Free-Space Holographic Barcode Targets for Private Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication systems with physical targets occupy significant space, obstruct foot traffic, reduce throughput, and compromise security and privacy due to wide viewing angles, making them difficult to use and limiting their feasible locations.

Innovation Solution

Utilization of a holographic barcode target generator to project a holographic target in free space, visible only within a predetermined viewing angle, enhancing security and privacy while allowing easy user access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical authentication target is used, then the authentication system can function properly, but it occupies significant space and obstructs foot traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication functionVSAvoidtarget space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a holographic target that creates a virtual image in free space instead of a physical target. The hologram generator produces light fields that form an authenticatable image without requiring physical space occupation, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining authentication function and reducing space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical target system with an optical field-based holographic system. By using light fields and holographic interference patterns instead of physical objects, the system maintains authentication reliability while eliminating the space occupation problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a physical authentication target is used, then the authentication system can function properly, but it reduces throughput in high-traffic environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication functionVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The holographic target creates a virtual authentication interface that users can interact with without physical contact or close proximity requirements. This virtual interface maintains authentication reliability while allowing faster user passage, thus improving throughput in high-traffic environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If a physical authentication target is used, then the authentication system can function properly, but it compromises security and privacy due to wide viewing angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication functionVSAvoidsecurity and privacy vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holographic target system provides different viewing characteristics for different users. The authentication image is visible to the user at the correct viewing angle while remaining invisible or distorted for others, thus providing localized visibility that maintains authentication function while enhancing security and privacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The holographic target utilizes optical properties including viewing angle-dependent visibility and potential color/phase changes based on observation angle. This allows the authentication image to be selectively visible only to authorized users at specific angles, resolving the contradiction between authentication function and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

4Reliability

If a physical authentication target is used, then the authentication system can function properly, but it makes the system difficult to use and limits feasible locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication functionVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holographic target creates a virtual authentication interface that can be positioned in free space without requiring physical mounting surfaces or specific installation locations. This makes the system easier to use and adaptable to various locations, resolving the contradiction between authentication function and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 holographic target system improves user experience, increases throughput, and enhances security by reducing the visible footprint, making it suitable for high-traffic environments.

Implementation Method 1

a hologram generator (220) configured to generate a holographic target (221) visible within a predetermined viewing field of view (FOV) (222)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHolography: Interference

Implementation Method 2

The holographic target system improves user experience, increases throughput, and enhances security by reducing the visible footprint

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4109420B1Holographic barcode target generator
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 CONDUENT BUSINESS SERVICES LLC
  • EP4109420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4109420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4109420B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Authentication systems, devices, and methods are provided, which may use a scanner configured to capture an image of an authentication pattern in a predetermined target area; and a hologram generator configured to project a holographic target onto free space in the target area. Moreover, there may be provided a controller configured to process the image and output a determination of whether the authentication pattern meets a predetermined criterion.