Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first image of a random distribution of items overlaying an encoded region of an object identification tag affixed to an object, wherein the first image comprises a first pattern obtained according to a first image capture configuration. A second image of the random distribution of items is also obtained, wherein the second image comprises a second pattern obtained according to a second image capture configuration. First and second stored reference patterns are identified according to decoded information obtained from the encoded region of the object identification tag and the first and second patterns are compared to the first and second stored reference patterns to obtain a comparison result. An authenticity of the object is determined according to the comparison result. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a first image of a random distribution of particles overlaying an encoded region of an object identification tag, wherein the first image is obtained according to a first image capture configuration comprising a first image capture angle. The first image is associated with a decoded message determined according to the encoded region resulting in an association between the object identification tag and the first reflection pattern. A second image of the random distribution of particles is obtained according to a second image capture configuration including a second image capture angle, and an authenticity of the object identification tag is determined according to the association, the first image, and the second image. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A method for determining the position of a first part moving in relation to a second part in a system, comprising forming a code on a surface of the first part or the second part, yielding an encoded surface; detecting the code on the encoded surface; decoding the code; and determining the position of the moving part from the decoding of the code; the code comprises microstructures at precisely selected positions on the surface of the encoded part; detecting the code comprises scanning the encoded surface with a sensor in conditions selected in relation to the code formed and to the encoded surface to precisely read the code on the encoded surface.

A light emitting device for optically reproducing a coded information includes a plurality of optical components. Each of the components is configured to emit light. The combination of the light emitted from the optical components provides coded information.

In a general aspect, unique unclonable physical identifiers are applied and used. A method of applying the unique marker can include receiving an object having a surface feature and forming a unique marker on the surface feature of the object. The unique marker includes a distribution of elements and conforms with a morphology of the surface feature. The method further includes extracting orientation information from the unique marker. The orientation information can indicate relative spatial orientations of the respective elements. The method additionally includes generating a unique code for the object based on the orientation information. The surface feature can be facets, surface patterns, textures, or other indentations of the object. The surface feature can include a region of the object that is susceptible to tampering.

A method and system providing an anti-counterfeiting label or mark, using ordinary inkjet printers, take advantage of a phenomenon called a coffee ring pattern, something that inkjet printers. Even the same inkjet printer can output different patterns under different conditions. As a result, the likelihood of reproduction of a particular printer's coffee ring pattern using another printer is so low as to be negligible. It is possible to capture images of the coffee rings using a smartphone camera. The coffee ring approach may be used on any labels or packages on which inkjet printing can be used.

A microbead with a code engraved on an outside of the microbead. The microbead includes a central region and an edge region surrounding the central region. An outer contour of the edge region before and after engraving the code is non-circular. The edge region includes a plurality of coding positions. The code of the microbead is engraved on the plurality of coding positions. Each bit of the code corresponds to each of the plurality of coding positions. The present disclosure increases the utilization rate of the microbead.

There is provided a holographic security element including a substrate; and an array of nano-reflectors configured to form a pattern on the substrate and to generate a holographic image corresponding to the pattern at a predetermined distance from the substrate when irradiated with a predetermined light source. In particular, the array of nano-reflectors is configured to generate the holographic image at the predetermined distance to have a size that is larger than a size of the pattern. There is also provided a method of forming the holographic security element, and an article having one or more holographic security elements incorporated therein.

A spherical identifier may, in an example, include a sphere including a plurality of shells forming the sphere, a radially-defined code being discernable using the arrangement of the plurality of shells. A three-dimensional object identifier may, in an example, include a number of spheres manufactured into the body of the three-dimensional object wherein each of the spheres comprise a plurality of shells; the shells constituting a radially definable code.

The method comprises the steps: of applying the identifier (100′) on an object; of making a first digital image and, subsequently, a second digital image of the identifier; of deriving first and second digital keys from the first and second images, respectively; and of comparing the second digital key with the first digital key; wherein the identifier (100′) is made up of same-diameter microbeads (120) distributed in a random manner on the surface of the object, the microbeads being embedded in a layer (110′) of binder, and deriving the first digital key comprises the steps of applying elliptical regression to a distribution of points representative of the positions of the microbeads in the first image in order to define an ellipse, and of applying a change of reference frame consisting in expressing the positions of said points in a reference frame based on the ellipse.