CH705691A2 - System for tracing banknotes comprises a primary identification code on a support with several Latin alphabet characters - Google Patents

Abstract

System (100) comprises at least one primary identification code (3, 3') associated with a piece of information and at least one support (2) with the primary identification code such as a banknote (21). The code comprises a predetermined number of Latin alphabet characters each with a color and\or color tone and taken from a Q set. An independent claim is included for a process of acquiring and decoding the data and a process for providing and detecting a code linked to a garment or accessory.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention concerns the field of data storage and encoding / decoding.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to the field of storage and coding / decoding of data in applications connected to the traceability of the product on which a code is placed and to product counterfeiting.

[0003] Still more particularly, the present invention concerns the field of data encoding / decoding storage on banknotes.

TECHNIQUE NOTE

[0004] To date, in order to avoid the falsification of banknotes, attempts have been made to complicate and make the reproducibility of the same as complex as possible, making printing difficult.

[0005] For this purpose it is known to act with particular watermarks and / or complex printing techniques.

[0006] It is also known to print banknotes with superimposed oleographic stamps.

[0007] The Applicant has observed that even if the above systems can be complex, they can be reproduced and therefore do not exclude the reproducibility and falsification of banknotes.

[0008] The Applicant has therefore found the need to provide a system and a process for storing and encoding / decoding data, in particular on banknotes, which eliminates the aforementioned problems and at the same time makes traceability possible. of the object on which the identification code is placed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Therefore, in a first aspect of the invention the invention relates to a data storage and encoding / decoding system comprising: - at least one first visual code associated with at least one information; - at least one support comprising the said first identification code; characterized in that said first identification code comprises a plurality of characters in the Latin alphabet; each character presenting at least one color and / or at least one color tone.

[0010] The present invention, in the aforementioned aspect, can have at least one of the preferred characteristics which are described below.

[0011] Advantageously, the first identification code comprises a plurality of characters exclusively belonging to the Latin alphabet.

[0012] Preferably, the support is a banknote.

[0013] Advantageously, the first identification code comprises a predetermined number n of characters of the Latin alphabet taken from a predetermined set Q.

[0014] Advantageously, I ’set Q comprises at least four different characters of the Latin alphabet, preferably at least fifteen different characters.

[0015] Preferably, n> 2.

[0016] Conveniently, the first identification code is represented on said support with a plurality of characters of the Latin alphabet arranged according to a predetermined shape.

[0017] Preferably, the support comprises at least one second identification code.

[0018] Advantageously, the second identification code comprises an alpha-numeric matrix m x I associated with a representation portion of the banknote and / or a specific decorative element of the banknote; m being the number of rows and I the number of columns of said matrix m X I; the matrix being associated as a function of a statistical distribution.

[0019] Preferably, the statistical distribution is a statistical distribution of colors and / or tones of predetermined colors present in at least one sub-portion of said image which identifies a representation portion of the banknote and / or a specific decorative element of the banknote.

[0020] Alternatively, the statistical distribution is a statistical distribution of the geometric orientation of the pixels present in at least one sub-portion of said image which identifies a representation portion of the banknote and / or a specific decorative element of the banknote.

[0021] Advantageously, the data storage and encoding / decoding system comprises: - at least one optical sensor for detecting said visual code; - at least one computerized device interfaceable with said optical detection sensor; - at least one main unit communicating with said optical sensor to recognize the first and second identification codes.

[0022] Preferably, the main unit comprises at least one main server connected to the internet.

[0023] Advantageously, the optical sensor comprises at least one scanner.

[0024] Preferably, the main server is connected to a server of a monetary authority and / or to the server of a public security body.

[0025] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a process for acquiring and decoding data through a system as described above, said process comprising the steps of: -a) providing at least one support provided with at least one first identification code and at least one secondary visual code; -b) acquiring at least one image of said support; -c) process the image to obtain information; characterized in that step c) processing the image to obtain information comprises the steps of: c1) detecting the first identification code from the acquired image; c2) searching for the first identification code in at least one data file of said main unit comprising a plurality of first identification codes each associated with a predetermined information; c3) stop the search when the first wanted identification code coincides with one of the first identification codes stored in said data file; c4) to make the decoded information accessible. Preferably, the image processing step to obtain information includes the steps of: d) scan the image (23) to detect the presence of a second identification code (6); e) generating an alpha-numeric matrix (18) m x I associated with a representation portion of the support and / or with a specific decorative element of the support (2); m being the number of rows and I the number of columns of the said matrix (18) m X I; said matrix (18) being associated as a function of a statistical distribution; f) checking if the alpha-numeric matrix (18) m x I represents a second predetermined identification code (6).

[0026] Advantageously, step d) scanning the image (23) to detect the presence of a second identification code (6) i comprises the steps of: d1) decomposing the said image (23) into portions (60); d2) for each portion (60) to discriminate the presence or absence of a representation portion (15) of the support and / or of a specific decorative element (16) of the support (2) according to the shape and / or contours of said representation portion (15) and / or a specific decorative element (16).

[0027] Preferably the step of e) generating an alpha-numeric matrix (18) m x I comprises the steps of: and1) superimposing a predetermined grid of cells on said support; s being equal to the number of the cells of the matrix m x I that we want to generate, each cell being uniquely associated with a portion of the image; e2) for each cell to generate a representative histogram of a statistical distribution; e3) associate a number or an alphabetical letter to each generated histogram; e4) place each number in the corresponding cell of the grid creating the matrix m x I;

[0028] Preferably the step of f) checking if the alpha-numeric matrix m x I represents a second predetermined identification code comprises: f1) searching for the matrix generated in said step e) in at least one data file connected to said main server comprising a plurality of second identification codes each associated with a support; f2) stopping the search when the generated alpha-numeric matrix coincides with one of the codes of the second identification codes stored in said data file or if the generated alpha-numeric matrix does not coincide with any of the second identification codes stored in said data file ( 17).

[0029] Advantageously the phase of e3) associating a number or an alphabetical letter to each generated histogram includes: e3.1) searching for the histogram generated in at least one data file comprising a plurality of histograms each associated with a number or an alphabetical letter; e3.2) stop the search when the generated histogram substantially coincides with one of the histograms stored in the said data file; e3.4) confirm the correspondence between the generated histogram and an alphabetical number or letter.

[0030] Conveniently, step a) providing at least one support provided with a code of a first identification code comprises a step al) of associating at least one information to said first identification code.

[0031] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the detailed description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a process and a data storage and encoding / decoding system according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] This description will be set forth below with reference to the appended drawings, provided for indicative purposes only and, therefore, not limiting, in which: <tb> - fig. 1 is a schematic view of a data storage and encoding / decoding system according to the present invention; <tb> - fig. 2a, 2b, 2c, show three alternative embodiments of three first identification codes according to the present invention; <tb> - fig. 3 is a schematic view of a support, specifically a banknote, comprising the first and second identification codes according to the present invention; <tb> - fig. 4a <sep> is a schematic of a step of the process according to the present invention in which the system analyzes the acquired image to discriminate the presence of specific two-dimensional shapes shown on the banknote with respect to pre-stored models; <tb> -the fig. 4b is a schematic of a phase of the process according to the present invention in which a histogram is generated representative of a statistical distribution of a given characteristic, orientation color, of the pixels of a portion of the image; is <tb> - fig. 4c <sep> is a schematic representation of a phase of the process according to the invention in which an identification matrix is generated by associating a number or an alphabetical letter with each generated histogram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0033] With reference to figs 1-4c, a system for storing and encoding / decoding data associated with a product according to the present invention, is identified with the reference number 100.

[0034] The system 100, as shown in fig. 1, has at least one first identification code 3, 3 ́ associated with at least one information and at least one support 2 comprising the first identification code 3, 3 ́.

[0035] The information can be any information connected to the product for example in the case of banknotes 21 the information can be connected to the uniqueness of the banknote 21 and be useful information to its traceability, such as for example the place of production , and if active or not.

[0036] In detail with reference to fig. 1, the support 2 is a banknote 21 which shows two first identification codes 3, 3 ́. The first identification codes 3, 3 ́ reproduced on banknote 21 provide, in this case, information on the uniqueness and authenticity of the banknote 21.

[0037] The first visual code 3, 3 ́ consists of a plurality of characters 4 of the Latin alphabet, preferably of characters 4 of the colored Latin alphabet.

[0038] Preferably, the characters 4 representing the first identification code 3, 3 ́ have different colors or color tones.

[0039] In detail, each character 4 can have at least one color or at least one color tone.

[0040] The characters 4 of the same first identification code 3, 3 ́ can therefore present all colors and / or tones of different colors or some characters may have the same color and / or color tone.

[0041] The first identification code 3, 3 ́ presents exclusively characters in the Latin alphabet. In other words, there are no numeric characters or other alphabets.

[0042] Preferably, the first identification code 3, 3 ́ comprises a predetermined number n of characters of the Latin alphabet taken from a set Q.

[0043] The set Q comprises at least four different characters 4, preferably at least fifteen different characters 4, even more preferably twenty-six different characters 4, that is all the letters from A to Z which constitute the Latin alphabet.

[0044] Potentially, 26n combinations are therefore possible only based on the shape of the characters.

[0045] Preferably, the first identification code 3, 3 ́ present on the banknote 21 has a number n> 2 of characters of the Latin alphabet.

[0046] It should be remembered that the traditional bar code has a number n of distinct characters equal to 2 the solid bar (generally represented in black) and the empty bar (generally white provided between two black).

[0047] Generally, the first identification code 3, 3 ́ is represented on the banknote 21 with an arrangement of characters of the Latin alphabet arranged according to a predetermined sequence, ordered or disordered.

[0048] In other words, the first identification code 3, 3 ́ is represented on the support 2 according to at least one line and / or at least one row and / or a column of characters 4 of the Latin alphabet arranged according to a predetermined shape.

[0049] In detail in fig. 1, the identification code 3 is represented on the banknote 21 according to a line or row of characters of the Latin alphabet while the first code 3 ́ is represented on the banknote 21 according to a 4x4 matrix composed therefore of four lines and four columns of characters 4.

[0050] In figs 2a-2c are shown by way of example some examples of representations of identification code 3, 3 ́. In detail, in fig. 2a, the identification code 3 extrapolated from banknote 21 is represented by a line of characters 4, while in fig. 2 the identification code 3 is represented by two columns of characters 4 of the Latin alphabet. Finally, in fig. 2b the first identification code 3 ́ is represented by a 4 x 4 matrix of characters 4.

[0051] The characters 4 shown in fig. 2a and 2bs are basically different from each other in color, in other words within the same first identification code 3, 3 caratteri characters 4 do not have colors and / or tones of the same color. Preferably, the characters of the Latin alphabet 4 of the same first code 3, 3 ́ have colors and / or color tones different from one another.

[0052] The different colors and / or color tones of the characters of the Latin alphabet increase the possibility of combining the characters 4 of the first identification code 3.3. In other words, two first identification codes 3.3 ́ represented graphically by the exact same sequence of characters of the Latin alphabet, but whose letters have different colors or color tones are two first different identification codes.

[0053] With reference to fig. 1, the system 100 also has at least one optical sensor 5 for detecting the identification code and at least one main unit 7 communicating with the optical sensor 5 to recognize the identification codes.

[0054] For this purpose, the system 100 can further comprise at least one computerized device 15 interfaceable with the optical sensor 5 for communicating with the main unit 7, through a connection network, preferably by telephone, for example through an internet connection. .

[0055] In the case of fig. 1, as optical sensor 5, a scanner interfaced to a PC (personal computer) representing the computerized device 15 is provided.

[0056] Alternatively, as an optical sensor 5 a camera of a cellular telephone could be provided, the optical sensor 5 in this case would be directly interfaced and integrated with the computerized device 15 contained in the cellular phone, and would be connectable to the internet.

[0057] Still with reference to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the main unit 7 comprises at least one main server 27 and at least one data archive 17 in connection with the telephone network, and therefore connected to the internet.

[0058] Alternatively, different communication means could be present between the main unit 7 and the optical sensor 5, and the two could be integrated in a single device.

[0059] The main unit 7, as shown in the embodiment shown in the figure is in communication with a secondary unit 37 of a monetary authority and / or a public security body, such as a police service.

[0060] The secondary unit 37 in turn has a secondary server 47 and possibly at least one data file 57.

[0061] The system 100 according to the present invention allows to associate and make available, if decoded, a very high number of information regarding the banknote and its authenticity.

[0062] To decode the data shown on the banknote, it is necessary to acquire at least one image, for example with the camera of a mobile phone or as an example with a scanner 5 as shown in fig. 1.

[0063] Once the image of banknote 21 has been acquired and transferred to the computerized device 15, it must be processed to obtain information from the main unit 7.

[0064] To process the acquired image 23, the computerized device 15 will communicate with the main server 27 of the system 100 which will search inside the data archive 17, such as a database, to find the first identification code 3, 3 .

[0065] In other words, the main server 27 will search for the first identification code 3, 3 ́ detected in a data file 17 comprising a plurality of identification codes 3, 3 ́.

[0066] The main server 7 will stop the search when the first identification code 3, 3 ́ sought coincides with one of the identification codes 3, 3 ́ stored in the data archive 17.

[0067] OCR or other known techniques are used to detect and recognize the first identification code 3, 3 ́ and for this reason they are not further specified.

[0068] In particular, of every first code 3.3 ́ every single character 4 is detected and every single character is searched in the data archive 17 to see if it corresponds to a pre-stored character, in other words the archive 17 functions as a vocabulary pre-taught to the system 100.

[0069] In the case in which the first identification code 3, 3 ́ presents a pluralist of colored characters 4, the decoding of the code implies the analysis also of this information, in other words each character 4 will be identified as well as by its form also by its color and / or color tone.

[0070] For this purpose, for each character a histogram is generated representative of the statistical distribution of colors or tones of predetermined colors present, on the said image 23, in a neighborhood of the character 4.

[0071] At this point the histogram generated with a plurality of pre-stored histograms in the data archive 17 is compared. The search will stop when the histogram less distant from the generated histogram will be found in data archive 17.

[0072] In other words, the one in which the rectangles of the histogram present a height that is as little as possible from the generated one is chosen as a pre-memorized histogram.

[0073] In this way, the main server 27, through the combination of the shapes and the colors of the characters 4, identifies the information associated with the first identifying code 3,3 ed searched and sends the information to the computerized device 5 which detected the 'image containing the first visual code 3.3 ́ to be decoded.

[0074] Specifically, the main server 27 identifies whether the first code identifying code 3 ́3 corresponds to an authentic banknote 21 and the information connected to it.

[0075] After receiving this information through a display (video) of the computerized device 5, it is accessible to the person who requested it.

[0076] It will therefore be possible in real time to obtain information on the banknote 21, for example on its falsity or not and / or on its origin.

[0077] In fig. 3 shows the system 100 of fig. 1 in which the banknote has at least one second identification code 6.

[0078] The second identification code 6 is represented by a specific decorative element 16 of the banknote 21 or by a portion of any representation 15 of the banknote 21 to which an alpha-numeric matrix 18 has been associated.

[0079] By way of example for representation portion 15, any of the banknote 21 can be intended, with reference to fig. 3, a portion of the small temple 24, a column thereof 25 or an arc thereof 26.

[0080] Still by way of example and with reference to fig. 3, for a specific decorative element 16 of the banknote 21 can be intended a star 32 of the European union.

[0081] The specific decorative element 16, the representation portion 15 of the banknote and / or the alpha-numeric matrix 18 having been pre-taught to the system 100.

[0082] The alpha-numeric matrix 18 is a matrix m X I where m is the number of rows and I is the number of columns of said matrix m X I.

[0083] The alpha-numeric matrix mx I is associated with a specific decorative element 16 of the banknote 21 or with a portion of representation 15 of the banknote 21 as a function of the geometric distribution of the pixels of the specific decorative element 16 and / or of the portion of representation 15 of banknote 21. Alternatively, the alphanumeric matrix 18 mx I is associated with a specific decorative element 16 of the banknote 21 or with a portion of representation 15 of the banknote 21 according to the statistical distribution of colors and / or tones of predetermined colors of the pixels present in the photographic representation and of defining the specific decorative element 16 and / or the representation portion 16 of the banknote 21.

[0084] The alpha-numeric matrix mx I comprises a plurality of cells 19, each cell 19 comprises at least one alphabet number or letter, each alphabet letter or number of each cell 19 being uniquely associated with a specific one statistical distribution histogram.

