Abstract: A method of authenticating an object (12) includes applying indicia (14) to the object, wherein the indicia includes at least two different types of particles which fluoresce upon exposure to light (15) and which have different decay rates. The indicia is exposed to light from a lamp (32) causing the plurality of particles to fluoresce. At least a first image of the indicia is captured with a sensor (22) at a first time and a second image of the indicia at a second time different from the first time. The images are analyzed to determine decay rates of the at least two types of particles and object is authenticated if the decay rates match stored information.

Abstract: A method of distributing content using a smartphone (110) includes capturing an image of a machine-readable (102) code with the smartphone. The machine-readable code (102) is decoded to extract information which is transmitted from the smartphone (110) to a server computer (130). The information or content associated with the information from the server computer (130) is transmitted to a local computer (120) and the content associated with the information, or the information is displayed (150) on the local computer (120).

Abstract: A method of detecting UV-light-fluorescent indicia (14) with a camera (18) having a flash (20) and a sensor (22) includes mounting a visible-to-UV light conversion device (24) over the flash, activating the camera to initiate a visible-light flash exposure, converting visible light (17) from the flash to UV light (16) with the conversion device, and capturing a visible-light image of the indicia with the sensor on the camera.

Abstract: A system for detecting UV-light-fluorescent indicia (14) with a camera (18) includes a camera flash (20) that emits visible light, a conversion device (24) mounted over the camera flash that converts the emitted visible light (17) to UV light (16), and a sensor that captures a visible-light image of the indicia after the indicia is exposed to the UV light.

Abstract: A system for authenticating an object (12) includes an object having fluorescent indicia (14), wherein the indicia includes at least two different types of particles which fluoresce upon exposure to light (15) and which have different decay rates, a lamp (32) for exposing the indicia to light and causing the plurality of particles to fluoresce, a sensor (22) for capturing at least a first image of the indicia at a first time and a second image of the indicia at a second time different from the first time, means for analyzing the images to determine decay rates of the at least two types of particles, and means for authenticating the object if the decay rates match stored information.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object (12) includes applying indicia (14) to the object, wherein the indicia includes at least two different types of particles which fluoresce upon exposure to light (15) and which have different decay rates. The indicia is exposed to light from a lamp (32) causing the plurality of particles to fluoresce. At least a first image of the indicia is captured with a sensor (22) at a first time and a second image of the indicia at a second time different from the first time. The images are analyzed to determine decay rates of the at least two types of particles and object is authenticated if the decay rates match stored information.

Abstract: A system of authenticating an item with a security mark includes a substrate (100); wherein the security mark is printed on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink (102); a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish (104) applied over the security mark and substrate; wherein an area comprising the security mark and coating with is illuminated with UV light; wherein a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark is identified; wherein the reduced fluorescence image is compared with the security mark; and wherein the item is authenticated if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an item with a security mark includes providing a substrate (100); printing the security mark on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink (102); applying a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish (104) over the security mark and substrate; illuminating an area comprising the security mark and coating with UV light; identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark; comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.

Abstract: A method for printing information on a substrate includes printing the information on a first surface of the substrate; and heating the substrate causing at least a portion of the printed information to migrate to a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for authenticating an object that includes providing a label (12) with invisible indicia (14) printed with optically active material on a reflective substrate; providing a device that has a digital camera (18) having a light source (20), an image sensor (22), a first polarizing filter (24) having a first orientation, and a second polarizing filter (26) having a second orientation; illuminating the label with the light from the light source through the first polarizing filter; forming an image with the image sensor using reflected light from the label wherein the reflected light passes through the second polarizing filter prior to reaching the sensor; wherein the second polarizing filter makes the invisible indicia visible; and authenticating the object.

Abstract: A system for authenticating an object includes a label (12) with invisible indicia (14) on the object which rotates a polarization of incident light; a digital camera (18) having a light source (20), an image sensor (22), a first polarizing filter (24) having a first orientation, and a second polarizing filter (26) having a second orientation orthogonal to the first orientation; illuminating the label with light from the light source through the first linear polarizer; forming an image with the image sensor using reflected light from the label wherein the reflected light passes through the second polarizer prior to reaching the sensor; wherein the second linear polarizer makes the invisible indicia visible; and authenticating the object.

Abstract: A method for detecting reorigination of barcodes (12) includes providing a multisegment barcode which contains data; capturing an image of the multisegment barcode; locating the barcode in the image; decoding the barcode; detecting individual segments in the multisegment barcode; and authenticating the barcode if the individual segments match the original barcode.

Abstract: A method for printing information on a substrate includes printing the information on a first surface of the substrate; and heating the substrate causing at least a portion of the printed information to migrate to a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system for printing information on a substrate includes a printer for printing the information on a first surface of the substrate; and a heater for heating the substrate causing at least a portion of the printed information to migrate to a second surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system of authenticating an item with a security mark includes a substrate (100); wherein the security mark is printed on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink (102); a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish (104) applied over the security mark and substrate; wherein an area comprising the security mark and coating with is illuminated with UV light; wherein a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark is identified; wherein the reduced fluorescence image is compared with the security mark; and wherein the item is authenticated if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an item with a security mark includes providing a substrate (100); printing the security mark on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink (102); applying a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish (104) over the security mark and substrate; illuminating an area comprising the security mark and coating with UV light; identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark; comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.

Abstract: A method of enabling an authenticating device (10) includes providing an enabling target (17); measuring one or more attributes of the enabling target with the authenticating device; comparing at least one measured attribute with a predetermined expected value; enabling the authenticating device when the at least one measured attribute matches the predetermined expected value; and operating the authenticating device.

Abstract: A system for detecting reproduction of barcodes (12) includes providing a barcode which contains data; providing a copy-evident background (14); capturing an image of the barcode and the copy-evident background; locating and decoding the barcode; detecting copy introduced changes in the copy-evident background; and authenticating the barcode if the copy-evident background has not been copied.

Abstract: A method for locating an electronic apparatus, the method includes identifying a mobile communication device that is proximate the electronic apparatus; receiving location information embedded in an image file by the mobile communication device and transferred from the mobile communication device; and storing the location information in the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: A method for detecting reproduction of barcodes (12) includes providing a barcode which contains data; providing a copy-evident background (14); capturing an image of the barcode and the copy-evident background; locating and decoding the barcode; detecting copy introduced changes in the copy-evident background; and authenticating the barcode if the copy-evident background has not been copied.