METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MANIPULATION OR FORGERY OF AN OBJECT AND SYSTEM THEREFOR

Abstract

A method for determining a manipulation or forgery of an object which is identified with a graphical representation of an information, wherein the graphical representation of the information forms light and dark regions and the object has a surface having a contrasting, irregular microstructure. A system is also related, the system being suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining a manipulation or forgery of an item which is identified using a graphical representation of information, the graphical representation of the information forming bright and dark areas and the item having a surface with a contrast-imparting irregular microstructure, having the following method steps: a. creation of a first photograph of the surface region of an item to be registered, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, b. provision of the reference identifier in a data structure, c. creation of a second photograph of the surface region of an item to be validated, in which the graphical representation of information is arranged, both the item and the information with the item registered in steps a. to c. or the information arranged on the same being identical, at least from first impression, f. retrieval of a reference identifier from the data structure, and e. execution of a method for determining the degree of matching between the test identifier generated from the second photograph and the reference identifier retrieved from the data structure, wherein the surface of the item is coated with a glass-bead-based retroreflective film, which forms the irregular microstructure, wherein the graphical representation of the information is arranged such on the item that the irregular microstructure is interleaved with the graphical representation of the information, and wherein the following method steps are carried out for generating the reference identifier and the test identifier; f. spatially resolved analysis of the first photograph in the bright or/and in the dark areas and generation of the reference identifier, and g. spatially resolved analysis of the second photograph of the surface region in the bright or/and in the dark areas and generation of the test identifier.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the following method step: h. categorization of the item to be validated as i. “not manipulated”, if at least one preset minimum degree of matching is achieved, or ii. “manipulated”, if a preset minimum degree of matching is not achieved.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in a preceding method step, a graphical representation of the information is created, in plain text or in the form of a 1D code, such as a barcode, or in the form of a 2D code, such as a QR code or a data matrix code.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in a preceding method step, the item is identified using a graphical representation of the information, wherein the graphical representation of the information forms bright and dark areas.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data structure is located on the item.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data structure is formed separately from the item.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a. the reference identifier is stored together with the information in the data structure, and in that b. the reference identifier is retrieved from the data structure in step i. on the basis of the information.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information relates to at least one of the following parameters: a. a serial number of the item or a further item correlated with the item, and b. the identity of the holder of the item.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including the following method step: a. extraction of the information encoded in the graphical representation of the information, and b. provision of the extracted information for further processing.

10. (canceled)

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the item is an identification document, a means of payment, or a motor vehicle number plate.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a position correction of the photograph to be analysed is carried out during the spatially resolved analysis of the first or second photograph in the bright or/and in the dark areas.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein a size correction of the photograph to be analysed is carried out during the spatially resolved analysis of the first or second photograph in the bright or/and in the dark areas.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the position or/and size correction is carried out on the basis of at least a subset of the bright or/and dark areas.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the spatially resolved analysis of the first or second photograph in the bright or/and in the dark areas, the analysed bright or/and dark areas are broken down into a predetermined number of subsections.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein during the spatially resolved analysis of the first or second photograph in the bright or/and in the dark areas, a brightness or colour value is assigned to the analysed subsections.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the generated identifier is at least also based on the assigned brightness or colour values.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the generated identifier is furthermore based on identifiers which identify the analysed subsections.

19. A system for examining a forgery proof identification of an item using information, the item being identified using a graphical representation of the information, in the form of a barcode, a QR code or a data matrix code with the formation of bright and dark areas, the item having a surface with a contrast-imparting irregular microstructure, the system having the following components: a. a camera, which is suitable for creating a photograph of the surface region of the item, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, the resolution of the camera being sufficient for resolving the irregular microstructure, b. a data structure, in which at least one identifier can be provided, c. a decoding unit (76), which is set up to extract the information from a photograph—which is created by the camera of the surface region of the item, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, and to provide the information for further processing, d. a comparison unit, which is set up for executing a method for determining the degree of matching between two identifiers generated from different photographs of the surface region of the item in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, wherein the surface of the item is coated with a glass-bead-based retroreflective film, which forms the irregular microstructure, wherein the graphical representation of the information is arranged such on the item that the irregular microstructure is interleaved with the graphical representation of the information, wherein the system further has the following component: e. an analysis unit, which is set up to analyse photographs, taken by the camera, of the surface region of the item, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, in the bright or/and in the dark areas in a spatially resolved manner, in order to generate an identifier.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system furthermore comprises a categorization unit, which is set up to categorize the extracted information on the basis of the result of the method executed by the comparison unit, as follows: i. “not manipulated”, if at least one preset minimum degree of matching is achieved, or as ii. “manipulated”, if a preset minimum degree of matching is not achieved.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system furthermore has means for retrieving an identifier from the data structure.

22. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system has a non-volatile memory unit for accommodating the data structure.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the non-volatile memory unit is arranged on the item.

24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the non-volatile memory unit is formed separately from the item.

25. The system according to claim 19, wherein the data structure is set up such that an identifier can be stored together with the information in the data structure.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein the data structure is set up such that an identifier stored in the data structure can be retrieved from the data structure on the basis of the information.

27. The system according to claim 19, wherein the information relates to at least one of the following parameters: a. a serial number of the item or a further item correlated with the item, and b. the identity of the holder of the item.

28. (canceled)

29. The system according to claim 19, wherein the item is an identification document, a means of payment, or a motor vehicle number plate.

30. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system has position correction means, which are set up to carry out a position correction of the photograph to be analysed during the spatially resolved analysis of a photograph of the surface region of the item, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged.

31. The system according to claim 19, wherein the system has size correction means, which are set up to carry out a size correction of the photograph to be analysed during the spatially resolved analysis of a photograph of the surface region of the item, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged.

32. The system according to claim 30, wherein the position correction means or/and the size correction means are set up to carry out the position correction or/and the size correction on the basis of at least a subset of the bright or/and dark areas.

33. The system according to claim 19, wherein the analysis unit is set up, during the spatially resolved analysis of a photograph, created by the camera, of the surface region of the item in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, to break down the analysed bright or/and dark areas into a predetermined number of subsections.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the analysis unit is set up to assign a brightness or colour value to the analysed subsections.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein an identifier generated by the analysis unit is at least also based on the assigned brightness or colour values.

36. The system according to claim 34, wherein an identifier generated by the analysis unit is furthermore based on identifiers which identify the analysed subsections.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0162] Further features and advantages of the disclosure emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, which are not to be understood as limiting, which is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the drawing. In this drawing:

[0163] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of the first functional unit of a first exemplary embodiment of a system according to the disclosure,

[0164] FIG. 2 shows the data matrix code applied on the number plate according to FIG. 1,

[0165] FIG. 3 shows a detail enlargement of the data matrix code from FIG. 2,

[0166] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the second functional unit of a first exemplary embodiment of a system according to the disclosure, and

[0167] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of the second functional unit of a second exemplary embodiment of a system according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0168] In the figures, parts which are equivalent in terms of their function are always provided with the same reference numbers, so that the same are generally also only described once.

[0169] FIG. 1 shows a detail of a first exemplary embodiment of a system 100 according to the disclosure, which is provided for determining a manipulation of an item which is identified using a graphical representation of information. In this case, the manipulation may relate both to the item itself and the information arranged on the item.

[0170] The item, which is a motor vehicle number plate 1 in the exemplary embodiment, is identified using a graphical representation of the information in the form of a data matrix code 10. In this case, the data matrix code 10 forms bright and dark areas 11, which are termed modules.

[0171] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the data matrix code 10 arranged on the number plate 1 encodes a serial number of the plate of the motor vehicle number plate 1.

[0172] The motor vehicle number plate 1 is designed to be retroreflective by means of a glass-bead-based film. Films of this type are based on a multiplicity of transparent and white-coloured (so-called matt) glass beads, the diameter of which typically lies in the range between ten and 100 μm, which glass beads are arranged in a common plane parallel to the plane of the number plate and embedded into a transparent binder layer. The transparent binder layer is mirrored at the rear side by means of a thin metal layer, for example made from aluminium or silver. Glass-bead-based retroreflective films of this type are widely known from the prior art. In this case, on the one hand, the glass beads embedded into the film are arranged irregularly in a certain area, on the other hand, the spatial distribution of transparent and matt glass beads is random and therefore random to a high degree. This leads to the motor vehicle number plate 1 having a surface with an irregular microstructure, which is contrast-imparting to a satisfactory extent, on its retroreflective side. The contrast of the microstructure is deepened further by laser inscription of the film.

