Orientation-Based Unique Codes for Unclonable Object Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-counterfeit and authentication technologies lack efficient methods to generate unique codes for objects that are difficult to clone or replicate, particularly in scenarios where spectral signatures are impractical or unreliable.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing crystalline particles with randomly distributed orientations and positions, such as nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, to create a unique marker that is authenticated through magnetic resonance and fluorescence techniques, providing a unique code based on particle positions, orientations, and optional additional properties like crystal strain and spin dephasing times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spectral signatures are used for authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but the method becomes impractical or unreliable in certain scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidapplicability across scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using spectral signatures to using spatial parameters (positions and orientations of crystalline particles) as the basis for authentication. This parameter change enables the system to work in scenarios where spectral methods fail, while maintaining authentication reliability through the uniqueness of particle distributions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex authentication methods are used to ensure security, then authentication security is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crystalline particles naturally provide their own uniqueness through random distribution and inherent properties (positions, orientations, strain, dephasing times). The system leverages these self-generated characteristics rather than requiring complex external authentication mechanisms, thereby achieving high security with reduced system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or procedural authentication systems with a physics-based approach using magnetic resonance and fluorescence properties of crystalline particles. This substitution simplifies the authentication system while maintaining or enhancing security through the fundamental physical uniqueness of each particle configuration.

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

3Reliability

If unique markers are created using random particle distributions, then unclonability is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveunclonabilityVSAvoidparticle measurement difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes fluorescence emission from crystalline particles as a detectable signal. By exciting the particles and measuring their fluorescence characteristics (intensity, lifetime, spectral properties), the system can easily detect and measure particle positions and orientations without requiring complex measurement apparatus, thus reducing detection difficulty while maintaining unclonability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 solution provides a highly secure and unclonable authentication method that ensures authenticity by leveraging the inherent randomness of particle distributions, making it impractical to replicate the unique marker without altering its physical properties.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing crystalline particles with randomly distributed orientations and positions, such as nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, to create a unique marker that is authenticated through magnetic resonance and fluorescence techniques

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

authenticated through magnetic resonance and fluorescence techniques, providing a unique code based on particle positions, orientations, and optional additional properties like crystal strain and spin dephasing times

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resonance: Electron Paramagnetic Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3426151B1Generating a unique code from orientation information
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 DUST IDENTITY INC
  • EP3426151B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3426151B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3426151B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a general aspect, orientation information is used to generate a unique code. In some aspects, orientation information is extracted from an object. The object includes multiple elements, and the orientation information indicates the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The orientation information can be extracted, for instance, by a scanner system that detects the elements. A unique code is generated for the object based on the orientation information. In some examples, the elements are diamond particles that each have one or more color centers, and the orientation information is extracted by detecting the color centers.