GB2570515A

GB2570515A - A product, substrate and method

Info

Publication number: GB2570515A
Application number: GB1801507.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guadalupe Calixto Gortarez Jose
Original assignee: Nautilus GB Ltd
Current assignee: Nautilus GB Ltd
Priority date: 2018-01-30
Filing date: 2018-01-30
Publication date: 2019-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2038-01-30
Also published as: GB201801507D0; GB2570515B

Abstract

A product comprises an article 15 comprising coded information 5 and a substrate 16 for authenticating the article. The coded information is provided as a first visual feature. The substrate comprises a decoder 6 in the form of a second visual feature, and an attachment surface. The attachment surface of the substrate is adhesively attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information, causing the first and second visual features to optically interact to reveal a hidden image 17. A tamper evident feature may also be provided to indicate an attempt to remove the substrate form the article. A substrate, kit of parts, and method for authenticating the article 15 are also provided.

Description

(57) A product comprises an article 15 comprising coded information 5 and a substrate 16 for authenticating the article. The coded information is provided as a first visual feature. The substrate comprises a decoder 6 in the form of a second visual feature, and an attachment surface. The attachment surface of the substrate is adhesively attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information, causing the first and second visual features to optically interact to reveal a hidden image 17. A tamper evident feature may also be provided to indicate an attempt to remove the substrate form the article. A substrate, kit of parts, and method for authenticating the article 15 are also provided.

Fig. 5B

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

This print incorporates corrections made under Section 117(1) of the Patents Act 1977.

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Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

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Fig. 2A

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Fig. 5A

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so —'	PROVIDING A SUBSTRATE FOR AUTHENTICATING THE PRINTED ARTICLE
	1
S1 —	ADHESIVELY ATTACHING THE ATTACHMENT SURFACE OF THE SUBSTRATE TO THE ARTICLE

Fig. 9

A PRODUCT, SUBSTRATE AND METHOD

Technical Field

The present invention is directed towards a product. In particular, the present invention is directed towards a product comprising coded information and a substrate for authenticating the article. A substrate for authenticating the article, a kit of parts comprising the substrate, and a method for authenticating the article are also provided.

Background

Counterfeiting of products is a serious problem for both producers of such products and the general public. Counterfeit products are often not as well made as the genuine article and can sometimes even be hazardous, particularly if they contain electronics, as they will not likely conform to any recognised safety standards. Counterfeiting of Government issued documents, such as passports and money, is also a serious problem.

One way to help prevent counterfeiting is to provide optical security features on products or documents to indicate that they are authentic. Such optical security features are difficult to reproduce and may be referred to as anti-counterfeit images. The term “anti-counterfeit image” is used herein to denote any image that has a recognisable meaning, to either a human or machine, but that is difficult to reproduce. Examples of anti-counterfeit images include images contained in holograms or watermarks. The image may be of an object, such as a dove, as seen on Visa credit cards. The image may comprise patterns that are recognisable by a person or computer, such as a bar code or Q-code. Alternatively, the image may comprise letters or numbers, and may spell a word. Such images may be easily recognisable by a human, and can provide a quick visual confirmation as to whether an article containing an anti-counterfeit image is genuine.

Anti-counterfeit images are routinely used in articles such as money, passports, certificates, official documents, etc. Due to the difficulty in reproducing anti-counterfeit images, their use helps to prevent unauthorised third parties from copying products which contain anticounterfeit images. For example, a counterfeiter may find it relatively easy to generally reproduce an article, but would find it very difficult to reproduce the anti-counterfeit image. Lack of the anti-counterfeit image on the article, or a poor copy of the anti-counterfeit image, indicates to an end user that the article is likely not genuine.

One method of producing an anti-counterfeit image is to hide an image in a pattern, which can only be viewed when a user uses an optical decoder. It is known, for example, to print a line pattern on a surface. The line pattern generally comprises a series of uniform parallel lines. However, some sections of some of the lines contain slight deviations from the uniform parallel lines. Such deviations (or modulations) in the line pattern encode the hidden image. When the line pattern is viewed with the naked eye, the image hidden in the line pattern cannot be recognised or resolved. However, when the image is viewed through a suitable optical decoder, the hidden image becomes visible such that it may be recognised by a human or machine.

The verification of the anti-counterfeit image requires the use of an optical decoder and may be time consuming. Therefore, there exists a need for an easier way to authenticate a product containing an anti-counterfeit image or other coded information, which is still difficult to reproduce by unauthorised third parties. Additionally, there may be a need to prove the authenticity of a product, without the need to carry around or otherwise locate an optical decoder.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product. The product comprises an article comprising coded information. The product comprises a substrate for authenticating the article. The substrate comprises a decoder and an attachment surface. The attachment surface of the substrate is adhesively attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information. The decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image.

