WO2009035299A1

WO2009035299A1 - 3-d identifyingsystem and system using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2009035299A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005419
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gwang Don Park
Original assignee: Gwang Don Park
Priority date: 2007-09-12
Filing date: 2008-09-12
Publication date: 2009-03-19
Also published as: KR20090027445A

Abstract

The present invention discloses a random-type identification block for a three-dimensional (3D) identification device. The present invention provides a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device including a body in which identification particles, location and characteristic values of which are recognized by separate identification means in one or more directions, are irregularly distributed, wherein the body comprises an index pattern part for storing index information on one surface of the body. The random-type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention is expected to have advantages in that authentication processing time can be considerably reduced using the index pattern part added to the random-type identification block, thereby ensuring the competitiveness of a product and improving the convenience of use.

Description

3-D IDENTIFYING SYSTEM AND SYSTEM USING THE

SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to an identification block that can be uniquely recognized by a three-dimensional (3D) identification device, and, more particularly, to a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device that is capable of considerably reducing time required for authentication processing by improving the recognition of a random-type identification block throughout which identification particles are irregularly distributed, and an authentication system using the random-type identification block. Background Art

[2] In a plurality of social activities such as a variety of commercial transactions, including the guarantee of products and contracts, entry procedures and the procedures of access to information, a process of authenticating products, authorities or humans themselves plays a very important role.

[3] Hitherto, technologies of the type where a product or human is authenticated through a label or a letter of guarantee attached to the product or through an Identification (ID) card or a seal carried by the human and entry is controlled through a variety of keys have been used. However, since alongside the development of technology, copying technology is developing, the need for the development of identification means is increasing. Accordingly, various types of identification means, such as a bar code, a smart code, a magnetic card, and a key in which an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip is embedded, and various types of technologies using biometric characteristics, such as fingerprint recognition, iris recognition and face recognition, have been developed.

[4] However, the above-described bar code and IC chip methods have a security problem in that they can be copied. The authentication systems using biometric characteristics, such as a fingerprint recognition system, are difficult to copy, but they have problems in that there are limitations on the range of use (the number of users, the time of use and the space of use) because part of a human body is used as an identification object.

[5] In order to resolve the problem, the present applicant was issued Korean Patent No.

524272 for "Random-type Identification Block, and 3D Identification Device and Identification Method using the Same."

[6] The 'Random-type Identification block, and 3D Identification Device and Iden- tification Method using the same,' which was filed previously by the present applicant, is based on a random-type identification block for an identification device in which identification particles, the location and characteristic values of which are recognized in one or more directions by separate identification means, are irregularly distributed throughout a 3D shape. Here, the identification block is made of synthetic resin or glass, and is formed by irregularly distributing a plurality of identification particles having a size ranging from several μm to several mm throughout the identification block.

[7] With regard to the random-type identification block constructed as described above, authentication is performed through the comparison of information input via the 3D identification device with information registered in the authentication server.

[8] However, the conventional authentication method has problems in that the time required for authentication is long and the matching of the recognition region of the random-type identification block must be performed because the random-type identification block must be read through the 3D identification device and the information read from it must be compared with information stored in the database of the authentication server connected over the network. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device in which a separate index pattern part having index information is added to the random-type identification block, so that authentication processing time can be considerably reduced, thereby ensuring the competitiveness of a product and improving the convenience of use.

[10] Another object of the present invention is to provide a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device to which an identification pattern for demarcating only the identification region using a specific pattern in the random-type identification block has been added, thereby increasing the recognition rate of the identification device.

[11] A further object of the present invention is to provide an authentication system using the random-type identification block for a 3D identification device, which performs authentication processing using the index pattern and the identification pattern parts that have been added to the random-type identification block. Technical Solution

[12] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a random- type identification block for a 3D identification device including a body in which identification particles, location and characteristic values of which are recognized by separate identification means in one or more directions, are irregularly distributed, wherein the body comprises an index pattern part for storing index information on one surface of the body.

[13] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the index pattern part is a print on which a barcode or a specific image pattern is printed.

[14] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the body is further provided with an identification pattern part for increasing contrast between light and shade for identification particles within the identification region.

[15] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the identification means includes an identification reader module for reading the location values, shape, color and size of identification particles distributed throughout an identification region of the random-type identification block in one or more directions in a rectangular coordinate system and an image recognition device for reading information contained in the index pattern part.

[16] According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the identification pattern part is integrated with the index pattern part.

