GB2631779A

GB2631779A - A method of reading an optically readable security element comprising a first area and a second area

Info

Publication number: GB2631779A
Application number: GB2310822.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Campos De Lima Abreu Daniel; Ian Howarth David; Barellon-Kendall Hugo; Speed Phillip; James Young Robert
Original assignee: Quantum Base Ltd
Current assignee: Quantum Base Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-14
Filing date: 2023-07-14
Publication date: 2025-01-15
Also published as: GB202400540D0; WO2025017285A1; GB202310822D0; GB2627860A

Abstract

An optically readable security element 20 comprises a first area to be read in a first reading by an image capturing device 10, and a second area comprising an identity to be read in a second reading by the image capturing device. The second reading is based on the first reading. The second reading may extract the identity from the second area to authenticate the optically readable security element. The first and second readings may be performed in the same field of view (FOV) 30 by the image capturing device. The second reading may include a correction for colouration, perspective, and/or environmental condition such as ambient light levels based on the first reading. The second area may be located based on the first reading. The first area may comprise information about the second area, such as spatial information relating to the first area, the second area, and/or their relative positions. The second area may comprise one or more optical emitters arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom. The optical emitters may be arranged to be excited by excitation radiation. The first area may comprise an engineered component, such as a hologram or a barcode.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G132310822.8 RTM Date 25 January 2024 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: QR code Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo

A METHOD OF READING AN OPTICALLY READABLE SECURITY ELEMENT COMPRISING A FIRST AREA AND A SECOND AREA

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method of reading an optically readable security element, an optically readable security element and a related system.

BACKGROUND

Security elements or tags are used to provide security in relation to an object to which they are attached. These security elements provide security in relation to the object by labelling the object. For example, a security element may be encoded with a unique identity that can be extracted from the security element, thereby enabling authentication of the object.

However, the security element (e.g., an area of the security element encoding a unique identity) may be difficult for a user to locate (e.g., due to size) and/or may not be read accurately unless, for example, the device used to read the security element is held in a particular position relative to the security element or subject to certain environmental conditions (e.g., lighting conditions). Difficulty in locating and/or accurately reading the security element hinders efficient authentication of the object, which results in one or more of user dissatisfaction, a possible failure to authenticate quickly or at all, a time window that is vulnerable to exploitation by nefarious actors and general inefficiency.

Hence, there is a desire to provide a method of reading an optically readable security element that facilitates swift location of the security element and/or accurate reading thereof.

SUM MARY

It is one aim of the present disclosure, amongst others, to provide a method of reading an optically readable security element which at least partially obviates or mitigates at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere, or to provide an alternative approach. For instance, it is an aim of embodiments of the invention to provide a method of reading an optically readable security element that facilitates swift location of the security element and/or accurate reading thereof.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of reading an optically readable security element, an optically readable security element and a related system, as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims and the description that follows.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of reading an optically readable security element, by an image capturing device. The optically readable security element comprises a first area and a second area. The second area comprises an identity. The method comprises reading the first area as a first reading and reading the second area as a second reading, wherein the second reading is based on the first reading.

The first reading and the second reading may be performed in a same field of view of the image capturing device.

The method may further comprise correcting the second reading based on the first reading.

Correcting the second reading may comprise correcting for at least one of a colouration, a perspective and an environmental condition.

The method may further comprise locating the second area based on the first reading. 15 The first area may comprise information about the second area.

Correcting the second reading based on the first reading may comprise extracting the information about the second area from the first area.

The information about the first area may comprise spatial information relating to at least one of: the first area, the second area and a relative position of the first area and the 20 second area.

The second area may comprise one or more optical emitters arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom.

The one or more optical emitters may be arranged to be excited by excitation radiation, optionally emitted from the image capturing device.

The first area may comprise an engineered component. The first area may comprise a reference area.

The method may further comprise extracting the identity from the second area to authenticate the optically readable security element based on the second reading.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an optically readable security element comprising a first area to be read in a first reading by an image capturing device and a second area to be read in a second reading by an image capturing device and comprising an identity. The second reading is based on the first reading.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a system comprising an image capturing device for reading an optically readable security element, the optically readable security element and a data store. The optically readable security element comprises a first area to be read in first reading and a second area to be read in a second reading and comprising an identity. The second reading is based on the first reading. The data store comprises information about the second area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be brought into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a flowchart for a method of reading an optically readable security element; Figure 2 shows an optically readable security element being read by an image capturing device; Figure 3 shows an image capturing device; and Figure 4 shows a system comprising an image capturing device, an optically readable security element and a data store.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a flowchart for a method of reading an optically readable security element. The method of Figure 1 is best understood in conjunction with Figure 2, which shows an image capturing device 10 reading an optically readable security element 20 in a field of view 30 (e.g., in a same image frame) of the image capturing device 10.

The method comprises reading S1 a first area 21 (e.g., a region or patch) of the optically readable security element 20 as a first reading and reading S2 a second area 22 (e.g., a region or patch) of the optically readable security element 20 as a second reading. The second reading is based on the first reading. The second reading being based on the first reading means the first reading assists, facilitates, guides, improves or mediates the second reading. This assistance, advantageously, enables authentication of an object to which the optically readable security element 20 is attached (or simply the element 20 itself) more efficiently and/or accurately, as detailed below.

The first area 21 may comprise information about the second area 22, enabling the second reading to be based on the first reading. Thus, the method may comprise extracting the information about the second area 22 from the first area 21 and using the information about the second area 22 in relation to the second reading. Specifically, the first area 21 may comprise spatial information about the second area 22 and/or colour information about the second area 22, for example, in an objective sense or relative to the first area 21 or another part of the optically readable security element 20.

The second area 22 comprises an identity extractable therefrom, which can be used to authenticate the object to which the optically readable security element 20 is attached, advantageously, therefore, providing security in relation to the object.

In comprising spatial information about the second area 22, the first area 21 preferably comprises information that describes the position (e.g., distance and orientation, including geometry, such as shape) of the first area 21 relative to the second area 22. The first area 21 may (e.g., in a first sub-region) comprise an engineered component programmed or encoded with the spatial information. For example, the first area 21 may comprise a hologram, bar code, QR code or similar.

In comprising colour information (e.g., colour temperature, grey and black balance and uniformity) about the second area 22, the first area 21 preferably comprises information that describes a predetermined colour. For example, the first area 21 may (e.g., in a second sub-region) comprise a reference area having a predetermined colour that can be used as a baseline (e.g., using a clustering technique, such as k-clustering) to determine the colour of the second area 22. The engineered component may be formed by the reference area. For example, the ink of a QR code may function as a reference area.

The method may comprise correcting the second reading based on the first reading. Correcting the second reading may mean calibrating the second reading based on the first reading (e.g., as mentioned, using the reference area as a baseline for calibration). For example, the first area 21 (e.g., the reference area) may be a known colour (e.g., the colour of the reference area may be stored in the engineered component of the first area 21) or have known distribution of RGB values and used to calibrate colour read for the second area 22 to, advantageously, enable accurate reading of the second area 22, whose colour may be affected by ageing or irregularities resulting from its manufacture, for instance. Similarly, this calibration, advantageously, accounts for different environmental conditions (e.g., lighting/shadow gradients) to which the optically readable security element 20 may be subjected.

In another example, the first area may have a known shape or geometry and its projection/perspective used to correct (e.g., calculate) a geometry of the second area 22 to, advantageously, enable accurate reading of the second area 22. For example, it may be known or expected that the first and second areas 21, 22 are square in shape. If the first area 21 is read and found (e.g., using a Hough transform) to be a different shape, any correction or processing required to transform the first area 21 to a square shape can be used (e.g., using a homography matrix transformation) in the reading or processing of the second area 22. Correcting may be performed before/at the same time as the second reading or after the second reading has taken place.

The method may comprise, in addition to or as an alternative to correcting the second area 22, locating the second area 22 based on the first area 21. Locating the second area 22 may mean guiding a user to the second area 22. For example, reading S1 the first area 21 as part of the first reading may prompt a signal to be transmitted to a display of the image capturing device 10 to cause the display to display directional information based on the spatial information guiding the user to the second area 22. Similarly, reading S1 the first area 21 as part of the first reading may prompt a signal to be transmitted to a speaker of the image capturing device 10 to cause the speaker to output sound information based on the spatial information guiding the user to the second area 22. In a related example, the step of locating the second area 22 based on the first area 21 may not be visible to the user but may instead be implemented by (e.g., automatically) implemented by software. Advantageously, in this way, efficient reading of the second area 22, hence authentication of the object to which the optically readable security element 20 is attached, is facilitated. For instance, the information about the second area 22 enables the identity to be extracted therefrom, even if the second area 22 is (e.g., for enhanced security) not easily visible to the naked eye, because a user is able to locate the second area 22 efficiently. This advantage may allow more freedom of design or material choice for the second area 22. In another related example, haptic feedback may be used to guide the user, thereby, advantageously, enabling a visually-impaired user to locate the second area 22.

Preferably, the second area 22 comprises a unique (e.g., randomised) component (e.g., a random deterministic feature), encoding the identity. The randomised component encoding the identity, compared with the engineered component encoding the identity, advantageously, engenders a more robust barrier to fraudulent reading of the optically readable security element 20.

More preferably, the second area 22 comprises at least one optical emitter arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom. Relatedly, the at least one optical emitter may be arranged to be excited by excitation radiation. The one or more emitters may serve as the component that provides or serves as the unique identity. Advantageously, the optically readable security element 20 being read via emission emitted therefrom provides a more robust barrier to fraudulent reading, more readily preventing spoofing or copying by, for instance, simply replicating (e.g., by printing) a bar code, QR code or similar. This advantage is particularly true when one or more (e.g., hundreds, thousands or millions or more) of emitters are distributed randomly. For instance, this effect may be achieved using quantum dots, flakes of 2D materials, (e.g., small) molecules, atomic defects or vacancies, plasmonic structures or similar.

