EP0834159A1 - Systeme destine a dejouer la contrefacon - Google Patents

Systeme destine a dejouer la contrefacon

Info

Publication number
EP0834159A1
EP0834159A1 EP96918764A EP96918764A EP0834159A1 EP 0834159 A1 EP0834159 A1 EP 0834159A1 EP 96918764 A EP96918764 A EP 96918764A EP 96918764 A EP96918764 A EP 96918764A EP 0834159 A1 EP0834159 A1 EP 0834159A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filter
radiation
ofthe
article
transmitted
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96918764A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Keith Loder Lewis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Qinetiq Ltd
Original Assignee
UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UK Secretary of State for Defence filed Critical UK Secretary of State for Defence
Publication of EP0834159A1 publication Critical patent/EP0834159A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
    • G01N21/255—Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems

Definitions

  • This invention provides a means of identifying genuine and counterfeit articles and lends r ⁇ lf to covert operation. It has particular (although not exclusive) relevance to the retail trade.
  • GB2284292 relates to a covert marking system in which genuine articles are endowed with a label whose appearance is very different when scanned using equipment which is sensitive to radiation in the near infrared region ofthe electromagnetic spectrum.
  • the presence of infrared absorptive materials can be detected by illumination at wavelengths close to the abso ⁇ tion peak and processing the detected signals to derive a signal characteristic ofthe absorbing species.
  • GB 2190996A relates to a technique for authenticating articles by determining the characteristics ofthe envelope of single fluorescence, phosphorescence or absorption bands.
  • a method for covertly marking an article and checking its authenticity comprises the steps of:-
  • the electromagnetic radiation comprises at least one wavelength component which corresponds to a maximum in the spectral characteristic ofthe filter.
  • the electromagnetic radiation also comprises at least one wavelength component which corresponds to a minimum in the spectral characteristic ofthe filter.
  • a method for covertly marking an article and checking its authenticity comprises the steps of:-
  • the spectral characteristic ofthe filter has a plurality of maxima and minima.
  • the spatial distribution of reflected or transmitted radiation may be compared with a known spatial distribution of radiation reflected or transmitted by the filter at said angles of incident radiation.
  • the intensity ofthe reflected or transmitted radiation may be compared with known intensity of radiation reflected or transmitted by the filter at said angles of incident radiation.
  • the filter may be illuminated with electromagnetic radiation having wavelength components corresponding to spectral bands in the spectral characteristic ofthe filter.
  • Radiation having wavelength components corresponding to spectral bands in the spectral characteristic ofthe filter may be generated by placing a second filter in front of a radiation source, wherein said second filter has the spectral characteristic ofthe optical filter applied to the genuine article.
  • the filter for use in the invention may be inco ⁇ orated in a label which is applied to the genuine article. Altematively, the filter may be inco ⁇ orated in a paint or may be deposited on a polymer film which is then subsequently applied to the genuine article.
  • the filter may be derived from a plurality of components, the components being deposited on layers of polymer film which are subsequently laminated together to produce the filter.
  • the filter may be distributed on a label in the form of a bar code.
  • a filter for use in any ofthe preceding claims comprises of:-
  • the filter has a neutral appearance when observed under normal lighting conditions but gives rise to characteristic optical effects when illuminated with radiation having selected wavelength components.
  • Figure 1 illustrates, schematically, the use ofthe current invention (a) in reflection mode and (b) in transmission mode and
  • Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the spectral characteristics of three typical filters which may be inco ⁇ orated in the invention.
  • the article to be authenticated 1 is marked with label 2 inco ⁇ orating an optical filter with a known spectral characteristic.
  • label 2 is irradiated with radiation 3 a from an electromagnetic radiation source 4 and the intensity of reflected radiation 3b, at two or more wavelengths, is measured by detector 5.
  • Radiation source 3 might comprise of a laser array, a light emitting diode array or a filtered lamp and is such that the radiation incident on the label comprises two or more component wavelengths.
  • a tungsten lamp with a filter mounted in front to transmit only certain wavelength components may be used.
  • the article 1 to be authenticated may transmit incoming radiation, for example a glass bottle or container.
  • radiation transmitted by the label 2 may therefore be detected by placing the detector 5 on the opposite ofthe article from the radiation source 3, as shown in Figure 1(b).
  • Detector 5 is a detection system or a camera sensitive to the range of wavelength components corresponding to the wavelengths ofthe reflected (or transmitted) radiation.
  • a suitable detection means would be a CCD detector array.
  • a lens 6 is also required in this arrangement to focus the radiation 3b onto the detector 5.
  • the methods described may apply to either the measurement of radiation reflected or transmitted by the filter.
