WO2015185747A1

WO2015185747A1 - Method and device for certifying integrity of content of a closed volume

Info

Publication number: WO2015185747A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/062619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Massicot; Alain Foucou; Zbigniew Sagan
Original assignee: Advanced Track & Trace
Priority date: 2014-06-06
Filing date: 2015-06-05
Publication date: 2015-12-10
Also published as: FR3022060A1; FR3022060B1

Abstract

The method of certifying integrity of content of a closed volume comprises:- a step (212, 214, 216) of capturing an image of the content of the closed volume; - a step (218, 220) of determining a signature of the content by processing the image captured; - a step (222, 224) of determining values of a matrix of cells, the values represented in the cells being representative of the signature of the content; and - a step (226) of marking at least one wall of the closed volume with said matrix of cells. In the course of marking step (226), the matrix of cells is marked on at least one second exterior surface of a second wall of the closed volume which is different from the first wall and/or on a transport document.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CERTIFYING CONTENT INTEGRITY

CLOSED VOLUME

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for certification of content integrity of a closed volume. It applies, in particular, to avoid the modification of the contents of a container, a package or a suitcase during its transport along a supply chain.

STATE OF THE ART

There are many ways to protect a content, for example by affixing a seal on the opening of the volume, for example suitcase or container, which contains it. However, on the one hand, many volumes do not have such seals and, on the other hand, it is possible to practice an additional opening to modify the contents. For example, containers of goods have their ceiling opened by cutting and then closed by welding, after theft of the contents. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages of the prior art.

For this purpose, the present invention aims, in a first aspect, a content integrity certification process of a closed volume, which comprises:

a step of capturing an image of the content of the closed volume,

a step of determining a signature of the content by processing the captured image,

a step of determining values of a matrix of cells, the values represented in the cells being representative of the signature of the content and a step of marking at least one wall of the closed volume with said matrix of cells,

wherein, during the marking step, the matrix of cells is marked on at least one second outer surface of a second wall of the closed volume different from the first wall and / or on a transport document. Thanks to these provisions, in the event that the content is modified, a new image capture of the content, modified, would give rise to a different image, a different signature and cell values of a matrix different from the values of the matrix. cells carried by a wall of the closed volume.

We can detect any change in content, whether by adding, removing or altering the content.

Thanks to the second labeling of the matrix of cells, even if a marking of the matrix of cells is altered, another marking of the matrix of cells makes it possible to restore the signature of the contents of the closed volume. In addition, thus protects several walls of the closed volume because it can detect the drilling in several areas of the closed volume.

In the case of marking the matrix of cells on a transport document, the integrity of the contents can be verified even if the closed volume has been altered over its entire surface. In addition, it avoids having to read the matrix of cells on a wall of the closed volume.

In embodiments, the step of capturing an image of the content includes a step of transmitting penetrating rays into the content and a step of capturing penetrating rays from the content.

Thanks to these provisions, it is not useful to open the closed volume to certify the integrity of its contents. A lock or seal can therefore close the closed volume without preventing certification of its contents. In addition, certification and verification of the integrity of the content is faster than if the closed volume had to be opened to certify the content. In this way, the risks of modification of the content by operators responsible for certifying their integrity are also avoided.

In embodiments, the step of determining a signature or the coding step includes a step of encrypting the signature.

Thanks to these provisions, the logical integrity of the mark carried by the closed volume can be verified.

In embodiments, the step of determining a signature includes a step of determining an average transparency value of the content.

Thanks to these arrangements, even if the contents move in the closed volume, during its transport, at least part of its signature remains unchanged, which avoids considering that the content is not integral in case of movement of this content in the closed volume.

In embodiments, the step of determining a signature includes a step of recognizing shapes of parts of the content.

Thanks to these provisions, even if the content moves in the closed volume, during its transport, at least part of its signature remains unchanged, which avoids considering that the content is not integral in case of movement of this content in the closed volume. In addition, this form recognition makes it possible to detect objects whose transport is prohibited.

In embodiments, the marking step includes a step of marking the matrix of cells on an outer surface of a wall of the closed volume.

Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to check the integrity of the content of the closed volume by accessing, from the outside, the matrix of cells that represents the signature. In addition, in case of drilling the wall of the closed volume, in a place where the marking is, the changes in this marking due to drilling can detect this drilling.

