Automated Security Article Authentication Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for authenticating security articles and identifying their users are slow, costly, complex, and often require human intervention, with a high risk of failure in determining genuineness and authorization.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a biographic information capturing device, a security feature detector, and a printer system that processes captured biographic and physical properties of security features to authenticate the article and compare biometric data with captured user information, enabling automated and reliable authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated authentication systems are implemented, then speed and productivity improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication system is divided into separate functional modules: biographic information capturing device, biometric data capturing device, security feature detector, processor, and printer system. Each module performs a specific function, allowing the system to be implemented incrementally and maintained independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus integrates multiple authentication functions into a single device that can simultaneously verify biographic information, biometric data, and security features. This multi-functional approach improves productivity without requiring multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple security features are verified, then reliability improves, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different types of security features (optical, magnetic, fluorescent) are detected using specialized detectors optimized for each feature type. This segmentation allows each detector to maintain high precision for its specific function while the system overall achieves high reliability through multiple verification layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The security features are designed with distinct physical and chemical parameters (optical properties, magnetic properties, fluorescent properties) that can be measured with high precision using appropriate detection methods. Each feature type provides a different parameter for verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual intervention is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidauthentication throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is designed to automatically perform all authentication functions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the entire authentication process from capturing biographic and biometric information to verifying security features and producing authentication results, thereby maximizing productivity while maintaining ease of use through automated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If advanced detection equipment is deployed, then measurement precision improves, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The detection system uses multiple specialized detectors for different security feature types rather than one expensive universal detector. This segmentation allows the use of cost-effective, specialized detection methods for each feature type while maintaining high overall measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different security features with distinct physical parameters are used, allowing the system to leverage various detection methods (optical, magnetic, fluorescent) that range in cost. This provides flexibility in selecting cost-effective detection approaches for each parameter type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter 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 significantly improves the speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of security article authentication and user authorization, reducing human error and enhancing security checkpoint operations.

Implementation Method 1

The biographic information capturing device may comprise at least one of a camera, an optical scanner and an electronic data capturing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical scanning: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the security feature detector described herein comprises at least one of a magnetic detector, a conductivity meter, and an optical detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the security feature detector described herein comprises at least one of a magnetic detector, a conductivity meter, and an optical detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 4

the security feature detector described herein comprises at least one of a magnetic detector, a conductivity meter, and an optical detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Implementation Method 5

the apparatus described herein further comprises a biometric data capturing device configured to capture biometric data from a security article user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiometric detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3251100A1Simultaneous authentication of a security article and identification of the security article user
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 SICPA HOLDING SA

AI summary

Authenticating a security article comprises capturing biographic information from the security article, detecting a physical property of a security feature on and/or in the security article, processing the captured biographic information and the detected physical property of the security feature to determine whether the security article is genuine, and printing a mark depending on the determination.