LU100852B1 - Irreproducable plate identifier for object authentication and provenance and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to anti-counterfeiting systems and methods, and more particularly , to a system and method for uniquely identifying objects (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as "product", "article", "item", "piece", "device", "gadget", "artifact", or "entity") so as to be able to distinguish genuine items from counterfeit versions, and genuine items from other genuine items. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an identifier having a substrate. The substrate can include an identification chip, and one or more 3 Dimensional (3D) identification particles encapsulated therewithin. In an aspect, the substrate is connected to one or more objects.

Description

COPIE | 1 LU100852 | IRREPRODUCIBLE PLATE IDENTIFIER FOR OBJECT AUTHENTICATION AND PROVENANCE

AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF TECHNICAL FIELD

1. The present disclosure relates to anti-counterfeiting systems and methods, and more particularly, to a system and method for uniquely identifying objects (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “product”, “article”, “item”, “piece”, “device”, “gadget”, “artifact”, or “entity”) so as to be able to distinguish genuine items from counterfeit versions and genuine items from other genuine items.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR-ART

2. Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

3. Counterfeiting of items such as goods, materials, and documents defrauds consumers, tarnishes the brand names of legitimate manufacturers and providers of such items, and can endanger public health (for example, when adulterated foods and drugs are passed off as genuine). Counterfeiting is a hugely lucrative business, with criminals relying on the continued high demand for cheap goods coupled with low production and distribution costs. Nowadays counterfeit products, including counterfeit famous brand products and counterfeit or forged fine artworks are often manufactured with the intention to take advantage of the superior value of the imitated product. Some counterfeit products are almost indistinguishable from authentic items by human eyes and even by some testing equipment. At present, counterfeit products are creating a serious problem in many countries in the world resulting in huge economic losses and negatively impacting both consumers and producers of the trustworthy items. For example, when a customer is

| 2 LU100852 buying a water bottle, the customer is unaware of the authenticity of the water bottle. The customer is unaware if the water bottle is from an authorized company and contains filtered/mineral water or it is from a local manufacturing company and holds just tap water. This is a generic problem which is faced not only by customers/consumers but also faced by producers of genuine products. Counterfeit products can also disrupt regular economic operations of many countries.

4. Advancements in modern technology have led to the development of various new and advanced anti-counterfeiting measures that prevent imitation and copying of products without an owner's allowance. Anti-counterfeiting measures have included serial numbers, machine-readable identifiers (e.g., scannable barcodes and two-dimensional codes), “tamper-proof/ copy-proof” security labels (e.g., holograms and labels that change state or partly or completely self-destruct on removal), laser stickers, entity particles attached to a product, and remotely detectable tags (e.g., radio-frequency identification tags) applied to items directly or to tags, labels, and/or packaging for such items.

5. Apart from the above, one of the most commonly available and used anti- counterfeiting measure/technology which is most commonly used in bills, receipts, and few articles in the existing art, is that a certain pattern is embedded in the electronics bills, receipts, and few articles. However, this method of embedding the certain pattern in the bills, receipts, and few articles has a problem: the content of the embedded pattern is not related to the content of the protected picture, and the embedding pattern is easy to be forged. Another most commonly available and used anti-counterfeiting measure/technology is that an anti-counterfeiting digital watermarking is embedded in the bills, receipts, and few articles. However, this method of embedding the anti-counterfeiting digital watermarking in the bills, receipts, and few articles may be limited by the format and the content of the picture, and the embedding capacity of the digital watermarking is not high.

6. Thus, in spite of various developments of anti-counterfeiting measures/ technology using barcode, watermarking, laser stickers, entity particles attached to the products and the like are already well adapted to provide an anti-counterfeit preliminary mechanism, they are not complete. For instance, barcodes on current electronic devices do not have a complete anti-counterfeit mechanism and such measures have themselves been counterfeited. The main | reason is that according to the conventional anti-counterfeit method, it is difficult to determine whether barcodes, watermarking, laser stickers, entity | particles attached to the products and the like are forged due to remaking, recording or replicating them. In light of such counterfeiting, consumers generally have been unable to rely upon such measures in order to verify the authenticity of marked or tagged items. Consequently, developing an anti- counterfeit mechanism for items/products is getting more crucial in order to solve the problem of remaking, recording or replicating the barcodes and/or tags provided for the items/products.

7. United States Patent Application US20110019905A1 discloses a system, method, and apparatus for authenticating microparticle marks or marks including other three-dimensional objects. The authentication utilizes two or more sets of information captured or acquired for the mark in response to illumination of the mark by electromagnetic energy such as in the visible frequency range. These sets of information are then used to verify that the mark includes three-dimensional objects such as microparticles. The two or more sets of information about the mark preferably vary from each other in time, space/directionality, color, frequency or any combinations thereof, and can be captured or acquired as part of one, two, or more images of the microparticle mark.

