Patent ID: 8270603

Claim:
A method of authenticating a unique object, comprising: providing the unique object having a visible surface, associated with a plurality of elements, whose position is defined by non-repeatable, random process, the plurality of elements being embedded in a resin or covered with a protective plastic film, wherein the resin or plastic film is at least tamper-evident to an observer with respect to re-association of the embedded or covered plurality of elements with a different object; illuminating the plurality of elements on the visible surface, through the resin or plastic film, in such manner as to cause light to enter into and be re-emitted by the plurality of elements; digitally capturing at least one image of at least a portion of the visible surface of the unique object representing the plurality of elements, through the resin or plastic film, wherein the captured at least one image has at least one feature which is selectively dependent on a respective element and which distinguishes the plurality of elements themselves from an imprinted representation of the plurality of elements, having a pixel resolution sufficiently high to statistically preclude an accurate transference of the plurality of elements to a different object or recreation of a spatial pattern of the plurality of elements to a degree sufficient for authentication; authenticating the digitally captured image with respect to a digital record of the respective position and axis of each respective element in the portion with an automated processor and verifying that the digitally captured image is not of an imprinted or transferred representation of the plurality of elements; and outputting an indication of the authenticating of the unique object, wherein the plurality of elements comprise microbubbles embedded within the resin, and the digital record comprises a cryptographic digital code provided on the unique object which encodes at least a mapping of the microbubbles.