Object Authentication via Reflection Feature Spot Pattern Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for authenticating objects are often manual, invasive, or require specific hardware, making them inefficient and unreliable for determining the genuineness of products or materials.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that use imaging data from structured illumination patterns to characterize material properties of objects, involving the processing of reflection features to compare with reference patterns and determine the authenticity of the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual inspection methods are used for authentication, then reliability of authentication can be improved, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical characterization system that uses structured illumination patterns and image processing to determine material properties, thereby maintaining authentication reliability while significantly improving productivity and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables objects to be authenticated through their intrinsic material properties without requiring manual probing or external intervention, as the optical characterization automatically captures and analyzes reflection features to determine authenticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If specific hardware is used for validating security features, then authentication reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal optical characterization device that can authenticate various objects with different security features using the same structured illumination and image processing methodology, eliminating the need for multiple specialized hardware systems and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces specialized validation hardware with a standardized optical imaging and processing setup that characterizes material properties through reflection features, simplifying the hardware requirements while maintaining authentication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If manual probing is used to check material properties, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial property detection accuracyVSAvoidauthentication convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual probing with automated optical imaging that captures reflection features and uses processing units to determine material properties, achieving high measurement precision while dramatically improving ease of operation and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates an optical copy or representation of the object's reflection features through structured illumination imaging, allowing precise material property determination without physical contact or manual probing, thereby enhancing both accuracy and operational convenience

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

This approach allows for reliable and efficient authentication of objects without manual probing, using hand-held devices like smartphones, enabling the detection of counterfeits based on acquired imaging data.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating at least one illumination pattern comprising a plurality of illumination features onto the object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Implementation Method 2

receiving at least one first image comprising a spot pattern originating from the object in response to the irradiated illumination pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20250104389A1Method and device for characterizing an object for authentication

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 TRINAMIX GMBH

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method for characterizing material properties of an object, where the object has a form and including at least one material, the method includes receiving imaging data associated to the object, determining, by processing the received imaging data, at least one reflection feature corresponding to a spot in the first image: comparing, by processing the at least one reflection feature, the spot pattern comprised in the first image with reference spot patterns for obtaining a comparison result; and determining a material property of the object as a function of the comparison result. Further disclosed herein is a device with data processing capabilities and for implementing the method.