System and method for authenticating objects using multiple-level encoding and decoding

1. A method of producing a digital multiple-level encoded image, the method comprising:

using one or more data processors to perform a set of actions including:

obtaining a digital authentication image;

obtaining a first encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters;

constructing a first encoded image using a first encoding methodology, the digital authentication image and the first encoding parameter set;

obtaining a second encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters; and

constructing a second encoded image using a second encoding methodology, the first encoded image and the second encoding parameter set, wherein the second encoded image may be decoded to reveal the first encoded image using a decoder having characteristics corresponding to at least a portion of the encoding parameters of the second encoding parameter set and the first encoded image may be decoded to reveal the authentication image using a decoder having characteristics corresponding to at least a portion of the encoding parameters of the first encoding parameter set.

2. An automated method according to claim 1 wherein the action of constructing a first encoded image includes encoding and embedding the authentication image into a first primary image.

3. An automated method according to claim 1 wherein the action of constructing a second encoded image includes embedding the first encoded image into a second primary image.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first encoding methodology is the same as the second encoding methodology.

5. An automated method according to claim 1 wherein the set of actions performed by the one or more data processors further includes:

obtaining a third encoding parameter set comprising one or more encoding parameters; and

constructing a third digital encoded image using a third encoding methodology, the second encoded image and the third encoding parameter set, wherein the third digital encoded image may be decoded to reveal the second encoded image using a decoder having characteristics corresponding to at least a portion of the encoding parameters of the third encoding parameter set.

6. A system for constructing a digital multiple-level encoded image, the system comprising:

an authentication image module adapted for obtaining a digital authentication image;

an encoding parameter module adapted for assembling a plurality of encoding parameter sets, each encoding parameter set including at least one encoding parameter for use in encoding a digital image; and

an encoding module in communication with the authentication image module and the encoding parameter module, the encoding module being adapted for applying a first encoding methodology to the authentication image using a first encoding parameter set to provide an encoded image and for re-encoding the encoded image a predetermined number of times to produce the digital multiple-level encoded image, each re-encoding of the encoded image being accomplished using a encoding methodology that may be the same as the first encoding methodology and a different encoding parameter set.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein the encoding module is further adapted so that the encoded image includes a primary image into which an encoded version of the authentication image is embedded.

8. A system according to claim 6 wherein the authentication module, encoding parameter module and encoding module are in communication with a data storage module configured for storage of the authentication image and the plurality of encoding parameter sets.

9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the data storage module is further configured for storage of the digital multiple-level encoded image.

10. A system according to claim 6 further comprising:

means for applying the digital encoded image to an object.

11. A system according to claim 6 wherein the authentication image module is adapted to construct the digital authentication image from a set of authentication indicia.

12. A system according to claim 6 wherein the encoding parameter module is adapted to receive the at least one encoding parameter from an encoded image requester.

13. A system according to claim 6 wherein the encoding parameter module is adapted to derive the at least one encoding parameter from information associated with the object.

14. A system according to claim 6 wherein the object is a document and the information associated with the object is a document processing circumstance.