Anti-counterfeiting Medium Identification Using Multi-angle Light Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-counterfeiting technologies face challenges in distinguishing genuine from counterfeit negotiable securities and products, as counterfeited media can mimic the light patterns of real media, making visual authenticity determination difficult for general users.

Innovation Solution

An identification device that captures images of anti-counterfeiting media at a predetermined angle, using a similarity calculation unit to determine degrees of similarity between captured image data and reference image data based on light characteristics such as radiance, wavelength, and polarization, and an authenticity determination unit to assess whether these similarities exceed set thresholds to determine the media's genuineness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual inspection or single-angle imaging is used for authenticity determination, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of authenticity determination deteriorates because counterfeit media can mimic real light patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of authenticity determinationVSAvoidreliability of authenticity determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-angle imaging to multi-angle imaging, adding the dimension of observation angle variability. By capturing images at multiple angles and comparing them, the system creates a more robust authentication mechanism that counterfeit media cannot easily replicate, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of light characteristics by capturing images under different lighting conditions and angles. This parameter variation creates unique authentication signatures for genuine media that are difficult to counterfeit, enhancing reliability without requiring complex user operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple light characteristics are analyzed for authenticity determination, then the reliability of authenticity determination is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple imaging conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of authenticity determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of imaging system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing images at different angles, analyzing various light characteristics, and performing authenticity determination. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into one device, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically captures multiple images under different conditions and performs the comparison and authenticity determination without requiring complex user setup or intervention. The device serves itself by autonomously managing the multi-parameter analysis, reducing the burden of complexity on the user side

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively identifies counterfeit anti-counterfeiting media by ensuring that if the degrees of similarity for individual light characteristics fall under the respective thresholds, the media is determined as genuine, thereby accurately distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit items.

Implementation Method 1

When an anti-counterfeiting medium is imaged at a predetermined observation angle, a preset pattern of light emitted by the anti-counterfeiting medium is captured to obtain image data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an anti-counterfeiting medium varying in a pattern of observed light depending on changes in light characteristics of radiated light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical variable device effect:

Implementation Method 3

As an example of the foregoing anti-counterfeiting media, there are known diffraction gratings and holograms that vary in color and pattern depending on the angle of observation of the anti-counterfeiting media

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

using a similarity calculation unit to determine degrees of similarity between captured image data and reference image data based on light characteristics such as radiance, wavelength, and polarization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP3432277B1Identification device, identification method, identification program, and computer readable medium containing identification program
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3432277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3432277B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An identification device of the present invention determines authenticity of an article with an anti-counterfeiting medium varying in a pattern of observed light depending on changes in light characteristics of radiated light, using the anti-counterfeiting medium. The identification device includes a similarity calculation unit that determines the degrees of similarity between a plurality of captured image data of the anti-counterfeiting medium obtained with differences in the light characteristics of the radiated light and reference image data corresponding to the light characteristics; and an authenticity determination unit that determines whether the degrees of similarity determined for the individual light characteristics exceed thresholds set corresponding to the individual light characteristics to make an authenticity determination on whether the anti-counterfeiting medium is genuine.