BG66377B1 - Encoded marking and a method for protection and certification the authenticity of products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to encoded marking and a method for protecting, checking and certifying the authenticity of products by means of unique encoded marking, containing very big volume of encoded information, protected and recoverable in case of wear, contamination or erasing. The encoded information is obtained by stochastic modulation and alteration of the marking elements.

Description

The invention relates to encrypted marking and a method of protecting, verifying and authenticating products by a unique encrypted marking with very large encrypted information in each very small marking point, protected and recoverable upon wear, contamination or erasure .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous methods and means of protecting different types of products against counterfeiting, such as holograms, kinegrams, watermarks, micro perforated signs, digital watermarking, specialty inks, etc., which are essentially the same for each protected product of a particular type, ie there is no unique personalization of each individual item of a given type. For example, each package of a particular drug has a different hologram for each individual unit (ampoule, blister, etc.) of the medicine, or each banknote of a given denomination has its own different watermark or holographic band. The same applies to absolutely all types and types of products, whether goods, personal documents or means of payment. The protections are the same for a large set of security items and do not contain additional independent, personalized, visible and hidden information for each object, which makes them extremely vulnerable to imitation, forgery and copying.

BG 65111 (WO 03030098) describes a method of protecting by recording and reading a code of material representing the unique structure of the material of a product around a sign affixed to the product, which gives exceptional resistance to copying and falsification, but there are drawbacks thereto. that does not allow for the incorporation of hidden personalized information about the protected object.

On the other hand, WO 0129790 (BG 63520

B1) shows one and several encrypted markings on security and originality control products, which enables one or more encrypted invisible personalization numbers to be embedded in the same marking on the protected product by displacing characters from the visible marking number, increase and decrease of letters and elements of the marking or their rotation. This marking gives very good resistance to counterfeiting given the unique encrypted personalization numbers for each individual product copy provided by separate third-party sources.

BG 61241 B1 describes, for its part, a method of recording and reading such multimedia multilevel markings (ciphers), which are generated by parallel, independently operating systems.

WO 0239397 (BG 63518 B1) describes a device for recording such single and multi-step encrypted markings. The latter, in turn, have the following significant weaknesses, namely that such a marking contains a small amount of information limited to several personalization numbers, in view of the manner in which it is reproduced, namely a change in certain relatively large ones in relation to the size of the marking or parts thereof. elements, such as characters (letters or numbers) or other elements that are limited in their quantity and properties, thus limiting the amount of hidden information embedded in the marks ovkata, and hence a lack of redundancy of the information, ie restoring the integrity of information in the absence of individual parts of it. This means that if the integrity of the marking is violated, there is a loss of some or all of the encrypted personalization information and it makes it impossible to read and verify the validity of the marking in the event of wear, smudging or destruction of the product and, respectively, of the marking on it.

Also, when you try to fit more hidden personalization information into the tag, you get a big change in how the tag looks compared to its original look as a result of

66377 Bl displacement, rotation and enlargement of its elements and characters, which impedes its proper reproduction, such as if the marking is a sequence of letters and numbers of its OCR (Optical Character Recognition).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to solve the described problems by encrypted marking and a method of protecting and authenticating products by multi-level encrypted marking with one- and multi-step independent encryption information unique to each markup protected by recording and reading code from the material and supplied from independent sources by means of a controllable marker element. The marking, without disturbing its original appearance and shape, records a large volume of encrypted information in each small marking point, by stochastic modulation and modification of these small marking points. In this way, by using small marking points, a large number is obtained, i.e. higher resolution and density, of elements that in turn are modulated and altered in a wide variety of shape, orientation in space and relative to each other, and location. The large set of small elements (points) multiplied by the large total variety of modulations on them leads to the possibility of embedding large volume of information. At the same time, the marking itself retains its integrity in terms of its original appearance and form, since the alteration of these small elements, which themselves are a minor part of the marking, does not lead to a change in the shape and the image of the marking.

On the other hand, the multiplicity of elements such as quantity and the variety of effects on them, besides incorporating more information, also leads to greater possibilities for the user to choose the elements and effects on them, in order to achieve uniqueness for each user. and every one of its products, and hence greater security and reliability against counterfeiting.

