WO1997021186A1 - Identification device and method - Google Patents

Identification device and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997021186A1
WO1997021186A1 PCT/GB1996/003004 GB9603004W WO9721186A1 WO 1997021186 A1 WO1997021186 A1 WO 1997021186A1 GB 9603004 W GB9603004 W GB 9603004W WO 9721186 A1 WO9721186 A1 WO 9721186A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spectrum
patch
strip
scan
plastics
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/003004
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Edmund Rueben Mucci
Original Assignee
University Of Southampton
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by University Of Southampton filed Critical University Of Southampton
Priority to AU10381/97A priority Critical patent/AU1038197A/en
Publication of WO1997021186A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997021186A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/12—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using a selected wavelength, e.g. to sense red marks and ignore blue marks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/08—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
    • G06K19/10—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards
    • G06K19/14—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means at least one kind of marking being used for authentication, e.g. of credit or identity cards the marking being sensed by radiation

Definitions

  • This invention relates no a identification device and method
  • plastics material have a unique infrared reflectance spectrum This can be used to sort plastics such as is disclosed m WO 94/11126
  • an apparatus comprising an object to be authenticated, which object incorporating a layer of material having a specified composition, and authenticating means comprising one or more means to scan the material to obtain an infrared reflectance spectrum, means to store said spectrum, and means to compare the stored spectrum with previously stored spectra to determine tne authenticity of the object.
  • the material is a patch or strip of plastics material stuck onto the object
  • the patch or strip can be made from a specified type of plastics material .
  • the patch or strip is made from a specified mixture of plastics materials The mixture need not be homogenous
  • a method of authenticating an object, wnich object incorporating a layer of material having a specified composition comprising the steps of scanning the piece of material to obtain an infrared specular reflectance spectrum, storing the spectrum, and comparing the stored spectrum with previously stored spectra to determine the authenticity of the object
  • Examples of an identification method and device in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating reflection spectra of various polymers, high-density polyethylene 'HDPE) , poly (methyl methacrylate) 'PMMA, and polycarbonate >PC) .
  • thin layer materials are used. These are each coded m a different and random way, so that each material can be linked to a know data associated with, for example, a person, product or process .
  • the invention makes use of plastic material whicn s available m a variety of types each witn very distinctive properties which can be read by infra-red devices.
  • the properties can be detected in a few seconds by infra-red analysers, spectrometers, with no damage to the sample.
  • the spectrometer produces a unique spectrum.
  • the shape of the spectrum is compared with a known spectrum which has previously been stored.
  • plastic groups used commercially, but each group is available in a variety cf grades and each of these grades can be distinguished from another by spectrometry. For example, there are around 2000 plastics (groups plus grades) spectra contained in the database of a commercially available spectrometer.
  • the invention has advantages over conventional identification systems such as those using alphanumeric, magnetic or bar codings in that reproduction of material having the particular properties requires access to the equipment which produced it in the first place.
  • Plastics can be mixed at random so that they all give a different spectrum when analysed. Each batch of these different mixes then is associated with, say, a person and stored in a database.
  • the person can be issued with a credit card, made from or covered with a layer of the plastic over all or part of that card.
  • the card When the card is exposed to infra-red light from the spectrometer it will croduce the spectrum uniquely associated with that person. If the sprectra do not atcn then the card is rejected as a counterfeit .
  • plastic films are produced and then cut into strips or snapes and laid over the credit card in a random pattern. The spectrum of this pattern is then recorded and associated with a particular person.
  • plastics are deposited m melted liquid or powder form onto each person's card in a random manner and the resultant spectrum stored. Apertures can be formed m the layers .
  • Unique plastics can be used as a substrate which can then be fixed to the product for example as a stick-on label . This could be purchased by an individual or a company m the same way as bar codes are sold.
  • plastic for identification purposes As well as applying the plastic for identification purposes to existing articles such as m the form of stick on labels, it is possible to make some articles substantially of plastic having a unique spectrum for example a credit card, a banknote or a plastic component for machinery, cars or other mechanical devices. Other articles can have plastics applied by spray as part of the product finishing process during manufacture.
  • the plastic may be made to be transparent, translucent, coloured or printed and can be as small as
  • Data stored m tne system may include details of the owner of credit card including an image whicn is displayed to allow the till operator to compare faces or for a control system, such as entry to restricted areas, the stored image is compared automatically with an image of the person presenting the card obtained via CCTV or video camera and if the comparison falls within acceptable limits the door opens. Control or operation of machinery can be done on a similar basis.
  • tne invention is to use spectroscopy combined with the widest variety possible of plastics mixtures to produce spectra which can then be allocated for unique identification purposes. It is possible that the mixture may be wholly, or in part, non-plastic.
  • the invention leads to unique paints or coatings. These could be applied wholly or in part (say, a small blob or stick-on label) to non-plastic articles. Examples could range from a means of tracing beer barrels to ensuring that aircraft parts are genuine.
  • Production of the coded materials can include cold or hot mixes (like a pamt or adhesive) sheets moulded with a variable flow of different plastic in its structure, surfaces made up from different materials (such as strips like a bar code) . Reading of the coded spectra can be made using: external beam spectroscopy, internal beam spectroscopy or multiple beam spectroscopy. This latter method could work as follows :

