Tamper detection arrangements, and point of sales systems employing same
AssigneeDigimarc Corporation
InventorsEric D. Evans, Arthur L. Powell, Becky G. Kiichle-Gross, Geoffrey B. Rhoads, Philip J. Stafford, Utkarsh Deshmukh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Authenticity of a sticker (e.g., a mark-down sticker on a retail item), or integrity of a closure (e.g., on a delivery bag or package), is confirmed by reference to spatial information. In some embodiments a fingerprint is formed from parameters describing spatial placement of a sticker or pattern on a substrate. In some embodiments a digital watermark pattern provides a spatial frame of reference within which one or more other features can be located. A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed.
Claims32
A method comprising the acts:
- applying an adhesive member to a container containing one or more items;
- capturing first imagery depicting the adhesive member on the container;
- deriving fingerprint data from the first imagery, the fingerprint data being dependent on a spatial relationship between the adhesive member and the container;
- and
- storing or transmitting the fingerprint data;
- wherein the fingerprint data can later be used in checking whether the container has been tampered with;
- wherein the container and the adhesive member each includes a respective pattern;
- and
- wherein the act of deriving the fingerprint data includes sensing a first feature in a first of said patterns, sensing one or more second features in a second of said patterns, and determining one or more parameters detailing a spatial relationship between the first feature and said one or more second features.
A method comprising the acts:
- placing one or more items in a container;
- closing the container;
- sealing the closed container with an adhesive sticker;
- capturing first imagery depicting the sticker on the closed container;
- deriving first fingerprint data from the first imagery, the first fingerprint data being dependent on a spatial relationship between the sticker and the container;
- storing or transmitting the first fingerprint data to enable later checking that the container has not been opened and resealed;
- the method further including, after the container has been received by the recipient:
- capturing second imagery depicting the sticker on the received container;
- deriving second fingerprint data from the second imagery;
- and
- checking the second fingerprint data for correspondence with the first fingerprint data.
A method of authenticating that an adhesive member which was attached to a container by a first party, was not subsequently lifted and re-attached to said container by a second party prior to delivery of said container to a third party, the method comprising the acts:
- from imagery depicting the adhesive member as attached to the container by the first party, detecting a watermark pattern to establish a frame of reference, and determining first locations of one or more features within said frame of reference, said first locations being dependent on placement of the adhesive member on the container by the first party;
- from imagery depicting the adhesive member as attached to the container at said delivery of the container to the third party, detecting said watermark pattern to establish the frame of reference, and determining second locations of said one or more features within said frame of reference, said second locations being dependent on placement of the adhesive member on the container at said delivery of the container to the third party;
- checking the first and second locations for disagreement;
- and
- determining that said first and second locations correspond within an expected degree, thereby authenticating that the adhesive member was not lifted and re-attached to said container by the second party;
- wherein one of said adhesive member or container is formed to convey said watermark pattern, and the other of said adhesive member or container includes said one or more features.
An anti-tampering method that employs first and second patterns, one of the two patterns being marked on a container, the method comprising the acts:
- applying an adhesive member, marked with the other of said patterns, to the container;
- receiving imagery depicting the first and second patterns on the container;
- deriving fingerprint data from the imagery;
- and
- storing or transmitting the fingerprint data, to enable later use of the fingerprint data to check for tampering with said container;
- wherein:
- a first of said patterns comprises a digital watermark pattern;
- and
- the act of deriving the fingerprint data includes sensing a synchronization signal from the digital watermark pattern, and using said synchronization signal in characterizing a spatial relationship between the first and second patterns on the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.