WO2006056830A1 - Method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, and associated system - Google Patents

Method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, and associated system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006056830A1
WO2006056830A1 PCT/IB2005/002997 IB2005002997W WO2006056830A1 WO 2006056830 A1 WO2006056830 A1 WO 2006056830A1 IB 2005002997 W IB2005002997 W IB 2005002997W WO 2006056830 A1 WO2006056830 A1 WO 2006056830A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microparticles
coordinates
recognition
detected
identification code
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2005/002997
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Claudio Selva
Original Assignee
S.T.S So True System S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by S.T.S So True System S.A. filed Critical S.T.S So True System S.A.
Publication of WO2006056830A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006056830A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/08—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code using markings of different kinds or more than one marking of the same kind in the same record carrier, e.g. one marking being sensed by optical and the other by magnetic means
    • G06K19/083—Constructional details
    • G06K19/086—Constructional details with markings consisting of randomly placed or oriented elements, the randomness of the elements being useable for generating a unique identifying signature of the record carrier, e.g. randomly placed magnetic fibers or magnetic particles in the body of a credit card
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/20—Testing patterns thereon
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/06—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation
    • G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, and to an associated system.
  • the invention relates to a method for unique identity assignment and recognition of objects, which is based on the use of microparticles which are dispersed in a microscopic mark incorporated in or applied onto the object and the position of which forms a unique identity code.
  • the method is especially applicable to credit cards.
  • the invention also relates to a system which implements the method, including an optical subsystem for detecting the microparticles and an associated processing unit.
  • the conventional methods for identifying objects use one or more identification codes to be used in combination for identity verification.
  • codes may be coded and interrelated in a complex manner, they must be transmitted and during transmission there is the inherent risk of decoding and illegal copying. This depends on the fact that the code may be easily reprinted on falsified copies of an object, once it has been decoded.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
  • the present invention relates to a method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, using a microscopic mark, incorporated or applied onto the object, the method using a first and a second identification code, the information of said second identification code being incorporated in said microscopic mark, the method being characterized in that identity assignment is performed in accordance with the following steps:
  • step B selecting a number Nj ⁇ N of two-dimensional coordinates of microparticles detected during step B and storing them in a file, associating them with said first identification code; identity recognition being performed in accordance with the following steps:
  • step D optically detecting the two-dimensional coordinates of said N microparticles with respect to the same reference system of step B;
  • step E comparing the coordinates detected in step D with the set of Ni coordinates associated with said first identification code and stored in said file;
  • step B declaring identity recognition as positive when at least a number Mj ⁇ Nj of coordinates detected in step D is equal to an equivalent number of coordinates of the corresponding set of Nj file coordinates, the equality being determined using a predefinable numerical approximation.
  • step C the following step is performed:
  • step C ordering the coordinates detected in step B in a decreasing manner with respect to the magnitude and/or luminosity of the respective microparticles.
  • said number Nj of two-dimensional coordinates correspond to the first Nj two-dimensional coordinates ordered in step G.
  • step B comprises the following substeps:
  • step E comprises the following substeps:
  • said maximum distance may be predefinable.
  • step E may comprise a further substep E.3 in which the mean of the distances between the microparticles detected in step B or D is calculated, said maximum distance being proportional to said mean.
  • said two-dimensional components may be calculated in pixels corresponding to the digital optical detection system used.
  • said maximum distance is greater than or equal to 2 and less than 3 pixels.
  • the information relating to said first identification code is incorporated in said microscopic mark.
  • the information relating to said first code is coded in a DataMatrix on or in said microscopic mark.
  • step A the microparticles are dispersed in the DataMatrix and hence are detectable in its white zones, said first and said second identification code being detected in the same step B and in the corresponding step D.
  • said origin of the image in step B.2 is the origin of the DataMatrix, the recognition of the latter being performed by means of a search for its edges.
  • step A is performed by means of printing with pretreated ink containing said microparticles.
  • the quantity of microparticles dispersed in step A may be varied in each case.
  • said microparticles are luminescent and/or iridescent.
  • Nj 50.
  • said object is made at least partially of polymer material.
  • the object and the label form a single card, in particular a UMS card.
  • said first identification code has an alphanumeric sequentiality.
