Article vending machine and method for authenticating received articles
First Claim
1. An article dispensing machine for authenticating a returned article, the article dispensing machine comprising:
- a receptacle for receiving the returned article, the returned article comprising an authentication code disposed on a surface of the returned article and a layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code;
an article sensor configured to detect a presence of the returned article;
a light source in communication with the article sensor and configured to illuminate the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined range in response to the article sensor detecting the presence of the returned article, wherein when the surface is illuminated, the authentication code is visible through the layer;
an image capture device configured to capture an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated; and
a processor in communication with the image capture device, wherein the processor is configured to identify the authentication code from the image and compare the authentication code that was identified 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 are disclosed herein. The returned article comprises an authentication code disposed on the surface of the returned article and a layer that is substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlays the authentication code. The article dispensing machine comprises a light source for illuminating the surface of the returned article so that the authentication code is visible through the layer, an image capture device for capturing an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated, and a processor for comparing the captured image to a master authentication code.
-
Citations
35 Claims
-
1. An article dispensing machine for authenticating a returned article, the article dispensing machine comprising:
-
a receptacle for receiving the returned article, the returned article comprising an authentication code disposed on a surface of the returned article and a layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code; an article sensor configured to detect a presence of the returned article; a light source in communication with the article sensor and configured to illuminate the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined range in response to the article sensor detecting the presence of the returned article, wherein when the surface is illuminated, the authentication code is visible through the layer; an image capture device configured to capture an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated; and a processor in communication with the image capture device, wherein the processor is configured to identify the authentication code from the image and compare the authentication code that was identified to a master authentication code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method of authenticating a returned article, the method comprising:
-
detecting, by an article sensor, a presence of the returned article via a receptacle, the returned article comprising an authentication code disposed on a surface of the returned article, and a layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code; illuminating, by a light source in response to the detecting by the article sensor, the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined range, wherein when the surface is illuminated, the authentication code is visible through the layer; capturing, by an image capture device, an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated; identifying, by a processor, the authentication code from the image; and comparing the authentication code that was identified to a master authentication code. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
-
-
17. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions, for execution on a computer processor and for performing steps for authenticating a returned article, the steps comprising:
-
detecting, by an article sensor, a receipt of the returned article via a receptacle, the returned article comprising an authentication code disposed on a surface of the returned article, and a layer substantially opaque in visible light and at least partially overlaying the authentication code; configuring a light source to illuminate, in response to the article sensor detecting the receipt of the returned article, the surface of the returned article with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined range, wherein when the surface is illuminated, the authentication code is visible through the layer; configuring an image capture device to capture an image of the authentication code when the surface is illuminated; identifying the authentication code from the image; and comparing the authentication code that was identified to a master authentication code. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
Specification