Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
  • G07D7/06—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation
  • G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
  • G07D7/128—Viewing devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
  • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
  • G07D7/005—Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations
  • G07D7/0054—Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations involving markings the properties of which are altered from original properties
  • G07D7/0056—Testing security markings invisible to the naked eye, e.g. verifying thickened lines or unobtrusive markings or alterations involving markings the properties of which are altered from original properties involving markings of altered colours

Definitions

• the invention relates to a discrete authentication device remotely feasible for products to be protected against counterfeiting.
• Security documents such as banknotes, identity documents, driving licenses, bank cards, travel vouchers, vouchers, checks, gift certificates, etc. must be protected against copying and have elements allowing the verification in a certain way of the document.
• These elements are security threads, such as those described in documents US 61 321, EP 59 056, JP 63182497, holograms, indicated in particular in US 3,552,853, US 3,668,795, JP 2009015338, US 2009154813, optically variable inks, explained in the application WO 06117271 or in US Pat. No. 6,472,455, optically variable films as described, for example, in JP 2009107259, and various markers incorporated into the body of the document or on its surface.
• the elements of the type of security son or elements included in the mass of the packaging can not generally be used because of the costs and / or the possibility of application, they are also not verifiable remotely.
• the product must have a device that avoids duplication by the means accessible to everyone, that is, by color reprographic means and by scanning and then printing with domestic means, such as an inkjet or laser printer, the product must have a means of remote authentication, the security element being able to be carried by a label, by the packaging carton or by the product itself, which product can be located at a substantial distance from the authentication device operated by the verifier, this distance can be of the order of a few tens of centimeters or greater than one meter, which represents a detection distance totally beyond the reach of known techniques,
• this authentication must be able to be performed under varying lighting conditions since the product to be verified may be inside the trade or in full sun outside, which is also unusual and very unfavorable compared to the usual conditions of verification,
• the authentication device meanwhile must be reliable, low cost and usable in all climatic conditions that may be encountered by a controller.
• RFID radio frequency authentication
• a system Miniaturized electronic device is included in the product or its packaging, and carries information enabling authentication, the device being read remotely by means of a suitable reader emitting a wave in the radio frequency range.
• RFID radio frequency authentication
• Such a device is known for a long time and applied in the field of identity documents, including passports, and described in various patents, for example, to name only a few, in WO 0036555, WO 05098748, WO 05100021, WO 08119904, WO 2009007659, FR 2 899 000, EP 2 084 654, US 20030006121.
• RFID devices have several major difficulties that make them unfavorable in the present context:
• the device placed on the product in the form of a chip for example, is expensive and impractical to install, very few transformers are equipped to perform this operation simultaneously with printing,
• the invention therefore aims to solve the specific problem stated above by proposing a new authentication system coupling a rare security element with a specific authentication device.
• the present invention relates to a discretable authenticatable device that can be used remotely for a product placed in variable luminosity conditions by means of an authentication device, as well as the corresponding authentication apparatus, the device is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one security element affixed to said product capable of developing a coloration under the action of a spatially and temporally coherent radiation, of laser type, emitted by the authentication apparatus, and by the fact that said apparatus authentication device emits radiation, in the form of at least one beam, for covering a large area by a simple unidirectional scanning at a distance of between a few centimeters and more than one meter, the radiation emitted by the authenticator device being located outside the area of perception of the eye.
• the advantages of the system associating the security element and the specific authentication apparatus according to the invention are multiple: the authentication is feasible at a significant distance between the product and the authentication device and under varying lighting conditions,
• the authentication device is cheap, reliable, easy to use and easy to transport,
• the authentication is discrete since no visible light is emitted by the authentication apparatus
• the treatment of the product can be carried out for a modest additional cost because only a small surface of the packaging or of the product itself can be secured for authentication, and that the treatment can be carried out by conventional means of 'impression,
• the authentication method is simple, within the reach of all controllers and usable in all countries.
• Authenticable remotely a visualization of the physical reaction of identification allowing to certify the origin of the product without contact and at a distance which can be between a few centimeters and more than one meter, knowing that the authentication of a document is produced either by direct contact between the authentication device and the document, or at a very short distance from the order of a few millimeters to a few centimeters at the most, the only authentication systems comparable to those described here are the RFID devices in which a chip is included in the product or its packaging and for which a remote reader emits radio frequency radiation allowing a feedback response of the device, such contactless systems allow a reading of the identification information to several meters.