  • the present invention relates furthermore specifically to a computer program, characterized in that it comprises code means able to perform, when they are used on a computer, the substeps B.I, B.2, B.3,
  • step C D.I, D.2, D.3, and/or step C, and/or step E, and/or step G of the method for identity assignment and recognition of objects which forms the subject of the invention.
  • the present invention relates moreover specifically to a computer storage medium having a program stored thereon, which is the computer program according to the invention.
  • the present invention also relates specifically to a system for identity assignment and recognition of objects, comprising:
  • a device for printing a microscopic mark comprising a dispersion of optically reactive microparticles
  • an optical/digital recording subsystem able to identify the positions of microparticles present in the microscopic mark
  • an electronic processing unit connected to said optical/digital recording subsystem; - a data base or electronic file, the system being characterized by implementing the method according to the invention, the electronic processing unit executing the program according to the invention.
  • the access to said electronic file is performed using said first identification code.
  • said illumination optical system is an LED illuminator.
  • the electronic processing unit is also programmable externally via a TCP/IP protocol.
  • the system comprises furthermore a subsystem for positioning said object.
  • the method of the present invention is based on a microscopic mark with progressive numbering and on the dispersion of optically detectable microparticles.
  • the dispersion method may be of any kind and the microscopic mark with progressive numbering may be separate from the zone in which the microparticles are dispersed.
  • reference will be made always to the preferred embodiment in which the particles are dispersed in the microscopic mark itself and in which the same microscopic mark is produced by means of printing where pretreated inks are used.
  • inks are treated and mixed with luminescent/iridescent microparticles which, suitably illuminated or filtered, produce a "reflectance", resulting in background data having an individual unrepeatable uniqueness because the background always varies depending on the quantity, the distribution and the "reflectance" of the particles.
  • the microscopic mark may be introduced onto the object using heat transfer printing, ink jet printing, tampography, offset printing, or continuous and linear printing, to mention those printing techniques which are available nowadays .
  • the object may be made of any material, for example cloth, fabric, metal, wood, plastic, glass or any material able to receive a mark with suitable marking or traceability properties.
  • the microscopic mark may be introduced using luminescent or reflective inks or also using applicable holographic techniques or using any type of ink, paste, paint, lacquer, enamel, pigment or other material suitable for marking and having the required properties of luminescence, iridescence and reflectance.
  • the data is detected using an optical/digital system and stored in a data base or file for future comparison. Subsequently, should verification as to uniqueness need to be carried out on any object processed with the abovementioned method, it will be sufficient, using an optical/digital detector provided with illumination, to detect the background data of the microscopic mark printed on the object and compare it with the basic data preformed and previously stored.
  • the complete comparative equivalence between the background data detected and the background data stored will provide unmistakeable proof as to the uniqueness of the microscopic mark printed on the object such as to make it impossible to duplicate or reproduce.
  • the data obtained also has a traceability function since, being progressively numbered data, it may be easily recalled from the abovementioned file and may be completed by a series of information about the object on which it has been printed, resulting in the traceability thereof and the original die.
  • the uniqueness of an object 1 of any nature is obtained by means of printing 3 (ink jet or heat transfer printing, offset printing, serigraphy, flexography or using other marking techniques) of a microscopic mark 2 with an alphanumeric sequentiality for filing use.
  • the microscopic mark is printed or impressed using a particular type of ink in which luminescent/iridescent microparticles are dispersed, being distributed randomly and in variable quantities.
  • the introduction at different angles of a light beam 4 onto the printed microscopic mark containing the luminescent/iridescent particles arranged randomly produces, owing to the particular faceting thereof, a "reflectance" which creates black and white or coloured background data which is unique and unrepeatable.
  • This data is detected by means of a special optical/digital or laser apparatus 5 and is processed in a processing unit 5' (which may be inside or also outside the unit , 5) and sent to a data processing system 6 for storage and filing.
  • the lighting 4 may be, for example, white, ultraviolet, invisible or black, ash-coloured, anthelionic, laser, zodiacal, monochromatic or polychromatic light.
  • the method of the invention allows the insertion, inside the polymer which forms the card, of a large number of microparticles which are arranged in a totally random manner and which reflect the light in a selective manner. These microparticles therefore form a unique two-dimensional code which cannot be reproduced even on an industrial level, because of the intrinsic random nature of deposition of the microparticles.
  • the two-dimensional code generated by the microparticles may therefore be decoded by the system using suitable artificial viewing techniques.
  • the code read by a first viewing system is stored in a suitable logic format which is described below; whenever the card is read, the same code may be read by a similar viewing system and compared with the code stored during production, in order to determine the identity of the card, independently of any other code or information present on the card (DataMatrix, bar code, magnetic strip or other system), making duplication thereof impossible.
  • An example of a viewing system used consists of the following hardware components:
  • the heart of the system consists of the Cognex ® In- Sight 5100, an integrated or "embedded" viewing system which incorporates in a compact industrial housing a progressive-scan digital telecamera with 256 grey scales and resolution of 640x480 pixels and digital signal processor equipped with Cognex ® viewing libraries, which executes the image analysis method.
  • the In-Sight 5100 system has a RAM flash memory which memorizes the viewing task to be performed and an interface assembly (Ethernet, RS232, digital I/O lines) for interacting with the exterior and transmitting the results.
  • the In-Sight 5100 system is qualified as being an embedded system precisely because it does not require a personal computer to implement the viewing software, but has inside it everything which is required for processing. Since In-Sight is to all intents and purposes a TCP/IP node, an external computer may in any case be connected in order to program In-Sight, so as to view the images and receive the results of processing.
  • the Costar 25 mm optical system is a normal optical system for telecameras, with pitch C, which is universally available and which, together with the extension tubes above, provides the optimum optical configuration for recognition of the particles.
  • the Tec BL05A-W illuminator is a white LED illuminator in an aluminium casing which, owing to the geometrical arrangement of the LEDs and a plastic diffuser, produces constant diffused-light illumination in an area of 50x50 mm which is more than sufficient to illuminate the microparticles and highlight them on the background of the card.
  • the long average life of the LEDs, their low power consumption and the constant light which they provide over time are characteristics which have resulted in LEDs becoming the preferred illuminators for viewing applications in an industrial environment.
  • the mechanics supporting the optical part have the necessary characteristics for ensuring optimum recording conditions.
  • An example of the nominal recording conditions for the system according to the invention is provided in the following Table 1 :
  • the numerical processing envisaged therein is performed by two separate modules: the image analysis and microparticle recognition module and the module for comparison of the two-dimensional code of the microparticles.
  • the image analysis and microparticle recognition module is the actual module for artificial viewing, which may be performed by the In-sight 5100 processor in the example described above.
  • the telecamera captures an area of about 15 x 11.5 mm of the card which contains a square DataMatrix of
  • the module performs in sequence the following tasks: acquisition of the image on the basis of a digital "card in position" signal, which could be the signal of a photocell, an end-of-travel device or some other type of sensor; during the prototypal stage this signal is simulated by means of a computer command after manual positioning of the card in a favourable position with respect to the telecamera;
  • N for example 50
  • microparticles according to the order in the above paragraph, these pairs of coordinates representing the unique code of the card.
  • the 50 pairs of coordinates may be made available externally, together with the DataMatrix code, for comparison with the coding of the card stored during production.
  • the module for comparison of the microparticle code may for example be provided on an external computer which will perform the following steps: - acquisition of the DataMatrix code by the optical system 5 (In-Sight system in the example described above) ;
  • the present imitation prevention systems or deterrents are mainly serial and standardised using complex methods which are costly in terms of application and detection and which mostly do not allow the uniqueness to be properly determined in a visible and scientifically demonstrable manner, as is possible with the present invention.
  • the particular feature of this unique microscopic mark is the simple applicability onto the object along industrial production lines and the guarantee of absolute control as to the uniqueness and traceability of consumer products or goods or personal identification documents.
  • the invention falls in line therefore with the present day trend towards globalization, where the infringement of trademarks and products, third-party triangular production and individual territorial control are viewed as being very current problems.

Abstract

The invention consists in the printing (C) of a microscopic mark (B) formed by a progressive numerical sequence which is printed on any object (A) using an ink composed of luminescent/iridescent particles which illuminated (D) from different angles produce a reflectance creating unique background data which will be detected with an optical/digital system (E) and stored in a data base (F) for a possible comparison check. Future certification as to the uniqueness of the object may be performed by detecting the microscopic mark printed on the object subjected to the abovementioned method by means of a similar detection system and comparing the equivalence of the background data detected with the background data stored previously.

Description

Method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, and associated system.
The invention relates to a method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, and to an associated system.
