System for registration, identification and verification of items utilizing unique intrinsic features

• US 5,521,984 A
• Filed: 06/10/1993
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intrisnsic Signature Identification Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Verification Technologies, Inc. (Sun Chemical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Petersen, Robert, Christensen, John J., Densberger, John, Denenberg, Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEL ROSSO, GERARD DOMNICK
• Application Number:
  US08/075,149
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 382/1, 382/2, 382/4, 382/5, 340/825.3
• US Class Current: 382/209
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/25 Determination of region of interest [ROI] or a volume of interest [VOI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/693 Acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/80 Recognising image objects characterised by unique random patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/127 in which both online and offline card verification can take place

Abstract

A method and system for determining the authenticity of an item such as an original work of art, an art print, valuable jewelry or other valuable items utilizes images of one or more unique patterns of features, preferably at a microscopic level, as one or more "signatures" of the item. The image of this unique signature is recorded and stored electronically as data representing the unique pattern. The data are registered with identifying text and stored in a secure storage location, to prevent unauthorized duplication or use of the stored data. Following this registration and storage, an item presented as authentic can be examined microscopically at prescribed sites on the item where the original images were taken. Comparison is made at one or more of the sites, and a decision is made as to whether the item exhibits substantially identical features to those originally registered, so as to be the same authentic item. Comparison can be made electronically or visually/microscopically. The storage location can be a central location-remote from local verification stations, with data transferred to and from local stations by telephone lines or other communication links.

Claims

1. A method for registration and verification of items, to confirm whether an item is a particular unique item previously registered, comprising:

providing a central data storage location and a plurality of local stations,

providing a data communication link between one of said local stations and the central data storage location,

initially performing a registration procedure under the control of an operator at the central data storage location, on a particular unique item at said one local station by

(1) placing the item on optical equipment enabling microscopic viewing both at the local station and at the central data storage location, and capable of recording microscopic images from the item,

(2) selecting a microsite for imaging on the item by microscopically viewing the item and selecting the microsite,

(3) recording at a microscopic level of magnification an image of a unique pattern of features at the selected microsite of the item, said unique pattern of features being intrinsic to the item itself without any addition to the item, and

(4) in conjunction with the recording step, producing and electronically storing at the central data storage location, data representing the microsite image and containing the unique pattern of features, in a form capable of use in reproducing the microsite image, along with data representing the location of the selected microsite, and along with data identifying the item being registered,

preventing unauthorized duplication, alteration or use of the stored data,

at a time subsequent to the storing of the data at the central data storage location, performing a verification procedure by

(a) recalling over a communication link the stored data from the central data storage location to a selected one of said local stations,

(b) examining at said selected local station at a microscopic level of magnification a subject item purporting to be said particular unique item, at a site on the item corresponding in location to said selected microsite in accordance with the recalled data,

(c) comparing the image of the microsite generated by local examination to the microsite image recalled from the central data storage location to determine whether the two microsite images match to a preselected degree, thereby determining whether the subject item is the same unique item, and

(d) controlling the verification procedure from the central data storage location, including at least verifying said selected local station for access to the stored data before the stored data are recalled to the selected local station.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of recording an image at a microscopic level of magnification is accomplished at a magnification of at least about 200 times as viewed by an operator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) of comparing the two microsite images is accomplished by autocorrelation.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) of comparing the two microsite images is accomplished by an operator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of recording an image at a microscopic level of magnification is accomplished at a magnification of at least about 5 times as viewed by an operator.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of recording an image at a microscopic level of magnification is accomplished at a magnification of at least about 10 times as viewed by an operator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique item is an item of fine art.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique item is a limited edition print of an original work of art.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique item is a postage stamp.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique item is a piece of sculpture.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique item is a piece of jewelry.