FR2783333A1 - METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING WORKS AND DEVICE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROCESS - Google Patents

Abstract

The scanning apparatus has a parallelepiped-shaped base (10) with sliders (21-24) for moving a painting laterally on a support plate (31) in the X and Y directions. A vertical arm (40) stands at one end of the base and has a horizontal extension (42) extending over the horizontal upper surface of the base, holding a lamp (44) and a scanner (45) facing downward. The scanner may be a linear high resolution color camera.

Description

Method for authenticating works and device specially designed for

  The implementation of this method The present invention relates to a method of authenticating valuables such as works of art and a device specially

  designed for the implementation of this process.

  In the prior art, there are no known methods for certifying the origin of a painting or an art object. Only art experts with sufficient knowledge of the artist and his work can, for example, recognize a master's painting. The date of a painting can be determined by methods of analysis of the pigments used to form the colors of the painting. But these methods of analysis are long and very expensive. The object of the process according to the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a process which allows any person to recognize or authenticate an object or a work or even to certify its origin. The device specially designed for the implementation of this process makes it possible to extract a lot of information from the table or from the object analyzed. This information can be used to identify the name of the author of the painting, when it is unknown or to authenticate a painting when the information concerning it has already been previously recorded using this device. This process applies equally well to

  oil paintings only in watercolors or objects.

  A first object of the invention is to extract a certain number of information from the table allowing the identification of the table, and to provide a means of storage of this information which will then be fixed on the

board.

  This object is achieved by the fact that the method of authenticating works comprises a lighting device and a scanner connected to an on-board computer comprising a data processing software, the method comprising: - at least one scanning step Artwork,

  - a step of processing the data obtained by the scan-

  sation of the work, - a step of compressing said data, - a step of storing said data in the memory of a contactless semiconductor chip module,

  - a step of fixing the contactless chip module on the work.

  1o According to a feature of the invention, the step of fixing the contactless chip module on the work consists of inserting the contactless chip module in the frame surrounding the work and / or on the canvas. In another feature, the scanner consists of a camera

  linear high resolution color.

  According to another particularity, the lighting device can emit visible waves and invisible waves and in particular, X-rays. According to another particularity, the module comprises a support of determined material comprising a first housing intended to receive the chip without contact, so that when the module is fixed on the work, the

chip is covered by the support.

  According to another particularity, the support comprises a second

  housing (22) intended to receive a wax seal authenticating the module.

  According to another particular feature, the material constituting the support is

  a polymerizable resin, ensuring the connection of the chip with the board.

  According to another particularity, the data extracted from the work by scanning, consist of different classes of data, the classes being able to consist of a class containing a matrix defining the color of all the pixels forming the work, of a class containing information on the size of the work, of a class containing information on the speed of movement of the brush, the signature and the

gesture of the artist.

  According to another particularity, a multiplicative factor is associated with each class of data, the classes comprising information on the color and the size of the work are assigned a multiplicative factor

  lower than the multiplicative factor associated with the other classes.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a device specially designed for the implementation of this method of authenticating works of art. This object is achieved by the fact that this device comprises an optical assembly, a table support plate, a means of displacement of the optical assembly in two perpendicular directions in a plane.

parallel to that of the work.

  According to a feature of the invention, the angular position of the optical assembly is adjustable, the optical assembly comprising a device

  lighting and a scanner linked to an on-board computer.

  According to another particularity, the optical assembly is installed on a beam in the form of a U or L, the beam and / or the work being animated with a relative movement so that the optical assembly scans the entire surface of the work, the movement being controlled by the on-board computer

and powered by a motor.

  According to another particular feature, the work is fixed on a support plate, the support plate sliding in a first pair of slides, the first pair of slides sliding in a second pair of slides so that, by relative displacement of the pairs of slides relative to each other, the optical assembly mounted fixed on

  the beam can sweep the entire surface of the work.

  According to another particular feature, the optical assembly slides in a first slide of the beam parallel to the support plate, the beam sliding in at least a second slide of a base of

  so that the optical assembly scans the entire surface of the work.

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  In another feature, the scanner consists of a camera

  linear high resolution color.

  According to another particularity, the lighting device can emit visible and invisible waves and in particular X-rays. S A third object of the invention is to provide a contactless chip module which contains in its memory at least the one of the following information concerning the color of the pixels forming the work, the size of the work, the speed of movement of the brush, the signature and the gestures

  of the artist, the contactless chip module being attached to the work.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention

  will appear more clearly on reading the description below made in

  reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1A represents a contactless chip module inserted in the frame of a switchboard according to a first embodiment, - Figure lB represents a contactless chip module inserted in the frame of a table according to a second embodiment, - Figure 2A shows a schematic perspective view of a device specially designed for the implementation of the process according to the invention, - Figure 2B shows a bottom view of the assembly optics of the device specially designed for setting up the process according to the invention, - Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a device according to another variant specially designed for setting up

of the process according to the invention.

  The method according to the invention consists in extracting information from a table using an optical assembly, compressing then storing this information in a contactless chip module which will then be fixed to the

back of the painting.