[17] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an authentication system using a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device, including a random-type identification block configured to comprise an identification region in which identification particles are irregularly distributed through a 3D shape, an index pattern part that is provided on one surface of the random-type identification block and records index information, and an identification pattern part that is attached to increase contrast between light and shade for identification particles within the identification region; at least one client terminal configured to read the random-type identification block, to send the read information over a wired and/or wireless network, to receive result information, and to comprise an identification reader module for reading location values of the identification particles in one or more directions in a rectangular coordinate system and an index reading module for reading information contained in the index pattern part; an operator server configured to comprise an index classification module for performing index classification based on index information of the information transmitted from the client terminal, a comparison operation module for making a determination by comparing the read identification particles information with registered information, and a result processing module for sending a result of the determination to the client terminal; and a Database (DB) server configured to record and store information related to the random- type identification block and to be selectively read by the operator server.

[18] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description based on the accompanying drawings. Prior to the detailed description, it is noted that the terms or words used in the specification and the claims must not be interpreted as having typical and dictionary meanings, but must be interpreted as having meanings and concepts that meet the technical spirit of the present invention on the basis of the principle that an inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to describe his or her invention in the best manner.

Advantageous Effects

[19] The random- type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention is expected to have advantages in that authentication processing time can be considerably reduced using the index pattern part added to the random-type identification block, thereby ensuring the competitiveness of a product and improving the convenience of use. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[21] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a random- type identification block for a 3D identification device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[22] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an authentication system using the random- type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention; and

[23] Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating the authentication system using the random-type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention.

[24] <Description of reference numerals of principal elements in the drawings>

[25] 1: authentication system 10: random-type identification block

[26] 11: body 13: identification particles

[27] 14: identification region 15: index pattern part [28] 17: identification pattern part

Mode for the Invention

[29] A random-type identification block for a 3D identification device and an authentication system using the random-type identification block will be described below with reference to the present invention.

[30] First, it should be noted that the same elements or parts are designated by the same reference numerals as often as possible throughout the different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, detailed descriptions of related well- known functions or constructions will be omitted to prevent the gist of the present invention from being made obscure.

[31] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a random- type identification block for a 3D identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an authentication system using the random-type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the authentication system using the random- type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention.

[32] As shown in the drawings, a random-type identification block 10 includes a body 11 configured to form an outer body, and a plurality of identification particles 13 irregularly distributed inside the body 11.

[33] The body 11 of the random-type identification block 1 may be implemented using one of a variety of materials such as synthetic resin, for example, plastic, and glass. With regard to transparency, although the body 11 may be configured to be transparent or opaque, it is preferred that the body 11 be made of transparent material.

[34] Meanwhile, the identification particles 13 disposed inside the body 11 may be implemented using one of the various materials, such as synthetic resin identical to that of the body 11 or metallic material, in one of a variety of forms. Furthermore, the identification particles 13 may have one of the variety of sizes ranging from several μm to several mm. The size and shape of the identification particles 13 may vary appropriately with the precision and degree of importance of authentication required to be provided by the identification block.

[35] As an example, the case where the body of the random-type identification block 10 is made of synthetic resin material will be described. First, when the body 11 is melted such that the identification particles 13 disposed inside the body 11 can freely flow and then the identification particles 13 are introduced into and are mixed with the melted body 11, the identification particles 13 are irregularly distributed inside the body 11 of the random-type identification block 10. In this state, when the body 11 including the identification particles 13 is hardened, the random- type identification block 10 of a form in which the identification particles 13 are irregularly distributed is obtained.

[36] Alternatively, it is possible to stir the body 11 of melted synthetic resin and use air bubbles, irregularly generated in this process, as the identification particles 13, instead of mixing separate identification particles 13 with the body 11. Since the identification particles 13 generated at this time have irregularities in distribution and shape, they are characterized in that it is impossible to reproduce them.

[37] With regard to the random-type identification block for a 3D identification device constructed as described above, the identification particles 13 are read through separately provided identification means 21, and the read information is verified by the operator server 30, connected over a wired and/or wireless network, through a procedure of comparing with registered information and then making a determination.

[38] The above-described construction is almost identical to that of the random-type identification block for a 3D identification device, for which a patent application was filed by the present applicant. However, the present invention is characterized in that it additionally includes an index pattern part 15 for increasing identification speed based on the identification particles 13 and an identification pattern part 17 for ensuring high recognition rate by clearly demarcating an identification region 12.