  • the spectral characteristic (reflectance versus wavelength curve) shown corresponds to a filter inco ⁇ orated beneath a polychromatic black dye with an abso ⁇ tion edge at 700 nm.
  • the filter may also be designed to appear, for example, white, grey or silver.
  • the filter has a reflectance peak 5, providing a narrow reflection band in the infrared wavelength region. If a monochromatic light source, with a wavelength corresponding to that of peak 7, is used to irradiate the filter, the reflected radiation can be measured by an observer by means of an infrared detector, sensitive to 850 nm. No visible optical effect would be observed by the eye and so the system may be operated covertly.
  • a second source emitting radiation with a wavelength corresponding to a minimum 8 in the spectral characteristic
  • a second detector which is sensitive to this radiation
  • the ratio ofthe respective intensities ofthe two detector outputs provides a unique signature for the filter.
  • Such a concept could be extended to include a multiple number of incident wavelengths or a multiple number of detectors, each sensitive to radiation at a different incident wavelength. The intensity at one or more maximum and minimum in the spectral characteristic may then be measured.
  • the spectral characteristic shown corresponds to a transmission filter (e.g. a 9
  • the filter is formed on top of a broadband absorber (e.g. carbon based ink) and covered by a polychromatic black dye, as in the previous example. Under normal lighting conditions the filter would therefore have a neutral appearance and appears black.
  • a broadband absorber e.g. carbon based ink
  • the filter Under normal lighting conditions the filter would therefore have a neutral appearance and appears black.
  • the spectral characteristic has a maximum 9 at 800 nm, a minimum 10 at 850 nm and has an abso ⁇ tion band 11 extending throughout the lower wavelength region.
  • the spectral characteristic 12 ofthe filter comprises a series of maxima 13 and minima 14 distributed throughout the visible wavelength region.
  • the spacing ofthe maxima and minima (reflection bands) is chosen such that the filter has a neutral appearance when viewed in reflection under normal lighting conditions.
  • the filter may appear grey, white or black, depending on the design.
  • the characteristic shown in Figure 4 corresponds to a Bragg reflector with the multi layer stack structure (20LH) 6 , i.e. 20 layers of L material and 1 layer of H material arranged in a 6-period stack. Each layer is a quarter- wave thick at the design wavelength.
  • the design wavelength would be considerably greater than the range covered in Figure 4 (i.e. greater than 700 nm).
  • the constmction of such reflectors would be conventional to one skilled in the art.
  • Other variations of this reflector may also be used, particularly those based on a metallic-dielectric design.
  • a measure ofthe reflected (or transmitted) intensities at wavelengths corresponding to one or more maximum and minimum in the spectral characteristic 12 provides an authenticating signature for this particular filter.
  • Such a concept could also be extended to include a multiple number of incident wavelengths or a multiple number of detectors, each sensitive to radiation at a different incident wavelength.
  • the filter may first be illuminated with a series of wavelengths corresponding to the maxima 13 in the spectral characteristic 7 and then with a series of wavelengths corresponding to the minima 14.
  • the integrated intensities measured when the filter is illuminated with the maxima wavelengths are then compared with the integrated intensities measured when the filter is illuminated with the minima wavelengths to give a characteristic ratio for the filter. If the required ratio is not measured, the article does not have the authenticating filter applied.
  • the intensity measurements may be made, for example, using a CCD detector array having a linear variable filter bonded to the front surface ofthe array to measure the intensities at each individual wavelength of interest. Altematively, a multiple number of detectors, each sensitive to radiation at a different wavelength, could be used.
  • the wavelength components ofthe incident radiation need not correspond exactly to a maximum or minimum in the spectral characteristic, although preferably they correspond to spectral bands in the reflectance-wavelength curve (see Figure 4).
  • the incident radiation might comprise wavelength components corresponding to 15 and 16.
  • the detection system used would be sensitive to these wavelength components.
  • a measure ofthe respective intensities at wavelengths 15 and 16 provides a characteristic ratio for the filter, even though the maximum and minimum reflectance is not detected.
  • the radiation source (or sources) need not emit only discrete wavelengths, but a source may be used which emits radiation over a range of wavelengths such that the range encompasses the wavelength region of interest in the spectral characteristic.
  • the variation ofthe reflected intensity with the angle of incidence ofthe illuminating radiation may also be used as a distinguishing feature. For example, referring to the spectral characteristic shown in Figure 4, when interrogated using a source at 532 nm (corresponding to a maximum 13 in the spectral characteristic 12), the reflectance will decrease as the angle of incidence is changed. This effect would be visible to the eye as the article to be protected is tilted before the observer. If a second source at, for example, 633 nm was used (corresponding to a minimum 14 in the spectral characteristic 12), the reverse effect would be seen and the reflected intensity would increase as the object was tilted.
