A Vision of Security

May 4, 2021

9:55 PM

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AlpVision’s BMSplatform connects aninfinite number ofauthenticationdevices via using theCryptoglyph orFingerpint apps. Photo Credit: AlpVision SA

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The Cryptoglyph app enables instantproduct authentication. Photo Credit: AlpVision SA

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“The Package is the Encoding” –AlpVision’s Fingerprint utilizes theunique imperfections present on allmolded, stamped, or injected plasticobjects to identify tampering. Photo Credit: AlpVision SA

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Dr. Fred Jordan, co-founder and c.e.o., AlpVision SA. Photo Credit: AlpVision SA

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Cryptoglyph: the microscopic encoding dents only penetrate thevarnish layer, but leave the printing and substrate layers untouched.

Switzerland did not invent the cuckoo clock, as so famously – and incorrectly – claimed by Orson Welles’ character Harry Lime in the 1949 film classic, The Third Man. But, this small nation in the heart of Europe nevertheless harbors an eclectic mix of highly innovative firms active in the security sector, lending their services to a broad range of industries. One of them is AlpVision SA, located in the picturesque town of Vevey in the canton of Vaud. The firm developed two simple-to-use yet enormously effective product authentication methods that can be deployed for tobacco and vaping product packaging.

Cryptoglyph: Invisible and copy-proof

Rolled out in 2001, AlpVision’s Cryptoglyph authentication technology was first used on cigarette packaging in 2007. Though brand owners around the globe have since adopted it, Cryptoglyph’s key market continues to be Europe, according to the company’s c.e.o. and co-founder, Dr. Fred Jordan. “For unidentified reasons, the market response [in Europe] is better [than elsewhere],” said Dr. Jordan. That is somewhat surprising, because Cryptoglyph is not only very easy to apply but also provides superior brand security due to the fact that it cannot be reproduced by criminal elements. At least not at this time.In essence, Cryptoglyph is a technique whereas an invisible pattern of pseudo-random microdots is embedded in the varnish layer of packaging material during the regular printing process. Each microdot – or rather, dent – in the pattern measures just 10-20 microns in diameter, covering the entire packaging surface, or wherever varnish has been applied.“This security pattern, which is completely invisible to the naked eye, can be used with any traditional printing technology, like offset lithography, flexography, or rotogravure,” explained Dr. Jordan. “It does not require any modifications of the printing machine itself, nor does it need any special ink.”

Random patterns are the key

The pseudo-random nature of the microdot patterns is crucially important. “It is not a brand logo or any geometric pattern, as that would be much too easy to copy [for counterfeiters],” Dr. Jordan stressed. “Instead, the micro pattern is unique for each brand and, often enough, for each production batch.” As the pattern is solely applied to the varnish layer, creating dents that “only penetrate to a fraction of its thickness”, the packaging material itself is not compromised. “It is a modulation of the varnish surface rather than the creation of actual holes.” This fact also permits for Cryptoglyph to be deployed on individual cigarette sticks, for example by embedding the microdots in much thinner filter tip wrappers.Cryptoglyph, assured Dr. Jordan, can be integrated and configured with any existing printing machinery without technical modifications or special parts. “It is up and running in less than one month, through full printer qualification typically takes about three months because cylinder manufacturers have to be supplied with the random pattern information that must be applied to cylinder surfaces,” said Dr. Jordan. A company opts to use a different Cryptoglyph pattern for each production batch, cylinder sleeves naturally must be exchanged accordingly. But, that happens anyway, as they typically wear off rather quickly.

Authentication through simple scanning

Authentication of packs – or, as the case may be, individual sticks – is accomplished by scanning them with any smartphone on which the Cryptoglyph app has been installed. The brand- or batch-specific Cryptoglyph patterns are securely stored in a lightweight server (BMS; see sidebar), and to which the app connects. This not only allows law enforcement personnel to check the authenticity of any given cigarette pack in an instant, but the app can of course also be used by end consumers to make sure they’re purchasing a legit product. “The detection itself is performed offline and only the scanning results and user location are uploaded to the BMS platform (see side bar). This straightforward authentication method together with the copy-safe microdot patterns and easy integration make Cryptoglyph into a very intriguing brand protection option,” Dr. Jordan said. “Data collected by the BMS server also provide tobacco companies with valuable analytical insights into a brand’s security situation.” Another “smart” security technology developed by AlpVision is Fingerprint, though at this point it is only used for e-cigarettes, e-liquid containers, and other vaping product packaging, i.e. not conventional cigarette packs. Originally intended for molded, stamped, rolled, or tooled plastic bottles or caps of any type and description, “it could potentially also work on glass bottles,” said Dr. Jordan. One of the biggest benefits of Fingerprint is that it prevents unauthorized or fraudulent re-filling of plastic containers when applied to sealing caps in particular.

Nothing is perfect

Fingerprint takes advantage of a peculiar feature inherent to all molded, injected, stamped, or tooled plastic objects: their microscopic surface imperfections that are just as unique as human fingerprints. These irregularities are already present in the production tools themselves and then transfer as “mirror images” to the plastic surfaces. Every bottle, vial, or cap produced with the same tool will therefore bear exactly the same pattern of imperfections. It’s very much reminiscent to what is being accomplished in forensic criminology by tying a bullet to the specific gun barrel from which it was fired. Every gun barrel leaves an identical pattern of impressions and abrasions on all bullets that leave its muzzle. The instant verification method used by Fingerprint is quite similar to that of Cryptoglyph. Using a smartphone app, a plastic container’s (or cap’s) outer surface is scanned within a matter of seconds. The gained data is automatically uploaded to the BMS server and checked against the pattern database. Since every mold or stamp bears unique surface imperfections, it is of course imperative that they are documented in the BMS database before they are used in actual manufacturing. But, that is nothing more than a formality.“Fingerprint is a truly fantastic technology, a dream come true for our customers to ensure that nobody can tamper with their products,” asserted Dr. Jordan. He added that the technology – just like Cryptoglyph – is also used by end consumers to verify that their purchased product is genuine. “Furthermore,” he said, “Fingerprint can be applied not only to plastics but also other stamped, minted or molded materials. We have successful deployment on metal parts, for example.”

Worldwide reach

AlpVision’s security products are currently used by printing houses and packaging manufacturers in more than 50 countries, supplying a wide range of industries from pharmaceutical firms to consumer goods packaging suppliers. The company maintains representative offices in the US (Portland) and China (Shanghai). Though AlpVision’s main tobacco industry customer base is still centered on Europe, Dr. Jordan is hopeful that both Cryptoglyph and Fingerprint are going to make inroads with more brand owners internationally, as incidents of cigarette counterfeiting and vaping product tampering are reaching unprecedented heights around the globe.

AlpVision’s BMS Platform

The Cryptoglyph and Fingerprint apps are typically tethered to the brand monitoring system (BMS) server supplied by AlpVision, but the platform can of course also host other compatible authentication applications. “Even the best authentication method is useless when its data are not monitored,” said Dr. Jordan. “Our brand monitoring system, BMS addresses exactly this problem through a lightweight, centralized, real-time server that collects, prepares, and presents global authentication statistics.” In addition to providing valuable information related to counterfeiting and product tampering, the platform makes authentication management very simple. “It is for instance possible to render a stolen authentication device useless with a simple click,” explained Dr. Jordan. Any software-driven authentication device can be connected to the platform. This includes iPhone and Android-based smartphones, barcode and QR code reading systems and similar. BMS can be hosted locally or remotely and utilizes a Microsoft Windows-based open-web API for third-party integration of smartphone-based QC and SDK authentication tools.