Embedded Authentication Tag for 3D Printed Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for authenticating 3D printed sculptures are unreliable due to the ease of forging or falsifying external tags like bar codes or RFID tags, which lack guaranteed security and integrity.

Innovation Solution

A 3D printing method that embeds a tag with specific information inside the 3D structure during printing, using electromagnetic waves to sense and extract the tag's shape without damaging the structure, allowing for secure and directional recognition of the embedded information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a bar code or RFID tag is attached to an original for authentication, then authentication functionality is provided, but reliability is not guaranteed since it is easy to forge or falsify the tag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidforgery vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the authentication tag inside the 3D structure itself, nesting the authentication element within the protected object. This makes the tag inseparable from the original work and extremely difficult to forge or falsify, as the tag becomes an intrinsic part of the 3D printed structure rather than an external attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the authentication tag with the 3D structure by printing them together in the same manufacturing process. The tag and the 3D structure are merged into a single integrated object, eliminating the need for separate attachment and making forgery significantly more difficult while maintaining authentication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a tag is embedded inside the 3D structure during printing, then forgery prevention is achieved, but the structure may require deformation or destruction to access the tag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidtag accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical access methods (physical deformation or destruction) with electromagnetic sensing. The tag is designed to be readable through electromagnetic waves that can penetrate the 3D structure material, allowing non-contact, non-destructive authentication while maintaining the security benefits of embedded placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary medium to access the embedded tag. These waves act as a mediator that can penetrate the 3D structure material to reach the tag inside, enabling authentication without physically altering or destroying the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the tag is printed on the inside of the 3D structure, then information authenticity is ensured, but the recognition process may be complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation authenticityVSAvoidrecognition system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the electromagnetic sensing system to serve multiple functions: it can detect the embedded tag, read the authentication information, and work with various 3D structure materials and configurations. This universal approach simplifies the overall system by using a single sensing mechanism for diverse authentication scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in electromagnetic wave parameters (such as reflection, absorption, or transmission characteristics) when interacting with the embedded tag to extract authentication information. By monitoring these parameter changes, the system can reliably authenticate the 3D structure without complex mechanical or optical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The embedded tag ensures information authenticity, enabling secure recognition without deformation or destruction of the 3D structure, with high recognition rates and flexibility in tag orientation and location, preventing forgery and facilitating automatic and rapid identification.

Implementation Method 1

printing the tag on the inside of the 3D structure while printing the 3D structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Implementation Method 2

sensing a shape of the tag using electromagnetic waves having semi-permeability without destroying the 3D structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave penetration: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10609563B2Information insert in three dimensional (3D) structure and non-destructive information recognition method

Publication Date: 2020.03.31 KOREA ELECTRONICS TECH INST

AI summary

A method for inserting information into a 3D structure and recognizing information in a non-destructive method is provided. A 3D printing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: generating a tag having specific information recorded thereon to be inserted into a 3D structure, and printing the tag on the inside of the 3D structure while printing the 3D structure. Accordingly, since the tag having information recorded thereon is printed on the inside of the 3D structure when the 3D structure is printed by a 3D printer, it is impossible to forge/falsify information.