System for authenticating an item
View Patent ↗A system of authenticating an item with a security mark includes a substrate ( 100 ); wherein the security mark is printed on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink ( 102 ); a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish ( 104 ) applied over the security mark and substrate; wherein an area comprising the security mark and coating with is illuminated with UV light; wherein a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark is identified; wherein the reduced fluorescence image is compared with the security mark; and wherein the item is authenticated if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.
1. A system of authenticating an item with a security mark comprising:
a substrate;
wherein the security mark is printed on the substrate and comprises invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink;
a coating comprised of a clear UV fluorescent varnish applied over the security mark and substrate;
a UV illuminator for illuminating the security mark and coating wherein the security mark emits a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark in the presence of UV light;
an image sensor for capturing the reduced fluorescence image;
a microprocessor for comparing the reduced fluorescence image of the security mark to a predetermined image and authenticating the reduced fluorescence image if it matches the predetermined image.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the security mark consists of a picture, text, number, logo, barcode, or combinations thereof.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the security mark is comprised of variable information consisting of a picture, text, number, logo, barcode, or combinations thereof.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the variable information security mark is changed for each subsequent item.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the coating is comprised of UV fluorescent varnish which transmits from 10% to 90% of ultraviolet light.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein in the coating is comprised of UV fluorescent varnish which transmits from 30% to 70% of ultraviolet light.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the security mark comprises a material which absorbs light having a wavelength between 200-400 nm.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the substrate reflects at least 50% percent of the UV radiation transmitted by the coating.
9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
the reduced fluorescence image is transmitted to a remote location for comparison and authentication.
10. A system of authenticating an item with a security mark comprising:
a substrate;
wherein the security mark is on the substrate comprises ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink;
a transparent sheet comprising a UV fluorescent material on the security mark and substrate;
an illuminator for illuminating an area comprising the security mark and sheet which produces a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark;
an sensor for capturing a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark;
a microprocessor for comparing the reduced fluorescence image to a predetermined image and authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the predetermined image.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein the security mark consists of a picture, text, number, logo, barcode or combinations thereof.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the UV fluorescent sheet transmits from 10% to 90% of ultraviolet light.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein in the UV fluorescent sheet transmits from 30% to 70% of ultraviolet light.
14. The system of claim 10 wherein the material comprising the security mark absorbs light having a wavelength between 200-400 nm.
15. The system of claim 10 wherein the substrate reflects at least 50% percent of the UV radiation transmitted by the coating.
16. A system of authenticating an item with a security mark comprising:
a substrate;
wherein the security mark comprises ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink; and
a transparent sheet or clear varnish comprising a UV fluorescent material on the security mark and substrate.
17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:
an illuminator for illumination of an area comprising the security mark and sheet or coating with UV light;
an image sensor for capturing a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark;
a microprocessor for comparing the reduced fluorescence image with a predetermined image and -authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the predetermined image.