Anti-counterfeiting system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for verifying the authenticity of an item, comprising:
- an antenna resonant circuit configured to resonate in response to a radio frequency query signal, to produce an induced current;
an integrated circuit associated with the item, having an integral resonant circuit coupled to the antenna resonant circuit such that a current in the antenna resonant circuit induces a signal in the integral resonant circuit when the integral resonant circuit is positioned proximate to the antenna resonant circuit;
whereby the signal is not induced in the integral resonant circuit when the integral resonant circuit resides in a position that is not proximate to the antenna resonant circuit;
digital memory within the integrated circuit containing a security code;
a radiofrequency verification signal containing the security code, generated by the integrated circuit in response to the signal induced in the integral resonant circuit;
whereby the authenticity of the item can be verified via analysis of the security code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for verifying the authenticity of, and detecting tampering with, an item is disclosed. An RFID transponder comprises an antenna resonant circuit which is coupled to an associated integrated circuit when the integrated circuit is positioned proximately to the antenna resonant circuit, thereby enabling the integrated circuit to receive and respond to a radiofrequency query signal. The antenna resonant circuit can be integrated with a capsule or other form of removable packaging, such that it is destroyed upon removal of, or tampering with, the packaging.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for verifying the authenticity of an item, comprising:
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an antenna resonant circuit configured to resonate in response to a radio frequency query signal, to produce an induced current; an integrated circuit associated with the item, having an integral resonant circuit coupled to the antenna resonant circuit such that a current in the antenna resonant circuit induces a signal in the integral resonant circuit when the integral resonant circuit is positioned proximate to the antenna resonant circuit; whereby the signal is not induced in the integral resonant circuit when the integral resonant circuit resides in a position that is not proximate to the antenna resonant circuit; digital memory within the integrated circuit containing a security code; a radiofrequency verification signal containing the security code, generated by the integrated circuit in response to the signal induced in the integral resonant circuit; whereby the authenticity of the item can be verified via analysis of the security code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for verifying the authenticity of an item, comprising:
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an RFID transponder configured to respond to a radio frequency query signal generated by an RFID interrogator; digital memory within the RFID transponder containing a security code associated with the item; a radiofrequency verification signal containing the security code, generated by the RFID transponder in response to the radiofrequency query signal; a database containing previously-stored verification information; whereby the RFID interrogator is configured to query the database upon receipt of the radiofrequency verification signal to verify the authenticity of the item through comparison of the security code with the previously-stored verification information. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for detecting tampering with an item, comprising:
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frangible packaging applied to the item and configured for removal prior to use of the item; an antenna resonant circuit attached to the frangible packaging, which can resonate in response to a radio frequency query signal; an integrated circuit associated with the item, having an integral resonant circuit coupled to the antenna resonant circuit such that a current in the antenna resonant circuit can induce a signal in the integral resonant circuit when the integral resonant circuit is positioned proximate to the antenna resonant circuit, the integrated circuit further configured to produce a radiofrequency verification signal in response to the signal induced in the integral resonant circuit; whereby no signal is induced in the integral resonant circuit when the integral resonant circuit resides in a position that is not proximate to the antenna resonant circuit or when the antenna resonant circuit is damaged; whereby failure to produce a radiofrequency verification signal in response to a radiofrequency query signal is indicative of tampering. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification