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Although barcodes are currently utilized mainly to keep track of merchandise, they may soon also be used to detect counterfeit goods. We're not talking about ordinary barcode labels, however. Instead, British scientists at Sofmat Ltd and the University of Bradford have devised a new 3D barcode that's actually molded into plastic or composite items.
The system utilizes tiny pins that are integrated into the mold from which the product is made. Each pin can be set to different heights via micro actuators, with each 0.4-micron increment in height corresponding to a specific letter or numeral (0 - 9). The current prototype consists of a four-pin array, allowing for over 1.7 million unique configurations.
The resulting indentations in the finished item are difficult to see and impossible to feel, yet can be read using a white light interferometer or a laser-scanning confocal microscope – a compact laser scanner is in the works, which could wirelessly transmit readings to a smartphone or tablet.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 15 2015, @11:43PM
From the article, the reason they think the counterfeiters won't just copy the barcode is because the scanning equipment is expensive and hard to get.
Which means that few people will be able to verify the barcodes either. So, what's the point?
If a barcode is printed in the forest and no one is around to scan it, does it make a sound?
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 15 2015, @11:57PM
I certain cases it can be useful to prove whether you manufactured something or not. Particularly if you are sued over the product's failure.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Wednesday September 16 2015, @12:11AM
I certain cases it can be useful to prove whether you manufactured something or not. Particularly if you are sued over the product's failure.
That is a valid point and likely that is going to be the manufacturing fields that this tech gets aimed at.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 16 2015, @12:32AM
> I certain cases it can be useful to prove whether you manufactured something or not. Particularly if you are sued over the product's failure.
So its not about ensuring that a customer can trust the brand, its about making sure they are left without recourse if something goes wrong.
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Wednesday September 16 2015, @07:40AM
If something does go wrong with a counterfeit product, why should the genuine manufacturer be on the hook? They had nothing to do with the fake.
No problem is insoluble, but at Ksp = 2.943×10−25 Mercury Sulphide comes close.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 16 2015, @04:31PM
> If something does go wrong with a counterfeit product, why should the genuine manufacturer be on the hook?
Because they failed to protect their brand.
You can't have it both ways - you can't ask people to trust your brand and then let counterfeiters use it.
(Score: 2) by aristarchus on Wednesday September 16 2015, @05:49AM
No one "manufactures" an apple. Now if my goddamn (what are they called again? The watch that everyone counterfeits?) (Damn, I still cannot think of the brandname! This is such a failure on their part, whoever they are. Here I am, looking to buy a knock-off, and I do not even know what it is that I want a knock-off of! Could it be Gucci? Ugh! Micro$ert? What would be the point? Angie's List? Hmm, might be some action there if you know the right people. Watch. Big. Flashy. Um, , , Rol? Hey, got it! A fake Rolex! Oh, wow, I am so relieved now that I remember what it was that I wanted to fake. But this is the point. Brand names used to be a indicator of quality. Now they are only a indicator of status. Status is very easy to counterfeit, unlike quality. So there is no upside to this. An "authentic" apple has no chance of being much better than a fake one.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday September 16 2015, @12:26AM
The equipment needed to create bootleg video game cartridges in 80s and 90s was extremely expensive too, nontheless that didn't stop bootleggers. These guys are in for a nasty surprise.