This disclosure relates to tagging of materials and objects and analysis for authentication thereof. An example method includes analyzing separately a number of locations distributed across a given surface of a solid object according to one or more analysis technologies to determine feature data for each of the locations. The feature data are indicative of a respective chemical property and/or mechanical property of the solid object at each of the locations, corresponding to a feature tag, and the feature data depend on the one or more analysis technologies. The method also includes determining a tag signature for the solid object based on the feature data determined for each of the locations.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

In a general aspect, orientation information is used to generate a unique code. In some aspects, orientation information is extracted from an object. The object includes multiple elements, and the orientation information indicates the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The orientation information can be extracted, for instance, by a scanner system that detects the elements. A unique code is generated for the object based on the orientation information. In some examples, the elements are diamond particles that each have one or more color centers, and the orientation information is extracted by detecting the color centers.

In a general aspect, orientation information is used to generate a unique code. In some aspects, orientation information is extracted from an object. The object includes multiple elements, and the orientation information indicates the relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The orientation information can be extracted, for instance, by a scanner system that detects the elements. A unique code is generated for the object based on the orientation information. In some examples, the elements are diamond particles that each have one or more color centers, and the orientation information is extracted by detecting the color centers.

A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus. In the method, information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking is obtained. It is determined whether or not the franking is a counterfeit franking and/or a reused franking based on the obtained information or based on the obtained information and based on reference information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking. The at least one characteristic includes at least one of a physical characteristic of the franking, a visual characteristic of an image provided on the franking, and/or a characteristic based on at least one material of the franking.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for light-based authentication of a payment card. The payment card may include a randomized mix of materials. The materials may include transparent or translucent materials. A light source may shine light on a surface of the payment card. Light passing through the card may generate a light pattern that is unique to the payment card. The light pattern may be captured and compared to a reference light pattern to authenticate the payment card. In some embodiments, photodetectors may detect light patterns generated through interactions with the card materials.

Technology for managing objects. A method is applied to a set of objects, for example, in view of commissioning such objects. The method includes patterning a surface of each object of a set of objects to be managed. The patterning is accomplished by using hard particles to make indentations in a surface of each object of the set of object, with the pattern formed on each object being a unique physical fingerprint that can be used to identify the object when performing various manage method(s) on the objects.

A method and system of validating cash transactions which comprises capturing a unique identifier of a banknote, storing the unique identifier against a user identity of a user; and upon receiving the banknote as tender for payment, checking the unique identifier of the banknote against the user identity, requesting an authorization for release of the banknote for payment, and in response to receiving a successful authorization, transmitting an accept banknote message and in response to a failed authorization, transmitting a decline banknote message.

A method and system of validating cash transactions which comprises capturing a unique identifier of a banknote, storing the unique identifier against a user identity of a user; and upon receiving the banknote as tender for payment, checking the unique identifier of the banknote against the user identity, requesting an authorization for release of the banknote for payment, and in response to receiving a successful authorization, transmitting an accept banknote message and in response to a failed authorization, transmitting a decline banknote message.

A method for providing scratch-off lottery tickets for sale remote from a POS location in a retail establishment includes configuring the tickets with a game play area having play characters covered by a scratch-off coating. A print characteristic is provided in the game play area that is optically scannable but not reproducible when photocopying the game play area. In a database, identification of the printed characteristic is linked to a computer file associated with the lottery ticket at a central lottery computer. An optically scannable random identifier is also provided in the game play area and is linked to the computer file. Upon presentation of the lottery ticket for purchase, the ticket or a scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the print characteristic is present in the game play area. The scanned image of the ticket is analyzed to verify that the random identifier assigned to the lottery ticket is present in the game play area of the scanned image.