High-resolution glyph-inspection based security system

This paper describes the use of a 1:1 magnification 3.5 micron true resolution Dyson Relay lens-based 3 MPixel USB CMOS imaging device (DR CID) and software forensic image analysis system. The device enables the simultaneous capture of both intentional printing shapes and unintentional printing artifacts caused by the printing process and the interaction of the ink with the substrate on which printing occurs. The custom image analysis system written for the DR CID device allows even a single printed character to simultaneously provide fiducial marking, inspection information, authentication and forensics. We report herein on the sensitivity of the system and initial results for the reliable authentication of a printed character using DR CID hardware devices.