Covert Security Mark Authentication via Smartphone Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anti-counterfeiting solutions, such as holograms and RFID, are ineffective against counterfeiters, as they can be easily mimicked, and solutions relying on restricted knowledge are compromised by access to specialized tools or individuals.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a digital camera and artificial light source with steganography and cryptographic techniques for authenticating material goods, including covert security marks that are not visible to the human eye, allowing for real-time authentication and user verification, and providing richer information to authorized users through a characteristic verification system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional anti-counterfeiting solutions (holograms, UV ink, RFID) are used, then brand protection is provided, but these solutions are easily counterfeited and become ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of visibility by using security marks that are invisible to the human eye but detectable by digital cameras. This transforms the authentication mechanism from visible features (holograms, UV ink) to covert digital features, making counterfeiting significantly more difficult while enabling widespread verification through standard mobile devices without specialized tools
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical/mechanical authentication systems (holograms, RFID tags requiring specialized readers) with a digital/optical system using covert security marks captured by digital cameras. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized inspection tools while maintaining high security, as the authentication is performed through standard smartphone cameras and cryptographic verification
2Reliability
If restricted knowledge solutions are used for authentication, then security is improved, but the system is compromised by access to specialized tools or individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the authentication system universal by enabling verification through standard mobile devices that everyone possesses. The covert security marks can be captured by any digital camera, and the cryptographic verification can be performed through smartphone applications, eliminating the need for specialized tools or trained individuals while maintaining high security through cryptographic techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service authentication where end consumers can independently verify product authenticity using their own mobile devices. The system provides overt visual indicators that allow users to authenticate products without assistance from specialists, empowering consumers to perform verification themselves through simple camera capture and app-based validation
3Reliability
If covert security marks invisible to human eye are used, then counterfeiting is prevented, but the marks cannot be viewed without electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color/visibility changes based on the detection device. The covert security marks are invisible under normal viewing conditions but become detectable and visible when captured by digital camera sensors. This allows the security marks to remain hidden from human eyes (preventing counterfeiting) while being easily detectable by electronic devices through their different spectral sensitivity
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
Enhances security and resiliency by authenticating material goods and users, providing strong brand protection, and establishing pedigree throughout the supply chain, effectively preventing counterfeiting by using encrypted machine-readable information and biometric authentication.
Implementation Method 1
capturing an image of the security mark associated with the material good using a camera of the image capture device
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a characteristic verification system that includes security marks, devices, systems and methods that may be used to authenticate a material good and to provide strong brand protection. A device, such as a smartphone, that includes a software application, a camera and a light source, may be used to interrogate the security mark and connect to remote servers to authenticate the material good at varying levels of assurance. In addition to authenticating the good, the system may also authenticate the user and provide different information to different users and/or limit information that is provided unauthenticated users.