The marking itself, depending on its size and the size of the small elements (dots), can be accomplished by a laser marking system, an electron beam, a controllable nanowire-matrix, an inkjet element or a mechanical marking head, or some other method of marking or printing.

Having the ability to incorporate larger volume of information enables duplication of information and its surplus in order to recover it in the absence of some information due to incorrect interpretation of the coding elements (points). On the other hand, in order to recover the marking as a result of aging, wear, etc., the footprint, modulation, shape and location of certain encrypted marking elements (points) are recorded in a database. The selection of these small elements (points) is made in such a way that they are several such elements (points) from different and specific areas of the marking itself and / or larger elements of the marking, such as its individual parts, signs, letters or numbers to define those parts and larger elements of the marking. Subsequent use of the product may result in contamination, exportation or destruction of the product to such an extent that simple recognition of the product or parts thereof may not be possible even in appearance and form, but the presence of some of these elements after verification in the database may to restore part or all of the marking and, therefore, to prove the origin and originality of the product concerned.

To prevent the aging process, contamination and wear of the marking, its elements and the structure of the product material around them, a protective UV varnish is applied, which dries, resulting in a protective layer above, around and in the marking elements. If the marking is affixed to a pad that is embedded in the product, it is affixed so that it is placed between the pad and the protected product, thus protecting it from aging and wear. If the surface is protected by a transparent layer, then the encrypted marking is applied by means of a laser beam through this layer to the protected base.

66377 Bl

Explanation of the annexed figures

Figure 1 shows multi-step encrypted marking with encryption in small elements of the marking;

Figure 2 depicts multi-step encrypted encryption marking in small elements of the marking on metal by laser engraving;

Figure 3 depicts multilayered encryption marking in small elements (points) of marking made as microperforation of paper, where (1) is normal marking, (2) multilayer encrypted marking, (3) multilayered encryption marking with small elements encryption. the marking, (4) a group of encrypted small elements (points), (5) an increase in a group of encrypted small elements (points);

Figure 4 shows the persistence and restoration of multi-level encrypted marking with encryption in small elements (points) of the marking upon contamination, wear or erasure;

Figure 5 shows the implementation of multi-level encryption marking with encryption in small elements (points) of the protection marking of products subject to production, control and verification by several independent institutions;

Figure 6 shows the implementation of multi-level encrypted marking with small-scale encryption of nano-level marking;

Figure 7 shows the protection of a product by incorporating its information into a multi-step encrypted marking with encryption into small elements (points) of the marking;

Figure 8 shows the protection of available identification documents, with multi-step encrypted marking, protected by a code from the material, and the biometric information of their possession is embedded in the marking;

Figure 9 shows the security of a personal identification card that has a built-in contact chip;

Figure 10 shows a passport security with a built-in contactless chip;

Figure 11 shows the marking of motor vehicles against theft;

Figure 12 shows a multi-step encrypted marking protected by a material code.

Examples of carrying out the invention

In FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a markup with encrypted embedded information in small elements (dots). (1) shows a multi-step encrypted marking representing laser microperforation of openings on paper. By displacing eight openings along the “X” and “Y” axes, an eight-digit number is embedded, while (2) is a multi-step encrypted marking with five eight-eight digit numbers embedded in the same way. It can be seen from (1) and (2) that the amount of embedded information is very limited, and even a small increase leads to a drastic change in the form and appearance of the marking, as well as to the second case to even difficult visual recognition, in this case the last sign, viz. the number "3" is not recognized at all. Marking (3) is the same visible marking “153” with encrypted information embedded in small marking points. The marking retains its shape and appearance and is easy and convenient for recognition and machine reading, with the amount of embedded information exceeding by several orders of magnitude the ones in (1) and (2). The magnification (5) of the fragment (4) of the marking (3) shows the many small elements (points) (6) with different changes (modulations) on them, by means of a different geometric shape for each such very small element (point). Twenty-seven different geometric shapes were used in the case, which for the fragment alone (4) of the eleven elements gives II ²⁷ combinations, even in this simplified example. Practically and theoretically the number of possible geometric shapes and combinations is unlimited. Depending on the number of elements E and the number of modulations on them M, variations without repetition are given by the formula E! / (E-M) !, and the number of combinations without repetition by the formula E! / (M! * (Е-M) )!).

