Product verification and authentication system and method

• US 20030141358A1
• Filed: 12/05/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optaglio Ltd. (Ziva Investments SRO)
• Original Assignee: Optaglio Ltd. (Ziva Investments SRO)
• Inventors: Drinkwater, John, Hudson, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 7,387,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/26 Processes or apparatus specially adapted to produce multiple sub- holograms or to obtain images from them, e.g. multicolour technique
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0016 Covert holograms or holobjects requiring additional knowledge to be perceived, e.g. holobject reconstructed only under IR illumination microholograms G03H2230/10
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/221 Element having optical power, e.g. field lens
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2210/53 Coded object not directly interpretable, e.g. encrypted object, barcode
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2230/10 Microhologram not registered to the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

The present invention provides for a system and method for product verification for use with products intended to be introduced into circulation and including machine readable product data, and comprising a product data storage means, at least one portable reading device for said machine readable product data, wherein the machine readable product data is applied to products and is arranged for inspection by the at least one portable reading device remotely from the product data storage means and at at least one point in the product circulation route, and wherein the at least one portable reading device is arranged to verify the authenticity of the machine readable product data and thereby verify the authenticity of the product itself.

Claims

1. A product verification system for use with products intended to be introduced into circulation and including machine readable product data, and comprising product data storage means for storing data corresponding to the machine readable product data applied to the products, and at least one portable reading device arranged for accessing the machine readable product data remotely from the product data storage at a point along the product circulation route for the purposes of verification of authenticity of such machine readable product data and hence verification of authenticity of the product itself.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein t he at least one portable reading device is arranged for accessing at least part of the product data of the database for a verification process, and arranged to download the results of the verification process.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the said at least one point along the circulation route is selected in a random manner.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least part of the product data is downloaded from the database to the portable reading device for the verification process.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, and arranged for the verification of products at the point of delivery to an end cunsumer.

6. A product verification system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, and including label means upon which machine readable product data is provided.

7. A product verification system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the label means comprises a security label which is arranged to be destroyed when tampered with or when the product is unwrapped.

8. A product verification system as claimed in claims 5 or 6 wherein the label means is applied to each product unit and/or the packaging of each product unit.

9. A product verification system as claimed in claims 5 or 6 wherein the label means is applied to the packaging of batches of product units.

10. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine readable product data is applied using any one, or any combination of, thermal transfer, inkjetting, digital printing processes, mechanical engraving, laser engraving and traditional printing techniques.

11. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product is arranged to be provided with a visual security element.

12. A product verification system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the visual security element comprises at least one of a surface relief structure, a diffractive device, a holographic device, a thin film interference device, a security print element, a digital watermark, water marked paper, threaded paper, windowed threaded paper, or security print paper.

13. A product verification system as claimed in claims 11 or 12 wherein the visual security element is arranged to include hidden security features.

14. A product verification system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the hidden security features comprises at least one of fluorescent images, diffractive images, microtexts or microimages.

15. A product verification system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the visual security element is incorporated into a label means containing machine readable product data.

16. A product verification system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the visual security element is formed by applying a surface relief structure by embossing or engraving.

17. A product verification system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the visual security element is arranged to be machine readable.

18. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine readable product data is in the format of a bar-code.

19. A product verification system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the machine readable product data is in the format of a bi-dimensional bar-code.

20. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine readable product data is encrypted.

21. A product verification system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the machine readable product data is encrypted using asymmetric or dynamic key encryption algorithms.

22. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and comprising a product identification reference.

23. A product verification system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the product identification reference is arranged to identify corresponding product data stored in the product data storage means.

24. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an intelligent portable reading device is used, such device being pre-programmed to be able to verify the authenticity of the machine readable product data without communicating to the product data storage means.

25. A system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the portable reader is arranged to be enabled for reading data responsive to the input of reference data.

26. A system as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the correct data reading at the portable reader is dependent upon a conversion algorithm employed for printing the machine readable data.

27. A system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23 wherein the portable reading device is used to verify the authenticity of the machine readable product data by communicating with the product data storage means and comparing the retrieved machine readable product data and the product data stored in the product data storage means.

28. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the comparison between the machine readable product data and the product data stored in the product data storage means is performed automatically.

29. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine readable data is compared with the product itself.

30. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein access to product data stored in the product data storage means is secure.

31. A product verification system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and arranged to be integrated into a warehousing system.

37. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, and employing machine readable data represented as claimed in any one of claims 32 to 36.

74. A system according to any one of the preceding claims and including an interface to the product data storage system for the accessing means.

75. A system according to claim 74, wherein the product identification number serves to provide access to the interface to the product data storage system for the end customer.

76. A system according to claim 74 or 75, including security means for the interface to the product data storage system and which comprise encryption algorithms.

77. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine readable product data is in the format of a bar-code.

78. A system according to claim 77, wherein the machine readable product data is in the format of a bi-dimensional bar-code.

79. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the machine readable product data is encrypted.

80. A system according to claim 79, wherein the machine readable product data is encrypted using dynamic key encryption algorithms.

81. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for accessing the modified data is arranged to operate via an Internet connection.

82. A system according to claim 81 wherein the said connection provides connection to a web site belonging to the source of the product.

32. A forensicmachine readable data representation comprising an array of point diffractive structures of individual scale size below the normal resolution of the eye and arranged to comprise a representation of a bar code.

34. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 32 or 33, and comprising a diffractive representation of a bar code.

35. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 32, 33 or 34, wherein the bar code comprises a 2D bidirectional bar code formed from a portion of a diffractive or holographic image to be replayed in addition to the machine readable data.

36. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 32, 33, 34 or 35, and arranged such that an optical microscope is arranged to record an enlarged image of the machine readable features for subsequent reading.

33. A forensic machine readable data representation comprising an array of matt scattering area structures of individual scale size below the normal resolution of the eye and arranged to comprise a representation of a bar code.

38. A machine readable data representation comprising a graphical indicia adapted to include a digital watermark.

39. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 38, wherein the digital watermark os formed by digitally watermarking linr or area printed structures formed by standard print techniques.

40. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 39, and comprising a 2D bar code adapted to contain second order information by way of the digital watermark.

41. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 39 or 40, wherein the digital watermark is formed at pixels defining the edge of the indicia.

42. A machine readable data representation as claimed in claim 41, wherein the digital watermark consists of a repetative pattern of edge pixels formed according to a predetermined rule.

43. A method of verifying products with machine readable product data intended to be introduced into circulation and comprising the steps of inputting the product data into a product data storage system;

applying the machine readable product data to each product unit;

reading the machine readable product data with a portable reading device at at least one point in the product distribution route and verifying the authenticity of such received product data and thereby verifying the authenticity of the product itself.

44. A method as claimed in claim 43, wherein the said at least one point in the distribution route is selected in a random manner.

45. A method as claimed in claim 43, or 44, and wherein at least a portion of the product data in the database is uploaded to the portable reading device for the verification process.

46. A method of verifying products as claimed in claim 44, 44 or 45, and including the additional step of applying a visual security element to the product.

47. A method of verifying products as claimed in claim 46 and including the additional step of inspecting the visual security element applied to the product.

48. A method of verifying products as claimed in claim 46 and including the additional step of inspecting the visual security element with a reading device.

49. A method of verifying products as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 48 and including the additional step of including hidden security features in the visual security element.

50. A method of verifying products as claimed in claim 48 and including the additional step of inspecting the hidden security features in the visual security element.

51. A method of verifying products as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 50 and including the additional step of comparing the product itself with the machine readable product data.

52. A method of verifying products as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 51 and including the additional step of comparing machine readable product data and/or product data stored in the product data storage means and/or the product itself with other documentation.

53. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 52, wherein an intelligent reading device is used, such device being pre-programmed to be able to verify the authenticity of the machine readable product data without communicating to the product data storage means.

54. A method as claimed in claim 53, and including enabling the reading of the data in response to the input of reference data.

55. A method as claimed in claim 53 or 54, wherein the correct reading of the data is dependent upon a conversion algorithm employed for printing the machine readable data.

56. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 or 52, wherein the portable reading device is used to verify the authenticity of the machine readable product data via communicating with product data storage means and comparing the retrieved machine readable product data and the product data and the product data stored in the product data storage means.

57. A product data storage system arranged to store data corresponding to machine readable data elements associated with products, and arranged to be accessed by at least one reading device for the retrieval of product data stored in the storage system and to allow for modification of the product data by the at least one reading device.

58. A product verification system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

59. A method of product verification substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

60. A product data storage system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

61. A product authentication system for use with products including machine readable product data, and comprising a product data storage means, a plurality of reading devices for reading said machine readable product data, communication link means between said reading devices and said product data storage means, wherein the reading devices located remotely from the product data storage system are adapted to read the machine readable product data on a unit of product and communicate said product data to said product data storage system via the communication link means to achieve comparison of the product data on the product with product data in the product data storage system and to enable modification of the data in the product data storage system for any unit of product, and including means for accessing the modified data so as to identify the passage of a unit of product via a succession of reading devices.

62. A system according to claim 61, wherein the reading devices are associated with a respective plurality of locations along a product distribution route.

63. A system according to claim 62, wherein the modification of data serves to update the data in the product data storage system so as to identify the locations through which the product passes.

64. A system according to claim 63, wherein the means for accessing the modified data is arranged to allow an end customer to verify the distribution route taken by the product, the aforesaid means therefore being available for access by an end customer.

65. A system according to claim 61-64, and including label means upon which the machine readable product data is provided.

66. A system according to claim 65, wherein the label means comprises a security label which is arranged to be destroyed when tampered with or when the product is unwrapped.

67. A system according to any one of claims 61 to 66, wherein the product is arranged to be provided with a visual security device.

68. A system according to claim 67, wherein the visual security device comprises at least one of a diffractive optical device, a holographic device, a thin film interference device, a security print, watermarked paper, threaded paper, windowed threaded paper, or security print paper.

69. A system according to claim 67 or 68 when dependent on claim 65 or 66, wherein the visual security device is also provided on the label.

70. A system according to any one of claims 61 to 69, and including a product identification number arranged to be employed for accessing the modified data.

71. A system according to claim 70, wherein the product identification number is provided with the product.

72. A system according to claim 71, wherein at least part of the product identification number is applied to the product indelibly.

73. A system according to claim 70, wherein an indication of the product identification number is arranged to be generated at the point of sale.

83. A method of product authentication for products with machine readable product data comprising the steps of inputting the product data into a product data storage system;

reading the product data of the product with a reading device present in at least one inspection point within the product distribution chain;

communicating the product data read by the reading device to the product data storage system via a communication link;

comparing the received product data from the reading device with the product data stored in the product data storage system for authentication purposes and modifying the product data in the product data storage system, and allowing for access to the modified data so as to confirm the manner in which the data was modified at the said at least one inspection point and so as to identify the passage of a product via the at least one inspection point.

84. A method according to claim 83, including the step of providing a visual security device in addition to the machine-readable product data.

85. A method according to claim 84, including the step of authenticating the product at the at least one inspection point by the visual security devices.

86. A method according to any one of claims 83 to 85, including the step of accessing the product data storage system via an interface.

87. A method according to any one of claims 83 to 86, including wherein the said access is allowed to an end customer so as to verify the chain of origin of the product.

88. A product data storage system arranged to store data corresponding to machine readable data elements associated with products, and arranged to allow for serial modification of the said data by means of interaction with a respective series of reading devices, and arranged to allow for access to the modified data so as to confirm the manner in which the original data was modified by interaction with each of the said reading devices and so as to identify the passage of a product via a succession of reading devices.

89. A system as claimed in claim 88, and arranged such that the modification of data serves to update the said data so as to identify locations associated with the reading devices.

90. A system as claimed in claim 88 or 89, and arranged to operate with an interface allowing for the said access.

91. A system as claimed in claim 88, 89 or 90, and arranged to allow for access by an end customer for the product so as to allow for verification of the chain of origin of the product.

92. A product authentication system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

93. A method of product authentication substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

94. A product data storage system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.