Authenticity Verification via Noise Pattern Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-quality copies of printed items are difficult to distinguish from originals using traditional visual inspection methods, as they can resemble the original in terms of color, sharpness, and pattern, making it challenging for even trained inspectors to verify authenticity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving photography of the printed item to capture a photographic image, comparison of noise parameters between the image and a reference image, and determination of authenticity based on noise pattern changes, particularly in color modulation changes per raster point, using image processing techniques to differentiate between originals and copies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional visual inspection methods are used to verify printed items, then the inspection process is simple and quick, but high-quality copies cannot be distinguished from originals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity verification accuracyVSAvoidinspection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A noise pattern is embedded in the original printed item before copying. This preliminary action creates a unique fingerprint that persists through the copying process, allowing authentic items to be identified by detecting this pre-planted noise pattern rather than relying on complex post-copying analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses digital imaging to create a copy of the printed item for analysis. By comparing the noise pattern in the digital image against the original, the system can verify authenticity without physically handling or damaging the item, and without requiring complex optical inspection equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If high quality copying equipment is used, then copy quality is high and visually indistinguishable from original, but this enables better reproduction of the printed item

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecopy qualityVSAvoidauthenticity verification reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The noise pattern acts as an intermediary marker that is embedded in the original item and survives the copying process. This intermediary element provides a reliable verification mechanism that is independent of copy quality, allowing even high-quality copies to be identified as replicas through noise pattern analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If noise pattern analysis is performed in multiple colour channels, then authenticity verification accuracy is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise pattern detection accuracyVSAvoidimage processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification process is segmented into analyzing different color channels (R, G, B) separately. By dividing the color space into distinct channels and analyzing noise patterns in each channel independently, the system achieves more accurate verification while keeping processing manageable through modular analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3281183B1Method of verifying an authenticity of a printed item and data processing terminal
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 FILIGRADE BV
  • EP3281183B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3281183B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3281183B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A method of verifying an authenticity of a printed item comprises: photographing the printed item to obtain a photographic image of the printed item, retrieving reference data of the printed item, the reference data comprising a reference image of the printed item, determining a test noise parameter from the photographic image of the printed item, determining a reference noise parameter from the reference image, comparing the test noise parameter of the photographic image of the printed item to the reference noise parameter of the reference image, and determining an authenticity of the printed item from a result of the comparing. The determining the authenticity of the printed item from the result of the comparing may comprise establishing from the reference noise parameter of the reference image and the test noise parameter of the printed item if a reference noise level in the reference image exceeds a test noise level in the photographic image of the printed item by a predetermined amount.