Merchandising components for authenticating products, and combinations and methods utilizing the same
First Claim
1. A merchandising component for authenticating a product comprising an authentication component capable of producing a human readable image upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, the image capable of being verbally described in an objective manner, wherein the merchandising component is capable of being used to authenticate a product by comparing the human readable image produced by the authentication component thereof with an authentication image associated with the product.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to merchandising components for authenticating products, combinations that include the merchandising component and a product, methods of associating the merchandising component with a product, and methods of utilizing the merchandising component to authenticate a product. More particularly, the merchandising component includes an authentication component capable of producing a two-dimensional, human readable image upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. Advantageously, the image produced is unambiguous and capable of being verbally described in an objective manner. The image so produced can be compared with an authentication image, or verbal description thereof, known to be associated with the product in order to reach an authentication determination about the same.
71 Citations
40 Claims
- 1. A merchandising component for authenticating a product comprising an authentication component capable of producing a human readable image upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, the image capable of being verbally described in an objective manner, wherein the merchandising component is capable of being used to authenticate a product by comparing the human readable image produced by the authentication component thereof with an authentication image associated with the product.
- 12. A product and merchandising component combination, the product having an authentication image associated therewith, the merchandising component comprising an authentication component capable of producing a human readable image upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, the image capable of being verbally described in an objective manner, wherein the authenticity of the product can be determined by comparing the human readable image with the authentication image associated with the product.
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30. A method of associating a product with an authentication component comprising:
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providing a product;
selecting an image to identify the product as authentic, the image capable of being verbally described in an objective manner;
providing a merchandising component comprising an authentication component capable of producing the image in a human readable fashion upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation; and
operatively disposing the merchandising component relative to the product. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of authenticating a product comprising
(a) operatively disposing a merchandising component relative to the product, the merchandising component comprising an authentication component capable of producing a human readable image upon irradiation with electromagnetic radiation, the image capable of being verbally described in an objective manner; -
(b) irradiating the authentication component with electromagnetic radiation;
(c) visually inspecting the image produced; and
(d) determining the authenticity of the product. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification