Method for verifying the authenticity of a product

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a product, which includes steps consisting in: providing in or on the product (10) at least one predetermined element (12) which does not modify the performance of the product (10); instantaneously detecting whether this element (12) is present using a predetermined non-intrusive technology to which the element is able to react, this technology involving a magnetic field, or a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, or a spectrometric analysis; and determining that the product (10) is authentic if the element (12) is detected.

Description

Description Title of the invention: METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE AUTHENTICITY OF A PRODUCT

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for verifying the authenticity of a product, as well as to a corresponding product.

[0002] It is described here in a non-limiting example where the product in question is an electrical cable. It can nevertheless be applied to any other type of product.

[0003] TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the electrical equipment sector, it is essential to implement measures to protect against fraud, particularly against the marketing of counterfeit electrical cables. In some countries, these fraudulent sales significantly impact the market for manufacturers of genuine cables and can also damage their brand image if the counterfeit cables malfunction. In such cases, they can pose potential risks (electrical, fire, etc.) to users.

[0005] We know of solutions such as holographic or QR code-based labels, affixed to cables which, when recognized by a suitable reader, are supposed to allow verification if the cables are authentic.

[0006] However, these solutions are not sufficient, as fraudsters have developed ways to reproduce these anti-counterfeiting devices.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a more robust solution, that is to say, one that is more difficult for fraudsters to circumvent.

[0008] SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention aims in particular to remedy at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To this end, the present invention proposes a method for verifying the authenticity of a product, remarkable in that it comprises steps consisting of: providing in or on the product at least one predetermined element not modifying the performance of the product, the predetermined element being a charge incorporated in a constituent of the product; detecting instantly whether this element is present by using a predetermined non-intrusive technology adapted to react to the element, this technology involving a magnetic field, or a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, or a spectrometric analysis; determining that the product is authentic in the event of detection of the element.

[0012] Thus, the present invention incorporates in or on the product an element which is easily detectable instantaneously through the appropriate technology and whose presence makes it possible to guarantee the authenticity of the product.

[0013] It is also compatible with the parallel use of a known anti-counterfeiting solution such as a hologram or QR code, while being more discreet than the latter, as the element does not alter the external appearance of the product.

[0014] It therefore significantly reduces the risk of counterfeiting.

[0015] Advantageously, the fact that the element is in the form of a charge incorporated into the material of the product has the advantage of not changing the dimensions of the product in question.

[0016] In one particular embodiment, the element is magnetized during the manufacture of the product so as to generate a permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field and the technology consists of detecting the permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field by means of a magnetometer.

[0017] Thus, after the product has been manufactured, no further intervention on the product is necessary and simply measuring the magnetic field in the vicinity of the product makes it possible to immediately determine whether the product is authentic or not.

[0018] In one particular embodiment, the technology consists of applying the magnetic field to the surface of the product.

[0019] This is very easy to do, including on-site if necessary, and depending on the type of electrical cable involved, without damaging the electrical cable.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the product also incorporates at least one pattern. The product is, for example, a two- or three-dimensional pattern printed on the surface of the product using ink, for example, ink containing magnetizable particles.

[0021] This feature allows both the encoding of various identification information about the product via the two or three-dimensional pattern and the increase in the robustness of the cable authentication process, by combining pattern reading and measurement of the pattern response and / or measurement of the response of the element incorporated in the product itself, to the application and / or measurement of a magnetic field, for example when reading the pattern via a Hall effect detector.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the element comprises or is made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.

[0023] Thus, the generation of a magnetic field is particularly facilitated.

[0024] Depending on a particular characteristic, the element contains or is a ferrite, and for example a hard ferrite, or neodymium, or an ANiCo alloy. The element may thus contain or be ferrite and / or contain or be barium ferrite and / or strontium ferrite.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the element is visible only under the specific wavelength mentioned above, and the technology consists of illuminating the product by means of the aforementioned light source emitting at least this specific wavelength.

[0026] This process is extremely simple to implement.

[0027] In one particular embodiment, the element is an ink.

[0028] This feature has the advantage of not requiring any changes to the product's architecture.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the element has a predetermined composition and the technology consists of performing a spectrometric analysis of the product to determine whether the element is present.

[0030] This characteristic gives the process even greater robustness, as it is possible to consider using complex and original compositions with very specific proportions of various materials.

[0031] In one particular embodiment, the element is a microsphere.

[0032] The small size of the microspheres allows them to be integrated into the product without affecting its dimensions.

[0033] In one particular embodiment, the microsphere is made of an inorganic material.

[0034] This characteristic gives the element good durability over time.

