GB2453992A

GB2453992A - Product Authentication

Info

Publication number: GB2453992A
Application number: GB0720959A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Smith; Anthony Furness
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-25
Filing date: 2007-10-25
Publication date: 2009-04-29
Also published as: GB2454035A; WO2009053756A1; GB2454035B; GB0804723D0; GB0720959D0

Abstract

A label 1 is applied to a product. The label 1 includes two windows 7a and 7b, constituting marking means, allowing a portion of the surface micro structure of the product beneath the label to be scanned with a laser. The windows 7a and 7b have a gap 16 between them which extends at an angle other than 0 or 90 degrees to the scanning line. At a subsequent time, a scan of the product is repeated and the repeated scan is compared to an initial master scan to determine the authenticity of the product. The marking means enables the repeated scan to be in the same region as the master scan. The label also includes indicators 3 that locate a stored master scan.

Description

PRODUCT AUTHENTICATION

The present invention relates to a product authenticator and to a method of authenticating a product.

The present invention also relates to a product authentification system.

Counterfeiting and unauthorised diversion of products are problems of enormous and increasing proportion in areas as diverse as food and pharmaceuticals to automobile and aerospace parts, and even forestry products. The consequences of counterfeiting can range from mere irritation to death, depending on the nature of the product and its relationship to human kind. Examples of counterfeit foods, pharmaceuticals and spare parts have been identified that have resulted in deaths of humans.

Losses arising from counterfeiting and diversion are generally measured in billions of pounds Sterling, but with far reaching damages with respect to brand and health and safety. Technologies have a very significant role in combating such problems with varying levels of success.

For example, barcodes, RFID tags and holograms have all been used but such measures are invariably confronted with attempts to circumvent the protection that they can provide for example by counterfeiters copying and replicating the marks on the fake goods or packaging.

However, a recent development in the field of automatic identification has used natural features of an item to produce or to create a "fingerprint" of the product.

Natural feature identification covers a range of techniques for devising signals or signatures representative of a physical entity and suitable for identifying the entity. Natural surface feature identification uses surface features of the entity to be identified. There are several technologies used for natural surface identification involving an optical recording of the surfaces micro structure. Whilst it is envisaged that any natural feature identification process can be used, the invention will be herein described using laser surface authentication LSA technique as an example.

For instance, a product can be verified using a (LSA) technique which is a special scanning process based on the laser speckle phenomenon. LSA is discussed in detail in JDR Buchanan et al (2005) "Fingerprinting" Documents and Packaging, Nature, Vol. 436, 28 July 2005, the contents of which are hereby incorporated. As an overview however, a laser is used to irradiate a surface and the diffusely scattered light is recorded by a set of four photo detectors at various angles relative to the incident beam.

The speckle pattern signals are processed and digitised to create a uniquely identifiable record of the surface component irradiated, much like a fingerprint. The surface characteristics cannot be generated artificially.

LSA can therefore be used to authenticate a product. For example a scan of the product or packaging is taken prior to the product leaving a manufacturer's plant and the scan is recorded on a database. At some point later in the supply chain, the product or packaging can be re-scanned and the scan compared to the original, master template.

If the scan corresponds to the master, the product is proved as a genuine article and that it is not a fake or has not been tampered with.

Using natural feature identification as an authentjfjcation method for products provides a forgery-proof authentjfication method since the image is unique to the product and it is not possible to replicate the pattern.

However, the signature produced is dependent on the location scanned. For instance, the same piece of paper will have a different micro structure and therefore a different speckle pattern in one area as compared to another. Thus some construct has to be used to ensure that exactly the same line or area is scanned. This construct aligns the product at the factory and when later verifying the image to ensure that the same line is repeated.

Furthermore, if there are a large number of master scans stored on a database it can take some time for a comparison to be made between the scan and each master.

It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other disadvantages.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of enabling the authenticity of a product to be quickly and reliably determined at the point of sale or any other point along the supply process.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a forgery-proof authentification apparatus and method of identification.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a product authenticator arrangement including a scannable surface micro structure and marking means, the marking means being arranged, in use, to enable a master scan to be in the same region as a reference scan.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of authenticating a product including a scannable surface micro structure associated with the product, the method comprising taking a master scan of the surface micro structure and subsequently taking a reference scan of the same region as the master scan using marking means.

