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US 12,437,599 B2Granted
Means for using microstructure of materials surface as a unique identifier
AssigneeAlpvision S.A.
InventorsCeline Di Venuto Dayer, V, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
Claims30
A method of object authentication, the method comprising the steps of:
- capturing, with an imaging device, one or more images of a surface of a candidate object to be authenticated, the surface comprising a microstructure pattern area, the microstructure pattern having been shaped by at least one process selected from the group consisting of:
- stamping, engraving, brushing, chemical etching, sanding, milling, spinning, drilling, embossing, thermoforming, machining, molding, and printing;
- displaying, on a screen of the imaging device, the one or more captured images of the candidate object and an overlay to aid an end user operator of the imaging device to manually position the imaging device relative to the candidate object according to the overlay, so that at least one of the captured images shows the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface;
- selecting from the one or more captured images of the candidate object, at least one captured image or part of a captured image showing the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface according to the overlay;
- transmitting to an authentication server, the captured image or part of a captured image showing the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface according to the overlay;
- extracting, by the authentication server, a digital representation of the microstructure pattern on the candidate object surface from the at least one captured image or part of a captured image showing the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface according to the overlay;
- comparing, by the authentication server, the extracted digital representation of the candidate object surface microstructure pattern to a reference digital representation;
- receiving, from the authentication server, a positive or negative authentication result whether the extracted digital representation of the candidate object microstructure pattern matches a reference digital representation;
- and
- displaying on the screen a message to alert the end user operator according to the positive or negative authentication result.
7 more elements
An imaging system for object authentication, the system comprising:
- an authentication server, the authentication server being adapted to:
- receive, from an imaging device, at least one captured image or part of a captured image showing a microstructure pattern area on a candidate object surface, the microstructure pattern having been shaped by at least one process selected from the group consisting of:
- stamping, engraving, brushing, chemical etching, sanding, milling, spinning, drilling, embossing, thermoforming, machining, molding and printing;
- extract a digital representation of the microstructure pattern from the candidate object surface in the received at least one captured image;
- compare a digital representation of a microstructure pattern from a candidate object surface to a reference digital representation, the surface comprising a microstructure pattern;
- and
- transmit, to the imaging device, a positive or negative authentication result whether the digital representation of the candidate object microstructure pattern matches a reference digital representation;
- and
- an imaging device, the imaging device comprising:
- a camera to capture one or more images of a candidate object to be authenticated;
- a screen to display the one or more captured images of the candidate object to an end user operator;
- and
- a processor coupled with the camera and the screen, the processor being adapted to:
- display, on the screen, an overlay to aid an end user operator of the imaging device to manually position the imaging device relative to the candidate object according to the overlay, so that at least one of the captured images shows the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface;
- select from the one or more captured images of the candidate object, at least one captured image or part of a captured image showing the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface according to the overlay;
- transmit the at least one captured image or part of a captured image showing the microstructure pattern area on the candidate object surface according to the overlay to the authentication server;
- receive, from the authentication server, a positive or negative authentication result whether the extracted digital representation of the candidate object surface microstructure pattern in the transmitted at least one captured image matches to a reference digital representation;
- and
- display on the screen a message to alert the end user operator according to the positive or negative authentication result.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.