  • the effect can be quantified by the use of suitable detectors.
  • a comparison ofthe measured intensities at the selected angles with the known intensities at these angles for the filter may then be used to provide a further means of checking the authenticity ofthe filter.
  • the spatial distribution ofthe reflected (or transmitted) radiation, as modified by the filter may be used as a signature of authenticity.
  • a radiation source having a plurality of wavelength components may be used, for example a filtered tungsten lamp, where radiation emitted from the lamp passes through a filter having the constmction of that ofthe example in Figure 4 (i.e. 20(HL) ). Only selected wavelength components are therefore incident on the optical filter, in this case corresponding to the maxima and minima in the spectral characteristic.
  • the filter or the article to which the filter is applied
  • the change in reflectance will be observed by the human eye.
  • an informed operator aware ofthe authenticating optical effect may use the observed optical effect as a means of verifying the authenticity ofthe article.
  • a range of angles may be assessed by illuminating the article with a spatially extended radiation source and tilting it with respect to a fixed detector.
  • the angular signature may be determined as the article (for example, a credit card) is passed through a reader, wherein the reader is fitted with the suitable radiation source and detectors in a fixed arrangement, giving a fixed geometrical relationship to the article.
  • the concept of using the tilting ofthe filter to provide the required authentication signature could also be extended outside the visible wavelength region using a suitable radiation source (or sources) and suitable detection means, such as a camera.
  • the design ofthe filter can be adjusted to allow its use with any convenient wavelength of light by the definition ofthe design wavelength and the selection ofthe order parameter m in (mLH) n or (mHL) ⁇ .
  • the number of pairs of layers, n, in the Bragg reflector defines the contrast level achieved at the maximum ofthe reflection band.
  • the filter may be used on a surface, either alone or in conjunction with absorbing, to produce suitable reflection characteristics.
  • the features ofthe filter (or label) applied to the article may be inco ⁇ orated into various visible features ofthe article, for example a trademark, a surface decoration or a bar code.
  • the filter is distributed on the label in the form of a bar code, one or more different spectral characteristics can be used for different lines in the bar code pattem.
  • the filters would be designed to be equivalent when viewed in daylight or tungsten light, so that all lines in the bar code would be equally intense to the observer or camera. When viewed with the correct illuminating wavelengths, differences are seen by the observer or camera, therefore providing an additional level of security in the bar code.
  • the filter to be inco ⁇ orated into a label may be realised in the form of a paint, by inco ⁇ orating flakes ofthe filter into a suitable binder, therefore allowing ease of application.
  • the layers which make up the filter may be deposited on a polymer film which is then applied to the article. Filters with a small number of maxima and minima in the reflectance curve may be deposited on to a series of such films and then laminated together in different combinations. This provides a convenient means of continuously varying the characteristics ofthe filters used.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Filtering Materials (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un système invisible permettant de faire la distinction entre des articles authentiques et des articles de contrefaçon, et qui consiste à appliquer un filtre optique sur des articles authentiques, en tant que marque d'authenticité. Le filtre utilisé dans ce système peut comprendre une superposition de plusieurs couches, possédant au moins un maximum et un minimum dans la caractéristique spectrale, ainsi qu'une matière absorbante sélective sur une plage de longueurs d'onde visibles. La caractéristique spectrale est telle que le filtre possède une apparence neutre lorsqu'on le regarde à l'oeil nu et dans des conditions normales d'illumination, tandis que, si on l'illumine à l'aide de longueurs d'onde choisies, ce filtre produit des effets optiques caractéristiques, lesquels constituent la signature d'authentification pour le filtre. En l'absence de filtre, l'illumination ne produit pas d'effets caractéristiques. On peut utiliser l'intensité du rayonnement réfléchi ou transmis par le filtre au niveau de deux longueurs d'onde ou de davantage, afin de constituer les caractéristiques d'authentification. Dans un mode de réalisation différent, on peut illuminer le filtre à l'aide d'un rayonnement au niveau de deux angles d'incidence ou de davantage. On peut utiliser l'intensité résultante ou la distribution spatiale du rayonnement réfléchi ou transmis par le filtre pour vérifier l'authenticité de l'article, par comparaison entre les propriétés observées et les propriétés connues du filtre.
EP96918764A 1995-06-22 1996-06-19 Systeme destine a dejouer la contrefacon Withdrawn EP0834159A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9512698.3A GB9512698D0 (en) 1995-06-22 1995-06-22 Anticounterfeiting method
GB9512698 1995-06-22
PCT/GB1996/001469 WO1997001156A1 (fr) 1995-06-22 1996-06-19 Systeme destine a dejouer la contrefacon

