First-order authentication system

• US 6,470,093 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Angstrom Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Angstrom Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Liang, Louis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johns, Andrew W.
• Application Number:
  US09/819,910
• Publication Number:
  US 20010014169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/112, 382/135, 340/5.1, 340/5.8, 340/5.86, 250/559.39, 356/71
• US Class Current: 382/135
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/143 Sensing or illuminating at different wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/128 Viewing devices

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.

Claims

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.

2. An apparatus for authentication of articles marked with indicia, comprising:

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.

3. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said source of radiation is contained in said housing.

4. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said source of radiation is attached to said housing.

5. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said receptor is an integral part of said housing.

6. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said receptor is removable from said housing.

7. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said receptor is interchangeable.

8. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said receptor has a size and shape adapted for accommodating various articles of a predetermined set of articles.

9. An authentication system as in claim 2, wherein said receptor has a size and shape uniquely designed for a specific article.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said indicia are visible under illumination with visible-spectrum radiation, and said source of radiation comprises a source of said visible-spectrum radiation.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said indicia are visible only under illumination with invisible radiation, and said source of radiation comprises a source of said invisible radiation.

12. An authentication system as in claim 11, wherein said source of said invisible radiation is a source of ultraviolet light.

13. An authentication system as in claim 12, wherein said source of ultraviolet light is a black light lamp.

14. An authentication system as in claim 11, wherein said source of said invisible radiation is a source of infrared light.

19. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is part of said housing.

20. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is removable from the housing.

21. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is interchangeable.

22. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is adapted for accommodating various samples.

23. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is uniquely designed for a specific sample.

24. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is stationary.

25. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder is movable.

26. An authentication system as in claim 5, wherein said reference-standard sample-specimen holder holds a transparent sample specimen for superimposing said sample specimen over said article.

15. An apparatus for authentication of articles marked with indicia invisible under illumination with radiation in a predetermined spectral range, said apparatus comprising:

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, wherein said means for comparing said article with a reference standard includes a reference-standard sample-specimen holder.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said source emits radiation at least partially in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

17. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said source emits radiation at least partially in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

18. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said source emits radiation at least partially in the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

27. An apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said means for comparing said article with a reference standard includes a viewing window.

28. An authentication system as in claim 27, wherein said viewing window comprises an opening.

29. An authentication system as in claim 27, wherein said viewing window comprises an optical filter.

30. An authentication system as in claim 27, wherein said viewing window includes a magnifying glass.

31. An authentication system as in claim 27, wherein said viewing window includes one or more infrared (IR) bandpass filters.

32. An authentication system as in claim 27, wherein said viewing window comprises an infrared (IR) viewer.

33. 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.

34. An authentication system as recited in claim 33, further comprising a reference-sample specimen disposed on said reference-sample specimen holder for comparison with said article.

35. An authentication system as recited in claim 34, wherein said reference-sample specimen comprises one or more visible examples of genuine authentication features.

36. An authentication system as in claim 34, further comprising optical means for displaying a split image comprising a first image portion of said article and a second image portion of a reference-sample specimen disposed on said reference-sample specimen holder.

37. An authentication system as in claim 36, wherein said means for displaying a split image comprises a mirror.

38. An authentication system as in claim 36, wherein said optical means for displaying a split image comprises a half-silvered mirror.

39. An authentication system as in claim 36, wherein said optical means for displaying a split image comprises a prism.

40. An authentication system as in claim 36, wherein said optical means for displaying a split image comprises a beam splitter.

41. An authenticated system as in claim 33, wherein said excitation source of said radiation is modulated.

42. An authentication system as in claim 41, wherein said excitation source of said radiation is modulated at a frequency and duty cycle perceptible to a human viewer.

43. An authentication system as in claim 33, further comprising optical means for superposing upon said article and in at least partial alignment with said article, an image of a reference-sample specimen disposed on said reference-sample specimen holder.

44. An authentication system as in claim 33, wherein said authentication system is portable.