IP Library Granted Patent US 9,917,699
Granted Patent B2
US 9,917,699 · App. 14/879,357 · Granted Mar 13, 2018

Physical unclonable function imaged through two faces

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,917,699
App. No.
14/879,357
Granted
Mar 13, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A physical unclonable function (PUF) imaged through two faces is disclosed. The PUF is difficult to counterfeit because the view through both faces must be duplicated for a successful counterfeit. PUF may be incorporated into a user-replaceable supply item for an imaging device. A PUF reader may be incorporated into an imaging device to read the PUF. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Claims (26)

1. A system comprising:

a body;

a non-opaque substrate mounted to the body containing a plurality of particles dispersed in the substrate within a cubic region having a first face and a second face, the first face is contiguous with the second face; and

a non-volatile memory device mounted to the body containing first image data of the particles as viewed through the first face while the cubic region is illuminated through the second face and second image data of the particles as viewed through the second face while the cubic region is illuminated through the first face.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particles are reflective.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particles are opaque.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particles are magnetic.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particles have an average diameter of between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm inclusive.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is transparent.

7. A system comprising:

a body;

a non-opaque substrate mounted to the body containing a plurality of particles dispersed in the substrate within a cubic region having a first face and a second face, the first face is contiguous with the second face; and

a non-volatile memory device mounted to the body containing first image data of the particles as viewed simultaneously through the first face and the second face while the cubic region is illuminated through the second face and second image data of the particles as viewed simultaneously through the first face and the second face while to the cubic region is illuminated through the first face.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the particles are reflective.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the particles are opaque.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the particles are magnetic.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the particles have an average diameter of between 0.1 mm and 1.0 mm inclusive.

12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the substrate is transparent.

13. The system of claim 7 , further comprising third image data of the particles as viewed simultaneously through the first face and the second face while the cubic region is simultaneously illuminated through the first face and the second face.

14. A method of manufacturing an authentication device comprising:

attaching a non-volatile memory device to a body;

attaching a non-opaque substrate to the body containing a plurality of particles dispersed in the substrate within a cubic region having a first face and a second face, the first face is contiguous with the second face;

generating first image data of the particles as viewed through the first face while the cubic region is illuminated through the second face and is not illuminated through the first face;

generating second image data of the particles as viewed through the second face while the cubic region is illuminated through the first face and is not illuminated through the second face;

generating encrypted image data by encrypting the first image data and the second image data; and

writing the encrypted image data to the non-volatile memory device.

Assignments (8)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0192 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0293 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073007/0118 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 073007/0346 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 066345/0026 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT U.S. PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 046989 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047760/0795 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 30, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046989/0396 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2015
From: BOOTH, JAMES RONALD; CANNON, ROGER STEVEN; DENTON, GARY ALLEN; DRUMMOND, JAMES PAUL; KILLEEN, KELLY ANN
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 036764/0828 →