Spectrum analyzer for reading authentication marks
US6274873A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J3/2803
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A spectrum analyzer determines the light emission characteristics of an authentication mark that is invisible when illuminated with visible light but is visible when illuminated with IR light. The spectrum analyzer includes an IR light source, a mirror positioned to deflect light from the IR light source in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a surface of the authentication mark, a first lens for collimating light that is emitted by the authentication mark in response to an illumination by the light from the IR light source, an optical element comprising a prism or a hologram for generating a spectrum from the collimated light, a second lens for imaging the spectrum, an IR light blocking filter, a detector positioned to receive light components of the spectrum after the spectrum has been imaged by the second lens and filtered by the IR light blocking filter, and a control unit connected to the detector and programmed to read the authentication mark based on intensities of the light components received by the detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.