US Patent:
20120074305, Mar 29, 2012
Inventors:
Dallas S. Scholes - Buckley WA, US
Morteza Safai - Seattle WA, US
Assignee:
THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL
International Classification:
G06K 7/10
G01N 23/201
Abstract:
Presented is a system and method for verifying the authenticity of a part using non-destructive backscattered X-rays. The method uses an identification tag embedded in the part that when illuminated by X-rays returns backscattered radiation that is detected and used to authenticate the part. The system comprises a source of low energy X-rays that irradiate a part, a detector for detecting backscattered radiation returned from the part, and a means for determining the presence of an authentication tag in the part. In embodiments, the system and method use a tag made of a material that returns a high amount of backscattered radiation thereby providing a high level of contrast in comparison with the part. In embodiments, the placement of the tag in the part, the geometry of the tag, and coding in the tag are used to authenticate the part.