Digital Identity Generation Using XRF Elemental Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and authenticating cultural properties lack security, non-invasiveness, and unalterability, as they rely on physical devices or low-security augmented authentication that can be easily altered or removed.
Innovation Solution
A method using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) to generate a digital identity based on the elemental composition of a good, creating a monochromatic image with chromatic saturation proportional to chemical element concentration, ensuring a unique and unalterable identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical devices or labels are applied directly onto goods for identification, then identification capability is improved, but invasiveness increases and integrity of the good deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the identification function from physical labels and devices, transferring it to the good's intrinsic elemental composition. XRF spectroscopy measures the unique elemental fingerprint of the good itself without adding external elements, thus extracting identification capability while preserving integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy as an intermediary non-contact measurement technique. This mediator enables identification by detecting elemental composition through electromagnetic radiation interaction, avoiding direct physical contact and thus eliminating invasiveness while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If physical labels or augmented authentication are used for identification, then identification function is provided, but security and unalterability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts identification from removable physical labels and embeds it in the immutable elemental composition of the good. The elemental fingerprint cannot be altered without changing the good itself, providing inherent security and unalterability that external labels cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the identification parameter from surface-level physical characteristics (which can be altered) to fundamental elemental composition (which is intrinsic and unalterable). This parameter transformation ensures that identification remains secure and cannot be forged without actually changing the good's material composition.
3Ease of operation
If surface characteristics are used for authentication, then identification is simplified, but security deteriorates due to ease of alteration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical/surface-based authentication methods with spectroscopic analysis. Instead of relying on physical surface characteristics that can be visually inspected and altered, the system uses XRF spectroscopy to detect elemental composition, substituting a more reliable physical measurement technique that provides both simplicity and security.
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
Provides a secure and non-invasive means to uniquely identify and authenticate cultural properties by linking identity to elemental composition, preventing counterfeiting and ensuring integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, XRF, of a plurality of adjacent areas of at least a portion of the good is performed
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a digital identity of a good is carried out by performing a measurement by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, XRF, on a plurality of adjacent areas of at least a portion of the good. Thereby, respective fluorescence spectra are generated which are representative of and identify an elemental composition of the areas. At least one chemical element is selected and a monochromatic image of the portion is generated, wherein each area has a chromatic saturation proportional to the concentration of said chemical element within said area. The digital identity is generated by uniquely associating the image with the good.