Generally, it will be understood that “coded information” and “decoder” in the present application is intended to define the relationship between the article and the substrate. That is, the decoder and the coded information cooperate to reveal the hidden image. The hidden image does not need to be present on the article, and instead components of the hidden image may be shared by the article and the decoder. The cooperation of the decoder and the coded information acts to reveal the hidden image.

Existing approaches provide a traditional, optical, decoder (e.g. a lenticular lens) that is separate to the article. This means that the user needs to be in possession of the decoder and position the decoder over the article so as to decode the coded information. Counterintuitively, for the present invention, the substrate has an attachment surface that is adhesively attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information. The substrate is thus not temporarily placed over the article, or temporarily held to the article e.g. by static electricity, but is attached, e.g. permanently, to the article by adhesive, and thus the decoder is able to always, e.g. permanently, decode the coded information. In other words, the article and the substrate may form an integral, inseparable, or difficult to separate, product. Therefore, the coded information is not always hidden, but is instead always decoded such that the hidden image is always visible. A benefit of this is that a user may quickly observe the article to confirm that the article is genuine, without having to provide and use a separate decoder.

The substrate may be provided in the form of a label. An adhesive coating may be applied to the attachment surface. In this way, the substrate may be conveniently, adhesively, attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information

In example implementations, the substrate may be attached to the article at the point of manufacture or at another point in time where it is known that the article is genuine. As it is known that the article is genuine, the coded information and decoder can be used in combination, permanently, to make it clear for all to see that the article is genuine.

The coded information may comprise a first visual feature. The decoder may comprise a second visual feature. When the decoder overlaps the coded information, the first and second visual features optically interact to reveal the hidden image.

The hidden image may comprise a first portion having a first visual property and a second portion having a second visual property. The first and second properties may undergo modification when the hidden image is viewed at different angles (e.g. tilted to view). In this example implementation, the product does not rely on the refraction of light via the decoder to produce the hidden image. The first and second visual property may be any one of a colour, contrast, or shape.

In an embodiment the first visual property arises as a result of at least a combination of a background and the first visual feature and the second visual property arises as a result of at least a combination of the first visual feature and the second visual feature, and wherein when viewed from a second angle, the first visual property arises as a result of at least a combination of the first visual feature and the second visual feature and the second visual property arises as a result of at least a combination of the background and the first visual feature.

It will be appreciated, that the first and second properties undergoing modification when the hidden image is viewed at different angles, is an optional aspect of the present invention and not required in all implementations. This additional, optional, feature may be beneficial in providing an additional layer of security against copying of the article or the substrate.

For example, the background may be a portion of the substrate which does not comprise the second visual feature. As an example, if the second visual feature comprised a series of printed lines, separated by a series of blank spaces, or gaps, the background may be defined as a portion of the substrate comprising the blank spaces, or gaps, between the printed lines.

In an embodiment the coded information may be applied to the article using a method of printing. In addition, or separately, the decoder may be applied to the substrate using a method of printing. Optionally, the method of printing may comprise any one of an inkjet, laser jet, flexographic, lithographic, screen, gravure, intaglio, or any other suitable printing method.

The substrate may be at least partially transparent, and the decoder may be arranged on a surface of the substrate that is opposite to the attachment surface of the substrate. For example, the substrate may be a partially transparent material having the attachment surface and a parallel decoder surface, the decoder may be present on or applied to the decoder surface.

In an embodiment the substrate has a width less than 0.5mm, the substrate may have a width between 0.1mm and 0.5mm.

Optionally, the coded information and/or the decoder may comprise any of a plurality of lines and/or dots. That is, both the coded information and the decoder may comprise lines, dots, or a combination of both. The lines and/or dots of the coded information may optically interact with the lines and/or dots of the decoder to reveal the hidden image. Optionally, one or both of the coded information and the decoder may comprise a modulation. The modulation may encode the hidden image.

In an embodiment, the coded information may comprise a uniform series of parallel lines separated by a series of gaps. Optionally, the distance between each of the uniform series of parallel lines is less than 0.5 mm. The decoder may comprise a modulated series of lines separated by a series of gaps. The modulation may be provided by deviating one or more portions of one or more of the lines. That is, the lines of the decoder may comprise a uniform series of parallel lines, where one or more portions of the one or more of the lines are deviated. The un-deviated portions of the lines of the decoder may comprise the same distance between each line as the distance between each of the uniform series of parallel lines of the coded information.

