Method and device for reading authentication means and adapted identification means

• US 20030014647A1
• Filed: 08/01/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Societe Novatec SA
• Original Assignee: Societe Novatec SA
• Inventors: Bourrieres, Francis, Kaiser, Clement
• Granted Patent: US 7,380,128 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/185
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06 characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/086 with markings consisting of randomly placed or oriented elements, the randomness of the elements being useable for generating a unique identifying signature of the record carrier, e.g. randomly placed magnetic fibers or magnetic particles in the body of a credit card
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/80 Recognising image objects characterised by unique random patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for reading single volume and non-reproducible identification means (100) comprising a mixture of at least two materials (110 and 120) distinguishable from each other (110 and 120), characterized in that it consists in recognizing in two dimensions the internal heterogeneous structure of said identification means (100) and in isolating and demonstrating its third dimension thereby eliminating the risk of imposture. Said characteristic enables to reduce storage volume and the periods of time required for scanning, acquisition and comparison operations performed in such processes. The invention also concerns a device for implementing said method. The invention is useful for identifying and authenticating objects, living beings, transactions.

Claims

1. Reading process for a three-dimensional means of identification (100) that is unique and non-reproducible (100) containing a mixture of at least two materials (110 and 120) that can be distinguished from one another (110 and 120) forming a transparent matrix, CHARACTERIZED BY consisting of one part to recognize the heterogeneous internal structure in two dimensions of said means of identification (100) and another part to verify and prove its third dimension without possible falsification.

2. Process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY verifying the three-dimensional layout of the materials (110 and 120) contained in the means of identification (100) by analyzing the shadows (121) generated by said materials (110 and 120) as a factor of the angle of incidence of a light source in relation to said means of identification (100).

3. Process according to claim 1 for reading a means of identification containing bubbles (120), CHARACTERIZED BY reading and verifying the three-dimensional layout of the bubbles (120) contained in the means of identification (100) by submitting said means of identification (100) successively and without delay to diffuse lighting resulting in a two-dimensional projection (700) of the contours of the bubbles (120), thereby allowing them to be read and coded, then to direct lighting generating a reflection on the interface (800) separating the heterogeneous material from the transparent product (110), thereby proving its three-dimensional aspect and rendering impossible any manipulation designed to deceive the reader.

4. Process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY verifying the three-dimensional layout (800) of the means of identification (100) by analyzing the reflected shapes of the bubbles (120) contained in the means of identification (100) caused by lighting.

5. Device (300) implementing the process according to any of claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it is composed of a ramp containing light sources (310) that goes from a state in which all the lights (500 and 600) are illuminated in order to create diffuse lighting, to a state where only one light (500) is illuminated in order to create direct lighting.

6. Means of identification (100) adapted to the process according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it is composed of a transparent material (110) in which the bubbles (120) have been self-generated by treatment with heat during the hardening of said transparent material (110). NOVATEC.