Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the production and labeling of objects in a manner suitable for the prevention and detection of counterfeiting. Thus, the system incorporates a variety of features that make unauthorized reproduction difficult. In addition, the present invention provides an efficient means for the production of labels and verification of authenticity, whereby a recording apparatus which includes a recording medium, having anisotrophic optical domains, along with a means for transferring a portion of the recording medium to a carrier, wherein a bulk portion of the recording medium has macroscopically detectable anisotrophic optical properties and the detecting apparatus thereon.

Abstract: An authentication system comprising a medium having a plurality of elements, the elements being distinctive, detectable and disposed in an irregular pattern or having an intrinsic irregularity. Each element is characterized by a determinable attribute distinct from a two-dimensional coordinate representation of simple optical absorption or simple optical reflection intensity. An attribute and position of the plurality of elements, with respect to a positional reference is detected. A processor generates an encrypted message including at least a portion of the attribute and position of the plurality of elements. The encrypted message is recorded in physical association with the medium. The elements are preferably dichroic fibers, and the attribute is preferably a polarization or dichroic axis, which may vary over the length of a fiber.

Abstract: An optical sensor comprising a focal plane, a toggle mirror and an electronics plane. The focal plane includes a multitude of unit cells; and each of the unit cells has a given surface area on the focal plane and includes an optical detector, a real pixel and at least one virtual pixel. The optical detector of each unit cell includes a detector surface that defines the real pixel of the unit cell, and the optical detectors of the sensor are spaced apart and the virtual pixels of the sensor are formed by the spaces between the optical detectors. The toggle mirror directs an image onto the focal plane and steps each of the pixels of the focal plane over one of the optical detectors so that those detectors generate electric signals representing the intensity of light incident on the pixels. The electronics plane of the sensor includes a multitude of electronic circuits and each of these circuits receives and amplifies the electric signals from a respective one of the optical detectors.

Abstract: An optical sensor and a method of operating an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a plurality of unit cells, a plurality of groups of optical detectors, an amplifier and a plurality of selection circuits. Each of the unit cells includes at least first and second pixels, and each group of optical detectors is associated with a respective one of the unit cells. Each group of detectors includes at least first and second detectors to generate first and second electric signals representing the intensity of light incident on, respectively, the first and second pixels of the associated unit cell. Each of the selection circuits is associated with a respective one of the groups of detectors for transmitting to the amplifier the electric signals from the associated group of detectors.

Abstract: An optical sensor and a method of operating an optical sensor. The sensor comprises a multitude of pixels, a multitude of optical detectors, an amplifier and a switching circuit. Each of the pixels includes an optical detector for generating an electric signal representing the intensity of light incident on the pixel. The switching circuit is electrically connected in series between the amplifier and the optical detectors for conducting the electric signals from the optical detectors to the amplifier in a predetermined manner. Preferably, the switching circuit includes a multitude of switches, and each switch is used to control the transmission of the signal from a respective one of the optical detectors to the amplifier.

Abstract: A detector interface system communicates signals between an infrared detector element maintained in a cryogenic environment and associated signal processing circuitry maintained in a non-cryogenic environment. An optical modulator disposed within the cryogenic environment in electrical communication with the infrared detector element converts the electrical output of the infrared detector element into an optical output signal representative thereof. An optical demodulator disposed in the non-cryogenic environment converts the optical output signal of the optical modulator into an electrical signal. The optical demodulator is an electrical communication with the signal processing circuitry. An optical path from the optical modulator to the optical demodulator provides thermal isolation between the infrared detector element and its associated signal processing circuitry and minimizes detector bias so as to mitigate 1/f noise.

Abstract: A method and an input circuit are disclosed for interfacing infrared detector elements to signal processing circuitry. The input circuit comprises a current loop for generating a magnetic field and a sensing circuit for measuring the strength of the field. Both the current loop and the sensing circuit are fabricated proximate each other. The current loop is connectable to an infrared detector such that the magnetic field generated by the current loop is proportional to the output of the infrared detector element. The input circuit isolates the detector element from bias voltages generated by the associated input circuitry and therefor reduces 1/f noise.

Abstract: A non-linear transimpedance amplifier utilizing a reset integrator and having a broad dyamic range for amplifying an input signal over an extended range of levels is disclosed. The non-linear transimpedance amplifier comprises an accumulator for accumulating a charge representative of the input signal, a comparator for comparing the output of the first circuit to a reference voltage, a sample and hold for providing a voltage representative of the level of a time varying waveform at the instant during which the accumulator saturates, and a summer for summing a signal representative of the accumulated charge and the signal representative of the level of the time varying waveform. The output signal is representative of the input signal when the accumulator is unsaturated as well as when the accumulator is saturated. The present invention may also be operated as a linear amplifier. It finds particular application in the input circuits of infrared detector elements.