Identification and verification using complex, three-dimensional structural features
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsRavikanth Pappu, Neil Gershenfeld, Joshua R. Smith
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Abstract
Three-dimensional characteristics of a complex physical structure are used to generate a unique identifier. In effect, the characteristics reperesent the basis of a “physical one-way hash function” that faciliates ready derivation of an identifier based on the physical structure, the structure itself being very difficult to reproduce given only the identifier. The characteristics may be read using a non-contact probe and without the need for precise registration.
Claims26
A method of authenticating an item having a complex three-dimensional internal structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. initially reading at least a portion of the item through three dimensions to identify a unique characteristic pattern in the internal structure of the item;
- b. deriving a validating indicium from the pattern in accordance with a mathematical function;
- c. subsequently reading a candidate item having a complex three-dimensional internal structure, identifying a candidate pattern in the internal structure of the candidate item, and deriving therefrom a candidate indicium in accordance with the mathematical function;
- and
- d. determining a correlation between the candidate indicium and the validating indicium.
A reader for authenticating an item having a complex three-dimensional internal structure, the apparatus comprising:
- a. means for receiving a validating indicium previously derived from the item in accordance with a mathematical function operative on three-dimensional internal structural characteristics thereof;
- b. means for reading a candidate item to derive, from three-dimensional internal structural characteristics of the candidate item, a candidate indicium in accordance with the mathematical function;
- and
- c. an analyzer for determining a correlation between the candidate indicium and the validating indicium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.