# US 11,308,299 B2 · Generating a unique code from orientation information

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- Number: US 11,308,299 B2
- Document ID: US11308299B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/879,957
- Filed: 2020-05-21
- Published: 2020-09-10
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-08
- Assignees: DUST Identity, Inc.
- Applicants: DUST Identity, Inc.
- Inventors: Ophir Gaathon; Jonathan Hodges
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11308299B2

## CPC

- G06K 7/1417: {2D bar codes}
- B42D 25/36: comprising special materials
- G01N 21/64: Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
- G01N 24/08: by using nuclear magnetic resonance (G01N24/12 takes precedence)
- G06K 7/1413: {1D bar codes}
- G06K 19/06028: {using bar codes}
- G06K 19/06037: {multi-dimensional coding}
- G07D 7/003: {using security elements (using digital security elements G07D7/004)}
- G07D 7/0047: using checkcodes, e.g. coded numbers derived from serial number and denomination
- G07D 7/02: Testing electrical properties of the materials thereof (G07D7/01 takes precedence)
- G07D 7/04: Testing magnetic properties of the materials thereof, e.g. by detection of magnetic imprint (G07D7/01 takes precedence)
- G07D 7/12: Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
- G07D 7/2033: Matching unique patterns, i.e. patterns that are unique to each individual paper
- G07D 7/2041: {Matching statistical distributions, e.g. of particle sizes orientations}
- G07D 2207/00: Paper-money testing devices
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G07D: HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING

## Abstract

In a general aspect, orientation information is used to generate a unique code. In some aspects, orientation information is extracted from an object. The object includes multiple elements, and the orientation information indicates the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The orientation information can be extracted, for instance, by a scanner system that detects the elements. A unique code is generated for the object based on the orientation information. In some examples, the elements are diamond particles that each have one or more color centers, and the orientation information is extracted by detecting the color centers.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
receiving an object comprising elements;
extracting orientation information from the object, the orientation information indicating relative spatial orientations of the respective elements with respect to one another, the orientation information being extracted by a scanner system detecting the elements; and
generating a unique code for the object based on the orientation information.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein extracting the orientation information comprises obtaining an optical response to illumination applied to the object.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein extracting the orientation information comprises:
obtaining fluorescence images of the object; and
determining the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements with respect to one another from the fluorescence images.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the optical response to illumination comprises detecting fluorescence changes of the elements in response to changes in the illumination, and the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements with respect to one another are determined based on the detected fluorescence changes.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the unique code generated from the orientation information is independent of any angle at which the illumination is applied to the object.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the orientation information is extracted independent of registering the object relative to the scanner system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the elements are diamond particles comprising respective color centers, the object comprises the diamond particles fixed in a medium, and extracting the orientation information comprises detecting relative orientations of the color centers.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the elements are randomly distributed particles, and the object comprises the randomly distributed particles fixed in a medium.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the object comprising the elements is disposed on and conforms to a surface of an article.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, comprising:
determining whether the article has been tampered with based on a comparison of the unique code against a reference code for the object.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the object includes an adhesive, and the elements are distributed in the adhesive.

### Claim 12

A scanner system comprising:
a sample region configured to receive an object comprising elements;
a probe configured to extract orientation information from the object by detecting the elements, the orientation information indicating relative spatial orientations of the respective elements with respect to one another; and
a processor configured to generate a unique code for the object based on the orientation information.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the probe comprises an optical imaging system, and extracting the orientation information comprises obtaining an optical response to illumination applied to the object.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the unique code generated from the orientation information is independent of any angle at which the illumination is applied to the object.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the object comprises a superset of elements, and the unique code is generated based on the relative spatial orientations of only a subset of the elements with respect to one another.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the elements are diamond particles comprising respective color centers, and the probe is configured to extract the orientation information by detecting relative orientations of the color centers.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the probe is configured to extract element information from the object, and the processor is configured to generate the unique code for the object based on the element information, the element information comprising the orientation information and at least one of:
location information indicating relative spatial positions of the respective elements with respect to one another;
topographical information indicating relative spatial topographies of the respective elements with respect to one another; or
magnetic environment information indicating magnetic environments of the respective elements.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the elements are randomly distributed particles, and the object comprises the randomly distributed particles fixed in a medium.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The scanner system of claim 18, wherein the medium includes an adhesive material.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The scanner system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to authenticate the object based on a comparison of the unique code against a reference code for the object.