The first area 21 and the second area 22 are shown in Figure 2 as discrete (i.e., separate and distinct), vertically aligned squares. The first and second areas 21, 22 being distinct and spaced apart may, advantageously, facilitate easier distinction and reading (or even manufacturing) thereof. However, any arrangement of the first area 21 and the second area is possible. For instance, the first area 21 and the second area 22 may correspond to adjacent and contiguous areas (e.g., the optically readable security element 20 may be divided between the first area 21 and the second area 22 along a longitudinal axis) of the optically readable security element 20 or adjacent and noncontiguous areas (e.g., an equal number of equally sized strips). The first and second areas 21, 22 may partially or completely overlap, which, advantageously, may reduce the required space for both or make it harder to copy or replicate one or both areas 21, 22. Preferably, the first area 21 has low symmetry (e.g., is asymmetric) to facilitate determination, for instance, of a direction of the second area 22 relative to the first area 21. In other words, the spatial information may include the geometry of the first area 21.

Figure 3 shows the image capturing device 10 of Figure 2 in more detail. The image capturing device 10 may be a terminal device, such as a smartphone. The image capturing device 10 may be configured to emit excitation radiation to excite the at least one optical emitter (e.g., from an electromagnetic radiation source, such as a flash or LED). By being configured to emit excitation radiation, the image capturing device 10, advantageously, facilitates the aforementioned robust security. Further, emitting the excitation radiation from the image capturing device 10, advantageously, allows convenient control of excitation of the at least one optical emitter. The at least one optical emitter may be a UV LED, which advantageously can excite visible fluorescence without reflected light being measured.

As shown in Figure 3, the image capturing device 10 comprises a reader 11 and a processor 12. The reading Si of the first area 21 and the second area 22 is performed by the reader 11, which could include or be a sensor. The processor is configured to perform one or more of correcting the second reading based on the first reading, locating the second area 22 based on the first area 21, extracting information from the first area 21 and extracting the identity from the second area 22. The processor 12 may be configured to performe the aforementioned steps locally (i.e., at the image capturing device 10) or externally (e.g., at a server). The processor 12 may be dedicated hardware or existing hardware specifically configured to extract to perform the method.

Figure 4 shows a system comprising the image capturing device 10 of Figure 3, the optically readable security element 20 and a data store 40. The data store may be used to store information about the second area 22. For example, though, typically, information about the second area 22 is included in the first area 21, the first area 21 may store information that enables the image capturing device 10 to access (e.g., by wireless communication) information stored by the data store 40 pertaining to the second area, such as the spatial information and colour information described above. Storing the information about the second area 22 in the data store 40, advantageously, introduces an extra layer of security and/or enables use of a less sophisticated, for instance, engineered component. The data store 40 may be an external device, as shown in Figure 4, or part of the image capturing device 10. The data store 40 being an external device, advantageously, facilitates compactness of the image capturing device 10.

In summary, the present disclosure has described a method and that enables efficient location of an optically readable security element and/or accurate reading thereof, thereby improving security of an object to which the optically readable security element is attached.

Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.

The optional features set out herein may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention, as set out herein are also applicable to all other aspects or exemplary embodiments of the invention, where appropriate. In other words, the skilled person reading this specification should consider the optional features for each aspect or exemplary embodiment of the invention as interchangeable and combinable between different aspects and exemplary embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of reading an optically readable security element, by an image capturing device, wherein the optically readable security element comprises a first area and a second area, the second area comprising an identity, the method comprising: reading the first area as a first reading; and reading the second area as a second reading, wherein the second reading is based on the first reading.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reading the second reading are performed in a same field of view of the image capturing device.
3. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising correcting the second reading based on the first reading.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein correcting the second reading comprises correcting for at least one of: a colouration, a perspective and an environmental condition.
5. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising locating the second area based on the first reading.
6. The method of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the first area comprises information about the second area.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein correcting the second reading based on the first reading comprises extracting the information about the second area from the first area.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information about the first area comprises spatial information relating to at least one of: the first area, the second area and a relative position of the first area and the second area.
9. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the second area comprises one or more optical emitters arranged to be read via emission radiation emitted therefrom.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more optical emitters are arranged to be excited by excitation radiation, optionally emitted from the image capturing device.
11. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the first area comprises an engineered component.
12. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the first area comprises a reference area.
13. The method of any preceding claim, further comprising extracting the identity from the second area to authenticate the optically readable security element based on the second reading.
14. An optically readable security element comprising: a first area to be read in a first reading by an image capturing device; and a second area to be read in a second reading by an image capturing device and comprising an identity, wherein the second reading is based on the first reading.
15. A system comprising: an image capturing device for reading an optically readable security element; the optically readable security element comprising: a first area to be read in first reading; and a second area to be read in a second reading and comprising an identity, wherein the second reading is based on the first reading; and a data store comprising information about the second area.