KR20180086409A - Manufacture of printed fiber optics and anti-counterfeit protection by use of integrated sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments provide a method for anti-counterfeiting of containers used for shipping goods. Optical fibers are embedded in optical shielded wallpapers that line all internal surfaces of containers of shipping containers, packages, boxes, barrels or other shapes of any size. Wallpapers are made using large scale rollers that press the fibers with encapsulated adhesives on a suitable medium. Small pharmaceutical containers are protected by optical fiber shields and sensors fabricated using inkjet printing techniques. Light is applied to the optical fiber, and measurements of the optical fiber properties are performed. Digital signal processing is used to generate pedigree information that may include items such as shipping locations, serial numbers and product numbers of goods. The state of the autonomic anti-fake system is monitored in real time for unauthorized intrusions. The detected intrusion is relayed to the authorized recipient over the various communication channels.

Description

Manufacture of printed fiber optics and anti-counterfeit protection by use of integrated sensors

Any and all applications for which foreign or domestic priority claims are identified in the application data sheet filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference in accordance with 37 CFR 1.57 herein.

The presently disclosed embodiments and manufacturing processes are directed to preventing counterfeiting of containers of products to prevent replacement of counterfeit products in the container and to prevent theft and generally unauthorized access.

Shipping vessels used for sea and land transport of goods are particularly vulnerable to intrusion if left in a holding yard such as a freight forwarder. Containers may be damaged if they are illegally removed from holding yards or high-jacked during transport. The new problem that army shippers pay particular attention to is the penetration of shipping containers through the walls rather than through container doors. Once a wall intrusion occurs, intruders can replace the hole and repair it to make the container appear untouched. Detection of intrusion is a problem for the recipient of the shippers and goods until the contents are carefully inspected. The time between invasion and inspection can often be long, making it impossible to retrieve lost items and keep track of intruders.

The globalization of product manufacturing has posed a serious challenge to consumers in that many products are replaced by counterfeit goods during and after manufacture, throughout parts of the supply chain and during transportation. These counterfeit products do not work as intended, resulting in significant financial losses, threatening national security and threatening the health of individuals. Counterfeiters attack supply chains for electronic components, expensive mechanical parts, expensive fragrances and cosmetics and medicines. Some of the worst examples are counterfeit medicines that can be replaced by chemicals with life-threatening consequences; Bolts entering critical locations such as bridges and aircraft; Fire extinguishers including compressed air that can not operate in emergency situations; And electronic components installed in national defense systems that further reduce life span and reduce reliability and performance.

Current solutions include the use of RFID (Raido Frequency Identification) tags. These tags are devices that are attached to products or shipping containers. These include identification code and, in some cases, manufacturing information for the part. During shipment and at different locations in the supply chain, the RFID tags are scanned by equipment that reads the identity of the part to apply radio frequencies to the tag and determine whether the tag will return correct information. In this case, the product is considered to be genuine.

Shipping and logistics service providers can check the parts in transit at various locations to determine whether the RFID tag returns the expected information.

However, the use of RFID tags has significant weaknesses. When used in a box or package containing the product, it ensures that only the box or package carrying the genuine tag is good. The box or package contents may be counterfeit and may have changed in the vehicle during transport, somewhere in the supply chain, at the warehouse, or during transport between supply chain locations.

If an RFID tag is used to tag individual articles, the known approach is to remove the tag, place the tag on the counterfeit article, and then sell the genuine article to the other consumer to increase the benefit to the counterfeiter . While there are companies that sell "anti-counterfeit" tags, counterfeiters will use calm and careful chemical procedures that dissolve the adhesive on the tags in the same way that they use processes to re-label and polish semiconductor packages. Placing tags on each individual product has the added disadvantage of increased cost. For example, if added to each bolt of a shipment, it would add tens of cents to the cost of the bolt. Adding RFID tags to each integrated circuit contained in conventional shipping tubes would be expensive and impractical. In addition, the tags will interfere with the automatic insertion process machines used to build electronic assemblies. In addition, tags can not be added to many small electronic devices, such as many smaller and smaller integrated circuit packages, much smaller than resistors, capacitors and RFID tags. For example, the dimensions of the 01005 resistor are only 0.4 mm x 0.2 mm; Placing tags on one of these devices is neither physically nor economically feasible. Important mechanical components have tags inserted into the component itself. This approach will be the target of tag removal or tag code hacking, and will only be successful if more complex tags are used with read blocks. In this last case there will be a significant cost increase, and the addition of tags embedded in the part can affect the performance of the part.