[0173] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the data matrix code 10 is introduced into the material of the retroreflective film by means of laser inscription. In this exemplary embodiment, the laser inscription is not limited to a purely superficial change of the material of the film. Due to this local, irreversible change of the material of the retroreflective film, a manipulation of the data matrix code, i.e. the graphical encoding of the information (=serial number of the plate) is made more difficult.

[0174] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the system 100 according to the disclosure has two functional units 40, 70, which are formed separately from one another.

[0175] A first functional unit 40 is provided for carrying out a product registration. It is illustrated in FIG. 1. It is formed as a stationary unit and provided to be arranged preferably spatially adjacent to or in the production facility in which the item identified using the graphical representation of the information, i.e. the motor vehicle number plate 1, is produced.

[0176] The first functional unit 40 comprises a separately formed first camera 42, which is in data connection with the first functional unit 40 and is set up to create a photograph of the surface region of the number plate 1, in which the graphical representation of the information, i.e. the data matrix code 10, is arranged, wherein the resolution of the camera 42 is sufficient for resolving the irregular microstructure created by the glass beads embedded in the retroreflective film.

[0177] Furthermore, the first functional unit 40 comprises a first analysis unit 44, which is set up to analyse photographs, created by the first camera 42, of the surface region of the number plate 1, in which the graphical representation of the information, i.e. the data matrix code 10, is arranged, in the bright or/and in the dark areas 11 in a spatially resolved manner, in order to generate a first identifier, what is known as the reference identifier, which is directly and uniquely linked to the registered motor vehicle number plate 1.

[0178] Furthermore, the first functional unit 40 comprises a data structure 50, in which at least one identifier can be provided. This is formed as a database, which can be addressed by a suitably formed reader via a network, e.g. the internet 101, in order to access data stored in the database, particularly reference identifiers, at least in a reading manner.

[0179] The database is stored on a server which is connected to the internet 101 and is reachable via the same from practically any point in the world.

[0180] The data structure 50 is designed such that, during the product registration, the reference identifier can be linked in such a manner with the information encoded in the graphical illustration when it is stored in the data structure 50, that it is possible to retrieve the linked reference identifier from the data structure 50 by specifying the information.

[0181] The second functional unit 70 is provided for carrying out a product validation in the field, i.e. for examining the authenticity of a motor vehicle number plate which is generally mounted on a motor vehicle.

[0182] In contrast to the first functional unit 40, it is formed as a mobile unit. To this end, the second functional unit 70 is formed as a handheld device which is suitable to always be carried by a person entrusted with the examination of motor vehicle number plates.

[0183] The second functional unit 70 has a second camera 72, which is integrated into the housing of the second functional unit 70 and like the first camera 42 is set up to create a photograph of the surface region of the number plate 1, in which the graphical representation of the information, that is to say the data matrix code 10, is arranged, wherein the resolution of the second camera 72 is also sufficient for resolving the irregular microstructure.

[0184] Furthermore, the second functional unit 70 has a second analysis unit 74, which is set up to analyse photographs, taken by the second camera 72, of the surface region of the number plate, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, in the bright or/and in the dark areas 11 in a spatially resolved manner, in order to generate a second identifier, a “test identifier”.

[0185] The second test unit 70 furthermore has a decoding unit 76, which is set up to extract from a photograph—which is created by the second camera 72—of the surface region of the number plate 1 in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged, the information encoded therein.

[0186] In this case, the second test unit 70 is furthermore set up to provide the information extracted by the decoding unit 76 for further processing. To this end, the second test unit 70 forms an interface for data communication suitable for this, e.g. via near field communication, WiFi, BlueTooth®, or else via a mobile network. IP-based communication is possible via at least one of these interfaces, particularly for access to the internet 101.

[0187] Furthermore, the second functional unit 70 comprises a means for retrieving an identifier 78 from the data structure 50. In this case, this means 78 is set up to retrieve in a targeted manner, the reference identifier from the data structure 50, which is stored in the data structure 50 together with the information which is encoded in the graphical identifier and deposited on the number plate 1.