The deviation may, for example, by a shift of one or more of the lines. The shift may be in a perpendicular direction to a direction of the one or more of the lines. The shift may be less than the distance between each of the uniform series of parallel lines of the coded information.

In an embodiment, the distance between the lines and/or dots is less than 0.5mm. For example, if the coded information and decoder comprise a series of parallel lines, the distance between sections of those lines not containing any deviations may be less than 0.5mm.

In an embodiment, the decoder does not comprise visual information. Instead, the article may comprise coded information in the form of an image. The image may comprise a hidden image incorporated into a primary image. The decoder may act to reveal the second image. In this embodiment, the decoder may be an optical decoder that may on the refraction of light via the decoder to reveal the hidden image. The decoder may be a lenticular lens in this embodiment.

The substrate may comprise a polymeric, e.g. plastic material. The substrate may be at least partially transparent. The substrate may be in the form of a polymeric label.

The article may comprise a non-transparent material.

The article may be or may be part of a printed article. The printed article may be a document. The document may be a certificate, a passport, a boarding pass, or other legal document. The printed article may be a paper-based document. The printed article may be a polymeric, e.g. plastic, based document. The document may be a bond paper document.

The product may be applied or incorporated onto another product. For example, the product may be attached to another product, such as a manufacturing product, to indicate that the (e.g. manufacturing) product is authentic. The other product may be a pharmaceutical product, automotive product, clothing product, or other consumer good. The product may, itself, be a label that is adhesively attached to the other product.

The product may comprise at least one tamper evident feature for indicating that the product has been tampered with. In this way, if a party tries to tamper with the product such as by attempting to remove the substrate from the article or, conversely, the article from the substrate, this will be evident by virtue of the at least one tamper evident feature.

The at least one tamper evident feature may be provided by the attachment surface of the substrate being securely attached to the article such that portions of the substrate remain attached to the article when the product is tampered with, and/or portions of the article remain attached to the substrate when the product is tampered with. This means, for example, that if removal of the substrate from the article (or removal of the article from the substrate) is attempted, the secure attachment of the substrate to the article results in parts of the substrate remaining attached to the article or vice versa. Therefore, an indication that the product has been tampered with is provided. The secure attachment may be provided by the adhesive used to adhesively bond the substrate to the article.

The at least one tamper evident feature may be provided by the adhesive changing colour, transparency or opacity, when the product is tampered with. This means, for example, that the adhesive is arranged to change colour when a strain, pressure, or other force is applied to the adhesive. The strain, pressure, or other force may be applied by a user attempting to remove the substrate from the article or the article from the substrate.

The at least one tamper evident feature may comprise at least one frangible region of the substrate or article. The at least one frangible region may be arranged to break when the product is tampered with. This means, for example, that if removal of the substrate from the article (or removal of the article from the substrate) is attempted, the at least one frangible region of the substrate may break, Therefore, an indication that the product has been tampered with is provided. In most arrangement, the at least one tamper evident feature is provided on the substrate, and preferably within or in proximity to the decoder.

The at least one tamper evident feature may be provided by the decoder being arranged to deform when the product is tampered with. The deformation of the decoder may prevent the decoder from decoding the coded information so as to reveal the hidden image, or at least may limit the effectiveness of the decoder.

The substrate may comprise at least one additional security feature. The additional security feature may be for authenticating the article, and/or authenticating the substrate. Authenticating the substrate or article may mean authenticating that the substrate or article is not an unauthorised copy of an official, authorised, substrate or article.

The at least one additional security feature may be one or more of: a hidden image revealed by tilting; a hidden image revealed by a separate optical decoder (e.g., a lens or electronic device able to perform decoding using image processing); coded information revealed by illuminating the substrate with non-visible light (such as UV light); or a decoder for decoding another feature on the article. The another feature may be additional coded information provided on the article. The at least one additional security feature may be useful in terms of extra security of the article, or for the substrate itself.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a substrate for authenticating an article comprising coded information. The substrate comprising: a decoder. The substrate comprising an attachment surface for adhesively attaching the substrate to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information. The decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image.

The substrate may be the same as the substrate described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

The substrate may be a label. The attachment surface may comprise an adhesive for use in attaching the substrate to the article. The substrate may be provided on a backing layer, e.g. a polymeric based backing layer, such that the substrate may be peeled off the backing layer and attached to the article. The backing layer may be a paper based backing layer optionally coated in a polymer.

