Fluorescence authentication reader with coaxial optics
US5666417A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 9, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3861
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A multiple-reader system for authentication of articles uses a first reader (400) which employs predetermined modulated illuminating light (20) and a multiplicity of discriminating variables, such as wavelengths (110), amplitudes (120), and time delays (140) relative to the modulated illuminating light (20) to characterize fluorescent light (70) detected from fluorescent indicia on the articles. The fluorescent indicia may also incorporate spatial distributions such as bar codes as discriminating features. Additional readers (410 and 420), which may be readers of fluorescent marks and/or readers of other indicia, are synchronized with the fluorescence reader by timing signals. The discriminating features may be re-programmed by the user of the authentication system. Thus the discriminating features define a user-determined and programmable encryption of the articles' authentic identity. The outputs provided by individual readers (400, 410 and 420) are combined by a computer (85) programmed to produce the authentication result. The fluorescence authentication reader includes integration and synchronization of multiple readers of various types, an improved coaxial optics subsystem (4…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.