Counterfeit-resistant materials and a method and apparatus for authenticating materials
First Claim
1. A method of authenticating media comprising:
- (a) emplacing in a random fashion a plurality of fluorescent dichroic indicators within or upon a media;
(b) precalibrating said media to establish data representing the positions, numerical density, spacial orientation and dichroic characteristics of the indicators and storing said data; and
(c) ascertaining the authenticity of said media by determining the presence or absence of one or more of said indicators and comparing such determinations with the established stored data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fluorescent dichroic fibers randomly incorporated within a media provide an improved method for authentication and counterfeiting protection. The dichroism is provided by an alignment of fluorescent molecules along the length of the fibers. The fluorescent fibers provide an authentication mechanism of varying levels of capability. The authentication signature depends on four parameters; the x,y position, the dichroism and the local environment. The availability of so many non-deterministic variables makes production of counterfeit articles (e.g., currency, credit cards, etc.) essentially impossible. Counterfeit-resistant articles, an apparatus for authenticating articles, and a process for forming counterfeit-resistant media are also provided.
59 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of authenticating media comprising:
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(a) emplacing in a random fashion a plurality of fluorescent dichroic indicators within or upon a media; (b) precalibrating said media to establish data representing the positions, numerical density, spacial orientation and dichroic characteristics of the indicators and storing said data; and (c) ascertaining the authenticity of said media by determining the presence or absence of one or more of said indicators and comparing such determinations with the established stored data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification