WO2015167367A1

WO2015167367A1 - Method for marking and identifying objects with a unique surface structure

Info

Publication number: WO2015167367A1
Application number: PCT/RU2015/000276
Authority: WO
Inventors: Сергей Сергеевич ПИКИН
Original assignee: Сергей Сергеевич ПИКИН
Priority date: 2014-04-29
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2015-11-05
Also published as: RU2568259C1

Abstract

This invention relates to the marking of objects having a unique surface structure, thus enabling the identification of marked objects for different purposes. In order to increase the level of marking security, a region of the surface of each object to be marked is randomly selected and an optical mark is applied thereto, thus establishing an area of the surface for which a set of data uniquely identifying the marked object is generated and saved for future use, said data set being based on: the number and/or a list of the relative coordinates of the intersections of a predetermined number of imaginary lines having a predetermined position relative to the optical mark; and elements of the unique surface structure of the region selected. During identification of an object, the position of an optical mark on the surface thereof is determined, for which optical mark a set of identifying data is similarly generated; a unit is identified on the basis that the data set generated matches one of the saved sets.

Description

METHOD FOR LABELING AND IDENTIFICATION OF OBJECTS WITH A UNIQUE SURFACE STRUCTURE

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to methods for marking objects with a unique surface structure, allowing to identify marked objects for various purposes, for example, to verify the legality of their origin, and / or to ensure quality control, and / or to ensure movement control, etc.

BACKGROUND

The prior art there are many methods applicable to marking objects for their further identification, which can be divided into several groups.

The first group includes methods that use special tags for marking, which are attached to the marking objects. For example, in US Pat. visual information applied in a special way in the form of drawings and / or letters and / or numbers and / or barcodes, etc. In the future, based on the information printed on the tag and / or data in the transponder's memory, appropriate methods for identifying marking objects are implemented. For example, in the patent of the Russian Federation 78 ° 2199781, the full disclosure of which is given here by reference, a method for generating data for marking all types of goods, products or structures produced in the industry or obtained as a result of other business activities with the possibility of verifying the legality of their manufacture is proposed. As suggested in this

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a patent to a method and system, product labeling, a label or other storage medium, for example, a memory device designed to supply it with the specified product, must contain information encoded by cryptographic algorithms. To identify a marked object and guarantee the authenticity of the marking, you can use an identification device configured to convert the recorded data into messages that are checked using cryptographic algorithms, and any interested user can familiarize themselves with the results of the verification.

The second group includes methods that involve applying directly identifying signs and / or symbols directly to the surface of marked objects.

For example, in RF patent N ° 2208307 "Logging method and feller machine for its implementation", the full disclosure of which is given here by reference, the subject of the invention is a marking device designed for marking logs during operation of the felling machine. A control unit, usually a computer mounted on a feller machine for controlling a contacting device (hole punching, cutting, drilling, stamping) or non-contacting (radiation energy, dye spraying) type, is used to apply marking to the log with information that can be used later at least to determine the location of the logs and, if necessary, to identify the buyer of the logs, as well as possibly the seller.

In the RF patent Ns? 2107945 dated 03/27/1998, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes a method for marking and identifying an object using hidden marking, which is applied to the surface of objects in the form of some pattern with invisible paint that becomes visible in ultraviolet or infrared rays.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The method described in RF patent JVb 2445700, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, uses a combination of the two methods previously indicated for this group, combining mechanical marking of direct marking marks (SMPNs) on the surface of the object and drawing the picture markings on the surface using fluorescent paint.

However, the foregoing methods belonging to the first and second groups have their significant drawbacks.

In particular, a common drawback of the methods belonging to the first and second group is the possibility of counterfeiting or duplicating labels by attackers involved in such activities.

Also, common disadvantages for both groups include the fact that for their implementation it is necessary to use rather sophisticated technical means and specific consumables for marking, as a result of which it is necessary to provide appropriate service and logistic support, which ultimately leads to significant material costs and problems for consumers when using them.

One way out of the situation and to eliminate the above disadvantages is the method of identifying unique natural objects described in RF patent N ° 2206122, the full disclosure of which is given here by reference, which seems to be closest to the method that is claimed in the present invention.

This method significantly solves the above disadvantages of the methods belonging to the first and second groups in terms of the need to use sophisticated technical equipment, specific consumables and increased costs for marking, as well as the possibility of counterfeiting or duplication. The disadvantages are eliminated through the use of the surface properties of a unique natural object, which is characterized by a specific unique pattern. Result is achieved

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) due to the fact that when choosing each surface area, the coordinates of the point relative to which the shape and size of this surface area are set are randomly recorded, and information about these coordinates and shape is recorded together with the mentioned image information of this surface area, and when identifying on an identifiable object according to the registered coordinates and shape, they find the corresponding surface area, after which their image is recorded.

The indicated method is quite applicable for identifying objects with a unique surface structure, since their surface, of course, has the necessary natural uniqueness.

However, this method has several significant drawbacks.

In particular, it is practically not applicable when identifying a large number of marked objects, because each time before identification, it is necessary to indicate the exact geometric parameters of the object being identified or to always use one variant of its location, otherwise it is not possible to determine the reference point for the coordinates of the surface area based on the data recorded in the database, the image of which will be used for comparison with the reference from the database data. Also, when identifying objects, problems can arise, for example, when determining a reference point in the event that part of the object to which this reference point was attached is lost.

Also, the disadvantages of this method include the need to store a large amount of information in the database, because identification is based on image comparison. This circumstance also leads to the fact that the search for matches in the identification of objects is significantly slowed down, because image comparison requires significant computing resources.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Also, this method provides for storing in the database information about the shape and size of the site, which can be selected during its registration by random law. This circumstance leads to the fact that when identifying an object, it is necessary to indicate which object is being identified in order to obtain the necessary data from the database, or iterate over all possible forms and sizes used during registration, which will significantly slow down the search, or use one form and one size, which will increase the likelihood of collisions and failures in identification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows to eliminate the shortcomings and limitations of existing methods by proposing a new method for marking and identifying objects based on the use of a special optical marker placed randomly on the surface of the object and determining a surface section for which a data set is created that characterizes the unique structure of the object in this area , which can then be saved and will be used in the future to identify a marked object.

It should be noted that the use of modern information processing tools using computers allows you to create a system for identifying objects with a unique surface structure according to the proposed method and use it for various purposes, for example, to check the legality of origin, and / or to ensure quality control and / or movement control and etc. A set of identifying data can be stored in an electronic database and provided upon request using electronic telecommunications facilities anywhere in the world, which will allow identifying a marked object anywhere in the world. An important advantage of the proposed method over others is the use of an identifiable object to describe

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a relatively small set of ordered data, which allows, firstly, to store less data, and secondly, significantly speeds up the search in the database for matches of data sets in the identification process due to their systematization and / or ordering (indexing). The use of modern means and methods of protecting electronic information in this system will make this system highly reliable as applied to technology for identifying objects with a unique surface structure.

The problem to which the invention is directed is the development of a simple, effective, convenient and low-cost technology for marking objects with a unique surface structure with a special optical marker, which allows using the natural features of a unique surface structure to form a set of identification data for a marked object that provides a high degree of reliability and high identification speed, and also allows you to create a system for detecting the applied marking and identification of the marked object.

The technical result consists in providing the possibility of identifying each marked object on the basis of data characterizing the unique structure of the area highlighted on its surface by a special optical marker, in minimizing the amount of data necessary for identification, as well as accelerating the identification procedure.

The technical novelty of the proposed method consists in creating an original technical solution that allows, through the use of the uniqueness of the surface of an object, the use of a special optical marker and the original method of forming a set of identifying data, to propose a new way of marking and identifying objects with a unique surface structure, which provides consumers with efficiency, simplicity and convenience

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) use, without requiring significant costs of financial, material and other resources.

Proposed in the present invention, the method is implemented as follows.

First of all, on the object to be marked, a surface section with a pronounced pattern of a unique surface structure is selected.

When choosing a surface area, it is desirable to observe the following recommendations, which, however, are not intended to limit the invention to specific applications:

a) it is recommended to choose a plot of a flat surface of the object;

b) it is recommended to choose a site in the area defined in advance for all objects. For specialists in this field of technology, it is obvious that following this recommendation will further facilitate the organization of the processes of marking and identification.

c) it is recommended to choose a site on a surface that cannot be easily separated from the object.

After selecting a surface area, the object is marked by randomly applying a special optical marker on this area, the geometric shape and dimensions of which are predetermined and / or empirically selected (depending on the type of object and other parameters), while a prerequisite is that with the help of a marker applied visually and / or by technical means, the surface area for which a set of identification data will be formed must be uniquely determined.

