Counterfeit detection
First Claim
1. A method for generating tokens, comprising generating a plurality of IDs for a set of objects, each ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, unpredictable string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, wherein the number of object IDs is at least 100 times greater than the number of objects in the set, wherein no two object IDs are the same for the set of objects.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting counterfeit objects relies on participation by customers who check on the validity of the unique, random, and unpredictable ID assigned to each object. Potential counterfeiters cannot reliably guess valid IDs and also cannot easily acquire large numbers of existing valid IDs. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are detected when customers report invalid IDs and when multiple customers report the same IDs or check their own past and present stock for duplicate IDs. Some counterfeits may be detected even when only a small percentage of customers participate. The method is well suited for single-dose (“unit of use”) packaging, and can be adapted for resellers, wholesalers, repackagers, and other high-volume customers. The method can make pharmaceutical counterfeiting easier to detect and study, and make counterfeiting more difficult for the counterfeiters.
30 Citations
35 Claims
- 1. A method for generating tokens, comprising generating a plurality of IDs for a set of objects, each ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, unpredictable string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, wherein the number of object IDs is at least 100 times greater than the number of objects in the set, wherein no two object IDs are the same for the set of objects.
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3. A method for providing each of a plurality of objects with an object ID, comprising:
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(a) generating a plurality of object IDs for a set of objects, each object ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, unpredictable string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, wherein the number of object IDs is at least 100 times greater than the number of objects in the set, wherein no two object IDs are the same for the set of objects;
(b) assigning one of the object IDs to each object in the set of objects, the set of objects comprising a lot having a lot number;
(c) repeating step (b) for the remaining objects of the lot, wherein no two objects are assigned the same object ID in the lot. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Labeled objects prepared by a method comprising:
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(a) generating a plurality of object IDs for a set of objects, each object ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, unpredictable string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, wherein the number of object IDs is at least 100 times greater than the number of objects in the set, wherein no two object IDs in the set are the same;
(b) assigning one of the object IDs to each object in the set of objects, the set of objects comprising a lot having a lot number;
(c) labeling each object; and
(d) repeating step (b) and step (c) for the remaining objects of the lot, wherein no two objects are assigned the same object ID in the lot. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for reporting to a customer the likelihood that a product from a lot is counterfeit, wherein each product in the lot having a lot number and a product ID, the product ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly, unpredictable generated string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, the method comprising:
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(a) calling in a lot number and a product ID from a customer to a manufacturer of a product or representative of a manufacturer of a product;
(b) storing the called in lot number and product ID in a first database;
(c) comparing the lot number and product ID to a second database of valid product IDs for the lot number;
(d) determining whether or not the product ID has been called in previously for the lot number;
(e) determining the likelihood that the product is a counterfeit based on results of step (c) and step (d); and
(f) communicating the likelihood that the product is a counterfeit to the customer. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for reporting to a customer the likelihood that a product is counterfeit, the product being inside a container, the container having a lot number and a container ID, the container ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly, unpredictable generated string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, the method comprising:
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(a) calling in the lot number and the container ID from a customer to a manufacturer of a product or a representative of a manufacturer of a product;
(b) storing the called in lot number and container ID in a first database;
(c) comparing the lot number and container ID to a second database, the second database comprised of valid container IDs for the lot number;
(d) determining whether or not the container ID has been called in previously for the lot number;
(e) determining the likelihood that the product is a counterfeit based on the results of step (c) and step (d); and
(f) reporting to the customer the likelihood that the product is a counterfeit. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A self-checking method for detecting a counterfeit product among a plurality of products currently or previously owned by a customer, each product of the plurality of products having a lot number and a product ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, unpredictable string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, the method comprising:
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(a) maintaining a database of lot numbers and product IDs for each lot number and each product of the plurality of products;
(b) determining whether or not there are any duplicate product IDs for each lot number; and
thereafter(c) determining the likelihood of whether any of the products are counterfeit.
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30. A self-checking method for detecting a counterfeit product among a plurality of products currently or previously owned by a customer, each product of the plurality of products being inside a container, the container having a lot number and a container ID comprising a randomly or pseudo-randomly generated, unpredictable string of letters, digits, symbols or colors, the method comprising:
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(a) maintaining a database of lot numbers and container IDs for each lot number and each container;
(b) determining whether or not there are any duplicate container IDs for each lot number; and
thereafter(c) determining the likelihood of whether any of the products are counterfeit.
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31. A system for a container, comprising:
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(a) a microprocessor for storing and transmitting information that is stored in the microprocessor, the stored information comprising a lot number and a container ID for said container;
(b) an acoustic encoder and driver for controlling a speaker, said acoustic encoder and driver being in electrical communication with said microprocessor;
(c) a speaker in communication with said microprocessor and said acoustic encoder and driver for sending an acoustic signal that comprises the lot number and the container ID;
(d) an actuator for initiating the acoustic signal from said speaker; and
(d) a source of electrical power in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said acoustic encoder and driver and said speaker. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification