Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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A METHOD OF GENERATING A MARKER
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of generating a marker for use in
marker systems.
In particular, the invention herein described is directed towards generating a
marker
including a coding pattern based on different forms of stimulation to produce
different
colours based upon different forms of luminescence from different parts of a
spatially
separated pattern, wherein the coding pattern is measured, digitised and
recorded for
comparison with a database.
Background to the Invention
In recent years, the use of marker systems has been particularly useful in
preventing crime
and for tracking and identifying the authenticity of items. Such marker
systems, as have
been developed by the applicant for many years, have found particular
application in the
fields of security, counterfeiting and crime prevention/deterrence, for
example as described
in WO 93/07233, GB 2369078, GB 2410208 and GB 2413675, amongst others.
Analysis of
the surface onto which the marker system is placed or deployed can provide a
reliable
method of tracing or authenticating items, articles, goods, vehicles or
persons.
Bar codes have been used for a significant time and are an accepted way of
marking items
for identification. They provide data to uniquely identify the item to which
they are
attached; the data being optically represented. The most common types of
barcodes in use
are linear barcodes, such as the UPC and EAN barcodes, although two
dimensional bar
codes are also in use. The two dimensional barcode is based on providing
indications at
various points within a matrix, the positioning of the indications detailing
the unique code.
Barcodes are now extensively used for tasks ranging from tracking mail,
monitoring the
stock levels, determining areas where employees have been, identifying patient
information
and provide details for grocery goods, etc. However, the use of barcodes has
at least one
major drawback. Barcodes are easy to copy, duplicate and/or modify. In fact, a
readable
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copy of a barcode can be produced by simply taking a copy of the original
using a standard
photocopy machine. Because barcodes are so easy to copy, they are particularly
vulnerable
to fraudulent reproduction.
One way to reduce the risk of a barcode being copied, has been to provide a
laminate layer
which only allows infra red light to pass through over the barcode. The
laminate layer
prevents the barcode from being copied using a standard photocopier.
Additionally, some systems using a laminate layer will have the additional
security feature of
destroying the barcode underneath when someone attempts to remove it.
However, even with this additional security measure, as infra-red scanners are
commonplace, it has become relatively easy to duplicate the barcode contained
underneath
the laminate layer and therefore, barcodes remain vulnerable to culprit
attack.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved unique marker or barcode which is
difficult to
duplicate.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of generating a
marker to
distinguish between genuine and counterfeit goods by applying to surfaces of
items,
articles, goods, vehicles, fabrics and/or premises, the method comprising:
applying on said
surface one or more layers of coding; wherein each layer of coding is applied
in a predefined
spatially separated pattern, such that each layer of coding provides a unique
pattern when
subjected to a particular type of stimulus. This pattern can then be subject
to further
treatment as described herein.
In one embodiment of the invention, materials emitting with different colours
from
different forms of stimulation may be added to any predetermined portion of an
array
having spatially separated portions. In one embodiment of the invention, the
array may
comprise a single dimensional strip, or line of attributes, or a two
dimensional matrix.
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In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more attributes may include the
presence
or absence of any mark at one or more of the spatially separated portions of
said pattern;
the presence or absence of colour; the presence or absence of a specific
visible colour
emitted under UV stimulation; the presence or absence of any visible colour
emitted under
IR stimulation; the presence or absence of any UV phosphorescent colour and/or
any
combination thereof.
In a further embodiment of the invention the fluorescent materials in various
positions of
the grid are shaped to form recognisable digits including alphabetic and
numerical digits.
Further, the invention described herein provides for various controls for the
rotational and
translational alignment of the device in respect of the coding pattern. These
controls may
include covert alignment marks being provided on the surface of the marked
item so as to
allow accurate placement of the device. Additionally or alternatively,
software may be
provided which can rotate an image to get alignment.
Additionally, a varnish may be applied after all the coding layers have been
applied to the
surface of the marked item or label to protect the mark and prevent the coding
layers from
becoming dislodged which may render the code meaningless. Additionally, the
varnish may
be a matt varnish. This has the advantage that it also prevents reflections of
the light
sources from a shiny surface entering the lens. The varnish prevents that
feature of the
mark are lost or damaged. Advantageously, the matt varnish avoids refection of
the visible
portion of the light source radiation, particularly the UV LED, being captured
as part of the
image which may render the image ineffective. Preferably, before measurement
all marks
may be wiped to ensure they are clean.
In a further embodiment of the invention there is provided, a code generated
by the
method as substantially described herein. In an embodiment of the invention,
the
generated code may be hidden inside an overt code to form a covert code.
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Alternatively, the covert code may be included between the lines of a visible
bar code or
additionally or alternatively may be overlaid by a visible bar code or other
apparent overt
coding mark.
In one embodiment of the invention, the generated code may be directly applied
onto the
surface of the item to be marked or additionally or alternatively the
generated code may be
used on a label or other appropriate medium that may be applied to the item to
be marked.
In another embodiment of the invention, the generated code may be used in
combination
with existing technologies such as bar codes or coloured spatial patterns,
additionally or
alternatively, the generated code may be used to generate a further barcode.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of viewing
the code
generated by the method described herein. In one embodiment of the invention,
the code
may be viewed by providing different forms of stimulation producing codes for
each form of
excitation employed.
To keep track of the alignment of the image of the coding pattern, the present
invention
additionally may provide for alignment mechanisms, both physical and software
based. This
mechanism allows the camera to be aligned correctly to the coding pattern so
that the
points forming the pattern, e.g. the marker emissions, always occur in the
same position in
the camera field of view, and in any resulting image, such as a photograph.
The alignment
mechanism may consist of more than one mark on the surface being measured and
features
on the reader which may be placed on the surface to overlap with these marks.
In one embodiment, the reader may be pressed into position on the surface to
be analysed
so that a light tight seal is formed with the surface. Two different marks on
opposite sides of
the reader may be superimposed onto two different marks present on the surface
to be
analysed. Different marks may be used to ensure the correct alignment of the
reader and to
reduce the possibility of the scanner being misaligned by 180 degrees.
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In one embodiment of the invention, a spectroscopic device may be used to
measure the
colour emitted from each spatially separated point within the pattern. In one
embodiment
of the invention, spectral analysis of each attribute may be used to view each
spatially
separated pattern.
In one embodiment of the invention, the method of viewing the code includes
the use of
bar code readers additionally or alternatively wherein the bar code readers
are fitted with
additional devices to provide one or more different forms of stimulation to
view one or
more of said one or more attributes. In one embodiment of the invention, the
method may
be an automated method. An alignment mark may be provided so as to position a
reader in
the correct position.
In another embodiment of the invention, a photograph of the marker may be
taken under
various forms of stimulation. In one embodiment of the invention the digital
camera is part
of a reader that is orientated specifically in a pre-arranged and repeatable
manner over the
pattern so that each point in the pattern can be specifically identified.
Preferably, the digital camera digitises the fluorescent colour in the
photograph or image
and expresses each colour digitally in terms of the proportion of each of the
primary colours
present in the fluorescent colour. These colours Red, Green and Blue, can be
expressed in
various forms, preferably RGB values, although other forms of coding can be
used, they are
numerical such that the colours can be processed by computers from this point
on.
The RGB values for the fluorescent colours in this photograph or image may be
transmitted
to a local computer by suitable means or to a central server, for searching
the photograph
or image against a database of standard numerical RGB values. In a further
embodiment of
the invention, the results of the search may be transmitted back to the in-
field
measurement team and others if necessary.
Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention
without
departing from the scope of the invention. The invention will now be further
described with
reference to the following exemplary embodiment.
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The present invention teaches the use of various forms of overt and/or covert
attributes
applied to spatially separated portions of a single or two dimensional
physical matrix.
Particularly, a coding method is disclosed by the present invention which may
comprise a
step of applying a pattern of spatially separated portions onto the surface of
items, articles,
goods, vehicles and/or premises. The pattern may be applied directly to the
surfaces of
appropriate materials. The pattern may be present as a single line comprising
digits,
symbols and/or dots. Spaces in the pattern where no form of fluorescence is
present, also
contribute to the code. Likewise a two-dimensional array, typically of rows
and columns,
may also comprise digits, symbols and/or dots. The spaces in the two-
dimensional array are
also important to the code formation.
Additionally or alternatively, the grid may comprise any two dimensional shape
currently
known to the person skilled in the art, including circular, 5 hexagonal and
rectangular
shapes etc., or a combination thereof. In fact, any spatially separated
pattern, known to the
person skilled in the art may be suitable for use in respect of the present
invention.
In one embodiment of the invention, there may be provided a two dimensional
grouping of
9 attributes arranged in either a 3 * 3 matrix or in a single dimensional
strip, i.e. in single line
of attributes.
Coding may be added to the spatially separated portions of the pattern in
order from Ito 9
and subsequently read similarly from Ito 9; for example, as demonstrated in
both an
exemplary 3 * 3 matrix and in a single line of attributes, below:
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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The present application provides that other non-limiting features may be added
to increase
the dimensionality of the coding pattern by providing for a different visible
colour to each
point and/or a coloured output from various forms of emitter responding to
various forms
of stimulation.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided the step of applying one
or more
layers of coding to each position of the matrix, wherein each layer of coding
may be based
upon, but not limited to, one of the following, or a combination thereof:
= The presence or absence of any mark at any point
= The colour present at any point
= The presence of a specific UV fluorescent colour at any point
= The presence of a specific IR fluorescent colour at any point
= The presence of any UV phosphorescent colour at any point
In one embodiment of the invention, each layer of coding may contain one or
more of the
above attributes. Preferably, materials producing different colours under the
same form of
stimulation will not be applied to the same position of the grid, unless
spectral analysis is
undertaken. It is provided that each layer of coding comprising one or more
attributes may
be applied to surfaces by coating the pattern with one layer of coding at a
time.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that whatever
physical grid is
used, each layer of coding can be applied to each position of the physical
grid. As each type
of fluorescence is specific to the form of stimulation, materials fluorescing
under UV may be
combined with materials fluorescing under IR with no interference between the
two. These
may be combined in the one formulation and applied at the same time or applied
separately, one over the other. As these layers are transparent to visible
light they can be
overlaid. Therefore, each position of the physical grid can contain:
no coding or
a material fluorescing under UV radiation and/or
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a material fluorescing under IR radiation
The total number of codes (T) to be generated in one embodiment of the
invention may be
determined by the number of different attributes that may be associated with
any one
spatially separated portion and the number of spatially separated portions of
the pattern;
demonstrated by the following equation:
T = AX
where A is the number of attributes and X is the number of different physical
positions, or
portions. This is the total of the number of attributes we see being
applicable to each
location.
In one embodiment of the invention, the total number of attributes is 16,
based on
combinations of nothing, visible emission through UV excitation, visible
emission through IR
excitation and four different colours of emission e.g. blue, green, yellow and
red.
Therefore, in a further embodiment where a simple 3*3 matrix of physically
separated areas
is provided, this will give 169 or 68,719,476,736 codes.
Various embodiments are possible, but this level of coding can be obtained
using the
invention in its simplest form. In fact, the invention allows for the
generation and reading of
an infinite number of codes by the use of two cheap torches; i.e. by simply
using a hand held
UV torch, a hand held IR torch and suitable look-up tables. Preferably, this
approach may be
enhanced through the use of a digital camera, which again is relatively cheap,
but which
digitises the colours allowing further processing.
Although reference is made to hand held torches this is done only to indicate
the low cost
involved in producing and determining a virtually infinite number of codes and
the fact that
all measurements may be performed in field. However mains driven light sources
can also
be used. In either case the pattern must be aligned and photographed digitally
so that it
may be searched against RGB standards and the code established. Particularly,
the RGB
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values measured at each point of the array may be used to identify digitally
the colour
present in each position under each form of illumination, as in the case of a
digital camera.