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for authenticating an object uses an infrared specular reflectance spectrum from a layer of material incorporated in the object. This spectrum is compared with stored spectra. The material can be a plastic patch stuck onto the object.

Description

Identification Device and Method
This invention relates no a identification device and method
There are many circumstances /here t is necessary to identify whether an article is genuine or a counterfeit Various ways have been proposed, and counterfeiters have found various ways to get around these
Different type of plastics material have a unique infrared reflectance spectrum This can be used to sort plastics such as is disclosed m WO 94/11126
According co a first aspect of tne present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising an object to be authenticated, which object incorporating a layer of material having a specified composition, and authenticating means comprising one or more means to scan the material to obtain an infrared reflectance spectrum, means to store said spectrum, and means to compare the stored spectrum with previously stored spectra to determine tne authenticity of the object. Preferably, the material is a patch or strip of plastics material stuck onto the object The patch or strip can be made from a specified type of plastics material .
Alternatively, the patch or strip is made from a specified mixture of plastics materials The mixture need not be homogenous
According to a further aspect of tne invention there is provided a method of authenticating an object, wnich object incorporating a layer of material having a specified composition, comprising the steps of scanning the piece of material to obtain an infrared specular reflectance spectrum, storing the spectrum, and comparing the stored spectrum with previously stored spectra to determine the authenticity of the object Examples of an identification method and device in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating reflection spectra of various polymers, high-density polyethylene 'HDPE) , poly (methyl methacrylate) 'PMMA, and polycarbonate >PC) .
In one example of the present invention, thin layer materials are used. These are each coded m a different and random way, so that each material can be linked to a know data associated with, for example, a person, product or process .
The invention makes use of plastic material whicn s available m a variety of types each witn very distinctive properties which can be read by infra-red devices. The properties can be detected in a few seconds by infra-red analysers, spectrometers, with no damage to the sample. For each sample the spectrometer produces a unique spectrum. The shape of the spectrum is compared with a known spectrum which has previously been stored.
There are around thirty common plastic groups used commercially, but each group is available in a variety cf grades and each of these grades can be distinguished from another by spectrometry. For example, there are around 2000 plastics (groups plus grades) spectra contained in the database of a commercially available spectrometer.
Different grades of plastic are produced to suit industrial demand by the simple addition or subtraction of small amounts of chemicals. Hence a grade of rigid PVC without plasticiser can be created for window frames and becomes unplasticised PVC (UPVC) .
The invention has advantages over conventional identification systems such as those using alphanumeric, magnetic or bar codings in that reproduction of material having the particular properties requires access to the equipment which produced it in the first place.
Plastics can be mixed at random so that they all give a different spectrum when analysed. Each batch of these different mixes then is associated with, say, a person and stored in a database. The person can be issued with a credit card, made from or covered with a layer of the plastic over all or part of that card. When the card is exposed to infra-red light from the spectrometer it will croduce the spectrum uniquely associated with that person. If the sprectra do not atcn then the card is rejected as a counterfeit .
In another example, different commercially available plastic films are produced and then cut into strips or snapes and laid over the credit card in a random pattern. The spectrum of this pattern is then recorded and associated with a particular person.
Alternatively, mixtures of plastics are deposited m melted liquid or powder form onto each person's card in a random manner and the resultant spectrum stored. Apertures can be formed m the layers . Unique plastics can be used as a substrate which can then be fixed to the product for example as a stick-on label . This could be purchased by an individual or a company m the same way as bar codes are sold.
As well as applying the plastic for identification purposes to existing articles such as m the form of stick on labels, it is possible to make some articles substantially of plastic having a unique spectrum for example a credit card, a banknote or a plastic component for machinery, cars or other mechanical devices. Other articles can have plastics applied by spray as part of the product finishing process during manufacture.
The plastic may be made to be transparent, translucent, coloured or printed and can be as small as
10mm in diameter. If it is transparent then, for instance, it could be applied over an existing number/code so that recognition of that number/code can still be made by conventional means (by eye or say a bar code reader) . A second check with the apparatus described below would confirm the identity of the product or person. Infra-red equipment to make the identifications required is freely available and can be modified to suit an external operation. Such equipment can hold its own data or be linked to other interactive data storage systems. Data stored m tne system may include details of the owner of credit card including an image whicn is displayed to allow the till operator to compare faces or for a control system, such as entry to restricted areas, the stored image is compared automatically with an image of the person presenting the card obtained via CCTV or video camera and if the comparison falls within acceptable limits the door opens. Control or operation of machinery can be done on a similar basis.
The essence of tne invention is to use spectroscopy combined with the widest variety possible of plastics mixtures to produce spectra which can then be allocated for unique identification purposes. It is possible that the mixture may be wholly, or in part, non-plastic.
Furthermore the invention leads to unique paints or coatings. These could be applied wholly or in part (say, a small blob or stick-on label) to non-plastic articles. Examples could range from a means of tracing beer barrels to ensuring that aircraft parts are genuine. Production of the coded materials can include cold or hot mixes (like a pamt or adhesive) sheets moulded with a variable flow of different plastic in its structure, surfaces made up from different materials (such as strips like a bar code) . Reading of the coded spectra can be made using: external beam spectroscopy, internal beam spectroscopy or multiple beam spectroscopy. This latter method could work as follows :
If two IR beams instead of one were uεed to read the coding, then the number of individual variants of material will be significantly reduced if just the 50 known plastics were used, then with two beams you get 2500 variants, with three 125000, with four 6.25 million with five 312.5 million . If a combination of materials, beams and the traditional numbers were used then for example with two beams and 50 plastics plus a 0 to 9 digit then there are millions of variants. Alternatively the system could use ust one beam x 50 plastics attached to a standard bank cr credit card number.

