Patent ID: 6373965
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B41M,G06K,G07D,G07F

Abstract:
A method of authenticating articles, comprising the steps of:a) selecting a set of indicia recognizable by automatic optical character recognition; b) providing articles of which authentic instances are known to have been identified with said selected indicia such that each of said selected indicia comprises two portions in complementary pair relationship, neither of said two portions by itself forming a complete recognizable character: (i) a first portion comprising first detail elements that emit fluorescent light in predetermined portions of the optical spectrum when illuminated by light outside of the visible spectrum, and (ii) a second portion comprising second detail elements complementary to said first detail elements, said first and second portions being overlaid relative to each other so as to complete said selected indicia; c) illuminating said articles with said light outside of the visible spectrum while selecting said predetermined portions of the optical spectrum and while performing said automatic optical character recognition; and d) providing an affirmative output if and only if said indicia are recognized, thereby confirming the authenticity of those instances of said articles so identified.