An authentication device for various items is disclosed. The authentication device includes a sample treated with at least two luminophors, each luminophor being ultra-violet energy excitable but one emitting in the visible and the other in the infrared spectral range, an excitation lamp to excite the treated sample, a pair of detectors one each for detecting radiation in the visible and in the infrared spectral range, a source of power, and a display coupled to the pair of detectors. Preferably...

The present invention is directed to a hardware authentication system for a public key communications network. The public key network includes at least one user terminal and at least one hardware authentication terminal coupled by a communications medium. The authentication terminal generates and stores a plaintext message M, and generates from this message M a ciphertext message C by transforming the plaintext message M with the public key of the user terminal. The authentication terminal is fu...

An authentication system, method and article for memorabilia and other forms of articles wherein a hologram is affixed to the article with a tamper-proof adhesive. The hologram has thereon a unique code number. A certificate of authenticity is provided with the article and it includes a like or different hologram, but with a matching unique code number. A master record or list of the unique code number and related article to which the code number applies is maintained by an entity which also pro...

An environment which includes a communications network, user terminals, and an authentication center provides communication services only to legitimate subscribers. The center receives an equipment ID for each terminal and uses a secret key to encrypt the equipment ID with a user ID and an error detection code to form an encrypted block. This block is programmed into an authentication module and sent to the subscriber for installation in the subscriber's terminal. The center sends a public key t...

A method and apparatus for storing, in scrambled form, information relating to the personal features of a person. This information can be stored on a portable storage medium which can be carried by the person and used to gain access to a secured area by on-site decoding and verification of the stored information.

A process for the authentication of documents which comprises generating developed documents in an electophotographic apparatus, or in a laser printer with an encapsulated toner comprised of a core comprised of polymer, an optional pigment, and an infrared emitting component, and thereover a polymeric shell; and subjecting the document to an infrared reader whereby the infrared component is detected spectroscopically.

An authentication system, method and article for memorabilia and other forms of articles wherein a first image-bearing medium is affixed to the article with a tamper-proof adhesive. A unique code number is imprinted on the medium. A certificate of authenticity is provided for the article and includes a second image-bearing medium with an identical unique code number. A list of unique code numbers is maintained to enable a purchaser of the article to register that article such that the purchaser ...

An electronic authentication device has an authentication key unit for user authentication with respect to the target unit, which key unit communicates electronically with the target unit during an authentication communication process. An electronic authentication communication process is activated automatically when the key unit approaches the target unit or when a triggering element provided on the target unit is actuated. For increased protection against unauthorized authentication attempts, ...

A system is disclosed for authenticating a signature on the basis of its execution. Generally, the system senses the speed of the tip of a writing instrument as a criterion for developing an identification or characterization of the signature. As disclosed, a tablet is provided defining a surface which is scored orthogonally to create impulses (by pen contact) that relate to the speed of the tip of a pen. The impulses are sensed as an electrical signal which is processed to derive a characteriza...

The invention provides an access control system for selectively granting access on presentation and authentication of a control card means, the control card means comprising a web means with machine readable indicia carried thereby and having unique coded micro space pattern means. The control card authentication means descried includes means to read the indicia and a bank of authenticating master patterns, with means responsive to the reading of the indicia to select the appropriate master patt...