Compact Imaging System for Product Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-counterfeiting technologies for authenticating products are often complex, expensive, and not suitable for compact, handheld devices, as they require mechanical scanning and high-resolution spectral information across all regions of an object.
Innovation Solution
A compact imaging system that uses a dispersive imaging arrangement with a transmission diffraction grating to split electromagnetic radiation into non-dispersed and dispersed parts, allowing for simultaneous imaging of both components with an image sensor, generating a measure of authenticity based on the relation between the imaged parts and reference spectral information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging spectrometers are used to obtain high-resolution spatial and spectral information about all regions of an object, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and the system becomes unsuitable for compact handheld devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral imaging task by capturing only specific spectral bands of interest rather than the full spectrum. The image sensor captures images in different spectral bands simultaneously or sequentially, focusing on discriminative spectral features needed for authentication rather than complete spectral information across all regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential spectral information needed for authentication purposes. By using a diffraction grating to disperse light and capturing specific spectral bands with the image sensor, the system extracts discriminative spectral features from the object without requiring comprehensive spectral data from all regions, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining authentication capability.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical scanning is used to acquire spectral data, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases and the system becomes too slow for practical authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using an illumination source that emits light in different spectral bands at different times, with the image sensor capturing images in synchronization with these periodic illumination cycles. This allows sequential capture of multiple spectral bands without mechanical scanning, maintaining spectral accuracy while significantly improving authentication speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an optical-detection approach using a diffraction grating and image sensor. Instead of mechanically moving components to scan across the object, the system uses optical dispersion to spatially separate spectral information and captures it simultaneously or sequentially with the image sensor, eliminating mechanical complexity and improving speed while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If sophisticated printing techniques and multiple anti-counterfeiting features are used, then reliability of authentication is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color changes and spectral variations of authentication features under different illumination conditions. By illuminating the object with light in different spectral bands and capturing the reflected or emitted light, the system detects characteristic spectral signatures of authentic materials and printing inks, providing reliable authentication through optical properties rather than complex mechanical or electronic systems.
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and robust authentication of products in a compact, handheld device, without the need for mechanical scanning or high-resolution spectral data across all regions, effectively distinguishing authentic from counterfeit items.
Implementation Method 1
A dispersive imaging arrangement comprising one or more optical elements, in particular a transmission diffraction grating, is provided. The dispersive imaging arrangement is constituted and positioned so that, when electromagnetic radiation from the object illuminates the dispersive imaging arrangement, at least part of the electromagnetic radiation splits out in different directions into at least a non-dispersed part and a dispersed part.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system (200) for imaging and generating a measure of authenticity of an object (10) comprises a dispersive imaging arrangement (30) and an image sensor arrangement (60). They are positioned so that, when electromagnetic radiation (20) from the object (10) illuminates the dispersive imaging arrangement (30), the radiation splits out in different directions into at least a non-dispersed part (40) and a dispersed part (50), and those are imaged by the image sensor arrangement (60). The imaging system (200) is configured to then generate a measure of authenticity of the object (10) depending at least on a relation between the imaged dispersed part, the imaged non-dispersed part, and reference spectral information. The invention also relates to imaging methods, computer programs, computer program products, and storage mediums.