In embodiments, the method that is the subject of the present invention comprises a step of capturing an image of the labeled cell matrix on a wall of the closed volume.

Thanks to these arrangements, there is an image of the closed volume after labeling the matrix of cells. It is thus possible to check the integrity of the container at each stage of the transport of this container. In case of drilling the wall of the closed volume, changes in the container resulting from this drilling can detect this drilling.

According to a second aspect, the present invention aims at a content integrity certification device of a closed volume, which comprises:

a means of capturing an image of the content of the closed volume,

a means for determining a signature of the content by processing the captured image,

a means for determining values of a matrix of cells, the values represented in the cells being representative of the signature of the content and

a means of marking at least one wall of the closed volume with said matrix of cells. Since the advantages, aims and particular characteristics of this device are similar to those of the method that is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages, aims and particular features of the present invention will emerge from the description which follows, for an explanatory and non-limiting purpose, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents, schematically, a particular embodiment of the certification device that is the subject of the present invention,

FIG. 2 represents, in the form of a logic diagram, the steps implemented in a particular embodiment of the method which is the subject of the invention and

FIG. 3 represents a matrix of cells whose values constitute a coding carried on a wall of a closed volume.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

It is noted, as of now, that Figure 1 is not to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a closed volume 100 embodied by a container 105 in which there is a content 1 10. An image capture means 1 15 provides an image of the content 1 10. In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, the image capturing means comprises means 140 for transmitting penetrating rays, for example X-rays) into the content 1 10 and a penetrating rays sensor originating from the contents, after having passed through or after being emitted by the content 1 10.

A content signature determination means 120 performs a processing of the captured image by the image capture means 1 to provide a set of digital data which represents the shapes and materials of the objects forming part of the content 1 10. For example, the means 120 for determining a signature comprises means for recognizing parts of the content.

A means 125 for determining values of a matrix of cells calculates values represented in the cells according to the signature of the content. The content value determination means 125 performs, for example, a coding, in binary data, of the signature. Preferably, the code carried by the matrix of cells is encrypted, either at the level of the determination of the signature, or at the level of the coding of the signature. Optionally, this code is signed by the device to ensure that it has not been generated by an unauthorized device.

A marking means 130 forms a mark 135 representing the matrix of cells on at least one face of a wall of the container 105. In the embodiment described in FIG. 1, it is a lateral external face of the container 105. .

Preferably, this coding generates redundancies, for example CRC error correction codes, so that a partial deterioration of the mark 135 does not prevent a decoding of the signature from an image of this mark 135.

FIG. 3 shows a particular closed volume, 300, here taking the form of a container, before securing by marking, at the top, and after securing, at the bottom. The closed volume 300 encloses a content 305 whose image is captured. To secure this closed volume 300, a calculation of a signature and a calculation of cell values of a matrix 315 are performed. In FIG. 3, the matrix 315 consists of sixteen parts 320 of a digital matrix code 315.

The inventors have determined that such a matrix code 315 has a data storage capacity of at least 4 kilobytes, which makes it possible to store, in asymmetrically encrypted form:

- an x-ray and

- other identity information of the content, the sender and the recipient, the location and the date of security, ...

A message, for example representing a coding key or a decoding key, or data relating to the place and date of coding, is coded in a digital copy-protection code 310. The copy-protection code 310 is integrated in the code. digital matrix code 315, in the center of this code 315 in FIG.

As illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 3, the digital matrix code 315 is marked, for example by printing, on the closed volume 300 to certify the integrity of the content 305. The printing of the digital matrix code 315 constitutes an analog matrix code 325. The numerical code 310 is an anti-copy code, that is to say that its copy by high quality image capture and printing of this captured image with marking means identical to those used to mark the code analog matrix 310 causes an error rate, with respect to digital code 310 greater than a predetermined limit rate. The error rate is calculated by dividing the number of cells of the code 310 bearing an erroneous value with respect to the number of cells of the code 310. The predetermined limit rate is, for example, greater than 5% and, preferably, greater than at 10%.

As is easily understood, to verify that the content 305 of the closed volume 300 has not been modified, a new image capture of the content 305 and a new determination of characteristic elements is carried out by processing the new captured image, on the one hand, and a reading of the analog digital matrix code 325 to extract the characteristic elements constituting the first signature, on the other hand. Then we check the correspondence between these characteristic elements.