• a product placed on a display unit is subject to ambient lighting, the product may be in the sun outdoors and be strongly lit, or indoors on a shelving height and dimly lit, and The product authentication can therefore be affected, for example it is totally impossible to authenticate labels with prints with optically variable inks or holograms under varying lighting conditions at a distance greater than forty centimeters.
• - Security element it must be understood one or more constituent materials, one or more inorganic or organic pigments, dyes, polymers, generally chemical elements or various combinations capable of producing coloring under the action of radiation adapted.
• the product can be authenticated remotely under variable lighting conditions by means of an authentication device
• the invention also concerns the corresponding authentication device, the security element set - authentication device being inseparable.
• the invention also relates to an authentication method employing a security element and an authentication apparatus.
• the present invention relates to the authentication of a product by a test apparatus being at a distance of between 20 centimeters and two meters.
• the security document can be placed in any orientation with respect to the authentication apparatus.
• the invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one security element affixed to the product capable of developing a coloration under the action of a spatially and temporally coherent laser-like radiation emitted by the device. authentication, and in that said authentication apparatus emits radiation, in the form of at least one beam, for covering a large area by a simple unidirectional scanning at a distance of between a few centimeters and more than one meter.
• the radiation emitted by the authenticator device is located outside the field of perception of the eye so that the verifications by the controllers in the shops or the shopping areas can be done discreetly.
• visible radiation especially located in the ultraviolet or infrared limit.
• the beam of the authenticator device is in the form of a line having a length of at least 5 cm at a distance of one meter, and preferably more than 10 cm.
• the beam may also be in the form of a cross of which each vertical or horizontal segment has a length of at least 5 cm at a distance of one meter, and advantageously of more than 10 cm.
• the beam must be sufficiently wide to easily cover the area carrying the security element at a distance that may be greater than one meter, moreover said zone carrying the security element must be large enough for the passage of the radiation to produce the beam. emission of an easily perceptible coloration.
• the radiation can be produced by several beams, of identical or different structures, in neighboring or different wavelength domains, for example a beam in the ultraviolet and a beam in the infrared, one being in the form of one line and the other in the form of a cross, without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the area to be controlled may be very variable, it may be a location of a few square millimeters placed in a specific place of the product or its packaging, it may be a few square centimeters on a printed area, which may be be colored or not, it may also be a coating on the entire surface of the label or the packaging of a product although it is obviously more expensive.
• the coloration developed by the security element under the action of the authenticator radiation is reversible, either immediately after cutting the beam, or after a short time if the security element is likely to develop phosphorescence.
• the developed coloration is intense, that is to say visible at a distance can reach more than one meter in full sun, or several meters in the dark, under the action of the authentication apparatus according to the invention.
• the security element required for authentication is introduced by any means conceivable on the product itself, for example in a plastics manufacturing process, or on the surface of its packaging, for example by an applied printing means. at the surface, or by means of transformation by a transfer or spray technique, or by an adhesive positioned between rolling films, or by means of a printed label.
• the emitted radiation is a laser radiation emitting preferably in a range between 254 nm and 380 nm, in the ultraviolet.
• the security element producing the coloration is a dye or a fluorescent or phosphorescent pigment, emitting in the visible zone of the spectrum under the action of the radiation, the emitted color being perceptible at least 50 cm when the product to be authenticate is placed in the sun and at least 1 m when placed in dim light or indoors.
• the emitted radiation is a laser radiation emitting preferably above 850 nm, in the infrared.
• the security element producing the coloration is an anti-Stokes dye or pigment, emitting in the visible zone of the spectrum under the action of the radiation, the emitted color being perceptible at least 50 cm when the authenticate is placed in the sun and at least 1 m when placed in dim light or indoors.
• the authentication apparatus emits radiation formed by two spatially close and parallel laser beams, a laser emitting preferably in a range of between 254 nm and 380 nm, in the ultraviolet, and a laser emitting preferably above 850 nm, in the infrared, the security element then being composed of a mixture of reagents producing visible coloration under UV and anti-Stokes reagents, more advantageously still the colorations produced by the two beams will be different.
• Such authentication is very sophisticated and very difficult to counter for counterfeiters.
• the control of the product it can be considered to operate the two beams simultaneously and the product will show two different colors close in the control zone, or to activate the beams one after another to develop the different colors successively.
• the security element is advantageously little or not colored in daylight or in a non-annoying color when it is included in a printing ink, a varnish or a surface coating.
