Abstract:
A method of eliminating background noise from a system for authenticating security markers includes capturing an image of a background of the security marker; illuminating the security marker; capturing a plurality of images of the optical response of the security marker; averaging the plurality of optical response images; smoothing the background image; and subtracting the smoothed background image from the average of the plurality of optical response images.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Reference is made to commonly-assigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. K000297US01/NAB), filed herewith, entitled SIGNAL IMAGE EXTRACTION, by Widzinski et al.; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention generally relates to increased accuracy of signal detection through the reduction of image background noise. It is specifically concerned with security markers applied at very low levels to objects which, when excited with light of appropriate wavelengths, emit radiation which produce a unique image, for authenticating and identifying the object. The marker image is enhanced through the subtraction of all non-marker radiation emitted at wavelengths of detection. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    If goods are not genuine, then product counterfeiting has occurred. If goods have been diverted from their intended channel of commerce, then the goods have been subject to product diversion. 
         [0004]    Product counterfeiting occurs on artworks, CDs, DVDs, software recorded on CDs, fragrances, designer clothes, handbags, briefcases, automobile and airplane parts, securities, identification cards (driver&#39;s licenses, passports, visas, green cards), credit cards, smart cards, and pharmaceuticals. According to the World Health Organization, more than 7% of the world&#39;s pharmaceuticals are counterfeit. This percentage is higher in some countries, such as Colombia, where up to 40% of all medications are believed to be counterfeit. Until recently, the percentage of unauthorized medications in the United States has been virtually negligible due to a tightly controlled regulatory system that has made it extraordinarily difficult for counterfeiters to sell or distribute counterfeit medications. However, the recent explosion of internet drug sales from other countries and increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting techniques have substantially increased the amount of fraudulent drugs entering the United States. 
         [0005]    Product diversion has also occurred on many of the aforementioned goods. Such diversion could result in the distribution and sale of goods which do not comply with the product specifications required in the markets where they are sold. For example, motorcycles intended to be sold without catalytic converters in a region with lower air pollution standards might be diverted to a region which does require such catalytic converters. Other negative effects include price inequities in certain markets, loss of exclusivity by some manufacturers or distributors, and damage to the goodwill, patent rights, and trademark rights of the manufacturer. Such diverted goods are sometimes referred to as “gray market” goods. Since the goods are genuine, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether the goods have been improperly diverted. This is especially true for a variety of goods such as, for example clothing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. 
         [0006]    The application of security markers to an object or product for authenticating the origin and intended market of the object product are known in the prior art. These security markers can be incorporated into components which make up the object or can be incorporated into papers, inks or varnishes that are applied to the object or into to labels affixed to the object or packaging for the object. The presence of security markers verifies the authentic origin of the object and is verified by means suited to the particular nature of the marker. 
         [0007]    Non-destructive detection of security markers via characteristic emission capture on an image sensor during or following marker excitation is also known in the prior art. Detection of particular wavelengths of light emitted by marker particles may be compromised by noise in the image if extraneous light sources include similar wavelengths of light and are conveyed into the field of view by light conducting materials. Many transparent or opaque materials are good conductors of light. Examples include glass, opaque bottles, thin polymer films and laminates, semi transparent papers etc. 
         [0008]    Inclusion of extraneous radiation into the reader&#39;s field of view can result in illuminated pixels in the preferred marker emission image. This condition weakens the accuracy of illuminated pixel count and could lead to a passing condition when no marker emission is present, or, could lead to a failing condition where preferred marker is present in the preferred manner, but the preferred signal is overwhelmed by extraneous radiation. An accurate background subtraction is required. 
         [0009]    Background image capture is accomplished when no excitation illumination accompanies a frame capture. This image is too noisy, that is, too much pixel to pixel intensity variation for a dark plane, to be subtracted from an emission image without worsening the noise position in the resultant image. A method for reducing noise in the background image is needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention, security marker emission image accuracy is improved by application of a median filter to a background image. Improvement is realized through the subtraction of the smoothed background image from a high resolution security marker emission image that produces a high resolution security marker image free of extraneous light interferences. All hardware and logic required to capture background and emission images, process said images and finally compare against predetermined pass criteria are contained within a handheld, stand alone device. 
         [0011]    Separation of marker emission signals from stray light noise is accomplished in this invention through the use of image subtraction. First, marker emission images are collected and processed, resulting in a high resolution emission image. This image can only be captured when an appropriate excitation signal is simultaneously directed onto an object containing security marker particles. Next, a background image is collected that includes all sources of extraneous light as well as general sensor and circuitry noise. In an ideal situation, this background image would be completely void of light. In practice, light occasionally finds its way into the background and signal images through the methods and materials previously described. The background image contains signals from extraneous light, but of particular importance to this invention, contains image noise. This noise can be thought of as the presence of “hot and cold” pixels. Subtraction of the noisy background image from our lower noise high resolution security marker image actually increases noise in the final output image. 
         [0012]    This invention imparts noise reduction of the background image through application of a median filter. Hot and cold pixels are “smoothed” based on emission intensity values of their spatial neighbors and median intensity replacement of pixel of interest. Once this treatment is completed, coordinated pixel by pixel subtraction of the smoothed background image from the high resolution security marker image will result in a much more precise representation of security marker emission. Overall, security marker emission signal to noise representation is greatly improved through the use of this technique. 