A plurality of substrates according to the second aspect of the invention may be provided on a backing layer. That is, continuous roll or sheet of backing layer may be provided comprising a plurality of substrates which may be peeled off and attached to articles.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit of parts. The kit of parts comprising an article comprising coded information. The kit of parts comprising a substrate. The substrate may be the same as the substrate described above in relation to the first or second aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of authenticating an article comprising coded information. The method comprising: providing a substrate for authenticating the article, the substrate comprising a decoder and an attachment surface. The method comprising adhesively attaching the attachment surface of the substrate to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information. The decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image.

The substrate and article may be the same as the substrate and article described above in relation to the first and second aspects of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a product comprising: an article comprising coded information; and a substrate for authenticating the article, the substrate comprising a decoder and an attachment surface, wherein the attachment surface of the substrate is attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information, the decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image. That is, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the substrate may be, but is not required to be adhesively attached to the article. Other forms of attachment, i.e., non-adhesive based, are within the scope of the fifth aspect of the invention.

The product may comprise at least one tamper evident feature as described above in relation to the first to fourth aspects of the invention. The product may comprise other features evident above as described in relation to the first to fourth aspects of the invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

Figure 1A shows example of coded information;

Figure 1B shows an example decoder for deciding the coded information of Figure 1 A;

Figure 2A shows an example of coded information;

Figure 2B shows an example decoder for decoding the coded information of Figure 2A;

Figure 3 shows a composite of the coded information of Figure 2A and the decoder of Figure 2B overlapping to reveal a hidden image;

Figure 4A shows the composite of Figure 3 when viewed at a first angle showing a hidden image;

Figure 4B shows the composite of Figure 3 when viewed at a second angle showing the hidden image having undergone an inversion;

Figure 5A shows a substrate comprising the decoder being moved into adhesive attachment with an article comprising the coded information;

Figure 5B shows the substrate of Figure 5A adhesively attached to the article;

Figure 6 shows an article comprising the coded information;

Figure 7 shows two substrates for authenticating an article;

Figure 8A shows a product comprising a substrate adhesively attached to an article so as to decode the coded information;

Figures 8B and 8C show a close-up of the product in Figure 8A; and

Figure 9 is a flow diagram of a method of authenticating an article comprising coded information.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1A-4B, there are shown examples of coded information and decoders for decoding coded information. This, at least, provides added context for understanding and implementing the invention.

Figure 1A shows example coded information in the form of an image 10. The image 10 comprises a primary image, in this example a lion, and a hidden image incorporated into the primary image. The image 10 is formed from a series of wavy lines, but an array of dots could also be used. The image 10 contains no information visible to the naked eye that it is other than it appears. The image 10 may even be arranged to be photocopiable without the hidden image showing up in the copy, although, of course, it can readily be arranged, by any convenient prior art techniques, that they are also not photocopiable.

Figure 1B shows a cross sectional view of an optical decoder 1 for decoding the image 10 of Figure 1A and therefore revealing the hidden image. The decoder 1 is formed from a transparent substrate, and has a uniform series of raised convex portions 2 so as to produce a series of parallel grooves 3. The frequency of the grooves 3, i.e. the number of grooves per unit length, corresponds to the frequency of the lines used in the line pattern of the image 10. The raised convex portions 2 have generally curved surfaces 4 between the grooves 3, and are arranged such that when placed over the line pattern of image 10, light is refracted from the line pattern in different directions. The modulation of the line pattern is chosen to work with a specific optical decoder 1, such that when a user views the line pattern through the optical decoder 1, the light from the pattern is refracted in such a way as to produce a recognisable pattern, such as a letter or image of an object. In this way, the decoder 1 acts to decode the information coded into the image 10 and thus reveal the hidden image.

Figure 2A shows example coded information 5 in the form of a first visual feature 5. The first visual feature 5 comprises a uniform series of parallel lines 5a separated by a series of gaps.

Figure 2B shows an example decoder 6 in the form of a second visual feature 6. The second visual feature 6 comprises a uniform series of parallel lines 6a separated by a series of gaps, and where some sections of the lines 6a have been modulated, so as to provide deviations 6b from the lines 6a. The deviations 6b are created by shifting a section of the lines 6a perpendicular to the direction of the lines 6a to create an offset between the lines 6a and the deviations 6b. Note that the deviations 6b need not be continuous with the parallel lines 6a, i.e. the deviations 6b could be formed as separate lines which are offset from the lines 6a. The first and second visual features 5, 6 may be the same colour, or may be different colours.

By arranging the first visual feature 5 to overlap with the second visual feature 6 (or vice versa), a composite image 7 is obtained as shown in Figure 3. The composite 7 is a composite of the first and second visual features 5, 6, and, in the present example, is set against a white backdrop. It will be appreciated that the backdrop may be opaque or transparent, and may be any colour, such that the first and second visual features 5, 6 are distinguishable from the backdrop. The optical interaction of the lines 5a, 6a and deviations 6b produces a hidden image. From the view point of Figure 3, the hidden image has a first section 7a formed from the interaction of lines 5a and deviations 6b, which is darker than a second, background, section 7b which is formed from the interaction of lines 5a and 6a (where the horizontal dotted lines divide the sections). In other words, the hidden image is a stripe 7a set against a background section 7b, the stripe 7a running perpendicular to the uniform series of parallel lines 5a, 6a.

In some example implementations, an at least partially transparent gap is provided between the first and second visual features 5, 6 (i.e. there is a distance between the plane of the first visual feature 5 and the plane of the second visual feature 6). By providing an at least partially transparent gap of width W between the first and second visual features 5, 6, appropriate angling will lead to the lines 5a, 6a, of the first and second visual features 5, 6 lining up such that the background section 7b of the composite image 7 appears darker than the stripe 7a of the anti-counterfeit image 7, or vice versa. In other words, angling of the composite image 7 from one angle to another leads to a modification of the hidden image contained within the composite image 7. In the case shown in Figure 3, this modification is a contrast inversion of the hidden image, where the stripe 7a becomes lighter than the background section 7b (and vice versa).

This is shown in Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A shows the composite image 7 when angled to show the stripe 7a as a dark strip across the central portion of the hidden image, with the background section 7b forming a lighter background. The optic distance, i.e. the distance between the first and second visual features 5, 6 is also highlighted. When viewed at the angle as shown in Figure 4A, the parallel lines 5a of the first visual feature 5 are made to line up with the parallel lines 6a of the second visual feature 6, whereas the deviations 6b of the second visual feature 6 do not line up with the lines 5a of the first visual feature 5. In other words, assuming that the backdrop is white and the visual features 5, 6 are black, the average colour of the background section 7b, formed from the lines 5a, 6a and the backdrop, is grey, and the average colour of the stripe 7a, formed from the lines 5a and deviations 6b, is a black.

Figure 4B shows the composite image 7 when angled at a different angle, and shows the stripe 7a as a grey colour against the background section 7b which is black. In this case, the parallel lines 5a of the first visual feature 5 do not line up with the parallel lines 6a of the second visual feature 6, whereas the deviations 6b of the second visual feature 6 do line up with the lines 5a.

While the examples shown in Figures 4A and 4B are set against the white backdrop of the page, it will be appreciated that the backdrop to which the anti-counterfeit image is to be applied does not need to be white. For example, if the backdrop is yellow, and the lines 5a, 6a, 6b of the first and second visual features are blue, then the composite image will produce a hidden image having a stripe which looks blue against a green background (where the mixing of the blue lines and yellow backdrop produces a green background when viewed from a distance). These colours will be inverted when the anti-counterfeit image is viewed from a different angle, i.e. the stripe will appear green on a blue background.

There is a relationship between the width of the lines 5a, 6a, the width of the deviations 6b, the width of the gaps between the lines 5a, 6a and deviations 6b, and the width W of the gap between the first and second visual features. The width of the gaps between the lines 5a, 6a are dependent on the line frequency (i.e. the number of lines per unit length), which may be limited by the manufacturing capabilities, such as the resolution of a printer used to print the lines 5a, 6a. The width of the lines 5a, 6a may be equal to the width of the gaps between the lines 5a ,6a, or may vary between 10% and 90% of width of the gaps between the lines 5a, 6a. The width of the gaps between the lines 5a, 6a can be chosen with respect to the intensity of the deviations 6b. The larger the deviations 6b from lines 6a, the more distance between the lines 5a, 6a will be required to create a strong effect. Depending on the specific arrangement of the lines, deviations and gap, the hidden image can undergo inversion multiple times when angled through 180 degrees. For example, the hidden image may undergo inversion four times when angled through 180 degrees.

The hidden image in the composite image 7 described above is a simple stripe running parallel to the lines 5a, 6a of the first and second visual features 5, 6. This was achieved by providing simple deviations 6b in the lines 6a of the second visual feature 6. It will be appreciated that by providing more complex deviations of the lines, a more complex image may be produced when the first and second visual features 5, 6 are made to overlap. For example, the hidden image may be a pattern that spells out a word, or resembles an object, such as a company logo. It will also be appreciated that gradients and vignettes can be hidden within the hidden image.