In addition to the limitations described above, the RFID tags can be hacked where the part information can be read and placed in another new tag, and then attached to the forged product. RFID tags vary in price from 10 cents to several dollars each. Some of these have a "read block" property at a location intended to prevent counterfeiting, but this property requires that a state machine or processor function be placed on the tag, so that only the more expensive tags . The read block tags will be placed separately in the more expensive products, but they will still suffer from the above-mentioned problems.

Attempts have been made to include molten metal devices that implement wires on both sides of tags, plastic wrap or container lids made of paper used to seal the package. However, these sealing methods present only temporary problems to the counterfeiters, and counterfeiters can replace the products with counterfeit goods in the containers, with enough effort in the workplace and with minimal equipment, regenerate the seals, Can be reattached. If the tags are not write-read-write protected internally, they can easily be falsified.

There are approaches used by prior art techniques in which electromagnetic signals of various frequencies are irradiated to the shipping container holding components and a signature is obtained and then compared to similar measurements made at the receiving location. Alternatively, conventional electromagnetic measurement characterization is done with conventional systems and is used as a standard for authenticity. An evaluation of the authenticity of the parts is made according to the signatures reflected by the materials in the container. Electromagnetic radiation experiences significant reflections from the surrounding environment, the parts of the shipping container, and the physical location of the test equipment. These reflections will distort the measurement and add noise to the reflected radiation, which will affect the repeatability and reliability of the measurement. The results are often influenced by the skill level of the test operator and their ability to interpret the test equipment results.

There are other approaches that use tools that emit light into the package under test. It is used to detect counterfeit medicines. When light is reflected, the tool can detect the presence of some known chemicals due to effects such as fluorescence properties. When these chemicals reflect light corresponding to a chemical different from that known to be contained in the medicines, the package is regarded as a counterfeit. The comparison and evaluation of the detected light is subjective in that the colors on the display of the test tool are not a clear choice and suffer from interpretation errors.

Because the results of counterfeit goods are life-threatening and potentially pandemic, the market for pharmaceuticals is particularly worth mentioning. Prescription-free medicines are placed in containers with lids sealed with tightly shrunk plastic wrap around the lid. These lids can be regenerated and containers with medicines can be replaced with counterfeit goods. Shipments of large quantities of bulk drugs shipped in bulk can be shipped to pharmacists along with RFID tags, but have the above-mentioned problems.

The reliance on the use of RFID tags as a means to prevent only counterfeit parts means that there must be extensive inspection of all components of any particular shipping, which increases the cost of detecting counterfeit parts. Eventually, these costs are passed on to the final consumer.

The embodiments disclosed herein address the above-mentioned needs to protect consumers from counterfeit parts and protect goods during shipment by indicating methods and devices designed for such protection.

The described technique relates to the arrangement of the optical fiber (s) covering the six sides of the interior of the container, including the bottom, top, two sides and end walls.

The purpose of the described technique is to embed the optical fibers in the media using special manufacturing techniques such as large rollers and embed the optical fibers and sensors in the media by the use of ink jet printing techniques. These approaches can make the costs sufficiently low so that the solutions are easily adopted by the market and can be used in shipping containers of any size and shape. Optical fibers are embedded in media such as nonwoven, paper, cardboard, wood products, plastic sheets or other conformable flexible media. The resulting combination of successive webs of optical fibers, together with identifiable media, covers all of the container interior walls. The arrangement of the described technique forms what is known as an Optical Shield Wallpaper.

Optical shielding wallpapers utilize the properties of optical fibers, which provide a characteristic profile that is unique to the physical arrangement of specific fibers and fibers during parametric light wave measurements. This characteristic profile describes the flexures, cracks, transmission modes, chromatic dispersion of the optical fiber, and other effects are known as optical signatures. For example, parametric measurements may include time-related measurements of optical transmission, wavelength-related measurements of optical transmission, modulation of wavelengths of light, modulation of amplitude for single wavelengths or multiple wavelengths, and / or polarization of light. It should be noted that any other characteristic response characteristic of the optical fiber may be used to meet the objectives of the described technique.

The parametric information is exposed upon application of the laser light from an external laser source or other suitable light source. Parametric measurements can be performed in a production facility, in a consumer location, or in real time using an embedded laser system.