• the invention also relates to a method for authenticating a product remotely under varying lighting conditions by means of an authentication device, characterized in that: the product carries at least one security element developing a coloring under the action of spatially and temporally coherent radiation, of laser type, emitted by the authentication apparatus, which radiation is either a laser beam emitting infrared light, more particularly a light at 980 nm and the element staining-resistant security device being an anti-Stokes pigment, ie a laser beam emitting a light close to 360 nm and the security element developing the staining being a dye or a fluorescent or phosphorescent pigment, or two laser beams emitting a 980 nm and the other at 360 nm and the security element combines an anti-Stokes pigment and a fluorescent dye or pigment or phosphor escent, the authentication apparatus emits radiation to cover a large area by a simple unidirectional scanning at a distance of between a few centimeters and more than one meter, which radiation is located outside the
• the authentication method consisting for the person responsible for the verification to scan the area of the product to be verified by means of the radiation emitted by the authentication device so as to develop a specific coloration on the surface of the product, which color disappears, either immediately or after a short time, when the radiation is cut off or the beam is removed.
• the various possible security elements can be chosen in different ways depending on whether a single authentication is sought, for example by means of a very particular security element that is not commercially diffused and manufactured specifically for this application, or that authentication with more classic products is desired.
• a very particular security element that is not commercially diffused and manufactured specifically for this application, or that authentication with more classic products is desired.
• the anti-Stokes pigments and dyes are considered expensive and the fluorescent or phosphorescent pigments or dyes are usually less expensive but easier to access for counterfeiters.
• the security elements capable of developing the colorations provided for in the present invention are known in the field of security for short-range authentication applications for the control of banknotes or passports, such products are for example marketed by Honeywell, Epolin, Capricon Chemicals, Phosphor Technology, etc.
• the security element is selected according to its ability to develop an intense coloring and easily perceptible to the sun at a distance that can be 30 cm to more than one meter and for its stability with respect to light aging, such reagents are advantageously mineral pigments incorporating rare earths in their composition.
• the security element reacts by absorbing the light not in a wavelength range. but at a very specific wavelength emitted by the authentication device and possibly very narrow, and emits light in an unusual frequency zone or in a very specific color.
• the security element can be included in an ink, a transparent varnish, an adhesive or directly in the form of a powder between films and be deposited in a uniform and homogeneous manner, it is also envisaged in the context of the invention that the security element is in the form of points of dimensions between 30 ⁇ and 800 ⁇ on the surface or in the texture of the product packaging, which points are included in an ink, a varnish, a plastic film, a adhesive or in the mass of the substrate itself, especially when said substrate is a paper or a cardboard.
• the authentication apparatus comprises a device allowing the emission of laser radiation in the field not perceptible to the eye, that is to say in the infrared and / or ultraviolet, however it can to be added in addition a lamp and a focusing device allowing the emission of a white or colored light beam favoring the pointing of the radiation in a more precise way, although that is not very discrete for the verification, nothing forbids by elsewhere to include in the authentication apparatus other authentication devices such as reader RFID, magnetic reader, traditional UV lamp in which the light emission is not a laser beam, and any other known authenticator device or product tracking, including all known tracing systems such as barcodes of various natures and means to find product information such as place of manufacture, printers, resellers, distribution channels, date of manufacture ...
• the authentication device or to integrate it, with a device such as camera, mobile phone, laptop, etc., allowing the transmission of product information, its references and its characteristics. for example, to automatically record and process a counterfeit issue or send information remotely for verification and tracking.
• the authentication apparatus is advantageously in the form of a thin cylindrical tube of a length of the order of ten centimeters provided with a pressure button actuating the radiation, but without departing from the scope of the invention different shapes, configurations and dimensions are possible for said authentication device and it may be envisaged to place additional lamps, white light in particular, to improve the functionality of the control instrument.
• the product secured with the security element according to the invention may contain various other devices conventionally known for authenticating the product in an expertise step, which other devices may be those known in the art such as security threads, a watermark on paper, holograms, optically variable inks, fibers or fluorescent, phosphorescent, multi-effect points, etc. without departing from the scope of the invention.
• the security element developing the reaction under the action of the radiation can be carried by a security thread, a transferable authenticatable tape, a window inserted on the product packaging, a hologram, and generally included in any device already known to contain markers, fluorescent or phosphorescent elements.
• the security element will be included in an ink-like vehicle, varnish or a surface coating, which vehicle comprising the security element is applied to the product itself or on its packaging.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents as well as their combinations.

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• 2010
  • 2010-05-05 FR FR1001924A patent/FR2959843B1/fr active Active
• 2011
  • 2011-04-08 WO PCT/FR2011/000210 patent/WO2011138515A1/fr active Application Filing
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