LATENT ILLUMINANCE DISCRIMINATION MARKER AND SYSTEM FOR DATA STORAGE CARTRIDGES

摘要

An object (20) or an article, such as a data storage cartridge, for a detector or reader, such as a data storage disk drive, has a latent illuminance marker. A light source (34) illuminates the marker and the marker emits illuminance as phosphorescence. A photosensor (36) detects the emitted illuminance, and the decay time is determined. The decay time is checked to provide identification and/or authentication of different types or generations of objects or articles, such as data storage, cartridges, or provides a secure keying mechanism for authorized access to proprietary software.