More particularly, the invention relates to a method for unique identity assignment and recognition of objects, which is based on the use of microparticles which are dispersed in a microscopic mark incorporated in or applied onto the object and the position of which forms a unique identity code. The method is especially applicable to credit cards. The invention also relates to a system which implements the method, including an optical subsystem for detecting the microparticles and an associated processing unit.
Hereafter reference will be frequently made to the identity recognition of credit cards for the sake of simplicity of the description, but it must be made clear henceforth that the method according to the invention is applicable to the unique identification of any object made of any material.
The conventional methods for identifying objects use one or more identification codes to be used in combination for identity verification.
However, although these codes may be coded and interrelated in a complex manner, they must be transmitted and during transmission there is the inherent risk of decoding and illegal copying. This depends on the fact that the code may be easily reprinted on falsified copies of an object, once it has been decoded.
These unique characterizing forms must therefore make use of complex and costly production systems, such as, for example, watermark printing in the case of banknotes.
In any case, it is known that the objects produced in this manner are subject to the risk of imitation which cannot be easily detected.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is also a specific object of the present invention to provide the apparatus and the instruments necessary for implementing the method forming the aim of the invention.
It is also a specific object of the present invention to provide a system which implements the method forming the aim of the invention.
The present invention relates to a method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, using a microscopic mark, incorporated or applied onto the object, the method using a first and a second identification code, the information of said second identification code being incorporated in said microscopic mark, the method being characterized in that identity assignment is performed in accordance with the following steps:
A. during production, creating said microscopic mark, in at least one portion of which microparticles reflecting the light in a selective manner are dispersed, the material of the microscopic mark and the microparticles being such that the latter may be dispersed in the former and a number N of them may be subsequently optically detected; B. once the microscopic mark has been produced, optically detecting the two-dimensional coordinates identifying the position of said N microparticles with respect to a predefinable reference system;
C. selecting a number Nj ≤ N of two-dimensional coordinates of microparticles detected during step B and storing them in a file, associating them with said first identification code; identity recognition being performed in accordance with the following steps:
D. similarly to step B, optically detecting the two-dimensional coordinates of said N microparticles with respect to the same reference system of step B;
E. comparing the coordinates detected in step D with the set of Ni coordinates associated with said first identification code and stored in said file;
F. declaring identity recognition as positive when at least a number Mj <Nj of coordinates detected in step D is equal to an equivalent number of coordinates of the corresponding set of Nj file coordinates, the equality being determined using a predefinable numerical approximation. Preferably, according to the invention, between step B and step C the following step is performed:
G. ordering the coordinates detected in step B in a decreasing manner with respect to the magnitude and/or luminosity of the respective microparticles. Preferably, according to the invention, in step C, said number Nj of two-dimensional coordinates correspond to the first Nj two-dimensional coordinates ordered in step G.
Preferably, according to the invention, step B comprises the following substeps:
B.I recognising the microparticles by means of a technique for recognising adjacent areas with the same tonality;
B.2 calculating the coordinates, relative to the origin of the image acquired, of the centroid of each microparticle;
B.3 reducing the coordinates of step B.2 to the coordinates relating to said predefinable reference system; whereby similar substeps D.I, D.2 and D.3 correspond to these substeps in the case of identity recognition. Preferably according to the invention, step E comprises the following substeps:
E.I calculating the distances between the two sets of coordinates, namely between the particles detected in step B and those detected in step D;
E.2 selecting the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to a distance less than a maximum distance corresponding to said error of step F.
According to the invention, said maximum distance may be predefinable.
According to the invention, step E may comprise a further substep E.3 in which the mean of the distances between the microparticles detected in step B or D is calculated, said maximum distance being proportional to said mean.
According to the invention, said two-dimensional components may be calculated in pixels corresponding to the digital optical detection system used.
Preferably, according to the invention, said maximum distance is greater than or equal to 2 and less than 3 pixels.
Preferably, according to the invention, the information relating to said first identification code is incorporated in said microscopic mark. Preferably according to the invention, the information relating to said first code is coded in a DataMatrix on or in said microscopic mark.
Preferably according to the invention, in step A the microparticles are dispersed in the DataMatrix and hence are detectable in its white zones, said first and said second identification code being detected in the same step B and in the corresponding step D.
Preferably according to the invention, said origin of the image in step B.2 is the origin of the DataMatrix, the recognition of the latter being performed by means of a search for its edges.
Preferably according to the invention, step A is performed by means of printing with pretreated ink containing said microparticles.
