Methods for identification and verification using digital equivalent data system
First Claim
1. A method for authenticating an object, comprising:
- placing a taggant in a portion of an object;
causing the taggant to radiate an x-ray that penetrates through the portion of the object;
analyzing through that portion whether the x-ray has a specific energy signature; and
converting that energy signature into a portion of a direct part marking symbol.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods in which one or more elemental taggants that are extrinsically placed in an object are detected by x-ray fluorescence analysis to identify or authenticate the object are described. The taggant is manufactured as part of the object or the taggant is placed into a coating, packaging, label, or otherwise embedded onto the object for the purpose of later verifying the presence or absence of these elements by x-ray fluorescence. The taggant is then analyzed by XRF and the analysis is then converted into a 2D symbol format that can be used in various security and authentication applications. By using x-ray fluorescence analysis, the apparatus and methods of the invention are simple and easy to use, without the limitations experience by current anti-counterfeiting technologies.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for authenticating an object, comprising:
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placing a taggant in a portion of an object;
causing the taggant to radiate an x-ray that penetrates through the portion of the object;
analyzing through that portion whether the x-ray has a specific energy signature; and
converting that energy signature into a portion of a direct part marking symbol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for tracking an object, comprising:
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placing a taggant in a portion of an object;
causing the taggant to radiate an x-ray that penetrates through the portion of the object;
analyzing through that portion whether the x-ray has a specific energy signature; and
converting that energy signature into a portion of a direct part marking symbol. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for authenticating an object, comprising:
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placing a taggant in a portion of an object;
impinging an x-ray on the taggant to cause the taggant to radiate an x-ray;
analyzing whether the x-ray has a specific energy signature; and
converting that energy signature into a portion of a 2D symbol. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. The method of 11, wherein there is a plurality of taggants and the energy signatures from the plurality forms the 2D symbol.
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15. An x-ray fluorescence device, comprising
an x-ray source; -
an x-ray detector; and
means for converting an x-ray energy signature into a portion of a direct part marking symbol. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An authentification system containing an x-ray fluorescence device, the device comprising:
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an x-ray source;
an x-ray detector; and
means for converting an x-ray energy signature into a portion of a direct part marking symbol. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification