Authentication apparatus and method

摘要

An authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of an item comprising a film substrate responsive to detection that a portion of said item located in a measuring region of said apparatus has a predetermined birefringence characteristic, said apparatus comprising: an item detection arrangement operative to determine if at least a portion of an item is located in a measuring region of said authentication apparatus; and an optically-based birefringence measuring apparatus, wherein said authentication apparatus is operative to compare a measured birefringence characteristic with a predetermined birefringence characteristic and to produce an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said item based upon said comparison, said apparatus further comprising a control means operative to control output of said authenticity signal from said apparatus responsive to determination, by said item detection arrangement, of presence or otherwise of said at least a portion of said item in said measuring region.

主权项

1. An item authentication system comprising:
a birefringence measuring apparatus comprising a measuring region, wherein the birefringence measuring apparatus measures a birefringence characteristic in a test item portion comprising a film substrate when present in the measuring region and produces a birefringence output signal corresponding to the measured birefringence; an item detection apparatus that measures a characteristic in the test item portion and produces an output signal corresponding to the measured characteristic indicative of the test item being present in the measuring region; a processor that: (i) receives the birefringence output signal from the birefringence measuring apparatus and compares a value of the received birefringence output signal to one or more predetermined values; and (ii) generates one or more determination signals indicating whether the test item is authentic or not authentic based on the comparison; and a processor that: (i) receives the item detection output signal from the item detection apparatus and compares a value of the received output signal to one or more predetermined values; (ii) generates one or more item detection signals indicating whether the test item is located in the measuring region; and (iii) outputs a determination signal to a control means indicative of the presence of the test item in the measuring region, wherein responsive to receipt thereof, the control means outputs an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or non-authenticity of the test item based on the determination signals indicating whether the test item is authentic or not authentic, wherein the processor receiving the birefringence output signal and the processor receiving the item detection output signal may be the same processor or different processors.