Note that the correspondence check can, in this case, be performed visually by a user, for example after display on a screen, newly determined characteristic elements and characteristic elements represented by the analog matrix code 325.

FIG. 2 shows a content integrity certification process of a closed volume, which comprises:

a step 212 of capturing an image of the content of the closed volume,

a step 218 for determining a signature of the content by processing the captured image,

a step 222 for determining values of a matrix of cells, the values represented in the cells being representative of the signature of the content,

a step 226 for marking at least one wall of the closed volume with said matrix of cells and

a step 228 of capturing an image of the matrix of cells marked on at least one wall of the closed volume and of storing the captured image, possibly compressed, encrypted and signed.

In FIG. 2, the step 212 of capturing an image of the content comprises a step 214 for transmitting penetrating rays in the content and a step 21 6 for capturing the penetrating rays coming from the content. In FIG. 2, the step 218 for determining a signature comprises a step 220 of determining an average value of transparency of the content and / or of recognizing shapes of parts of the content.

Preferably, the code carried by the matrix of cells is encrypted, either at the level of the determination of the signature, or at the level of the coding of the signature. Optionally, this code is signed by the device to ensure that it has not been generated by an unauthorized device.

In FIG. 2, the step 222 for determining values of the matrix comprises a step 224 of encryption and electronic signature of the signature representative of the content.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the marking step 226 carries out the labeling of the matrix of cells on at least two external surfaces of walls different from the closed volume or on an external surface of the closed volume and / or on a transport document , independent, detachable or not the closed volume.

Preferably, the code is marked on each wall most likely to be opened by a malicious third party, for example the ceiling of a container. Preferably, a second code is marked on another wall of the closed volume.

The identifications of the container and its contents are thus visible by shooting, possibly by a scanner.

It is thus possible to compare, at the input and at the output of each link in the supply chain, the integrity of the content by realizing a new signature and / or by seeking a deformation of the code carried by each marked wall of the closed volume. Indeed, a cut causes a partial displacement of the code carried by the cut wall. A positioning error is sought by determining right segments passing through cells of the matrix and comparing the orientations of these line segments between them.

The implementation of the present invention makes it possible to carry out the verification of physical integrity by checking the logical integrity of the code. In addition, the implementation of the present invention, both for marking and for integrity checking, can be carried out at a local level, without the use of a data network or a database.

Claims

1. A content integrity certification method (1 10) of a closed volume (105), which comprises:

a step (212, 214, 21 6) of capturing an image of the content of the closed volume,

a step (218, 220) for determining a signature of the content by processing the captured image,

a step (222, 224) for determining values of a matrix (310, 315, 320) of cells, the values represented in the cells being representative of the signature of the content and

a step (226) of marking at least a first wall of the closed volume with said matrix of cells (135);

characterized in that, during the marking step (226), the matrix of cells is marked on at least a second outer surface of a second wall of the closed volume different from the first wall and / or on a document of transport.

The method of claim 1, wherein the step (212, 214, 21, 6) of capturing an image of the content includes a step (214) of transmitting penetrating rays into the content and a step (21). ) capture penetrating rays from the content.

The method of claim 2, wherein the step (218, 220) of determining a signature or the encoding step (222, 224) includes a step of encrypting (224) the signature.

4. Method according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the step (218, 220) for determining a signature comprises a step (220) for recognizing portions of the content forms.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises a step (228) for capturing an image of the labeled cell matrix on a wall of the closed volume.

Content integrity certification device (1 10) of a closed volume (105), characterized in that it comprises:

means (1 15, 140) for capturing an image of the content of the closed volume,

means (120) for determining a signature of the content by processing the captured image,

means (125) for determining values of a matrix of cells (310, 315, 320), the values represented in the cells being representative of the signature of the content and

means (130) for marking at least one wall of the closed volume with said matrix of cells (135),

characterized in that the marking means marks the matrix of cells on at least a second outer surface of a second wall of the closed volume different from the first wall and / or on a transport document.

The device of claim 6, wherein the image capturing means (1, 15, 140) of the content includes means (140) for transmitting rays penetrating the contents and a sensor (1 15) for the rays. penetrants from the contents, the means (120) for determining a signature comprises a means for recognizing shapes of parts of the contents, the marking means (130) carries out a marking of the matrix of cells on an outer surface of a wall of the closed volume.