Object authentication
AssigneeAuthentix, Inc.
InventorsPaul J. Cronin, Chester Wildey, Alan K. Hunt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device detects multi-spectral imaging by using scan elements. The device may include an illumination module and a detection module to detect light scattered from an object illuminated by the illumination module. The device may also include an array of light sources to produce light at a plurality of different wavelengths, and create a line of illumination with each of the different wavelengths. The light detection may be applied to authenticate and validate documents, such as banknotes moving along a document conveyer.
Claims21
A method for authenticating an object, comprising:
- illuminating the object with a plurality of wavelengths of light from a plurality of light-emitting sources;
- detecting light scattered from the illuminated object with a plurality of photodiodes to create a multi-spectral image of at least a specified portion of the illuminated object, wherein the plurality of light-emitting sources and the plurality of photodiodes are optically coupled such that the plurality of wavelengths of light are simultaneously directed to the plurality of photodiodes;
- producing a reflectance spectrum from the multi-spectral image, wherein the producing the reflectance spectrum from the multi-spectral image further comprises finding pixels of a specified feature on the object and averaging their intensity values;
- comparing the reflectance spectrum to a template reflectance spectrum of an authentic object;
- and
- determining if the illuminated object is authentic as a function of the comparison.
A system for authenticating an object comprising:
- a scanner configured for scanning at least a portion of the object and creating a reflectance spectrum thereof, wherein the reflectance spectrum is created from a multi-spectral image produced by the scanning of the at least the portion of the object, finding pixels of a specified feature on the object, and averaging their intensity values, wherein the multi-spectral image comprises a plurality of images each representing scattered light produced as a result of illumination by one of a plurality of light-emitting sources in the scanner and detected by a plurality of photodiodes in the scanner;
- a multi-lens optical system in the scanner for coupling the plurality of light-emitting sources and the plurality of photodiodes such that such that the plurality of wavelengths of light are simultaneously directed to the plurality of photodiodes;
- circuitry configured for comparing the reflectance spectrum to a template reflectance spectrum of an authentic object;
- and
- circuitry configured for determining whether the object is authentic as a function of the comparison.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.