3D Object Authentication via Region of Interest Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing, struggle to uniquely identify and authenticate three-dimensional objects generated from the same design specification, making it difficult to distinguish genuine from counterfeit objects.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to define and locate a region of interest on a three-dimensional object, which includes an identifiable feature such as a physical structure, surface property, or embedded identifier. This region is used to determine the object's provenance and authenticity by capturing an image, determining the object's position and orientation, and measuring specific properties within the region of interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple three-dimensional objects are generated from the same design specification using additive manufacturing, then production efficiency and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the ability to uniquely identify and authenticate each object deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidobject authentication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by defining a specific region of interest on the three-dimensional model where unique identifying features are located. This region is then mapped to the manufactured object, allowing each object to have unique local characteristics (such as embedded identifiers or surface properties) while maintaining overall production efficiency through standardized manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If identifiable features are embedded in three-dimensional objects during manufacturing, then object authentication capability is improved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject authentication capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by defining the region of interest and incorporating identifiable features during the initial 3D modeling and manufacturing process. By preparing and embedding authentication features upfront during object creation, the system avoids the need for complex post-manufacturing authentication equipment and procedures, thereby reducing overall manufacturing process complexity while maintaining strong authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If traditional scanning and storage of authentication features is used, then object provenance can be tracked, but the system requires complex infrastructure and multiple processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprovenance tracking capabilityVSAvoidsystem infrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and focusing on a specific region of interest that contains the authentication features, rather than scanning and storing data from the entire object. This region-specific approach extracts only the necessary authentication information, reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed, stored, and compared, thereby simplifying the system infrastructure while maintaining provenance tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3616167B1Locating a region of interest on an object
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP
  • EP3616167B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3616167B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3616167B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method is disclosed. The method comprises defining a region of interest on a three- dimensional model of an object. The method may comprise capturing an image of an object manufactured according to the three-dimensional model. The method may comprise determining, using a processor, a position and orientation of the three- dimensional model with respect to the object in the captured image. The method may comprise locating the region of interest on the manufactured object. A portion of the manufactured object within the region of interest may comprise an identifiable feature. An apparatus and a machine-readable medium are also disclosed.