changed such that that the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are aligned. Being aligned, may mean that the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are aligned in a horizontal plane (e.g., ends or sides of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are parallel and / or abut). Alternatively or additionally, being aligned may mean that the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are aligned in a vertical plane. For instance, in Figure 3B the first portion 21 and the second portion are aligned in the vertical plane by the second portion 22 being stacked on top of the first portion 21 . In Figure 3B, the entire first portion 21 is overlapped by the second portion 22 (i.e., the perimeters of the respective portions 21, 22 correspond), but it may be that only a specific region of the first portion 21 is overlapped by the second portion 22, advantageously meaning that the first portion and the second portion do not have to be the same size, for example. Alignment in the sense of overlapping may be more advantageous compared with alignment in the sense of abutting, because overlapping more readily facilitates interaction of the responses of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 and / or interaction of the response of the first portion 21 with the second portion 22.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the optically readable security element 20 may comprise an alignment mark 23. The alignment mark 23 may be included on one or both of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22. Advantageously, the alignment mark 23 aids alignment of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22.

[0040] In fact, the method may comprise determining whether the first portion 21 is aligned with the second portion 22. In the event that the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are misaligned, the method may comprise transmitting a signal prompting a user to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device 10 and / or the first portion 21. For example, in the event that the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 are misaligned, a signal may be transmitted to encourage the user to manoeuvre the first portion 21 to be overlapped by the second portion 22 as per Figure 3B. For instance, the signal may cause a display (e.g., of the image capturing device 10) to display a guide for guiding a user of the image capturing device 10 to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device 10 and / or the first portion 21 . For example, the guide may include directional information visually indicating a direction in which the user should move the first portion 21 in order that it is overlapped by the second portion 22 as per Figure 3B. Similarly, as an alternative to causing the display to display a guide or in addition thereto, the signal may cause a speaker (e.g., of the image capturing device 10) to output a sound (e.g., directional information) for guiding a user of the image capturing device 10 to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device 10 and / or the first portion. The reading S1 and extracting S2 may then be repeated.

[0041] Determining whether the first portion 21 is aligned with the second portion 22 may comprise calculating a feature size, an aspect ratio or a colour of the alignment mark 23. For example, in the case of the alignment mark 23 being included as per Figure 3A, the aspect ratio of the alignment mark being outside a predetermined aspect ratio by a according to a metric (e.g., confidence level, threshold or preset range) when the first portion 21 is overlapped by the second portion 22 may be indicative of misalignment thereof, advantageously, facilitating reliable extracting S2 of the identity from the optically readable security element 20 by ensuring alignment is realised.

[0042] In one example, the first portion 21 may be read through the second portion 22. For instance, the part of the second portion overlapping the first portion 21 may be partially or totally transparent (e.g., to the electromagnetic radiation that is used in any reading). The optically readable security element 20 may include a transparent layer, such as a film, separating the first portion 21 and the second portion when the first portion 21 is aligned with (e.g., overlapped by) the second portion 22.

[0043] A shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the optically readable security element 20 may comprise a hologram, bar code, QR code or similar 24, encoding an identity labelling an object to which the optically readable security element is attached. In the case of the optically readable security element 20 comprising a hologram, bar code, QR code or similar 24, such engineered components 24 may be programmable, encoded with, or generally comprise information. For example, the engineered components 24 may comprise information about the object or the identity. Both the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 may comprise the engineered component 24, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0044] Preferably, the optically readable security element 20 comprises a unique (e.g., randomised) component 25 (e.g., a random deterministic feature), encoding the identity. For example, the optically readable security element 20 may comprise an engineered component 24 and a randomised component 25, wherein the engineered component 24 is programmed or otherwise encoded with information about the object 30 and the randomised component 25 encodes the identity. The randomised component 25 encoding the identity, compared with the engineered component 24 encoding the identity, advantageously engenders a more robust barrier to fraudulent reading of the optically readable security element 20. Both the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 may comprise the randomised component 25, as shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0045] More preferably, each of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 comprise at least one optical emitter arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom. Relatedly, the at least one optical emitter may be arranged to be excited by excitation radiation. The at least one optical emitter may serve as the component that provides or serves as the respective part of the identity. Advantageously, the optically readable security element 20 being read via emission emitted therefrom provides a more robust barrier to fraudulent reading, more readily preventing spoofing or copying by, for instance, simply replicating (e.g., by printing) a bar code, QR code or similar. This advantage is particularly true when one or more (e.g., hundreds, thousands or millions or more) of emitters are distributed randomly. For instance, this effect may be achieved using quantum dots, flakes of 2D materials, (e.g., small) molecules, atomic defects or vacancies, plasmonic structures or similar.

[0046] Returning to the example of the first portion 21 being read through the second portion 22, and in the case of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 including at least one optical emitter, the emission from the section of the randomised component 25 of the first portion 21 (first section of the randomised component 25, encoding the first part of the identity) interacts with the emission of the section of the randomised component 25 of the second portion 22 (second section of the randomised component 25, encoding the second part of the identity) and / or with the second portion 22 itself to produce the identity. For instance, absorption from the second portion 22 and emission from the first portion 21 may convolute. More generally, in the case of the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 including at least one optical emitter, light emitted or reflected from one of the portions 21 , 22 may be absorbed (e.g., causing stimulated emission) or reflected by the other, linearly or nonlinearly.