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0834159A1 true EP0834159A1 (fr) 1998-04-08

Family

ID=10776476

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96918764A Withdrawn EP0834159A1 (fr) 1995-06-22 1996-06-19 Systeme destine a dejouer la contrefacon

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0834159A1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH11508073A (fr)
AU (1) AU735446B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2224731A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB9512698D0 (fr)
TW (1) TW331616B (fr)
WO (1) WO1997001156A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AUPO289296A0 (en) 1996-10-10 1996-10-31 Securency Pty Ltd Self-verifying security documents
KR100610161B1 (ko) 1997-11-29 2006-08-09 코닌클리케 필립스 일렉트로닉스 엔.브이. 목록표를 이용하여 오디오 위주의 정보를 저장하는 방법 및 장치와, 판독장치
JP4179637B2 (ja) 1997-11-29 2008-11-12 コーニンクレッカ フィリップス エレクトロニクス エヌ ヴィ 様々な音声フォーマットに対する１つの主ｔｏｃと数個の副ｔｏｃとを備える多階層のｔｏｃ機構を備える音声中心の情報を記憶する方法、上記機構で使用する装置及び上記機構を含む単体式記憶媒体
WO1999028902A1 (fr) 1997-11-29 1999-06-10 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Procede et dispositif d'enregistrement d'informations audio, support d'enregistrement et dispositif de lecture
US20020117845A1 (en) 2000-01-03 2002-08-29 Bundesdruckerei Gmbh Security and/or valve document
GB0025096D0 (en) * 2000-10-13 2000-11-29 Bank Of England Detection of printing and coating media
DE60230445D1 (de) 2001-12-20 2009-01-29 Seiko Epson Corp Aufzeichnungsmaterie mit fälschungsschutz
DE10246563A1 (de) * 2002-10-05 2004-04-15 november Aktiengesellschaft Gesellschaft für Molekulare Medizin Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Bestimmung der Farbe/n auf einer Oberfläche
JP2008504116A (ja) 2004-06-21 2008-02-14 フエロ コーポレーション 不可視マークの形成方法および検出方法、当該方法に従ってマークされた物品
WO2009017506A2 (fr) * 2007-08-02 2009-02-05 Authentix, Inc. Authentification d'un produit
US11499912B2 (en) 2019-01-08 2022-11-15 Chemimage Corporation Systems and methods of covert identification

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4359633A (en) * 1980-10-28 1982-11-16 Bianco James S Spectrally-limited bar-code label and identification card
CH670904A5 (fr) * 1986-07-10 1989-07-14 Landis & Gyr Ag
US4824144A (en) * 1987-04-10 1989-04-25 Tasma Gerald W Color identification system
GB8913417D0 (en) * 1989-06-10 1989-08-02 Emi Plc Thorn Verification device for a security system
JP2520346B2 (ja) * 1992-04-28 1996-07-31 日本発条株式会社 対象物の識別構造

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9701156A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW331616B (en) 1998-05-11
AU6131796A (en) 1997-01-22
WO1997001156A1 (fr) 1997-01-09
CA2224731A1 (fr) 1997-01-09
GB9512698D0 (en) 1995-08-23
AU735446B2 (en) 2001-07-05
JPH11508073A (ja) 1999-07-13

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