Product Authenticity Verification via Surface Pattern Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for verifying product authenticity, such as those using RFID chips, are costly and impractical for products like fasteners and semiconductors, as they require special devices and tags, which are not feasible for all products.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines product authenticity by analyzing the correspondence between surface treatments and patterns on the product, using imaging units to capture and compare image features of reference sections and collation areas, eliminating the need for special tags or devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID chips are built into products for verification, then product authenticity verification capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical imaging to capture images of the product surface and creates digital copies for verification. Instead of embedding physical RFID chips, the system creates and verifies digital images of the product's surface patterns, which serve as unique identifiers. This copying approach eliminates the need for expensive embedded devices while maintaining verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/embedded RFID chip system with an optical imaging system. Rather than physically embedding chips into products, the invention uses light-based imaging to capture and verify surface patterns, substituting a mechanical verification system with an optical one that is less invasive and more cost-effective.
2Measurement precision
If RFID chips are used for verification, then verification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from complex embedded devices and relocates it to simple optical imaging. By taking out the RFID chip requirement and replacing it with surface pattern imaging, the system achieves verification accuracy through image analysis while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical imaging system serves multiple functions: it captures product identification patterns, verifies authenticity, and can potentially be used for other quality control purposes. This universal approach replaces specialized RFID readers with a multi-functional imaging system that simplifies the overall device architecture.
3Reliability
If special verification devices are introduced, then verification reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The product's surface pattern itself serves as the verification element. Instead of requiring separate verification devices or embedded chips, the product's own manufacturing surface patterns are captured and used for self-verification. The normal manufacturing process creates the unique identifier patterns that the imaging system then captures and verifies.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a technique for determining the authenticity of a product without requiring a special device such as an integrated circuit (IC) tag. A means for solving this problem according to the invention is characterized by determining the authenticity of a target product on the basis of the validity of the association between the body of the product and a surface-treated component that is mounted to the body and that has been validated.