Heat-based authentication
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for heat-based authentication. An apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores code that is executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to capture a thermal image of an object placed within a heated environment, identify at least one characteristic of the object based on the thermal image, and determine an authenticity of the object based on the at least one characteristic.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a memory that stores code executable by the processor to:
capture a thermal image of an object placed within a heated environment that is configured to uniformly heat the object;
identify at least one characteristic of the object based on the thermal image, the at least one characteristic comprising a heat-responsive feature that is intentionally incorporated into the object and known prior to capturing the thermal image; and
determine an authenticity of the object based on the at least one characteristic by comparing the thermal image to a reference thermal signature previously linked to the object in a secure data structure.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the code is executable by the processor to identify the at least one characteristic based on a thermal signature of the object.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a pattern, a predefined indicator, or a combination of both within the thermal signature of the object.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the pattern comprises manufacturing indicia that are introduced to the object during manufacturing.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the manufacturing indicia comprises void patterns, ridge patterns, bubble patterns, or a combination thereof that are indicative of manufacturing equipment, a manufacturing location, or a combination thereof.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the predefined indicator comprises a heat sensitive material that is present within the object and is known prior to capturing the thermal image.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the heat sensitive material comprises a metal wire that is placed within the object in a predefined pattern.
8 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the code is executable by the processor to compare the thermal signature of the object to a second thermal signature of the object to determine the authenticity of the object.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second thermal signature comprises a previously-determined thermal signature of the object, the previously-determined thermal signature associated with the object in a way that uniquely identifies the object.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the previously-determined thermal signature is associated with the object using a secure database, a blockchain, or a combination thereof.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a security card that includes heat sensitive material placed within the security card in a predefined pattern.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the object comprises a collectable item.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an infrared camera for capturing the thermal image of the object.
14 . A system, comprising:
a heated environment;
a thermal camera;
a processor;
a memory that stores code executable by the processor to:
capture a thermal image of an object placed within the heated environment, the heated environment configured to uniformly heat the object;
identify at least one characteristic of the object based on the thermal image, the at least one characteristic comprising a heat-responsive feature that is intentionally incorporated into the object and known prior to capturing the thermal image; and
determine an authenticity of the object based on the at least one characteristic by comparing the thermal image to a reference thermal signature previously linked to the object in a secure data structure.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the heated environment is configured to raise the temperature of the object to a temperature within a predefined temperature range.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the thermal camera comprises an infrared camera.
17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the code is executable by the processor to identify the at least one characteristic based on a thermal signature of the object.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one characteristic comprises a pattern, a predefined indicator, or a combination of both within the thermal signature of the object.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the code is executable by the processor to compare the thermal signature of the object to a second thermal signature of the object to determine the authenticity of the object, the second thermal signature comprising a previously-determined thermal signature of the object that is captured using the heated environment.
20 . A method comprising:
capturing, by a processor, a thermal image of an object placed within a heated environment that is configured to uniformly heat the object;
identifying at least one characteristic of the object based on the thermal image, the at least one characteristic comprising a heat-responsive feature that is intentionally incorporated into the object and known prior to capturing the thermal image; and
determining an authenticity of the object based on the at least one characteristic by comparing the thermal image to a reference thermal signature previously linked to the object in a secure data structure.