| 主权项 |
1. An apparatus for indicating if a security document comprises one or more specified characteristics, said apparatus comprising:
an effect sensing device operative to sense at least one of: a stimulated effect arising due to: an interaction of a plurality of energy carrying particles and/or waves with a passive taggant material in said at least one reference layer; and an interaction of a plurality of energy carrying particles and/or waves with an interface between said at least one reference layer and at least one adjacent layer; and a spontaneous effect arising due to spontaneous emission of a plurality of energy carrying particles and/or waves from an active taggant material in said at least one reference layer; and output, to a processor of said apparatus, a sensed effect profile representative of said spontaneous and/or stimulated effect as sensed; wherein said processor is arranged to: derive a first data profile from said sensed effect profile; compare said first data profile with a second data profile representative of a specified effect profile; and produce an authentication signal representative of a match or otherwise between said first data profile and said second data profile. |