8. United States Patent US7995196B1 discloses a method for authenticating an object, comprising determining a physical dispersion pattern of a set of elements, determining a physical characteristic of the set of elements which is distinct from a physical characteristic producible by a transfer printing technology, determining a digital code associated with the object defining the eyphysical dispersion pattern, and authenticating the object by verifying a correspondence of the digital code with the physical dispersion pattern, and verifying the physical characteristic.

9. The United States Patent Application US20070170257A1 discloses An | | authentication method is provided that is based on a reference object, such as an authentication label attached to an optical disc. The authentication label has a three-dimensional distribution of particles. For the purposes of / authentication, it is determined whether there is, in fact, a three-dimensional particle distribution. Next, a two-dimensional data acquisition step is performed for the purpose of authentication. This method is particularly useful for copy protection.

10. United States Patent US8469282B2 discloses a security tag made by randomly distributing a mixture of large numbers of multicolored objects into a unique, non-reproducible geometric array and encapsulating it onto a substrate. The 3- D aspect of the objects will prevent printing or 2-D copying of the stamp. The data, saved to a secure database, can be processed and quantities can be calculated from the field of binary data and can be affixed to the part that the stamp is affixed to. For one level of authentication, the array can be read out by the scanner and compared to values printed on the part. For an additional level of authentication, the array can be read out by an optical scanner and compared to the data stored in the secure database. The security tag is capable of replacing 2-D barcodes while containing only information capable of being scanned by 2-D barcode scanners.

11. More recently, techniques have evolved for authentication of digital information, for example, based on cryptographic techniques. However, these techniques do not serve to verify the authenticity of a particular copy of the information. In fact, modern digital content protection schemes do seek to prevent digital copying of content; however, these rely on secure hardware for storage of the digital content, and a breach of hardware security measures results in copyable content with no distinction between an original and a copy thereof.

12. Accordingly, there is a need for a secure, improved and technically advanced system and method for solving above recited technical problems by way of providing unique and irreproducible plate identifier for article authentication and provenance. Further, there is also a need to securely store the information contained in the identifier. Furthermore, in view of the growing technology, there is a need to authenticate the identifier utilizing supervised algorithms or customized machine learning neuronal networks.

13. All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

14. In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or dimensions of items, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

15. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context | | | Leclearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

16. The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

17. Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

18. Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

19. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for a unique and irreproducible plate identifier for article authentication and provenance.

20. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide for a system and method to identify and authenticate unique products based on unique and irreproducible plate identifier.

| Le...

21. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide unique and irreproducible plate identifier that informs a manufacturer when a counterfeit product is detected.

22. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide for a system and | method that is very easy and continuously available to all its users such as various constituents/entities of the supply chain of a product and its end | customers and is very easy to deploy and implement.

23. It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and a method for unique identification of manufactured parts and documents that cannot be copied and that cannot be circumvented by any counterfeiter.

24. It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and a method for unique identification of manufactured parts, products, and documents that are capable of long-time archival identification of such manufactured parts, products or documents.

25. It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and a method for the unique identification of manufactured parts, products, and documents that do not require the expensive development of additional advanced technology or technologies.

SUMMARY

26. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form to be further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identity key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

27. The present disclosure relates to anti-counterfeiting systems and methods, and more particularly, to a system and method for uniquely identifying objects (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “product”, “article”, “item”, “piece”, “device”, “gadget”, “artifact”, or “entity”) so as to be able to distinguish genuine items from counterfeit versions and genuine items from other genuine items. ne

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28. The present invention provides for an apparatus and a method for permanent, high-tech and safe identification of certain classes of manufactured parts or products, such as particularly critical or expensive replacement or spare parts for all kinds of precision machinery and electronics devices, and various | documents, such as passports, driver's licenses, credit cards or other critical identification documents as well as physical works of fine art.

29. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an identifier having a substrate. The substrate can include an identification chip, and one or more 3 | Dimensional (3D) identification particles encapsulated therewithin. In an aspect, the substrate is connected to one or more objects.

30. In an aspect, the substrate can preferably be made of a material selected from any or combination of polymers, resins and or crystals.

31. In an aspect, the one or more 3D identification particles can include any or combination of pigments, noble crystals, and noble metals.

32. In an aspect, the one or more 3D identification particles includes one or more properties selected from any or combination of being optically active, capable of absorbing short-wavelengths, preferably in the range of 10-400 nm, and capable of emitting photons upon short-wavelength 10-400 nm excitation.

