Methods and apparatus for authenticating articles with luminescent phosphor compounds
First Claim
1. A method for authenticating an article, the method comprising the steps of:
- exposing an area of the article to exciting radiation, wherein the area of the article includes a phosphor compound that emits detectable radiation at a plurality of wavelengths and wherein the phosphor compound comprises an emitting ion and a host crystal lattice material;
detecting emitted radiation from the area of the article in a first band and in a second band that does not overlap the first band, wherein the first band corresponds with a first emission sub-band of the emitting ion within the phosphor compound, and the second band corresponds with a second emission sub-band of the emitting ion within the phosphor compound;
calculating a comparison value that represents a mathematical relationship between a first intensity of the emitted radiation in the first band with a second intensity of the emitted radiation in the second band; and
determining whether the comparison value compares favorably with an authentication parameter.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for article authentication include an exciting radiation generator that exposes an area of the article to exciting radiation, and at least two radiation detectors that detect emitted radiation from the area in a first band and in a second band that does not overlap the first band. The first band corresponds with a first emission sub-band of an emitting ion, and the second band corresponds with a second emission sub-band of the same emitting ion. A processing system calculates a comparison value that represents a mathematical relationship (e.g., a ratio) between a first intensity of the emitted radiation in the first band with a second intensity of the emitted radiation in the second band, and determines whether the comparison value compares favorably with an authentication parameter. When the comparison value compares favorably with the authentication parameter, the article is identified as being authentic.
9 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for authenticating an article, the method comprising the steps of:
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exposing an area of the article to exciting radiation, wherein the area of the article includes a phosphor compound that emits detectable radiation at a plurality of wavelengths and wherein the phosphor compound comprises an emitting ion and a host crystal lattice material; detecting emitted radiation from the area of the article in a first band and in a second band that does not overlap the first band, wherein the first band corresponds with a first emission sub-band of the emitting ion within the phosphor compound, and the second band corresponds with a second emission sub-band of the emitting ion within the phosphor compound; calculating a comparison value that represents a mathematical relationship between a first intensity of the emitted radiation in the first band with a second intensity of the emitted radiation in the second band; and determining whether the comparison value compares favorably with an authentication parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification