System Architecture
World Class Security with Unlimited Versatility

The AuthX Photo ID Document Security System offers unlimited versatility. This versatility is enabled by the Authentication Code as it is utilized within the overall AuthX System Architecture.

Unique Identifier: When securing a document, AuthX™ derives a Unique Document Identifier from a number of metrics that contribute to the authentication code. The unique identifier can be used in a variety of ways. In a networked database system, it can link multiple types of data by acting as a database index, relating various data files stored in any number of databases. It can be used to track a document across jurisdictional boundaries. But since it only contains information about the document itself and not about the document holder, privacy rights can be protected without impeding any of the system secure functionality.

Scalability: AuthX™ systems scalability is constrained only by the limitations of the databases with which it must interface. The AuthX Authentication Code data is so concise (typically under 100 bytes), network traffic concerns are minimized. Hardware availability concerns are also minimized because AuthX™ is designed to work with commercially available PC’s, networks, scanners, and printers. This will allow AuthX™ to take advantage of gains in hardware performance and image processing technology as they occur.

Interoperability: AuthX™ was designed to be interoperable with existing systems. AuthX™ is built on open systems platforms, thus permitting it to easily interface with a variety of legacy platforms and systems. This interoperability extends to existing government and transportation networks, systems, and databases. New developments in mobile and fixed document and image scanners, hardware and networks can be easily and quickly integrated into the system.

Public Key Encryption: AuthX™ utilizes a unique implementation of the Public/Private Key encryption paradigm, which allows Universal Document Authentication by any AuthX user, regardless of the issuing authority. To do this, AuthX™ creates pairs of asymmetrical keys. Since the keys are NOT reversible, they are referred to as asymmetric keys. One is used by issuers who create the documents, and the other is shared with all authorizing entities (world wide) to read the document.

Universal Document Authentication: The system permits any AuthX Scanner to authenticate any document made by any authorized agency. Permitting universal document scanning however in no way compromised document security. An issuing agency can only make AuthX protected documents that will bare their own digital signature, and not that of another agency, even though they can read and authenticate documents made by any other issuing agency. And any unauthorized attempt to make an AuthX document will be instantly detected upon scanning.

Key Maintenance: With each new document issuer, a new set of reading keys must be generated and distributed to allow authorizing entities (world wide) to read those new documents. The AuthX Key Maintenance System securely communicates these new keys to the installed base of scanning units. The intent is to permit all users the ability to validate any AuthX™ controlled document regardless of who issued it. This creates a community of users across organizational and geographic entities.

This capability will prove increasingly important as demand grows for uniform document security standards across a wide variety of Applications.