Cryptoglyph™, the emerging new Security feature for Brand
Protection and enhancing security of documents
Written by: N.R. Jayaraman
Several security features are in
the offing to protect the documents and other consumable products against
counterfeiting. The purpose of anti counterfeiting feature is multi fold:
- on track and trace applications, to instantly
detect through the print labels whether the product under inspection is genuine
or fake
- that the product label which reveal such a information
cannot be duplicated
- such features help bring down forgeries and
counterfeiting considerably to protect the brands
One such latest development in the direction of anti counterfeiting process available for
brand and sensitive document protection is Cryptoglyph™ process ( a digital image file) that acts as a perfect security feature to
embed pseudo-random pattern of microdots (10 to 20 microns) in the imperfections
of the printed material. These invisible micro-points contain encrypted
information, which can only be deciphered by using a 128 or 2^ bit encryption
key. If the detection process is performed in a unique and secured place, the
key is never endangered. Deciphering the information by a fraudulent party is
impossible. They are very difficult to distinguish - even under magnification -
as the dots are hidden in the imperfections found in all printed material and
thus completely camouflaged. Since Cryptoglyph™
is a digital imaging process that
carries encrypted information it can also be used for authentication of the
documents as well as brand protection through printed labels or prints on brand
packs. This process is integrated with the standard printing process.
Printing of invisible
micro-points called dots over the entire surface of the primary packaging or
secondary packaging, such as the blister foil makes it impossible to replicate
or to erase them. The Cryptoglyph™ is a distributed mark with an inherent
redundancy and cannot be either destroyed or even modified once it is
incorporated. Thus this feature can play
a vital role in track and trace applications deployed for brand
protection. Care has to be however taken
to integrate Cryptoglyph™ into the
product labels.
Cryptoglyph™ is the invention of AlpVision and reported to be the only security feature available in the
world that applies an invisible or covert marking on cartons, leaflets, labels,
and blister packs using regular visible ink or varnish with standard printing
processes. According to AlpVision, the
Cryptoglyph™ technology is covert digital feature that can be embedded
into security backgrounds of identity documents or other security documents. AlpVision SA, established in the year 2000 and
based in Switzerland, is a leading
supplier of digital security printing solutions.
Besides digital imaging, another application
of Cryptoglyph™ is that once the image
has been created (i.e. printed), and the
printed matter overprinted with a scratch resistant or protective varnish using
Cryptoglyph™ process, it creates pseudo-random pattern of micro-holes (40 to 80
microns) on the coating, however without changing the printed design elements. Thus the Cryptoglyph process
can create invisible micro dots as well micro holes over the surface of the coating
to remain as a perfect security feature on the printed material invisible to
naked eyes.
According to the manufacturer of Cryptoglyph™ the printed documents and labels carrying Cryptoglyph™
feature remain non copyable and serve as
an effective and efficient means to protect the documents and product labels
against counterfeiting.
Major advantage on the
application of Cryptoglyph™ onto a
document or a product is that it requires no special equipment or changes in
consumables used and instead the standard equipments and machineries like Offset,
Rotogravure, Laser or Inkjet can incorporate this feature. However it is learnt
that the best medium used for incorporating the Cryptoglyph™ is Offset Printing
process or by offline digital process.
For the detection and
verification of the Cryptoglyph, this translates into using off-the-shelf image
acquisition devices, such as scanners and digital cameras.
For elaborate technical and other details the
following firm needs to be
contacted:
AlpVision
SA
Rue du clos 12
1800 Vevey
Switzerland
Main: +41 (0)21 948 6464
Fax: +41 (0)21 948 6465