Claims

Claims
1 An apparatus comprising an object tc be authenticated, which object incorpora ing a layer of material having a specified composition, and authenticating means comprising one or more means to scan the material to obtain an infrared specular reflectance spectrum, means to store said spectrum, and means to compare the stored spectrum with previously stored spectra to determine the authenticity of the object .
2 An apparatus according to claim 1, where the material is a patch or strip or plastics material stuck onto the cb ec .
3 An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the patch or strip is made from a specified type of plastics material .
4 An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the patch or strip is made from a specified mixture of plastics materials .
5 An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the mixture is not homogenous.
6 An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the patch or strip is made from two or more strips of material stuck onto the object.
7 An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the patch or strip is made from two or more overlying layers having one or more apertures in the outermost layer.
8 An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising means holding a unique numerical code on the object and means to scan the object to detect the code and compare it with previously stored codes. 9 An apparatus according to any preceding claim wnerein tne means to scan the plastics material comprises one or more infrared spectrometers
10 An apparatus according to any preceding claim wnerein the means to scan the plastics material scan wholly specular reflections from the plastics material.
11 An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the object is a security document or any article which requires unique coding.
12 A method of authenticating an object, which object incorporating a layer of material having a specified composition, comprising the steps of scanning the piece of material to obtain an infrared specular reflectance spectrum, storing the spectrum, and comparing tne stores spectrum with previously stored spectra to determine the authenticity of the object.
PCT/GB1996/003004 1995-12-07 1996-12-06 Identification device and method WO1997021186A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU10381/97A AU1038197A (en) 1995-12-07 1996-12-06 Identification device and method

