Frangible security device

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to a tamper indicating security device, which indicates unauthorized duplication of and/or access to a variety of secure documents, technologies, products, and/or protected volumes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An authentication device comprising:
 a frame;   an internal reservoir disposed within the frame;   an uncured polymer or monomer disposed within the internal reservoir, wherein the polymer becomes frangible upon being cured; and   at least one end of a security loop disposed within the polymer.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is cured to form a cracked three dimensional identification scheme. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein light is distorted in a unique fashion by the cracked three dimensional identification scheme. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein removal of the at least one end of the security loop disposed within the polymer will change the three dimensional identification scheme of the device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is transparent. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein dyes, metal particles, pigment particles, or other randomly-distributed authentication features are dispersed within the polymer prior to curing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer interdigitates with the at least one end of the security loop. 
     
     
         8 . A method of creating an authentication device comprising;
 forming a container for an uncured polymer;   inserting at least one end of a security device through a wall of the container and into the uncured polymer;   curing the polymer; and   wherein curing of the polymer results in the polymer cracking and forming a frangible three-dimensional pattern in the cured polymer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein light is distorted in a unique fashion by the cracked three dimensional identification scheme. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising removal of the at least one end of the security device disposed within the polymer will change the three dimensional pattern in the cured polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the container is formed to be transparent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising dispersing dyes, metal particles, pigment particles, or other randomly-distributed authentication features within the polymer prior to curing 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising imaging the frangible three-dimensional pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein imaging is performed at multiple angles with respect to the authentication device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising imaging a fingerprint formed on the authentication device to form a two-factor authentication device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising wherein the polymer interdigitates with the at least one end of the security device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising forming a physical barrier, a randomly formed unique ID, and a three dimensional tamper indicating pattern via the cured polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the authentication device is translucent yet appears hazy when viewed from an angle that is perpendicular to a face surface of the authentication device.