According to the invention, the quantity of microparticles dispersed in step A may be varied in each case.
Preferably according to the invention, said microparticles are luminescent and/or iridescent.
Preferably according to the invention, Nj > 50.
Preferably according to the invention, M/>10. Advantageously according to the invention, said object is made at least partially of polymer material.
Advantageously according to the invention, the object and the label form a single card, in particular a UMS card. Preferably, according to the invention, said first identification code has an alphanumeric sequentiality.
The present invention relates furthermore specifically to a computer program, characterized in that it comprises code means able to perform, when they are used on a computer, the substeps B.I, B.2, B.3,
D.I, D.2, D.3, and/or step C, and/or step E, and/or step G of the method for identity assignment and recognition of objects which forms the subject of the invention.
The present invention relates moreover specifically to a computer storage medium having a program stored thereon, which is the computer program according to the invention. The present invention also relates specifically to a system for identity assignment and recognition of objects, comprising:
- in the case of identity assignment, a device for printing a microscopic mark comprising a dispersion of optically reactive microparticles;
- an illumination optical system;
- an optical/digital recording subsystem able to identify the positions of microparticles present in the microscopic mark;
- an electronic processing unit connected to said optical/digital recording subsystem; - a data base or electronic file, the system being characterized by implementing the method according to the invention, the electronic processing unit executing the program according to the invention. Preferably, according to the invention, during identity recognition, the access to said electronic file is performed using said first identification code.
Preferably, according to the invention, said illumination optical system is an LED illuminator. Preferably, according to the invention, the electronic processing unit is also programmable externally via a TCP/IP protocol.
Preferably, according to the invention, the system comprises furthermore a subsystem for positioning said object.
The invention will be described below by way of a non-limiting example, with particular reference to certain embodiments and with specific reference to the figure of the accompanying drawing showing a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention.
The method of the present invention is based on a microscopic mark with progressive numbering and on the dispersion of optically detectable microparticles. The dispersion method may be of any kind and the microscopic mark with progressive numbering may be separate from the zone in which the microparticles are dispersed. However, for the sake of simplification of the description, hereafter reference will be made always to the preferred embodiment in which the particles are dispersed in the microscopic mark itself and in which the same microscopic mark is produced by means of printing where pretreated inks are used.
These inks are treated and mixed with luminescent/iridescent microparticles which, suitably illuminated or filtered, produce a "reflectance", resulting in background data having an individual unrepeatable uniqueness because the background always varies depending on the quantity, the distribution and the "reflectance" of the particles.
The microscopic mark may be introduced onto the object using heat transfer printing, ink jet printing, tampography, offset printing, or continuous and linear printing, to mention those printing techniques which are available nowadays .
The object may be made of any material, for example cloth, fabric, metal, wood, plastic, glass or any material able to receive a mark with suitable marking or traceability properties.
The microscopic mark may be introduced using luminescent or reflective inks or also using applicable holographic techniques or using any type of ink, paste, paint, lacquer, enamel, pigment or other material suitable for marking and having the required properties of luminescence, iridescence and reflectance.
The data is detected using an optical/digital system and stored in a data base or file for future comparison. Subsequently, should verification as to uniqueness need to be carried out on any object processed with the abovementioned method, it will be sufficient, using an optical/digital detector provided with illumination, to detect the background data of the microscopic mark printed on the object and compare it with the basic data preformed and previously stored.
The complete comparative equivalence between the background data detected and the background data stored will provide unmistakeable proof as to the uniqueness of the microscopic mark printed on the object such as to make it impossible to duplicate or reproduce. The data obtained also has a traceability function since, being progressively numbered data, it may be easily recalled from the abovementioned file and may be completed by a series of information about the object on which it has been printed, resulting in the traceability thereof and the original die.
With reference to the figure, the uniqueness of an object 1 of any nature is obtained by means of printing 3 (ink jet or heat transfer printing, offset printing, serigraphy, flexography or using other marking techniques) of a microscopic mark 2 with an alphanumeric sequentiality for filing use. The microscopic mark is printed or impressed using a particular type of ink in which luminescent/iridescent microparticles are dispersed, being distributed randomly and in variable quantities. The introduction at different angles of a light beam 4 onto the printed microscopic mark containing the luminescent/iridescent particles arranged randomly produces, owing to the particular faceting thereof, a "reflectance" which creates black and white or coloured background data which is unique and unrepeatable. This data is detected by means of a special optical/digital or laser apparatus 5 and is processed in a processing unit 5' (which may be inside or also outside the unit , 5) and sent to a data processing system 6 for storage and filing.