The marker must be applied to the surface of the object using materials and / or technical means that enable the marker to be unambiguously recognized against the general background of the surface visually and / or using technical means, while the method of applying the marker must ensure its visibility on the surface of the object throughout

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) time interval during which identification is necessary.

When using an optical marker, it is desirable to observe the following recommendations, which, however, are not intended to limit the invention to specific applications:

a) it is recommended to mark the objects to be counted with an optical marker that is uniform for all geometric shapes and sizes, or pre-define the parameters of markers for various categories of objects. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that following this recommendation will further facilitate the identification process, and specifically the process of visual identification of the optical marker, as existing recognition algorithms work more efficiently if the size and shape of the identified object are known in advance.

b) it is recommended to carry out identification of marked objects, and specifically the process of visual identification of an optical marker, in the same way for all cases. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that existing recognition algorithms work more efficiently if, for example, the distance and angle of inclination to the surface of an identifiable object are constant during visual identification of an optical marker.

After applying an optical marker, using appropriate specialized technical means (for example, a digital camera), an image is captured on the surface area of the object within which there is an optical marker and, accordingly, it is used to determine the surface area for which a set of identification data should be generated .

To obtain the clearest image of the characteristic features and surface microstructure, for example, but not

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) limited to this option, illumination of the surface of the object using an infrared spotlight and image capture by a suitable device, for example, a digital camera sensitive to infrared rays.

Further, after obtaining the image of the site, a set of data is generated on its basis that identifies the object marked with an optical marker.

The formation of the data set is based on the number and / or list of relative coordinates of the intersections of imaginary lines connecting the vertices and / or sides of the selected area and elements of a unique structure, surface.

The generated data set is a set of one-dimensional arrays of data of variable length, each of which contains the number and / or list of relative coordinates of intersections with elements of a unique surface structure for one imaginary line. Moreover, the number and location of all lines, the location of reference points on them, as well as the sequence of adding arrays to the set is determined in advance and is common for all objects marked with a marker of the same type.

The formation of each data array is as follows:

a) on the obtained image, using the previously defined configuration (geometric shape and dimensions) of the marker, the location of the imaginary line relative to the marker and the location of the reference point, the start and end points on the border of the section through which this imaginary line passes are determined;

b) the segment connecting the start (reference point) and end point is divided into a predetermined fixed number of equal parts;

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) c) sequentially, in the direction from the initial to the final point, the relative coordinates (which are defined as the number of parts from the starting point) of the intersections of the imaginary line of the segment and the characteristic elements of the unique surface structure are determined and added to the array;

Next, the resulting array is added to the set and the formation procedure is repeated until the set of identifying data is completely generated, in accordance with a predetermined sequence of its formation.

After completion of the formation, a set of identifying data can be registered in the database. In this case, the database is formed from a list of sets of identifying data, each of which in the database can be associated with a description characterizing the marking object, to which additional information characterizing the marking process (date and / or time of marking, location characteristics can also be added markings (for example, GPS coordinates), information about employees, etc.).

It should be noted that the present invention proposes a general method for generating a set of identifying data for objects with a unique surface structure in the form of a set of one-dimensional arrays of variable length, each of which indicates the number and / or relative coordinates of intersections with elements of a unique structure for one line having in advance the location determined relative to the optical marker, while the specific number, location of lines, and location of reference points are not regulated. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in a particular implementation according to the proposed method, it is possible to flexibly vary the shape and size of the identified area, as well as the number, location of lines and reference points, which leads to a decrease or increase in the identification set, which in turn gives consumers

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Possibility for optimal selection of parameters providing the speed and / or accuracy of identification necessary for various types of objects.

The identification of a marked object for which a set of identifying data has been obtained is carried out as follows.

When identifying a marked object, the rules established during the marking and initial registration should be used, i.e. the geometric shape and dimensions of the used optical marker used during marking, as well as the method of generating a set of identifying data, in particular the number and location of characteristic lines, the location of reference points on them, as well as the sequence of adding data arrays to the set, are taken into account.

At the beginning of the identification process, manually and / or using appropriate specialized technical means (for example, a digital camera), a search is carried out on the surface of the object being identified for an optical marker corresponding to the geometric shape and size determined during marking.

After determining the location of the optical marker, the above-mentioned specialized technical device captures the image of the surface area of the object, within the boundaries of which the optical marker is located and, accordingly, the surface area determined using it, for which a set of identification data was previously generated and registered.

Further, after obtaining the image of the site, a set of identification data is formed on its basis, by the method and according to the rules used during the initial registration of the sets.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Further, after receiving the generated set of identification data, a search is made for the match of the obtained set with one of the previously registered sets.

The search can be carried out by sequentially comparing the obtained set with all previously obtained data sets, and if the database is used, with the sets registered in the database.

For the search, more efficient algorithms can be used, for example, but not limited to this option, a preliminary search by the number of elements in the sets data arrays can be used, and for sets selected during the preliminary search, further searches will be carried out using sequential comparison. It should be noted that if a database is used, the choice of a particular algorithm for searching for a set in a database may depend on various factors (such as a data warehouse, partitioning data into tables, etc.), which, of course, refers to the highly specialized field of technical knowledge not directly related to the subject of the present invention.

Comparison of data sets in the search process should be based on a comprehensive identity criterion, which takes into account the overall degree of coincidence of the data sets, on the basis of which a conclusion is made about their identity.

In practice, the use of a comprehensive identity criterion may mean, for example, that if in the set of identification data obtained during the initial registration of the set, the intersection coordinate is 50 (fifty), and in the set obtained during identification, the value for this coordinate is 51 (fifty one), then we can talk about a high degree of coincidence of coordinates, allowing us to continue the comparison in other coordinates and take

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a decision on the identity of the sets, based on the general level of deviations for several coordinates.

A complex criterion may consist of several sub-criteria, each of which establishes its own requirements in determining the identity of sets of identifying data, however, it is not possible to formalize these requirements, because they largely depend on the requirements for the system implemented according to the method proposed in the present invention, and can be selected depending on these requirements.

Thus, the identification procedure ends with the search procedure for matching the desired set with one of the previously registered sets. The conformity of the sets is determined according to the requirements of the comprehensive identity criterion and, if, when comparing the desired set and one of the previously registered sets, the requirements of the established criterion are fulfilled, a conclusion is made about the identity of the specified sets and, accordingly, a successful search result.

The claimed technical result is achieved for the following reasons:

• the possibility of identifying each marked object is ensured by the fact that for each unit, through the use of an original method for describing the features of a unique structure on a surface area, selected using randomly applied special optical marker, it becomes possible to obtain a unique set of identification tags unique to this unit data.

• the method described in the present invention for describing objects with a unique surface structure in the form of a set of one-dimensional arrays of variable length data characterizing a surface area selected using a special optical marker allows

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) minimize the amount of data needed to identify the object, compared, for example, with the data volume of the graphic image of the selected area, and also allows you to significantly speed up the search during identification, due to the fact that the search is conducted among structured sets of identification data instead of searching, for example, among set of graphic images of sites;

A significant advantage of the proposed method is that the application of an optical marker according to a random law is sufficiently provided due to the unique structure of the surface of objects, which allows not to use complex technical means for this, while not excluding the possibility of their use. In the case of using complex technical means, for example, mass marking on the conveyor and the need to further reduce the likelihood of false positives, the randomness of applying an optical marker can be achieved using additional technical solutions, which, however, refers to the highly specialized field of technical knowledge and is considered as one of possible options for implementing the marking process, the technical details of which are not fundamental from the point of view of the essence of this invention eteniya.

A significant advantage of the proposed method is that when marking objects by applying an optical marker on their surface, there is no need to use, for example, specialized tags that are attached to the surface using specialized equipment, there is no need to use expensive consumables for applying the marker, which together, allows you to significantly speed up and simplify the marking process and minimize the cost of marking ki.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Also, the use of a system organized according to the present invention will further realize the following new features:

• due to the use of an optical marker, it becomes possible, when carrying out image capture by specialized technical means, not to capture and process the image of the entire surface, but to capture and process only the surface area, the boundaries of which are determined using a marker, which can significantly speed up data processing.

The foregoing and other additional advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above description of a preferred embodiment taken together with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

The invention meets the condition of patentability "industrial applicability", since it is feasible using known means of production. For example, the digital image acquisition technologies mentioned in the present invention, the recognition technologies of optical markers on the images obtained, the vision systems, and the like mentioned in the present invention are known and widely distributed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the present invention can be implemented in various embodiments, the drawings show and further describe the currently preferred embodiments. It should be borne in mind that this disclosure should be considered as an explanation of the present invention by examples that clearly demonstrate the possibility of achieving the claimed technical result, which is not

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) It is intended to limit the invention to specific illustrated embodiments.