[0035] In one particular embodiment, the product is electrical equipment.

[0036] In one particular embodiment, the electrical equipment is an electrical cable.

[0037] In one particular embodiment, the element is located in or on the outer layer of the product. This example is not limiting, and the element may be located in other layers of the product, including an inner layer.

[0038] In the case of a cable, only one layer of the cable (such as the outer sheath) can be modified compared to a cable without this anti-counterfeiting solution, thus minimally impacting the cable's manufacturing process. However, one or more other cable components may be modified depending on the desired level of complexity of the anti-counterfeiting solution.

[0039] For the same purpose as indicated above, the present invention also proposes a product, remarkable in that it contains at least one element adapted to the implementation of a process as succinctly described above.

[0040] Since the specific characteristics and advantages of the product are similar to those of the process, they are not repeated here.

[0041] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of particular embodiments, given as examples. examples, by no means exhaustive, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0043] [Fig. 1] is a schematic representation of a cable according to the present invention and of the implementation of a method according to the present invention, in a particular embodiment.

[0044] [Fig. 2] is a flowchart illustrating steps of a process according to the present invention.

[0045] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTION METHOD(S)

[0046] As shown in Figure 1, the product according to a particular embodiment of the invention can be an electrical cable 10. This particular application is of course not limiting and the product may be a completely different electrical object than an electrical cable (switch, connection box, junction box, recessed box, circuit breaker, etc.).

[0047] In the case of the illustrated electrical cable 10, it contains at least one element 12 adapted for implementing a method of verifying the authenticity of the electrical cable. This method is based on the interaction between the element 12 and a device 14 that uses non-intrusive technology, meaning that it does not require penetrating the electrical cable or removing any part of it. Penetration and / or removal could damage and / or destroy the electrical cable 10.

[0048] The cable 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is cylindrical in shape. However, this example is not exhaustive, and the cable 10 can have any other shape.

[0049] According to the present invention, the technology used by the device 14 involves either the measurement of a magnetic field or the production of a magnetic field, or a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, or a spectrometric analysis of the cable material.

[0050] Thus, as shown in Figure 2, a first step 20 of a method for verifying the authenticity of the cable according to the present invention consists of providing, in the cable 10, at least one element 12. The element 12 does not modify the performance of the electrical cable. By performance of the cable 10 its electrical characteristics, its mechanical performance, its resistance to environmental conditions, its fire resistance, etc., as well as its operation.

[0051] Element 12 is a filler incorporated into a component of cable 10. The component in question may be an insulator, a filler element, an outer layer such as a sheath or any other component of cable 10. The component may optionally but not necessarily be a thermoplastic material.

[0052] Element 12 is preferably solid. Cable 10 can comprise a plurality of elements 12.

[0053] As a non-limiting example of a solid element, element 12 is a charge in the form of solid particles.

[0054] The process includes a step 22 consisting of instantly detecting whether element 12 is present and possibly in what quantity element 12 is present, using one of the aforementioned non-intrusive technologies capable of reacting to element 12.

[0055] Thus, if the technology involves a magnetic field, device 14 can be a magnetic field sensor, i.e., a magnetometer or Hall effect probe, or a magnetic field generator. If the technology involves a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, the wavelength can be in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range, and device 14 is a light source emitting at least one corresponding wavelength. If the technology involves spectrometric analysis of the material of cable 10, device 14 is a spectrometer.

[0056] If element 12 is detected as being present in cable 10, cable 10 is considered authentic. Otherwise, cable 10 is considered a potential counterfeit.

[0057] When the technology involves measuring a magnetic field, element 12 is magnetized during cable manufacturing to generate a permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. In this case, step 22 consists of detecting whether this permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field is present even when the cable is not necessarily energized. This detection is performed using a magnetometer, which is brought close to cable 10. Such a tool may be available in a simple mobile phone (or "smartphone") for example.

[0058] It is understood that with this embodiment, element 12 naturally emits a magnetic field. Therefore, there is no need to magnetize element 12 on-site at specific points. This simplifies the verification of a cable 10, since an operator only needs a simple magnetic field reader (and not a separate magnetic field generator). Consequently, a simple reader such as a smartphone can be used to verify the authenticity of a cable.

[0059] Such a method of implementation therefore allows for easy and simple verification of a cable.

[0060] In the preceding embodiment, where element 12 is magnetized during cable manufacturing, element 12 may comprise or be entirely made of a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material. By way of non-limiting example, the element may comprise or be entirely made of a ferrite, and for example a hard ferrite, or neodymium, or an AINiCo alloy.