[0047] As discussed, advantageously, in this way the security of the optically readable security element 20 is more difficult to replicate by a nefarious party and so enhances the security of the optically readable security element 20.

[0048] In one example, an engineered component 24 comprising encoded information may be located proximal to (e.g., adjacent to) a component that encodes the identity. This location may conveniently allow for easy reading of both components in sequence or in parallel. For example, both components may be in, and so readable by, the same field of view 30 of the (e.g., sensor of the) image capturing device 10.

[0049] The image capturing device 10 may be a terminal device, such as a smartphone. The image capturing device 10 may be configured to emit excitation radiation to excite the at least one optical emitter (e.g., from an electromagnetic radiation source, such as a flash or LED). By being configured to emit excitation radiation, the image capturing device 10, advantageously, facilitates the aforementioned robust security. Further, emitting the excitation radiation from the image capturing device 10, advantageously, allows convenient control of excitation of the at least one optical emitter The method described above in relation to Figure 1 may be performed by the image capturing device 10. Alternatively, these steps may be facilitated by the image capturing device 10 in communication with, for example, a server.

[0050] Figure 4 shows the image capturing device 10 of Figure 2 in more detail. The reading S1 of the optically readable security element 20 is performed by a reader 11 , which could include or be a sensor as discussed above. The extracting S2, is performed by a processor 12. The processor 12 may be configured to extract the identity (and compared the extracted identity with the stored identity), determine whether the first portion is aligned with the second portion and calculate a feature size, an aspect ratio or a colour of the alignment mark locally (i.e., at the image capturing device 10) or externally (e.g., at a server). The processor 12 may be dedicated hardware or existing hardware specifically configured to perform the aforementioned steps.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5, the image capturing device 10 and the optically readable security element 20 may, along with a data store 40, form a system. The data store is configured to store the stored identity. The data store may be an external data store or, alternatively, part of the image capturing device 10 or part of the engineered component 24. Advantageously, the data store being an external data store facilitates a more compact and lightweight image capturing device 10.

[0052] In summary, the present disclosure has described a method of determining an optically readable security element that improves the security of the optically readable security element and hinders fraudulent replication of the identity encoded in the optically readable security element. A nefarious party needs to be in possession (and be able to read) two portions of the element. This is already a significant barrier. Also, because the portions are moveable, this allows another layer of security to be provided, which is the relative configuration between the two portions of the element. This is another significant barrier.

[0053] Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.

[0054] The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention, as set out herein are also applicable to all other aspects or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different aspects and exemplary embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method, performed by an image capturing device, of determining an identity of an optically readable security element comprising an optically readable first portion encoding a first part of the identity and an optically readable second portion encoding a second part of the identity, wherein the first portion and the second portion are physically separate and moveable with respect to each other, the method comprising: reading the optically readable security element by reading the first portion and the second portion; and extracting the identity from the optically readable security element, based on the reading.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein reading the optically readable security element comprises: reading the first portion and the second portion in a same field of view of the image capturing device.

3. The method of any preceding claim, comprising: moving the optically readable security element by moving the first portion, whereby, when read, a response of the first portion is configured to interact with a response of the second portion and / or the second portion, optionally wherein the interaction is at least one of: absorption, reflection and stimulated emission.

4. The method of any preceding claim, comprising: moving the optically readable security element by moving the first portion, whereby, when read, the first portion and the second portion align.

5. The method of any of claims 3 to 4, wherein moving the optically security element comprises: moving the first portion and the second portion, whereby the first portion and the second portion overlap in a region.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first portion is read through the second portion in the region.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a part of the second portion is partially transparent in the region.

8. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the optically readable security comprises an optical emitter arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom.

9. The method of claim any preceding claim, wherein the first portion comprises a first optical emitter arranged to be read via emission emitted therefrom and the second portion comprises a second optical emitter arranged to be read via emission emitted therefrom, optionally at least one of the first optical emitter and the second optical emitter being arranged to be excited by excitation radiation, optionally emitted from the image capturing device.

10. The method of any one of claims 4 to 9, comprising: determining whether the first portion is aligned with the second portion; in the event that the first portion and the second portion are misaligned, transmitting a signal prompting a user to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device and / or the first portion; and repeating the method of any preceding claim.

11. The method of claim 10, where the optically readable security element comprises an alignment mark, and wherein determining whether the first portion is aligned with the second portion comprises: calculating a feature size, an aspect ratio or a colour of the alignment mark.

12. The method of claim 10 or 11 , wherein the signal is transmitted to a display and causes the display to display a guide for guiding a user of the image capturing device to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device and / or the first portion.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the signal is transmitted to a speaker and causes the speaker to output a sound for guiding a user of the image capturing device to change the position and / or orientation of the image capturing device and / or the first portion.

14. An optically readable security element readable by an image capturing device, comprising: an optically readable first portion encoding a first part of an identity; and an optically readable second portion encoding a second part of the identity, wherein the first portion and the second portion are physically separate and each moveable with respect to each other.

15. A system comprising: an optically readable security element comprising an optically readable first portion encoding a first part of an identity and an optically readable second portion encoding a second part of the identity, wherein the first portion and the second portion are physically separate and moveable with respect to each other; an image capturing device configured to read the optically readable security element; and a data store configured to store the identity.

Images