Security label using printed LEDs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9443180-B2
Application number	US-201414546846-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 18, 2014
Priority date	Mar 3, 2014
Publication date	Sep 13, 2016
Grant date	Sep 13, 2016

Abstract

In one embodiment, a security label comprises a random arrangement of printed LEDs. During fabrication of the label, the LEDs are energized, and the resulting dot pattern is converted into a unique digital first code and stored in a database. The label is then attached to an object to be later authenticated, or the LEDs are printed directly on the object, such as a passport, license, bank note, certificate, etc. For authenticating the object, the LEDs are energized and the dot pattern is converted into a code. The code is compared to the first code stored in the database. If there is a match, the object is authenticated. The label may also have a printed second code associated with the first code, and both codes must match codes stored in the database for authentication. The general shape of the printed pattern may convey the proper orientation of the pattern.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An authentication system comprising:
randomly printed light-generating devices on a substrate, wherein the light-generating devices comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), wherein the LEDs are connected in parallel such that all the LEDs on the substrate are illuminated at the same time, the randomly printed LEDs on the substrate being an authentication tool;
an energization system, external to the substrate, configured for providing power to the LEDs to cause all LEDs on the substrate to be illuminated at the same time, wherein the illuminated LEDs create a static light pattern;
an optical detector configured for detecting the static light pattern from the LEDs in the authentication tool after the LEDs have been illuminated;
a processing system coupled to the detector and configured to generate a first code corresponding to the static light pattern;
a communication system coupled to transmit the first code to a database storing pre-stored codes; and
an interface system configured to convey that the first code matched one of the pre-stored codes, signifying that the authentication tool is authentic.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices are coupled to receive an energizing voltage supplied by the energizing system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the light-generating devices further include a wavelength-conversion material that emits a wavelength different from an energizing wavelength.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices comprise a wavelength-conversion material that emits a wavelength different from an energizing wavelength, wherein the energizing system emits the energizing wavelength.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices comprise microscopic light emitting diodes (LEDs) that have been printed over the substrate as an ink, wherein the ink is then cured.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the authentication tool further comprises two conductor layers connecting the LEDs in parallel, wherein at least one of the conductor layers allows light to pass through.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the authentication tool is an adhesive label.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the authentication tool is a tag configured to be attached to an object to be authenticated.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices are printed on an object to be authenticated.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the substrate comprises an object to be authenticated.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to an inductor loop, wherein the energizing system generates a magnetic field that induces a current in the inductor loop for energizing the LEDs.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to metal pads, wherein the energizing system applies a voltage to the metal pads for energizing the LEDs.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the authentication tool is substantially transparent so markings over which the authentication tool is affixed remain visible.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing system determines the presence of one or more light-generating devices in each cell of a cell pattern applied to the authentication tool and generates the first code corresponding to locations of the light-generating devices in the cells.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising a printed second code that is also detected by the detector and associated with the first code.

16. The system of claim 15 where the second code is printed on the authentication tool.

17. The system of claim 15 where the second code is printed on an article to be authenticated by the authentication tool.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the light-generating devices are printed in a pattern that conveys an orientation of the authentication tool.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the authentication tool is affixed over a surface, wherein the authentication tool cannot be removed from the surface without affecting the pattern of the illuminated LEDs.

20. An authentication system comprising:
an energizing system for illuminating randomly printed light-generating devices on a substrate, wherein the light-generating devices comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), the randomly printed light-generating devices on the substrate being an authentication tool;
an optical detector configured for detecting a pattern of the light-generating devices in the authentication tool after the light-generating devices have been illuminated;
a processing system coupled to the detector and configured to generate a first code corresponding to the pattern of the light-generating devices;
a communication system coupled to transmit the first code to a database storing pre-stored codes; and
an interface system configured to convey that the first code matched one of the pre-stored codes, signifying that the authentication tool is authentic;
wherein the optical detector is configured to detect the pattern of the light-generating devices within a first area of the authentication tool,
wherein the randomly printed light-generating devices are excluded from a predetermined exclusion zone in the first area,
wherein the exclusion zone in the authentication tool forms a first pattern that has been previously stored in the database,
wherein the first code conveys a detected first pattern in the authentication tool,
wherein the communication system transmits the first code to the database for comparing the detected first pattern to the first pattern stored in the database, and
wherein the interface system is configured to convey that the detected first pattern matched the first pattern stored in the database to verify that the authentication tool is authentic.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein the exclusion zone, forming the first pattern, in the authentication tool is selected from a set of exclusion zones when forming the authentication tool.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the set of exclusion zones are applied to other authentication tools, and wherein when all of the exclusion zones in the set of exclusion zones are superimposed over each other there will be no overlap of exclusion zones and no gaps between exclusions zone.

23. A method for authenticating an authentication tool, the authentication tool comprising printed light-generating devices randomly arranged on a substrate to form a pattern, the light-generating devices comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs), the method comprising:
illuminating the randomly printed light-generating devices using a first energizing system to cause a current to flow through the LEDs;
detecting a pattern of the light-generating devices in the authentication tool, using a first optical detector, after the light-generating devices have been illuminated;
generating a first code corresponding to the pattern of the light-generating devices;
comparing the first code to pre-stored codes in a database, the pre-stored codes corresponding to valid codes; and
determining that the authentication tool is authentic if the first code matched one of the pre-stored codes;
wherein the step of detecting comprises detecting the pattern of the light-generating devices within a first area of the authentication tool,
wherein the randomly printed light-generating devices are excluded from a predetermined exclusion zone in the first area,
wherei

Assignees

• Nthdegree Tech Worldwide Inc

Inventors

• Lowenthal Mark David

Classifications

• G06K7/10821

  further details of bar or optical code scanning devices · CPC title

• G06K19/06037

  multi-dimensional coding · CPC title

• G06K19/086

  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 · CPC title

• G06K19/06112 Primary

  the marking being simulated using a light source, e.g. a barcode shown on a display or a laser beam with time-varying intensity profile · CPC title