First-order authentication system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for authentication of an article, comprising:
- a) a housing, b) a receptor within said housing for receiving and supporting said article during authentication, and c) a removable reference-standard sample-specimen disposed for juxtaposition with said article for comparison during authentication.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system (10) is provided for performing first order authentication of articles marked with indicia (30) discernible in visible, ultraviolet, or infrared light or tagged with UV- or IR-sensitive chemicals. The first-order authentication system provides reliable visual authentication by providing for juxtaposition of the article-under-test (20) with a known reference-standard sample-specimen (90, 100, or 300), while the article-under-test (20) is illuminated by a suitable source (65 or 250) of radiation in the visible, ultraviolet, or infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Thus, the system (10) facilitates comparison to differentiate a genuine article from a counterfeit article with first-order accuracy but at a substantially lower cost than that of automated authentication systems. Additionally, the system can be used in both portable and desk top embodiments. The system preferably has optional interchangeable holders (140 or 400) for various articles-under-test as well as an optional interchangeable holder (115) for various reference-standard sample-specimens. Some embodiments utilize structures incorporating split-image optics (200), superposed-image optics, and/or a blink-comparator.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. An apparatus for authentication of an article, comprising:
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a) a housing, b) a receptor within said housing for receiving and supporting said article during authentication, and c) a removable reference-standard sample-specimen disposed for juxtaposition with said article for comparison during authentication.
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2. An apparatus for authentication of articles marked with indicia, comprising:
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a) a housing, b) a source of radiation disposed within said housing, c) a receptor within said housing for receiving said article and for supporting said article in a position to be illuminated by said radiation during authentication, and d) a removable reference-standard sample-specimen disposed for juxtaposition with said article for comparison with said indicia on said article during authentication. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for authentication of articles marked with indicia visible under illumination with radiation in a predetermined spectral range, said apparatus comprising:
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a) a housing, b) a source of said radiation disposed within said housing, c) a receptor within said housing for receiving said article and for supporting said article in a position to be illuminated by said radiation during authentication, and d) means for comparing said article with a reference standard. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 42, 43)
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- 34. An authentication system for distinguishing a genuine article from a counterfeit article, said authentication system comprising a housing, an excitation source capable of emitting radiation in a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, an article receptor disposed to hold an article for illumination by said excitation source, and a reference-sample specimen holder disposed in juxtaposition with said article receptor.
Specification