Radio frequency certificates of authenticity
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- embedding a scattering agent in a fixative, wherein the embedded scattering agent is fixed in a unique 3-dimensional physical arrangement that reflects, refracts, scatters, reradiates, and induces radio frequency energy;
attaching the scattering agent to a physical object;
reading the embedded scattering agent, wherein the reading includes;
exposing the scattering agent to radio frequency energy, receiving reflected and refracted radio frequency energy from the scattering agent, and deriving a digital fingerprint of the unique physical arrangement from the reflected and refracted radio frequency energy;
combining the digital fingerprint with information associated with the physical object; and
using the digital fingerprint to authenticate the information associated with the physical object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Radio frequency certificates of authenticity (RFCOAs) are presented. In one implementation, a scattering agent is attached to an object to provide a reproducible radio frequency (RF) fingerprint that can be used to authenticate a tag or a seal for the object. In one implementation, the RF fingerprint is measured and digitized, combined with information associated with the object to which the RFCOA is attached, and stored in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system associated with the RFCOA. A scanner receives the fingerprint and the information and authenticates the information by comparing the fingerprint against a new fingerprint obtained from the object.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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embedding a scattering agent in a fixative, wherein the embedded scattering agent is fixed in a unique 3-dimensional physical arrangement that reflects, refracts, scatters, reradiates, and induces radio frequency energy;
attaching the scattering agent to a physical object;
reading the embedded scattering agent, wherein the reading includes;
exposing the scattering agent to radio frequency energy, receiving reflected and refracted radio frequency energy from the scattering agent, and deriving a digital fingerprint of the unique physical arrangement from the reflected and refracted radio frequency energy;
combining the digital fingerprint with information associated with the physical object; and
using the digital fingerprint to authenticate the information associated with the physical object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An authentication system, comprising:
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a radio frequency certificate of authenticity, including;
a scattering agent consisting of pieces of material for reflecting and refracting radio frequency energy, and a fixative for immobilizing the pieces of material into a unique 3-dimensional physical structure, wherein the scattering agent and fixative are attached to a physical object; and
a reader for detecting a unique pattern of reflected and refracted radio frequency energy and for determining a fingerprint associated with the unique pattern. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system, comprising:
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means for reproducibly deriving multiple copies of a fingerprint from radio frequency energy scattered from a physical object;
means for associating information about the physical object with a first fingerprint from the physical object;
means for receiving the first fingerprint and the associated information about the physical object; and
means for authenticating the information by deriving a second fingerprint from the physical object and comparing the second fingerprint with the received first fingerprint.
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Specification