Composite Component Authentication via Fiducial Marker Rotation Matrix
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the aerospace sector, the use of complex composite parts has led to an increase in counterfeit products, which can be dangerous due to their inability to meet stringent standards, and existing methods for authenticating these parts through point cloud registration are complex and unreliable, especially with digital tomosynthesis, where depth resolution is approximate and lateral resolution is higher.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for authenticating components using embedded fiducial markers, where a reference dataset of three-dimensional locations and distances is compared to a test dataset to establish correspondence, allowing for the calculation of a rotation matrix and estimation of registration accuracy to validate the authenticity of the component, utilizing x-ray imaging and digital tomosynthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point cloud registration is used to authenticate components, then component authentication can be performed, but the method becomes complex and unreliable due to approximate depth resolution in digital tomosynthesis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes only the rotationally invariant features (distances from rotation centre to fiducial markers) from the point cloud data, ignoring the problematic depth resolution issues. This selective extraction of invariant properties simplifies the authentication method while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the authentication approach by changing from direct point cloud coordinate comparison to comparing rotationally invariant distance parameters. This parameter transformation makes the authentication reliable despite approximate depth resolution in tomosynthesis.
2Measurement precision
If direct point cloud pattern comparison is used, then authentication can be attempted, but accuracy decreases because lateral resolution is significantly higher than depth resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the asymmetric resolution qualities (high lateral, low depth) by using only the radial distance component from the rotation centre, which can be accurately determined from the high-resolution lateral measurements, while being invariant to the lower-resolution depth variations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of comparing the problematic three-dimensional coordinates directly, the patent inverts the approach by comparing rotationally invariant distance scalars, which are more robust to the resolution asymmetry and provide reliable authentication.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fiducial markers are embedded in composite components for tracking, then component identity can be confirmed, but the method cannot distinguish authentic from counterfeit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary registration and determination of the rotation centre and rotationally invariant distances before authentication. This preliminary processing creates a reference framework that enables reliable distinction between authentic and counterfeit components based on their unique rotational fingerprints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from the point cloud registration process to iteratively refine the rotation centre location and calculate the rotationally invariant distances, which then serve as the basis for reliable authenticity verification.
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
This method effectively authenticates composite components by their unique 'fingerprint,' preventing counterfeit products from entering the supply chain and ensuring safety by confirming authenticity with a high degree of certainty, allowing for tracking and validation of components throughout their life cycle.
Implementation Method 1
image said component with x-rays to determine the spatial location of the fiduciary markers
Implementation Method 2
Due to the nature of image reconstruction with limited angle acquisition in digital tomosynthesis
Data Source
AI summary
It is known to embed fiduciary markers in a composite component, and to image said component with x-rays to determine the spatial location of the fiduciary markers. However, comparing two such “point cloud patterns” to determine whether they correspond is not a simple exercise; in particular, due to the nature of image reconstruction with limited angle acquisition in digital tomosynthesis, depths of fiduciary markers are resolved only approximately, while lateral resolution is usually significantly higher. The present invention provides a device and method of authenticating a component against reference data by choosing a starting point rotation centre and comparing the distances to its nearest neighbours with those from a reference dataset, and then calculating a rotation matrix based on this comparison. In this way, composite components can be tracked by their unique ‘fingerprint’ such that they can be validated prior to use.