Authentication device and associated authentication method based on a difference in alignment or a similarity in relative position of features of unique identifiers printed over images and/or text

1. A method comprising:

generating first images and/or text on a plurality of items using a first printing process having a first resolution;

printing a plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier being printed over the images and/or text on a corresponding one of the plurality of items using a second printing process having a second resolution different than the first resolution;

capturing a plurality of second images, each second image including at least a portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of unique identifiers and at least a portion of a corresponding one of the first images and/or text; and

storing the captured plurality of second images in a computer readable memory,

wherein a difference between the first resolution and the second resolution results in an alignment between the first images and/or text and the unique identifier on a first of the plurality of items being different than an alignment between the first images and/or text and the unique identifier on a second of the plurality of items.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating first images and/or text on the plurality of items comprises: generating a plurality of security images, each security image being generated on a corresponding one of a plurality of security devices; and

wherein printing the plurality of unique identifiers, each unique identifier being printed over the images and/or text on a corresponding one of the plurality of items comprises: each unique identifier being printed over the security image on a corresponding one of the plurality of items.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of security images is generated as a surface relief on the corresponding one of the plurality of items.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of security images includes at least one pattern of reference marks.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the security devices include at least one of a label and a foil, and wherein the method further comprises:

applying at least one of the security devices to an article.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of items are a plurality of articles including at least one of a product, product packaging, and a document.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of unique identifiers includes at least one of a unique identification number and a unique barcode.

8. A method comprising:

providing an item having first images and/or text generated thereon and a unique identifier printed over the first images and/or text;

capturing a second image including at least a portion of the first images and/or text and at least a portion of the unique identifier;

determining a corresponding third image based on the unique identifier, wherein the third image is a previously captured image associated with the unique identifier and including at least a portion of the first images and/or text and at least a portion of the unique identifier;

determining a similarity level of the second image and the third image by comparing a relative placement of features of the first images and/or text with respect to the unique identifier in the second image to a relative placement of features of the second images and/or text with respect to the unique identifier in the third image; and

determining that the item is authentic if the determined similarity level is above a threshold similarity level.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first images and/or text are a security image, wherein the item is a security device applied to an article, and wherein the article is at least one of a product, product packaging, and a document.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the security image is a surface relief formed on the item.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the security image is a pattern of reference marks.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the item is an article including at least one of a product, product packaging, and a document, and wherein the first images and/or text are generated on the article and the unique identifier is printed over the first images and/or text.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the unique identifier includes at least one of a unique identification number and a unique barcode.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the third image is captured and stored in an authentication database at the time of manufacturing of the item.

15. A system comprising:

an image generating device structured to generate first images and/or text on a plurality of items using a first resolution;

a printing device structured to print a plurality of unique identifiers using a second resolution different than the first resolution, each unique identifier being printed over the first images and/or text on a corresponding one of the plurality of items;

an image capturing device structured to capture a plurality of second images, each second image including at least a portion of a corresponding one of the plurality of unique identifiers and at least a portion of a corresponding one of the first images and/or text; and

a computer readable memory structured to store the captured plurality of second images,

wherein a difference between the first resolution and the second resolution results in an alignment between the first images and/or text and the unique identifier on a first of the plurality of items being different than an alignment between the first images and/or text and the unique identifier on a second of the plurality of items.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first images and/or text are a plurality of security images, each security image being generated on a corresponding one of a plurality of security devices.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the image generating device is a surface relief generating device structured to generate at least one of the plurality of security images as a surface relief on the corresponding one of the plurality of items.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of security images includes at least one pattern of reference marks.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the security devices include at least one of a label and a foil.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of items are a plurality of articles including at least one of a product, product packaging, and a document.

21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of unique identifiers includes at least one of a unique identification number and a unique barcode.

22. A system comprising:

an image capturing device structured to capture a first image of an item having second images and/or text generated thereon and a unique identifier printed over the second images and/or text, wherein the first image includes the unique identifier and at least a portion of the second images and/or text;

a processor including a routine structured to:

determine a corresponding third image based on the unique identifier, wherein the third image is a previously captured image associated with the unique identifier and including at least a portion of the unique identifier and at least a portion of the second images and/or text;

determine a similarity level of the first image and the third image by comparing a relative placement of features of the second images and/or text with respect to the unique identifier in the first image to a relative placement of features of the second images and/or text with respect to the unique identifier in the third image; and

determine that the item is authentic if the determined similarity level is above a threshold similarity level.

23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the second images and/or text are a security image, wherein the item is a security device applied to an article, and wherein the article is at least one of a product, product packaging, and a document.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the security image is a surface relief formed on the item.

25. The system of claim 23 , wherein the security image is a pattern of reference marks.

26. The system of claim 22 , wherein the item is an article including at least one of a product, product packaging, and a document, and wherein the first images and/or text are generated on the article and the unique identifier is printed over the first images and/or text.

27. The system of claim 22 , wherein the unique identifier includes at least one of a unique identification number and a unique barcode.

28. The system of claim 22 , further comprising:

an authentication database structured to receive and store the third image at the time of manufacturing of the item.