33. In an aspect, the one or more 3D identification particles can include one or | more properties creating a characteristic signature for the one or more 3D identification particles, the one or more properties are selected from any or combination of having a unique shape and size, having a characteristic center of gravity, having a characteristic maximal and minimal axis length, having characteristic concavity or convexity, having a non-homogenous density, having a day light emitting intensity, having characteristic fluorescent intensity emission and wavelength, a non-homogeneous density of the 3D particles creating a fluorescent gradient when exposed to a short-wavelength, preferably between 10-400 nm light, having characteristic emission gradient and wavelength, and having scattering pattern of identification 3D particles | noble crystal or metal noble metal particles creating a characteristic scattering signature.

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34. In an aspect, a disposition of the one or more 3D identification particles can create a unique pattern and position matrix contributing to the identifiers’ uniqueness.

35. In an aspect, the identification chip can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. In an aspect, the RFID chip can include one or more components | selected from any or combination of an integrated circuit, antenna and an | energy collector.

| 36. In an aspect, the substrate can be permanently connected to the one or more objects using one or more attachment interphases. The one or more attachment interphases comprising any or combination of polymers and glues.

37. In an aspect, the one or more objects can include any or combination of a textile canvas, a canvas, textiles, wood, metal, marble, stones, paper, crystals, and gems.

38. In an aspect, the identifier can be teared, broken or burst in an attempt of removal.

39. In an aspect, the creating any or combination of an irreproducible signature, probe of authenticity and probe of provenance chain, from a time of installation of the identifier.

40. In an aspect, the identifier can include an optical window for the recording of physical information contained in the identifier.

41. In an aspect, the one or more properties associated with the identifier can be adapted to be stored as digital information and encrypted.

42. In an aspect, the digital information can be time stamped into a blockchain- driven database or a private server, the time-stamped data is matched to a unique smart contract. In an aspect, the digital information is used to validate the authenticity of the one or more objects using the one or more properties associated with the one or more 3D identification particles.

43. In an aspect, the authenticity of the one or more objects is decided to utilize one or more supervised algorithms and/or customized machine learning neuronal networks.

44. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for providing a substrate, inserting an identification chip in the substrate, and encapsulating one or more 3D identification particles therewithin the substrate, wherein the one or more 3D identification particles comprising any or combination of | pigments, noble crystals, and noble metals, and the substrate is connected to one or more objects.

45. Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure | will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

46. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

47. In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

48. FIG. 1 illustrates a product distribution architecture as usually exists presently (Prior Art).

49. FIG. 2A illustrates a proposed identifier being connected to a painting (object), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

50. FIG. 2B illustrates various components and features of the proposed identifier (identifier in top view), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

51. FIG. 2C illustrates various components and features of the proposed identifier (identifier in lateral view), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

52. The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure | depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

53. The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

54, In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It | will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

55. Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program the computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The machine- readable medium may include, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmableread-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROM), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMSs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).

56. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

57. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

58. Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating totechnical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

59. Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual | views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. | The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided ‘ through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of | executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.

60. The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. | 61. Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well- known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may beshown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

62. The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable storage medium” includes, but is not limited to, portable or non-portable storage devices, optical storage devices, and various other mediums capable of : storing, containing, or carrying instruction(s) and/or data. A machine-readable | medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and/or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples of a non- transitory medium may include but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, memory or memory devices. A computer program product may include code and/or machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or / transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.

63. Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer program product) may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.

64. Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.

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65. In an implementation, the computing devices described herein may be any of a variety of types of computing device, including without limitation, a desktop computer system, a data entry terminal, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a handheld personal data assistant, a smartphone, a body-worn computing device incorporated into clothing, a computing device | integrated into a vehicle (e.g., a car, a bicycle, etc.), a server, a cluster of servers, a server farm, etc.

66. In various embodiments, one or more of the computing devices may link to | the proposed system for transfer/exchange of data using wireless or wired link. The link may be based on any of a variety (or combination) of communications technologies by which signals may be exchanged, including without limitation, wired technologies employing electrically and/or optically conductive cabling, and wireless technologies employing infrared, radio frequency or other forms of wireless transmission. It is envisioned that one or more of these links may be implemented as channels of communication (e.g., virtual private network (VPN) channels or other forms of virtual channels) formed between computing devices through portions of the Internet.