[0188] In the second functional unit 70, a comparison unit 80 is furthermore provided, which is set up to execute a method for determining the degree of matching between two identifiers, wherein here these are a reference identifier retrieved from the data structure 50 and the test identifier generated by means of the second functional unit 70.

[0189] Finally, a categorization unit 82 is provided in the second functional unit 70, which is set up to categorize the information arranged on the number plate 1 in the form of a data matrix code 10 or/and the number plate 10 itself on the basis of the result of the method executed by the comparison unit 80, as follows: [0190] i. “not manipulated”, if at least one preset minimum degree of matching is achieved, or as [0191] ii. “manipulated”, if a preset minimum degree of matching is not achieved.

[0192] In the first or second functional unit 40, 70, the analysis unit 44, 74, the decoding unit 76, the comparison unit 80 and the categorization unit 82 (if present) are realized in a software-implemented manner. The associated software is executed on a CPU, which is arranged, in the case of the second functional unit 70, together with the second camera 72 in a common housing. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second functional unit 70 is formed as a smartphone. The result determined by the categorization unit 82 is displayed visually on the display 84 of the smartphone.

[0193] In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least the second functional unit 70 has position correction means 86. These are set up to carry out a position correction of the photograph to be analysed, during the spatially resolved analysis of a photograph of the surface region of the number plate 1, in which the graphical representation of the information is arranged.

[0194] The position correction means 86 are set up to carry out a position correction on the basis of at least a subset of the bright or/and dark areas 11 of the data matrix code 10 located on the number plate 1.

[0195] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the second functional unit 70 furthermore has size correction means 88. These are set up to carry out a size correction of the photograph to be analysed during the spatially resolved analysis of the test photograph in the bright or/and in the dark areas 11.

[0196] The position correction means 86 and size correction means 88 provided in the second functional unit 70 are used to ensure a matching position and size of the data matrix code 10 both in the reference photograph and the test photograph. It is also provided in the system 1 shown to carry out a registration of the reference photograph and test photograph.

[0197] In the system 1 according to the disclosure according to this exemplary embodiment, both analysis units 44, 74 are set up to break down the bright or/and dark areas 11 forming the data matrix code 10, which are also termed modules, into a predetermined number of subsections, during the spatially resolved analysis of a photograph, which is created by one of the cameras 42, 72, of the surface region of the number plate, in which the data matrix code 10 is arranged. A data matrix code basically consists of a structure of n×n squares, which may be bright or dark. A data matrix code 10 according to this exemplary embodiment is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2. The data matrix code 10 has 10×10 modules 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is provided that each of these modules 11 is again divided regularly into four square subsections 11.1-11.4. A unique identifier is assigned to each of these square subsections 11.1-11.4. By way of example, FIG. 3 shows a randomly selected darkly coloured module 11 of the data matrix code from FIG. 2.

[0198] Both analysis units 44, 74 are set up to assign the respectively analysed subsections 11.1-11.4 a brightness value. The resolution of the brightness values is 8 bit. The identifiers generated by the analysis units 44, 74 are based on the unique identifiers of the square subsections 11.1-11.4 and the brightness values, which were assigned to the respective subsections.

[0199] Particularly good results could be achieved if the spatially resolved analyses of both the reference photograph and the test photograph were limited to the dark areas 11 of the analysed data matrix code 10. The dark areas 11 of the data matrix code 10 created by means of laser marking of the retroreflective film showed a very well resolvable spatially varying brightness distribution with high contrast, the distribution of which appeared to correlate with the distribution of the underlying glass beads. However, this correlation is unimportant in the scope of the present disclosure, only the presence of an irregular, resolvable brightness distribution is relevant.

[0200] An exemplary embodiment of a method according to the disclosure, which is provided for examining the authenticity of a motor vehicle number plate, is specified by way of example below. This method is executed by means of the previously described first exemplary embodiment of a system according to the disclosure. Here, it is again assumed that a graphical representation of the information is present in the form of a data matrix code 10, which as described previously is introduced in the form of laser marking into the glass-bead-based film of a retroreflective motor vehicle number plate 1.

