Patent ID: 9239262
Filing Date: 2016-01-19
CPC Classification: G01J,G01N,G07D

Claim Text:
1. A method for authenticating an article, the method comprising the steps of: exposing an area of the article to exciting radiation, wherein the area of the article includes a phosphor compound that emits detectable radiation at a plurality of wavelengths and wherein the phosphor compound comprises an emitting ion and a host crystal lattice material; detecting emitted radiation from the area of the article in a first band and in a second band that does not overlap the first band, wherein the first band corresponds with a first emission sub-band of the emitting ion within the phosphor compound, and the second band corresponds with a second emission sub-band of the emitting ion within the phosphor compound; calculating a comparison value that represents a mathematical relationship between a first intensity of the emitted radiation in the first band with a second intensity of the emitted radiation in the second band; and determining whether the comparison value compares favorably with an authentication parameter.