CH711866B1 - Part with authentication, object incorporating this part, method of making an authenticated part and method of authenticating a part. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a part (2) other than a printable sheet. This part is at least locally coated with a security ink (15) incorporating an authentication code. The invention also relates to a production method which makes it possible to obtain said part and which comprises the following steps: a) a cliché is coated with a security ink (15) incorporating an authentication code, and this cliché is scraped from so as to leave in place the security ink (15) present in at least one indentation formed in the cliché, b) an elastomeric stamp (18) is pressed on the cliché so that the security ink (15 ) present in the intaglio impression is transferred to this pad (18), and c) the pad (18) is pressed on the part (2) so that the security ink (15) is transferred from the pad (18) ) to this part (2).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of techniques for combating harmful practices such as counterfeiting or deception on the manufacturer of a product. More precisely, it concerns a part other than a printable sheet and an object incorporating this part. The invention also relates to a method for producing an authenticated part, as well as a method for authenticating a part, which may in particular be a watch part.

State of the art

It is known to provide passports, identity cards and banknotes with security aimed at discouraging the making of forgery. Guilloche patterns, the use of special inks such as inks invisible in natural light, holograms, numbering and watermarks are examples of securities that can be combined in a secure document or in a banknote. Developed specifically for flexible sheets of paper, such safety devices are not suitable for watches and many other articles whether or not made up of an assembly of parts.

However, in the world, more and more products are copied, then marketed in such a way that one can mistake the identity of the real manufacturer.

[0004] In some cases, illicit copying can affect consumer confidence. Sometimes they can even pose a risk to public health.

[0005] The copied manufacturer very often suffers several damages, including a loss of turnover, a devaluation of its brand or brands and / or after-sales service costs increased by interventions on copies of articles.

Summary of the invention

The invention aims at least to facilitate the fight against clandestine copies of parts or articles, including when the object to be protected against such clandestine copies does not include any sheet of paper, which is by example the case of watches and, more generally, of timepieces.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a part which, although not being a printable sheet, in particular a sheet of paper, is at least locally coated with a security ink incorporating an authentication code .

[0008] To coat the part at least locally with security ink while this part is not a sheet of paper, a specific process described below has been invented.

[0009] For example by means of an electronic analysis and control device, the security ink can preferably be analyzed optically, so that the authentication code that it incorporates is determined. A comparison of this authentication code with one or more predefined codes can then be carried out in order to conclude on the origin of the part.

The security is all the more effective as it is directly linked to the part since it is on this part itself, and not on a packaging or a label.

[0011] The part defined above can incorporate one or more other advantageous characteristics, individually or in combination, in particular from those specified below.

[0012] Advantageously, the authentication code comprises a reflectance spectrum of the security ink.

[0013] Such a reflectance spectrum can constitute an authentication code which is both very precise and extremely difficult to copy in the sense that it is extremely difficult to produce an ink producing this reflectance spectrum for those who only know the reflectance spectrum, without knowing what the composition of the ink is.

The method invented for applying the security ink to the part is such that this security ink can cover a curved area of the part. In this way, the possibilities of application of the invention are very numerous.

The invented method for applying the security ink to the part is such that this part can be substantially rigid or elastically deformable at least where this part is coated with the security ink. In this way, the possibilities of application of the invention are very numerous.

Advantageously, the security ink is an ink invisible at least in natural light, for human vision. When this is the case, a third party may be unaware of the presence of a security on the part and, if they copy the part, they will fail to seek to copy that security as well. In addition, in the event that he is aware of the presence of a security ink, the third party will have difficulty locating it on the part since this security ink is invisible at least in natural light.

Another advantage of using a security ink that is invisible at least in natural light is that this security ink cannot alter the aesthetics of the product.

Advantageously, the security ink is an ink visible in the presence of ultraviolet lighting. When this is the case, the location of the security ink during a check can be facilitated.

[0019] Advantageously, said part is a watch part.

[0020] Advantageously, said part is a watch dial, a front face of which is at least locally coated with security ink. When this is so, the security ink can easily be optically checked through the watch crystal, while being protected from being behind the watch crystal.

[0021] The invention also relates to an object comprising several assembled parts, at least one of which is as defined above.

[0022] Advantageously, this object is a timepiece, for example a watch.

[0023] The invention further relates to a method for producing a part as defined above, which can be authenticated using the identification code. This process includes steps in which: <tb> <SEP> a) a cliché is coated with a security ink incorporating the authentication code, and this cliché is scraped so as to leave in place the security ink present in an indentation formed in the cliché , <tb> <SEP> b) an elastomeric pad is pressed on the cliché so that the security ink present in the intaglio impression is transferred to this pad, and <tb> <SEP> c) the stamp is pressed onto the part so that the security ink is transferred from the stamp to that part.

[0024] Thanks to this method, the security ink can be applied to a part which is other than a sheet of paper and on which traditional printing techniques such as screen printing and flexography cannot be used.

The authentication method defined above can incorporate one or more other advantageous characteristics, individually or in combination, in particular among those specified below.

Advantageously, several iterations of the succession of steps comprising step a), then step b), then step c) are carried out, so as to form a superposition of several layers of security ink on the part. When so, an optical determination of the security code at the superposition of the security ink layers can be very reliable. In addition, the overlay of security ink layers has increased abrasion resistance and increased peel resistance.

An authentication method according to the invention comprises a check which follows step c) and in which: <tb> <SEP> d) the authentication code incorporated in the security ink is determined using an electronic analysis and control device, then <tb> <SEP> e) the authentication code determined in step d) is compared with at least one predefined code, so as to estimate whether or not there is identity between the authentication code and the code predefined.

[0028] Advantageously, in step d), an optical inspection of the security ink is carried out using the electronic analysis and control device, and a reflectance spectrum of the security ink is determined. at least over a predefined wavelength interval, based on data originating from optical inspection, the authentication code comprising this reflectance spectrum.

Brief description of the drawings

Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the description which will follow of a particular embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and shown in the accompanying drawings, among which: <tb> <SEP> - Figure 1 is a plan view of a watch on the dial of which an invisible stamp has been affixed in natural light, using an authentication method in accordance with the invention ; <tb> <SEP> - Figures 2 to 5 are schematic and partial views, in section, each of which shows one of several successive states during the implementation of a method according to the invention and employed to affix the stamp on the dial of the watch shown in Figure 1; <tb> <SEP> - Figure 6 is a schematic view in which a suitable electronic analysis and control device optically checks the stamp present on the dial of the watch shown in Figure 1; and <tb> <SEP> - Figure 7 is a simplified graph showing a reflectance spectrum of a security ink of which the stamp present on the dial of the watch shown in Figure 1 is made.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

In Figure 1, an example of a product according to the invention is a timepiece. More precisely, it is a watch 1, a dial 2 of which constitutes an example of a part according to the invention. This dial 2 and the hands 3 of watch 1 are located inside a case 4 closed by a crystal 5. The front face of dial 2 bears a stamp 10.

In the present text and in the appended claims, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the position of watch 1 relative to an observer placed on the side of the crystal of this watch, so as to be able to consult the time information indicated by this watch.

An authentication method according to the invention is used to affix the stamp 10 on the dial 2. Figures 2 to 5 show several states which follow one another during the course of this method.

During a first step of the process used to affix the stamp 10, one face of a cliché is at least partially coated with a security ink 15, then scraped, after which the situation is that of the Figure 2. In this figure 2, the security ink 15 was not removed during the scraping, because it is in a hollow imprint 16 engraved in the cliché 17. In the state shown in Figure 2 , a surface portion of the security ink 15 is left or partially dried, so as to make it adherent.

Next, a tampon 18 is used, the operational surface of which is smooth and which is made of a polymer, for example silicone polymer, natural rubber, synthetic rubber or a mixture thereof. The stamp 18 is pressed on the upper face of the cliché 17, at the level of the indentation 16, which is symbolized by the arrow P in FIG. 3. The security ink 15 present in the indentation 16 is fixed. then temporarily on the pad 18. When this has taken place, this pad 18 is lifted away from the plate 17.

In Figure 4, the pad 18 carrying the security ink 15 extracted from the hollow imprint 16 is located opposite the front face of a dial 2, which replaced the plate 17 under the pad 18 Still in Figure 4, the arrow A symbolizes an actuation of the pad 18 in the direction of the dial 2. The actuation A is performed until the pad 18 presses the security ink 15 on the front face of the dial 2 , where this security ink 15 is then fixed. Once the security ink 15 is on the dial 2, it is made or allowed to dry, or it is made to crosslink, depending on what is suitable in view of its composition.

In Figure 5, the security ink 15 is permanently attached to the front face of the dial 2 and the stamp 18 has been removed. Still in this FIG. 5, it can be seen that the stamp 10 has been affixed to a corrugated and therefore non-planar portion of the front face of the dial 2. In fact, by implementing the method which has just been described, the stamp 10 can be affixed on a non-planar portion, for example on a domed or concave or corrugated portion.