[0201] For the product registration of such a motor vehicle number plate 1, the following method steps are executed: [0202] a. creation of a reference photograph, by means of the first camera 42, of the surface region of the number plate 1 in which the data matrix code 10 is arranged, [0203] b. spatially resolved analysis of the reference photograph in the dark areas 11 of the data matrix code 10 by means of the first analysis unit 44, in order to generate a reference identifier, [0204] c. provision of the reference identifier in the data structure 50, which is formed as a database.

[0205] The subsequent method steps, which are used for product validation, are executed subsequently, in order to examine whether a number plate 1′—which at least according to a first impression is identical to the number plate 1 identified using the graphical illustration of the information in the first steps—is actually the number plate 1 registered in the context of the product registration or whether the number plate 1′ is identified using the information which was already applied to the registered number plate 1 during the product registration. The method only delivers a positive test result if the validated number plate 1′ is actually the registered number plate and if the product validation shows that the information with which the validated number plate 1′ is identified is identical to the information present on the registered number plate 1 in the registration step.

[0206] For the product validation, the following further method steps are executed: [0207] d. creation of a test photograph, by means of the second camera 72, of the surface region of a number plate 1′ to be validated, in which the graphical representation of information, i.e. a data matrix code 10′, is arranged, [0208] e. spatially resolved analysis of the test photograph in the dark areas 11′, in order to generate a test identifier, by means of the second analysis unit 74, [0209] f. decoding of the information from the data matrix code on the basis of the decoding unit 76 provided for this, [0210] g. retrieval of a reference identifier from the data structure 50 on the basis of the information which was decoded from the data matrix code 10′, [0211] h. execution of a method for determining the degree of matching between the test identifier and the reference identifier retrieved from the data structure, by means of the comparison unit 80, and [0212] i. categorization of the information or/and the number plate 1′ by means of the categorization unit 82, as [0213] A. “not manipulated”, if at least one preset minimum degree of matching is achieved, or [0214] B. “manipulated”, if a preset minimum degree of matching is not achieved.

[0215] The result of the categorization is displayed to a user on the display 84 of the mobile telephone.

[0216] In the exemplary embodiment of the method according to the disclosure described here, the reference identifier is stored together with the information in the data structure during the product registration. In a subsequent validation step, the reference identifier is retrieved from the data structure 50 on the basis of the information. This procedure makes it possible to retrieve an identifier stored in the data structure 50 in a targeted resource-saving manner, which identifier is assigned to the item 1 to be validated. In this manner, the method for determining the degree of matching between the test identifier and the reference identifier retrieved from the data structure 50 must only be executed a single time.

[0217] Prior to the spatially resolved analysis of the test photograph in the dark areas 11′ of the data matrix code both a position correction and a size correction of the photograph to be analysed are carried out, in order to achieve image registration between reference photograph and test photograph.

[0218] A second exemplary embodiment of a system 1 according to the disclosure is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. The structure thereof in large parts corresponds to that of the system according to the first exemplary embodiment. Matching features are labelled with matching reference numbers.

[0219] In particular, the first functional unit 40 of the system according to the second exemplary embodiment is identical to the first functional unit 40 of the system according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0220] The second functional unit 70 of the system according to the second exemplary embodiment by contrast differs, with an otherwise identical structure, from the second functional unit 70 of the system according to the first exemplary embodiment, in that the second functional unit 70 does not require permanent access to the data structure 50 which is accessible via the internet 101.

[0221] To this end, a data structure 52 is arranged on the second functional unit 70, which constitutes a complete copy of the data structure 50. During product validation, it is not the data structure 50, but rather the locally held data structure 52 which is accessed.

[0222] If internet access is available to the second functional unit 70, then a comparison of the locally held data structure 52 with the “global” data structure 52 is carried out at suitable intervals.

[0223] The system according to the disclosure disclosed in the exemplary embodiments and also the method according to the disclosure disclosed herein are not limited in terms of the scope of the disclosure to the embodiments respectively disclosed herein, but rather also comprise further embodiments with the same effect, which emerge from technically sensible further combinations of the features of the system and of the method described herein. In particular, the features and feature combinations mentioned previously in the general description and the description of the figures and/or solely shown in the figures can be used not only in the combinations respectively explicitly specified herein, but rather also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.