Using the marking means achieves a more accurate scan of the same region.

Further features are defined in the claims and elsewhere

in the specification.

The invention can be put into practice in various ways but several embodiments will now be described by way of example only, in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a label according to a first embodiment.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a window structure that is formed in the label of the first embodiment.

Figure 3 is an alternative window structure of a label.

Figure 4 is a top view of a label according to a second embodiment.

According to a first embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a label 1 for applying to a product includes a readable indicator 3. The indicator 3 carries a code that identifies the location of a master scan within a database. Indicator 3 may also carry code to indicate which natural feature identification technique is being used and code to indicate any processing or other features that have to be applied in processing to obtain identification signatures'. The location may comprise a number of different scans all located in a group or may comprise the precise location of the master scan in a database. The label 1 also includes a mark 5 which comprises two windows 7a and 7b. The windows comprise gaps in the label which allow a portion of the surface beneath the label to be accessed. Before leaving the manufacturers factory, or at a point where the product is known to be genuine, the label is applied to a product and a scanner is aligned to the label to enable a master scan to be taken of the natural micro structure of the surface beneath the window. This master scan is recorded in a database.

At some point along the supply chain, for instance when a customer purchases the product, another scanner is aligned to the label and a reference scan is taken of the natural micro structure of the surface beneath the windows 7a and 7b and the readable information 3 is read. The indicator 3 identifies the location of the master scan within a database. The reference scan is then checked against this master scan. If the two correspond the product is known to be genuine. The check is performed in a secure manner within the host system containing the database.

As the reference scan needs to only be compared to the location in the database given by the indicator, the comparison can be completed in reduced processing time as the complete database does not have to be searched. The tolerance levels of the comparison may be increased or reduced, as desired.

The various parts will now be described in more detail.

Figure 1 shows the label 1. The label 1 is capable of being attached to a product or packaging of a product in such a way that any attempt to remove the label results in the degradation of the label's structure. The label may have graphics and human readable text printed in its surface, for instance to relay product information or for advertising.

The indicator 3 comprises a bar code 10 and a two dimensional (2D) code symbol 12 which may be printed on to the label as is well known in the art. The bar code or 2D code may contain signature' location data. Other bar code or 2D code symbols may be printed on the label to carry other non-location data. The bar code 10 is read in a well known manner such as a bar code scanner. The 2D code symbol 12 is readable in any well known manner such as by an optical image capture device and contains a code relating to the position of a master scan within a relevant database.

Each window 7a and 7b forms an aperture through which a scan of the micro structure of the underneath surface can be taken. At opposing ends of the windows are positional marks 14 that are defined by the ends of the apertures.

The two windows 7a, 7b are aligned and separated by an area 16 of the label having truncated sides (i.e. a trapezoidal section) After applying the label where the product is known to be genuine, a scan is taken of the natural micro structure of the surface of the product or packaging. For instance, a laser scanner of a LSA apparatus is arranged in position relative to the window using the positional markers 14.

The markers 14 may comprise the ends of the window or may comprise other markings or other structures on the label.

The markers or structures enable the scanner to be precisely aligned to the label. For instance the scanner may include a frame with registration marks or apertures or other location structures that enable the scanner to be placed repeatedly over the same area. Additionally, the scanner may be movably mounted within the frame such that fine alignment can be completed automatically by the laser or other optical means registering with the markers 14 or truncated portion or both. Alternatively, the location of the markers can be identified by marking means comprising other sensing means.

Once located a scan or reading of the speckle pattern generated by the laser reflecting off the surface of the product or packaging can be taken and recorded. The scan includes the details of the truncated portion 16 and records its location relative to the reading. This master scan is stored in a database in a position relating to the code given by the scanned image 12. Scan features arising from the surface of label structure 16 can be used to uniquely link the label to the item or product to which the label is attached.

When the product is required to be checked for authenticity, a reference scan can be taken of the surface micro structure. Again, the scanner is correctly located relative to the windows using the positional markers 14.

