OBJECT FOR AUTHENTICATION VERIFICATION, AUTHENTICATION VERIFYING CHIP READING DEVICE AND AUTHENTICATION JUDGING METHOD

• US 20100193590A1
• Filed: 05/14/2008
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Frontier Technology Laboratory Inc.
• Original Assignee: Int'L Frontier Technology Laboratory Incorporated
• Inventors: Nanjo, Shin-ichiro, Komatsu, Nobuaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,408,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/470
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/01 Testing electronic circuits therein
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/2033 Matching unique patterns, i.e. patterns that are unique to each individual paper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1041 Subsequent to lamination

Abstract

A structure of a subject such as a card, a bank note, or a stock certificate easily faked and needing authenticity validation and a method for judging the authenticity of the subject. An authenticity validation chip having structural color developers irregularly arranged is attached to a card. An optical sensor detects the arrangement of the structural color developers to individually recognize the card or judge its authenticity. To validate the authenticity, when or after the card is taken in, the information in the authenticity validation chip provided on the card is read. Each of the structural color developers is a transparent resin flake or a transparent resin thin layer. The information is read two-dimensionally with a camera, and the authenticity of the authenticity validation chip is judged by observing the distributed state of the structural color developers. Alternatively, the information can be read linearly. A given straight or curved line can be used by altering the read portion while associating the shape of the read line with the movement of the card in taking in the card.

Claims

1. An object for authentication verification, for which authentication verification is needed, wherein an authentication verifying chip having an iridescence pattern specific to and copy-unable for identifying said object is added non-separably from said object, and said iridescence pattern is based on an iridescent substance in a transparent thin layer.

2. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein an authentication certifying chip where authentication certifying information to certify authenticity of said authentication verifying chip is stored, is non-separably added further.

3. An object for authentication verification according to claim 2, wherein said authentication certifying information is encrypted information where the authentication verifying information obtained according to said iridescence pattern is encrypted.

4. An object for authentication verification according to claim 3, wherein said encrypted information for authentication certifying is obtained by encrypting hash value of the authentication verifying information obtained according to said iridescence pattern.

5. An object for authentication verification according to claim 3, wherein said encrypted information for authentication certifying is obtained by encrypting the authentication verifying information with identification information where identification information of said object is added to said authentication verifying information.

6. An object for authentication verification according to claim 3, wherein said encrypted information for authentication certifying is obtained by encrypting the authentication verifying information with watermark where a digital watermark is added to said authentication verifying information.

7. An object for authentication verification according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said encrypted information for authentication certifying is encrypted by using a common-key of a common-key cryptosystem under the control of an issuer of said object for authentication verification.

8. An object for authentication verification according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said encrypted information for authentication certifying is encrypted by using a secret-key of a public-key cryptosystem under the control of an issuer of said object for authentication verification.

9. An object for authentication verification according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said encrypted information for authentication certifying is encrypted by using a public-key of a public-key cryptosystem under the control of an issuer of said object for authentication verification.

10. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein said iridescent substance is an iridescence piece with a thin layer of a transparent resin.

11. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein said iridescent substance is a thin layer of a transparent resin with non-uniform thickness.

12. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein said iridescent substance is a thin layer of scattered transparent resin drops.

13. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein said iridescent substance is a thin layer of a transparent resin with non-uniform thickness and scattered in pits of uniform depth as formed on said authentication verifying chip.

14. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein said iridescent substance is a thin layer of a transparent resin scattered in pits of non-uniform depth as formed in said authentication verifying chip.

15. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein said iridescent substance is a thin layer of a transparent resin filled based on quaternary random numbers in pits with uniform depth regularly formed on said authentication verifying chip.

16. An object for authentication verification according to claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein said authentication verifying chip has a cover made of a hard material such as glass for protecting said authentication verifying chip.

17. An object for authentication verification according to claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein an upper surface of a card base plate where said authentication verifying chip comes into contact is in light-absorbing black color.

