U.S. patent application number 14/040711 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for method and apparatus for utilizing three dimension printing for secure validation.
The applicant listed for this patent is Susan Leeds Kudo. Invention is credited to Susan Leeds Kudo.
Application Number | 20150090790 14/040711 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52739104 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150090790 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kudo; Susan Leeds |
April 2, 2015 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THREE DIMENSION PRINTING FOR
SECURE VALIDATION
Abstract
The invention uses three-dimensional printing techniques to lay
down a three-dimensional black and white grid (or "4-dimensional"
grid, if color is used). To read and decode a three-dimensional
bar-code, a light-field camera is used to capture the whole
three-dimensional structure and the focus levels are then
determined for a predetermined number of vertical levels. Adding
color adds another degree of freedom (dimension) in the number and
difficulty of encoding and decoding the three-dimensional
bar-codes. These bar-codes cannot be simply made or copied,
providing a level of security thereby.
Inventors: |
Kudo; Susan Leeds; (Pacific
Palisades, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kudo; Susan Leeds |
Pacific Palisades |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52739104 |
Appl. No.: |
14/040711 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/462.04 ;
235/462.41; 235/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 1/123 20130101;
G06K 1/121 20130101; G06K 7/1426 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
235/462.04 ;
235/462.41; 235/494 |
International
Class: |
G06K 1/12 20060101
G06K001/12; G06K 7/14 20060101 G06K007/14 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for printing and decoding a three-dimensional
bar-code, comprising: an input mechanism to receive a desired
identification; a processor to encode the desired identification
into an electronic code suitable to operate a 3-dimensional
printer; a three-dimensional printer which can print a
three-dimensional bar-code; a black and white three-dimensional
bar-code produced by the three-dimensional printer; a light field
camera to capture an image of the three-dimensional bar-code; a
processor to analyze and decode the information derived from the
three-dimensional bar-code by the light field camera; and an output
device to record and display the identification decoded from the
three-dimensional bar-code.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an additional
dimension provided by adding distinct colors in addition to the
black and white bar code.
3. A method for producing a black and white three-dimensional bar
code, comprising: inputting a desired identification to a
processor; breaking down the desired identification into elements;
encoding the elements into an electronic version suitable to
operate a three-dimensional printer converting the
three-dimensional bar code electronic version into 3-dimensional
printer instructions; and printing a three-dimensional
bar-code.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising: incorporating color
printing into the three-dimensional code so as to add a fourth
encoding dimension.
5. A method for decoding an identification within a
three-dimensional bar-code, comprising: capturing the image of
three-dimensional bar-code using a light field camera; processing
the captured light field image to determine vertical focus levels;
decoding two-dimensional bar codes at each focus level; and
synthesizing the three-dimensional bar-code as an electronic
version; and output an identification as decoded from the
three-dimensional bar-code.
6. The method of claim 5m further comprising: including color as
part of the three-dimensional bar-code; and decoding the
information which is contained in the color information dimension.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention elates to three-dimensional printing
[0002] This invention relates to validating data which is intended
to be secure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Bar codes have been used to identify objects for some time.
These are linear sequence of black bars against a white (or light)
background. To increase the amount of information encoded,
two-dimensional codes in both an "x" and a "y" direction were
developed. (e. g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,435, M. Hara, et al.,
"Optically readable two-dimensional code and method and apparatus
for the same."). In addition, for "linear bar codes, a "2.sup.nd
dimension" could be added by varying the heights of the bars. For
printable bar codes, color could also be used as an additional
dimension.
[0004] All of these types of codes are readily counterfeited or
copies, by `xeroxing` and by generating the codes according to a
decrypted or otherwise known methodology.
[0005] A more secure approach is to have actual three-dimensional
codes ("x","y" and "z" directions) printed by the techniques of
three-dimensional printing. This type of "3-dimensional" coding
does not appear to have been exploited. In this "x-y-z" three
dimensionality, color may also be added as a "4-th dimension".
[0006] It should be noted that `light-field` cameras have been
developed which can capture a more complete depth of field than
conventional cameras and which can show different focal planes of a
scene upon demand. (e. g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,897, Rodriguez
Ramos, et al, "Camera for the real-time acquisition of visual
information fro three-dimensional scene"; U.S. Pat. No. 8,290,358,
T. G. Giorgiev, "Method and apparatus for light imaging field;",
U.S. Pat. No. 8,531,783, Zalevsky et al., "Imaging method and
system for imaging with extended depth of focus.")
[0007] I Further one notes the development of "three-dimensional
printing techniques which can be used to deposit, by printing,
three-dimensional objects. For example, see U.S. Pat. No.
5,204,055, Sachs, et al., Three-dimensional printing
techniques.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention uses three-dimensional printing techniques to
lay down a three-dimensional black and white grid (or
"4-dimensional" grid, if color is used). A light-field camera is
used to capture the whole three-dimensional structure and the focus
levels are then determined for a predetermined number of vertical
levels, say, 1000. Then for an x- and y-direction resolution, each,
of 1000, the overall encodable points rises from 10.sup.6 to
10.sup.9. If 10 encodable point are allowed per symbol definition,
then the number of symbols is increased from 10,000 available to
1,000,000.
[0009] Even more important, the coded identification cannot be
simply constructed by copying or laying out a two-dimensional
printed pattern according to some algorithm. A whole apparatus of
three-dimensional reading and three-dimensional printing would be
required, as well as a knowledge of an appropriate algorithm. When,
say, 10 colors are added for each dimension, then one has available
a billion symbols.