Where the natural surface identification method is such that only a discrete line of the window is recorded, for instance, LSA, the reference scan is referred to and the size of the truncated portion recalled so that the exact relocation of the laser can be achieved (as below).

Alternatively, if the natural surface recognition is such that the entire window is scanned, the fine alignment can be completed by aligning the truncated portions of the reference and master scan during the comparison. The truncated portion 16 therefore allows the reference scan to be correctly aligned to the master scan before a comparison is made.

The scan line is able to be repeatedly reproduced and aligned in both the vertical and horizontal directions if the same Y and X references are always used:-YrefX2Xl Xref = (X2 -X1)/2 Before or after the reference scan has been taken, the two dimension (2D) code symbol is read and the location of the master scan determined. The master scan can then be checked against the reference scan.

The comparison between the reference and master scans can be completed automatically, for instance by a computer program. If the scans match, the product is genuine. If the scans do not match the operator can be alerted to the fact that the product appears to have been tampered with or is a counterfeit. Additionally the database may record the times or locations or instances of any references made to the particular master scan. An operator may therefore, for example, know that the product appears to have been sold before.

When applied to packaging, the label may locate over a seal, for instance, so that if the packaging has been opened, the label has to be damaged or removed.

If counterfeiters remove the label from the packaging and attempt to re-apply it to the same or different packaging, the surface micro structure of the surface underneath the window will no longer correspond to the master scan. That is because it is not possible to realign the label in exactly the same location on a product that the label has been removed from or to apply the label to a different product: in either case the scanned structure will be different from the master.

In a further embodiment shown in Figure 3, the label 1 includes a first 17, second 18 and third 19 window separated by a first 20 and second 22 truncated portion.

The distance between the first 20 and second 22 truncated portions is known. This allows the master scan and reference scan to be aligned in a rotational aspect because the required thickness of each of the two truncated portions will only be possible when the scan line is along the X-X line:-}, =x2 -x1 X,., =(X,-X1)/2 X, -X1 =ä +/ +av, =1 +2a1, =i tanO is fixed and forO =45° àr1 =v -= L1 -2àv1 There/ore: (X, -X1) + (X3 -X,) = + 2a) + -2ax1) = + For all orthogonal scan lines.

In a further embodiment, the label is printed or otherwise formed directly on to the product/packaging. For instance the second mark may comprise a window formed by areas of no-printing or areas of printing in different colours such that the scanner can still detect the windows and therefore locate the correct position of the scan. In the simplified embodiment of Figure 4, the window does not include the truncated structures.

Whilst the first mark has been herein described as a 2D code symbol, it will be appreciated that this could in fact be any data carrier capable of giving the location of the master scan, for instance an RFID inlay or inlet.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the uses extend to almost any product for example the products may include: currency, passports, ID, pharmaceutical goods, consumer goods, cigarettes, software.

The method and apparatus herein described provides products with an anti-counterfeiting solution that is fast and reliable. Whilst it may be used with other anti-counterfeiting measures, the fact that the natural surface micro structure is not possible to accurately replicate and because of the relationship between the marks and the surface micro structure, a very strong anti-counterfeiting solution is provided even on its own.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed in this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A product authenticator arrangement including a scannable surface micro structure and marking means, the marking means being arranged, in use, to enable a master scan to be in the same region as a reference scan.

2. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 in which the marking means includes a marking (14) defining an end of a region to be scanned, the marking having a different surface micro structure to the surface micro structure that is arranged, in use, to be scanned.

3. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 2 in which the marking means includes a marking (14) defining both ends of the region to be scanned, each marking having a different micro structural surface to the surface micro structure that is arranged, in use, to be scanned.

4. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the marking means is arranged to align a scanner in at least two transverse directions.

5. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 4 in which the marking means includes at least one marking (16,20,22) having a different surface micro structure to the micro structure that is arranged, in use, to be scanned, the marking extending at an angle other than 0 or 90' to a line that a scanner is arranged, in use, to repeatedly scan.

6. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 5 including at least two markings (16,20,22) each having a different surface micro structure to the surface micro structure that is arranged, in use, to be scanned, each marking being spaced from each other and each extending at an angle other than 0 or 900 to a line that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan.

7. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 6 in which the two markings are provided by the opposite edges of an area (16,20,22) having a different surface micro structure to the surface micro structure that is arranged, in use, to be scanned.

8. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 in which the at least two markings (22,23) are spaced from each other along a line that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan by the surface micro structure of the product that is arranged, in use, to be scanned, each spaced marking having at least one edge that extends at an angle other than 00 or 9Q0 to a line that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan.

9. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 8 in which at least one of the two spaced markings has two edges spaced from each other in the direction that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan with each spaced edge extending at an angle other than 0 or 900 to a line that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan.

10. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 9 in which each spaced marking includes two edges spaced from each other in the direction that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan with each spaced edge extending at an angle other than 0° or 90' to a line that a scanner is arranged, in use, to scan.

11. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the marking means enable the master scan and the reference scan to be of precisely the same region.

12. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including a frame associated with a scanner, in which, in use, the frame assists in aligning and taking the reference scan.

13. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 12 in which the scanner is movable in at least one direction relative to the frame.

14. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the master or reference scan is a line scan.

15. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 14 in which both the master and the reference scans are line scans.

16. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14 in which at least one of the master or reference scan comprises an area that gives a reading of the micro surface structure in two transverse directions.

17. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 in which both the master and the reference scan comprise areas that give readings of the micro surface structure in two transverse directions.

18. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including control means arranged, in use, to reorientate the reference scan relative to the master scan, if necessary, to effect a better match between the master and reference scan.

19. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim including at least one machine readable indicator arranged, when read, to give an indication of where in a store of scans the scan of the surface micro structure is located.

20. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 19 in which the indicator is a 2D code symbol.

21. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 19 or 20 in which the indicator is arranged to give an indication of the precise location of where a stored scan of the surface micro structure is located.

22. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the marking means is provided by a label on a product.

23. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 22 in which the label is formed separately from the product and attached to the product.

24. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 22 in which the label is formed on the product.

25. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 24 in which the label includes at least one window through which, in use, a scanner can scan the surface micro structure region of the product.

26. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 25 in which the window is provided by a gap in the label.

27. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 26 and any of Claims 19 to 21 in which the label includes the at least one machine readable indicator.

28. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the product comprises any one or more of currency, passports, identification documents, pharmaceutical goods, consumer goods, or software.

29. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the arrangement is used to authenticate packaging of a product.

30. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a database, the database being arranged to store a scan of the surface micro structure, and means for comparing subsequent scan or scans of the same surface micro structure with the stored scan.

31. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 30 including information means arranged to give information of comparisons that have been made.

32. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 31 in which the information may comprise any one or more of the time of a comparison or comparisons, the location or locations from where the comparison was made or the number of comparisons made.

33. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the scans is arranged to be effected by optical means.

34. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 33 in which the optical means is a two-dimensional image capture device, such as a camera or optical sensor array.

35. An arrangement as claimed in Claims 33 or 34 when dependent on any of Claims 19 to 21 in which the same optical means are arranged, in use, to make the master or reference scan and to read the indicator.

36. A method of authenticating a product including a scannable surface micro structure associated with the product, the method comprising taking a master scan of the surface micro structure and subsequently taking a reference scan of the same region as the master scan using marking means.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 36 comprising aligning a scanner in two orthogonal directions in relation to the surface micro structure is effected using the marking means.

38. A method as claimed in Claim 37 comprising defining an end region of the surface micro structure using the marking means.

39. A method as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 38 comprising reading an indicator associated with the product and using that reading to obtain an indication of where a stored scan of the surface micro structure is located.

40. A method as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 39 comprising scanning the surface micro structure of a product.

41. A method as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 40 comprising scanning the surface micro structure of packaging of a product.

42. A method as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 41 comprising storing information of the master scan and comparing information from the reference scan with the stored master scan thereby obtaining an indication of the authenticity of the product.

43. A method as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 42 comprising reorientatirig the information from the reference scan relative to the master scan, if necessary, to effect a closer match between the scans.

44. A method as claimed in any of Claims 36 to 43 when using a product authenticator as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 35.