Method of authenticating an item
A method of authenticating an item with a security mark includes providing a substrate ( 100 ); printing the security mark on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink ( 102 ); applying a coating comprised of UV fluorescent varnish ( 104 ) over the security mark and substrate; illuminating an area comprising the security mark and coating with UV light; identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark; comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.
1. A method of authenticating an item with a security mark comprising:
providing a substrate;
printing the security mark on the substrate with invisible ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink;
applying a coating comprised of a clear, UV fluorescent varnish, transparent in the visible spectrum, over the security mark and substrate;
illuminating an area comprising the security mark and coating with UV light;
identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark;
comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and
authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the security mark consists of a picture, text, number, logo, barcode, or combinations thereof.
3. The method 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 method of claim 1 wherein the coating is comprised of UV fluorescent varnish transmits from 10% to 90% of ultraviolet light.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein in the coating is comprised of UV fluorescent varnish transmits from 30% to 70% of ultraviolet light.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the material comprising the security mark absorbs light having a wavelength between 200-400 nm.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate reflects at least 50% percent of the UV radiation transmitted by the coating.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein authentication is by visual matching.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein authentication comprises:
capturing an image of the reduced fluorescence image on an image sensor; and
comparing the reduced fluorescence image to a predetermined image using a microprocessor.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
transmitting the reduced fluorescence image to a remote location for comparison and authentication.
11. A method of authenticating an item with a security mark comprising:
providing a substrate;
printing the security mark on the substrate with ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink;
placing a transparent sheet comprising a UV fluorescent material, transparent in the visible spectrum, over the security mark and substrate;
illuminating an area comprising the security mark and sheet with UV light;
identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark;
comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and
authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the security mark consists of a picture, text, number, logo, barcode, or combinations thereof.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the UV fluorescent sheet transmits from 10% to 90% of ultraviolet light.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein in the UV fluorescent sheet transmits from 30% to 70% of ultraviolet light.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the material comprising the security mark absorbs light having a wavelength between 200-400 nm.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the substrate reflects at least 50% percent of the UV radiation transmitted by the coating.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein authentication is by visual matching.
18. The method of claim 11 wherein authentication comprises:
capturing an image of the reduced fluorescence image on an image sensor; and
comparing the reduced fluorescence image to a predetermined image using a microprocessor.
19. A method of authenticating an item with a security mark comprising:
providing a substrate;
printing the security mark on the substrate with ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ink; and
placing a transparent sheet or a clear varnish comprising a UV fluorescent material, transparent in the visible spectrum, over the security mark and substrate.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
illuminating an area comprising the security mark and sheet or coating with UV light;
identifying a reduced fluorescence image of the security mark;
comparing the reduced fluorescence image with the security mark; and
authenticating the item if the reduced fluorescence image matches the security mark.