Printed Authentication Yarn for Low-Cost Counterfeit Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for authenticating genuine products are hindered by the difficulty in distinguishing them from forgeries and imitations, especially since advanced counterfeits can mimic UV/IR-reactive threads, and consumers lack access to necessary irradiation tools, leading to increased costs for prevention measures.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost forgery-preventing yarn with a slit film thread carrying alphanumeric characters or images, printed at specific line widths and orientations, and coated with a protective layer that exhibits fluorescence under UV/IR, allowing consumers to verify authenticity using camera devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV/IR-reactive thread is used for forgery prevention, then authenticity verification capability is improved, but consumer accessibility deteriorates due to lack of specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The verification function is segmented into two parts: the yarn embedded in the product (containing UV/IR reactive fibers) and the consumer's camera device. This allows the product to carry the authentication feature while the consumer uses existing equipment for verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary device that translates the UV/IR reactive properties of the yarn into visible images for consumers. The camera captures the fluorescence or phosphorescence emitted by the yarn under UV/IR light and displays it, bridging the gap between specialized authentication features and consumer accessibility.
2Reliability
If UV/IR-reactive thread is used for forgery prevention, then authenticity verification capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire yarn UV/IR reactive, only specific portions or fibers within the yarn are made with fluorescent or phosphorescent properties. This localized application reduces material costs while maintaining authentication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses naturally occurring fluorescent or phosphorescent materials that can be incorporated into standard yarn manufacturing processes. By selecting materials with appropriate emission characteristics and using existing production methods, the cost increase is minimized.
3Adaptability or versatility
If advanced forgery technology is used to mimic UV/IR-reactive thread, then imitation capability is improved, but discrimination difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentic yarn combines multiple fiber types with different UV/IR reactive properties, creating a composite structure that is difficult to replicate. The combination of fluorescent and phosphorescent fibers, along with specific colorfastness characteristics, creates a multi-layered authentication system.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication features are built into the yarn during manufacturing, before the product reaches the consumer. The specific arrangement and properties of the reactive fibers are established in advance, creating a baseline that forgers must precisely replicate.
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
Enables consumers to easily determine product authenticity at a low cost, reducing forgery and imitation production, as the yarn's visible characters or images can be identified without specialized equipment, thereby suppressing their market presence.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescent fiber which emits a fluorescence as it is irradiated with ultraviolet ray
Implementation Method 2
a phosphorescent fiber which emits a phosphorescence as it is irradiated with ultraviolet ray or infrared ray
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
According to the present invention, there is provided, at low cost, a thread/yarn for making it possible to easily determine whether a product is a genuine product or a forgery/imitation product, thereby suppressing the manufacture and marketing of forgery/imitation products. This forgery-preventing thread/yarn is formed by making use of a film (2) comprising a base sheet (21) and alphanumeric characters or images (22) printed on the base sheet (21), the film (2) being slit to have a width of about 0.15mm to about 0.75mm. A thread, yarn or a flat thread representing a genuine product can be cheaply manufactured since it can be obtained by simply slitting a film to a width of about 0.15mm to about 0.75mm. Further, it is possible to easily determine whether a product is a genuine product or a forgery/imitation.