The achievement of the claimed objectives of the invention and the claimed technical result within the framework of the preferred embodiment is as follows.

As part of a preferred embodiment, timber products that have a naturally formed unique natural surface structure are considered as objects for marking and identification.

First of all, within the framework of the preferred embodiment, as the surface area on which the optical marker for the timber units will be applied, the surface located at their thin end of the timber is selected. This choice is due to the fact that the end face of a unit of timber (logs or lumber) is usually a flat cut or saw cut having a flat surface with a pronounced natural pattern of wood structure in the form of annual rings. Of course, it is clear that this choice is not fully applicable for marking wood that does not have a pronounced pattern of annual rings, for example, hevea wood, however, it is also clear that other areas with a characteristic natural pattern and based on of this choice, an additional embodiment may be proposed that otherwise illustrates the present invention but does not alter its essence.

It should also be noted that when marking a unit of timber, the implementation of a random law for applying an optical marker is naturally ensured due to the uniqueness of the pattern of annual rings, spontaneous rotation of the log along its axis at various movements, etc. As part of the preferred option

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) of embodiment, the option of applying the marker manually using a special tool is considered, which provides an additional reduction in the probability of coincidence due to the natural non-determinism of the manual marking process.

Secondly, within the framework of the preferred embodiment, for the optical marker, a geometric shape is selected in the form of three points forming a non-equilateral right-angled triangle. This marker shape allows you to uniquely determine the surface area for which a set of identification data of the marked unit of timber will be generated, as the area to which the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by the points of the optical marker belongs.

In the framework of the preferred embodiment, the region of the surface for which the identity data set will be formed is defined as a rectangle, the sides of which are formed by the legs of a non-equilateral right triangle formed by the points of the optical marker, and by lines running parallel to the legs of the said triangle through the vertices of its acute angles.

An example of applying an optical marker on the end of the log is shown in Figure 1. The numbers 1,2 and 3 in this illustration show three points of the applied marker. An example illustrating the principle of determining a surface region, the natural structure of which will be used in the formation of a set of identification data, is shown in Figure 2. The specified area in figure 2 is highlighted by a shaded rectangle.

In the framework of the preferred embodiment, it is proposed to apply an optical marker on the end face of a unit of timber by pressing the surface by impact in three points using a specialized tool in the form of a template of a solid material, for example metal.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The template may consist of a flat surface with three protruding pins. For ease of use, a handle can be attached to the template, in which case the application of the marking tool will be in the form of a hammer. To ensure uniformity of application, the part of the template facing the marked surface can be made of an elastic material, such as rubber.

The marker should be applied ^ with the help of a single blow with a template into the end face of a unit of timber so that after this three dents of the same depth and shape remain on the surface.

An exemplary form of a tool for applying an optical marker with a template fixed to it, considered in the framework of the preferred embodiment, is presented in Fig.Z.

After applying an optical marker on the surface of the end face of a unit of timber, for the surface area, the boundaries of which are determined using a marker, a set of identification data is generated.

The formation of a set of identification data, in the framework of a preferred embodiment, is as follows.

The identification data set consists of six one-dimensional arrays of variable-length data, each of which contains a set of relative coordinates of the intersections of the lines of annual rings and the imaginary line of the vector passing through the surface region highlighted by the optical marker.

The characteristics of the vectors, as well as the sequence of adding arrays to the set of identification data accepted in the framework of the preferred embodiment are shown in Table 1. For convenience, the characteristics of the vectors are assumed to be assumed that a non-equilateral rectangular triangle formed by three

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) points of the optical marker, the point of the optical marker located on the top of the right angle is indicated by the number “1” (one), the point of the optical marker located on the top of the acute angle formed by the smaller leg and hypotenuse is indicated by the number “2” (two), and the point optical marker, located on top of an acute angle formed by a large leg and hypotenuse, is indicated by the number "3" (three). The number "4" (four) denotes the intersection point of imaginary lines passing through the vertices of sharp angles parallel to the legs of the non-equilateral rectangular triangle formed by the points of the optical marker.

