A filter assembly for authenticating a filter cartridge includes a filter housing and an optical scanner mounted to the filter housing. A controller uses the optical scanner to take one or more digital images of the filter cartridge and obtain digital coded data identifying the filter cartridge. Specifically, the controller locates a functional locator on the filter cartridge, determines a location of an identifying region on the filter cartridge, reads the digital coded data by interrogating the identifying region with the optical scanner, and determines that the filter cartridge is authentic based at least in part on the digital coded data.