Once the RGB values are identified in each position the code can then be
calculated.
The following shows four colours emitted under UV stimulation followed by four
colours emitted under IR stimulation:
= UV red
= UV yellow
= UV green
= UV blue
= IR red
= IR yellow
= IR green
= IR blue
As each area is differentiated by its position then the same material can be
used in each,
without duplication. In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided
that each of the
8 materials detailed above can be used in each position.
In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the UV red can be used in position
1. As each
position is spatially discriminated the same UV red can be used in position 2
and so on.
Additionally or alternatively, in some positions a material fluorescing red
under IR can also
be used or a material fluorescing a different colour under IR could be used in
these
positions. This may be repeated at each position of the physical grid.
Therefore in this
exemplary embodiment, each layer of coding may be read by different forms of
stimulation
even if the various materials are located at the same position of the physical
grid.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for viewing the
code
generated by the method described herein. Particularly, the code may be viewed
by
providing different forms of stimulation producing codes for each form of
excitation
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employed. In one embodiment of the invention, UV and IR stimulation are
specifically
provided for.
A further embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of
spectroscopic devices
to read the colour emitted from each spatially separated portion.
In one embodiment the colour in each position of the pattern may be measured
under UV
and IR radiation via a digital camera. The colours may be described in terms
of the level of
each of the primary colours present, or Red Green Blue (RGB) values. The range
of values for
each fluorescent colour used is predetermined and is used as the basis for
identification of
the colours present in each case. The digital camera is held within a reader.
An alignment
mechanism allows the camera to be aligned correctly to the pattern so that the
points
forming the pattern, e.g. the marker emissions, always occur in the same
position in the
photograph.
In one embodiment, the reader may be pressed into position on the surface to
be analysed
so that a light tight seal is formed with the surface. Two different marks on
opposite sides of
the reader may be superimposed onto two different marks present on the surface
to be
analysed. Different marks may be used to ensure the correct alignment of the
reader and to
reduce the possibility of the scanner being mis-aligned by 180 degrees.
In a further embodiment the RGB value may be used to identify different shades
or blends
of colour. These may be used to obtain further levels of coding by recognising
different
reds, yellows, greens and blues all from the same form of stimulation and also
more subtle
colour shades. These more subtle shades may be produced by the blending of
pigments of
different hues of the same colour, the blend may appear the same to the eye,
but will give a
different RGB value to that of the pigment, as bought and thereby allow
discrimination.
In a further embodiment, a digital camera may be used to record the code
photographically,
suitable software may be used to illuminate each light source and take a
photograph of the
pattern during the illumination periods. The two photographs are stored as
separate data
sets of RGB values and transmitted to either a local computer via USB or blue
tooth, or
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other known means of transmission, or to a central server. In both cases the
RGB values are
searched against a database and the results may then be transmitted back to
the
measurement team, and other parties if desired.
The database may be constructed so that a unique code is obtained from the
variables
available.
A 3X3 array has been used for illustrative purposes and the table below shows
a non-limiting
example of a way in which this may be used in practice:
POSITION LIGHT RGB VALUES SHAPE
1 UV 255 0 0
2 IR 255 0 0 1
3 UV 0 255 0 2
4 IR 0 255 0 A
UV 0 0 255 *
6 IR 0 0 255 A
7 UV 255 255 0 -
8 IR 255 255 0 3
9 UV 255 0 255 B
The example above is limited and is provided only as an example of the scope
available
through the use of the invention.
Column 1 shows each position of a 9 position array.
Column 2 shows which light source is lit UV or IR.
Column 3 shows the RGB values for each colour measured under each form of
illumination.
Column 4 shows the nature of the mark in each position under each light source
with a "-"
indicating nothing present
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The above example is limited due to the possible number of codes available,
but it does
indicate that a unique code could be obtained by searching for four different
parameters
e.g.
1 1 255 0 0 1
In practice the RGB values may need to cover a range for each of the three
parts of the
number to allow for some variation due to e.g. background effects.
Alternatively branching can be used such that separate tables exist for each
position and
each light source so that only the RGB values and shape would be searched in
each of these
databases. Modern databases are capable of dealing with the results in the
manner
provided by both approaches.
A non-digital camera may also be used if the colours under each form of
illumination in the
resulting photographs are subsequently digitised and analysed for RGB values
and may then
subsequently be searched against a database. A further embodiment of the
present
invention may involve the spectral analysis of each attribute of the spatially
separated
pattern. This may provide a further level of coding and may make copying of
the mark more
difficult.
A further embodiment of the invention may involve using a mixture of different
UV
fluorescent pigments in one or more positions of the pattern and/or a mixture
of different
IR fluorescent pigments. The resulting mixture would just appear white when
photographed
and only spectroscopic analysis would distinguish the different colours
producing this effect.
The spectroscopic data is transmitted to a local computer or central server
via suitable
means. The components present are identified and the results returned to the
measurer, or
measurement team, and others if desired.
A two stage process may then follow involving initially taking a digital
photograph of the
pattern and then by spectroscopic analysis by a hand held mobile spectrometer
to provide
further information and identification of those materials present in the
mixture. This can be
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done as a further check if an alleged counterfeit is found or may be provided
as an
enhanced security feature. A further embodiment of the invention involves a
steganographic approach where the covert code is hidden inside an overt code.
For
example, in one embodiment there may be provided a coding pattern generated by
the
coding method described herein, formed between the lines of a visible bar
code.
Additionally or alternatively, the coding pattern may be overlaid by a visible
bar code or
other apparent overt coding mark.
In one embodiment of the invention, the coding pattern generated by the coding
method
described herein may be directly applied to the surface of the item to be
marked.
Additionally or alternatively, the present invention may be used on a label or
suitable layer
that may be applied to the item to be marked.
A further embodiment of the present invention may involve the use of suitable
bar code
readers fitted with devices to provide the necessary stimulation to view the
one or more
attributes. One embodiment of the invention could involve the use of a bar
code reader,
which may be additionally or alternatively fitted with one or more different
forms of
stimulation to view additional or multiple covert barcodes. The additional or
multiple covert
barcodes may be read at the same time and/or in the same single "sweep" of the
current
overt bar code.
A further embodiment of the present invention provides an automated method of
reading
the codes. This may involve the use of an alignment mark to position a reader
in the correct
position. The reader would then record the colours emitted from each position
under
different forms of stimulation. Typically photographs could be taken of the
response of each
position in the matrix and these could be digitised and sent to a local
computer to be
searched and compared with standards.
The present invention provides a covert coding method that may be used in
isolation or
combined with existing technologies; for example, the coding patterns
generated as
described herein may further be used along with barcodes and/or along with
coloured
spatial patterns. Where the coding method is applied to an existing overt
marker, the
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method advantageously provides a method of preventing the copy of existing
overt markers
and therefore adds to the security.
Additionally or alternatively, the coding pattern generated as described
herein may be used
to further generate a barcode.
The present invention advantageously provides a method of generating a
virtually infinite
number of codes which may be analysed in the field through the use of simple
hand held
torches. The number of codes available means that the codes can be changed
frequently. In
the prevention of counterfeits, the codes could be changed to show a
particular plant of
manufacture. Likewise the date of manufacture could be identified and made to
indicate the
year, month, week, day or even hour when the item was produced.
Critical parts of the code may also be covert which makes copying difficult.
Given that the
code could be changed rapidly, perhaps on a daily basis, then it should be
possible for
manufacturers to stay ahead of the counterfeiters. The code will be changing
quicker than
they can copy it and a log of serial number and code would be virtually
impossible to
duplicate.
Those skilled in the art may be aware of other methods of application of the
present
invention, although examples of use have been given they are not designed to
be limiting.
A number of embodiments have been described herein. However, it will be
understood by
persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made
without
departing from the scope of the embodiments as defined in the claims appended
hereto.
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