Product Authentication via Spatial Arrangement Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for authenticating and identifying products, images, and documents are vulnerable to fraudulent changes and tampering, particularly in digitally secure environments, where distinguishing genuine from counterfeit items and tracking product movement in supply chains is challenging.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving an image with a product authentication identifier, comparing it to a predetermined arrangement map, and determining if the image has been altered, using a system that includes a computing device with computer control code to identify and verify the authenticity of products through reference characters and orientation marks, even in digital or printed forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional authentication methods are used, then product verification can be performed, but the system is vulnerable to fraudulent changes and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication identifier is segmented into multiple reference characters arranged in a specific spatial pattern. This segmentation allows the system to verify both the presence and correct arrangement of individual character elements, making it more resistant to fraudulent alteration since any modification to the spatial arrangement or individual characters can be detected through comparison with the predetermined arrangement map.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional one-dimensional authentication (simple codes or text) to two-dimensional spatial arrangement verification. Reference characters are positioned at specific coordinates forming a predetermined arrangement map, adding a spatial dimension to authentication. This allows detection of tampering not just by checking character values but by verifying their precise positional relationships in the two-dimensional space of the image.
2Reliability
If authentication identifiers are made more secure and difficult to replicate, then product authentication reliability improves, but the complexity of the authentication system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system uses universal image processing and pattern recognition techniques that can handle multiple authentication scenarios (products, documents, images) through a single unified approach. The comparison process between the captured image arrangement map and the predetermined arrangement map serves multiple functions: verifying character presence, checking spatial arrangement, detecting tampering, and validating authenticity, all through one general mechanism rather than separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy (arrangement map) of the spatial positions of reference characters from the captured image and compares it with the predetermined arrangement map. This copying approach allows verification of the complete spatial configuration without requiring complex physical analysis of the original, simplifying the verification process while maintaining security through precise digital comparison of positional data.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the authentication method is made more resistant to tampering, then document integrity is protected, but the ease of operation for legitimate users decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication identifier contains embedded reference characters that automatically provide verification information when captured. The spatial arrangement of these characters inherently encodes authentication data, allowing the system to self-verify through automated image processing and pattern matching without requiring manual intervention or complex user actions. The predetermined arrangement map serves as a self-contained reference that enables automatic comparison and validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system verifies authentication by comparing parameters (spatial coordinates and positions of reference characters) between the captured image and the predetermined arrangement map. Any tampering alters these positional parameters, making detection straightforward through parameter comparison. This approach maintains ease of operation by using automated parameter extraction and comparison rather than requiring users to manually verify complex security features.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods, reagents, and apparatus for authenticating and identifying products. Methods of the disclosure are easy to implement but difficult to replicate, simulate, alter, transpose, or tamper with. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of authenticating products using a product authentication code defined by a frequency array of a population of entities, and an item identifier defined by the specific manifestation of the product authentication code.