[0085] According to a first embodiment, the histogram is a statistical distribution histogram of the orientation of the pixels of the specific decorative element 16 or of a representation portion 15 of banknote 21 represented on a photographic image 23.

[0086] In other words, taking a sub-portion 61 of photographic image 23 of the banknote 21 which identifies the specific decorative element 16 or simply a portion of representation 15 of the banknote 21, the statistical distribution of the pixels of this portion is analyzed.

[0087] In the case in which the statistical distribution is the statistical distribution of the geometric orientation of the pixels, the angular arrangement of each pixel of this portion of image 23 is controlled.

[0088] The statistical distribution allows me to associate a specific histogram of a specific sub-portion 61 of banknote 21 and consequently of a specific decorative element 16 shown in said portion.

[0089] The histogram, the conventionally chosen number or letter is the association between the two having been pre-taught to the 100 system.

[0090] Alternatively, the histogram could be a statistical distribution histogram of colors and / or color tones of at least one portion of image 23 which contains the specific decorative element 16 or a portion of representation 15 of the banknote 21.

[0091] The portion of representation 15 of the banknote 21 or a specific decorative element 16 of the same defined by a portion of the image 23 and identified by a cell 19 is associated with a particular distribution of colors or tones of color. In other words, a distribution which indicates how often a color or color tone is encountered on the representation portion 15 of the banknote 21 or on a specific decorative element 16 of the banknote itself.

[0092] In detail, a distribution which indicates how often a color or color tone is encountered in a particular cell 19 which identifies a portion of representation 15 of a banknote 21 or a specific decorative element 16 of banknote 21. More in detail, the number of pixels within the cell 19 that have a predetermined color or color tone.

[0093] The predetermined color or color tone is a color or color tone defined in a certain range of the visible light spectrum.

[0094] Each predetermined color or color tone is therefore preferably identified by a particular range of wavelengths or frequencies.

[0095] As an example, it is possible to choose three tones of red: the first for frequencies between 430 and 445 THz, the second for frequencies between 446 and 465 THz and the third for frequencies between 466 and 480 THz.

[0096] Whenever a pixel of a color recognizable in one of the aforementioned ranges will be encountered inside the cell 19, this pixel will increase by a predefined value, for example one, the total value of the pixels present in the cell 19 and having that color, thus generating a specific histogram.

[0097] The particular distribution of colors and / or color tones, represented by a specific histogram, is associated with a particular number or alphabetical letter conventionally chosen and pre-designed to the system 100.

[0098] The system 100 illustrated above lends itself particularly well to making it simple and easy to find information on the falsity or otherwise of a banknote and its origin.

[0099] The second identification code 6 increases the security of the system 100 and of the process according to the present invention.

[0100] In order for the process to be implemented it is necessary for a plurality of banknotes 21 to be provided which show at least a first identification code 3.3 ́ and that at least one of their portions of representation and / or their decorative element has been pre-taught to system as second identification code 6.

[0101] At this point, any person, for example a teller of a business, a bank or a judicial and / or economic entity or authority, will be able to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the banknote 21.

[0102] In other words, any person coming into contact with a banknote 21 will, for example, want to verify authenticity, must acquire at least one image 23 through an optical detection device 4, such as a camera or a camera. interfaceable with a computerized device 5 or alternatively a scanner 4 interfaced with a computerized device 5.

[0103] Once image 23 has been acquired, it must be processed to obtain information, in other words if the first code 3, 3 ́ and the second code 6 correspond to codes pre-taught to the system 100 and then recorded in one of its data archives 17 or database.

[0104] For this purpose, as shown in fig. 1, the optical device 4, in the specific case a scanner, which is interfaced with the computerized device 5 and connectable to the internet, detects an image 23 or a sequence of images 23.

[0105] The image 23 detected is scanned by the computerized device 5 to detect the presence of first identification codes 3, 3 ́ and second identification codes 6.

[0106] In particular, to implement this operation or scanning step in order to trace first identification codes 3, 3 ́ refer to what previously explained, while to trace second identification codes 6, the acquired image 23 is broken down into portions 60 , superimposing a grid 67 on the image itself, as shown in fig. 3.

[0107] The portions 60 are portions which preferably have the same shape and size, for example as shown in fig. 3, of squares.

[0108] For each portion 60 the presence or absence of a specific shape, preferably two-dimensional, detected on a portion of banknote 21 is discriminated.

