Optical validation of combined images for high-secure identification. ID tags and processors

Abstract

In this work, we use a novel multifactor encryption-authentication technique that reinforces optical security by allowing the simultaneous AND-verification of more than one primary image. This optical technique is attractive for high-security purposes that require multifactor reliable authentication. In the example analysed in this work, four reference primary images are scrambled together in the encrypted multifactor distribution. The encrypted multifactor function is distributed in an identification (ID) tag to allow remote readout of the ciphered information. A distortion-invariant ID tag is used so that the verification system is able to detect and identify the information included in the tag even when it is captured rotated or at a varying distance. To make the security system even more reliable, we combine data from visible and near infrared (NIR) specfral bands, without increasing unnecessarily the system complexity. The diversification of sources from which data are gathered adds difficulties to potential attackers. Authentication results are provided to show that the proposed verification system can be an attractive tool for demanding security systems