The lighting 4 may be, for example, white, ultraviolet, invisible or black, ash-coloured, anthelionic, laser, zodiacal, monochromatic or polychromatic light.
Storage of the unique data in a historical archive will be useful for future comparison of the printed data newly detected by similar apparatus. It may therefore be detected by an optical/digital apparatus which is fixed or movable and sent telematically also to a remote system. Automatic optical verification of the equivalence of the two sets of data will determine with scientific certainty the original and unique nature of the microscopic mark.
In the specific case of UMS cards, the method of the invention allows the insertion, inside the polymer which forms the card, of a large number of microparticles which are arranged in a totally random manner and which reflect the light in a selective manner. These microparticles therefore form a unique two-dimensional code which cannot be reproduced even on an industrial level, because of the intrinsic random nature of deposition of the microparticles.
The two-dimensional code generated by the microparticles may therefore be decoded by the system using suitable artificial viewing techniques. During production of the card, the code read by a first viewing system is stored in a suitable logic format which is described below; whenever the card is read, the same code may be read by a similar viewing system and compared with the code stored during production, in order to determine the identity of the card, independently of any other code or information present on the card (DataMatrix, bar code, magnetic strip or other system), making duplication thereof impossible. An example of a viewing system used consists of the following hardware components:
- Cognex® In-Sight 5100 Vision Sensor (ISS-5100- 0000) ,
- Costar optical system, 25 mm fl. 4 pitch C, - Extension tubes 6.5 mm,
- Tec BL05A-W illuminator
- Mechanics for supporting the optical and card processing parts.
The heart of the system consists of the Cognex® In- Sight 5100, an integrated or "embedded" viewing system which incorporates in a compact industrial housing a progressive-scan digital telecamera with 256 grey scales and resolution of 640x480 pixels and digital signal processor equipped with Cognex® viewing libraries, which executes the image analysis method. The In-Sight 5100 system has a RAM flash memory which memorizes the viewing task to be performed and an interface assembly (Ethernet, RS232, digital I/O lines) for interacting with the exterior and transmitting the results.
The In-Sight 5100 system is qualified as being an embedded system precisely because it does not require a personal computer to implement the viewing software, but has inside it everything which is required for processing. Since In-Sight is to all intents and purposes a TCP/IP node, an external computer may in any case be connected in order to program In-Sight, so as to view the images and receive the results of processing.
The Costar 25 mm optical system is a normal optical system for telecameras, with pitch C, which is universally available and which, together with the extension tubes above, provides the optimum optical configuration for recognition of the particles.
The Tec BL05A-W illuminator is a white LED illuminator in an aluminium casing which, owing to the geometrical arrangement of the LEDs and a plastic diffuser, produces constant diffused-light illumination in an area of 50x50 mm which is more than sufficient to illuminate the microparticles and highlight them on the background of the card. The long average life of the LEDs, their low power consumption and the constant light which they provide over time are characteristics which have resulted in LEDs becoming the preferred illuminators for viewing applications in an industrial environment. The mechanics supporting the optical part have the necessary characteristics for ensuring optimum recording conditions. An example of the nominal recording conditions for the system according to the invention is provided in the following Table 1 :
Figure imgf000013_0001
Table 1 - Optical and recording characteristics of telecamera
If we now consider the detailed description of the method according to the invention, the numerical processing envisaged therein is performed by two separate modules: the image analysis and microparticle recognition module and the module for comparison of the two-dimensional code of the microparticles. The image analysis and microparticle recognition module is the actual module for artificial viewing, which may be performed by the In-sight 5100 processor in the example described above.
The telecamera captures an area of about 15 x 11.5 mm of the card which contains a square DataMatrix of
8.5 mm side length. In the white areas of the
Datamatrix the microparticles which form the unique code of the card are visible.
