WO2002059839A2

WO2002059839A2 - Method for testing products for their authenticity, and security features used therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2002059839A2
Application number: PCT/DE2002/000332
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Heitsch; Gerd Priebe
Original assignee: Wolfgang Heitsch; Gerd Priebe
Priority date: 2001-01-26
Filing date: 2002-01-25
Publication date: 2002-08-01
Also published as: DE10105019B4; DE10105019A1; DE10204034A1; AU2002238392A1; WO2002059839A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing products for their authenticity, and security features used therefor. A test person is provided with or informed of a test field on and/or in an object when taking over or buying the object to be tested, said test field substantially consisting of images, test zones and security elements. The test person scans the test field by means of a test device that does not detect the visually recognizable images in the test field but the test zones likewise present in the test field. The test device decodes the measured values as an identical or non-identical reproduction of the images. The test person compares the mages present in the test field on the object to be tested with the reproduction of the decoded measured values on the display of the test device and recognizes the authenticity of the tested object. The test person does not know the number, arrangement, geometry and properties of the test zone(s) and/or the security features nor their physical properties.

Description

Process for checking products for authenticity and security features therefor

The invention relates to a method for checking the authenticity of products and security features therefor, preferably for use by the consumer.

In connection with an ever increasing quality and quantity of existing copying and computer technology, an increasing number of counterfeit products and imitations of logos, labels, brands, labels and authenticity criteria with security features can still be expected.

In the case of plagiarism of high-priced consumer goods that do not correspond to the quality of the original, the conscious consumer is keen to be able to check the authenticity of the goods.

For a better understanding of the invention, the terms occurring in the description of the invention are defined in more detail here and are not intended to have any other meaning in the context of this application for characterizing the invention.

In the following, security features are understood to mean features that are attached to, on and on an object to be tested - hereinafter referred to as the test object - for the identification of objects to be checked, for securing the objects themselves for protection against imitation, counterfeiting and product piracy. Security features essentially consist of a test field, test zone and security element as well as an optional arrangement of identifiers.

Test objects are goods and products from all areas, semi-finished goods and spare parts, packaging and outer packaging, tear threads, securities, banknotes, shares as well as credit cards, check cards, ID cards, entrance tickets, tickets, participant cards and other documents that are provided with security features.

A test field essentially consists of a test zone and security element as well as an optional arrangement of an identifier, whereby a test field can be a label, a label, a tear thread on a packaging, a defined location of the test object itself, a hologram, a surface application or a protective layer on the test object , Test zones are the zones in which special security elements are located or filled out by them.

An identifier is understood to mean the entirety of all instructions from the manufacturer or distributor which provide information about the manufacturer, location and / or time of manufacture, quality, batch or the like. In particular, the identifier includes images and addresses. The address is understood to be, for example, a telephone number, an Internet address, an e-mail address, an IP address or an SMS address, preferably that of the manufacturer.

Security elements are components, particles, microstructures suitable for coding purposes, which are applied or introduced over a large area and / or partially in test zones, with chemical, biochemical and / or physical, preferably electrical, magnetic or optical properties.

Visually visible or perceptible is to be seen with the naked eye (including seeing with glasses). Considerations with tools such as magnifying glasses, microscopes and the use of analysis devices are excluded. The inspection features that are not visible visually are visualized in the figures.

Product piracy, especially that of branded products, causes very great material damage to the original producer. This applies not only to high-priced luxury items, but also to bulk goods that are offered on the markets.