[0061] At least one layer of cable 10 can thus be made from a composition comprising: a polymeric base comprising at least one polymer and for example at least one thermoplastic polymer and / or at least one polyolefin, at least one filler (forming element 12) in a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, the filler thus being able to comprise or be entirely made of a ferrite, and for example a hard ferrite, and / or neodymium and / or an AINiCo alloy.

[0062] The type of charge chosen and / or the amount of charge present in the composition may depend on the desired magnetic field strength of the product. For example, the composition is such that the product emits a magnetic field of at least 3 microtesla, and for example at least 5 microtesla, and for example at least 10 microtesla, and for example at least 15 microtesla, and for example at least 20 microtesla, which is greater than that of the Earth's magnetic field.

[0063] Alternatively, or in addition, the type of filler chosen and / or the quantity of filler present in the composition may depend on the intended application of the final product. For example, a possible advantage of having a filler incorporating or being made of ferrite is that such a filler will exhibit very good oxidation resistance. The use of ferrites is therefore advantageous in the case of a product that must not be sensitive to oxidation or will be used in a demanding environment. For example, a possible advantage of having a filler incorporating or being made of ferrite is that such a filler will not disrupt the electrical properties of cable 10, and may even improve at least one electrical property of cable 10, such as its electrical resistivity.

[0064] The charge may exhibit a remanent field Br such that it is between 0.01 and 1.5 Tesla and for example between 0.05 and 1 Tesla and for example between 0.08 and 0.8 Tesla and for example between 0.1 and 0.5 Tesla and for example between 0.1 and 0.3 Tesla and for example between 0.1 and 0.2 Tesla.

[0065] Preferably, the charge is in the form of elongated particles. The particles can thus have a longitudinal direction.

[0066] The filler may have a particle size distribution such that the average diameter of the particles in said filler is less than 20 micrometers, for example less than 10 micrometers, and for example less than 5 micrometers. The filler may have a particle size distribution such that the average diameter of the particles in said filler is between 0.5 and 3 micrometers, and for example between 1 and 2 micrometers.

[0067] Such a load may be a load marketed by the company Oloron under the reference OP-71 and / or a load marketed by the company Verkauf Hawa under the reference NF56 and / or a load marketed by the company Verkauf Hawa under the reference SF 500 and / or a load marketed under the reference SF H470 and / or a load marketed under the reference UF B1.

[0068] For example, for 100 parts by mass of the composition, the composition comprises between 0.1 and 50 parts by mass of fillers, such as those mentioned above in a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, and for example between 0.1 and 40 parts by mass of fillers, and for example between 0.1 and 30 parts by mass of charges, and for example between 0.1 and 20 parts by mass of charges and for example between 0.1 and 10 parts by mass of charges, and for example between 0.5 and 8 parts by mass of charges and for example between 2 and 5 parts by mass of charges.

[0069] This helps to avoid unduly disturbing the mechanical and / or electrical properties of cable 10 and / or the immediate environment around the cable.

[0070] The polymer base may comprise at least one polymer or a mixture of polymers chosen from the following list: polyolefin, polyethylene (PE), cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), polyethylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU)...) ...

[0071] For example, for 100 parts by mass of the composition, the composition comprises between 30 and 99.9 parts by mass of the polymeric base, as mentioned above, and for example between 50 and 98 parts by mass and for example between 70 and 95 parts by mass and for example between 80 and 95 parts by mass and for example between 85 and 95 parts by mass. The composition may also include one or more other compounds such as at least one compound chosen from the following non-exhaustive list: at least one additive, at least one flame retardant (aluminum trihydroxide (ATH), magnesium oxide (MDH), ...), at least one other type of filler than a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic filler such as a mineral filler, a chalk-based filler, a talc-based filler, a magnesium oxide-based filler, a zinc oxide-based filler, ..., at least one manufacturing aid (wax, resin, paraffin, ...), at least one stabilizing agent (phenolic resin, HALS, ...), at least one coupling agent (silane-based coupling agent, ...).

[0072] For example, for 100 parts by mass of the composition, the composition comprises between 5 and 70 parts by mass of a flame retardant and / or mineral filler, and for example between 10 and 65 parts by mass of a flame retardant and / or mineral filler. Preferably, the composition is a halogen-free composition, and for example an HFFR composition (halogen-free flame retardants).

[0073] Preferably, the composition is a prior art standard composition for an electrical cable layer (and, for example, the electrically insulating outer layer of the electrical cable) to which at least one component of the prior art standard composition is added (and / or at least partially replaced) by at least one filler (forming element 12) in a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material. For example, X parts of the polymeric base and / or Y parts of another type of filler can be replaced by the filler forming element 12. Alternatively, Z parts of the filler forming element 12 can be added to an existing composition (i.e., without replacing any components already present in the composition).