The module performs in sequence the following tasks: acquisition of the image on the basis of a digital "card in position" signal, which could be the signal of a photocell, an end-of-travel device or some other type of sensor; during the prototypal stage this signal is simulated by means of a computer command after manual positioning of the card in a favourable position with respect to the telecamera;
- tracking and decoding of the DataMatrix;
- locating the origin of the DataMatrix by means of a search for its edges; definition of the microparticle search area depending on the position of the origin of the DataMatrix defined previously;
- calculating the average light level in order to set adaptive thresholds for compensation of any variations in light;
- recognition of the microparticles which appear clearly on a darker background, using a "Blob Analysis" technique (recognition of adjacent areas with the same tonality) ;
- calculating the absolute coordinates in pixels (relative to the image origin) of the centroid of each microparticle;
- reduction of the coordinates in the prior paragraph to the coordinates relating to the origin of the DataMatrix (and independent, therefore, of the position of the card), again in pixels;
- ordering of the coordinates of the microparticles depending on their magnitude/luminosity; and
- choosing the first N, for example 50, microparticles according to the order in the above paragraph, these pairs of coordinates representing the unique code of the card.
At this point the 50 pairs of coordinates may be made available externally, together with the DataMatrix code, for comparison with the coding of the card stored during production.
The module for comparison of the microparticle code may for example be provided on an external computer which will perform the following steps: - acquisition of the DataMatrix code by the optical system 5 (In-Sight system in the example described above) ;
- acquisition of the pairs of coordinates of the microparticles by the optical system 5; - access to a local or remote data base which contains the coding of the valid cards, using as a key the DataMatrix code; during the prototypal stage, this access to the data base is replaced by a local comparison between a stored coding adopted as a sample and the codes being examined;
- acquisition of the coordinates of the microparticles stored in the data base; comparison (without taking into account the order) of the two sets of coordinates of the microparticle points;
- calculation of the mean square deviation of the distances of the points;
- counting the number of successful comparisons, taking into account for example an "error circle" which is proportional to the mean square deviation or error radius equal to 2.23 pixels; - decision as to the acceptance (card identified) or refusal (card different) on the basis of the number of points (pairs of coordinates) which correspond to each other, less the error circle: for example, it is possible to consider as acceptable a card which has a number of corresponding pairs greater than 10.
Owing to the total random nature of deposition of the microparticles, with a suitable choice of the error circle and the correspondence threshold (number of points, mean square deviation) it is possible to ensure that the possibility of a false positive result
(different cards identified as being the same) is practically equal to zero, while keeping at the same time high the probability of correct recognition (or keeping low the probability of a false negative result, i.e. an event where a valid card is not recognised) .
The particular viewing system described above ensures the performance characteristics shown in Table 2 below:
Figure imgf000016_0001
Figure imgf000017_0001
Table 2 - Performance characteristics of the system
The present imitation prevention systems or deterrents are mainly serial and standardised using complex methods which are costly in terms of application and detection and which mostly do not allow the uniqueness to be properly determined in a visible and scientifically demonstrable manner, as is possible with the present invention. The particular feature of this unique microscopic mark is the simple applicability onto the object along industrial production lines and the guarantee of absolute control as to the uniqueness and traceability of consumer products or goods or personal identification documents.
The invention falls in line therefore with the present day trend towards globalization, where the infringement of trademarks and products, third-party triangular production and individual territorial control are viewed as being very current problems.
In the above the preferred embodiments have been described and variants of the present invention have been suggested, but it is to be understood that persons skilled in the art may make modifications and changes without thereby departing from the associated scope of protection, as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. Method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, using a microscopic mark, incorporated or applied onto the object, the method using a first and a second identification code, the information of said second identification code being incorporated in said microscopic mark, the method being characterized in that the identity assignment is performed in accordance with the following steps: A. during production, creating said microscopic mark, in at least one portion of which microparticles reflecting the light in a selective manner are dispersed, the material of the microscopic mark and the microparticles being such that the latter may be dispersed in the former and a number IV of them are subsequently optically detectable;
B. once the microscopic mark has been produced, optically detecting the two-dimensional coordinates identifying the position of said N microparticles with respect to a predefinable reference system;
C. selecting a number Ni ≤ N of two-dimensional coordinates of microparticles detected during step B and storing them in a file, associating them with said first identification code; identity recognition being performed in accordance with the following steps:
D. similarly to step B, optically detecting the two-dimensional coordinates of said N microparticles with respect to the same reference system of step B; E. comparing the coordinates detected in step D with the set of Ni coordinates associated with said first identification code and stored in said file;
F. declaring identity recognition as positive when at least a number Mi ≤ N1 of coordinates detected in step D is equal to an equivalent number of coordinates of the corresponding set of N1 file coordinates, the equality being determined with a predefinable numerical approximation.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that between step B and step C the following step is performed: G. ordering the coordinates detected in step B in a decreasing manner with respect to the magnitude and/or luminosity of the respective microparticles.
