Automated verification systems and methods for use with optical interference devices

• US 6,473,165 B1
• Filed: 01/21/2000
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Flex Products Incorporated (Sicpa Holding SA)
• Inventors: Cardell, Ken D., Hruska, Curtis R., Coombs, Paul G., Markantes, Charles T., Friedrich, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US09/489,453
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 356/21, 356/429, 356/445, 356/448, 356/364, 356/369, 356/365, 356/370, 356/366, 356/367, 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/225, 250/559.09, 250/559.04, 250/559.44, 250/550, 359/580, 359/585, 359/586, 359/589
• US Class Current: 356/71
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/1205 Testing spectral properties
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/121 Apparatus characterised by sensor details
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/205 Matching spectral properties
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10

Abstract

An automated verification system for authenticating an object having an optical security feature includes an optical system, a transport staging apparatus, and an analyzing device. The optical system includes one or more light sources that are capable of generating either narrowband or broadband light beams. The transport staging apparatus cooperates with the light sources and is configured to position the object such that one or more of the light beams strike a portion of the object where the security feature should be located. The analyzing device receives the light beams reflected or transmitted from the object and is adapted to analyze the optical characteristics of the light beams at varying angles and/or wavelengths to verify the authenticity of the object.

Claims

1. A system for verifying the authenticity of an object, comprising:

(a) at least one light source configured to direct an incident light beam toward an object to be authenticated;

(b) at least one optical detector configured to receive the light beam directed along a first optical path from the object where a color shifting optical interference security feature should be located, the optical detector adapted to measure the light beam over a range of spectral wavelengths to generate a spectral curve corresponding to the reflectance or transmittance spectra of the security feature; and

(c) a data analyzing device operatively connected to the optical detector and adapted to analyze the spectral curve generated by the optical detector to verify the authenticity of the object.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source generates a broadband light beam.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transport staging apparatus configured to position the object such that the incident light beam strikes a portion of the object where the color shifting optical interference security feature should be located.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the transport staging apparatus is configured to pass a plurality of objects past the light source.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical detector is selected from the group consisting of a spectrophotometer, a spectrograph, and combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical detector comprises a linear variable filter mounted to a linear diode array.

7. A system for verifying the authenticity of an object, comprising:

(a) at least one light source configured to direct at least one light beam at a first incident angle toward an object to be authenticated;

(b) a transport staging apparatus adapted to position the object such that the at least one light beam is incident on a portion of the object where a color shifting optical interference security feature should be located; and

(c) an analyzing apparatus adapted to analyze the electromagnetic spectrum of diffused light directed from the object to verify the authenticity of the object.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising an additional light source configured to direct an additional light beam at a second incident angle toward the object to be authenticated.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the analyzing apparatus comprises a diffuser and at least one image recording device in optical communication with the diffuser.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the analyzing apparatus further includes a data analyzing device operatively coupled to the image recording device and adapted to analyze the backscatter pattern of light incident upon the diffuser.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the diffuser comprises a planar diffuser.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the diffuser comprises a domed diffuser.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the analyzing apparatus comprises a diffuser and at least one detector array in optical communication with the diffuser.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the analyzing apparatus is adapted to analyze the color spectrum of diffused light directed from the object.

15. A system for verifying the authenticity of an object, comprising:

(a) at least one light source configured to direct at least one light beam at a first incident angle toward an object to be authenticated;

(b) a light collector adapted to collect the light beam directed along a first optical path from the object where a color shifting optical interference security feature should be located; and

(c) an analyzing apparatus operatively connected to the light collector and adapted to analyze the optical characteristics of the light beam directed from the object into the light collector to verify the authenticity of the object.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising an additional light source configured to direct an additional light beam at a second incident angle toward the object to be authenticated.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a transport staging apparatus adapted to position the object such that the light beam is incident on a portion of the object where an optical interference security feature should be located.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the analyzing apparatus comprises an optical detector and a data analyzing device.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the light collector has a hollow interior.

20. The system of claim wherein the light collector has a tapered configuration.

21. A system for verifying the authenticity of an object, comprising:

(a) at least one light source configured to direct at least one light beam at a first incident angle toward an object to be authenticated;

(b) a transport staging apparatus adapted to position the object such that the at least one light beam is incident on a portion of the object where an optical interference security feature should be located; and

(c) an analyzing apparatus adapted to analyze the electromagnetic spectrum of diffused light directed from the object to verify the authenticity of the object, the analyzing apparatus comprising a diffuser and at least one image recording device in optical communication with the diffuser.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the analyzing apparatus further includes a data analyzing device operatively coupled to the image recording device and adapted to analyze the backscatter pattern of light incident upon the diffuser.

23. A system for verifying the authenticity of an object, comprising:

(a) at least on light source configured to direct at least one light beam at a first incident angle toward an object to be authenticated;

(b) a transport staging apparatus adapted to position the object such that the at least one light beam is incident on a portion of the object where an optical interference security feature should be located; and

(c) an analyzing apparatus adapted to analyze the electromagnetic spectrum of diffused light directed from the object to verify the authenticity of the object, the analyzing apparatus comprising a diffuser and at least one detector array in optical communication with the diffuser.