Digital Labels for Product Authentication

• US 20070051816A1
• Filed: 09/06/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMRxT, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mil. Digital Labeling Inc.
• Inventors: Chu, Victor
• Granted Patent: US 7,677,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/077 Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/208 Electronic labels, Labels integrating electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/06 Remotely controlled electronic signs other than labels

Abstract

A label for a product includes an electronic display for displaying label information. The digital label includes a processor, a memory, and a display configured to store and display label information about a product to which the label is attached. The digital label also stores product authentication data for authenticating the product to which the label is attached.

Claims

1. A label device for being affixed to a product and conveying label information to the user of the product, said label device comprising:

a) a digital label including a processor and a display, said processor programmed to output label information to said display; and

b) memory in said digital label for storing said label information, wherein said label information includes product authentication data for authenticating the product to which the label is attached.

2. The label device of claim 1 wherein said digital label further comprises a communications interface for communicating with a remote device.

3. The label device of claim 2 wherein the communications interface comprises a wireless interface.

4. The label device of claim 2 wherein said processor in said digital label is configured to exchange information over said communications interface with a remote device.

5. The label device of claim 4 wherein the processor is configured to transmit authentication data to a remote device.

6. The label device of claim 1 wherein said authentication data stored in memory is encrypted.

7. The label device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor to detect materials or components of a labeled product.

8. The label device of claim 7 wherein the processor is configured to authenticate the labeled product based on the detected components and materials.

9. A method for labeling a product comprising:

a) attaching a digital label to a product, said digital label including a processing circuit, memory, and a display configured to display output label information to said display;

b) storing product authentication data in said memory for authenticating a product to which said digital label is attached.

10. The method of claim 9 further displaying said authentication data on said display.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising periodically changing said authentication data.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising verifying a labeled product based on said authentication data stored in said memory.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein verifying a labeled product comprises transferring said or authentication information to an authentication server for verification.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the authentication data is encrypted and wherein verifying a labeled product comprises decrypting the authentication data.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising registering said labeled product.

16. A method of verifying authenticity of a product comprising:

storing authentication data in memory of a digital product label;

securing the product label to the verifying authenticity of a labeled product based on the authentication data stored in the product label.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein verifying authenticity of a labeled product comprises transferring said or authentication information to an authentication server for verification.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the authentication data is encrypted and wherein verifying authenticity of a labeled product comprises decrypting the authentication data.