Tag System Using Random Fiber Patterns for Product Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for authenticating commercial products, such as industrial and agricultural products, documents, and certificates, are costly and often ineffective in preventing imitation or deceptive labeling, as they require expensive components like IC tags or special printing, and may not allow for real-time verification without pre-recorded data.
Innovation Solution
A tag system that uses a characteristic with randomness, such as the fiber structure of paper, to create unique piece information, which is recorded and used for real-time verification, enabling determination of authenticity without pre-existing data, utilizing a two-dimensional code for efficient reading and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive components like IC tags or rewritable labels are used for product authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ordinary paper tags instead of expensive IC tags or rewritable labels. The paper tag is a simple, inexpensive, disposable object that achieves authentication through optical reading of printed patterns and random fiber characteristics, eliminating the need for costly electronic components while maintaining authentication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates authentication data by copying and encoding the random fiber pattern from a specific region of the paper tag into a machine-readable format (2D code). This copied information serves as the unique identifier for authentication, replacing the need for expensive physical security features while maintaining verification capability.
2Measurement precision
If pre-recorded data is stored for verification purposes, then verification accuracy is improved, but system complexity and data management requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of the random fiber pattern into a 2D code during tag manufacturing. This pre-processed information is printed directly on the tag, allowing verification to be done by simply reading the printed code without needing external databases or complex data retrieval systems, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining verification accuracy.
3Reliability
If special printing methods are used for authentication, then authentication capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex special printing processes with standard printing methods. Instead of using expensive functional inks or specialized printing equipment, the patent uses ordinary printing to create machine-readable 2D codes that encode the random fiber pattern, achieving authentication capability through information encoding rather than through complex printing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of creating a tag, the method including: reading, over a first region of a surface of an individual piece, a characteristic having randomness distributed over the surface of the individual piece and converting image information indicative of the read characteristic of the first region into individual piece information peculiar to the individual piece; forming an individual piece information image indicative of the individual piece information on the surface of the individual piece while using a second region having a predetermined range including the first region as a non-image forming region; and creating the tag, which is to be affixed to an article, from the individual piece.