The dedicated digital signal processing program, in a predetermined or arbitrary manner, selects various portions of parametric measurement characteristics, implements mathematical algorithms to transform measurement characteristics, and then encodes information for security purposes. The encoded information generated by a mathematical algorithm is known as an Identity Code. The identification code is a unique identification of the features embedded in the optical fiber and is an encrypted and randomized subset of the information found in the optical signature.

Identification codes, along with part numbers, manufacturing dates, serial numbers, manufacturing locations, part names, product numbers, manufacturing lines, test stations, and physical characteristics, constitute information known as Pedigree information.

Optical shielding wallpapers use a variety of parametric measurements that affect the optical transmission characteristics of optical fibers. For example, if an optical fiber intentionally cracks in various regions, the cracks will cause any moving light in the fiber to reflect back to the light source at time intervals, which depends on the location of the crack along the fiber. Another characteristic of the fibers is known as dispersion which causes any laser pulses injected at one end of the fiber to expand in time before reaching the opposite end. And is detected at the opposite end of the fiber when laser light is injected at one end of the fiber. The particular wavelength shape of the received pulse at the end of the fiber is one of the elements used to create the unique optical signature. If the optical fiber is bent in any particular way, the third characteristic of the fiber is experienced when the optical fiber produces distortions that include additional wavelength characteristics. This produces a specific profile of the laser light that can be observed with an optical spectrum analyzer. Additional properties of optical transmission of optical fibers, such as optical polarization, backscattering reflections such as Rayleigh, Brillouin or Raman, to produce the essential parameters used to obtain the inherent optical signature Can be used. One or more transmission characteristics from the optical signature of the fiber, similar to but not limited to the previous examples, may be selected by a dedicated digital signal processing program to generate an identification code. After the code is first created in the manufacturing facility, the code is embedded in the pedigree and then transmitted to the consumer via the secure Internet channel and / or embedded in the RFID tag. Any counterfeiting of the package or intrusion of the container wall will affect the identification code and when making the measurements the consumer can compare the received code with the measured code and any difference exceeding the given threshold will cause the intrusion to occur And will therefore doubt the shipment. Whether monitored in real time or on an event-driven basis, the optical shield wallpapers installed on the container walls will detect intrusion and the intrusion notification of the container can be sent immediately to the designated recipient. Immediate notification of vessel intrusion allows for prompt response by the appropriate authorities to potentially prevent or interfere with unauthorized intrusions.

Thus, in one aspect of the described techniques, protection for products and methods of detecting counterfeitings involve taking a parametric measurement of an optical shield that is embedded in a package, surrounds the product, or covers the inner walls of any container. Measurements are made at the product manufacturing facility and an identification code is obtained. The identification code is encrypted and embedded in the pedigree. Pedigree is transmitted over a secure communication channel to a customer specific location in the supply chain. The recipient of the shipment of goods takes similar measurements and verifies that the identification code is the same, which provides assurance that no counterfeiting has occurred.

The optical shielding wallpapers of the above-described techniques utilize the different types of response characteristics of the optical fibers. Depending on which type of light source, e.g. LED light source or laser light source (fixed or tunable wavelength), amplitude modulated light source, light source with modulated wavelength or other suitable light source is applied to the fiber under test, The response characteristics obtained will be different. The response characteristics can be, for example, measurement related time of light transmission, measurement related wavelength of light transmission, modulation of frequencies of light, modulation of amplitude of single wavelength or multiple wavelengths and / or polarization of light. It should be noted that any other characteristic response characteristic of the optical fiber may be used to meet the objectives of the described technique.

In another aspect, articles of manufacture for protecting products from counterfeit goods are disclosed. Thereafter, this will be known as an article. The article includes an optical fiber as a continuous web embedded in a medium such as nonwoven, paper, cardboard, wood products, plastic sheets or other compliant and flexible media. The resulting combination is known as optical shield wallpapers. Optical shielding wallpapers are used to attach into the walls of containers or packages to cover all six sides. The beginning and end of the continuous fibers are connected to an intelligent autonomous detection unit called an iLockBox.

iLockBox includes all the necessary hardware and software required to monitor and report on the status of wallpapers integrity. Some of the functional elements of the iLockBox include, but are not limited to: GPS; RFID; battery; Optical transceiver; Communication channels for the Internet, satellite, Bluetooth and mobile; Software, algorithms and firmware for signal processing and encryption of communications.

