Abstract: A system may include an event trigger processor (ETP) configured to receive signals from sensors or another system (FIG. 11). Output signals from the sensor(s), local or remotely located, may be utilized by the ETP as trigger inputs to initiate a process or response, namely authentication actions, which also may be local or remote from the ETP. Events from external systems also may serve as trigger inputs to the ETP. In some embodiments, as a triggered response, the ETP may direct a local field imaging system to acquire an image of an object, generate a digital fingerprint from the image, and query a database using the generated digital fingerprint to identify or authenticate the object. The ETP may initiate or direct various actions by sending a message to another entity or system, for example, using known network communication protocols.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for detecting counterfeit objects, based on comparison to digital fingerprints that describe features found in images of objects known to be counterfeit.

Abstract: Digital fingerprints are used to authenticate a physical item. Authentication attempts may automatically trigger various predetermined processes. Different processes may take place depending on whether the authentication was successful. The process(es) may be computer-implemented, for example, using executable scripts. The triggered process(es) may be immediate (“real-time”), or delayed, deferred, or batched, etc. At least one additional process is triggered or initiated, locally or remotely, by at least one affirmative authentication result or at least one additional process is triggered by a least one unsuccessful authentication attempt. In one example, a combination of purchase and authentication of an item is combined into a single action.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with personal history in a track and trace system are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method includes acquiring first information corresponding to a physical object; identifying first authentication data based on the first information; storing the first authentication data in a database system; subsequent to storing the first authentication data, acquiring second information corresponding to a target physical object and identifying second authentication data based on the second information; identifying third information corresponding to the target physical object; querying the database system to seek a matching record based on the second authentication data; in the case that a matching record is returned responsive to the querying, updating the matching record with an indication that the second authentication data was matched to it and updating history data of said matching record based on said third information. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: Methods and systems integrate digital fingerprint authentication-based identification and location tracking into a single, continuous process in which an authentication-integrated tracking system is simultaneously aware of both the identity and location of each physical object at all times as they move along a conveyance system. Insertion or removal of an object is quickly detected and reported. Rapid reestablishment and continuation of authentication-integrated tracking is enabled in the event of any temporary interruption or failure of tracking in the system. An exemplary system comprises plural tracking units networked together, each tracking unit including a camera or scanner to observe a corresponding field of view, the tracking units arrange to realize a continuous field of view of a physical conveyance system.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems enable an originating entity to use a digital fingerprint, alone or in conjunction with other data related to the physical object, to characterize the physical object so that the physical object may be confirmed as authentic when it is returned to the originating entity or another entity. A determination that expected changes to the object occurred, and/or that unexpected changes did not occur, while the physical object was outside the control of the originating entity can be made. The originating entity may induct the object into a repository before the physical object leaves the originating entity's control, and the originating entity may authenticate the physical object upon return by a process that queries the repository for matching records.

Abstract: A device includes a processor, a machine-readable memory, and an optical capture device coupled to the processor. The machine-readable memory, which is accessible to the processor, stores processor-executable instructions and data. The processor is configured to perform certain operations responsive to execution of the processor-executable instructions. The certain operations include capturing image data of a first region of a physical object using the optical capture device. The captured image data includes an anchor region. The certain operations also include determining whether the captured image data at least meets a predetermined level of image quality, and in a case that it does, locating an authentication region in the captured image data based on the anchor region. The certain operations also include authenticating the object based on the captured image data in the authentication region, generating a result of the authenticating, and outputting the result to a user interface of the mobile device.

Abstract: A system and method detect a local change to a region of an object using digital fingerprints of the object acquired at a reference time and at a test time. The two digital fingerprints may be used to authenticate the object, a match density is calculated from a comparison of corresponding portions of the digital fingerprints and the match density is compared to a threshold so that when the match density is below the threshold, a region where a component on the object has been added, subtracted, repositioned, substituted, or altered is identified.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method of utilizing image “match points” to measure and detect changes in a physical object. In some cases “degradation” or “wear and tear” of the physical object is assessed, while in other applications this disclosure is applicable to measuring intentional changes, such as changes made by additive or subtractive manufacturing processes, which may, for example, involve adding a layer or removing a layer by machining. A system may include a scanner, and a digital fingerprinting process, coupled to an object change computer server. The server is coupled to a datastore that stores class digital fingerprints, selected object digital fingerprints collected over time, match measurements, and deterioration metrics.

Abstract: Object identification and dimensioning system, device, and method embodiments generate a plurality of object records associated with corresponding physical objects. An image input sub-system provides N sets of image data, wherein N is an integer that begins at one and increases incrementally. An output record sub-system provides an object record to a determined function. The object record has object identification information and object dimension information associated with a certain physical object. And a processor-based sub-system begins with a first of N set of image data and incrementally processes each of N sets of image data until a record corresponding to the certain physical object is located in a repository or until N has reached a determined maximum number of image data sets.

Abstract: A physical object is scanned and a digital image of the object is generated from the scan. At least one subset of the image, known as an “authentication region” is selected. A plurality of feature vectors, arising from the physical structure of the object, are extracted from certain locations of interest within an authentication region and combined to generate a unique identifier or “digital fingerprint” for that object. Preferably, authentication regions for feature vector extraction are automatically selected by a software process. To identify or authenticate an object, a system may compare a digital fingerprint of an object to digital fingerprints previously stored in a database. Digital fingerprint data may specify a set of features (also termed “locations of interest”) which may be referenced in the creation of a “fingerprint template” which is a template of certain locations of interest and/or attributes selected for authenticating a particular class of objects.

Abstract: An authentication system includes at least one device arranged to provide digital images of a physiological element. The physiological element is formed at a location of a living body. A digital fingerprinting unit is arranged to form a digital fingerprint from each of the provided digital images and further arranged to form the digital fingerprints of a plurality of different types of physiological elements. An association unit is arranged to associate each digital fingerprint with its corresponding living body, and a storage unit is arranged to store the digital fingerprints. An authentication unit is arranged to compare a newly acquired digital fingerprint to at least some of the digital fingerprints stored by the storage unit, and based on a determined match, the authentication unit is arranged to output an indication of authenticity.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with multi-level authentication are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method includes authenticating a physical object of a plurality of physical objects that together form an aggregate physical object; storing in a database system relationship information reflecting a relationship between the aggregate physical object and the plurality of physical objects; attempting to authenticate a target physical object; responsive to matching the target physical object to the aggregate physical object based on the attempt to authenticate the physical target: identifying in the database system a database record corresponding to the aggregate physical object; storing in the database record authentication data reflecting the match between the target physical object and the aggregate physical object; and storing an indication of a re-authentication of the physical object in the database system based on the relationship information. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: A physical object is scanned and a digital image of the object is generated from the scan. At least one subset of the image, known as an “authentication region” is selected. A plurality of feature vectors, arising from the physical structure of the object, are extracted from certain locations of interest within an authentication region and combined to generate a unique identifier or “digital fingerprint” for that object. Preferably, authentication regions for feature vector extraction are automatically selected by a software process. To identify or authenticate an object, a system may compare a digital fingerprint of an object to digital fingerprints previously stored in a database. Digital fingerprint data may specify a set of features (also termed “locations of interest”) which may be referenced in the creation of a “fingerprint template” which is a template of certain locations of interest and/or attributes selected for authenticating a particular class of objects.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with preserving a level of confidence of authenticity of an object are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method includes acquiring first information corresponding to a physical object; identifying first authentication data based on the first information; initializing a database record associated with the physical object responsive to identifying the first authentication data; determining whether the first authentication data corresponds to original provenance for the physical object; in response to determining that the first authentication data does not correspond to original provenance for the physical object, acquire and store in the database record first record data including authenticity information available in association with identification of the first authentication data; in response to determining that the first authentication data does correspond to original provenance for the physical object, retaining second record data in the database record.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with preserving a level of confidence of authenticity of an object are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method includes acquiring first information corresponding to a physical object; identifying first authentication data based on the first information; initializing a database record associated with the physical object responsive to identifying the first authentication data; determining whether the first authentication data corresponds to original provenance for the physical object; in response to determining that the first authentication data does not correspond to original provenance for the physical object, acquire and store in the database record first record data including authenticity information available in association with identification of the first authentication data; in response to determining that the first authentication data does correspond to original provenance for the physical object, retaining second record data in the database record.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with preserving authentication under item change are disclosed herein. In embodiments, acquiring digital image data of an image of at least a portion of a target physical object; extracting features from the image data to form a digital fingerprint; querying the database system to seek a matching record based on the digital fingerprint; based on an amount of difference between the digital fingerprint and a stored digital fingerprint of the database, update the database system to output a new indication of a new match to the physical object for any new samples that are not matchable to the stored digital fingerprint within a first predetermined similarity threshold provided the new samples are matchable to the digital fingerprint within a second predetermined similarity threshold. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: A data store to store and access digital records is provided, and a key object record is initialized in the data store to store data associated with a physical key object. A digital fingerprint of the physical key object is stored in the key object record. Another digital record is created in the data store that is not the key object record. The digital record is linked to the digital fingerprint of the physical key object. The linking is arranged to provide secure control access to the linked digital record. A tendered access key is received via a programmatic interface or user interface, and the data store is queried based on the tendered access key to identify a matching digital fingerprint of a key object. In a case that the querying identifies the matching digital fingerprint of the key object within a prescribed level of confidence, access to the linked digital record secured by the key object is granted.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with preserving a level of confidence of authenticity of an object are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a method includes acquiring first information corresponding to a physical object; identifying first authentication data based on the first information; initializing a database record associated with the physical object responsive to identifying the first authentication data; determining whether the first authentication data corresponds to original provenance for the physical object; in response to determining that the first authentication data does not correspond to original provenance for the physical object, acquire and store in the database record first record data including authenticity information available in association with identification of the first authentication data; in response to determining that the first authentication data does correspond to original provenance for the physical object, retaining second record data in the database record.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods associated with preserving authentication under item change are disclosed herein. In embodiments, acquiring digital image data of an image of at least a portion of a target physical object; extracting features from the image data to form a digital fingerprint; querying the database system to seek a matching record based on the digital fingerprint; based on an amount of difference between the digital fingerprint and a stored digital fingerprint of the database, update the database system to output a new indication of a new match to the physical object for any new samples that are not matchable to the stored digital fingerprint within a first predetermined similarity threshold provided the new samples are matchable to the digital fingerprint within a second predetermined similarity threshold. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.