An identity determination apparatus includes a first storage unit that stores registration apparatus information used in a case where reference data obtained by imaging a portion of a surface of an object to be determined is registered, material information regarding the object which is a target for identity determination, collation apparatus information used in a case where collation data is acquired, and collation reference information used in collation in association with each other, a second storage unit that stores the registration apparatus information and the material information in association with reference data acquired in advance, a reception unit that receives collation data acquired from the object to be determined in a case where a determination process is performed, the material information, and the collation apparatus information, and a determination unit that reads out the collation reference information corresponding to the material information and the collation apparatus information which are received by the reception unit and the registration apparatus information to be specified by the collation apparatus information from the first storage unit, reads out the reference data corresponding to the registration apparatus information to be specified by the collation apparatus information, and the material information from the second storage unit, and collates the collation data received by the reception unit and the reference data read out from the second storage unit with each other using the read-out collation reference information to determine identity of the object to be determined.

The invention adds a Physical Information Layer (PIL) to the magnetic particles within a matrix that creates an unclonable physical unclonable function object. The PIL assists in searching to find the combination that matches a pre-determined enrolled combination with additional information that includes a search index, which limits the range of data required to search in order to find a match in the enrolled database. The index could be a predetermined value that associates the random magnetic profile values to a list of enrolled values in a database. The additional information may include product or general information that needs to be easily communicated to a user of the PUF.

The disclosure features dendritic tags, and methods and systems for fabricating and using such tags. The methods can include obtaining at least one image of a dendritic tag attached to an article, analyzing the at least one image to identify a set of features associated with the dendritic tag, and comparing the set of features to stored information to identify the article.

A system that efficiently packs indefinitely large quantities of random data in sufficiently identical physical entities (Random Rocks, Rocks) so that all holders of a matching Rock will extract from it the same data, in response to the same data request, (query); the packed random data is inherently analog, not digital, in form; the Rock always responds with the same data to the same data request, which must be presented one request at a time.

A method of manufacturing a component comprising forming an identifier internally within the component in a predetermined manner, wherein the identifier can be used to subsequently identify or authenticate the component.

A method of verifying an identity of a printed item includes capturing an image of the unverified printed item, wherein the unverified printed item includes artifacts and at least some of the artifacts were not controllably producible in producing the unverified printed item; extracting information associated with the artifacts of the unverified printed item; ranking the information associated with the artifacts of the unverified printed item; retrieving stored ranked information associated with artifacts of an original printed item from a storage device; and in each of a first and second range of magnitudes, comparing the ranked information associated with the artifacts of the unverified printed item with the ranked information associated with the artifacts of the original printed item.

A system for verifying the authenticity of a printed mark includes an image acquisition device that acquires an image of a printed mark. In one implementation, the printed mark includes an identifier that identifies the group or class of an item to which the printed mark is to be (or has been) attached. The system may also include one or more processors that carry out actions such as receiving the image from the image acquisition device; analyzing the image to identify artifacts in the printed mark, retrieving a genuine mark signature from a data storage containing genuine mark signatures, comparing the identified artifacts with the genuine mark signature, and determining whether the unverified item is authentic based on the comparison.

The present invention provides a method for providing a random combination status code for a commodity, comprising parts A and B provided on a commodity and corresponding circuit components. The parts A and B have particular joint surfaces, and their respective joint surfaces have conductive geometric patterns made of a conductive material; the combination of these patterns reflects the on/off of a circuit, thereby generating potential signals which record and transmit information by means of other circuit components. In this coding method, different storage statuses of a commodity can be distinguished according to status bit information sent by the commodity. The method can be widely used in commodity packaging, and can achieve good effects in managing commodity circulation, quality and safety.

A method includes printing a first magnetic material onto a substrate. The first magnetic material has a first magnetic characteristic and encodes first information based on the first magnetic characteristic. The method further includes printing a second magnetic material onto the substrate. The second magnetic material encodes second information and has a second magnetic characteristic different from the first magnetic characteristic. The second information is encoded based on the second magnetic characteristic.

The disclosure features dendritic tags, and methods and systems for fabricating and using such tags. The methods can include obtaining at least one image of a dendritic tag attached to an article, analyzing the at least one image to identify a set of features associated with the dendritic tag, and comparing the set of features to stored information to identify the article.