[0010] While this part may be approachable by a national security
organization, when combined with encryption methods, it may take a
national security organization centuries to duplicate this
labeling.
[0011] This type of labeling may well be used on spare parts for
modular aircraft electronic replacement modules. At the other end
of the spectrum, it could be used by a "meter maid" to scan license
plate stickers to identify illegally parked cars.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0013] FIG. 1a depicts a three dimensional black-and-white "bar
code", location in three dimensional co-ordinates, as printed;
[0014] FIG. 1b depicts the three-dimensional bar-code with
non-uniform dimensional measures in the x-, y-, and
z-directions;
[0015] FIG. 1c depicts a "four-dimensional" color "bar code", as
printed;
[0016] FIG. 2 diagrams the steps in formulating and printing a
three/four dimensional "bar code";
[0017] FIG. 3 diagrams the steps in retrieving the information from
a three/four dimensional "bar code";
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a light-field camera with
associated processing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The following description is of the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is
not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is merely made for the
purpose of describing the general principles of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 1a shows a nominal three-dimensional black and white
printed bar code, in a sketched fashion 10. Three-dimensional
printing has been developed as a method for making objects by
building them up from repeated layers of an appropriate substance.
As shown t is in black and white. That is, the heights of each
two-dimensionally located grid square has a detectable height 30.
This allows for the positional encoding of information. There are
thus N.sup.3 available points in space, where N 20. 21, 22 is a
uniform linear dimension with N points reliable discriminated.
[0021] (FIG. 1b) For rectangular dimensions, with different linear
lengths, the number of encodable points is thus (length,l)
41.times.(width,w) 42.times.(height,h) 43, or, lwh, with l, w, and
h points being the number of points in each dimension that can be
reliably discriminated and determined.
[0022] Note that the reference is to actual three-dimensionally
located points In some versions of actual one and two dimensional
bar codes, the height of a bar may be varied, in that system, to
achieve another "dimension", quite legitimately. However,
distinguishing, in this invention, the third dimension is the 43
(FIG. 1b) actual height. This has the advantage that specialized
three-dimensional equipment is required to make and read such
three-dimensional bar graphs; they cannot be produced by ordinary
printing method or read by ordinary bar-cod readers.
[0023] FIG. 1c depicts a three dimensional bar code with the
addition of color, contributing another dimension. The granularity
of this "fourth-dimension" varies according to the ability of the
printer and reader of this invention to reliably deposit and detect
the variety of colors 30, 31, 32 intended for use. The number of
encodable points then becomes N.sup.3.times.C, where C is the
number of colors which are reliable discriminated. Alternatively,
for a rectangular layout, l.times.w.times.h.times.C, is the number
of encodable points, as above, in FIG. 1b, with the addition now of
a number of different colors.
[0024] Columns of different colors 30, 31, 32 (FIG. 1c) can be used
as fiduciary markings in the third dimension, as elements of a
plane which can be focused on, as the various arrangements of
bar-codes at different heights are used to encode the information
which it is desired to contain within the three-dimensional
bar-code.
[0025] ((((It should be noted that as one progressively utilizes
bar-code objects which are of size N-j, j=1 to N-1 in each
direction, for example, for equally sized x-, y- and z-dimensions,
one can count on at least, positionally located,)))
[0026] FIG. 2 indicates the steps in encoding the three-dimensional
printing. First the appropriate identification 101 is selected/ The
identification selected is then broken down into elements 102, e.
g., a name would be broken down into letters and a license plate
number might be broken down into numbers and letters. The elements
are encoded into an electronic format, expressing a
three-dimensional bar code 103 The next step is to convert this
electronic 3-dimensional representation into print instructions 104
for the three-dimensional printer. The last step is actually
printing in three-dimensions using a three-dimensional printer. The
3-D printer prints with materials appropriate to the vertical
resolution desired.
[0027] FIG. 3 indicates the steps to capture the image of the
three-dimensional bar-code and to decode it. First a light field
camera captures the total image 201 of the three-dimensional bar
code, since the light field camera is not limited to a single focal
plane. The next step is to determine the various resolvable focus
levels. In the case where color is a dimension, fiduciary columns
which have different colors arranged in an order vertically, may be
used to aid the identification of the vertical focus levels. A with
bar codes in general, certain positions, horizontal as well as
vertical may be used to provide fiduciary information to assist in
decoding the three-dimensional bar-code. The next step in to decode
the two-dimensional bar-codes which comprise each vertical focus
level 203
[0028] The three-dimensional bar-code is then synthesized 204 from
the two dimensional bar codes at each focus level.
[0029] From this, identification is output from decoding 205 (FIG.
3) the three-dimensional bar-code, inverting the step 103 of FIG.
2.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the light field camera and the associated
processor for capturing and decoding the three-dimensional
bar-code.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows the apparatus for making the three-dimensional
bar-code. The desired identification is input 301 and processed 302
to produce via a 3-dimensional printer, a 3-dimensional bar-code
304.
[0032] This 3-dimensional bar-code 304 can then be read by a light
field camera 305 which provides information to a processor 306
which then outputs 307 the identification encoded in the
3-dimensional bar-code 304.
[0033] It should be noted that when referring to a
three-dimensional bar-code, it also refers to an alternative
four-dimensional bar-code with the additional dimension of color
incorporated into the three-dimensional bar-code structure.
[0034] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it should be understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is
not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the
process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,
methods and steps described in the specification. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the
disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines,
manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,
presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention.
* * * * *