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. The marking is made by laser engraving on metal. (1) shows a laser engraved serial number without

66377 Bl embedded encrypted information, while (2) is a multi-step encrypted marking with one personalizing twelve digit number by offsetting the characters (letters and numbers) of the serial number in a horizontal plane along the "X" and "Y" axes, and (3) is a multi-step encrypted tag with three customizable twelve digit numbers embedded through character shifting, character rotation, and character increment / reduction. From (2) and (3) one can clearly see the restriction on the volume of the encrypted information embedded, and its threefold increase in (3) compared to (2) leads to a drastic change in the appearance of the marking and to the difficulty of its machine reading and recognition - optical character recognition (OCR), unlike marking (4). The marking (4) is a marking of the same serial number, encrypted in small elements (points) of the marking. The appearance of the mark (4) is similar to that of (1). As the fragment (5) of the marking (4) is enlarged, in this case it is part of the last digit, the enlargement (6) of the encrypted small elements (points) (7) of the marking (4) which are realized by engraving in the marks of the marking, of much smaller figures of different shapes. This allows only a few dozen different customization numbers to be embedded in the fragment (5) in question, using an encryption table (8), where each element (point) corresponds to a specific twelve digit number.

The following embodiment of FIG. 4 presents the stability of the marking by encryption in small items (spots) of smudging, wear and erasure. Certain small elements (points) (2) of each mark of the mark (1) are modulated in a specific way for the respective mark. In the specific example for the number “1” these elements (dots) have the form of the number one, for the figure “5” the shape of a pentagon, and for the figure “3” the other specific figure. The elements (points) (2) are selected for each character so that they are placed in different places in the corresponding mark of the mark (1).

The modulations on these small elements (points) are not repeated for any other small element (point) of the marking (1). Accordingly, their type, modulation type and arrangement of these elements (points) are recorded in a database indexed, both by the visible number of the marking, in the case of “153”, and by the individual characters, ie. to digit "1" corresponds to modulation represented by the form of the element (point) in the form of the number one, to "5" in the form of a pentagon, etc.

Due to contamination or wear, the marking (1) becomes (3). The marking is completely broken and its appearance cannot be determined and established. Subsequent detailed examination of the marking (3) determines the type and location of its encrypted small elements (points) (2) and, through the feedback in the database, the marking itself, respectively, from the element which is the number one following "1" is restored, from the pentagon follows "5" and so on, and hence the entire marking "153".

In FIG. 5 presents another exemplary embodiment of the present invention with respect to the capabilities afforded in the protection of a product (2) subject to protection, verification and certification by several independent institutions (1). The product (2) is labeled (3) with encryption in small elements (dots). Each institution O _p O ₂ ... O _N defines the modulations of certain elements (points) (4), (5) ... (6) independently of one another, such as the location, type of modulation, image and structure of the product around the relevant elements (points) for each institution of O, O, ... O _N is recorded in the corresponding DB database _{] (} DB ₂ ... DB _N , containing information relating to the organization's database only to the relevant elements (points) of the marking (3) defined by it, respectively (4) for O _p (5) for O ₂ and (6) for O _N. Thus each of the institutes tions has its own independent unique personalization, unknown to other institutions, through which it can authenticate and verify the originality of the product, thus, even if there is a breakthrough in the protection of any institution 0 ,, 0, ... Ο _Ν which will compromise her unique personalization, this will not affect,

66377 Bl in general the protective properties of the marking (3), because the unique customizations defined by other institutions are valid and hence the validity and originality of the product can be easily established.

In the specific case, the protected product may be, for example, a euro banknote of a certain denomination, and the institutions concerned may be the European Central Bank and the central banks of the countries printing and holding that national currency.

The present embodiment of FIG. 6 shows the implementation of the present invention at a nano level, i. at the nano size of the encryption of the information in the small elements (points) of the unique multilevel encryption marking (1), where certain small elements (points) (2) are executed, such as images (3) formed at the nano level of elements smaller than 1 micrometer, these images serve to encrypt the information and protect the mark. In the particular example, certain elements (points) or at a particular place are formed as nano-level markers (3) on the same marking and with the same information recorded therein (4).

