Timepiece Acoustic Authentication via Resonance Frequency Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The watch industry faces significant challenges in authenticating timepieces due to increasing quality and prevalence of counterfeit watches, which are difficult to distinguish without modifying the appearance or opening the device, and existing authentication methods are invasive and not reliable.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method that measures and processes acoustic vibrations from a timepiece to extract resonance frequencies, comparing them to reference frequencies to determine authenticity, using techniques such as Fourier transforms and wavelet de-noising to reveal narrow peaks in the frequency-domain power spectrum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If marking methods (engraving, material marking, code marking) are used to authenticate timepieces, then authentication reliability is improved, but the appearance and nature of the object is modified which is unacceptable in the luxury watch industry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical marking methods with acoustic measurement and signal processing techniques. By measuring acoustic vibrations emitted by the timepiece movement and analyzing the frequency spectrum to extract resonance frequencies, the system achieves authentication without any physical modification to the watch appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic vibrations as an intermediary medium to carry authentication information. The resonance frequencies of the movement components act as a mediator that reveals internal characteristics without direct observation or physical marking, enabling non-invasive authentication.
2Measurement precision
If opening the timepiece is performed to inspect internal components, then authentication accuracy is improved, but the operation requires specialized equipment, may impact performance (e.g. water tightness), and may invalidate the manufacturer's warranty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the timepiece to reveal its own authentication characteristics through its natural acoustic emissions during normal operation. The movement's inherent vibrations and resonance frequencies provide self-identifying information without requiring external disassembly or specialized inspection equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical disassembly and visual inspection with acoustic measurement and signal processing. By capturing and analyzing the acoustic signature of the movement, the system achieves internal component verification without physical access to the timepiece interior.
3Loss of information
If acoustic events are present in the electrical signal, then the signal contains information about mechanical shocks, but these events obscure the quiet zones where resonance frequencies of mechanical parts are located
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the acoustic events from the electrical signal through signal processing techniques. By identifying and eliminating the portions of the signal corresponding to mechanical shocks, the method isolates the quiet zones where resonance frequencies can be clearly detected and measured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the periodic nature of acoustic events in the signal to strategically remove them, thereby revealing the underlying periodic resonance patterns. By synchronizing the removal of acoustic events with their periodic occurrence, the method enhances the visibility of resonance frequencies in the frequency-domain power spectrum.
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
This method provides a reliable and non-invasive means to authenticate timepieces by identifying unique resonance frequencies, even in high-quality counterfeits, without altering the device's appearance or performance, effectively addressing the issue of counterfeit watches.
Implementation Method 1
measuring acoustic vibrations emitted by said timepiece to obtain an electrical signal
Implementation Method 2
performing a transform of said processed electrical signal into a frequency domain to obtain a frequency-domain power spectrum
Implementation Method 3
at least one narrow peak in said frequency-domain power spectrum corresponding to at least one resonance frequency of a mechanical part of said timepiece resonating in a quiet zone
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for authenticating a timepiece comprising the steps of measuring acoustic vibrations emitted by said timepiece to obtain an electrical signal, said electrical signal indicating a variation of a magnitude of said measured acoustic vibrations as a function of time, wherein said electrical signal comprises a plurality of acoustic events associated with mechanical shocks taking place in said timepiece, said acoustic events being separated from each other by a respective quiet zone, processing said electrical signal so as to attenuate said plurality of acoustic events in said electrical signal, performing a transform of said processed electrical signal into a frequency domain to obtain a frequency-domain power spectrum indicating a variation of a power of said processed electrical signal as a function of frequency, processing said frequency-domain power spectrum so as to reveal at least one narrow peak in said frequency-domain power spectrum corresponding to at least one resonance frequency of a mechanical part of said timepiece resonating in a quiet zone, extracting said at least one resonance frequency corresponding to said at least one narrow peak, comparing said extracted at least one resonance frequency with at least one reference resonance frequency, and deriving an information on an authenticity of said timepiece based on the comparison result.