Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems, methods and devices for tamper proofing documents by embedding data in a biometric identifier. The biometric identifier may be a real or synthetic fingerprint. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a method for embedding data in a biometric identifier includes determining data to embed in the biometric identifier, determining at least one control parameter, and generating at least one biometric identifier feature. The method further includes including the at least one generated biometric identifier feature in the biometric identifier such that the determined data is embedded in the biometric feature. The determined data is based on a variable data stream. The control parameter controls the generation of at least one biometric identifier feature. The control parameter is based on the determined data. The generated biometric identifier feature is based on the determined control parameter.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems, methods and devices for tamper proofing documents by embedding data in a biometric identifier. The biometric identifier may be a real or synthetic fingerprint. In one non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a method for embedding data in a biometric identifier includes determining data to embed in the biometric identifier, determining at least one control parameter, and generating at least one biometric identifier feature. The method further includes including the at least one generated biometric identifier feature in the biometric identifier such that the determined data is embedded in the biometric feature. The determined data is based on a variable data stream. The control parameter controls the generation of at least one biometric identifier feature. The control parameter is based on the determined data. The generated biometric identifier feature is based on the determined control parameter.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an authenticatable object that includes providing a decoder lens having a lens pattern and providing an array of image elements having an image pattern that corresponds to the lens pattern. The decoder lens is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image elements such that the decoder lens reveals a visible image that includes at least a portion of the image elements, the image elements being adjusted in size by a zoom factor so that the visible image appears to float above a given plane when viewed at different angles through the decoder lens. Alternatively, the image elements may be adjusted in size by a zoom factor and selected image elements may be flipped so that the visible image appears to float above a given plane in different directions when viewed at different angles through the decoder lens.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image having an authentication image formed therein. The authentication image is viewable using a decoder lens having one or more decoder lens frequencies. The method includes generating two gray-scale component images having tonal areas that are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the two gray-scale component images includes a representation of the authentication image. The method further includes determining a first pattern of the component image elements for the two gray-scale component images, the first pattern including a first element configuration and at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of one of the decoder lens frequencies. The method includes extracting at least a portion of the content from the component image elements of the two gray-scale component images and constructing a composite image having a second pattern of composite image elements.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for creating an animation from a plurality of latent images encoded into a visible image, where the encoded visible image is visually similar to the visible image when viewed with a naked eye. The method includes generating, via a processor, a first latent image having a first pattern of elements and assigning a first encoding parameter to the first pattern of elements. A second latent image is generated having a second pattern of elements and a second encoding parameter is assigned to the second pattern of elements, wherein the second encoding parameter is different than the first encoding parameter. The first pattern of elements and the second pattern of elements are embedded in the encoded visible image for decoding using a decoder having decoding parameters that match the corresponding first encoding parameter and the second encoding parameter. The decoded first latent image and the decoded second latent image are sequentially displayed to reveal the animation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for creating an animation from a plurality of latent images encoded into a visible image, where the encoded visible image is visually similar to the visible image when viewed with a naked eye. The method includes generating, via a processor, a first latent image having a first pattern of elements and assigning a first encoding parameter to the first pattern of elements. A second latent image is generated having a second pattern of elements and a second encoding parameter is assigned to the second pattern of elements, wherein the second encoding parameter is different than the first encoding parameter. The first pattern of elements and the second pattern of elements are embedded in the encoded visible image for decoding using a decoder having decoding parameters that match the corresponding first encoding parameter and the second encoding parameter. The decoded first latent image and the decoded second latent image are sequentially displayed to reveal the animation.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image having an authentication image formed therein. The authentication image is viewable using a decoder lens having one or more decoder lens frequencies. The method includes generating two gray-scale component images having tonal areas that are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the two gray-scale component images includes a representation of the authentication image. The method further includes determining a first pattern of the component image elements for the two gray-scale component images, the first pattern including a first element configuration and at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of one of the decoder lens frequencies. The method includes extracting at least a portion of the content from the component image elements of the two gray-scale component images and constructing a composite image having a second pattern of composite image elements.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for creating encoded security images that are formed by embedding a multi-shade hidden or latent image into a visible image. The multi-shade latent image may include image content having a wide range of tonal values. An article of manufacture is provided having a surface with image elements thereon, the image elements include characteristics that correspond to a relative color or a relative shade of a source image for a polychromic or multiple shade latent image. The latent image is visible when the surface is viewed at glancing angles.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image having an authentication image formed therein. The authentication image is viewable using a decoder lens having one or more decoder lens frequencies. The method comprises generating a first plurality of component images in which corresponding tonal areas are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the component images is configured to include a representation of the authentication image. The method further comprises determining a pattern of component image elements for each of the component images. The pattern having at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of a decoder lens frequency. At least a portion of the content of each component image element is extracted and used to construct a composite image element.

Abstract: A method is provided for encoding a latent image having at least two color components into a visible image. A first and second image associated with first and second color components, respectively, are generated. The first image has a first pattern of elements and the second image has a second pattern of elements that are manipulated based on a corresponding color component provided in the latent image. A first and a second angle are assigned to the first image and the second image, respectively. The first image and second image are aligned by orienting the first pattern of elements according to the first angle and second angle, respectively. The aligned first image and second image are superimposed to render an encoded image that is decoded using a decoder that simultaneously display the first color component and the second color component of the latent image to present a color composite image.

Abstract: A method is provided for constructing a composite image having an authentication image formed therein. The authentication image is viewable using a decoder lens having one or more decoder lens frequencies. The method comprises generating a first plurality of component images in which corresponding tonal areas are tonally balanced around at least one tonal value. At least one of the component images is configured to include a representation of the authentication image. The method further comprises determining a pattern of component image elements for each of the component images. The pattern having at least one element frequency that is equal to or a multiple of a decoder lens frequency. At least a portion of the content of each component image element is extracted and used to construct a composite image element.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether a test object is an authentic object having an authentication image applied to an authentication image area thereof. The method comprises positioning and orienting a portable image acquisition device for selectively viewing and capturing a magnified image of a target surface area of the test object. The target surface area corresponds to the authentication image area of an authentic object. The method further comprises capturing a magnified digital image of the target surface area using the image capture acquisition device. The captured digital image is then processed to obtain a processed digital image and an authentication result is determined based on whether the processed digital image meets predetermined authentication criteria.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an object using optically decodable encoded images is presented. The method comprises attaching a digital data storage medium to the object and storing an optically decodable digital encoded image in the data storage medium. The digital encoded image comprises authentication information determinable by decoding the digital encoded image. The method further comprises downloading the digital encoded image from the digital data storage medium and applying a digital decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding result. The decoding result is then compared to object authentication criteria to establish an authentication result.

Abstract: A reflective decoding device is provided for use in decoding an encoded image comprising a latent image encoded using at least one encoding parameter. The device comprises a substrate with a reflective surface portion having a surface topography comprising a predetermined pattern of topographical features. The predetermined pattern is configured with at least one geometric characteristic corresponding to the at least one encoding parameter so that placement of a light-transmissive sheet having the encoded image formed thereon over the predetermined pattern of topographical features allows the latent image to be viewed.

Abstract: An image acquisition device is provided for use in determining whether a test object is an authentic object having an authentication image applied to an authentication image area thereof. The authentication image includes indicia formed based on authentication parameters. The image acquisition device comprises an image capture arrangement configured for capturing a digital image of a target area of a test object. The image acquisition device further comprises a data processor having an image processing portion configured for receiving and processing the digital image to produce a processing result. The processing result may be established at least in part using one or more of the authentication parameters.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether an object is an authentic object to which an expected encoded image has been applied. The expected encoded image having been constructed by encoding an authentication image using a set of one or more encoding parameters. The method comprises receiving a digital image of at least a portion of the test object including a target area where the expected encoded image would be applied if the test object is an authentic object. The method further comprises determining the one or more encoding parameters and applying a digital decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding result. The decoding result may then be compared to object authentication criteria to establish an authentication result. In particular embodiments of the invention, the actions of receiving, determining, applying and comparing are carried out by an authentication server and the digital image is received from an inspection processor over a network.

Abstract: A method is presented for decoding an encoded image produced from a primary image and at least one secondary image using at least one encoding parameter. The encoded image is formed so that when the encoded image is printed, the secondary image is not discernible to a viewer without an optical decoding device having characteristics corresponding to the at least one encoding parameter. The method comprises obtaining a digital version of the encoded image, determining the at least one encoding parameter, and constructing a decoded image from the digital encoded image using at least one of the encoding parameters in the encoding parameter set.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether an object is an authentic object to which an expected encoded image has been applied. The expected encoded image having been constructed by encoding an authentication image using a set of one or more encoding parameters. The method comprises receiving a digital image of at least a portion of the test object including a target area where the expected encoded image would be applied if the test object is an authentic object. The method further comprises determining the one or more encoding parameters and applying a digital decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding result. The decoding result may then be compared to object authentication criteria to establish an authentication result. In particular embodiments of the invention, the actions of receiving, determining, applying and comparing are carried out by an authentication server and the digital image is received from an inspection processor over a network.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital multiple-level encoded image is presented. The method comprises obtaining a digital authentication image, obtaining a first encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters, and constructing a first encoded image. The first encoded image is constructed using a first encoding methodology, the digital authentication image and the first encoding parameter set. The method further comprises obtaining a second encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters and constructing a second encoded image using a second encoding methodology, the first encoded image and the second encoding parameter set. The second encoded image may be decoded to reveal the first encoded image using a decoder having characteristics corresponding to at least a portion of the encoding parameters of the second encoding parameter set.

Abstract: A reflective decoding device is provided for use in decoding an encoded image comprising a latent image encoded using at least one encoding parameter. The device comprises a substrate with a reflective surface portion having a surface topography comprising a predetermined pattern of topographical features. The predetermined pattern is configured with at least one geometric characteristic corresponding to the at least one encoding parameter so that placement of a light-transmissive sheet having the encoded image formed thereon over the predetermined pattern of topographical features allows the latent image to be viewed.