US 6,289,141 B1 · Apparatus for authenticating products and authorizing processes using the magnetic properties of a marker

Abstract

This invention provides a system that utilizes the magnetic properties of specific materials to provide an authentication and/or authorization function. The system consists of two parts. The first is a marker that contains a magnetic material with spectral magnetic properties and is attached to the item that is to be authenticated or is to be part of a subsequent information transfer process requiring authorization. The second is a reader. The reader contains a transmitter that generates the electromagnetic search field and energizes the magnetic material and a receiver that analyzes the signal produced by the resulting interaction with the magnetic material and gives a go/no go decision based upon a match with stored information. The reader employs a feedback control system to stabilize the measurement environment, thereby producing accurate, high quality results. The go/no go signal in itself can be used as the authentication signal and can also be used to energize an actuator for the purpose of automatically authorizing a process such as photocopying, sending a fax, data copying and data communication.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of verifying the authenticity of a candidate item which resembles any one of a multiplicity of such items, all authentic, said method comprising the steps:

a) providing a marker on each authentic item in said multiplicity, all markers having substantially the same magnetic properties,
b) generating a magnetic field which varies with time,
c) providing a receiving antenna which intercepts said fields so as to generate an electronic signal, the receiving antenna having loops connected such that a) if the loops are placed in a filed with no marker present, the signals in the loops cancel each other, but b) if a marker is present in the field, the spatial distribution of flux is changed and a differential signal is generated in the receiving antenna,
d) placing the candidate item in the field such that, if the candidate item contains a marker, the marker will interact with the field so as to alter said electronic signal,
e) analyzing the altered electronic signal in at least one of:
1) the time domain, sand 2) the frequency domain, so as to arrive at a parameter representing a unique property of the marker being used,
f) comparing said parameter to stored reference values for an authentic item, and
g) on the basis of such analysis determining whether the candidate item is authentic.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for authenticating products and authorizing processes using the magnetic properties of a marker

Life of this patent

Apparatus for authenticating products and authorizing processes using the magnetic properties of a marker

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19