Systems and methods for validating a security feature of an object
A method for validating a security feature of an object. The method includes measuring spectral data of the object under a first illumination condition and a second illumination condition. The second illumination condition is different than the first illumination condition. The method also includes determining a presence of the security feature based on the spectral data measured under each illumination condition, and comparing the security feature to a standard.
1 . A method for validating a security feature of an object, the method comprising:
measuring spectral data of the object under a first illumination condition and a second illumination condition, wherein the second illumination condition is different than the first illumination condition;
determining a presence of the security feature based on the spectral data measured under each illumination condition; and
comparing the security feature to a standard.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
measuring under the first illumination condition comprises illuminating the object with a first line of light; and
measuring under the second illumination condition comprises illuminating the object with a second line of light.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein:
illuminating the object with the first line of light comprises illuminating the object with a first collimated line of light; and
illuminating the object with the second line of light comprises illuminating the object with a second collimated line of light.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the first and second lines of light comprises a line of UV rich light.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein measuring the spectral data comprises measuring light reflected from the object at a detection angle normal to a surface of the object.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein:
illuminating the object with the first line of collimated light comprises illuminating the object at an angle 15 degrees off the detection angle; and
illuminating the object with the second collimated line of light comprises illuminating the object at an angle 45 degrees off the detection angle.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring spectral data of the object under a third illumination condition, wherein the third illumination condition is different than the first and second illumination conditions.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:
measuring under the first illumination condition comprises illuminating the object with a first line of light;
measuring under the second illumination condition comprises illuminating the object with a second line of light; and
measuring under the third illumination condition comprises illuminating the object with a third line of light.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein:
illuminating the object with the first line of light comprises illuminating the object with a first collimated line of light;
illuminating the object with the second line of light comprises illuminating the object with a second collimated line of light; and
illuminating the object with the third line of light comprises illuminating the object with a third collimated line of light.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first, second, and third lines of light comprises a line of UV rich light.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein measuring the spectral data comprises measuring light reflected from the object at a detection angle 45 degrees off a normal of a surface of the object.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
illuminating the object with the first line of collimated light comprises illuminating the object at an angle 25 degrees off an opposing projection of the detection angle;
illuminating the object with the second collimated line of light comprises illuminating the object at an angle 45 degrees off the opposing projection of the detection angle; and
illuminating the object with the third collimated line of light comprises illuminating the object at an angle 75 degrees off the opposing projection of the detection angle.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the presence of the security feature comprises determining the presence of a metallic ink.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the presence of the security feature comprises determining the presence of a pearlescent ink.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the presence of the security feature includes determining the presence of at least one of the following:
a fluorescent material in the object; and
a fluorescent marking on the object.
16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the security feature to the standard comprises comparing a location of the security feature to the standard.
17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the security feature to the standard comprises comparing a shape of the security feature to the standard.
18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the security feature to the standard comprises comparing a color of the security feature to the standard.
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the security feature to the standard comprises comparing a pattern of the security feature to the standard.
20 . A system for validating a security feature of an object, the system comprising:
at least two illumination sources, wherein each illumination source is oriented at a different angle;
a line scanning spectrophotometer;
a determination module for determining a presence of a security feature of the object; and
a comparator module for comparing the security feature to a standard.
21 . A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium, the program comprising instructions for:
determining a presence of a security feature of an object; and
comparing the security feature to a standard.