[0074] This makes it possible not to have to modify the existing manufacturing process of cable 10 since it is enough to simply add an additional component to the composition already used.

[0075] Table 1 below gathers examples of compositions where the quantities of the compounds are expressed as parts by weight per hundred parts by weight of composition.

[0076] [Table 1]

[0077] The origin of the compounds in Table 1 is described below.

[0078] The polymer base is a common compound in formulas 1 through 5. It is in the form of a PVC resin. It can therefore be composed of one or more polymers, all of which are PVC-based.

[0079] The filler is a compound common to formulas 1 to 5. It is in the form of a filler based on ferrite and for example based on strontium ferrite.

[0080] Such a load may be a load marketed by the company Oloron under the reference OP-71 and / or a load marketed by the company Verkauf Hawa under the reference NF56 and / or a load marketed by the company Verkauf Hawa under the reference SF 500.

[0081] Another possible example of composition would be: A polymeric base comprising at least one polyolefin, A charge in a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, A filler in a non-ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material, such as a mineral filler and / or flame retardant. This filler may, for example, be based on or in alumina trihydrate (ATH) and / or magnesium hydroxide (MDH).

[0082] An example of a manufacturing process for cable 10 will now be presented.

[0083] At least one filler (forming element 12) in a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material is therefore mixed with the rest of the composition, for example, according to a process well known in the prior art. For example, the filler is mixed with at least one other component of the composition in a mixer before the mixture is sent to an extruder to produce the corresponding cable layer 10, and / or the filler is mixed with at least one other component of the composition directly in an extruder to produce the cable layer 10.

[0084] In the case where the composition includes several charges (of which at least one is a charge such as above in a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material), the charges may be mixed together prior to and / or simultaneously with the mixing with one or more other compounds of the composition.

[0085] In Tissue of the mixture, the filler(s) are found to be well dispersed in the aforementioned polymeric base.

[0086] It should be noted that choosing a charge in a ferromagnetic material or ferrimagnetic material with elongated particles allows said charges to naturally orient themselves in the longitudinal direction of the cable 10 itself when passing through the extruder head.

[0087] The orientation of the load in the finished cable 10 is thus known and controlled.

[0088] In another embodiment, where the technology used involves a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, the element 12 is visible only under this specific wavelength. The device 14 is a light source emitting this specific wavelength, and step 22 consists of illuminating the cable 10 with this light source and observing whether the element 12 is visible. If it is visible, the cable 10 is authenticated. A single color or several colors can be chosen for the element 12. For example, the cable may contain at least one element 12 of a first color and at least one element 12 of a second color, and whether both colors are present can be detected using a light source emitting the wavelengths corresponding to these two colors, or two light sources each emitting a wavelength corresponding to one of the two colors.Using multiple colours of elements 12 increases the robustness of the authentication process and the difficulty of copying the cable 10.

[0089] In yet another embodiment, where the technology used involves spectrometric analysis, the material of element 12 has a predetermined composition and step 22 consists of carrying out a spectrometric analysis of the cable 10 in order to determine whether element 12 is present in the cable.

[0090] Regardless of the embodiment envisaged, a predefined content of elements 12 can be provided in the cable 10, so that step 22 can consist not only of detecting the presence of element 12, but also the rate of elements 12 in the cable 10. The simultaneous use of the detection of the presence of element 12 and the measurement of the rate of elements 12 makes it possible to increase the robustness of the authentication process.

[0091] Regardless of the embodiment envisaged, the element 12 may be contained in only a part of the cable 10, or over the entire length of the cable 10.

[0092] Regardless of the embodiment envisaged, the process of verifying the authenticity of cable 10 can be carried out using a specialized application. Such an application could, for example, be accessible via a simple smartphone. The application could, for instance, include identification of the magnetic field signature of element 12, thus forming a magnetometer integrated into the smartphone.

[0093] Furthermore, cable 10 can be provided with an additional element 13. Everything that has been said for element 12 can also be applied to the additional element 13. It is understood that the additional element 13 can be independent of element 12 and vice versa so that it is possible, if desired, to seek to detect only the additional element 13 or only the element 12.

[0094] The additional element 13 can be solid or liquid. The cable 10 can comprise a plurality of additional elements 13. As a non-limiting example of a solid additional element, the additional element 13 can be a particle or a microsphere. A microsphere is defined as a sphere with dimensions on the order of a hundred nanometers. Advantageously, the microsphere can be made of an inorganic material. As a non-limiting example of a liquid component, the additional element 13 can be ink.