[39] The index pattern part 15 is a kind of storage medium that is provided on one surface of the body 11, in which the identification particles 13 are irregularly distributed in a 3D manner, in the form of a print or an attached print, as shown in the drawing, and records index information. That is, the index pattern part 15 includes index information that is related to a product or an object to and together with which the random-type identification block 10 is attached and used. Since the recognition and authentication of the identification particles 13 using an identification reader module 23 constituting part of the identification means 21 take a certain period of time, the index pattern part 15 is intended to reduce the time required for authentication processing by virtue of the index information included in the index pattern part 15.

[40] As long as the index pattern part 15 has a technical feature including index information, this may be provided in one of various image forms. In the present invention, the provision of the index pattern part 15 in the form of a print, which enables an economically viable practice, is proposed. Furthermore, the print may be provided with one of various images, such as the well-known bar code, or a specific pattern, that is, a check pattern which has a lattice arrangement and in which color is applied to specific portions.

[41] Meanwhile, although the index pattern part 15 may be configured to be read using a dedicated reader, in the present invention, it is read using an index reading module 25 that is added to the identification means, which is a kind of image recognition device for recognizing the identification particles 13. Here, since a well-known barcode reader or image recognition device is used as the index reading module 25, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[42] The index pattern part 15 constructed as described above includes index information

(a product group, a product name, a manufacturing date, a manufacturer, a circulation period, and the like) related to a product or an object to which the random- type identification block 10 is attached. The index information is read by the index reading module 25 of the identification means 21, and is provided to the operator server 30 along with the information of the identification particles 13. The operator server 30 performs comparison, and makes a determination concerning the information of the identification particles 13 on the basis of the index information.

[43] The identification pattern part 17 is a print that is attached to one surface of the body

11 that does not obstruct the reading of the identification reader module 23 of the identification means 21. The identification pattern part 17 is intended to increase the recognition rate by increasing the contrast between light and shade for the identification particles 13 inside the identification region 12.

[44] Although the identification pattern part 17 may have a wider size than the identification region 12, it is preferred that the identification pattern part 17 have a size corresponding to that of the identification region 12.

[45] Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 2, the identification pattern part 17 may be integrated with the index pattern part 15 into a single element. That is, the index pattern part 15 is provided to have a specific image pattern including index information. As an example, in the case where the specific image pattern is provided in a barcode form, black bars are provided on a blue background, so that the contrast between light and shade for the identification particles 13 is increased, thereby increasing the recognition power of the identification reader module 23. As a result, the index pattern part 15 can perform not only its intrinsic function, that is, an index function, but also the function of the ident ification pattern part 17.

[46] The identification pattern part 17 constructed as described above improves the recognition of the identification particles 13 within the identification region 12, and functions to improve the recognition rate of the identification particles 13 by the identification reader module 23 of the identification means 21. For reference, information read through the identification reader module 23 is sent to the operator server 30 along with the index information, and the operator server 30 accesses related data recorded in relevant index information based on index information and performs comparison and determination on the information read by the identification reader module 23 and previously registered information.

[47] Here, the information related to the random-type identification block 10 is registered and stored in a DB server 40, and information stored in the DB server 40 is selectively read by the operator server 30.

[48] Meanwhile, the identification means 21 is implemented using an image recognition device such as a CCD camera. The identification means 21 includes the identification reader module 23 for acquiring information related to the 3D location values, color, size and shape of the identification particles by acquiring images in three directions in a rectangular coordinate system and combining the acquired images of the identification block together. Since this is implemented using well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[49] Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an authentication system using a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, an authentication system 1 according to the present inven tion fundamentally includes the random- type identification block 10, a client terminal 20, an operator server 30, and a DB server 40.

[50] As described above, the random- type identification block 10 includes the identification region 12 in which the identification particles 13 are irregularly distributed across a 3D shape, the index pattern part 15 that is attached to or printed on one surface and records index information, and the identification pattern part 17 that is provided to increase the contrast between light and shade for the identification particles 13 within the identification region 12. Since the random- type identification block 10 has been described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[51] The client terminal 20 reads the random- type identification block 10, sends read information to the operator server 30 over the wired and/or wireless network 3, and receives relevant result information. The client terminal 20 includes identification reader module 23 for reading the location values of the identification particles in one or more directions in a rectangular coordinate system, and an index reading module 25 for reading index information from the index pattern part 15 and sending the index in- formation to the operator server 30.

