An authentication method includes receiving, at a processor, a signal representing an image of a serialization code and multiple flecks of a label, the flecks having a random distribution. The processor detects the serialization code and applies a modification to the image to produce a modified image. A subset of flecks of the modified image is detected, and metrics associated with each fleck from the subset of flecks are identified. The identified metrics are compared with metrics associated with a unique signature, and a message is displayed, via a user interface, indicating an authenticity of the label based on the comparison.

A physical card (in some cases without any on-board source of power or computing capabilities) is configured to maintain access information for digital bearer assets. The physical card may include disposed thereon a single address operable to receive digital bearer assets in one or more transactions on a decentralized computing platform, like a blockchain-based decentralized computing platform. Other decentralized computing platforms utilize different address generation protocols, thus preventing use of a single address on those other platforms. A set of addresses is generated, each address corresponding to a given decentralized computing platform. Each address is based on a same underlying key-pair, and a primary address is selected from the set for a given card. The remaining addresses in the set are stored, without storage of the public key or private key, and returned in a response to a request for additional addresses of the currency card.

A method for detecting a component including a concealed pattern includes: detecting infrared electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted by a component including a first pattern, the component including: a substrate; the first pattern disposed over at least a portion of the substrate; an optional primer layer disposed between at least a portion of the substrate and at least a portion of the first pattern; and a first visibly opaque layer including an infrared transparent pigment, the first visibly opaque layer disposed over at least a portion of the first pattern; and comparing the reflectivity and/or absorbance of infrared electromagnetic radiation by the first pattern at one wavelength to the reflectivity and/or absorbance by the primer layer and/or the substrate at the same wavelength.

An authentication method includes receiving, at a processor, a signal representing an image of a serialization code and multiple flecks of a label, the flecks having a random distribution. The processor detects the serialization code and applies a modification to the image to produce a modified image. A subset of flecks of the modified image is detected, and metrics associated with each fleck from the subset of flecks are identified. The identified metrics are compared with metrics associated with a unique signature, and a message is displayed, via a user interface, indicating an authenticity of the label based on the comparison.

A physical card (in some cases without any on-board source of power or computing capabilities) is configured to maintain access information for digital bearer assets. The physical card may include disposed thereon a single address operable to receive digital bearer assets in one or more transactions on a decentralized computing platform, like a blockchain-based decentralized computing platform. Other decentralized computing platforms utilize different address generation protocols, thus preventing use of a single address on those other platforms. A set of addresses is generated, each address corresponding to a given decentralized computing platform. Each address is based on a same underlying key-pair, and a primary address is selected from the set for a given card. The remaining addresses in the set are stored, without storage of the public key or private key, and returned in a response to a request for additional addresses of the currency card.

A method for detecting a component including a concealed pattern includes: detecting infrared electromagnetic radiation reflected or emitted by a component including a first pattern, the component including: a substrate; the first pattern disposed over at least a portion of the substrate; an optional primer layer disposed between at least a portion of the substrate and at least a portion of the first pattern; and a first visibly opaque layer including an infrared transparent pigment, the first visibly opaque layer disposed over at least a portion of the first pattern; and comparing the reflectivity and/or absorbance of infrared electromagnetic radiation by the first pattern at one wavelength to the reflectivity and/or absorbance by the primer layer and/or the substrate at the same wavelength.

A combined primary label and secondary label comprises a first piece of paper, a first release coating disposed on a portion of the first piece of paper, a second piece of paper, a second release coating different from the first release coating and disposed on a portion of the second piece of paper. The combined primary and secondary label further comprises an adhesive layer disposed between the first and second pieces of paper such that (i) a primary label can be peeled away with at least some adhesive of the adhesive layer from the second release coating disposed on the portion of the second piece of paper, and (ii) a secondary label can be peeled away with at least some adhesive of the same adhesive layer from the first release coating disposed on the portion of the first piece of paper.

A method for marking a product (1) with a photoluminescent mark, said mark comprising a photoluminescent portion (10) which is transparent under normal light conditions and revealed by photoluminescence under UV illumination, said mark further comprising a non photoluminescent portion (9) which is transparent under normal light conditions as well s under UV illumination, said method comprising: deposing on said product a stack, said stack comprising alternatively layers (2,4) such as AlN, with a thickness of less than 1 micron and layers (3) of a second material, such as GaN with a thickness of less than 10 nm; raising the transparency of said non photoluminescent portion (10) with a deposition of transparent material (6) or incorporation of ions into said non photoluminescent portions.

A label includes a flexible substrate comprising a first side and a second side. The first side is an adhesive, the second side is configured to be printed with a first visible mark, and the second side has a second printed, overlapping mark. The overlapping mark is configured to change opacity below a first transition temperature to obscure the visible mark.

An authentication method includes receiving, at a processor, a signal representing an image of a serialization code and multiple flecks of a label, the flecks having a random distribution. The processor detects the serialization code and applies a modification to the image to produce a modified image. A subset of flecks of the modified image is detected, and metrics associated with each fleck from the subset of flecks are identified. The identified metrics are compared with metrics associated with a unique signature, and a message is displayed, via a user interface, indicating an authenticity of the label based on the comparison.