3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that in step C said number Ni of two-dimensional coordinates correspond to the first N1 two-dimensional coordinates ordered in step G.
4. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that step B comprises the following substeps: B.I recognising the microparticles by means of a technique for recognising adjacent areas with the same tonality;
B.2 calculating the coordinates, relating to the origin of the image acquired, of the centroid of each microparticle;
B.3 reducing the coordinates of step B.2 to the coordinates relating to said predefinable reference system, whereby similar substeps D.I, D.2 and D.3 correspond to these substeps in the case of identity recognition.
5. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that step E comprises the following substeps: E.I calculating the distances between the two sets of coordinates, namely between the particles detected in step B and those detected in step D;
E.2 selecting the pairs of two-dimensional coordinates corresponding to a distance less than a maximum distance corresponding to said error of step F.
6. Method according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said maximum distance is predefinable.
7. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that step E comprises a further substep E.3 in which the mean of the distances between the microparticles detected in step B or D is calculated, said maximum distance being proportional to said mean.
8. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said two-dimensional coordinates are calculated in pixels corresponding to the digital optical detection system used.
9. Method according to Claim 8, when dependent on Claim 6, characterized in that said maximum distance is greater than or equal to 2 and less than 3 pixels.
10. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the information relating to said first identification code is incorporated in said microscopic mark.
11. Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the information relating to said first code is coded in a DataMatrix on or in said microscopic mark.
12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that in step A the microparticles are dispersed in the DataMatrix and are therefore detectable in its white zones, said first and said second identification code being detected in the same step B and in the corresponding step D.
13. Method according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said origin of the image in step B.2 is the origin of the DataMatrix, the recognition of the latter being performed by means of a search for its edges .
14. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
13, characterized in that step A is performed by means of printing with pretreated ink containing said microparticles.
15. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
14, characterized in that the quantity of microparticles dispersed in step A is made to vary in each case.
16. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
15, characterized in that said microparticles are luminescent and/or iridescent.
17. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
16, characterized in that IV2 > 50.
18. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
17, characterized in that Mi ≥ 10.
19. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
18, characterized in that said object is at least partially made of polymer material.
20. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
19, characterized in that the object and the label form a single card, in particular a UMS card.
21. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to
20, characterized in that said first identification code has an alphanumeric sequentiality.
22. Computer program, characterized in that it comprises code means able to perform, when they are used on a computer, the substeps B.I, B.2, B.3, D.I, D.2, D.3, and/or step C, and/or step E, and/or step G of the method for identity assignment and recognition of objects according to one of Claims 1 to 21.
23. Storage medium readable by a computer, having a program stored thereon which is the computer program according to Claim 22.
24. System for identity assignment and recognition of objects (1), comprising: - in the case of identity assignment, a device for printing a microscopic mark (2) comprising a dispersion of optically reactive microparticles;
- an illumination optical system (4);
- an optical/digital recording subsystem (5) , able to identify the positions of microparticles present in the microscopic mark (2);
- an electronic processing unit (51) connected to said optical/digital recording subsystem (5); - a data base or electronic file (6), this system being characterized by implementing the method according to any one of Claims 1 to 21, the electronic processing unit (5') executing the program according to Claim 22.
25. System according to Claim 24, characterized in that, during identity recognition, the access to said electronic file (6) is performed using said first identification code.
26. System according to Claim 24 or 25, characterized in that said illumination optical system (4) is an LED illuminator.
27. System according to any one of Claims 24 to 26, characterized in that the electronic processing unit (51) is also programmable externally via a TCP/IP protocol.
28. System according to any one of Claims 24 to 27, characterized in that it comprises furthermore a subsystem for positioning said object.
PCT/IB2005/002997 2004-11-24 2005-09-29 Method for identity assignment and recognition of objects, and associated system WO2006056830A1 (en)

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IT000007A ITBI20040007A1 (en) 2004-11-24 2004-11-24 System for verifying the uniqueness and traceability of any object based on the method of printing with treated ink of a particular appropriately illuminated reflective microswitch.
ITBI04A000007 2004-11-24

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