As with banknotes, an attempt is also made in this area to increase the counterfeit security of the products by introducing or applying security features. For example, films that reflect at different angles in different colors or holograms of the most varied types as well as Kinegrams are applied to branded articles as security features. However, due to the progressive development of the technology that is also accessible to the counterfeiters, these are easy to imitate and manufacture on a large scale. It is possible to provide the packaging or outer packaging with security features. It is known to provide products with packaging, for example made of film. To open this packaging, threads, tapes or cords are inserted on one side of the packaging material or around it. As a hallmark of originality, these so-called tear threads are usually designed in a different color, equipped with a noticeable material thickness and with a noticeable edge. Also known are packaging - mostly cardboard boxes or thicker plastic wrappings - which have defined parallel perforations and also have a flap at the end. These packages generally do not require any additional reinforcements in the opening area. WO 97/01495 has also made known a self-adhesive label which can be applied to packaging and covers the connection point of an article consisting of two parts. This label bears a perforation in two parallel lines for the targeted tearing off of a tear thread formed by the perforation. These methods are used by many manufacturers and for so many products, including products of the same type, that it is hardly possible to recognize a difference both in packaging and in the tear-open mechanism from product to product, from brand to brand. In most cases, torn and thus destroyed packaging is no different for the eye of the consumer. This deficiency makes it easy for imitators and counterfeiters to manufacture such packaging in order to encase counterfeit products.

WO 99/43556 AI describes, inter alia, an embodiment of tear threads for packaging with features for identification. The tear thread is provided for coding with one or more perforation holes or punch holes, which can be designed with brands or company logos. In GB 2 298 391 AI a counterfeit protection is described which carries an optically effective security element on a substrate. Each side of the substrate is provided with an adhesive so that the anti-counterfeit protection cannot be removed after it has been stuck on without destroying the optically effective security element. A dye, a luminescent material and / or a magnetizable marking material is added to the adhesive. The disadvantage is that the security features used for testing by the consumer are not accessible or can only be accessed with considerable additional effort. A metallized security laminate has become known from US 4,511,616. A base layer made of paper carries a magnetizable resin layer with ferromagnetic pigments, a decorative layer made of pigmented resin and a metallization. The metallization The uniform or inconsistent pattern has been partially removed so that the colored decorative layer is visible through the pattern. Magnetized areas of the magnetic layer can be made visible with physical aids.

EP 0 317 202 A2 also describes a packaging with a tear tape, which is coated with a magnetizable material for receiving magnetically coded information. To cover the magnetic layer, the tear tape additionally contains a metal layer or a first and a second metal layer. It has been shown that the magnetic coding is easily erasable due to external magnetic fields and, on the other hand, is also difficult to identify. Also known from WO 99/43556 A1 is a tear thread with individual metallized sections, demetalized zones being located within these metallized sections, in particular representing figures or letters. A number of metallized sections, separated by non-metallized or demetallized sections, are arranged one behind the other, preferably with different surface dimensions and / or electrical conductivity. To encode information, individual sections of the tear thread are metallized, and the metallized sections alternately have holographic effects and demetallizations. This document also describes a tear strip with an optically effective security element combined with an electrically effective feature color for coding information. The feature color is an electrically conductive polymer. The optically effective security element is a diffractive structure. The optically effective security element is human-visually and / or recognizable with aids. In addition to the security features already shown, various variations of security features are known from literature and practice. So security fibers are described in WO 99/45200 AI. Various methods for checking security features as well as various visually perceptible and imperceptible, transparent and semi-transparent security features consisting of colors, metals, polymers and other materials are known from DE 197 18 916 AI, DE 197 34 855 AI, DE 168 12 812 AI, DE 198 36 503 AI, DE 199 15 440 AI, WO 99/36271 AI, EP 0 919 961 A2 and EP 0 999 525 AI known.

The main disadvantage of all previously known security features is that the consumer does not know what to check or how to reliably recognize the authenticity of a product or its packaging or other objects to be checked. Another disadvantage is in is based on the fact that counterfeiters can infer relatively easily from the function of a test device to the arrangement, function and properties of security elements.

The object of the invention is to propose a method for testing test objects with security features in, on and / or on test objects and associated security features for using the method and to design the process technology in such a way that the counterfeiter does not know the function of the test device can infer the security features, in particular the arrangement and function of the security elements, in particular the visually imperceptible security elements. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to design the security features such that they can be used for a large number of objects to be checked and differ from one another object-specifically only by their special coding of security elements and / or identifiers, and thus the same test device for the most varied of objects to be checked can be used.

