Method and system for identifying and authenticating an object
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorHarry F. Schramm, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An object has a taggant placed in a first portion thereof and has a visible symbol placed on a second portion thereof. When the object is to be identified and authenticated, the taggant is made to radiate with a specific energy signature. The energy signature and at least one image of the symbol are recorded along with a relative location that identifies the first portion of the object. The combination of the energy signature, symbol image and relative location are used to repeatedly identify and authenticate the object.
Claims22
A method of identifying and authenticating an object, comprising the steps of:
- placing a taggant in a first portion of an object;
- placing a symbol on a second portion of the object;
- causing said taggant to radiate with a specific energy signature;
- recording said energy signature and at least one image of said symbol to include (i) a first image of said symbol using a first field-of-view that is substantially limited to said symbol, and (ii) a second image of said symbol using a second field-of-view that includes said symbol and said first portion of the object;
- and
- recording a relative location of the first portion of the object.
A method of identifying and authenticating an object, comprising the steps of:
- placing an x-ray fluorescing taggant in a first portion of an object;
- placing a visible symbol on a second portion of the object;
- directing x-rays at the object wherein said taggant fluoresces with a specific energy signature;
- and
- recording said energy signature, at least one image of said visible symbol, and a relative location of the first portion of the object, wherein said at least one image of said visible symbol includes (i) a first image of said visible symbol in a first field-of-view that is substantially limited to said visible symbol, and (ii) a second image of said visible symbol in a second field-of-view that includes said visible symbol and said first portion of the object.
A system for identifying and authenticating an object having an x-ray fluorescing taggant placed in a first portion of an object and a visible symbol placed on a second portion of the object, said system comprising:
- first means for impinging x-rays on the object in the vicinity of the first portion thereof wherein said taggant fluoresces with a specific energy signature;
- second means for recording said energy signature, at least one image of said symbol, and a relative location of the first portion of the object, said second means including (i) a first image recording device for recording a first image of said visible symbol using a first field-of-view that is substantially limited to said visible symbol, and (ii) a second image recording device for recording a second image of said visible symbol using a second field-of-view that includes said visible symbol and said first portion of the object;
- third means for storing (i) said energy signature and said image of said visible symbol as electronic data in a compatible data format, and (ii) said relative location;
- and
- fourth means for comparing said electronic data and said relative location associated with a first point in time with said electronic data and said relative location associated with a second point in time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.