Abstract: An authenticable and machine readable coating for pills, tablets and other ingestible materials is provided. The disclosure also relates to methods of authenticating the same. The coatings are formed from a lattice of particles stacked to cause selective diffraction such that each pill or tablet has an optical signature. The signature associated with each coating can be read and authenticated. In one embodiment, the particles are substantially spherical and self-organized. In one embodiment, generally recognized as safe (GRAS) materials are used to form the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed are security articles and methods and systems for authenticating security articles using a plurality of stimuli. According to one embodiment, an illustrative security feature includes activation of phosphorescent or fluorescent materials by the simultaneous presence of a source of electromagnetic radiation and a specific gas environment. A detector detects a spectral emission of the security feature that results from the change in gas environment. The spectral emission may be compared to an expected emissive signature to determine authenticity of the security article.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a covert security marking for items such as documents, packaging, credit cards, and other valuable goods to combat the steady increase in forgery, counterfeiting, and other fraudulent activities is presented. A spectrally narrow, near infrared ink system serves as the basis of a covert security feature for items of value. Alternatively, or in combination, metal oxides having a substantially narrow absorption band and a maximum absorption wavelength of electromagnetic radiation in the near infrared range are also utilized.

Abstract: Articles and methods for manufacturing security articles include ultraviolet absorptive materials disposed above and below an emissive security taggant that prevent excitation of the taggant itself at certain shorter ultraviolet wavelengths, rendering the article secure from detection by normal or conventional means.

Abstract: Systems and methods for document and product authentication using a variety of absorption and emission signatures are disclosed. Emission signatures in the form of florescent or phosphorescent coatings, inks and substrates are used for authentication and protection of items such as documents, currency, and secondary packaging for tobacco, luxury goods and pharmaceuticals. Spectrally overlapping absorption and emission materials are combined to provide a unique spectral fingerprint detectable by a scanner.

Abstract: A magnetically addressable bistable film includes a polymeric substrate impregnated with polymeric microcapsules that contain liquid-suspended magnetically orientable or magnetophoretic material. The material is subject to reorientation either in the plane or perpendicular to the plane of the film, as well to forces of attraction, due to an external magnetic field. The two states provide sufficient difference in light reflectivity to create visible contrast by addressing the film locally, either on a pixel-by-pixel basis or by spatially patterning the driving magnetic field itself. The congregation of magnetophoretic materials in one portion of the microcapsule may also provide sufficient difference in light reflectivity to create visible contrast.

Abstract: A marking system that includes forming at least one marking in or on an article, wherein the image formed is not visible to the unaided human observer, and further contains at least one digital watermark. The digitally watermarked image comprises emissive and photoabsorptive portions. The digitally watermarked image is applied using a substance reactive to a predetermined excitation source, and exposure to ultraviolet light. Other traditional techniques, such as printing with fluorescent inks may be used in combination. The digitally watermarked image is subsequently observable upon exposure to the predetermined excitation source. The digitally watermarked image may be observed and decoded by appropriately configured detection systems, wherein the information obtained may be used for purposes including, but not limited to, authentication and security of the article or information contained within the article.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using microscopic capsules containing orientable materials for document security and processing applications are presented. A security application comprising a medium having a substrate and a plurality of microcapsules is disclosed. The microcapsules contain magnetically orientable material and a liquid. The magnetically orientable material is oriented in a first alignment. Application of a magnetic field to the medium orients the magnetically orientable material to a second alignment, thereby altering the opacity of the medium. Magnetic material may also be dragged into a concentrated arrangement by a magnetic field, thereby altering the opacity of the medium.

Abstract: Optical media having markings that are non-interfering, or substantially non-interfering with readout of data from the optical media are disclosed. The optical media make use of certain formulations of color forming coatings described herein. Protective coatings used to enhance the color forming coatings are also presented. Methods for incorporating the coatings into the optical media are included. In preferred embodiments, the marking is formed in a photosensitive coating that is applied to the optical media, and then cured with a first light. A second light, having a substantially separate band of wavelengths from the first light, is used to image a marking into the coating. The coating is robust to many external influences, such as ambient environmental conditions, and physical wear.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for providing markings upon objects, including the read side of an optical information media, where the markings do not substantially interfere with object, including the use of the optical information media. This invention discloses use of a coating, marking schemes, printing of markings with UV light, as well as methods and apparatus for reading and deciphering said marking. Included is an authentication scheme, where the marking may be used as a lock to limit access to information contained in an optical information media.