This task is solved according to the invention in that a test person in, on and / or on the object to be checked is made known to a test person, preferably a consumer, when taking over or buying an object to be acquired and checked, with goods of all under the object to be checked Areas, semi-finished goods and spare parts, packaging and outer packaging, tear threads, banknotes and documents of value are to be understood.

The test field mentioned essentially consists of one or more identifiers, test zones and security elements, whereby the identifiers do not necessarily have to be part of the test field, since these can also be made known to the consumer in a different way when a product is purchased. Identifiers can be lettering, logos, trademarks, indications of origin or addresses, such as telephone numbers, Internet addresses, e-mail addresses, IP addresses or SMS addresses, preferably those of the manufacturer of the product. The test zones can make up the entire test field or are sub-zones within the test field and contain special security elements. The security elements are particles, microstructures and the like which are suitable for coding purposes and which are applied or introduced over a large area and / or partially within test zones and are equipped with chemical, biochemical and / or physical, preferably electrical, magnetic or optical properties. The test person takes an identifier from the test field or other information from the manufacturer. Depending on the nature of the test device or corresponding information from the identifier, the test person scans the test field using the test device, the test device not detecting the visually perceptible identifier in the test field, but rather detecting one or more test zones also located in the test field. Due to the presence of security elements in the test zones or their number, arrangement or geometry and in particular through their properties, the security elements represent authenticity features for the object to be checked by themselves or in combination with the test zone and / or an identifier. It is within the scope of the invention that the keying also has coded information which, alone or in combination with the signals emanating from the security elements, represents measured values or signals which guarantee an authenticity check. With the method step scanning the test field by means of the information or test device by the test person, identifiers and / or security elements or combinations thereof are optionally recorded as coded signals or measured values, the test device preferably being an information device, namely a mobile radio device, cell phone, palmtop or Organizer is, which does not have the algorithm for authentication.

According to the invention, the authenticity features for the object to be checked thus result from the security elements themselves and / or their number, arrangement, geometry and characteristics and / or the test zones themselves or their number, arrangement, geometry and properties and / or the Germinations or their number, arrangement, geometry and properties.

In particular, by means of their number, arrangement, geometry and properties, the security elements represent the authenticity features of the object to be checked as coded measurement values. It has already been mentioned that the method according to the invention automatically detects the address of a test signal receiver using a test device or that such an address, for example an e-mail address, is entered into the test device by hand. The test signal is recorded at the test signal receiver directly or with a database set up or commissioned by him, checked and transmitted to the test device or the test person as a confirmation of the authenticity of the product to be purchased.

It is therefore within the scope of the invention that the test person does not have to know the address of the test signal receiver during the automatic query. This is automatically read from the identifier by the test device. The signals or measured values from the test device are transmitted wirelessly to the test signal receiver, which can be the manufacturer, for example. The signals are decoded there, checked and, as already stated, transmitted to the test person with a corresponding indication of the authenticity of the product to be purchased. The test result, which the test person receives, can take the form of an identical reproduction of an identifier or a part of an identifier or simply optically and / or acoustically, in particular by specifying “real” by means of a display device or a display. It goes without saying that the identifier is reproduced Prerequisite that in this case the identifier on the object to be inspected can also be visually perceived by the inspector, or the seller of an object transmits such an identifier to the consumer in a suitable manner, but the inspector has both number, arrangement, geometry and characteristic - Shafts of the test zones and the security elements as well as their chemical, biochemical or physical properties are not known.Therefore, even a forger cannot analyze the type of coding by analyzing the test device, since the test device does not contain the algorithm of the authenticity test, but only this the test signal knows recipient or its database. The security feature according to the invention for identifying and securing objects to be checked for protection against imitation, counterfeiting and piracy is present in, on and / or on an object to be tested as a combination of test field, germination, at least one test zone and at least one security element, whereby the individual components can be arranged visually perceptible or visually not or not completely perceptible. However, the security feature is preferably such that the test field and the identification are visually perceptible and the test zone and the security element are not or not fully perceptible visually. From this alone it can be seen that both the method according to the invention and the security feature itself enable a multitude of applications for coding a wide variety of products, test methods and test devices known per se being used to apply the method, which are capable of Number, arrangement, geometry and in particular the properties of the components of the security feature to be recorded and passed on to the test signal receiver. It is within the scope of the invention that the identifier, the test field and the security element have dissimilar chemical, biochemical or physical properties and in particular the security elements have chemical, biochemical or physical properties, preferably electrical, magnetic or optical properties. The number, arrangement, geometry and the properties of the identifier, the test zone and / or the security element represent codes, each of which is in or of itself Combination with each other represent the authenticity of the test object. The coding itself is not visually perceptible, although individual components of the security feature can be visually perceptible. A visually perceptible identifier can also represent coded counterfeit-protected output information for test purposes. As an alternative, the identifier in its visually perceptible and / or signaling statement is identical to a coded statement which is based on a security element that is not or not fully perceptible. This statement is also counterfeit-protected output information for test purposes. The security feature is completely or at least in part a label, a label, a tear thread on a packaging, a defined location of the test object, a hologram, a surface application or a protective layer on an object to be tested. It is also conceivable that only the test zone within the security feature is a label, a label, a tear thread on a packaging, a defined point on the test object, a hologram, a surface application or a protective layer on the test object.

