A method is provided for determining whether an object is an authentic
object to which an expected encoded image has been applied. The expected
encoded image having been constructed by encoding an authentication image
using a set of one or more encoding parameters. The method comprises
receiving a digital image of at least a portion of the test object
including a target area where the expected encoded image would be applied
if the test object is an authentic object. The method further comprises
determining the one or more encoding parameters and applying a digital
decoding algorithm to the captured digital image to establish a decoding
result. The decoding result may then be compared to object authentication
criteria to establish an authentication result. In particular embodiments
of the invention, the actions of receiving, determining, applying and
comparing are carried out by an authentication server and the digital
image is received from an inspection processor over a network.