18. An object for authentication verification according to claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein anti-luster processing is performed on a surface of said transparent resin.

19. An object for authentication verification according to claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein a reflection preventive film is formed on said transparent resin.

20. An object for authentication verification according to claim 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein said authentication verifying chip is a portion as cut out from a large original plate.

38. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein a position alignment mark for reading is provided in said authentication verifying chip.

39. An object for authentication verification according to claim 38, wherein there is one mark for the position alignment mark for reading.

40. An object for authentication verification according to claim 38, wherein there are a plurality of position alignment marks for reading.

41. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein there are provided a line to start the reading, a line to finish the reading, and a line indicating the reading end.

42. An object for authentication verification according to claim 1, wherein there is provided a mark for reading synchronization signal.

21. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a white light emitting diode for lighting said authentication verifying chip and a color camera for photographing the lighted authentication verifying chip.

22. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a red light emitting diode, a green light emitting diode, and a blue light emitting diode for lighting said authentication verifying chip, and with a color camera for photographing the lighted authentication verifying chip.

23. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a red light emitting diode, a green light emitting diode, and a blue light emitting diode for sequentially lighting said authentication verifying chip and with a monochrome camera for sequentially photographing the lighted authentication verifying chip.

24. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a light emitting/detecting elements matrix with the same area as that of the authentication verifying chip.

25. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a mechanism to move said authentication verifying chip and a light emitting/detecting elements array with the same width as that of said authentication verifying chip.

26. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a mechanism for moving said authentication verifying chip and light emitting/detecting elements movable in a direction of width of said authentication verifying chip.

27. An authentication verifying chip reading device for reading an authentication verifying chip having a specific pattern of an iridescent substance of a transparent resin thin layer attached to an object for authentication verification, wherein:

said reading device is provided with a mechanism for moving said authentication verifying chip, a reflecting paraboloid mirror in a cylindrical shape, a polygonal mirror being disposed at a focal point of said reflecting mirror, and light emitting/detecting elements being disposed behind said reflecting mirror.

28. A reading device according to claim 27, wherein said paraboloid is a full-paraboloid, a light hole is formed at the center of said reflecting mirror, and said light emitting/detecting elements are disposed behind said reflecting mirror.

29. A reading device according to claim 27, wherein said paraboloid is a half-paraboloid.

30. A reading device according to claim 27, wherein said paraboloid is a paraboloid smaller than a half-paraboloid, and said polygonal mirror is disposed in an offset arrangement.

31. A method for reading a specific pattern of an iridescent substance in form of a thin layer of a transparent resin on an authentication verifying chip, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

dividing a surface of the iridescence pattern of said authentication verifying chip to a plurality of planes;

dividing each of said plurality of planes further to a plurality of planes;

repeating said dividing operations;

detecting iridescence on a plurality of the divided planes; and

identifying planes of said iridescence pattern according to the detected iridescence.

32. An authentication judging method for judging authenticity of an object for authentication verification, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

for preparing said object for authentication verification,

preparing an authentication verifying chip where authentication verifying information, which is based on an iridescent substance in a thin layer of a transparent resin and copy-unable, is stored;

reading the authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

encrypting said digital authentication verifying information and obtaining encrypted digital authentication verifying information;

storing said encrypted digital authentication verifying information on an authentication certifying chip; and

for judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification,

reading the encrypted digital authentication verifying information stored in said authentication certifying chip;

decrypting said encrypted digital authentication verifying information and obtaining decrypted digital authentication verifying information;

reading said authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information; and

judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification by comparing said digital authentication verifying information with said decrypted digital authentication verifying information.