67. Generally, and in various embodiments, the link will use signaling and/or protocols conforming to any of a variety of industry standards, including without limitation, RS-232C, RS-422, USB, Ethernet (IEEE-802.3) or IEEE-1394. Alternatively or additionally, where one or more portions of the link employ wireless signal transmission, one or more of the interfaces may employ signalling and/or protocols conforming to any of a variety of industry standards, including without limitation, IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g,

802.16, 802.20 (commonly referred to as “Mobile Broadband Wireless Access”); Bluetooth; ZigBee; or a cellular radiotelephone service such as GSM with General Packet Radio Service (GSM/GPRS), CDMA/1xRTT, Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), Evolution Data Only/ Optimized (EV-DO), Evolution For Data and Voice (EV-DV), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), 4G LTE, etc.

68. The computing devices may store instructions to be executed by a processor in storage, such as control routine. The storage may include various types of computer-readable storage media in the form of one or more higher speed memory units, such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), programmable ROM | (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, polymer memory such as | ferroelectric polymer memory, ovonic memory, phase change or ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, magnetic or optical cards, an array of devices such as Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) drives, solid state memory devices (e.g., USB memory, solid state drives (SSD) and any other type of storage media suitable for storing information. As such, and in various embodiments, storage may provide volatile and/or non-volatile storage of data, data structures, computer- executable instructions, and so forth. For example, a number of program modules can be stored in memory units, including an operating system, and control routine.

69. The computing devices may execute processing operations or logic using a processing circuit in communication with control routine(s). The processing circuit may comprise various hardware elements, software elements, or a combination of both. Examples of hardware elements may include devices, logic devices, components, processors, microprocessors, circuits, processor circuits, circuit elements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field 1 programmable gate array (FPGA), memory units, logic gates, registers, semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and so forth. Examples of software elements may include software components, programs, applications, computer programs, application programs, system programs, software development programs, machine programs, operating system software,

| 17 LU100852 middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines, functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application program interfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code, computer code, code segments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols, or any combination thereof.

| Determining whether an embodiment is implemented using hardware elements and/or software elements may vary in accordance with any number of factors, such as desired computational rate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input data rates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and other design or performance constraints, as desired for a given implementation.

70. In various embodiments, one or more of the control routines used in the proposed system may comprise a combination of an operating system, device drivers and/or application-level routines (e.g., so-called “software suites” provided on disc media, “applets” obtained from a remote server, etc.). Where an operating system is included, the operating system may be any of a variety of available operating systems appropriate for whatever corresponding ones of the processor circuits and, including without limitation, Windows™, OS XTM, Linux®, iOS® (formerly iPhone OS), or Android OS™. Where one or more device drivers are included, those device drivers may provide support for any of a variety of other components, whether hardware or software components, that comprise one or more of the computing devices.

71. As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “communication network” or “network” is intended to include internet, LAN, WAN, intranet or cloud networks or any communication medium possible for interaction among the various devices elaborated herein.

72. In an aspect, the proposed system (interchangeably termed as system herein) can be operatively configured as a website accessible by any Internet-enabled a computing device, and can as well be configured to be accessed using a mobile application that can be downloaded on a mobile device that can connect to the Internet. In such manner, the proposed system can be available 24*7 to its users. Any other manner of implementation of the proposed system

‘ LU100852 or a part thereof is well within the scope of the present disclosure/invention. The computing device can be a PC, a tablet, a smartphone and other like | devices.

73. Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

74. Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

75. The present disclosure relates to anti-counterfeiting systems and methods, and more particularly, to a system and method for uniquely identifying objects (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “product”, “article”, “item”, “piece”, “device”, “gadget”, “artifact”, or “entity”) so as to be able to distinguish genuine items from counterfeit versions and genuine items from other genuine items.

76. The present invention provides for an apparatus and a method for permanent, high-tech and safe identification of certain classes of manufactured parts or products, such as particularly critical or expensive replacement or spare parts for all kinds of precision machinery and electronics devices, and various documents, such as passports, driver's licenses, credit cards or other critical identification documents as well as physical works of fine art.

77. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an identifier having a substrate. The substrate can include an identification chip, and one or more 3D identification particles encapsulated therewithin. In an aspect, the substrate is connected to one or more objects.

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78. In an aspect, the substrate can preferably be made of a material selected from any or combination of polymers, resins and or crystals.

79. In an aspect, the one or more 3D identification particles can include any or combination of pigments, noble crystals, and noble metals.

80. In an aspect, the one or more 3D identification particles includes one or more properties selected from any or combination of being optically active, capable of absorbing short-wavelengths, preferably in the range of 10-400 nm, and capable of emitting photons upon short-wavelength 10-400 nm excitation.

81. In an aspect, the one or more 3D identification particles can include one or more properties creating a characteristic signature for the one or more 3D identification particles, the one or more properties are selected from any or combination of having a unique shape and size, having a characteristic center of gravity, having a characteristic maximal and minimal axis length, having characteristic concavity or convexity, having a non-homogenous density, having a day light emitting intensity, having characteristic fluorescent intensity emission and wavelength, a non-homogeneous density of the 3D particles creating a fluorescent gradient when exposed to a short-wavelength, preferably between 10-400 nm light, having characteristic emission gradient and wavelength, and having scattering pattern of 3D identification particles noble crystal or metal noble metal particles creating a characteristic scattering signature.

82. In an aspect, a disposition of the one or more identification particles can create a unique pattern and position matrix contributing to the identifiers’ uniqueness.

83. In an aspect, the identification chip can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip. In an aspect, the RFID chip can include one or more components selected from any or combination of an integrated circuit, antenna and an energy collector.

84. In an aspect, the substrate can be permanently connected to the one or more objects using one or more attachment interphase. The one or more attachment interphase comprising any or combination of polymers and glues.

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85. In an aspect, the one or more objects can include any or combination of a textile canvas, a canvas, textiles, wood, metal, marble, stones, paper, crystals, and gems.

| 86. In an aspect, the identifier can be teared, broken or burst in an attempt of removal.

87. In an aspect, the combined signatures of the 3D particles create any or combination of an irreproducible signature, probe of authenticity and probe of provenance chain, from a time of installation of the identifier.

88. In an aspect, the identifier can include an optical window for the recording of physical information contained in the identifier.

89. In an aspect, the one or more properties associated with the identifier can be adapted to be stored as digital information and encrypted.

90. In an aspect, the digital information can be time stamped into a blockchain- driven database or a private server, the time-stamped data is matched to a unique smart contract. In an aspect, the digital information is used to validate the authenticity of the one or more objects using the one or more properties associated with the one or more identification 3D particles.

91. In an aspect, the authenticity of the one or more objects is decided to utilize one or more supervised algorithms and/or customized machine learning neuronal networks.

92. An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for providing a substrate, inserting an identification chip in the substrate, and encapsulating one or more 3D identification particles therewithin the substrate, wherein the one or more 3D identification particles comprising any or combination of pigments, noble crystals, and noble metals, and the substrate is connected to one or more objects.

93. FIG. 1 illustrates a product distribution architecture as usually exists presently (Prior Art). As illustrated in FIG. 1, a supply chain of a product to its customer may have different intermediaries (interchangeably termed as entities herein) while the customer can also be termed as an entity. As illustrated, in an exemplary embodiment, a product 118 produced at a factory

| 21 LU100852 102 may first be stored at a dispatch station 104 that may be within the factory premises itself. Thereafter, it can proceed to a state warehouse 106, a city warehouse 108, and a local warehouse 110 and finally to a retail shop 112 from where customer 114 can purchase it.

94. As can be appreciated, at all such points (as well as between them, while the product 118 is on transit trucks, for example), product 118 can be pilfered and replaced with a counterfeit one to avoid detection of the pilferage. While it may have serial numbers, machine readable identifiers (e.g., scannable barcodes and two-dimensional codes), “tamper-proof/copy-proof ” security labels (e.g., holograms and labels that change state or partly or completely self-destruct on removal), laser stickers, entity particles attached to a product, and remotely detectable tags (e.g., radio-frequency identification tags) applied to items directly or to tags, labels, and/or packaging for such items, those normal codes can easily be copied, remade or replicated and stuck on the counterfeit product and so it is very difficult to detect that a counterfeit product has been introduced in the supply chain or the point/stage/entity where such counterfeiting has taken place. In light of such counterfeiting, consumers generally have been unable to rely upon such measures in order to verify the authenticity of marked or tagged items. Consequently, developing an anti- counterfeit mechanism for items/products is getting more crucial in order to solve the problem of copying, remaking or replicating the barcodes and/or tags provided for the items/products.

95. In a similar manner, even when a product 120 is delivered directly from dispatch station 104 to customer 114 using an online order system 116 there is a possibility that it can be replaced with a counterfeit one since such attempts may be made at the dispatch station 114 itself, as well as the supply chain system of the online order system 116.

96. The pilfered product (118 or 120) can be diverted to another supply chain with different entities. It may be adulterated and so, this may pose a danger to a customer although it is seemingly genuine. The manufacturer is interested in identifying such alternate distribution channels as well and the customer

| ! 22 LU100852 should also be warned appropriately. Such a diverted product can, hence, as well be considered as a counterfeit product since it is not following its intended/authorized distribution path.

