Authentication-based tracking

A system comprising:

• a plurality of tracking units arranged along a path, the plurality of tracking units including first tracking unit and a second tracking unit, wherein the plurality of tracking units are arranged to form a system field of view that covers a least a portion of the path, and wherein each of the plurality of tracking units is arranged to provide authentication of the physical object along the portion of the path as the physical object travels along the portion of the path to continuously track a physical object along the portion of the path;
• one or more processors;
• one or more memories storing executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to:
• receive first digital image data of a portion of the physical object;
• create, based on the first digital image data, a first digital fingerprint that uniquely identifies and authenticates the physical object based on a plurality of features extracted from the first digital image data;
• store the digital fingerprint in a datastore;
• continuously track the physical object as the physical object travels along the portion of the path, the continuous tracking being based on authentication of the physical object by comparison of digital fingerprints generated from digital image data captured by the at least a portion of the plurality of tracking units as the physical object moves within the system field of view of the plurality of tracking units;
• determine a loss of positive control of the physical object;
• receive, subsequent to the determination of the loss of positive control, from the second tracking unit of the plurality of tracking units, second digital image data of the portion of the physical object;
• create, based on the second digital image data received from the second tracking unit, a second digital fingerprint that uniquely identifies the physical object based on a plurality of features extracted from the second digital image data;
• and
• re-authenticate, based on a matching between the second digital fingerprint and the first digital fingerprint, the physical object after the loss of positive control.