Method and apparatus for utilizing three dimension printing for secure validation
OwnerSusan Leeds Kudoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention uses three-dimensional printing techniques to lay down a three-dimensional black and white grid (or “4-dimensional” grid, if color is used). To read and decode a three-dimensional bar-code, a light-field camera is used to capture the whole three-dimensional structure and the focus levels are then determined for a predetermined number of vertical levels. Adding color adds another degree of freedom (dimension) in the number and difficulty of encoding and decoding the three-dimensional bar-codes. These bar-codes cannot be simply made or copied, providing a level of security thereby.
Claims6
An apparatus for printing and decoding a three-dimensional bar-code, comprising:
- an input mechanism to receive a desired identification;
- a processor to encode the desired identification into an electronic code suitable to operate a 3-dimensional printer;
- a three-dimensional printer which can print a three-dimensional bar-code;
- a black and white three-dimensional bar-code produced by the three-dimensional printer;
- a light field camera to capture an image of the three-dimensional bar-code;
- a processor to analyze and decode the information derived from the three-dimensional bar-code by the light field camera;
- and
- an output device to record and display the identification decoded from the three-dimensional bar-code.
A method for producing a black and white three-dimensional bar code, comprising:
- inputting a desired identification to a processor;
- breaking down the desired identification into elements;
- encoding the elements into an electronic version suitable to operate a three-dimensional printer
- converting the three-dimensional bar code electronic version into 3-dimensional printer instructions;
- and
- printing a three-dimensional bar-code.
A method for decoding an identification within a three-dimensional bar-code, comprising:
- capturing the image of three-dimensional bar-code using a light field camera;
- processing the captured light field image to determine vertical focus levels;
- decoding two-dimensional bar codes at each focus level;
- and
- synthesizing the three-dimensional bar-code as an electronic version;
- and
- output an identification as decoded from the three-dimensional bar-code.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.