Counterfeit deterrence using dispersed miniature security marks

A system for detection of miniature security mark configurations within documents and images, wherein the miniature security marks are in the form of dispersed MSMs and may include data marks or a combination of data marks and anchor marks, the system comprising:

• means for sub-sampling a received image, wherein said received image comprises a digital representation of at least one possible recipient of the dispersed miniature security marks, wherein said sub-sampling generates a reduced-resolution image of said received image, and wherein each said dispersed miniature security mark is comprised of a plurality of scattered dots;
• means for performing maximum/minimum points detection;
• means for grouping said maximum/minimum points into at least one cluster according to location distances between said maximum/minimum points;
• means for checking group configuration to match said clusters with a pre-defined template configuration;
• and
• means for performing dot parameter verification to verify mark location and mark configuration between said received image and a pre-defined template dot specification, wherein said pre-defined template includes a description of said plurality of scattered dots, wherein said description includes at least one member selected from the group comprising dot size, the number of said dots in said MSM, and relative dot position.

A computer-readable storage medium having computer readable program code embodied in said medium which, when said program code is executed by a computer causes said computer to perform method steps for detection of miniature security mark configurations within documents and images, wherein the miniature security marks are in the form of dispersed miniature security marks and may include data marks or a combination of data marks and anchor marks, the method comprising:

• sub-sampling a received image, wherein said received image comprises a digital representation of at least one possible recipient of the dispersed miniature security marks, wherein said sub-sampling generates a reduced-resolution image of said received image, and wherein each said dispersed miniature security mark is comprised of a plurality of scattered dots;
• performing maximum/minimum points detection;
• grouping said maximum/minimum points into at least one cluster according to location distances between said maximum/minimum points;
• checking group configuration to match said clusters with a pre-defined template configuration;
• and
• performing dot parameter verification to verify mark location and mark configuration between said received image and a pre-defined template dot specification, wherein said mark configuration includes at least one dispersed MSM, wherein said pre-defined template includes a description of said plurality of scattered dots, wherein said description includes at least one member selected from the group comprising dot size, the number of said dots in said MSM, and relative dot position.