A method and apparatus for authenticating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag (10) includes providing an RFID tag (10) having a tag ID (40) and a pseudo-ID (42), receiving the tag ID (40) and the pseudo-ID (42) from the RFID tag (10), and applying at least one algorithm (21, 22, 25, 30) of a set of algorithms (20, 30) to one of the tag ID (40) and the pseudo-ID (42) to generate a decoded ID (44, 44A, 44B).

A computer that generates a product tag for a product is described. During operation, the computer may obtain information specifying multiple document locations associated with the product based at least in part on different environmental conditions of the product. Then, the computer may generate the product tag (or additional information specifying the product tag), where the product tag includes location information specifying the document locations. Moreover, given location information is associated with a given functional ink or is associated with a given state of a circuit in the product tag that is responsive to a given environmental condition. Furthermore, the environmental conditions for different functional inks or different states of the circuit are different, such that, at a given time, the product tag presents location information for a given one of the document locations. Next, the computer may provide the additional information specifying the product tag to the electronic device.

Methods for producing and validating RFID transponders (e.g., ISO 11784/11785 compliant transponders) with identification number authentication capabilities. A signature indicator and a partial-signature trailer are introduced to the ISO telegram. An encrypted signature or partial signature is introduced to the internal memory of ISO compliant transponders. The encrypted signature can prevent fraudulent duplications of ISO 11784/11785 transponders by allowing users to securely validate the transponders' authenticity.

A computer that generates a product tag for a product is described. During operation, the computer may obtain information specifying multiple document locations associated with the product based at least in part on different environmental conditions of the product. Then, the computer may generate the product tag (or additional information specifying the product tag), where the product tag includes location information specifying the document locations. Moreover, given location information is associated with a given functional ink or is associated with a given state of a circuit in the product tag that is responsive to a given environmental condition. Furthermore, the environmental conditions for different functional inks or different states of the circuit are different, such that, at a given time, the product tag presents location information for a given one of the document locations. Next, the computer may provide the additional information specifying the product tag to the electronic device.

An IC card includes a first visible layer comprising a nonmetallic natural material having a physical structure including a unique visual pattern. The IC card further includes a storage device configured to store a reference image of the unique visual pattern. The reference image is a scan of the unique visual pattern. The reference image is configured to be visually compared with the unique visual pattern for authentication. A second layer is included on a bottom surface of the first visible layer. The first visible layer and the second layer are laminated together. Each of the second layer and the nonmetallic natural material of the first visible layer have a same size to define a shape of the IC card.

A management system includes a recording device recording an image of a gaming chip and an inspection device determining a type and authenticity of the gaming chip. The gaming chip has a multilayer structure in which both sides of a colored layer are sandwiched between light color layers, surface printing representing a type of the gaming chip is performed on outer sides of the light color layers, and an authenticity recognition mark is printed on the colored layer of an inside of the light color layers by an infrared absorbing material. A visible light camera photographs a visible light image of the surface printing, and an infrared light camera photographs an infrared image of the internal printing. The inspection device determines the type and authenticity of the gaming chip using the visible light image and the infrared image.

A method includes providing a machine-readable identifier attached to an article of clothing, each of the plurality of identifying ciphers is disposed in a predetermined discrete area; receiving a scanned image of the machine-readable identifier to detect the identifying ciphers of each of the predetermined discrete areas; retrieving a predetermined stored cipher for each of the predetermined discrete areas; comparing the identifying ciphers of each of the predetermined discrete areas with the predetermined stored ciphers for each of the predetermined discrete areas to determine if each identifying cipher in each predetermined discrete area matches a corresponding stored cipher for each of the respective predetermined discrete areas; and determining that the article of clothing is authentic in response to determining that each identifying cipher in each of the predetermined discrete areas matches the corresponding stored cipher for each of the respective predetermined discrete areas.

A method includes providing a machine-readable identifier attached to an article of clothing, each of the plurality of identifying ciphers is disposed in a predetermined discrete area; receiving a scanned image of the machine-readable identifier to detect the identifying ciphers of each of the predetermined discrete areas; retrieving a predetermined stored cipher for each of the predetermined discrete areas; comparing the identifying ciphers of each of the predetermined discrete areas with the predetermined stored ciphers for each of the predetermined discrete areas to determine if each identifying cipher in each predetermined discrete area matches a corresponding stored cipher for each of the respective predetermined discrete areas; and providing the service relating to the article of clothing in response to determining that each identifying cipher in each of the predetermined discrete areas matches the corresponding stored cipher for each of the respective predetermined discrete areas.

A data reading device including a hangtag and a reader is provided. The hangtag includes a hangtag main body and a connection element including an RFID component, wherein the connection element passes through the hangtag main body, and two opposite ends with a first expansion and a second expansion abut against the surfaces of the hangtag main body. The reader includes a case, a reading head, and a circuit board. The case has a containing groove which has a groove shape corresponding to at least partial outer shape of the hangtag main body, the first expansion, and the second expansion. The reading head and the circuit board are set in the case, and electrically connected. When the hangtag with partial outer shape corresponding to the groove shape of the containing groove inserts in the containing groove, the RFID component corresponds to the reading head accurately to be connected rapidly.

A management system includes a recording device recording an image of a gaming chip and an inspection device determining a type and authenticity of the gaming chip. The gaming chip has a multilayer structure in which both sides of a colored layer are sandwiched between light color layers, surface printing representing a type of the gaming chip is performed on outer sides of the light color layers, and an authenticity recognition mark is printed on the colored layer of an inside of the light color layers by an infrared absorbing material. A visible light camera photographs a visible light image of the surface printing, and an infrared light camera photographs an infrared image of the internal printing. The inspection device determines the type and authenticity of the gaming chip using the visible light image and the infrared image.