The features of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments. In the accompanying drawings:

1: Security feature on a test object with an enlarged representation of a test field and a test zone,

Fig. 2: two test fields consisting of several test zones,

3: a test field with an integrated test zone of the same size,

4: test zone with geometric figures of security elements a to d,

5: schematic representation of the detection and signal transmission, FIG. 6: schematic representation of the acquisition and reproduction of test signals by means of

Mobile phone.

Example 1 :

A concrete exemplary embodiment is explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 for a product 1 to be purchased. The security feature on the test object 1 consists of a test field 2, which contains a test zone 3 and an identifier 4. Here in this and in the following examples, "Alpha" is selected as a placeholder for an identifier 4, for example an address. The identifier 4 is shown so that it is visible to the consumer / buyer. The test zone 3 in turn contains a security element 5. The security element 5 is not visually visible. The security element 5 is coded by a special geometry of a visually imperceptible electrically conductive polymer. The encoded security element 5 contains an address “Alpha” and is detected by a detector 10 on a test device 11 (FIGS. 5 and 6), for example on a mobile phone, decoded by a signal processor DSP and contains specific signals representing the authenticity of the product 1. The signals are sent directly to the manufacturer and evaluated there If the authenticity of the product 1 is given, a confirmation of the authenticity is sent to the test device 11 and shown on a display 12 of the test device 11.

Alternatively, the identifier 4 can be selected as an address by the consumer / buyer via the mobile phone as a test device 11, and the consumer / buyer receives, as described, a corresponding confirmation from the manufacturer on the display 12.

The consumer can thus convince himself of the authenticity of the test object 1, that is to say of the purchased goods, even during the purchase process.

Example 2:

2 shows two different test fields 2 with two test zones 3 present in the left figure and three test zones 3 present in the right figure, different geometries being selected for the test zones in the right figure. The left figure shows 3 different geometries and a different number of security elements in the two test zones. From Fig. 2 it can be seen that the visually imperceptible,. here the test zones 3 and security elements 5 shown only for illustration purposes, in themselves or in combination with one another, represent the codes. In this example, the test person is given an address, which he either enters manually into the test device or is automatically recorded by the test device. The test device 11 (FIG. 6) completely detects the test fields 2 according to FIG. 2 and forwards the coded signals received to the manufacturer's database 20.

Example 3:

3 shows other test zones or test fields. 3 shows a test field 2 which accommodates a test zone 3 in its entire size and which contains a geometric figure of a security element 5. The identifier “alpha” 4 can be visually perceptible to the consumer according to FIG. 3, but nevertheless contain a coding in itself, that is to say in the lettering, which in combination with the security element 5 or with its ner shaping again results in a coding that represents the authenticity of the object 1 to be checked.

Example 4: In a modification of one or more of the preceding examples, a further special geometry of the coding of the security element (5) is shown in FIG. 4, the coding additionally being given by the areas (a) and (c) having electrical properties, for example and areas (b) and (d) have magnetic properties as a test feature. The areas (a) and (c) are realized by applying an electrically conductive polymer which is not visible to human vision. The areas (b) and (d) result from the application of a lacquer which is not visible to humans and contains magnetic pigments. The test features that are not visible from a human visual point of view are visualized in the figure. 4, the test zone 3 only partially contains the identifier 4 “alpha” and also the four different security elements 5, which are identified by a, b, c and d. Alternatively, these security elements a, b, c and d represent the authenticity criteria for the object 1 to be checked according to the arrangement and / or geometry.

Example 5:

The method for checking a security feature as described in one or more of Examples 1 to 4 is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

An object 1 to be tested, for example a camera, is equipped and put on the market by the manufacturer with security features, namely an identifier 4 “alpha”, a test field 2 with a test zone 3 and one or more security elements 5 The camera to be checked has received coded security features from the manufacturer that only the manufacturer knows or has stored in its database. The identifier 4 "Alpha" - here generally used as a placeholder, for example for an e-mail address - informs the buyer about the examiner to be addressed. This automatically reads the identifier 4 “alpha” using a cell phone (FIG. 6) as the test device 11 and detects the coded security element 5, the codes of which are detected as signals or measured values, by means of a detector 10 within the test field 2 or the test zone 3 by means of a detector 10 which represent the authenticity features for the test object 1. The signals or measured values corresponding to the authenticity criteria are decoded with the signal processor DSP, and a connection is made to the manufacturer's database 20 via the test device 11, where the signals received are compared and carried out feedback to the test device 11, where the test result is shown on a display 12. The authenticity of the signals or measured values is preferably checked by comparison with a reference measured value by the test signal receiver.

As stated by the manufacturer on accompanying documents or the goods themselves, the buyer of the camera can convince himself of the authenticity of the test object 1 either if the identifier 4 corresponds to the display 12 or if information "real" on the display 12.

It is within the scope of the invention, for example, to manually enter the identifier 4 as an SMS (short message service) address of the manufacturer of the product 1 and to automatically receive an authenticity notification from the test signal receiver. With the mobile phone, it is possible to update software for decoding, for example by means of a collective message via SMS or by calling it up or also by request.

Example 6: In this exemplary embodiment, the method for checking a security feature is not used using an external database. The test object (1) is, for example, packaging or outer packaging or a label on a product, for example a piece of clothing. A lettering on a label is visible from a human visual point of view or only partially visible and is provided with a code. This coding is detected, converted into a lettering in the digital signal processor (DSP) and shown on a display. The consumer now compares this with the printed lettering and recognizes the authenticity by agreement.

In the present invention, the testing of security features in, on and / or on test objects and associated security features for using the method was explained using specific exemplary embodiments. The described security features in all their variations and the described procedure for testing in all its variations enable the test person to check the authenticity of objects.

Claims

claims

1. Method for checking security features for the identification of objects to be checked (1) for securing the objects to be checked (1) themselves for protection against imitation, counterfeiting and product piracy, in, on and / or on the object to be checked (1) Identifiers (4) are arranged and coded signals from a security feature, which is located in, on and / or on the object to be checked (1), are detected with a test device (11) and transmitted in coded or decoded form wirelessly to a test station and after an identity and / or reference test, authenticity information is sent to the test device (11) wirelessly, the test device (11) being a mobile information device with a device for detecting signals of the security feature and the test station and the test device (11) not the Contains authenticity check algorithm.

