SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING PRODUCTS IN A DISTRIBUTION CHAIN
First Claim
1. In a system for distributing a product between a source, at least an intermediary and an end user, wherein the intermediary receives the product in a sealed container, the sealed container holding the product associated with an identification code, the outside of the container having an original security label code, the original security label including an original security label code, a device comprising:
- a controller;
an input coupled to said controller and receiving said original security label code;
a communication port operated by the controller to send a query to the source, said query including said original security label code, said communication port receiving a new security label code from the source if said original label code is genuine; and
a printer operated by said controller to print a new security label, said new security label including said new security label code.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a product distribution system, a product with a product identification code (e.g., a serial number) is shipped between the different entities of a chain with a security label having a security label code. At each entity, the product can be authenticated by sending a query with the security label to the product source. At the product source, the received label code is compared to a label code stored in a database. Preferably the label codes are indexed with the product identification and if they match, a verification of authenticity is sent to the entity. In addition, if the entity desires to relabel the product before sending it on the chain, the source generates a new label code, stores the new label code so that it can be authenticated in the future and sends information to the entity for generating the new label with the new label code. The entity cannot generate or print a new label without receiving the label code from the source.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. In a system for distributing a product between a source, at least an intermediary and an end user, wherein the intermediary receives the product in a sealed container, the sealed container holding the product associated with an identification code, the outside of the container having an original security label code, the original security label including an original security label code, a device comprising:
-
a controller; an input coupled to said controller and receiving said original security label code; a communication port operated by the controller to send a query to the source, said query including said original security label code, said communication port receiving a new security label code from the source if said original label code is genuine; and a printer operated by said controller to print a new security label, said new security label including said new security label code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of distributing a product by a source, the product being identified by an identification code, comprising:
-
generating a security code for the product; storing the security code and the associated identification code in a database; shipping the product together with a security label, bearing the security code, to a remote location; receiving from the remote location a request for authentication of the product, said request including the security code and the identification code; comparing the received security code and received product identification with the stored security code and product identification code; and sending a confirmation to the remote location, and authenticating the product if the stored security code and the received security code match. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of controlling the distribution of a product from a source through several distribution entities, the entities forming a distribution chain for the product, wherein the product is associated with a product identification code, comprising:
-
receiving at the source a query from each entity receiving the product, said query including a security label code from a security label associated with the received product; comparing the received security label code with a stored security label code from a data based using the product identification code; and if the received security label code matches the stored security label code, sending to each entity, a confirmation that the product is genuine. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification