Abstract: A unique secured product identification method, system, and apparatus for product such as precious gemstones prevent counterfeiting by incorporating a marked product with fake identification (ID) mark or fake barcode. Authentication process requires at least two identifying data sets, an overt mark or overt data and covert data. The overt data may be a unique product identifier like a barcode. Covert data may be any additional data derived from the specific product. Additional data points come from a created data point not originally part of the product, or a unique data point already existing in the product but not existing in any other similar product. Product is authenticated when the combination of data sets compared to original data sets creates positive product identification. Authentication may be done with centralized, or de-centralized databases. A partially or non-automated method may be implemented, for example, where a barcode links to a database.

Abstract: A unique secured product identification method, system, and apparatus for product such as precious gemstones prevent counterfeiting by incorporating a marked product with fake identification (ID) mark or fake barcode. Authentication process requires at least two identifying data sets, an overt mark or overt data and covert data. The overt data may be a unique product identifier like a barcode. Covert data may be any additional data derived from the specific product. Additional data points come from a created data point not originally part of the product, or a unique data point already existing in the product but not existing in any other similar product. Product is authenticated when the combination of data sets compared to original data sets creates positive product identification. Authentication may be done with centralized, or de-centralized databases. A partially or non-automated method may be implemented, for example, where a barcode links to a database.

Abstract: Incident light enters a faceted gemstone and is routed along optical paths to exit the gemstone as emergent light. At least one diffraction grating is patterned on the gemstone in an asymmetrical manner relative to an axis of symmetry. The diffraction grating has a diffractive structure positioned on at least one facet for diffracting the light being routed along at least one of the optical paths to enhance color dispersion of the emergent light. The diffraction grating is the only diffraction grating to diffract the light being routed along the at least one optical path to diminish haze of the emergent light.

Abstract: A security mark is produced on a micro-porous, synthetic paper, structure by changing light transmission properties of light pathways through the structure. The security mark is visible when the structure is illuminated.

Abstract: A security mark is produced on a micro-porous, synthetic paper, structure by changing light transmission properties of light pathways through the structure. The security mark is visible when the structure is illuminated.

Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, accurately determining at least one optical property, such as coverage and/or symmetry, of a gemstone, employ an energizable, stationary light source for directing light rays at different orientations to an uncovered table of the gemstone, and an energizable, stationary backlight spaced away from a culet of the gemstone. A controller energizes the light source to generate return light from the gemstone for each light ray, and energizes the backlight to illuminate the gemstone from behind. An imager images the return light as a plurality of frontlit images, and images the backlit gemstone as a backlit image. The controller processes at least one of the images to determine the optical property of the gemstone.

Abstract: A microdot tag for identifying a product, includes a substrate having a miniature marking portion for application to the product, and a handle portion larger in size than the marking portion to enable a user to manually hold the tag by the handle portion. A microdot containing indicia for identifying the product is applied on the marking portion. A frangible portion on the substrate between the marking portion and the handle portion, is provided for enabling the handle portion to be and remain attached to the marking portion during the application of the marking portion to the product, and for detaching the handle portion from the marking portion after the application of the marking portion to the product.

Abstract: A microdot tag for identifying a product, includes a substrate having a miniature marking portion for application to the product, and a handle portion larger in size than the marking portion to enable a user to manually hold the tag by the handle portion. A microdot containing indicia for identifying the product is applied on the marking portion. A frangible portion on the substrate between the marking portion and the handle portion, is provided for enabling the handle portion to be and remain attached to the marking portion during the application of the marking portion to the product, and for detaching the handle portion from the marking portion after the application of the marking portion to the product.

Abstract: Diamonds are marked by applying apertured stencils bearing identifying indicia to the girdles, applying a fusible coating material over the apertured stencils, and then heating the coating material to fuse the material on the girdles. The stencils can be eliminated, and the indicia can be formed by directing a source of radiant energy at the coating material, and by moving the source and/or the girdle relative to each other.

Abstract: Non-destructive analysis of a residue of a coating applied to a marked object is performed to authenticate the object.

Abstract: Material is removed from objects to be marked or machined by applying tools having cutouts arranged in a pattern on the objects, filling the cutouts with abrasive particles, pouring a molten metal over the tools to solidify as a backing, and then ultrasonically vibrating the backing to propel the abrasive particles through the cutouts to transfer the pattern to the objects.

Abstract: Material is removed from objects to be marked or machined by applying tools having cutouts arranged in a pattern on the objects, filling the cutouts with abrasive particles, pouring a molten metal over the tools to solidify as a backing, and then ultrasonically vibrating the backing to propel the abrasive particles through the cutouts to transfer the pattern to the objects.

Abstract: Diamonds are marked by a laser beam having a characteristic that is changeable by positioning a selected aperture in the beam within a resonant cavity of a laser source. Guidelines are positioned in advance on the diamonds, and the marking is subsequently performed between the guidelines.

Abstract: Diamonds are marked by applying apertured stencils bearing identifying indicia to the girdles, applying a fusible coating material over the apertured stencils, and then heating the coating material to fuse the material on the girdles. The stencils can be eliminated, and the indicia can be formed by directing a source of radiant energy at the coating material, and by moving the source and/or the girdle relative to each other.

Abstract: Diamonds are marked by applying apertured stencils bearing identifying indicia to the girdles, applying a fusible coating material over the apertured stencils, and then heating the coating material to fuse the material on the girdles. The stencils can be eliminated, and the indicia can be formed by directing a source of radiant energy at the coating material, and by moving the source and/or the girdle relative to each other.

Abstract: A biodegradable micro particle for tagging food is disclosed. The particle may be of irregular or regular shape and carries optically recognizable indicia on it.

Abstract: Diamonds are marked by applying apertured tapes bearing identifying indicia to the girdles, applying a flammable layer over the apertured tapes, and then igniting the flammable layer to burn the indicia into the girdles. Preferably, the flammable layer is prepackaged within the apertured tapes.

Abstract: Cells of a liquid crystal device are switched between transparent and dark states or, alternatively, reflectors of a microelectromechanical system are switched between tilted states, to form a marking pattern and control the transmission of a laser beam to an object to be marked.

Abstract: A substrate is marked by applying a high melting point material over a lower surface of the substrate, and then heating the material layer. Indicia are formed by directing a source of radiant energy through the substrate for impingement on the material layer, and by moving the source and/or the substrate relative to each other.

Abstract: Material is removed from objects to be marked or machined by applying apertured masks having cutouts arranged in a pattern on the objects, applying a liquid mixture of abrasive particles over the masks, and then ultrasonically vibrating the mixture to propel the abrasive particles through the cutouts to transfer the pattern to the objects.