Configuration system and method

• US 7,469,828 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2005
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Computype, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Computype, Inc.
• Inventors: Roach, Eric, Baker, Peter C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Uyen-Chau N
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/134,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20060261158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 235/383, 235/385, 23547201-47203
• US Class Current: 235/385
• 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 random covert identifier associated with a product;

reading a unique overt identifier associated with the product; and

combining the random covert identifier with the unique overt identifier to authenticate the product to form a pair of identifiers; and

comparing the unique overt identifier and the random covert identifier respectively to a unique overt number and a random covert number stored in a database, wherein the unique overt identifier is not a function of the random covert identifier.

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

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

4. The authentication method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the random covert identifier from the product; and

storing the unique overt identifier from the product.

5. The authentication method of claim 1 further comprising:

storing the random covert identifier from the product;

storing the unique overt identifier from the product; and

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

6. The authentication method of claim 5 wherein relating the random covert identifier and the unique 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 random covert identifier and the unique overt identifier.

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

finding a datum associated with the random covert identifier; and

reading a pattern at a location related to the datum.

9. The authentication method of claim 8 wherein reading a 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 the random covert identifier associated with the product includes:

finding a datum associated with the random covert identifier;

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

associating a unique number with the random pattern.

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

reading a random covert identifier associated with a product;

reading a unique overt identifier associated with the product; and

combining the random covert identifier with the unique overt identifier to authenticate the product to form a pair of identifiers; and

comparing the unique overt identifier and the random covert identifier respectively to a unique overt number and a random covert number stored in a database, wherein the unique overt identifier is not a function of the random covert identifier.

12. The machine-readable medium that provides instructions of claim 11 that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

storing the random covert identifier from the product; and

storing the unique overt identifier from the product.

13. The machine-readable medium that provides instructions of claim 11 that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

storing the random covert identifier from the product;

storing the unique overt identifier from the product; and

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

14. The machine-readable medium of claim 13 wherein relating the random covert identifier and the unique 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.

15. The machine-readable medium of claim 11 wherein reading the random covert identifier associated with a product includes detecting the existence of the random covert identifier.

16. The machine-readable medium of claim 11 wherein reading the random covert identifier includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to:

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

associate a random number with the pattern.

17. The machine-readable medium of claim 11 wherein reading the random covert identifier includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to:

find a datum associated with the random covert identifier;

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

associate a unique number with the random pattern.

18. The machine-readable medium of claim 11 wherein reading the random covert identifier includes instructions that, when executed by a machine, further cause the machine to:

find a datum associated with the random 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 unique overt identifier.

19. 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 random covert identifier associated with a product;

reading a unique overt identifier associated with the product; and

combining the random covert identifier with the unique overt identifier to authenticate the product to form a pair of identifiers; and

comparing the unique overt identifier and the random covert identifier respectively to a unique overt number and a random covert number stored in a database, wherein the unique overt identifier is not a function of the random covert identifier.