The nature, objects and advantages of the described technique will become more apparent after consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate the same parts throughout.
Figure 1 shows a typical shipping container used for transporting goods through air, sea and land.
Figure 2 shows the disassembly of different aspects of a conventional shipping container used for transporting goods via air, sea and land.
Figure 3A shows an embodiment of how the optical shield wallpapers can be constructed.
Figure 3b illustrates a typical large scale manufacturing process for an optical shield wallpapers.
Figure 4 is an embodiment of an optical shield wallpain applied to one surface of a container.
Figure 5a shows how different optical shield wall panel panels can be applied to all interior surfaces of a container.
Figure 5b illustrates the application of optical shield protection to a small container with medicines using inkjet printing production.
Figure 6 illustrates how a continuous web of optical shield wallpapers is connected to an iLockBox.
Figure 7 is an embodiment of a process used to characterize a container fixed with an optical shield wallpapers using an iLockBox.
Figure 8 illustrates a monitor loop operation process used to protect the vessel from intrusion.

The word "exemplary" is used exclusively herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. &Quot; The embodiments described herein as "exemplary " are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

The disclosed embodiments provide a process for tamper proof security of a shipping container of any size or configuration. A package comprising an optical fiber and a process including a test system and digital signal processing software allow the shipping container to be protected on all sides. Although the examples and discussions are for shipping containers, similar approaches to other containers such as semi-trucks, fixed storage containers, trains, secure warehouses, or other types of storage that need to be protected against unauthorized access or counterfeiting Will be applied.

Figure 1 illustrates a typical shipping container 100, which has six sides that need to be protected, any of which is vulnerable to unwanted intrusion. The container as described herein can be of any size or shape and can be moved by any conventional shipping methods of today by air, land or sea.

2 is an exploded view of all sides of the shipping container 200. The sides are top side 201, bottom side 203, left side 202, right side 205, back side 204 and front side 207. 206 represents an overlapping flap in which additional optical shield wallpapers are disposed to protect the entrance to the vessel.

3A shows an example of how optical shield wallpapers 300 are manufactured and which are used to protect the container. The optical shield wallpapers include flexible compliant media 305 through which appropriate optical fibers 303 may be applied or embedded and fixed in place. The material may be paper, plastic, cloth, non-woven material, wood product or any other compliant material capable of accommodating an optical fiber. The optical fibers can be bonded to the backing material, embedded in the material when made, or alternatively, it is possible to place the fibers between two layers of backing material, such as in a sandwich arrangement. The optical fiber 302 may be of any suitable shape, such as a grid, which may be a linear or random arrangement in any manner, such that it does not allow penetration of people, hands or arms or tools, or does not allow removal of items from the container without damaging the optical fiber arrangement Lt; / RTI > In Fig. 3, it shows one possible arrangement for an optical fiber, where the optical fibers are first routed in a horizontal pattern and then in a vertical pattern at 303. Fig. The start of the optical fiber is connected to the input optical fiber connector 301 and the end of the optical fiber is connected to the output optical fiber connector 304. The fiber optic connectors may be a connector that can meet different standards, such as FC, SC, SMA or some other configuration or standard, or may be a customized connector. The optical shield wallpapers may include a layer of adhesive to facilitate binding the optical shield wallpapers to the sides of the container.

3B shows a possible manufacturing process for an optical shield wallpap. 3b1 is a roll including an optical fiber preprocessed with an adhesive 3b2 applied by an adhesive printing system 3b6. The optical fiber is then applied to the media or substrate 3b3. The adhesive 3b2 may be a capsule or other commercially available pressure-sensitive adhesive. Activation of the capsule or pressure-sensitive adhesive 3b2 is performed with a pair of high-pressure rollers 3b4 rotating as shown by arrows 3b5. The high pressure of the rollers forces the fiber onto the media 3b3 and activates the adhesive 3b2 on the fiber and attaches it to the appropriate media or substrate 3b3. When the pressure-sensitive adhesive 3b2 or the capsule 3b2 is temperature-activated, the rollers 3b4 can be heated.

4 of Figure 4 illustrates how the optical shield wallpapers can be applied to one of the six sides of the container to form a panel. In this case, an example of how the optical shield wallpapers are applied to the left side 202 of the container is shown. The optical shield wallpapers 300 are applied to the wall of the container by using attachment pins or applying it on the wall like a standard wall paper using an adhesive. The optical shield wallpapers can be made of wood, plastic, metal or some other protective material and can be protected from damage by an additional protective layer of material 403 that can be attached to the side wall 202 of the container. To implement the described techniques, various other configurations of optical shield wallpapers, how they are applied to the side walls of the vessel, the density of the grid and other arrangements can be utilized. The connectors 301 and 304 will be available to connect the panel with the optical shield wallpapers to additional panels to provide complete wall coverage.