While the above example has been described using visual features that are comprised of uniform parallel lines, it will be appreciated that the other visual features may be used to achieve the same effect. For example, the first visual feature 5 may instead comprise a uniform dot screen, such as a series of dots arranged in a uniform manner, and the second visual feature may also comprise a uniform dot screen, but where the position, shape, or size of some of the dots are modulated to provide deviations. Alternatively, lines and dots may be combined, for example, the first visual feature 5 may comprise a uniform series of parallel lines, and the second visual feature may comprise a uniform dot screen, but where the position, shape, or size of some of the dots are modulated to provide deviations.

The arrangements of the coded information and decoder as described above in relation to Figures 1 to 4B may be utilised by the article and substrate of the present invention.

In particular, Figure 5A shows a product in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention in the process of being assembled. The product comprises an article 15 comprising coded information 5. The coded information 5 in this example is the first visual feature 5 as described above in relation to Figure 2A. The product further comprises a substrate 16 for authenticating the article 15. The substrate 16 comprises a decoder 6 and an attachment surface. In this example implementation, the decoder 6 is a second visual feature 6 as described above in relation to Figure 2B. In Figure 5A, the substrate 16 is shown being lowered on to the article 15. In this way, the attachment surface of the substrate 16 may be adhesively attached to the article 15. The substrate 16 is lowered onto the article 15 such that the substrate 16 is adhesively attached to the article 15 in a position such that the decoder 6 overlaps the coded information 5. The decoder 6 decodes the coded information 5 so as to reveal a hidden image.

Figure 5B shows the substrate 16 adhesively attached to the article 15 such that the decoder 6 overlaps the coded information 5. When the decoder 6 is appropriately placed, the first and second visual features 5, 6 optically interact so as to decode a hidden image encoded into the second visual feature 6, which, in the example shown in Figure 5B, is depicted as a circle 17. The circle 17 is shown as white, and the surrounding area (i.e. the background) 17b of the circle 17 as black. The visual effect is exaggerated in Figure 5B, but serves to highlight the contrast difference between the hidden image and the background when viewed at the angle portrayed. If the user were to change their viewpoint appropriately, the contrast of the hidden image would swap with the background 17b, such that the circle 17 would appear darker and the background 17b would appear lighter, as described above.

Therefore, the decoder 6, in this example implementation, decodes the coded information 5 by overlapping the coded information 5 and cooperating with the coded information 5 to form a composite image 7. This is as described above in relation to Figures 3, 4A and 4B.

While the decoder 6 of Figures 5A and 5B is shown as comprising visual information 6, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. The decoder 6 may be in the form of an optical decoder as described in relation to Figure 1B. The coded information 5 in this example will be in the form of an image 10 as described in relation to Figure 1A.

With reference to Figures 6 to 8C there is shown an example product comprising an article and substrate for authenticating the article.

Figure 6 shows the article 15 comprising coded information 5. The article 15 is a printed article. The printed article 15 may be a document. The document may be a certificate, a passport, a boarding pass, or other legal document. The printed article may be a paper-based document. The document may be a bond paper document.

The coded information 5 is provided in an oblong shaped box. The oblong shaped box may conveniently serve as a signature box where a user by sign the document. This may be as part of the process of completing the document. That is, a user may desire to sign a certificate, passport or legal document. That is, the user may sign the document before adhesively attaching a substrate to the document to confirm the authenticity of the document.

In this example, coded information 5 is applied to the article 15 using a method of printing. Optionally, the method of printing may comprise any one of an inkjet, laser jet, flexographic, lithographic, screen, gravure, intaglio, or any other suitable printing method. Imprinting is included, e.g. embossing or similar.

Figure 7 shows two substrates 16, 16A comprising decoders 6, 6A. The two substrates 16, 16A are in the form of polymeric, e.g. plastic, partially transparent, flexible, labels. By partially transparent we meant that not all of the substrate 16, 16A is transparent due to the presence of printed information on the substrate 16, 16A. Partially transparent may also mean that the substrate is, for example, translucent. The attachment surface of the substrate 16, 16A comprises an adhesive for use in attaching the substrates 16, 16A to the article. The decoder 6, 6A is arranged on a surface of the substrate 16, 16A that is opposite to the attachment surface of the substrate 16, 16A. The decoder 6, 6A is arranged on a top surface, and the attachment surface is a bottom surface, the top surface and the bottom surface are parallel to one another.

The decoder 6, 6A is applied to the substrate 16, 16A using a method of printing. Optionally, the method of printing may comprise any one of an inkjet, laser jet, flexographic, lithographic, screen, gravure, intaglio, or any other suitable printing method. Imprinting is included, e.g. embossing.

The substrates 16, 16A are provided on a backing layer 18 which in Figure 7 is a polymeric, e.g. plastic, based backing layer 18. It will be appreciated that substrates 16, 16A may be provided on a continuous roll or sheet of backing layer 18. In use, the substrates 16, 16A may be peeled off the backing layer and attached to the articles 15 as desired.

The substrates 16, 16A comprise additional security features 19, 19A. The additional security features 19, 19A are for authenticating the article, and/or authenticating the substrate 16,16A.

Authenticating the substrate may mean authenticating that the substrate 16, 16A is not an unauthorised copy of an official, authorised, substrate 16, 16A. The additional security features 19, 19A in this example are hidden images 19, 19A that are revealed by a separate optical decoder (e.g., a lens or electronic device able to perform decoding using image processing). The additional security features 19, 19A provide additional protection against a third party attempting to make counterfeit substrates 16, 16A or articles.

In use, the substrates 16, 16A of Figure 7 may be provided to the entity responsible for providing the article 15. For example, in the case where the article 15 is a passport, the substrates 16, 16A may be provided to the passport issuing authority, e.g. a government agency. Once the details of the article are completed, and optionally the article is signed, or stamped, the user may peel off a substrate 16, 16A from the backing layer 8 and adhesively attached the substrate 16, 16A. In this way, the decoder 6 is able to always, e.g. permanently, decode the coded information. Therefore, the coded information is not always hidden, but is instead always decoded such that the hidden image is always visible. This might be a surprising approach, and perhaps even counterintuitive. Also, removing the decoder most likely (if not inherently) distorts, disturbs or at least negatively impacts the decoding effect, making it difficult or impossible to re-use the article or decoder after such removal or related tampering. The same is true if and when removing the decoder most likely (if not inherently) distorts, disturbs or at least negatively impacts the surface underlying the decoder (e.g. damaging or destroying an underlying signature, or space for a signature), again making it difficult or impossible to re-use the article or decoder after such removal or related tampering. A benefit of this overall approach is that, at the same time, a user may quickly observe the article to confirm that the article is genuine, without having to provide and use a separate decoder. So, a convenient yet counterintuitive and tamper proof approach is realised.

In use, the substrate(s) 16, 16A and article(s) 15 may be provided a kit of parts.

Figure 8A shows substrate 16 peeled off the backing layer 18 and adhesively attached to the article 15 via the attachment surface of the substrate 16. The substrate 16 is so positioned that the decoder 6 overlaps the coded information 5 on the article 15. In this way, the decoder 6 cooperates with the coded information 5 to decode and reveal a hidden image. The hidden image is visible in Figure 8A as repeated representations of the word “NAUTILUS”. Figure 8B shows a close up of the decoder 6 and coded information 5 with one instance of the word “NAUTILUS” unnaturally enhanced for illustrative purposes. Figure 8C is the same as Figure 8B, but is shown with contrast and brightness unnaturally enhanced, again for illustrative purposes to that the repeated word “NAUTILUS” is more clearly visible in this disclosure.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to the display of a particular hidden image. In fact, any desired hidden image may be displayed through appropriate design of the coded information and decoder.

In example implementations, the substrate may be attached to the article at the point of manufacture of the article or at another point in time where it is known that the article is genuine. As it is known that the article is genuine, the coded information and decoder can be used in combination, permanently, to make it clear for all to see that the article is genuine.

The product may then be applied or incorporated onto another product. For example, the product may be attached to another product, to indicate that the product is authentic. The other product may be a pharmaceutical product, automotive product, clothing product, or other consumer good. In these example implementations, the product may, itself, be a label that is adhesively attached to the other product.

In example implementations, the product may comprise at least one tamper evident feature for indicating that the product has been tampered with. In this way, if a party tries to tamper with the product such as by attempting to remove the substrate from the article or, conversely, the article from the substrate, this will be evident by virtue of the at least one tamper evident feature.

It will be appreciated that providing at least one tamper evident feature is beneficial but is not required in all embodiments of the present invention.