Largely comparable to pad printing, the method described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5 has the specificity of being used to affix a stamp 10 consisting of security ink 15.

The succession of steps which has just been described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 is repeated several times, without changing either image 17 or dial 2. During each iteration of this succession of steps, the plate 17 is positioned in the same way under the pad 18 prior to the step illustrated in FIG. 3, then the same is true of the dial 2 prior to the step illustrated in FIG. 4. In this way, from The security ink 15 is deposited each time at the same place on the dial 2, so that the stamp 10 is formed of several superimposed layers of security ink 15.

For example, the stamp 10 can be made of two or three layers of security ink 15. Thanks to the superposition of several layers of security ink 15 together forming the stamp 10, the surface density of pigments in this stamp 10 is increased, which reduces or even eliminates the risk of an error during the optical determination of the authentication code in a manner which will be explained later. Again thanks to its constitution in several layers of security ink 15, the stamp 10 is more resistant, in particular by having greater resistance to abrasion, greater resistance to tearing and, more generally, greater resistance to abrasion. high resistance to mechanical attacks.

Thanks to the method described above with reference to Figures 2 to 5, the part receiving the stamp 10 may not be a flexible sheet and printable by means of conventional printing machines. In particular, the stamp 10 can be affixed in particular on a part which is rigid and / or which is in volume and / or whose surface has curvatures.

After the stamp 10 has been affixed to the dial 2, a control is performed by means of an electronic analysis and control device 20 shown in Figure 6. In this electronic analysis and control device control 20, a processing unit 21 comprising a processor is connected to an optical reader 22 capable of producing radiation 23 over a predefined frequency band, for example in the infrared. This processing unit 21 is also connected to an electronic display device 24, which can be, for example, a tablet-type computer or a smartphone.

During the check, the radiation 23 is directed onto the stamp 10. At the same time as it produces the radiation 23, the optical reader 22 captures the radiation reflected by the stamp 10. The processing unit 21 analyzes this reflected radiation, in which, in relation to the incident radiation 23, has been subtracted what the security ink 10 has absorbed. By comparing the radiation reflected by the stamp 10 with the incident radiation 23, the processing unit 21 is able to determine the reflectance spectrum of the security ink 15, at least over a predefined wavelength interval.

As it is understood here: <tb> <SEP> - reflectance, also called reflectance, is the ratio of reflected radiation to incident radiation, <tb> <SEP> - spectral reflectance is the reflectance per unit of frequency, at a specified wavelength, and <tb> <SEP> - the reflectance spectrum of a security ink 15 is the set of spectral reflectances p (in%) of this security ink 15, as a function of the wavelength A.

FIG. 7 represents an example of the reflectance spectrum of a security ink 15. FIG. 7 being given only by way of illustration and offering a simplified example, the scales are not indicated therein.

The security ink 15 can include a combination of pigments embedded in a resin. As understood here, a pigment is a constituent influencing the reflectance spectrum of security ink 15. It can be neutral in the visible spectrum and therefore not influence the color perceived visually.

In Figure 7, the reflectance spectrum of a security ink 15 includes several inflection points including peaks and minimums. Each point of inflection of the reflectance spectrum is due to one of the pigments present in the security ink 15. The reflectance spectrum of FIG. 7 being only a simplified example, the reflectance spectrum of the Security ink 15 may in reality have more inflection points or fewer inflection points than there are in Figure 7.

The combination of pigments in the security ink 15 determines the reflectance spectrum of this security ink 15. This combination is chosen from a very large number of available combinations, each of which corresponds to a specific reflectance spectrum. Each reflectance spectrum thus constitutes an authentication code present in a security ink 15. Simply from the knowledge of the reflectance spectrum of a security ink 15, it is extremely difficult to find which pigment composition produces this spectrum. reflectance, which is very complex. In other words, the authentication code embedded in a security ink 15 is extremely difficult to reproduce without prior knowledge of the pigment composition of this security ink 15, which guarantees a high level of security against copying. fraudulent. An example of security ink suitable for carrying out the invention is marketed by the company Printcolor Screen Ltd., whose address is: Welschloh 299, 8965 Berikon, Switzerland.

By means of a mathematical analysis, the processing unit 21 compares a reflectance spectrum originating from an optical inspection and a predefined spectrum, and thus determines whether these two spectra are identical or not. Several successive comparisons with several predefined spectra are carried out. If the reflectance spectrum from optical inspection is found to be identical to one of the predefined spectra, it is concluded that a genuine security ink has been detected. The result of the comparisons is displayed by the display device 24.