[0109] For example one of the stars 23 present on the banknote 21 of fig. 3 or a portion of the small temple 24, a column 25 thereof, an arc thereof 26.

[0110] To discriminate the presence or absence of a specific decorative element 16 and / or a representation portion 15 of a banknote 21 pre-taught to the system 100 in a portion 60 of the image 23, all the pixels of this portion are analyzed with known technologies and methods, for example based on HOG technologies, so as to highlight the contours and / or the shape of the objects present in the portion 60, as shown in fig. 4a.

[0111] The contour and / or shape of the specific decorative element 16 and / of the representation portion 15 of banknote 21 are compared with pre-stored shapes and objects present in a data archive 17 which can be contained in the main unit 7 or in an application program present in the computerized device 5.

[0112] If the server 27 looking in the data archive 17 recognizes in the detected form a pre-stored form in the same archive, it confirms the presence of a pre-stored form, otherwise it refuses the form.

[0113] A portion 60 of the image 23 which does not therefore contain any pre-stored form will not be further processed because it is declared to be of no interest.

[0114] If all the portions 60 of the image 23 are found to have no pre-stored forms, the server 27 will send a signal of non-authenticity of the banknote 8 to the computerized device 5.

[0115] If, on the other hand, some portions 60 are selected because they contain pre-stored shapes, these portions will be further subjected to analysis by the system 100.

[0116] In fig. 4a, it can be seen how the computerized device 5 analyzes the image 23 acquired and in fig. 4b, as in particular of a portion 60, confirms the presence of a pre-memorized shape, that is to say a portion of temple 24.

[0117] In fig. 4c shows how an identification matrix is generated at the sub-section 61 of the image 23.

[0118] The main unit 7 confirms the presence of a pre-stored form because it has recognized its outline as a pre-stored boundary in the database 17 of the system 100.

[0119] At this point, an alpha-numeric matrix m x I is generated associated with each pre-stored form of the banknote 21 as a function of a statistical distribution.

[0120] For example as a function of the statistical distribution of the orientation of the pixels that constitute the pre-stored form, ie of the pixels present in the sub-section 61 of the image 23.

[0121] Then with reference to the example of fig. 1, the system 100 will generate an 18 mx I matrix, for the pre-stored form tied to a portion of the temple 24-26 or for example to a star 32. Instead, matrices 18 will not be generated for the other two-dimensional shapes present on the banknote 21 .

[0122] To generate an alpha-numeric matrix 18, m x l associated with each pre-memorized form, the system 100 superimposes a predetermined grid of s cells 19 to said pre-stored form; s being equal to the number of the cells 19 of the matrix 18 m x I which it is desired to generate, each cell 19 being uniquely associated with a sub-portion 61 of the portion 60 of the image 23.

[0123] By a predetermined grid of s cells 19 we mean that having recognized the type of pre-stored form in the previous phase, the system superimposes on that particular pre-stored form, an 18 m x I matrix, with a predetermined number of rows m and columns I.

[0124] As an example, having recognized the presence of a temple column 25, the system will associate a 3x3 matrix to the temple column 25, while in the case of another part of the temple a different matrix, for example a 4 x 4 matrix, and so on.

[0125] In other words, the system 100 has previously memorized a certain type of matrix 18 with a predetermined number of rows m and columns n for each specific decorative element 16 and for each portion of representation 15 of banknote 21.

[0126] At this point, for each cell 19 of the matrix 18 a histogram is generated which is representative of the statistical distribution of the geometric orientation of the pixels represented in this cell and which represent a portion of the pre-stored form.

[0127] In other words, how many pixels in each cell 19 are arranged so as to form a certain angle measured with respect to a reference line taken for comfort lying on the plane of the photographic image 23 and horizontal.

[0128] As an example, there will be four pixels arranged at angles of 0 °, ten pixels arranged at angles of 30 °, twenty pixels at 45 ° and so on. In this way a histogram is formed representative of the geometric orientation of the pixels of a specific sub-portion 61.

[0129] The specific histogram is conventionally associated with a number or a letter of the alphabet, for example of the Latin alphabet.

[0130] Alternatively, a histogram representative of the statistical distribution of colors and / or predetermined color tones present in said cell 19 in which said colors and / or color tones meet meet for each cell 19 of the matrix 18.

[0131] To associate a number or an alphabetical letter to each generated histogram, the histogram generated in at least one data archive 17 is searched, including a plurality of histograms, each associated with a predetermined number or alphabetical letter.

[0132] For this purpose, each histogram generated by the analysis of the statistical distribution of the geometric orientation of the pixels of a cell 19 is compared with pre-stored histograms present in a database that can be contained in the main unit 7 or alternatively in a present application program in the computerized system 15 itself.

[0133] The search is stopped when the generated histogram substantially coincides with one of the histograms stored in the said data file. In this case, the correspondence between the generated histogram and an alphabetical number or letter is confirmed.

[0134] In the data archive 17 the pre-stored histogram is associated with a number or an alphabetical letter conventionally chosen and has been pre-taught to the system 100.

[0135] If the main unit recognizes in the generated histogram a pre-stored histogram in said data file 17, it confirms the correspondence and associates the number stored in data archive 17 with the generated histogram, as shown schematically in fig. 4b.

[0136] To give the system sturdiness and thus reduce the possibility of error, in the recognition phase of the generated histogram with respect to the pre-stored one, the system chooses the histogram which has a shorter distance than the pre-stored one.

[0137] In other words, the one in which the rectangles of the histogram present a height that is as little as possible from the generated one is chosen as a pre-stored histogram.

[0138] Each number is then placed in the corresponding cell 19 of the grid, creating the matrix 18 m x I, as shown in fig.4b.

[0139] At this point, it is checked whether the newly generated alpha-numeric matrix m x I represents a predetermined and pre-stored second identification code 6.

[0140] In other words, the main unit 7 of the system 100 will search for the matrix mx I generated within a data file 17, such as a database, to find a corresponding pre-stored m XI matrix which constitutes the second identification code .

[0141] The main server 27 will stop the search when it searches for the generated matrix m x I coincides with an analogous matrix m X I pre-stored and stored in the data archive 17.

[0142] In this way, the main server 27, together with the first identification code 3,3 ́, identifies the banknote 21 and the information connected to it.

[0143] Once this information is received through the display (video) of the computerized device 5, the person who acquired the image 23 will be able to evaluate the authenticity of the banknote and know the information connected to it.

[0144] The present invention has been described with reference to some embodiments. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described in detail, while remaining within the scope of protection of the invention, defined by the following claims.

Claims (22)

1. System (100) for storing and encoding / decoding data including: - at least one first identification code (3, 3 ́) associated with at least one information; - at least one support (2) comprising the said first identification code (3; 3 ́); characterized in that said first identification code (3, 3 ́) comprises a plurality of characters in the Latin alphabet; each character presenting at least one color and / or at least one color tone. 2. System for storing and encoding / decoding data according to claim 1, characterized in that said first identification code (3, 3 ́) comprises a plurality of characters exclusively belonging to the Latin alphabet. 3. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said support (2) is a banknote (21). 4. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first identification code (3, 3 ́) comprises a predetermined number n of characters (4) of the Latin alphabet taken from a predetermined set Q. 5. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 4, characterized in that said set Q comprises at least four different characters (4) of the Latin alphabet, preferably at least fifteen different characters (4). 6. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to any one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized in that n> 2. 7. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first visual code (3.3 ́) is represented on said support (2) with a plurality of characters (4 ) of the Latin alphabet arranged according to a predetermined form. 8. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 1, characterized in that said support (2) comprises at least one second identification code (6). 9. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 8, characterized in that according to identification code (6) comprises an alpha-numeric mx I matrix (18) associated with a representation portion of the banknote and / or a specific decorative element of the banknote; m being the number of rows and I the number of columns of the said matrix (18) m X I; said matrix (18) being associated as a function of a statistical distribution. 10. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 9, characterized in that said statistical distribution is a statistical distribution of colors and / or predetermined color tones present in at least one sub-portion (61) of said image (23) which identifies a representation portion of the banknote and / or a specific decorative element of the banknote. 11. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 9, characterized in that said statistical distribution is a statistical distribution of the geometric orientation of the pixels present in at least one sub-portion (61) of said image (23) which identifies a representation portion of the banknote and / or a specific decorative element of the banknote (21). 12. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to any of the previous claims comprising: - at least one optical sensor (5) for detecting said first and second identification codes; - at least one computerized device interfaceable with said optical sensor (5) for detection; - at least one main unit (7) communicating with the said optical sensor (5) to recognize the said first and second identification codes (3, 3 ́, 6). 13. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 12, characterized in that said main unit (7) comprises at least one main server (27) connected to the internet. 14. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 12, characterized in that said optical sensor (5) comprises at least one scanner. 15. Data storage and encoding / decoding system according to claim 13, characterized in that said main server (27) is connected to a server of a monetary authority and / or to the server of a public security body. 16. Process for acquiring and decoding data through a system according to any of the previous claims from 1 to 15, said process comprising the steps of: - a) providing at least one support (2) provided with at least one first identification code (3, 3 ́) and at least one secondary identification code (3); -b) acquiring at least one image (23) of said support (2); - c) process the image (23) to obtain information; characterized in that step c) processing the image (23) to obtain information comprises the steps of: c1) detecting the first identification code (3.3 ́) from the image (23) acquired; c2) searching for the first identification code (3,3 ́) in at least one data archive (17) of said main unit (7) comprising a plurality of first identification codes (3,3 ́) each associated with a predetermined information; c3) stop the search when the first identification code (3,3) searched for coincides with one of the first identification codes (3,3 ́) stored in the said data archive (17); c4) to make the decoded information accessible. 17. Process for acquiring and decoding data according to any of the claims from 16 or 17, characterized in that the image processing step (23) for obtaining information comprises the steps of: d) scan the image (23) to detect the presence of a second identification code (6); e) generating an alpha-numeric matrix (18) m x I associated with a representation portion of the support and / or with a specific decorative element of the support (2); m being the number of rows and I the number of columns of the said matrix (18) m X I; said matrix (18) being associated as a function of a statistical distribution; f) checking if the alpha-numeric matrix (18) m x I represents a second predetermined identification code (6). 18. Process for acquiring and decoding data according to claim 17, characterized in that said step d) scanning the image (23) to detect the presence of a second identification code (6) i comprises the steps of: d1) decomposing the said image (23) into portions (60); d2) for each portion (60) to discriminate the presence or absence of a representation portion (15) of the support and / or of a specific decorative element (16) of the support (2) according to the shape and / or contours of said representation portion (15) and / or a specific decorative element (16). 19. Process for acquiring and decoding data according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that said step of e) generating an aifa-numerical matrix (18) m x I comprises the steps of: and1) superimposing a predetermined grid of cells (19) on said support (2); s being equal to the number of the cells (19) of the matrix (18) m x I which we want to generate, each cell (19) being uniquely associated with a portion of the image (23); e2) for each cell (19) to generate a representative histogram of a statistical distribution; e3) associate a number or an alphabetical letter to each generated histogram; e4) place each number in the corresponding cell (19) of the grid creating the matrix (18) m x I; 20. Process for providing and detecting a unique code associated with a garment and / or an accessory according to claim 16, characterized in that said step of f) checking if the alpha-numeric matrix (18) mx I represents a second code of identification (6) predetermined includes: fi) searching for the matrix (18) generated in said step e) in at least one data archive (17) connected to said main server (27) comprising a plurality of second identification codes (6) each associated with a support (2); f2) stopping the search when the generated alpha-numeric matrix (18) coincides with one of the codes of the second identification codes (6) stored in the said data file (17) or if the generated alpha-numeric matrix does not coincide with any of the seconds identification codes (6) stored in said data archive (17). 21. Process for providing and detecting a unique code associated with a garment and / or an accessory according to claim 19, characterized in that said step of associating a number or an alphabetical letter with each generated histogram comprises: e3.1) searching for the histogram generated in at least one data file comprising a plurality of histograms each associated with a number or an alphabetical letter; e3.2) stop the search when the generated histogram substantially coincides with one of the histograms stored in the said data file; e3.4) confirm the correspondence between the generated histogram and an alphabetical number or letter. 22. Process for acquiring and decoding data according to any of the claims from 16 to 21, characterized in that said step a) provides at least one support (2) provided with a code of a first identification code (3, 3 ́) comprises a step al) of associating at least one information to said first identification code (3, 3 ́).