[52] Here, although a dedicated network, a mobile communication network and a public switched network may be used as the network 3, the present invention proposes the use of the Internet and a mobile communication network that have a wide range of users. Here, the Internet refers to the TCP/IP protocol and various services or systems in layers above the TCP/IP protocol, that is, a world- wide open-type network architecture for providing HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Domain Name System (DNS), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Network File System (NFS), and Network Information Service (NIS). Meanwhile, the mobile communication network includes a Base Station (BS), a Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO), a Home Location Register (HLR) and a Network Management System (NMS), like a typical voice communication network. The mobile communication network additionally includes components, including a WAP gateway for enabling the transmission and reception of wireless packet data and a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN). As a result, through the support of industrially standardized transmission protocols, such as HTTP, SMTP and FTP, and the support of HTML, SMTP, XML, HDML or a framework for exchanging documents, such as typical document files, authentication-related information can be sent and received between the client terminal 20, such as a mobile phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a PC, a hand-held PC or a notebook computer, and the operator server 30. Since the network 3 is implemented using well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[53] The client terminal 20 is intended to selectively connect to the operator server 30 over the wired and/or wireless network 3 and to receive authentication-related information service. The client terminal 20 may be configured such that the identification means 21 is connected to a PC, a PDA, a mobile computer, a mobile communication terminal (an IMT-2000 terminal or a W-CDMA terminal) or a Hand-held Personal Computer (HPC) that is connectable to the wired and/or wireless network 3.

[54] The client terminal 20 constructed as described above is equipped with a web browser so that it is provided with related web services while connecting to the operator server 30 over the Internet, or is configured such that it receives authentication related data from the operator server 30 and a user checks results using a separate dedicated viewer program installed in the client terminal 20. Since various types of typical well-known wired or wireless communication terminals may be used, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here. [55] The operator server 30 includes an index classification module 31 for performing index classification based on the index information of information received from the client terminal 20, a comparison operation module 33 for receiving information read by the identification reader module 23 of the identification means 21 and determining identity by comparing the read information with registered information stored in the DB server 40, and a result processing module 35 for sending result information to the relevant client terminal 20.

[56] Here, the operator server 30 is operated in conjunction with the DB server 40, which will be described again, over the wired and/or wireless network 3, or a kind of web server equipped with the DB server 40 is used as the operator server 30. UNIX-based Apache, WINDOW NT Internet Information Server (IIS) and Netscape Enterprise Server are common web server implementations. Here, 'web server' refers to a server for providing web pages (HTML files). A web server program capable of providing web pages via HTTP is installed in the web server. Since the web server is implemented using typical well-known technology, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[57] The DB server 40 records and stores information related to the random-type identification block 10, and the recorded information is selectively read by the operator server 30. The DB server 40 stores the unique identification information of the random- type identification block 10 in association with information related to a product or an object to which the random- type identification block 10 is not attached. When the DB server 40 receives a request from the operator server 30, the dB server 40 provides information related to the relevant random- type identification block 10.

[58] It is preferable that the DB server 40 is configured to use the database of the manufacturer of the product or the object to which the random-type identification block 10 is attached.

[59] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be varied and modified in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Accordingly, it is considered that such variations and modifications pertain to the range of rights of the present invention.

Claims

[1] A random- type identification block for a three-dimensional (3D) identification device comprising a body in which identification particles, location and characteristic values of which are recognized by separate identification means in one or more directions, are irregularly distributed, wherein the body comprises an index pattern part for storing index information on one surface of the body.

[2] The random- type identification block as set forth in claim 1, wherein the index pattern part is a print on which a barcode or a specific image pattern is printed.

[3] The random-type identification block as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body is further provided with an identification pattern part for increasing contrast between light and shade for identification particles within the identification region.

[4] The random- type identification block as set forth in claim 1, wherein the identification means comprises an identification reader module for reading location values, a shape, a color and a size of identification particles distributed throughout an identification region of the random-type identification block in one or more directions in a rectangular coordinate system and an image recognition device for reading information contained in the index pattern part.

[5] The random-type identification block as set forth in claim 3, wherein the identification pattern part is integrated with the index pattern part.

[6] An authentication system using a random-type identification block for a 3D identification device, comprising: a random-type identification block configured to comprise an identification region in which identification particles are irregularly distributed through a 3D shape, an index pattern part that is provided on one surface of the random-type identification block and records index information, and an identification pattern part that is attached to increase contrast between light and shade for identification particles within the identification region; at least one client terminal configured to read the random-type identification block, to send the read information over a wired and/or wireless network, to receive result information, and to comprise an identification reader module for reading location values of the identification particles in one or more directions in a rectangular coordinate system and an index reading module for reading in- formation contained in the index pattern part; an operator server configured to comprise an index classification module for performing index classification based on index information of the information transmitted from the client terminal, a comparison operation module for making a determination by comparing the read identification particles information with registered information, and a result processing module for sending a result of the determination to the client terminal; and a DB server configured to record and store information related to the random- type identification block and to be selectively read by the operator server.