[0095] The additional element 13 is, for example, a pattern printed on the surface of the cable 10. Thus, it is possible, for instance, to print on the cable 10 a two- or three-dimensional pattern, created using an ink containing one or more additional elements 13 in the form of one or more magnetizable particles. By way of non-limiting example, a two-dimensional pattern could be a barcode and a three-dimensional pattern could be a raised design or a QR code.

[0096] In all cases, if the additional element 13 operates on magnetic technology, it can operate like element 12, being magnetized at the factory, or operate according to a variant which will be described below.

[0097] In this variant, the additional element 13 is adapted to be magnetized at specific points by applying a point magnetic field using a magnetic field generator of a type known per se, and thus emits a source magnetic field greater than the Earth's magnetic field at specific points. In this case, step 22 for this additional element 13 consists of applying this point source magnetic field to the cable 10 and measuring, using a detector (such as a magnetometer), the return response emitted by the cable 10 to the source magnetic field. The magnetizable elements of the cable 10 have reacted with the source (for example, by measuring the returned magnetic field). Since the change in the magnetic field is converted into a voltage, this voltage will be detected if the returned magnetic field is non-zero, even if the cable 10 is not necessarily energized. The cable 10 will then be considered authenticated.The magnetic field generator and the magnetometer may be contained in the same device 14, or in two separate devices 14.

[0098] In this variant, the additional element 13 can be a particle, for example metallic, and may possibly be part of a coating of the cable 10.

[0099] Advantageously, the point magnetic field is applied to the surface of the cable 10.

[0100] In the aforementioned embodiment where the cable 10 has a surface area on which a barcode, or any other two- or three-dimensional pattern, is printed using ink containing one or more additional elements 13 in the form of magnetizable particles, when a point magnetic field is applied to the surface of the cable 10 or when the magnetic field is detected, for example, via a Hall effect detector, variations in the intensity of the returned signal will occur depending on the width of the barcode and / or the intensity of the encoded magnetic field. The process of verifying the authenticity of the cable 10 can be carried out using a specialized application that integrates both a conventional barcode reader and a magnetic field fingerprint identification system. Such an application can, for example, be accessed via a simple smartphone.

[0101] To further enhance the robustness of the cable 10 authenticity verification process and thus improve security, the composition and / or quantity of particles in the pattern ink can be modified. This can be achieved by changing the type of particles. The parameters of the printer supplying the pattern ink can also be varied, such as the ink and / or diluent composition and their respective proportions, or the thickness of the deposited ink can be adjusted. The magnetic source itself can also be manipulated by modifying the intensity and / or orientation of the magnetic field. Depending on the particles and the magnetic field induced for magnetization, the remanent magnetic field will differ.

[0102] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0103] Thus, although here the additional element is a pattern printed on the surface of the cable, the additional element may be embedded in the surface of the cable (forming a pattern or not).

[0104] In particular, although here the product is an electrical cable, this application is of course not limiting and the product could be any other electrical equipment other than an electrical cable (switch, connection box, junction box, recessed box, circuit breaker, etc.).

Claims

Demands

1. A method for verifying the authenticity of a product (10), characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: providing (20) in said product (10) at least one predetermined element (12) not altering the performance of said product (10), the predetermined element being a charge incorporated in a constituent of the product (10); detecting (22) instantaneously whether said element (12) is present using a predetermined non-intrusive technology adapted to react to the element (12), said technology involving a magnetic field; determining that the product (10) is authentic in the event of detection of said element (12).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (12) is magnetized during the manufacture of said product (10) so as to generate a permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field and in that said technology consists of detecting said permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field by means of a magnetometer.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said element (12) comprises a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that said element (12) comprises a hard ferrite or neodymium or an AINiCo alloy.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product (10) is electrical equipment.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the electrical material is an electrical cable.

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (12) is located in the outer layer of said cable.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of detecting (22) instantaneously whether said element (12) is present is implemented via a mobile phone.

9. Product (10), characterized in that it contains at least one element (12) adapted to the implementation of a process according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Product (10) according to claim 9, wherein the product is electrical equipment.

11. Product (10) according to claim 10, wherein the product is an electrical cable.

12. Product (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the product comprises at least one layer made from a composition comprising at least one polymeric base and at least one filler forming the element (12).

13. Product according to claim 12, wherein the polymeric base comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer.

14. Product according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the charge is in the form of elongated particles.

15. Product according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein for 100 parts by mass of the composition, the composition comprises between 0.1 and 10 parts by mass of fillers.

16. Product according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the charge has a remanence of between 0.01 and 1.5 Tesla.

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