In this way, the information embedding process is compacted and miniaturized, which gives even greater security and reliability. Nano-level encryption is done by a managed nano-brush and can be read by AFM - Atomic Force Microscopy

The unique encryption marking thus obtained (1) can be applied to a thin layer or security elements such as kinograms, holograms, etc., where it is affixed on the inside and after the security element (5) is affixed to the product (6). between the product and the safety element, thus protecting against aging and wear and tear, while being verifiable and verifiable.

In another embodiment of FIG. 12 shows the ability of a material code to protect encrypted marking in very small element points from its very accurate imitation-cloning. When affixed to the encrypted marking (1), the structure of the material of the product shall be recorded in and around certain elements (points) or group of elements (points) (2) of the marking, which are located at different places from the marking, representing unique identifiers of the protected product are stored in a database and serve to uniquely and indisputably identify the originality of the mark. Even in the case of contamination, deterioration or partial destruction, some of them are retained (3) and thus the unique marking can be uniquely and indisputably identified and verified after comparing the retained element with the one previously recorded in the database.

Each product has specific information that uniquely refers to it, such as serial number, product number, make and model, document number, and identifiers for its intended purpose, such as the denomination for payment documents, etc. In most cases, this information is affixed in such a way to the product of the security object itself that it can be easily identified, read and identified because it is of such a nature that it plays an important role for the object of protection itself or for the functions that performs. The payment document (1) of FIG. 7, contains in itself its denomination (2) and series (3) clearly accessible to each user, which is different for each individual document. The same document is protected by a unique multi-step encrypted mark (4) protected by a material code. In multilevel encryption, by changing certain elements, the face value and the series of the payment document are embedded, in this case, the very small elements (points) of group (5) encrypt the face value, and by those of group (6) the series of document. The marking itself is realized as a perforation on the document.

The following exemplary embodiment relates to the protection of personal identification documents, with multi-level encrypted marking, protected by a material code, and the personal biometric information of their holder is incorporated into the marking. The identity document (1) of FIG. 8 is an ID card made of plastic material, the material being Teslin, PVC, PET, Polycarbonate and other materials used in the card industry

66377 Blria. After or during the process of personalization of the identity card concerned, i. applying it on a picture of the holder, his data, etc., the unique encrypted marking (2) is affixed to the card. The same applies to a passport (3). The encrypted marking (2) may be in the form of a logo or other mark (4) of the issuer of the respective identity document, or in the form of a marked image of the holder of the document (5). The magnification (6) and (7) respectively of (4) and (5) show the implementation of the biometric information by modulating the marking elements (8) and (9), respectively, by the distribution of the marking areas and / or the sequence of these elements determines what type of biometric information is recorded. Biometric information includes specific features of the wearer, such as eye and hair color, nose shape, lips and ears, scarring, height, weight, etc., as well as fingerprints and other prints embedded in the encrypted marking as described above. modulations and modifications of its elements. In this case, the elements of group (10) refer to eye color, (11) nose shape, (12) hair color, etc. In this way, biometric information is securely and securely encrypted, which is also protected against forgery and manipulation and is not affected by electromagnetic radiation.

The encrypted marking itself can be affixed to the personal document through various forms of printing, laser engraving at (1), laser or other perforation on (3).

The latest trends in personal identity documents refer to the so-called electronic document - ePassport, elD card, which is related to the presence of an electronic device embedded in the document, which contains information about the holder and about the identity document itself, which is read and checked, to establish the authenticity of the document, with built-in contact and contactless chips (RFID) in identity documents currently popular. They contain important personal biometric information about the holder, such as fingerprint, photo in electronic form, etc., which serve to verify the owner of the document and is subject to very successful forgery, manipulation and tampering. This information can be protected as follows, namely for the identity card (1) of FIG. 9, which has a built-in contact chip (2) using a mathematical hash function to calculate the hash value of the information stored on the chip itself, characteristic of the hash functions, is that even changing one bit of information in the input stream leads to the calculation of a different function value. The hash thus calculated is embedded in the encrypted markup (3) by modifying the markup elements. The encrypted marking itself (3) can only cover the contact surface of the chip itself or both the chip and the card at the same time and is laser laser engraved.

