Method and apparatus for detecting and preventing counterfeiting
First Claim
1. A method for determining whether an object is genuine, comprising the steps of:
- measuring optical properties of the object at one or more locations with a probe, at least one of the one or more locations having a first region of material that is translucent or semitranslucent, wherein the measured optical properties include one or more properties not readily discernible from a visual inspection of the object, and wherein the probe includes at least one source that emits light on an outer surface of the object, wherein the probe includes at least one receiver that receives light from the object, wherein the measuring step generates optical characteristics data based on spectral characteristics of a second region of material that is under the first region of material; and
comparing the measured optical properties with recorded optical properties, wherein based on the comparison a determination is made whether the object is genuine.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of an object are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a data base. Such methods and implements are desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like.
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Citations
58 Claims
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1. A method for determining whether an object is genuine, comprising the steps of:
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measuring optical properties of the object at one or more locations with a probe, at least one of the one or more locations having a first region of material that is translucent or semitranslucent, wherein the measured optical properties include one or more properties not readily discernible from a visual inspection of the object, and wherein the probe includes at least one source that emits light on an outer surface of the object, wherein the probe includes at least one receiver that receives light from the object, wherein the measuring step generates optical characteristics data based on spectral characteristics of a second region of material that is under the first region of material; and
comparing the measured optical properties with recorded optical properties, wherein based on the comparison a determination is made whether the object is genuine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for determining whether an object is genuine, comprising the steps of:
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measuring optical properties of the object at one or more locations with a probe, at least one of the one or more locations having a first region of material that is translucent or semitranslucent, wherein the measured optical properties include a plurality of measurements including at least a first measurement when the probe is a first distance from the object and at least a second measurement when the probe is a second distance from the object and at least one measurement based on spectral characteristics of a second region of material that is under the first region of material; and
comparing the measured optical properties with recorded optical properties, wherein based on the comparison a determination is made whether the object is genuine. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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Specification