Method of authentication using surface paper texture

Abstract

A method of authentication using surface paper texture includes steps of capturing a topographic pattern image of a surface of a region of interest of the paper artifact and extracting a plurality of specific features from the captured topographic pattern image. The method further identifies the location of the specific features of the paper artifact from the captured topographic pattern image. A bit map of the identified location of the specific features is generated. Then, a reference image of a reference bit map printed on the region of interest of the paper artifact is captured. Finally, the method compares the generated bit map with the captured reference bit map to generate a score. The score of the comparison determines the level of authentication. The method provides an offline method of authentication.

We claim: 
     
         1 ) A method of generating an authentication mark on a paper artifact, wherein the method comprises steps of:
 scanning a region of interest of the paper artifact to capture the topographic pattern image of the region of interest;   extracting a plurality of specific features from the captured topographic pattern image;   identifying the location of each specific feature from the captured topographic pattern image; and   generating a bit map of the identified location based on the specific features.   
     
     
         2 ) The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises step of printing the generated bit map directly on top of at least one of the region of interest or in any other location. 
     
     
         3 ) The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method further includes a step of printing a barcode on the region of interest. 
     
     
         4 ) The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein specific features of the captured topographic pattern image includes at least one of a valley, hill or bend of the topographic pattern. 
     
     
         5 ) A method of authenticating a paper artifact, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 capturing a topographic pattern image of a surface of a region of interest of the paper artifact;   extracting a plurality of specific features from the captured topographic pattern image;   identifying the location of the specific features from the captured topographic pattern image;   generating a bit map of the identified location of the specific features;   capturing a reference image of a reference bit map printed on the region of interest of the paper artifact; and   comparing the generated bit map with the captured reference bit map to generate a score.   
     
     
         6 ) The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the authentication is determined based on the score generated by the step of comparison. 
     
     
         7 ) The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the method further includes step of scanning a barcode printed on the region of interest. 
     
     
         8 ) The method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the image of the reference bitmap and the topographic pattern is captured by means of light of different wave lengths.