Holographic labeling and reading machine for authentication and security applications

A method of verifying the authenticity of an object comprising the steps of:

• a. creating an authenticating holographic label by mixing optical information with a coded reference wave,
• b. attaching said authenticating holographic label to said object,
• c. creating a holographic key for producing an approximate replica of said coded reference wave, and
• d. reconstructing said optical information on demand by placing said authenticating holographic label in contact with said holographic key and illuminating said holographic key with a simple wavefront source.

A method of verifying the authenticity of an object comprising the steps of:

• a. creating a holographic label by mixing optical information with a coded reference wave,
• b. attaching said holographic label to said object,
• c. creating a holographic key for producing an approximate replica of said coded reference wave,
• d. reconstructing said optical information on demand by placing said holographic label in contact with said holographic key and illuminating said holographic key with a simple wavefront source,
• e. comparing said optical information against a reference mask,
• f. producing a correlation signal indicative of a degree of match between said optical information and said reference mask.

A method of controlling access to a facility comprising the steps of:

• a. recording biometric information of a person in a first hologram having optical information only viewable using a coded reconstruction wavefront,
• b. reconstructing said biometric information by placing a second hologram in contact with said first hologram and illuminating said second hologram with a simple wavefront source, said second hologram having a reconstructed image that is an approximate replica of said coded wavefront,
• c. comparing said biometric information reconstructed in step (b) with a currently produced biometric signature to determine a positive or a negative identity of said person, and
• d. granting entry of said person upon generation of a positive identity match in step (c).

A method of controlling access to a facility comprising the steps of:

• a. recording optical information including biometric information of a person and a phase and/or amplitude code in a first volume hologram, said optical information being viewable only by using a coded reconstruction wavefront,
• b. reconstructing said optical information by placing a second hologram in contact with said first hologram and illuminating said second hologram with a simple wavefront source, thereby producing a wavefront that is an approximate replica of said coded wavefront,
• c. comparing said biometric information reconstructed in step (b) with a currently produced biometric signature,
• d. comparing said phase and/or amplitude code with a reference code, and
• e. granting entry of said person upon generation of a positive identity match in step (c) and a positive comparison of said phase and/or amplitude code and said reference code in step (d).