The security ink 15 of the stamp 10 is preferably invisible, at least in natural light, for human vision. For example, it can be an ink which is invisible in natural light in the absence of special conditions, but which is visible when it receives ultraviolet light. When this is the case, ultraviolet illumination can be employed to locate the stamp 10 prior to a check performed on this stamp 10. Also, the security ink 15 may remain invisible when it receives ultraviolet illumination.

When we cannot see it because its security ink is invisible, the stamp 10 does not alter the aesthetics of the dial 2, in the case of the watch 1. As it is on the front face of the dial 2, this stamp 10 can however be easily inspected optically by means of an electronic analysis and control device, while being protected by the glass 5.

Another advantage of an invisible stamp 10 is that a counterfeiter can remain unaware of the existence of this stamp 10 on authentic watches 1.

Even if it is advantageous to place it on the front face of the dial 2, the stamp 10 can be affixed to other parts of the watch 1, for example on its case 4. Other parts, for example example of the internal parts of watch 1, can also bear the stamp 10. For example, the stamp 10 can be affixed to the plate of the movement of the watch 1 and / or to one or more bridges of this movement. The stamp 10 can also be affixed to spare parts. In this regard, it will be noted that the method described above with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 has the advantage of making it possible to affix the stamp 10 on almost any part, including on rigid portions and / or non-planar such parts.

In addition, the article provided with the stamp 10 may not be a watch. For example, it can be a luxury pen or jewelry, etc., as well as a medical device, consumable, or medicine.

The stamp 10 is used during subsequent checks in the manufacture of the watch 1, for example during or after the marketing of this watch 1. Specialized stores and after-sales services have a copy of the electronic device analysis and control 20 represented in FIG. 3. Each of these stores and after-sales services can thus easily carry out a check on a watch 1. During this check, a portion of the reflectance spectrum of the ink security 15 in the stamp 10 is established, by means of the optical reader 22, and the processing unit 21 compares the authentication code drawn from this reflectance spectrum with a plurality of codes present in a database. Each of the codes in this database has been assigned to a specific manufacturer. Thanks to the comparison made, the processing unit 21 can identify counterfeits. The stamp 10 can therefore fulfill the function of a security tattoo. It also facilitates the traceability of a manufacturer's products when the control concludes that there is no deception on the origin of these products.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. In particular, instead of a security ink incorporating the authentication code in the form of a reflectance spectrum, another security ink could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. Part other than a printable sheet, in particular other than a sheet of paper, characterized in that it is at least locally coated with a security ink (15) incorporating an authentication code. 2. Part according to claim 1, characterized in that the authentication code comprises a reflectance spectrum of the security ink (15). 3. Part according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the security ink (15) covers a curved area of the part. 4. Part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part is substantially rigid or elastically deformable at least where this part is coated with security ink (15). 5. Part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security ink (15) is an ink invisible at least in natural light, for human vision. 6. Part according to claim 5, characterized in that the security ink (15) is an ink visible in the presence of ultraviolet lighting. 7. Part according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that this part is a watch dial (2), a front face of which is at least locally coated with security ink (15). 8. Object comprising several assembled parts, characterized in that at least one of the parts of this object is a part according to one of the preceding claims. 9. Object according to claim 8, characterized in that this object is a timepiece (1), for example a watch. 10. A method of making a part (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, authenticated using the identification code, this method comprising steps in which: a) a cliché (17) is coated with a security ink (15) incorporating the authentication code, and this cliché (17) is scraped so as to leave in place the security ink (15) present in at least an indentation (16) formed in the cliché (17), b) an elastomeric pad (18) is pressed on the cliché (17) so that the security ink (15) present in the indentation (16) is transferred onto this pad (18), and c) the stamp (18) is pressed on the part (2) so that the security ink (15) is transferred from the stamp (18) to this part (2). 11. Production method according to claim 10, in which several iterations of the succession of steps comprising step a), then step b), then step c) are carried out, so as to form a superposition of several layers of security ink (15) on said part. 12. A method of authenticating a part (2) produced by means of the production method according to one of claims 10 and 11, comprising a check which follows step c) and in which: d) the authentication code incorporated in the security ink (15) is determined using an electronic analysis and control device (20), then e) the authentication code determined in step d) is compared with at least one predefined code, so as to estimate whether or not there is identity between this authentication code and this predefined code. 13. Authentication method according to claim 12, in step d) of which an optical inspection of the security ink (15) is carried out using the electronic analysis and control device (20), and a reflectance spectrum of the security ink (15) is determined at least over a predefined wavelength interval from data from the optical inspection, the authentication code comprising this reflectance spectrum.