Method and system for application of a safety marking

• US 20020083320A1
• Filed: 04/16/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harri Vatanen
• Original Assignee: Harri Vatanen
• Inventors: Vatanen, Harri
• Granted Patent: US 7,010,694 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861

Abstract

A method and system for the identification of an article marking device is based on the encryption of information and a biometric sample of the person to be identified, thus providing a marking device for effectively and reliably confirming the identity of an individual claiming ownership of the marking device or marked article. In practice, double verification of the authenticity of a claimed owner of the marking device is achieved. The first verification requires that the claimed owner know a private password for a key that has been used to encrypt the information stored in the marking device, and the second verification requires a match between a biometric sample taken from the claimed owner and a biometric sample code that is stored in the marking device or with information derived from the stored information.

Claims

1. A method for identifying an owner of a safety marking that is used to mark an object to which the safety marking is attached in an electric form, comprising the steps of:

reading the safety marking into a mobile telephone; and

decoding, using the mobile telephone, the read safety marking to obtain personal information of the owner which is contained in the safety marking.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

generating the safety marking by

forming, from personal data representing personal information of the user, a first string in a predetermined form,

encrypting the formed first string to define an encrypted first string,

electrically signing the encrypted first string, and

storing the encrypted first string in an electric form in a marking device;

wherein said reading of the safety marking comprises reading the encrypted first string into the mobile telephone; and

wherein said decoding of the read safety marking comprises decrypting the encrypted first string using a decryption key provided in the mobile telephone.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the personal information comprises personal data comprising a biometric sample of the owner of the safety marking.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the biometric sample comprises DNA code in a predetermined form of the owner of the safety marking.

5. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the biometric sample comprises a fingerprint specimen in a predetermined form of the owner of the safety marking.

6. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the biometric sample comprises an image, in a predetermined form, of an eye of the owner of the safety marking.

7. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the biometric sample is in binary form.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the personal information is included in the safety marking to thereby individualize the safety marking.

9. A system for application of a safety marking for marking an object by attaching the safety marking to the object in an electric form, the system including an identification device that comprises a reading device for reading the safety marking and a processor for processing the read safety marking, said system further comprising:

means for forming a first string from personal data of an owner of the safety marking;

means for encrypting the formed first string using a public key of the owner to generate an encrypted string;

a marking device for storing the encrypted string in an electric form; and

means for decrypting the encrypted string using a decryption key provided in the identification device.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said marking device comprises a storage device and a first interface for connecting the marking device to the reading device.

11. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the identification device comprises a safety module.

12. A system in accordance with claim 11, wherein the safety module comprises a second interface for establishing a connection to said marking device.