Patents by Inventor Martin Kutter

Martin Kutter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180268214
    Abstract: New authentication features are proposed that are visible, can be authenticated with a mobile equipment and yet are challenging to counterfeit. In a possible embodiment, the surface of the authentication feature may have three-dimensional characteristics, which can be recognized by a handheld camera, such as a smartphone camera, while it cannot be easily reproduced by a simple scan and print procedure. In a further possible embodiment, at least two different viewpoints of the authentication feature may be acquired using a smartphone camera and the resulting images may be analyzed using the smartphone processor to identify the three-dimensional characteristics of the authentication feature. The manufacturing of the feature may be performed at a low cost by embossing the three dimensional structure on a surface. The authentication feature may be carried by a self-adhesive label or directly embedded on the product packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: ALPVISION S.A
    Inventors: Martin KUTTER, Fred JORDAN
  • Patent number: 10019627
    Abstract: New authentication features are proposed that are visible, can be authenticated with a mobile equipment and yet are challenging to counterfeit. In a possible embodiment, the surface of the authentication feature may have three-dimensional characteristics, which can be recognized by a handheld camera, such as a smartphone camera, while it cannot be easily reproduced by a simple scan and print procedure. In a further possible embodiment, at least two different viewpoints of the authentication feature may be acquired using a smartphone camera and the resulting images may be analyzed using the smartphone processor to identify the three-dimensional characteristics of the authentication feature. The manufacturing of the feature may be performed at a low cost by embossing the three dimensional structure on a surface. The authentication feature may be carried by a self-adhesive label or directly embedded on the product packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Martin Kutter, Fred Jordan
  • Publication number: 20170286769
    Abstract: The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Celine DI VENUTO DAYER, V, Martin KUTTER, Frederic JORDAN
  • Patent number: 9710902
    Abstract: The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Celine Di Venuto Dayer, V, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan
  • Publication number: 20170132465
    Abstract: New authentication features are proposed that are visible, can be authenticated with a mobile equipment and yet are challenging to counterfeit. In a possible embodiment, the surface of the authentication feature may have three-dimensional characteristics, which can be recognized by a handheld camera, such as a smartphone camera, while it cannot be easily reproduced by a simple scan and print procedure. In a further possible embodiment, at least two different viewpoints of the authentication feature may be acquired using a smartphone camera and the resulting images may be analyzed using the smartphone processor to identify the three-dimensional characteristics of the authentication feature. The manufacturing of the feature may be performed at a low cost by embossing the three dimensional structure on a surface. The authentication feature may be carried by a self-adhesive label or directly embedded on the product packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Martin KUTTER, Fred JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20160379358
    Abstract: The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Celine DI VENUTO DAYER, V, Martin KUTTER, Frederic JORDAN
  • Patent number: 9390345
    Abstract: The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Celine Di Venuto Dayer, V, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan
  • Publication number: 20160140420
    Abstract: It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Celine DI VENUTO DAYER, V, Martin KUTTER, Frederic JORDAN
  • Patent number: 9317988
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for generating a security bi-level image used to form one of the inks of a banknote, said image comprising an original bi-level image and a security pattern, said security pattern being obtained in the spatial domain by the inverse Fourier transform of the combination in the frequency domain between the Fourier transform of an auxiliary image and a two-dimensional sweep, said two-dimensional sweep being a circularly symmetric, two-dimensional pattern created by sweeping a self-similar, one-dimensional function along a 360-degree arc, such as said security pattern being detectable from the maximum value of the cross-correlation of said one-dimensional function with the Fourier transform of one line of said banknote, said method comprising the step of: —determining a distance map of the original bi-level image, —generating a merged image by linearly interpolating at least a part of said distance map with said security pattern, —thresholding the merged image to obtain the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK (ECB)
    Inventors: Nicolas Rudaz, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan, Jean-Claude Gilles, Pierre Durant
  • Patent number: 9208394
    Abstract: The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Celine Di Venuto Dayer, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan
  • Publication number: 20130114876
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for generating a security bi-level image used to form one of the inks of a banknote, said image comprising an original bi-level image and a security pattern, said security pattern being obtained in the spatial domain by the inverse Fourier transform of the combination in the frequency domain between the Fourier transform of an auxiliary image and a two-dimensional sweep, said two-dimensional sweep being a circularly symmetric, two-dimensional pattern created by sweeping a self-similar, one-dimensional function along a 360-degree arc, such as said security pattern being detectable from the maximum value of the cross-correlation of said one-dimensional function with the Fourier transform of one line of said banknote, said method comprising the step of:—determining a distance map of the original bi-level image,—generating a merged image by linearly interpolating at least a part of said distance map with said security pattern,—thresholding the merged image to obtain the sec
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Nicolas Rudaz, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan, Jean-Claude Gilles, Pierre Durant
  • Publication number: 20120243797
    Abstract: The present application concerns the visual identification of materials or documents for tracking or authentication purposes. It describes methods to automatically authenticate an object by comparing some object images with reference images, the object images being characterized by the fact that visual elements used for comparison are non-disturbing for the naked eye. In some described approaches it provides the operator with visible features to locate the area to be imaged. It also proposes ways for real-time implementation enabling user friendly detection using mobile devices like smart phones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: ALPVISION, S.A.
    Inventors: Céline Di Venuto Dayer, Martin Kutter, Frédéric Jordan
  • Patent number: 8180174
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the visual identification of materials for tracking an object comprises parameter setting, acquisition and identification phases. The parameter setting phase comprises the steps of defining acquisition parameters for the objects. The acquisition phase comprises the steps of digitally acquiring two-dimensional template image of an object, applying a flattening function and generating downsampled template version of the flattened template and storing it in a reference database with the flattened template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Alpvision S.A.
    Inventors: Celine Di Venuto, Martin Kutter, Frederic Jordan
  • Publication number: 20110262536
    Abstract: A method to authenticate genuine tablets manufactured by compressing powder between a punch/die set comprising the steps of: creating a microstructure on the surface of at least one of the face of the punch/die set; compressing the powder between the punch and the die; acquiring at least one reference image of the face of the punch/die set containing the microstructure or of a face of a tablet corresponding to the microstructure; acquiring at least one test image of a tablet to be authenticated; computing a level of similarity by an electronic device between the at least one test image and the at least one reference image; comparing the computed level with a threshold value so as to define if the acquired tablet is genuine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Jordan, Martin Kutter, Celine Di Venuto
  • Patent number: 7991186
    Abstract: A method to generate a security pattern to be embedded in an original image has the particularity that the detection of the security pattern can be achieved through a simple, low processing capability device. The method for generating a security image comprising the original image and the security pattern is characterized in that the security pattern is formed by an inverse transform of the combination in the frequency domain of an auxiliary image and a radially symmetric, two-dimensional pattern, said two-dimensional pattern created by sweeping a self-similar, one-dimensional function along a 360-degree arc, and the security image is generated by the modulation of at least one color of at least a part of the original image with the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: European Central Bank
    Inventors: Nicolas Rudaz, Martin Kutter, Fred Jordan, Jean-Claude Gilles, Pierre Durant
  • Patent number: 7965862
    Abstract: The present application aims to propose a solution for embedding invisible mark suitable for very large production volumes. This is achieved by a method for applying an invisible mark on a media based on a pattern, and comprising the following steps: determining an area to apply this mark, applying a transparent or semi-transparent substance, on the media, said substance being modulated with the active dots to form the pattern by modifying the quantity of the substance at each active dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Alpvision SA
    Inventors: Frederic Jordan, Martin Kutter, Nicolas Rudaz
  • Patent number: 7684088
    Abstract: The invention describes a process to prevent counterfeiting or alteration of a printed or engraved surface, characterized by the incorporation of a signature of the form of a digital mark into parts or the entire document, and in particular a digital mark technology to hide information in an invisible way through over-printing by using a method called asymmetric amplitude modulation. This method can be applied to any type of printed material such paper, packaging, or any other surface. Visible information can also be printed over the digital mark. As an application example, applied to a paper document the digital mark can be used to guarantee the document authenticity, as it would be destroyed by a copy process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Alpvision S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Jordan, Roland Meylan, Martin Kutter
  • Patent number: 7492920
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method for applying a special mark, that is invisible to the naked eye, on a medium. That is, the example embodiments provide a method for generating and applying on a medium a digital spatial mark of X×Y dots in accordance with a resolution of d1x by d1y dots per surface unit, provided that the ratio d1x/d2x and or d1y/d2y is more than 1. The method further includes over-sampling the digital spatial mark in X based on a factor nx=d1x/d2x and in Y based on a factor ny=d1y/d2y; eroding the dots to be applied so as to leave one dot every nx dots in X and one dot every nx dots in Y; and applying the spatial mark on the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Alpvision SA
    Inventors: Frederic Jordan, Martin Kutter
  • Publication number: 20080219503
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the visual identification of materials for tracking an object comprises parameter setting, acquisition and identification phases. The parameter setting phase comprises the steps of defining acquisition parameters for the objects. The acquisition phase comprises the steps of digitally acquiring two-dimensional template image of an object, applying a flattening function and generating downsampled template version of the flattened template and storing it in a reference database with the flattened template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: ALPVISION S.A.
    Inventors: CELINE DI VENUTO, MARTIN KUTTER, FREDERIC JORDAN
  • Publication number: 20080164689
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a simple and reliable security element into a document, which can be recognized without special equipment. This aim is achieved with a paper or paper-like document with a surface, the surface being provided at least in a partial area with a background layer, wherein at least part of the surface of the document is provided with a security element comprising a series of protuberant structures spaced at regular interval. The protuberant structure creates a relief than can be easily recognized while rubbing the document. Contrarily to watermarks or other stamps, the fact that the structure is spaced at regular interval allows the user to better detect it over random structures. Regular interval does not mean that the space between each protuberant structure is equal. Regular means that each structure has a similar width and each space between the structures has also a similar width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ALPVISION SA
    Inventors: Frederic Jordan, Martin Kutter, Nicolas Rudaz