5A illustrates an arrangement used to protect the sides 202, 204, 205 and 207, top 201 and bottom 203 of the container to prevent tampering. Some of the tops 201 and bottoms 203 with their optical shielding wallpapers 300 and their respective protective layers or materials 403 are shown for illustrative purposes. Some panels of optical shield wallpapers are shown attached to the container sides mentioned. In this case, there are six optical shield wall panel panels 300. The fibers within each of the panels are connected to connection points 501 using connectors 301 at the beginning of the fiber and connectors 304 at the end of the fiber corresponding to the respective optical shield wallpapers 300, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > as < / RTI > As shown in the example, the optical fiber of the optical shield wall panel forms a continuous circuit so that the optical signal is transmitted to the connector 301 of the given panel, circulated through the fiber, and the output signal comes out of the connector 304 . In the same manner, the optical shielding wall panel panels can be attached to the tops 201 and bottoms 203 of the container using connectors 301 and 304. Thus, this arrangement will form a complete continuous loop of optical fibers in an arrangement that will cover the six inner walls of the vessel. Note that the optical shield wall panel panels are superimposed so that there is no gap in the coverage of the sides of the container. The optical shield wall protection arrangement on the front side 207 illustrates the addition of overlap flaps 206 used to protect the door of the container (or the cover, or the entrance of the container). The overlap flap 206 may be made of a material similar to the protective layer 403. In such a case, the optical shield wallpapers 300 may be attached to the overlapping flap 206. The entire loop of fibers covering all six sides is terminated in the two connectors attached to the iLockBox 600 or in the detection device described in detail in Fig. Once the iLockBox is connected to the connectors 301 and 304 for the start and end of the fiber loop, the ends of the container 207 can be closed and the container can be fixed.

Figure 5b shows an embodiment of a technique applied to small containers with medicines or other valuable materials. Medicament containers may be, for example, conventional plastic containers used for packaging tablets, capsules, powders, and liquids. In one embodiment, the container cap 5b1 is a plastic cap that closes the container bottle 5b2. In various embodiments, the optical fiber shield is made of a shrink wrap material of a cylindrical shape 5b3, which is a carrier of the optical fiber that conforms to the optical fiber shield at the junction of the container bottle 5b2 and the container cap 5b1. In addition, optical sensors capable of detecting light transmitted through an optical fiber can be inkjet printed together with the optical fiber. In yet another embodiment, the fiber optic shield is disposed on the carrier 5b3 using an ink jet printing manufacturing technique that also allows placement of appropriate sensors along the length of the fiber optic shield or fiber optic shield. If the sensor is positioned in this way, the intrusion position can be narrowed to a specific area of the container, so that it is easier to detect the intrusion.

For example, in one embodiment, the carrier 5b3 has three sensors formed along the length of the optical fiber, i.e., the first sensor to the third sensor. In this example, an intrusion occurred between the first sensor and the second sensor. In this example, the first sensor is located closest to the end of the optical fiber from where light is transmitted (e.g., a light source), and the third sensor is farthest from its end. When the light is transmitted through the optical fiber, the first sensor does not detect any abnormality of the optical fiber because there is no intrusion between the light source and the first sensor. However, if the second sensor senses light, an intrusion will be detected because this intrusion altered the physical properties of the optical fiber between the first sensor and the second sensor. Thus, the user will be able to more easily detect the location of the intrusion by having multiple sensors arranged along the length of the optical fiber. Also, optoelectronic devices such as fiber gratings, LEDs or other types of optical devices can be integrated into the optical fiber.

Sensors also allow for the possibility to inject additional unique identifiers for the container into the carrier. To ensure anti-counterfeiting of medication containers, fiber optic shields can use optical fiber signatures similar to those discussed above, which are also used by optical shield wallpapers. Information on the inkjet fabrication techniques used in these embodiments can be found in Micro-Optics Fabrication by Ink Jet Printing and can be found at http://microfab.com/images/papers/opn-oj-magarticle.pdf, As shown in FIG.

