System and method for authentication of goods

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872617

Kaish, Norman ^[1]; Fraser, Jay ^[2]; Durst, David I ^[3]

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1. West Hampstead, NY
2. Freeport, NY
3. Syosset, NY

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. An authentication of the medium based on the encrypted message may be authenticated with a statistical tolerance, based on a vector mapping of the elements of the medium, without requiring a complete image of the medium and elements to be recorded.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Tracer Detection Technology Corp. (Syosset, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 5974150
• OSTI ID: 872617
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
authentication
comprising
medium
plurality
elements
distinctive
detectable
disposed
irregular
pattern
intrinsic
irregularity
element
characterized
determinable
attribute
distinct
two-dimensional
coordinate
representation
simple
optical
absorption
reflection
intensity
position
respect
positional
reference
detected
processor
generates
encrypted
message
including
portion
recorded
physical
association
preferably
dichroic
fibers
polarization
axis
vary
length
fiber
based
authenticated
statistical
tolerance
vector
mapping
requiring
complete
image
processor generates
optical absorption
positional reference
dichroic fibers
/713/283/380/