Watch Authentication via Balance Wheel Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The watch industry faces significant challenges in authenticating luxury watches due to the increasing quality of counterfeit products, as existing authentication methods often require manufacturing process interventions, overt markings, or unstable tagging solutions that do not meet the durability and design preservation needs of timepieces.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific characteristics of jewels, such as luminescence, position, and orientation, for identification and authentication, allowing for minimal intervention in the manufacturing process and providing a durable, design-preserving authentication method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If marking methods (material, code, engraving) are used for authentication, then authentication functionality is provided, but the design appearance and nature of the watch is modified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication functionality from visible markings and embeds it within the internal structure of the watch, specifically using the balance wheel and its components. The balance wheel's oscillation characteristics serve as the authentication marker without affecting the watch's external design appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the balance wheel's oscillation pattern - that serves as a mediator between the watch's internal mechanics and authentication verification. This intermediary provides unique identification through its physical characteristics without requiring external markings.
2Reliability
If tagging methods (micro tag, RFID tag) are used for identification, then identification functionality is provided, but manufacturing process intervention is required and stability over time is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The watch's balance wheel serves itself as the identification element through its inherent oscillation characteristics. No external tags or manufacturing interventions are needed - the balance wheel's natural physical properties (mass distribution, oscillation frequency, damping) provide unique identification automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance wheel performs multiple functions: timekeeping regulation through oscillation and unique identification through its specific oscillation characteristics. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate identification tags while maintaining identification reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional marking methods are used, then authentication is provided, but the marking stability and durability over tens of years is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts authentication from external markings that degrade over time and embeds it in the immutable physical properties of the balance wheel. The oscillation characteristics are determined by the balance wheel's mass distribution and mechanical properties, which remain stable throughout the watch's lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the authentication parameter from external markings to internal physical parameters - specifically the balance wheel's oscillation frequency, amplitude decay rate, and phase characteristics. These parameters are inherently stable and change minimally over time compared to external markings.
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 approach enables unique identification and authentication of watches through measurable jewel properties, ensuring authenticity while maintaining the integrity and appearance of the timepiece, thus addressing the counterfeiting issue effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source are illuminated
Implementation Method 2
measuring a luminescence of the respective jewels
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and system for creating and storing an identifier for a timepiece having at least one gemstone. The method includes determining one or more characteristics of the at least one gemstone and detecting a relative position of the at least one gemstone in the timepiece. The method further includes creating the identifier for the timepiece in dependence upon at least one of the one or more characteristics of the at least one gemstone and the respective relative position of the at least one gemstone and storing the identifier in a database or device.