         [0013]    The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparent in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment presented below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a background image with extraneous radiation from a glass rod. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a representation of the  FIG. 1  image with a single row of pixels selected as indicated by the narrow rectangular outline. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a graphical representation of pixels selected in  FIG. 2 , with intensity displayed by the ordinate and pixel count by the abscissa. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a graphical representation of pixels selected in  FIG. 2  after the median filter has been applied with intensity displayed by the ordinate and pixel count by the abscissa. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a spatial representation of a pixel array of radius  2  and numeric values represent pixel intensity. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a listing of all pixels in the array ordered from low to high with median value highlighted. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a spatial representation of a pixel array as presented in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an overlay of the data from  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  with intensity displayed by the ordinate and pixel count by the abscissa. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a representation of a security marker detection system connected via USB to a personal computer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The present invention will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or in cooperation more directly with the apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is to be understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , independent modes of operation of the reader are described. Within the reader  90 , images are not routinely collected and saved, nor are they required to be. However, there is the ability to capture and analyze images in a separate computing device. The representation here only serves to illustrate the mechanics of noise reduction for this embodiment. Logic is incorporated into the reading device so as to operate in a standalone manner. 
         [0025]    Analysts wishing to see image representations of the reader data are satisfied with apparatus described in  FIG. 9  that includes image acquisition of an object  101 , possibly a pharmaceutical bottle, with label  96  that includes a varnish overcoat  95  wherein marker particles  94  are dispersed. The reader device  90  includes an actuator  93 , a pass indication signal  92 , and a fail indication signal  91 . The cut away illumination/detection region is represented by trapezoid  97 . Excitation radiation  98  is projected from the reader onto the marker particles  94  and their subsequent emission  99  is detected by the reader image sensor  100 . Besides processing the image and related data internally, the reader  90  can communicate with a computer  103  via USB connection  102 . With appropriate software an analyst can visualize the images captured and processed by the reader  90 , then transferred for display to the computer  103 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  image frame  10  which is a visual representation of the image data gathered during a capture of a target without co-incident application of electromagnetic radiation  98  on the target surface. This image includes a source of extraneous radiation  12  which has been conducted into the image via glass rod  14 . Random signal noise  11  is represented by the small dots dispersed throughout the frame. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a one pixel row  20  has been selected for the purpose of examining pixel intensity detail.  FIG. 3  reveals the point by point intensity value  30  and provides a visual sense of variability. The ordinate  32  represents pixel intensity and is labeled Gray Value. The abscissa  34  indicates pixel sequence number from the selected row in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, the profile variation caused by conveyance of extraneous radiation  12  is obvious in the data profile. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a spatial representation of a randomly selected pixel array  50  with preferred radius of two is shown. The pixel of interest  52  is the center pixel, bolded with intensity value of  60 .  FIG. 6  presents the same data set  60 , ordered from low to high. A median value of  37  (part  62 ) is deduced from this data set and is used to replace the value of the pixel of interest  52  in the  FIG. 5  pixel array.  FIG. 7  illustrates the revised array  70  with pixel of interest  72  replaced by the median value of  37 , from  FIG. 6 . This process is repeated pixel by pixel until the entire image has been smoothed through the application of the median filter.  FIG. 4  is a representation of the original pixel set selected in  FIG. 2  after the median filter has been applied to all the pixels of interest  40 . The ordinate  42  represents pixel intensity and is labeled Gray Value. The abscissa  44  indicates pixel sequence number from the selected row in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a representation of a co-incident overlay of before  80 , and after  82  median filter application, variability. The ordinate  84  represents pixel intensity while the abscissa  86  indicates pixel sequence number from the pixel row selected in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]    Images acquired with co-incident electromagnetic radiation  98  will result in detection of emission from security markers  94 , if present. These marker emission images are processed to reduce noise through an averaging of a plurality of a sequence of images. Background images are collected without co-incident electromagnetic radiation. If sources of extraneous radiation  12  are present, both the security marker and background images will reveal those extraneous emission signals. Elimination of extraneous radiation  12  from the security marker image is accomplished by the subtraction of coordinating pixel intensity values of the smoothed background image from the security marker image. Resulting pixels of sufficient intensity (those above a cutoff threshold) will represent security marker emission signals in the final image. 
         [0031]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0032]      10  background image pane 
         [0033]      11  background image noise 
         [0034]      12  extraneous radiation 
         [0035]      14  glass rod 
         [0036]      20  single row of pixels selected for closer examination 
         [0037]      30  plot of intensity values of single row of pixels identified in part  20   
         [0038]      32  ordinate indicating intensity of individual pixels 
         [0039]      34  abscissa indicating pixel order of single row in part  20   
         [0040]      40  pixel of interest 
         [0041]      42  ordinate indicating intensity of individual pixels 
         [0042]      44  abscissa indicating pixel order 
         [0043]      50  subset of pixels in spatial orientation with pixel of interest located at center 
         [0044]      52  pixel of interest 
         [0045]      60  pixels from part  50  ordered left to right from low to high value 
         [0046]      62  median of pixel array, value of  37   
         [0047]      70  subset of pixels in spatial orientation with pixel of interest located at center 
         [0048]      72  pixel of interest whose value has been replaced with median value  37   
         [0049]      80  plot of intensity values of single row of pixels identified in part  20   
         [0050]      82  overlay plot of intensity values of single row of pixels after median filter has been applied 
         [0051]      84  ordinate indicating intensity of individual pixels  86  abscissa indicating pixel order 
         [0052]      90  reader device 
         [0053]      91  fail indicator 
         [0054]      92  pass indicator 
         [0055]      93  actuator 
         [0056]      94  marker particle 
         [0057]      95  varnish overcoat containing marker particles 
         [0058]      96  label substrate with varnish and marker overcoat 
         [0059]      97  cutout revealing excitation and detection chamber 
         [0060]      98  radiation emanating from reading device 
         [0061]      99  emission from marker particle 
         [0062]      100  reader image sensor 
         [0063]      101  object 
         [0064]      102  USB interconnect cable 
         [0065]      103  computer