Granted Patent B2

US 8,750,621 · App. 13/094,945 · Granted Jun 10, 2014

Abstract

Claims (20)

1. A method for authenticating security markers comprising:

capturing an image of a region of interest on a product with a camera;

using a microprocessor to store image data of the image in a two-dimensional array in a memory;

using the microprocessor to count a number of pixels at or above a predetermined brightness level in the image data to determine a first score;

using the microprocessor to establish a circle that excludes a portion of the image, the circle having a center at the spatial center of the image;

using the microprocessor to count a number of pixels above the predetermined brightness level within the circle to determine a second score;

using the microprocessor to calculate a ratio of the second score to the first score; and

if the ratio is above a predetermined threshold, using the microprocessor to authenticate the security marker.

2. A method for authenticating security markers comprising:

a) capturing an image of a region of interest on a product with a camera;

b) storing image data of the captured image in a two-dimensional array in a memory with a microprocessor;

c) counting a number of pixels at or above a predetermined brightness level in the image data with the microprocessor to determine a first score;

d) eroding the image data with the microprocessor;

e) counting the pixels that are at or above the predetermined brightness level after erosion to determine a second score with the microprocessor;

f) calculating a ratio of the second score to the first score with the microprocessor;

g) if the ratio of the second score to the first score is below a predetermined threshold go to step h), if not reject the security marker;

h) establishing a circle within the image that excludes a portion of the image, the circle having a center at the spatial center of the image with the microprocessor;

i) counting a number of pixels at or above the predetermined brightness level within the circle to determine a third score;

j) calculating a ratio of the third score to the first score with the microprocessor; and

k) if the ratio is above a predetermined threshold the security marker is authenticated.

Assignments (23)