Method and system for authentication and anti-counterfeiting using coffee-ring effect
AssigneeKonica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
InventorJun Amano
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system providing an anti-counterfeiting label or mark, using ordinary inkjet printers, take advantage of a phenomenon called a coffee ring pattern, something that inkjet printers. Even the same inkjet printer can output different patterns under different conditions. As a result, the likelihood of reproduction of a particular printer's coffee ring pattern using another printer is so low as to be negligible. It is possible to capture images of the coffee rings using a smartphone camera. The coffee ring approach may be used on any labels or packages on which inkjet printing can be used.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- capturing at least one indicium identifying an item by obtaining a first image of a mark on the item or its packaging, the mark being a dot from an inkjet printer, and specific to the inkjet printer used to make the mark;
- storing the first image;
- and
- responsive to receipt of a second image that is purported to contain a dot from the inkjet printer and thereby to identify the item:
- comparing the first and second images;
- and
- responsive to a match between the first and second images, verifying authenticity of the item;
- wherein the dot has an outer periphery having a shape resembling a coffee ring.
A computer-implemented system to perform a method comprising:
- capturing at least one indicium identifying an item by obtaining a first image of a mark on the item or its packaging, the mark being a dot from an inkjet printer, and specific to the inkjet printer used to make the mark;
- storing the first image;
- and
- responsive to receipt of a second image that is purported to contain a dot from the inkjet printer and thereby to identify the item:
- comparing the first and second images;
- and
- responsive to a match between the first and second images, verifying authenticity of the item;
- wherein the dot has an outer periphery having a shape resembling a coffee ring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.