  The optical assembly is composed of a lighting device (44, 144) and a scanner (45, 145) controlled by an on-board computer. A way

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  angle adjustment allows the user to modify in a very

  specifies the direction of the optical assembly.

  The lighting device (44, 144) can emit waves in the visible and in the invisible. The user can scan a table under different wavelengths and thus obtain information concerning, for example, the age of the paint, the type of ink or the composition of the paint used. In addition, an X-ray makes it possible to visualize a model covered by a second layer of paint although this model

is imperceptible to the naked eye.

  The scanner (45, 145) consists of a high resolution linear camera, for example, 5000 dots per inch, comprising three color bars. The depth of field of this camera is automatically adjusted by the on-board computer. A table can be scanned from different angles by making several passes. Thus, the different images obtained will be superimposed on the pixel-meadows so as to get rid of the shadows and to obtain a 3-dimensional image of the table. Data processing software implemented in the on-board computer is responsible for processing the data obtained by

  the different stages of scanning.

  According to a particular embodiment of the invention, these data are assigned to different classes of data. A data class can contain, for example, information on the speed of movement of the brush, the signature or the gesture of the artist. Each class is assigned a multiplicative factor. Indeed, the authentication method according to the present invention allows not only to analyze the colors of the table but also the

  gesture of the artist. However, the colors of a painting fade over time.

  In addition, it is easier for a counterfeiter to reproduce a color than to reproduce the painter's gestures. This is why, advantageously, the classes containing information on the colors and the size of the image

  have a lower multiplier than the other classes.

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  The data obtained by scanning the table are then compressed by a file compression program installed on the on-board computer, then stored in a contactless chip module (2) of sufficient capacity. The contactless chip module (2) is then attached to the back of the work (1). Figures 1A and 1B show a contactless chip module (2) inserted on the frame (3) of the work (1) according to two different embodiments. The module (2) comprises a support (202) comprising a first housing (221) intended to receive a contactless chip (201) and 1o possibly a second housing (222) intended to receive, for example, a wax seal (203 ) certifying the authenticity of the module. The material used for producing the support (201) of the module (2) is, for example a polymerizable resin. The use of the resin makes it possible to fix the module (2) to the fabric (4) and / or to the frame (3) so that the contactless chip (201), for example, is placed against the fabric (4) . The antenna (204) of the

  contactless chip (201) is either inserted or embedded in the support (202).

  The antenna is either inserted into the weft of the fabric (fig. 1 B), according to a first embodiment and in this case the conductors of the antenna (204) must be slid into the frame, or it can, depending a second embodiment, be glued to the back of the canvas (fig. 1A). In known manner, the transmission of the information received or leaving the chip (201) without contact is carried out, either by a device for transmission by electromagnetic induction, or by a device for transmission by radio.

  frequencies or any other device requiring an antenna (204).

  The invention also relates to a specially designed device

  for the implementation of the authentication process for works of art.

  According to a first embodiment of the device shown in the

  2A, the table moves relative to the optical device which is fixed.

  In this embodiment of the invention, the device (9) consists of a parallelepiped base (10) on which two pairs of slides (21, 22, 23, 24) are arranged perpendicularly. Each pair

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  of slides is made up of two slides parallel to each other. The two slides of the first pair of slides (21, 22) are each arranged along two parallel sides (11, 12) of the base (10). The slides (23, 24) of the second pair of slides are slidably mounted in the first pair of slides (21, 22). A support plate (31) is slidably mounted in the second pair of slides (23, 24). By sliding in the second pair of slides (23, 24), the support plate moves in the transverse direction of the base (10). The arrow (T), shown in Figure 2A, indicates the direction of movement of the 0o support plate in the second slides (23, 24). In addition, when the second set of slides (23, 24) slides in the first set of slides (21, 22), the support plate (31) moves in the longitudinal direction (L) of the base (10) . Thus, the support plate (31) can sweep the entire surface of the base (10). A motor (not shown) simultaneously actuates the movement of the support plate (31) on the second pair of slides (23, 24) and the movement of the first pair of slides (21, 22) on the second pair of slides (23 , 24). An on-board computer (not shown) makes it possible to control with great precision the movements of the support plate on the base (10). In addition, the support plate (31)

  has four fasteners (32) which allow the table to be analyzed to be fixed.

  An L-shaped bracket (40) overhangs the base (10). It is fixed to the center of one of the sides (14) perpendicular to the sides on which the first pair of slides (21, 22) is fixed. The bracket (40) is formed of two branches. One (42) of the two branches is parallel to the slides (23, 24) and has a length at least equal to half the length of the base (10). An optical assembly, shown in FIG. 2B, formed by a scanner (45) and a lighting device (44) is disposed on the surface (43) of the branch (42) facing the base (10) . The scanner (45) consists of a high resolution color linear camera. The lighting device can scan a wavelength range from the visible to the invisible. The angular position of the optical assembly (44, 45) is adjustable. In addition,

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  the optical assembly (44, 45) is connected to the on-board computer in which data processing software delivered by the linear camera and a data compression program are implemented. In addition, the

  angular position of this optical assembly is adjustable.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention, shown in

  Figure 3, the optical assembly is movable relative to the table which is fixed.

  In this embodiment of the invention, the table to be analyzed is fixed by fixing means (132) on the upper plate (131) of a parallelepiped base (130). Two slides (121, 122) are fixed on two parallel sides (111, 112) of the base (130). A U-shaped beam (140) is slidably mounted in the slides (121, 122). The surface (142) of the beam, facing the upper plate (131) of the base (130), comprises a slide (123) on which slides an optical assembly (144,). The movement of the beam (140) in the slides (121, 122) and the movement of the optical assembly (144) are controlled by an on-board computer and actuated by a motor. In addition, the angular position of

  the optical assembly (144,145) is adjustable with great precision.

  Other modifications within the reach of those skilled in the art make

  also part of the spirit of the invention.

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Claims (18)

  1. A method of authenticating works, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one step of scanning the work (1), - a step of processing the data obtained by scanning the work (1) , a step of compressing the data, - a step of storing the data in the memory of a module with a non-contact semiconductor chip module (2), - a step of fixing the contactless chip module (2) on the 'work (1). 2. A method of authenticating works according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of fixing the contactless chip module (2) to the work (1) consists in inserting the contactless chip module (2) in the frame (3) surrounding the work (1).   3. Method of authenticating works according to claims 1 to 2,   characterized in that the lighting device (44, 144) can emit waves visible and invisible waves.   4. Method for authenticating works according to claims 1 to 3,   characterized in that the lighting device (44, 144) can emit X-rays.   5. A method of authenticating works according to claims 1 to 4,   the module (2) comprises a support (202) of determined material comprising a first housing (221) intended to receive the chip (201) without contact, so that, when the module (2) is fixed on the work, the chip (201) is covered by the support (202).   6. A method of authenticating works according to claim 5, characterized in that the support (202) comprises a second housing (222)   intended to receive a wax seal (203) authenticating the module (2). 2783333   7. A method of authenticating works according to claims 1 to 6,   characterized in that the data extracted from the work (1) by scanning consist of different classes of data, the classes possibly consisting of a class containing a matrix defining the color of all the pixels forming the work, of a class containing information on the size of the work, a class containing information on the speed of   displacement of the brush, the artist's signature and body language.   8. A method of authenticating works according to claim 7, characterized in that a multiplicative factor is associated with each class of o10 data, the classes comprising information on the color and size of the work are affected by a multiplier less than the multiplier associated with the other classes.   9. Device specially designed for implementing the process of authenticating works, characterized in that it comprises an optical assembly (44, 45, 144, 145), a table support plate (31), a means movement of the optical assembly in two perpendicular directions   in a plane parallel to that of the work.   10. Device specially designed for implementing the method of authenticating works according to claim 9, characterized in that the angular position of the optical assembly (44, 144, 45, 145) is adjustable, the assembly optic comprising a lighting device (44, 144) and a scanner   (45, 145) connected to an on-board computer.   11. Device specially designed for carrying out the process   authentication of works according to claims 9 to 10, characterized in   that the optical assembly (44, 144, 45, 145) is installed on a beam (40, 140) in the shape of a U or L, the beam (40, 140) and / or the work being animated by a relative movement so that the optical assembly (44, 144, 45, 145) scans the entire surface of the work, the movement being controlled by   the on-board computer and powered by a motor.   12. Device specially designed for implementing the method of authenticating works according to claim 11, characterized in that the work is fixed on a support plate (31), the support plate (31) sliding in a first pair of rails (23, 24), the first pair of rails (23, 24) sliding in a second pair of rails (21, 22) so that, by relative displacement of the pairs of rails relative to each other to the others, the optical assembly (44, 45) fixedly mounted on the beam (40)   can sweep the entire surface of the work.   13. Device specially designed for the implementation of the process of authentication of works according to claim 11, characterized in that the optical assembly (144, 145) slides in a first slide (123) of the beam io (140 ) parallel to the support plate (131), the beam (140) sliding in at least a second slide (112, 121) of a base (130), so that the optical assembly (144, 145) sweeps all the surface of the work.   14. Device specially designed for implementing the process   authentication of works according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in   that the scanner (45, 145) is formed by a high resolution color linear camera. 15. Device specially designed for implementing the process   authentication of works according to claims 10 to 14, characterized in   that the lighting device (44, 144) can emit visible waves and invisible waves.   16. Device specially designed for carrying out the process   authentication of works according to claims 10 to 15, characterized in   that the lighting device (44, 144) can emit X-rays. 17. Contactless chip module according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains in its memory at least one of the following information concerning the color of the pixels forming the work, the size of the work, the speed of movement of the brush, the artist's signature and gestures, the   contactless chip module (2) being fixed to the work (1).   18. Contactless chip module according to claim 1 or 17, characterized in that it comprises a support (202) comprising a first 12 2783333   housing (221) intended to receive the chip (201) without contact, so that, when the module (2) is fixed on the work, the chip (201) is covered by the support (202), the material constituting the support being a polymerizable resin   ensuring the connection of the chip (201) with the board.