Stochastic Selector for Security Device Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and limited availability of optical sensors required for extracting and registering random security features in optically readable security devices, especially in high-volume production settings, lead to increased total costs of ownership and limitations in production speed, making it difficult to produce cost-effective and irreproducible security devices.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a stochastic selector to generate a coupling between an identifier and a combination of security features, which are then applied to a substrate as a non-printable security element, allowing for authentication without the need for optical sensors, using deterministic production processes to ensure unpredictability and copy-proofness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical sensors are used to extract and register random security features in real-time, then security device authentication capability is improved, but production costs increase and production speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a finite set of distinct security feature combinations during device design, and using a stochastic selector to determine which combination will be applied to each security device before production. This eliminates the need for post-production optical sensing and registration, as the security features are predetermined and their identities are known in advance, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining authentication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by replacing expensive optical sensors with a deterministic stochastic selection system. Instead of using optical sensors to capture and register random security features, the system copies the approach by pre-defining security feature combinations and using a stochastic selector to choose from these predefined combinations, thereby eliminating the need for costly optical sensing infrastructure while maintaining security functionality.
2Productivity
If optical sensors are used to capture security devices at high production speeds, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and investment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the optical sensor system from the production line entirely. Instead of extracting random security features using optical sensors at high speed, the invention extracts the randomness element and replaces it with a deterministic stochastic selector that chooses from pre-defined security feature combinations. This eliminates the need for complex optical sensing equipment while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies this principle by replacing expensive, complex optical sensor systems with a simple, inexpensive stochastic selector mechanism. The stochastic selector is a low-cost computational element that can be integrated into the production control system without requiring expensive hardware infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity and investment costs while maintaining high production speed capability.
3Reliability
If random security features are used to ensure unpredictability, then security against counterfeiting is improved, but the need for costly optical sensors increases total costs of ownership
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the security approach from using truly random physical features (which require optical sensing) to using pseudorandom features generated by a stochastic selector from a finite set of predefined combinations. This parameter change maintains unpredictability and security against counterfeiting while eliminating the need for costly optical sensors, thereby reducing total cost of ownership.
4Productivity
If multiple parallel production lines are used to increase output, then productivity is improved, but the number of optical sensor systems required increases total costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a production system where a single stochastic selector mechanism can serve multiple parallel production lines. The stochastic selector generates security feature combinations that can be applied across different production lines without requiring each line to have its own optical sensor system. This multi-functional approach allows increased output through parallel production while avoiding the proportional increase in optical sensor costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing a security device includes providing at least one stochastic selector, generating a coupling between an identifier and one particular combination of security features from a finite set of distinct combinations of security features based on the at least one stochastic selector, registering the coupling in a database, and applying an identification element including the identifier and a non-printable security element including the particular combination of security features according to the coupling to a substrate to produce a security device.