Configuration system and method

• US 20060261158A1
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Published: 11/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Computype, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Computype, Inc.
• Inventors: Roach, Eric, Baker, Peter C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,828 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

An authentication method includes reading a covert identifier associated with a product, reading an overt identifier associated with the product, and matching a covert identifier with an overt identifier to authenticate the product.

Claims

1. An authentication method comprising:

reading a covert identifier associated with a product; and

reading an overt identifier associated with the product; and

matching a covert identifier with an overt identifier to authenticate the product.

2. The authentication method of claim 1 further comprising labeling the product with a label that includes an overt identifier and a covert identifier.

3. The authentication method of claim 1 further comprising marking the product with a an overt identifier and a covert identifier

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing a covert identifier from the product; and

storing an overt identifier from the product.

5. The authentication method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing a covert identifier from the product;

storing an overt identifier from the product; and

relating the covert identifier and the overt identifier to the product.

6. The authentication method of claim 5 wherein relating the covert identifier and the overt identifier to the product includes forming a record in a data base.

7. The authentication method of claim 5 further comprising relating other manufacturing information with the covert identifier and the overt identifier.

8. The authentication method of claim 1 wherein reading an covert identifier associated with the product includes:

finding a datum associated with the covert identifier; and

reading a pattern at a location related to the datum.

9. The authentication method of claim 8 wherein reading a random pattern at a location related to the datum includes finding a pattern that is substantially invisible to the naked eye.

10. The authentication method of claim 1 wherein reading an covert identifier associated with the product includes:

finding a datum associated with the covert identifier;

reading a random pattern at a location related to the datum; and

associating a unique number with the random pattern.

11. An authentication method comprising:

determining that an overt identifier is associated with a product; and

detecting that a covert identifier is associated with the product.

12. The authentication method of claim 11 wherein detecting an overt identifier includes:

locating an area where a covert identifier is to be located; and

determining the presence of the covert identifier.

13. The authentication method of claim 12 wherein determining the presence of the covert identifier includes determining the presence of a plurality of taggant particles.

14. The authentication method of claim 12 wherein determining the presence of the covert identifier includes reading the covert identifier.

15. A method of product identification comprising:

placing a covert identifier on a product; and

placing an overt identifier on the product.

16. The product identification method of claim 15 further comprising relating the covert identifier and the overt identifier to the product.

17. The product identification method of claim 16 wherein relating the covert identifier and the overt identifier to the product further comprises associating the covert identifier and the overt identifier in a data base.

18. The product identification method of claim 16 further comprising relating other product information with the product.

19. The product identification method of claim 16 further comprising relating product manufacturing information to the product.

20. The product identification method of claim 15 wherein placing a covert identifier on a product, and placing an overt identifier on the product includes labeling a product with a label that includes a covert identifier and an overt identifier.

21. The product identification method of claim 20 wherein the covert identifier is on a portion of the label.

22. An authentication system comprising:

a sensor for detecting a covert identifier associated with a product; and

a sensor for determining an overt identifier associated with the product.

23. The authentication system of claim 22 further comprising a locator for locating the covert identifier associated with the product

24. The authentication system of claim 22 wherein the locator includes a datum associated with the product.

25. The authentication system of claim 22 further comprising means to reject authentication of the product when the covert identifier is not found in a selected position on the product.

26. The authentication system of claim 22 wherein the sensor for detecting a covert identifier associated with the product is nonvisual (operates outside the spectrum of visual light).

27. The authentication system of claim 22 further comprising a memory module for storing a value associated with a covert identifier and for storing a value associated with an overt identifier.

28. The authentication system of claim 27 further comprising a comparator for comparing a detected value associated with a covert identifier of a product with a previously stored value for the covert identifier previously associated with the product.

29. The authentication system of claim 27 further comprising a comparator for comparing a detected value associated with a covert identifier associated with the product and a detected value of the overt identifier associated with the product, to a previously stored covert identifier associated with the product and previously stored overt identifier associated with the product.

30. An identifier comprising:

a covert identifier portion; and

an overt identifier portion.

31. The identifier of claim 30 wherein the identifier includes at least one marking on a product.

32. The identifier of claim 30 wherein the identifier includes a label.

33. The identifier of claim 30 wherein the identifier includes a datum for locating a repeatable read portion of covert identification portion.

34. A machine-readable medium that provides instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

reading a covert identifier associated with a product;

reading an overt identifier associated with the product; and

matching a covert identifier with an overt identifier to authenticate the product.

35. The machine-readable medium that provides instructions of claim 34 that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

storing a covert identifier from the product; and

storing an overt identifier from the product.

36. The machine-readable medium that provides instructions of claim 34 that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

storing a covert identifier from the product;

storing an overt identifier from the product; and

relating the covert identifier and the overt identifier to the product.

37. The machine-readable medium of claim 36 wherein relating the covert identifier and the overt identifier to the product includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to form a record in a data base.

38. The machine-readable medium of claim 34 wherein reading a covert identifier associated with a product includes detecting the existence of a covert identifier.

39. The machine-readable medium of claim 34 wherein reading a covert identifier includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to:

detect a pattern using a sensor operating outside the visible range; and

associate a random number with the pattern.

40. The machine-readable medium of claim 34 wherein reading a covert identifier includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to:

find a datum associated with the covert identifier;

read a random pattern at a location related to the datum; and

associate a unique number with the random pattern.

41. The machine-readable medium of claim 34 wherein reading a covert identifier includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to:

find a datum associated with the covert identifier;

read a random pattern at a location related to the datum; and

compare the read random pattern with a previously stored random pattern associated with the overt identifier.

42. A system comprising:

a memory unit to store instructions; and

a processor to receive instructions from the memory unit, the instructions causing the processor to perform operations comprising;

reading a covert identifier associated with a product;

reading an overt identifier associated with the product; and

matching a covert identifier with an overt identifier to authenticate the product.