6 600 illustrates an embodiment of an iLockBox used to activate optical shield wallpapers that can inform the shipper and owners of goods for potential intrusions. In such a case, only the top view of the sides of the container 500 as shown in FIG. 5 is shown with the understanding that the top 201 and bottom 203 of the container are also covered with the optical shield wallpaper. Note that in this example the iLockBox is not shown to scale relative to the sides of the container. This was done to illustrate the details and functionality of the iLockBox. The iLockBox includes electronic and optical hardware and software used to detect intrusions to the container and notify the user of the intrusion in real time. The iLockBox is connected to the optical shield wallpapers surrounding the container at location 601 where the transmitter 602 in the iLockBox creates an optical signal that is incident on the optical fiber of the optical shield wallpapers. The optical signal of the transmitter may be from a semiconductor laser, LED or other suitable light source. The light circulates in the optical fiber loop of the optical shield wallpapers and is received at the connector 611 and detected by the receiver 610. The iLockBox may include an RFID tag 603 and a GPS locator 604. The microcontroller or processor MCU 605 includes embedded software used to manage operations and host the control system. The event recorder 606 may be configured to continuously monitor the optical shield wallpapers to ensure that the loop is not affected by breakage or by changing the signature characteristics of the loop. The event recorder can also be configured to periodically monitor the optical shield wallpapers or to record an event when an event occurs. Event recorder 606 is used to store the history of information generated by iLockBox 600 monitoring, its general operation, and any accesses of the container for a given time period. The battery module 607 powers the system for a period of time during which the vessel is protected. Typically, the time period may be arbitrarily extended by providing a stored sufficient amount of battery energy. Digital signal processor 609 is used to perform a number of operations related to the generation of optical signatures for optical shielding wallpapers as well as the execution of mathematical models and statistical models. The digital signal processor 609 may also be implemented in software embedded in the MCU 605. [ Another module of the iLockBox 600 is the communication interface hardware. This is used to communicate the status of the container to a user at a near or remote location. Some of the communication interfaces 612 may be for mobile phones, cellular towers or RF receive towers over short-range wireless, land-line, satellite, fiber-optic cable, and other types of communication channels. There are several methods used in the described techniques that are used to prevent intentional segregation of containers for the purpose of preventing users from being notified that counterfeiting is occurring. In one approach, the user system in the server may query the iLockBox 600 on a periodic basis to detect the status. In another method, a non-metallic window, such as glass, in a given area of the vessel may be used to place a satellite antenna within the vessel to broadcast any fake that occurs in real-time or event driven mode. The non-metallic window may be made of a material that will not block RF frequencies coming from the antenna in this case, and may be protected from interference by panels of the optical shield wallpapers. Therefore, the antenna is not prevented from being transmitted at any time. Both methods can be used simultaneously for communication and security assurance.

700 of FIG. 7 illustrates a process running on the iLockBox 600 used to capture the signature inherent to the optical shield wallpapers. In a first step 701, a signal is applied to the optical fiber loop of the optical shield wallpapers. In a second step 702, modulation of the optical carrier frequency (or wavelength) signal in the optical domain is performed and a modulation signal envelope is used to modulate the optical carrier. The modulation envelope may apply AM, FM or any other type of modulation. The carrier can also be modulated by changing the wavelength of the light source. Both time and frequency modulation can be performed by time and frequency modulation, either one at a time or simultaneously, in the electrical domain and the optical domain. In step 703, an optical signal is detected after being circulated through the optical shield wall fiber loop. The optical signal is converted into an electrical signal and digitized. In step 704, a digital signal processing algorithm is performed to extract the unique signature. This is accomplished by detecting modulation elements, by detecting signal dispersion, optical polarization, chromatic dispersion, absorption reflection, or other optical effect properties of the fiber section being used. Other relevant information, e.g., GPS location, RFID information, event recorder information, etc., generated by the various elements of the iLockBox 600 are collected at step 705. The information is then encrypted and transmitted to the security server over the secure communication channel in step 706. [ In addition, various optical modules may be used to insert optical attenuation and distortion, and may be used arbitrarily by placing them between connection points 501 to randomize the signature to make it unique and robust, apart from attempting to falsify the signal . The same information sent to the security server is stored in the event recorder at step 707. [ In step 708, the ends of the container may be closed. In step 709, the system proceeds to a mode in which the loop is continuously operated and monitored, or periodically or event driven monitoring.

