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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 document with a security marker includes a substrate comprising an optical brightener; a background comprising an ultraviolet (UV) absorbing material arranged in a first pattern of lines having a first frequency and a first orientation; and a security mark comprising the UV material arranged in a second pattern of lines having a second frequency and a second orientation.

Abstract: A system for authenticating a document includes a document having a substrate comprising an optical brightener; printing a background with a ultraviolet (UV) absorbing material on the substrate comprising a first pattern of lines having a first frequency and a first orientation; printing a security mark with the UV material on the substrate comprising a second pattern of lines having a second frequency and a second orientation; a lenticular lens; placing the lenticular lens over the security mark and background; a UV lamp; illuminating the security mark and background through the lenticular lens with UV light; orienting the lenticular lens to match either the first orientation or the second orientation; and authenticating the document if the security mark matches a predetermined security mark.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a document includes providing a document having a substrate comprising an optical brightener; printing a background with a ultraviolet (UV) absorbing material on the substrate comprising a first pattern of lines having a first frequency and a first orientation; printing a security mark with the UV material on the substrate comprising a second pattern of lines having a second frequency or a second orientation or both; placing a lenticular lens over the security mark and background; illuminating the security mark and background through the lenticular lens with UV light; orienting the lenticular lens to match either the first orientation or the second orientation; and authenticating the document if the security mark matches a predetermined security mark.

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 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 method for authenticating security markers includes capturing an image of a region of interest on a product with a camera; storing image data in a two-dimensional array on a microprocessor; counting a number of pixels at or above a predetermined brightness level in the image data with the microprocessor to determine a first score; establishing an area within the image; counting a number of pixels within the area to determine a second score; calculating a ratio of the second score to the first score; and if the ratio is above a predetermined threshold the security marker is authenticated.

Abstract: A method to deactivate a security measure includes applying a first covert optically active security marker to a product or document; completing a transaction for the product or document; and applying a second optically active security marker to the product or document which indicates completion of the transaction.

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.