Importance

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Abstract

A system for authenticating a document includes a uniqueness characteristic reader to generate a first identifier for the document. The identifier is then encrypted and optionally encoded to define an error correction code. The encrypted identifier and the optional error correction code are combined in accordance with a predefined format to define a code which is stored on the document itself (such as on a magnetic stripe). Authentication of the document is accomplished by reading the code on the item. The code is then processed to identify the location and quantity of any erroneous data. The identified location and quantity information for erroneous data, in conjunction with the optional error correction code, is then utilized to correct all errors in at least the encrypted identifier portion of the code read from the storage medium. The resultant encrypted identifier is therefore retrieved from the storage medium on the item without error. The retrieved encrypted identifier is then decrypted to retrieve the first identifier. A second item identifier is generated by reading the uniqueness characteristic from the document in the same manner that the first item identifier was generated. The second item identifier is then compared with the retrieved identifier from the document with the document being authenticated when the retrieved identifer compares with the second item identifier according to a predefined compare criteria.

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First Claim