33. An authentication judging method for judging authenticity of an object for authentication verification, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

for preparing said object for authentication verification,

preparing an authentication verifying chip where authentication verifying information, which is based on an iridescent substance in a thin layer of a transparent resin and copy-unable, is stored;

reading the authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

hashing said digital authentication verifying information and obtaining hash-valued authentication verifying information;

encrypting said hash-valued authentication verifying information and obtaining encrypted hash-valued authentication verifying information;

storing said encrypted hash-valued authentication verifying information on an authentication certifying chip; and

for judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification,

reading the encrypted hash-valued authentication verifying information stored in said authentication certifying chip;

decrypting said encrypted hash-valued authentication verifying information and obtaining decrypted hash-valued authentication verifying information;

reading authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

hashing said digital authentication verifying information and obtaining hash-valued authentication verifying information; and

judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification by comparing said hash-valued authentication verifying information with said decrypted hash-valued authentication verifying information.

34. An authentication judging method for judging authenticity of an object for authentication verification, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

for preparing said object for authentication verification,

preparing an authentication verifying chip where authentication verifying information, which is based on an iridescent substance in a thin layer of a transparent resin and copy-unable, is stored;

reading the authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

adding object identifying information to said digital authentication verifying information, and obtaining authentication verifying information added with object identifying information;

encrypting said authentication verifying information added with object identifying information and obtaining encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information;

storing said encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information in an authentication certifying chip; and

for judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification,

reading the encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information stored in said authentication certifying chip;

decrypting said encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information and obtaining decrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information;

removing the object identifying information from said decrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information and obtaining decrypted authentication verifying information;

reading authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information; and

judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification by comparing said digital authentication verifying information with said decrypted authentication verifying information.

35. An authentication judging method for judging authenticity of an object for authentication verification, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

for preparing said object for authentication verification,

preparing an authentication verifying chip where authentication verifying information, which is based on an iridescent substance in a thin layer of a transparent resin and copy-unable, is stored;

reading authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

adding object identifying information to said digital authentication verifying information, and obtaining authentication verifying information added with object identifying information;

encrypting said authentication verifying information added with object identifying information and obtaining encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information;

storing said encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information in an authentication certifying chip; and

for judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification,

reading the encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information stored in said authentication certifying chip;

decrypting said encrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information and obtaining decrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information;

reading authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

adding object identifying information to said digital authentication verifying information, and obtaining authentication verifying information added with object identifying information; and

judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification by comparing said authentication verifying information added with object identifying information to said decrypted authentication verifying information added with object identifying information.

36. An authentication judging method for judging authenticity of an object for authentication verification, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

for preparing said object for authentication verification,

preparing an authentication verifying chip where authentication verifying information, which is based on an iridescent substance in a thin layer of a transparent resin and copy-unable, is stored;

reading the authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

adding a digital watermark to said digital authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark;

encrypting said digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark and obtaining encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark;

storing said encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark in an authentication certifying chip; and

for judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification,

reading the encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark stored in said authentication certifying chip;

decrypting said encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark and obtaining decrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark;

removing the watermark from said decrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark and obtaining decrypted digital authentication verifying information;

reading authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information thus read and obtaining digital authentication verifying information; and

judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification by comparing said digital authentication verifying information with said decrypted digital authentication verifying information.

37. An authentication judging method for judging authenticity of an object for authentication verification, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

for preparing said object for authentication verification,

preparing an authentication verifying chip where authentication verifying information, which is based on an iridescent substance in a thin layer of a transparent resin and copy-unable, is stored;

reading the authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

adding a digital watermark to said digital authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark;

encrypting said digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark and obtaining encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark;

storing said encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark in an authentication certifying chip; and

for judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification,

reading the encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark stored in said authentication certifying chip;

decrypting said encrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark and obtaining decrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark;

reading authentication verifying information on said authentication verifying chip;

digitizing said authentication verifying information thus read and obtaining digital authentication verifying information;

adding a digital watermark to said digital authentication verifying information and obtaining digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark; and

judging authenticity of said object for authentication verification by comparing said digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark to said decrypted digital authentication verifying information added with the watermark.