8 shows a process executed in the iLockBox 600 used for monitoring the container security. In step 801, an optical signal is applied to the optical shielded wall paper optical fiber loop. At step 802, the optical shield wallpage loop detects, amplifies and digitizes the optical signal. In step 803, the optical shield wallpage obtains the signature of the fiber optic loop. In step 804, the obtained signature is compared to the signature obtained when the container was first closed and stored in the event recorder. In step 805, it is determined whether the signals are different or the same. If the signature comparison is the same between the two measurements, the loop is reinitialized and continues in monitor mode. If the comparisons are different, an alert is sent to the server using one of the available communication channels at 806. Note that in the described technique, more than one communication channel may be used to notify the server for falsification for redundancy and to prevent an intruder from blocking real-time communication with the server. In addition, a continuous monitoring loop can be adapted to run at programmable time intervals to save battery power. Another way to save battery power is to monitor and notify based on events such as intrusions, or unwanted unpacking of any of the container sides.

The order of steps and components illustrated in the figures is not limiting. The methods and components are readily modified by omitting or reordering the illustrated steps and components without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments.

With this description, a novel method of protecting shipping containers with products inside has been described. Both the types of light sources that can be used, the packaging techniques typically used to integrate optical shield wallpapers loops, and the descriptions of the algorithms used to test fiber properties, can employ a variety of different techniques and techniques.

Various illustrative logical measurement techniques and processes for generating pedigrees can be implemented in a variety of combined approaches. The details of the apparatus used to test the fiber responses used to generate the optical signature information may be expected to vary depending upon the particular implementation of the described technique. The functionality for each particular application for different types of components, systems, equipment, and other shipping products is described in various manners, but such implementations should not be interpreted as being outside the scope of the described techniques .

Variations in fiber properties may depend on the measurement location, the package and the temperature at which the container is deformed. The operator can manipulate the optical fiber property measurement thresholds to handle such effects.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.

An external optical lock that secures the doors of the shipping container may be used to further secure the opening of the container to provide a physical security barrier that mechanically opposes unsealed opening of the container.

Various modifications to these embodiments and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims (20)

A system for detecting forgery of an object,
Board;
An optical fiber inkjet printed on a substrate;
At least one sensor configured to detect light that is inkjet printed on the optical fiber and transmitted through the optical fiber; And
And a detection device configured to receive a signal from sensors comprising information about physical characteristics of the optical fiber and to process the signal.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sensors are attached to the optical fiber ends.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the sensors are located along a length of the optical fiber.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the sensors are spaced apart from one another at regular intervals.
5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein at least one of the sensors is configured to detect light transmitted through a portion of the optical fiber.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the substrate comprises a shrink wrap material.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the optical fiber and the substrate are positioned around a cap of a medicament container.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the detecting device is further configured to encrypt the information and to send the encrypted information to a remote server configured to identify whether a forgery has been detected.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the physical properties include movement of the optical fiber.
A system for detecting forgery of an object,
A plurality of panels including optical fibers, the panels being connected to each other such that the optical fibers of adjacent panels are connected to each other;
A detection device coupled to at least one of the panels and configured to measure an optical signature of the optical fiber to detect movement of the optical fiber; And
And a plurality of connectors each located at two ends of each optical fiber for connection to an adjacent optical fiber or the detection device.
11. The method of claim 10,
And a temperature-activated adhesive disposed on the panels and configured to attach the panels to the inner wall of the shipping container.
12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the adhesive comprises a temperature-activated capsule.
CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method of fabricating an optical fiber for anti-
Printing an optical fiber on a substrate through an inkjet printing process;
Printing at least one sensor on the optical fiber; And
And disposing the substrate around the vessel including the optical fiber.
14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein at least one sensor is located at an end of the optical fiber.
14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein at least one sensor is located along the length of the optical fiber.
16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of sensors spaced from one another at regular intervals.
14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the container includes a cap, and wherein disposing the optical fiber includes disposing the optical fiber and the attached sensor around the cap.
18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the container comprises a medicament.
CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method for providing an optical fiber for anti-
Providing a roll of optical fiber;
Pre-treating the optical fiber with a temperature-activated adhesive;
Pushing the substrate and the optical fiber through a roller to attach the optical fiber to a substrate to form an optical shield wallpapers; And
And disposing the optical shielding wall on an inner wall of the container.
20. The method of claim 19,
Heating the roller; And
Further comprising activating the temperature-activated adhesive to attach the optical fiber to the substrate.

Images