Table 1

The relative coordinates of the intersections of vectors with lines of annual rings are determined as follows - each vector is divided into 100 (one hundred) equal parts and the number of parts from the starting point of the vector to the intersection with the line of the annual ring is indicated as the intersection coordinate.

An example illustrating the process of generating an identity data set is presented in FIG. 4. Additionally, the sequence of formation of the set for the given example is shown in Table 2.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) table 2

Thus, formed according to the method proposed in the present invention, a set of identification data for the above example will look as follows:

[7,15,35,60]

[10,38,90]

[10,19,31,50,90]

[3,9,19,40,50,90,97]

[3,10,25,45,62,90]

[10,35,50,60,72,80,88,95]

After a set of identifying data is formed, it is saved in order to further ensure the possibility of an identification procedure. The set can be saved in any form, including in electronic form in an electronic database. Additionally, a description describing the marked unit of timber, as well as additional information characterizing the marking process, can be associated with each saved set.

The procedure for identifying a marked unit of timber is as follows.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) First, a complex criterion is determined on the basis of which an assessment will be made of the degree of coincidence of the set of identifying data obtained for the identifiable unit with one of the sets of identifying data that were previously received and stored.

Within the framework of a preferred embodiment, it is proposed to use a complex criterion consisting of the following sub-criteria:

1) the total number of intersection points recorded in all arrays of the identified set should not differ from the original by more than two positions;

2) the total number of intersection points recorded in one of the arrays of the set should not differ from the same array in the original set by more than one position;

3) the relative coordinates of any intersection point obtained for the identified unit should not differ from the relative coordinates of the same point for the original unit of measurement by more than one part to the smaller and larger sides;

Thus, according to the proposed complex criterion, in the case of matching sets of identification data for all three subcriteria, we can conclude that the sets coincide to such an extent that they can be considered identical to each other.

After determining the complex criterion for identifying any of the marked timber units for which identification data sets were previously generated and stored, it is necessary for the marked identification unit to perform the procedure of re-forming the identification data set and comparing the obtained set with previously saved sets in accordance with the proposed criterion.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The procedure for re-forming the set of identification data for the identified marked unit of timber is carried out similarly to the procedure for the initial formation of the set, after which it was saved for further identification.

After obtaining a set of identification data for an identifiable marked timber unit, it is sequentially compared with previously saved sets in accordance with the proposed complex criterion.

During the comparison procedure, if the identified set coincides with one of the previously saved sets for all three subcriteria of the complex criterion, a conclusion is made about the successful result of identifying the marked unit of timber.

It should be noted that if it is necessary to further reduce the likelihood of a failure during identification, after obtaining a successful result, the comparison can be continued and carried out for all stored sets, and if several sets have a complex criterion, additional identification can be carried out by analyzing additional parameters, for example, the corresponding description characterizing the marked unit of timber, as well as additional information on the marking process .

The comparison procedure can be carried out in stages, first by the first sub-criterion, then by the second, and finally by the third sub-criterion. Thus, first, for comparison, all saved sets for which the total number of intersection points does not differ from the search by more than two positions will be pre-selected, then from the list obtained in this way will be selected sets for which the total number of intersection points recorded in one of arrays of the set does not differ from the same array in the desired set by more than one position, and as a result, the most resource-intensive comparison will be made for the truncated list of sets in this respect solid

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) coordinates of intersection points. This approach can significantly speed up the identification process.

To illustrate the comparison by the complex criterion, Table 3 shows examples of comparing the data set obtained according to FIG. 4 and Table 2 with other sets.

Table 3

From the above description of the preferred embodiment and the given examples, it is obvious that the choice of a timber unit having a unique natural pattern of annual rings as the surface for marking the end face, the use of three points forming a non-equilateral right-angled triangle for marking an optical marker of geometric shape, using the proposed option determining the area of the surface for which a set of identification data will be formed, drawing a marker manually using a special template and using the proposed

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) options for the formation of a set of identification data from six one-dimensional arrays of data of variable length, each of which contains a set of relative coordinates of intersections of the lines of annual rings and an imaginary line of a vector passing through the surface area highlighted by an optical marker - allows you to obtain a set of identification data that can be very likely considered unique and inherent only to a marked unit of timber.

The set of identification data generated within the framework of the preferred embodiment has a minimum size and structure, due to which it is possible to obtain significant search acceleration, for example, by pre-fetching data by the size of the set and the size of the individual elements of the set.

