Dual-Pattern Surface Marking for Secure Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current identification methods for articles and security devices using visible barcodes and data matrices are not robust enough, as they can be easily decrypted and are affected by substrate unevenness and print quality, making them vulnerable to counterfeiting and degradation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-pattern system with distinct resolutions and inks is used, where one pattern is visible to the naked eye and the other is invisible, requiring specific reading conditions, and uses differential pairs of elements with varying parameter values to encode information, eliminating the need for specific detection areas like 'L' shapes or quiet zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visible barcodes or data matrices are used for identification, then the article can be easily identified by all users, but the identifier can be easily decrypted and is not robust against counterfeiting
Solution Approach 1:
The identification system is segmented into two distinct patterns: a first pattern visible to the naked eye for user identification, and a second pattern invisible to the naked eye for secure verification. This segmentation allows each pattern to serve different functions - the visible pattern maintains ease of operation while the invisible pattern provides security against counterfeiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invisible second pattern acts as an intermediary security layer that requires specific reading conditions and specialized equipment to detect. This intermediary pattern is superimposed on the visible first pattern, creating a composite identification system where the invisible layer verifies authenticity without interfering with the visible identification function.
2Reliability
If data matrices are used with error correction mechanisms, then some pixel degradation can be tolerated, but the pattern remains vulnerable to substrate unevenness and print quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The second invisible pattern uses differential pairs of elements with varying parameter values (such as optical properties that respond differently to specific reading conditions). This parameter variation makes the pattern more robust against substrate unevenness and print quality issues, as the differential measurement approach can compensate for uniform degradation affecting both elements of each pair.
3Ease of operation
If a visible identifying pattern is marked on the article, then the article can be identified, but it may detract from the general appearance of the article
Solution Approach 1:
The second pattern utilizes optical property changes - it is invisible to the naked eye but detectable under specific reading conditions using specialized equipment. This allows the identification system to maintain aesthetic appearance by rendering the security pattern invisible while preserving full identification capability through the dual-pattern approach.
4Device complexity
If a single identification pattern is used, then the marking process is simple, but the pattern may be completely compromised if damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by superimposing the invisible second pattern on the visible first pattern during the marking process. This dual-layer approach ensures that if one pattern is damaged, the other may remain intact and functional, providing robustness against damage while maintaining relatively simple marking procedures through simultaneous application.
Data Source
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AI summary
Marking comprising on a surface: a first pattern for coding a first numerical information item on said surface, the first pattern comprising a specific arrangement of a plurality of symbols belonging to a set of symbols, each symbol in the arrangement being intended for the coding of a portion of said numerical information item, each symbol including at least one differential pair of elements positioned in a specific way, each element having a parameter, the parameter of the first element of each differential pair having a first value and the parameter of the second element of each differential pair having a second value different from the first value, a second pattern for coding a second numerical information item on said surface, wherein the first and second pattern are adapted to be read under corresponding distinct first and second reading conditions.