In the absence of a contactless chip, the protection is carried out as for the passport (1) in FIG. 10, incorporating a contactless chip (2) with a unique identifier (4) embedded in the cover, by printing the unique multi-step encrypted marking (3) incorporating the unique chip identifier, which subsequently serves to verify the originality of the chip and the recorded information, or in another embodiment, the passport (1) with a chip (2) having an identifier (4) is calculated by the hash value of the information thereon, which is embedded in the unique multi-step encrypted marking (5) representing the perforation of an image on the document .

Then, during the verification process, the encrypted marking and the information embedded therein is read, the hash value of the information on the chip is calculated by the corresponding hash function, and the two values are compared with the marking and the calculated ones, and coincidentally we have the reliability of the chip information, otherwise the case is manipulated and altered.

The same applies to any product containing the RFID (RFID) tag, or NFC (Near Field Communication) device or other type of chip, processor, memory, or electronic device on which the product information, its intended use is recorded. and operation or other important product information, such as a bank payment card that has an integrated chip that

66377 Bl marks with a unique multilevel encrypted marking with a unique chip identifier built into it and the card is only used for pre-validating the chip by marking it. This prevents counterfeiting and especially the creation of a duplicate of the bank card, or better known as a cloning of the card for the purpose of criminally withdrawing funds through it.

Another embodiment of the present invention is the protection of vehicles against theft. All cars have a frame number that serves to identify it. When a car is stolen, this number is changed, manipulated and falsified, the vehicle is repainted, thus facilitating subsequent traffic, sale and registration of the vehicle. Therefore, many exterior and interior parts have been massively required to be additionally marked, most commonly by a different number, the registration number of the vehicle or part or whole frame number. The markings created in this way are not protected and can be replaced, tampered with or forged, which makes the marking itself meaningless. This can be prevented by multiple external and internal parts of the vehicle (1) in FIG. 11 are marked with a multi-step encrypted marking (2) protected by a code from the material containing the information about the vehicle and / or its owner, and / or the authorized marker, the marking being carried out by mechanical, laser, chemical, sandblasting, abrasive or other type of marking. The encrypted markings thus obtained cannot be falsified, manipulated or imitated and serve to trace and identify the marked motor vehicle in case of theft and facilitate the process of tracing and tracing.

Claims

Claims (5)

1. Encrypted security and authentication marking of products incorporating, at one or more levels, independent, encrypted information generated from one or more sources, characterized in that encrypted information is embedded in certain or in each element of the marking. obtained by modulating and modifying the marking elements, these elements being in the order of millimeters, micrometers and / or nanometers. Encrypted marking according to claim 1, characterized in that the marking also includes a security representing a code from the product material in and around the marking elements. Encrypted marking according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the encrypted marking contains information relating to the protected product, which is characteristic of it and / or its purpose and application. Security of personal identification documents by encrypted marking according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the marking contains embedded encrypted biometric information for the holder of the protected document, the marking being perforation, engraving, printing or other image on the document. 5. Protection of a product comprising an integrated contact, non-contact, RFID for radio frequency identification, NFC for close communication or other type of chip, processor, memory or electronic device, by encrypted marking according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a unique identifier for the chip and / or the information recorded thereon is embedded in the encrypted marking. 6. The protection of motor vehicles against theft by encrypted marking according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the marking includes information about the vehicle and / or its owner and / or the authorized marker. 7. A method of protecting and authenticating products by encrypting the marking, incorporating, at one or many levels, independent encrypted information generated from one or more sources, by means of a controllable marking element, characterized in that the encryption is in the marking is carried out by modulation and modification of the marking elements, these dimensions being in the order of millimeters, micrometers and / or nanometers. 66377 Bl A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the marking element is a laser marking system, an electron beam, an ion beam, a printing element, an inkjet element, a nano-brush matrix or a mechanical marking head. A method according to claims 7 and 8, characterized in that, when affixing the encrypted marking, the modulation, shape, location of certain elements or groups of elements of the marking and the structure of the material of the product in and around are recorded, records in the database the subsequent restoration of part or all of the marking and to identify the originality of the marking, even when it is smudged, erased or contaminated. Method according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the varnish, its elements and around them is coated with UV lacquer and then dried to give a protective 10 layer above, around and in the elements of the marking.