# US 7,412,073 B2 · System and method for authenticating objects using non-visually observable encoded indicia > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,412,073 B2 - Document ID: US7412073B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/197,613 - Filed: 2005-08-04 - Published: 2005-12-08 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2003-03-27 - Assignees: Graphic Security Systems Corporation - Inventors: Alfred V. Alasia; Alfred J. Alasia; Thomas C. Alasia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7412073B2 ## CPC - G07D 7/128: Viewing devices - G07D 7/004: using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip - G07D 7/1205: Testing spectral properties - G07D 7/202: using pattern matching - G07D: HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING ## Abstract A method for authenticating an object is provided. The method comprises optically encoding an authentication image to produce an encoded image and applying the encoded image to an object in a layer of non-visible indicia to form a non-visible encoded image. The non-visible encoded image may be rendered visible and decoded to allow the authentication image to be viewed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for authenticating an object, the method comprising: providing a least one object having a print region with printed material contained thereon comprising a layer of non-visible indicia, at least a portion of which is formed from an emitting substance that emits at least one wavelength of light outside a visible range of an electromagnetic spectrum when stimulated with electromagnetic radiation, the non-visible indicia comprising optically decodable encoded authentication indicia; creating a digital image of the layer of non-visible indicia with an imaging device such that the layer of non-visible indicia can be perceived by a human eye viewing the digital image; transmittting the digital image to a facility remote from the imaging device; and decoding the encoded authentication indicia. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1 further comprising: digitally encoding an authentication image to produce the optically decodable encoded authentication indicia; and applying the layer of non-visible indicia including the encoded authentication indicia to the print region of at least one of the at least one object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing the decoded authentication indicia to expected authentication indicia to verify the authenticity of the object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the actions of decoding and comparing are carried out by a central authentication system at the facility remote from the imaging device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the digital image is transmitted over a network. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the network is the Internet. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the network is a telecommunications network. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the action of decoding the digitally encoded authentication indicia is carried out using the digital image and software-based digital decoder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the emitting substance emits one of a set consisting of infrared light and ultraviolet light when stimulated with electro-magnetic radiation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, wherein the digital image is transmitted with a request for authentication of the object. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method of claim 1, further comprising: recording the digital image. ### Claim 12 A system for authenticating an object having a print region with printed material contained thereon, the printed material including a layer of non-visible indicia that emits light outside of a visible range of an electro-magnetic spectrum when stimulated with electro-magnetic radiation and that comprises optically decodable encoded authentication indicia, the system comprising: at least one imaging device capable of creating and recording a digital image of the non-visible indicia, the imaging device additionally capable of transmitting the digital image to a facility remove from the imaging device; means for decoding the encoded authentication indicia; and a central authentication system in communication with the at least one imaging device, the central authentication system comprising means for receiving the digital image transmitted by the at least one imaging device and means for comparing the authentication result to predetermined authentication indicia. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the central authentication system further comprises a database adapted for storage and retrieval of at least one of the set consisting of transmitted digital images received by the central authentication system and the predetermined authentication indicia. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the means for decoding the encoded authentication indicia includes a software-based decoder adapted for digitally decoding the encoded authentication indicia from the digital image. ### Claim 15 A system for authenticating an object having a print region with a layer of indicia printed thereon, the indicia being viewable in a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range, the system comprising: at least one imaging device capable of viewing the print region of the object in a predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range, recording a digital image of the object, and transmitting the digital image; a central authentication system remote from and in communication with the at least one imaging device, the central authentication system being adapted to receive the image transmitted by the imaging device; and means for analyzing the image whether the print region of the object includes indicia that are visible in the predetermined electromagnetic wavelength range. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the central authentication system is in communication with the at least one imaging device via network. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the central authentication system comprises a database adapted for storage of digital images received from the imaging device.