In the example implementation of Figures 6 to 8C, the at least one tamper evident feature is provided by the attachment surface of the substrate 16 being securely attached to the article 15 such that portions of the substrate 16 remain attached to the article 15 when the product is tampered with, and/or portions of the article 15 remain attached to the substrate 16 when the product is tampered with. This means, for example, that if removal of the substrate 16 from the article 15 (or removal of the article 15 from the substrate 16) is attempted, the secure attachment of the substrate 16 to the article 15 results in parts of the substrate 16 remaining attached to the article 15 or vice versa. Therefore, an indication that the product has been tampered with is provided. The secure attachment is, in this example implementation, provided by the adhesive used to adhesively bond the substrate to the article.

In this, or other, example implementations, the at least one tamper evident feature may be provided by the adhesive changing colour, opacity or transparency when the product is tampered with. This means, for example, that the adhesive is arranged to change colour when a strain, pressure, or other force is applied to the adhesive. The strain, pressure, or other force may be applied by a user attempting to remove the substrate from the article or the article from the substrate.

In this, or other, example implementations, the at least one tamper evident feature may comprise at least one frangible region of the substrate or article. The at least one frangible region may be arranged to break when the product is tampered with. This means, for example, that if removal of the substrate from the article (or removal of the article from the substrate) is attempted, the at least one frangible region of the substrate may break, Therefore, an indication that the product has been tampered with is provided. In most arrangement, the at least one tamper evident feature is provided on the substrate, and preferably within or in proximity to the decoder.

In this, or other, example implementations, the at least one tamper evident feature may be provided by the decoder being arranged to deform when the product is tampered with. The deformation of the decoder may prevent the decoder from decoding the coded information so as to reveal the hidden image, or at least may limit the effectiveness of the decoder.

Referring to Figure 9, there is shown a method according to the fourth aspect of the invention. The method is for authenticating an article comprising coded information.

At step SO the substrate 16 (Figure 7) for authenticating the article 15 (Figure 6) is provided.

At step S1, the attachment surface of the substrate 16 is adhesively attached to the article 15 (Figure 6) in a position such that the decoder 6 overlaps the coded information. In this way, the decoder 6 may decode the coded information 5 so as to reveal a hidden image.

Although a few preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

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 10 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 comprising:

an article comprising coded information; and a substrate for authenticating the article, the substrate comprising a decoder and an attachment surface, wherein the attachment surface of the substrate is adhesively attached to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information, the decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image.

2. A product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coded information comprises a first visual feature, the decoder comprises a second visual feature, and wherein when the decoder overlaps the coded information, the first and second visual features optically interact to reveal the hidden image.

3. A product as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the decoder is printed on to the substrate, and/or wherein the coded information is printed on to the article.

4. A product as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substrate is at least partially transparent, and/or wherein the substrate comprises a polymeric material.

5. A product as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substrate is a label.

6. A product as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substrate comprises at least one tamper evident feature for indicating that the product has been tampered.

7. A product as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one tamper evident feature is provided by the attachment surface of the substrate being securely attached to the article such that portions of the substrate remain attached to the article, and/or portions of the article remain attached to the substrate, when the product is tampered with.

8. A product as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one tamper evident feature comprises at least one frangible region of the substrate, the at least one frangible region being arranged to break when the product is tampered with.

9. A product as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least one tamper evident feature is provided by the decoder being arranged to deform when the product is tampered with, the deformation of the decoder preventing the decoder from decoding the coded information so as to reveal the hidden image, or at least limiting the effectiveness of the decoder.

10. A product as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the article is a printed article, optionally wherein the printed article is a certificate, passport or other legal document, and optionally a paper-based document.

11. A product as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substrate comprises at least one additional security feature, the additional security feature being for authenticating the article, and/or authenticating the substrate.

12. A product as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one additional security feature is one or more of: a hidden image revealed by tilting; a hidden image revealed by a separate optical decoder; coded information revealed by illuminating the substrate with nonvisible light; ora decoder for decoding another feature on the article.

13. A substrate for authenticating an article comprising coded information, the substrate comprising:

a decoder; and an attachment surface for attaching the substrate to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information, the decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image.

14. A kit of parts comprising:

an article comprising coded information; and a substrate as claimed in claim 13.

15. A method of authenticating an article comprising coded information, the method comprising:

providing a substrate for authenticating the article, the substrate comprising a decoder and an attachment surface, adhesively attaching the attachment surface of the substrate to the article in a position such that the decoder overlaps the coded information, the decoder being for decoding the coded information so as to reveal a hidden image.

Intellectual Property Office

Application No: GB1801507.3