2. The method according to claim 1 with the method steps:

- equipping and placing on the market the object to be checked (1) with a security feature arranged in, on and / or on it, with a test field (2), with a test zone (3) and one or more security elements (5), being objects

Goods in all areas, semi-finished goods and spare parts, packaging and repackaging, tear threads, banknotes and documents of value,

- Notification of the test field (2) to a test person, for example a consumer, when the object (1) to be acquired and checked is handed over or purchased, the test field (2) alternatively containing identifiers (4) and essentially from one or more test zones (3) and security elements (5), which represent encodings, which represent authenticity features for the object (1), completely or partially, individually or in combination, by their number, their arrangement, their geometry and / or their properties, - scanning the Test field (2) by means of an information device by the test person, as a result of which the identifiers (4), security elements (5) and / or their codes are recorded as signals or measured values, the information device preferably being a mobile radio device, cell phone, palm top or organizer and doesn't have the authentication algorithm, - Automatic wireless transmission of the signals or measured values from the test device (11) to the germination (4) of the test station of a test signal receiver, the identifier (4) being a lettering, logo, trademark, indication of origin or an address such as a telephone number, Internet address, E-mail address, LP address or an SMS address, preferably that of the manufacturer of the product (1),

- decoding of the signals or measured values at the test signal receiver,

Checking of the signals or measured values for authenticity, preferably by comparing them with a reference measured value by the test signal receiver, automatic wireless transmission of the test result to the test person's information device,

- Acoustic or optical reproduction of the test result, preferably by a display device (12) or in a display in the information device.

3. The method of claim 1 and 2, wherein the kemiung (4) contains security elements (5).

4. The method of claim 1 and 2, wherein the signals emanating from the security elements (5) or corresponding to the security elements (5) are identical to the signals emanating from the germination (4) or the identifiers (4).

5. The method according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the signals emanating from the security elements (5) or corresponding to the security elements (5) are not identical to the signals emanating from the identifiers (4) or corresponding to the identifiers (4).

6. The method according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the identifier (4) outside the test field (2) is arranged visually perceptible to the consumer and this manually the identifier (4) in the test device for contacting with the identifier (4) of the test signal receiver enters.

7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the test field (2) is a label, a label, a chip, a tear thread of a packaging, a defined location of the test object to be disclosed to the acquiring persons, a hologram, a surface application or a protective layer on the test object is.

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the test person, the number, arrangement, geometry and properties of security elements (5) arranged in test zones (3) are not accessible or imperceptible.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the security elements (5) are arranged over the entire surface or partially in test zones (3) and have chemical, biochemical and / or physical, preferably electrical, magnetic or optical properties.

10. Security feature for identifying and securing objects to be checked (1) for protection against imitation, counterfeiting and product piracy, a test field (2) with an identifier (4), at least, in, on and / or on a test object (1) a test zone (3) and at least one security element (5) is arranged, the test field (2) and / or the germination (4) being visually perceptible and the test zone (3) and / or the security element (5) not being visible or are not completely perceptible, the identifier (4), the test field (2) and the security element (5) having dissimilar chemical, biochemical or physical properties and the properties of the security element (5) having chemical, biochemical or physical properties, preferably electrical , magnetic or optical, are.

11. The security feature according to claim 10, wherein the number, arrangement, geometry and properties of the germination (4) and / or the test zone (3) and / or the security element (5) represent codes which each individually or in combination represent the real represent the test object (1).

12. Security feature according to claims 10 and 11, wherein the codings are visually imperceptible.

13. Security feature according to claims 10 to 12, wherein the germination (4) is identical in its perceptible and / or signaling statement with a coded statement that is arranged by a visually not or not completely perceptible security element (5.) Arranged within the test field (2) ) goes out, this statement at the same time represents a counterfeit-protected output information for test purposes.

14. Security feature according to claims 10 to 12, wherein the identifier (4) in its perceptible and / or signaling statement is identical to a coded statement that is based on the number, arrangement, geometry and / or properties of the visually incomplete or not well-known security elements (5), this statement simultaneously representing counterfeit-protected output information for test purposes.

15. Security feature according to one or more of the preceding claims 10 to 14, wherein the test field (2) on a label, a label, a tear thread on a package, a defined location of the test object (1), a hologram, a surface application or a protective layer the test object (1).

16. Security feature according to one or melu-eren of the preceding claims 10 to 14, wherein the test zone (3) a label, a label, a tear thread on a package, a defined location of the test object (1), a hologram, a surface application or a Protective layer on the test object (1).