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9525078.3A GB9525078D0 (en) 1995-12-07 1995-12-07 Identification device and method
GB9525078.3 1995-12-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997021186A1 true WO1997021186A1 (en) 1997-06-12

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ID=10785088

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/003004 WO1997021186A1 (en) 1995-12-07 1996-12-06 Identification device and method

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1038197A (en)
GB (1) GB9525078D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1997021186A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001071646A1 (en) * 2000-03-23 2001-09-27 Ke Technology Uk Limited A data carrier, a device for reading the data carrier, and a security system
GB2417033A (en) * 2004-08-13 2006-02-15 Qinetiq Ltd Identification device and method
WO2007021551A1 (en) * 2005-08-09 2007-02-22 Rexam Healthcare Packaging Inc. Plastic packaging having a marker material and method of authenticating said packaging
WO2007050266A1 (en) * 2005-10-25 2007-05-03 General Electric Company Method of assessing source authenticity for an opaque colored part
WO2009073463A3 (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-07-23 Honeywell Int Inc Authenticatable mark, systems for preparing and authenticating the mark
DE102016111348A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2017-12-21 Bundesdruckerei Gmbh DOCUMENTS READER
US10482361B2 (en) 2015-07-05 2019-11-19 Thewhollysee Ltd. Optical identification and characterization system and tags

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4211486A (en) * 1978-03-20 1980-07-08 Altex Scientific, Inc. Spectrophotometer
US4658147A (en) * 1985-04-03 1987-04-14 Baird Corporation Remote optically readable system and method
WO1990016043A1 (en) * 1989-06-19 1990-12-27 Lansco Inc Authentication apparatus using resonance absorption of light

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4211486A (en) * 1978-03-20 1980-07-08 Altex Scientific, Inc. Spectrophotometer
US4658147A (en) * 1985-04-03 1987-04-14 Baird Corporation Remote optically readable system and method
WO1990016043A1 (en) * 1989-06-19 1990-12-27 Lansco Inc Authentication apparatus using resonance absorption of light

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001071646A1 (en) * 2000-03-23 2001-09-27 Ke Technology Uk Limited A data carrier, a device for reading the data carrier, and a security system
US8357448B2 (en) 2004-08-13 2013-01-22 Qinetiq Limited Identification device and method
GB2417033A (en) * 2004-08-13 2006-02-15 Qinetiq Ltd Identification device and method
GB2417033B (en) * 2004-08-13 2009-09-23 Qinetiq Ltd Identification device and method
WO2007021551A1 (en) * 2005-08-09 2007-02-22 Rexam Healthcare Packaging Inc. Plastic packaging having a marker material and method of authenticating said packaging
US7436499B2 (en) * 2005-08-09 2008-10-14 Rexam Healthcare Packaging Inc. Plastic packaging having a marker material
JP2009504519A (en) * 2005-08-09 2009-02-05 レクサム ヘルスケア パッケイジング インコーポレイテッド Plastic packaging with marker material and method for proving that the packaging is authentic
WO2007050266A1 (en) * 2005-10-25 2007-05-03 General Electric Company Method of assessing source authenticity for an opaque colored part
WO2009073463A3 (en) * 2007-11-30 2009-07-23 Honeywell Int Inc Authenticatable mark, systems for preparing and authenticating the mark
US8330122B2 (en) 2007-11-30 2012-12-11 Honeywell International Inc Authenticatable mark, systems for preparing and authenticating the mark
CN101933028A (en) * 2007-11-30 2010-12-29 霍尼韦尔国际公司 Can differentiate mark, be used to prepare and differentiate the system of mark
US10482361B2 (en) 2015-07-05 2019-11-19 Thewhollysee Ltd. Optical identification and characterization system and tags
DE102016111348A1 (en) * 2016-06-21 2017-12-21 Bundesdruckerei Gmbh DOCUMENTS READER

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9525078D0 (en) 1996-02-07
AU1038197A (en) 1997-06-27

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