Abstract: A marking system that includes forming at least one marking in or on an article, wherein the image formed is not visible to the unaided human observer, and further contains at least one digital watermark. The digitally watermarked image comprises emissive and photoabsorptive portions. The digitally watermarked image is applied using a substance reactive to a predetermined excitation source, and exposure to ultraviolet light. Other traditional techniques, such as printing with fluorescent inks may be used in combination. The digitally watermarked image is subsequently observable upon exposure to the predetermined excitation source. The digitally watermarked image may be observed and decoded by appropriately configured detection systems, wherein the information obtained may be used for purposes including, but not limited to, authentication and security of the article or information contained within the article.

Abstract: A monolithic, side pumped, passively Q-switched, solid-state laser (10) includes a laser resonator structure (16) that includes a laser gain medium (12) having an output face bonded to a passive Q-switch (14). The gain medium (12) has a side face (12A) for receiving pump light. The pump light is preferably generated by a laser diode array (20). In a further embodiment, a non-linear optical material (22), such as frequency doubling KTP, is optically coupled to an output face of the Q-switch for providing output wavelength conversion. A method is also disclosed for fabricating the monolithic, side pumped, passively Q-switched, solid-state laser. Techniques are included for providing compensation from thermal aberrations during operation of the laser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for use with an object bearing a digitally watermarked image. The method includes operating a device, such as a hand-held device, to generate digital data representing the digitally watermarked image and to process the digital data to extract information encoded within the digitally watermarked image. The method further includes transmitting the extracted information through at least one of a wired or a wireless communication link towards a data processor located external to the hand-held device; receiving the extracted information at the data processor and operating the data processor to take some action based on the received information. The data processor receives the extracted information through a data communications network which may include or be coupled to the Internet. The extracted information may be expressive of a data communications network address, such as a WWW address, through which the data processor can be reached.

Abstract: A solid state Raman laser includes a laser pump for producing a first radiation at a high power and at a first wavelength along an optical path, a solid Raman active medium in the optical path of the first radiation, the medium including single crystal diamond having a first surface and a second surface, where the first radiation at a high power produces stimulated Raman scattering in the medium and the medium generates a second radiation at a second wavelength, a first optical element in the optical path of the first radiation, wherein the first optical element allows the first wavelength to be transmitted and allows the second wavelength to be reflected, and a second optical element in the optical path of the first radiation, wherein the second optical element allows the first wavelength to be transmitted and allows the second wavelength to be reflected.

Abstract: Thermochromic compositions that include combinations of at least one color former and at least one Lewis acid in a polymer mixture are disclosed. The thermochromic compositions reversibly change appearance from substantially transparent to substantially non-transparent above a lower critical solution temperature.

Abstract: A method and a system is disclosed for affixing invisible or unobtrusive markings to mail pieces (4), and subsequently collecting information from the mail pieces for sorting purposes. The system includes the affixation of an optically contrasting layer (1) to a mail piece, the layer changing optically upon the application of a stimulus to present a contrasting background for imaging encoded information (3) applied over the layer and related to the mail piece.

Abstract: A marking system for use with a multi-spectral imager for use in high throughput sortation of articles having distorted or irregular surfaces is disclosed. Specific uses include, but are not limited to, document sorting, garment and textile rental operations, laundry operations, and mail and package sorting and identification. Methods and apparatus are provided to remotely identify items via information that is wavelength-encoded within an applied mark, as well as a mark reading/decoding scheme. In the preferred embodiment the marks are multi-dimensional. In one preferred embodiment the marks are used to realize multi-dimensional wavelength-enabled coding schemes. The marks can be overlayed one upon another and/or they can contain one or more key regions having at least one predetermined spectral characteristic for providing information related at least to reading and/or decoding the marks.

Abstract: A random laser system includes Critical Solution Temperature (CST) material, either a Lower CST (LCST) or an Upper CST (UCST) material, in combination with an optical gain medium, such as a laser dye. A laser-like emission is observed in response to optical pumping only when the CST material is in a scattering state. The random laser is suitable for being microencapsulated, and can be used for, as examples, remote temperature sending applications as well as for visual display applications.

Abstract: Optical media having markings that are non-interfering, or substantially non-interfering with readout of data from the optical media are disclosed. The optical media make use of certain formulations of color forming coatings described herein. Protective coatings used to enhance the color forming coatings are also presented. Methods for incorporating the coatings into the optical media are included. In preferred embodiments, the marking is formed in a photosensitive coating that is applied to the optical media, and then cured with a first light. A second light, having a substantially separate band of wavelengths from the first light, is used to image a marking into the coating. The coating is robust to many external influences, such as ambient environmental conditions, and physical wear.

Abstract: Thermochromic compositions that include combinations of at least one color former and at least one Lewis acid in a polymer mixture are disclosed. The thermochromic compositions reversibly change appearance from substantially transparent to substantially non-transparent above a lower critical solution temperature.