97. Accordingly, there is a need for a secure, improved and technically advanced system and method for solving above recited technical problems by way of by way of providing unique and irreproducible plate identifier for article authentication and provenance. Further, there is also a need to securely store the information contained in the identifier. Furthermore, in view of the growing technology, there is a need to authenticate the identifier utilizing supervised algorithms or customized machine learning neuronal networks.

98. FIG. 2A illustrates a proposed identifier 202 being connected to a painting (object) 208, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2B illustrates various components and features of the proposed identifier 202 (identifier in top view), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2C illustrates various components and features of the proposed identifier 202 (identifier in lateral view), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

99. Referring now to FIGs. 2A-2C, in an embodiment, the proposed identifier 202 includes a substrate 216 having an identification chip 206 and one or more 3 Dimensional (3D) identification particles 212 encapsulated therewithin.

100. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 216 is preferably made of a material selected from any or combination of polymers, resins and or crystals.

101. In another exemplary embodiment, the substrate 216 may form a rigid platform and may be capable of independent existence in the absence of any further supporting base. The substrate 216 may be absorbent or not absorbent to the material. The substrate 216 should be thermally and dimensionally stable under the conditions used in the image deposition process, which may involve passage of the substrate through a photocopier or digital laser printer. The temperature of a copier fuser roller, for example, is normally at least 150 degrees C, and typically in the range of 160 to 190degree C. Although the substrate is exposed to the heat of the roller for only a short time during the

| - | 23 LU100852 image production it can become degraded, twisted and buckled, or even melt. In general, the substrate should be capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 150 degree C end preferably at least 190 degree C without substantial | instantaneous degradation, structural change, dimensional change, or colour change. Most preferably the substrate should be such that it is thermally and dimensionally stable when exposed to a temperature of 200 degrees C for at least 0.5 seconds. The substrate may include a thermoplastics polymeric material and may be formed from any suitable film-forming polymeric material. Such materials include homopolymers or copolymers of a 1-olefin (including ethylene, propylene, and but-Iene), polyamides, polycarbonates, PVC, PVA, polyacrylates, celluloses, and polyesters Preferably the substrate and coating carrier include a polyester, particularly a synthetic-linear polyester.

102. In an example, the synthetic linear polyesters useful as the substrate may be obtained by condensing one or more dicarboxylic acids or their lower alkyl (up to 6 carbon atoms) diesters, eg terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, 2,5-, 2,6-, or 2,7- naphthalenedicarboxilic acid, succinic acid, sebacic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, 4,4 sup.7-diphenyldicarboxylic acid, hexahydro-terephthalic acid or 1,2- bis-p- carboxyphenoxyethane (optionally with a monocarboxylic acid, such as a pivalic acid) with one or more glycols, particularly an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic glycol, eg ethylene glycol, 1,3- propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, neopenthyl glycol and 1,4- cyclohexanedimethanol An aliphatic glycol is preferred.

103. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a copolyester thereof with other co-monomeric units, as set out above. The substrate may also include a polyarytether or analogue thereof, particularly a polyaryletherketone, polyarylethersulphone, polyaryletheretherketone, polyaryletherethersulphone, or a copolymer or thioanalogue thereof. Examples of these polymers are disclosed in EP- A001879, EP-A-0184458 and U.S Pat. No. 4,008,203. Blends of such polymers may also be employed.

| | 24 LU100852

104. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 216 may be an identifier plate.

105. In an exemplary embodiment, identifier 202 can be made of the substrate 216. The substrate 216 can be made of any or combination of polymers, resins and | or crystals.

106. In an exemplary embodiment, the identifier 202 encapsulates 3D identification particles 212. The 3D particles 212 can include any or combination of pigments, noble crystals and or noble metals.

107. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 216 can include a radio frequency identification chip 206. The radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 206 contains an integrated circuit, antenna and energy collector.

108. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 216 can be associated with an attachment interphase 218 that enables its permanent binding to the painting/ artwork/object 208. The attachment interphase 218 corresponds to a combination of polymers and or glues.

109. In an embodiment, the identifier 202 presents a combination of pigments that characterize the identifier and contribute to the identifier uniqueness.

110. In an exemplary embodiment, the pigment 3D particles 212 can be optically active, absorb short-wavelengths 10-400 nm and emit photons upon short- wavelength 10-400 nm excitation.

111. In an exemplary embodiment, the disposition of the pigment 3D particles 212 can create a unique pattern and position matrix that characterize the identifier 202 and contribute to the identifier 202 uniqueness.

112. In an exemplary embodiment, the shape of the pigment 3D particles 212 can characterize the identifier and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

113. In an exemplary embodiment, the center of gravity of the pigment 3D particles 212 can create a characteristic signature that characterizes the identifier 202 and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

114. In an exemplary embodiment, the maximal and minimal axis length of the pigment 3D particles 212 creates a characteristic signature can characterize the identifier 202 and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

115. In an exemplary embodiment, the concavity and convexity of the pigment 3D particles 212 can create a characteristic signature that characterizes the identifier 202 and contribute to the identifier uniqueness.

| 116. In an exemplary embodiment, the pigment density is non-homogenous in the | pigment 3D particles 212 creating a characteristic signature that characterizes the identifier 202 and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

117. In an exemplary embodiment, the daylight emitting intensity of the pigment 3D particles 212 creates a characteristic signature that characterizes the identifier 202 and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

118. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluorescent intensity and emission wavelength of the pigment 3D particles 212 can create a characteristic signature that characterizes the identifier 202 and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

119. In an exemplary embodiment, the non-homogeneous density of the 3D particles 212 can create a fluorescent gradient when exposed to short- wavelength 10-400nm light.

120. In an exemplary embodiment, the emission gradient of the pigment 3D particles 212 can create a characteristic signature characterize the identifier 202 and contribute to the identifier uniqueness.

121. In an exemplary embodiment, the scattering pattern of pigment noble crystal and or metal noble metal particles 212 can create a characteristic scattering signature that characterizes the identifier and contributes to the identifier uniqueness.

122. In an exemplary embodiment, the identifier plate can be attached to target artworks permanently.

123. In an exemplary embodiment, the identifier plate can be attached to an artworks materials including but is not restricted to the textile canvas, canvas, textiles, wood, metal, marble, stones, paper, crystals, and gems.

124. In an exemplary embodiment, the unique identifier plate and the attachment interphase is harmless to artwork surfaces including textile canvas, canvas, textiles, wood, metal, marble, stones, paper, crystals, and gems.

125. In an exemplary embodiment, the unique identifier plate can be susceptible to fractures upon attempts to remove it from its attached artwork.

126. In an exemplary embodiment, fracture of the identifier 202 can be indicative of mechanical force and suggests an attempt to tam with the artwork.

127. In an exemplary embodiment, the radio frequency identification system circuit can be susceptible to tearing upon fracture of the unique identifier plate.

128. In an exemplary embodiment, lost reception of the radio frequency identification system reports can damage the identification plate and is indicative of an attempt to tam with the artwork.

129. In an exemplary embodiment, the combined signatures associated with the pigments/particles 212 creates an irreproducible signature, probe of | authenticity and probe of provenance chain from the time of installation of the unique and irreproducible identifier.

130. In an exemplary embodiment, the identifier plate presents an optical window for the recording of the physical information contained in the identifier plate.

131. In an exemplary embodiment, the properties of the identifier plate can be digitalized and such information encrypted.

132. In an exemplary embodiment, the digitalized information can be time stamped into a blockchain-driven database or private server. The time-stamped data can be matched to a unique smart contract. In an exemplary embodiment, the blockchain-driven database can be private or public. In an exemplary embodiment, the blockchain-driven database can be a chain or a tangle, and the chain or tangle quantum computing immune or quantum susceptible.

133. In an exemplary embodiment, the information contained in the identifier 202 | and stored encrypted in the blockchain-driven database or private server can be used to validate the authenticity of the object using the parameters/ properties and or meta parameters/ meta-properties associated with the particle/pigments.

134. In an exemplary embodiment, the read parameter and meta parameter information can be compared with the post-manufacturing parameters and meta parameters. In another exemplary embodiment, the comparison of

| :

I 27 LU100852 permits to validate the authenticity of the identifier plate, and the authenticity of the artwork permanently attached to the identifier plate.

135. In an exemplary embodiment, the comparison is performed with supervised algorithms or customized machine learning neuronal networks.

| 136. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate 216 can include an optical window

214. In an example, optical windows are flat, plane-parallel plates that are often used as protective barriers for electronic sensors or detectors from outside environments. Optical windows should be selected based on the material transmission or mechanical properties of the substrate.

137. Although the proposed system has been elaborated as above to include all the main modules, it is completely possible that actual implementations may include only a part of the proposed modules or a combination of those or a “division of those into sub-modules in various combinations across multiple devices that can be operatively coupled with each other, including in the cloud. Further, the modules can be configured in any sequence to achieve objectives elaborated. Also, it can be appreciated that proposed system can be configured in a computing device or across a plurality of computing devices operatively connected with each other, wherein the computing devices can be any of a computer, a laptop, a smartphone, an Internet-enabled mobile device { and the like. All such modifications and embodiments are completely within the scope of the present disclosure.

1 138. As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other or in contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously. Within the context of this document terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are also used euphemistically to mean “communicatively coupled with” over a network, where two or more devices are able to exchange data with each other over the network, possibly via one or more intermediary device.

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139. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

140. While some embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, those are completely exemplary in nature. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as elaborated herein only and it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. All such modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents are completely within the scope of the present disclosure. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS: I. An identifier comprising: a substrate having an identification chip, and one or more 3 Dimensional (3D) identification particles encapsulated therewithin, wherein the substrate is connected to one or more objects.
2. 2. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the substrate is preferably made of a material selected from any or combination of polymers, resins and or crystals.
3. 3. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the one or more 3D identification particles comprising any or combination of pigments, noble crystals, and noble metals.
4. 4. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the one or more 3D identification particles comprising one or more properties selected from any or combination of being optically active, capable of absorbing short-wavelengths, preferably in the range of 10-400 nm, and capable of emitting photons upon short-wavelength 10-400 nm excitation.
5. 5. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the one or more 3D identification particles comprising one or more properties creating a characteristic signature for the one or more 3D identification particles, the one or more properties are selected from any or combination of having a unique shape and size, having a characteristic center of gravity, having a characteristic maximal and minimal axis length, having characteristic concavity or convexity, having a non-homogenous density, having a day light emitting intensity, having characteristic fluorescent intensity emission and wavelength, a non-homogeneous density of the 3D particles creating a fluorescent gradient when exposed to a short-wavelength, preferably between 10-400 nm light, having characteristic emission gradient and wavelength, and having scattering pattern of 3D identification particles noble crystal or metal noble metal particles creating a characteristic scattering signature.
6. 6. The identifier of claim 1 is characterized in that a disposition of the one or more 3D identification particles creates a unique pattern and position matrix contributing to the identifiers’ uniqueness.
7. 7. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the identification chip is a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip.
8. 8. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the RFID chip comprising one or more components selected from any or combination of an integrated circuit, antenna and an energy collector.
9. 9. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the substrate is permanently connected to the one or more objects using one or more attachment interphases, wherein the one or more attachment interphases comprising any or combination of polymers and glues.
10. 10. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects comprising: any or combination of a textile canvas, a canvas, textiles, wood, metal, marble, stones, paper, crystals, and gems.
11. 11. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the identifier is adapted to teared, broken or burst in an attempt of removal.
12. 12. The identifier of claim 1 is characterized in that creating any or combination of an irreproducible signature, probe of authenticity and probe of provenance chain, from a time of installation of the identifier.
13. 13. The identifier of claim 1 further comprises an optical window for recording of physical information contained in the identifier.

    AA
14. 14. The identifier of claim 1, wherein the one or more properties associated with the identifier is adapted to be stored as digital information and encrypted.
15. 15. The identifier of claim 14, wherein the digital information is time stamped into a blockchain-driven database or a private server, the time-stamped data is matched to a unique smart contract.
16. 16. The identifier of claim 15, wherein the digital information is used to validate the authenticity of the one or more objects using the one or more properties associated with the one or more 3D identification particles.
17. 17. The identifier of claim 16, wherein the authenticity of the one or more objects is decided to utilize one or more supervised algorithms and/or customized machine learning neuronal networks.
18. 18. A method comprising: providing a substrate, the substrate is preferably made of a material selected from any or combination of polymers, resins and or crystals; inserting an identification chip in the substrate, the identification chip is a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip; and encapsulating one or more 3 Dimensional (3D) identification particles therewithin the substrate, wherein the one or more 3D identification particles comprising any or combination of pigments, noble crystals, and noble metals, and the substrate is connected to one or more objects.
19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more identification 3 Dimensional (3D) particles comprising: | _ one or more properties selected from any or combination of being optically active, | capable of absorbing short-wavelengths, preferably in the range of 10-400 nm, and capable of | emitting photons upon short-wavelength 10-400 nm excitation; and SA —

    one or more properties creating a characteristic signature for the one or more 3D | identification particles, the one or more properties are selected from any or combination of having a unique shape and size, having a characteristic center of gravity, having a characteristic maximal and minimal axis length, having characteristic concavity or convexity, having a non-homogenous density, having a day light emitting intensity, having characteristic fluorescent intensity emission and wavelength, a non-homogeneous density of the 3D particles creating a fluorescent gradient when exposed to a short-wavelength, preferably between 10-400 nm light, having characteristic emission gradient and wavelength, and having scattering pattern of 3D identification particles noble crystal or metal noble metal particles creating a characteristic scattering signature.
20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the substrate is permanently connected to the one or more objects using one or more attachment interphases, wherein the one or more attachment interphases comprising any or combination of polymers and glues.