The option of applying the marker manually by pressing in using the specialized tool in the form of a template made of solid material, proposed as part of the preferred embodiment, does not require the use of specialized consumables, does not require the use of sophisticated technical devices for marking and attracting qualified personnel, thereby ensuring low unit marking costs timber. The option of forming a set of identifying data, proposed as part of a preferred embodiment, can be implemented using existing technical vision technologies, which can significantly reduce the cost of creating a system for marking and identification of timber in its practical implementation.

Thus, taking into account the foregoing, it can be argued that within the framework of the preferred embodiment, the claimed technical result is achieved and the problem posed in the framework of the present invention is solved.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Of course, modifications and adaptations of the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain aspects of the present invention may also be used without reference to the corresponding use of other aspects. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment should be considered only as illustrative of the implementation of the present invention, and not its limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 - Illustration of the application of an optical marker on the end of the log in

within a preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 - Illustration of the principle of determining the surface area,

the natural structure of which will be used in the formation of a set of identification data,

used as a preferred option

incarnations;

Fig.Z - Illustration of an exemplary form of a tool for applying

optical marker with a template attached to it,

considered as a preferred option

incarnations;

Figure 4 - Illustration of an example of the formation of a set of identification data, considered in the framework of a preferred embodiment;

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIM

1. A method of marking objects with a unique surface structure, allowing identification of marked objects for various purposes due to the fact that for each object with a unique surface structure that needs identification, a special optical marker is applied to a randomly selected portion of its surface having a predefined geometric shape and dimensions that allow you to uniquely determine the location, geometric shape and dimensions of a single area surface, for which, on the basis of a predetermined order of forming a list of a predetermined number of numerical sequences, each of which contains a set of relative coordinates of the intersection of the imaginary line of the vector passing through the surface area selected by the marker according to the direction and relative coordinates predefined for the specified vector, with visually distinguished elements a unique surface structure within the specified area, is formed and maintained for far For further use, the initial data set that uniquely identifies the marked object, and when identifying the object, the location of the optical marker on its surface is determined, the surface area for forming the identification set is determined, and then, using a method similar to the method used in the formation of the initial identification set, a set of identifying data, after which the object is identified by searching for a match of the received data set with one m from previously saved sets.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the identification is carried out by searching for a match of the obtained set of identification data with one of the previously saved sets based on a predetermined complex criterion characterizing the degree of coincidence of the sets, with

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) meeting the requirements of which the sets can be considered identical and, accordingly, the search result can be considered successful.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the image of the surface of the object is enlarged optically to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the image of the surface of the object is increased optically to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the image of the surface of the object is obtained in different spectral ranges to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the image of the surface of the object is obtained in different spectral ranges to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the image of the surface area is enlarged optically and an image is obtained in different spectral ranges to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

8. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the image of the surface area is enlarged optically and an image is obtained in various spectral ranges to identify characteristic features used for identification.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the object is treated mechanically, chemically or otherwise in order to identify characteristic signs that serve for identification.

10. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the surface of the object is treated mechanically, chemically or otherwise in order to identify characteristic signs that serve for identification.

1 1. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the object is treated mechanically, chemically or otherwise and

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the image of the surface of the object is enlarged optically to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

12. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the surface of the object is treated mechanically, chemically or otherwise, and the image of the surface of the object is enlarged optically to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface of the object is treated mechanically, chemically or otherwise, and the image of the surface of the object is enlarged optically and an image is obtained in different spectral ranges to identify characteristic features used for identification.

14. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the surface of the object is treated mechanically, chemically or otherwise, and the image of the surface of the object is enlarged optically and an image is obtained in different spectral ranges to identify characteristic features that serve for identification.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the surface image of the object is obtained and processed in digital format, and the generated sets of identifying data are stored in an electronic database that is accessed during the identification process.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, inclusive, characterized in that each generated set of identifying data is associated with additional information about the marked object (date of marking, place of marking, etc.), which is used as an additional criterion for identification.

17. The method according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 14, inclusive, characterized in that the image of the surface of the object is obtained and processed in digital format, and the generated sets of identifying data are stored in an electronic database that is accessed in the process

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) identifications, and each stored set of identifying data is associated with additional information about the marked object (date of marking, place of marking, etc.), which is used as an additional criterion for identification.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)