Mark Authentication Using Distortion-Tolerant Signature Hashing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeiting technologies require specialized equipment and materials, increasing production costs and complexity, and struggle to accurately authenticate marks on products due to geometric distortions introduced by off-the-shelf cameras, especially in uncontrolled environments.
Innovation Solution
A method using common cell phones to capture images of marks, applying data series transformation techniques to correct geometric distortions in fingerprint space, allowing authentication across various imaging components and lighting conditions without precise knowledge of the object's shape or surface curvature, and generating multiple transformed signatures for improved accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data series transformations are applied to correct geometric distortions, then authentication accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is divided into multiple independent transformation stages (horizontal shifting, vertical shifting, scaling, rotating) that can be applied separately to different portions of the mark image. Each transformation operates on segmented data series rather than the entire image at once, reducing computational complexity while maintaining authentication accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies a comprehensive set of transformation operations that exceeds the minimum needed for correction. By applying multiple transformations (horizontal shift, vertical shift, scale, rotate) and selecting the best match, the system ensures high authentication accuracy while the modular nature of applying only necessary transformations keeps computational complexity manageable.
2Reliability
If multiple transformed signatures are generated to accommodate distortions, then false positives and negatives are reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates multiple transformed versions of the reference mark signatures before authentication is needed. These transformed signatures (horizontally shifted, vertically shifted, scaled, and rotated versions) are prepared in advance and stored for quick comparison during authentication, reducing processing time while maintaining high reliability through multiple comparison options.
3Device complexity
If off-the-shelf cameras are used to capture mark images, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but geometric distortion and environmental variation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of geometric distortion into a beneficial feature by using the distortion patterns themselves as authentication data. Instead of trying to eliminate all distortion through expensive specialized cameras, the system captures images with off-the-shelf cameras, applies transformations to correct obvious distortions, and uses the remaining characteristic variations as part of the authentication signature, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for mark authentication with distortion tolerance. An electronic signature can be obtained as the data series for a candidate mark. The data series values of the electronic signature can be transformed to generate two or more transformed data series versions of the electronic signature. Hash identifiers for the electronic signature and for the two or more transformed data series versions of the electronic signature can be derived. The hash identifiers can be used to retrieve a set of two or more results from a database of genuine mark signatures. At least one electronic signature retrieved for at least one of the two or more results from the database can be compared with the electronic signature for the candidate mark to confirm the candidate mark is genuine.