Optical Lens Authentication Using Embedded Identifier Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for confirming the authenticity of optical articles, such as ophthalmic lenses, are susceptible to forgery, and existing systems lack robust verification mechanisms to ensure the product's genuineness and suitability for the wearer.

Innovation Solution

An authentication method and apparatus that utilize a unique identifier, such as a two-dimensional code or hologram, embedded in the lens, which is linked to a remote server database, allowing verification through a user terminal to confirm the lens's authenticity and provide additional product information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paper certificates are used for authentication, then the authentication process is simple, but the certificates can be forged or applied to counterfeit articles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication processVSAvoidauthenticity verification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical paper-based certificate system with an electronic identification system using RFID tags or optical codes embedded in the optical article. This substitution eliminates the physical vulnerabilities of paper certificates while maintaining authentication functionality through electronic devices that can read and verify the embedded identifiers against a database.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a database as an intermediary between the identifier embedded in the optical article and the authentication process. The database stores reference identifiers and enables verification by comparing the embedded identifier against authentic records, thereby preventing forgery while maintaining a simple user-facing authentication process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an identifier system is implemented in the lens, then authenticity can be verified securely, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity verificationVSAvoidauthentication system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the identification system within the optical article itself by integrating RFID tags or optical codes directly into the lens structure. This nesting approach allows the authentication functionality to be contained within the product without requiring external authentication hardware, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses optical codes that can be captured and read as digital copies of the embedded identifier. This copying mechanism allows standard electronic devices with cameras or sensors to function as readers, avoiding the need for specialized expensive authentication equipment and thus limiting complexity increases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3451266B1A method of checking authenticity of an optical article, a corresponding apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL(COMPAGNIE GENERALE D OPTIQUE)
  • EP3451266B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method of checking authenticity of an optical article (L; F, L) including at least a lens (L), said method comprising the following steps: - acquiring an identifier carried by the lens (L); - sending, by an electronic device (10), a request containing the identifier to a remote server (20); - receiving, at the electronic device (10) and from the remote server (20), an information indicating retrieval of the identifier in a database (D); - displaying, on a display (15) of the electronic device (10), an indication of authenticity of the optical article (I; F, L). A corresponding apparatus, a method of providing a confirmation of authenticity of an optical article and a corresponding server are also described.