Article vending machine and method for authenticating received articles
First Claim
1. An article rental machine for authenticating a returned article comprising a machine-readable authentication code forming a first layer on a surface of the returned article, and a second layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code, the article rental machine comprising:
- a receptacle for receiving the returned article;
an infrared light source configured to illuminate the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in an infrared spectrum;
an article sensor in communication with the infrared light source, wherein the article sensor detects a presence of the returned article and causes the infrared light source to illuminate;
an image capture device configured to capture a digital image of the authentication code while the surface of the returned article is illuminated, wherein the authentication code is comprised of a carbon-containing ink visible in the infrared spectrum, and the second layer is comprised of a substantially carbon-free ink; and
a processor in communication with the image capture device, wherein the processor is configured to identify the authentication code from the digital image and to compare the authentication code to a master authentication code.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article dispensing machine, system and method for authenticating an article returned to the article dispensing machine and an article for use in such a machine and system. The article dispensing machine comprises an infrared light for illuminating the surface of the returned article, an image capture device for capturing the image of an authentication code on the returned article, and a processor for comparing the captured image to a master authentication code. The returned article comprises the authentication code printed in a carbon-containing ink and a substantially carbon free ink portion printed overtop of and at least partially concealing the authentication code, such that the authentication code is not visible in white light, but becomes visible when exposed to infrared light.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An article rental machine for authenticating a returned article comprising a machine-readable authentication code forming a first layer on a surface of the returned article, and a second layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code, the article rental machine comprising:
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a receptacle for receiving the returned article; an infrared light source configured to illuminate the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in an infrared spectrum; an article sensor in communication with the infrared light source, wherein the article sensor detects a presence of the returned article and causes the infrared light source to illuminate; an image capture device configured to capture a digital image of the authentication code while the surface of the returned article is illuminated, wherein the authentication code is comprised of a carbon-containing ink visible in the infrared spectrum, and the second layer is comprised of a substantially carbon-free ink; and a processor in communication with the image capture device, wherein the processor is configured to identify the authentication code from the digital image and to compare the authentication code to a master authentication code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for authenticating a returned article at an article rental machine, the returned article comprising a machine-readable authentication code forming a first layer on a surface of the returned article, and a second layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code, the article rental machine comprising a receptacle, an article sensor, an infrared light source, an image capture device, and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a presence of the returned article via the article sensor; responsive to detecting the presence, illuminating the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in an infrared spectrum via the infrared light source; while the surface of the returned article is illuminated, capturing an image of the authentication code on the surface of the returned article with the image capture device to create a captured image, wherein the authentication code is comprised of a carbon-containing ink visible in the infrared spectrum, and the second layer is comprised of a substantially carbon-free ink; reading, by the processor, the authentication code from the captured image; and authenticating the authentication code. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for receiving a returned article at an article rental machine, the returned article comprising an authentication code forming a first layer on a surface of the returned article, a second layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code, and an article identifier, the article rental machine comprising an opening, an article sensor, an infrared light source, an image capture device, and a processor, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a presence of the returned article via the article sensor; responsive to detecting the presence, illuminating the surface of the returned article with radiation in an infrared spectrum via the infrared light source; while the surface of the retruned article is illuminated, capturing an image of the authentication code and the article identifier on the surface of the returned article with the image capture device to create a captured image, wherein the authentication code is comprised of a carbon-containing ink visible in the infrared spectrum and the second layer is comprised of a substantially carbon-free ink; reading, by the processor, the authentication code and the article identifier from the captured image; and authenticating the authentication code. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification