Authenticity tag and method for operating an authenticity tag

• US 7,893,832 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2004
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: Laackmann, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Lam P
• Application Number:
  US11/007,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20050121898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,267 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.5, 340/568.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.3, 340/572.7, 235/375, 235/385, 235/492
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07 with integrated circuit chips
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An authenticity tag includes a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas and a controller attached to the carrier. The controller includes a detector for detecting an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive area, a memory for storing a comparative quantity and a communicator for communicating at least one of the comparative quantity, the electrically detectable quantity detected and a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity to the outside.

Claims

1. An authenticity tag comprising:

a carrier for attachment to an object;

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material,

wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

a controller attached to the carrier, comprising;

a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas;

a memory configured to store a comparative quantity representing the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object; and

a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison between the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity.

2. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein the memory is a non-volatile memory.

3. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein the memory is arranged in a semiconductor chip.

4. The authenticity tag according to claim 3, wherein the memory can only be written on by an authorized institution.

5. The authenticity tag according to claim 3, wherein the communicator is arranged in the semiconductor chip.

6. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein the communicator includes a wireless transmitter.

7. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein the detector is formed to detect at least one electrically detectable quantity selected from the group consisting of a continuity, a resistance, a capacity and an inductivity value between at least two of the electrically conductive areas.

8. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein at least one electrically conductive area is covered by a plastic foil.

9. The authenticity tag according to claim 8, wherein the plastic foil comprises openings at those positions where the carrier comprises an adhesive area.

10. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive areas basically have a form of stripes and are arranged in parallel to one another.

11. The authenticity tag according to claim 1, wherein the comparative quantity is formed by a version of the electrically detectable quantity detected.

12. A method for operating an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller comprising:

a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas, a memory configured to store a comparative quantity, and a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising;

detecting an electrically detectable quantity at at least one of the electrically conductive areas;

addressing the memory to read out a comparative quantity stored in the memory from the memory; and

communicating at least the electrically detectable quantity detected or result of a comparison of the comparative quantity and a version of the electrically detectable quantity detected,

wherein the carrier comprises the plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas, and

the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of detecting includes measuring at least one electrically detectable quantity selected from the group consisting of a resistance, a capacity and an inductivity value.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of storing the comparative quantity in the memory or the step of detecting the electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive area includes analog-to-digital conversion of the electrically detectable quantity.

15. A device for tagging an object with an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas and a controller connected to the carrier, comprising:

a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at an electrically conductive areas;

electrically detectable quantity detected as a comparative quantity in the memory; and

a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity,

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material,

wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, and

wherein the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

16. The device for tagging according to claim 15, wherein the carrier is formed so that at least two of the electrically conductive areas are stuck together using the adhesive area.

17. The device for tagging according to claim 15, wherein an attacher is configured to attach a first authenticity tag to a first object and a second authenticity tag to a second, object, wherein, by the attacher, at least two of the electrically conductive areas of the first authenticity tag can be coupled to each other to provide a first pattern and at least two of the electrically conductive areas of the second authenticity tag can be coupled to each other to provide a second pattern, the first pattern differing from the second pattern.

18. The device for tagging according to claim 15, wherein the detector is formed to detect at least one electrically detectable quantity selected from the group consisting of a resistance, a capacity and an inductivity value.

19. The device for tagging according to claim 15, which is configured to emit a read-out signal to the authenticity tag.

20. The device for tagging according to claim 15, wherein the detector is formed in the authenticity tag.

21. The device for tagging according to claim 15, wherein the storage is formed in the authenticity tag.

22. The device for tagging according to claim 15, which is configured to perform analog-to-digital conversion of the electrically detectable quantity detected by the detector.

23. The device for tagging according to claim 15, which is configured to encrypt a version of the detected, electrically detectable quantity with a key of an encrypting algorithm.

24. A method for tagging an object with an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller comprising a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas, a memory configured to store a comparative quantity, and a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the detected, electrically detectable quantity or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising:

attaching the authenticity tag to the object;

detecting an electrically detectable quantity at at least one electrically conductive area; and

storing a version of the electrically detectable quantity detected in the memory as the comparative quantity wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, and

wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

25. The method for tagging according to claim 24, wherein storing the electrically detectable quantity detected in the memory takes place in a binary form.

26. A device for checking an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller comprising a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas, a memory configured to store the comparative quantity and a communicator configured to communicate the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising:

a comparer configured to compare the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected to obtain the result of a comparison; and

a checker configured to check the result of the comparison and for signaling an authenticity in a case in which the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected are in a predetermined relation to each other,

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, and

wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angle corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

27. The device for checking an authenticity tag according to claim 26, wherein the predetermined relation includes at least partial contents matching of the comparative quantity and the version of the electrically detectable quantity detected.

28. The device for checking an authenticity tag according to claim 26, wherein the comparer is formed in the authenticity tag.

29. The device for checking an authenticity tag according to claim 26, wherein the checker is formed in the authenticity tag.

30. The device for checking an authenticity tag according to claim 26, wherein an activation signal can be provided by the checker and wherein the controller of the authenticity tag is configured to provide the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected to the comparer responsive to the activation signal.

31. A method for checking an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller including comprising a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas, a memory configured to store a comparative quantity, and a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising:

comparing the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected in order to obtain the result of the comparison; and

checking the result of the comparison and signaling an authenticity in a case in which the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected are in a predetermined relation to each other,

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material,

wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of the plurality of electrically conductive area via an adhesive area of the plurality adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

32. A computer program having a program code stored in a computer readable medium for performing a method for operating an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller comprising a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas,

a memory configured to store a comparative quantity, and a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising the steps of:

detecting an electrically detectable quantity at at least one of the electrically conductive areas;

addressing the memory to read out a comparative quantity stored in the memory from the memory;

communicating at least the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the comparative quantity and a version of the electrically detectable quantity detected when the program runs on a computer,

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object , by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

33. A computer program having a program code stored in a computer readable medium for performing a method for tagging an object with an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller comprising a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas, a memory configured to store a comparative quantity, and a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the detected, electrically detectable quantity or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising:

attaching the authenticity tag to the object;

detecting an electrically detectable quantity at least one of the electrically conductive areas; and

storing a version of the electrically detectable quantity detected in the memory as the comparative quantity when the program runs on a computer,

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, and wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlap, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

34. A computer program having a program code stored in a computer readable medium for performing a method for checking an authenticity tag, the authenticity tag comprising a carrier for attachment to an object, a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a controller connected to the carrier, the controller comprising a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas,

a memory configured to store a comparative quantity, and a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison of the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity, comprising:

comparing the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected in order to obtain the result of the comparison; and

checking the result of the comparison and signaling an authenticity in a case in which the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected are in a predetermined relation to each other when the program runs on a computer, wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas, and a plurality of adhesive areas arranged in electrical contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrically detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area of the plurality of adhesive areas is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object, by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of possible attachment longitudinal overlaps, transverse overlaps and angles corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas; and

wherein the comparative quantity represents the unique electrically detectable pattern occurring when the authenticity tag is attached to the object.

35. An authenticity tag comprising:

a carrier for attachment to an object;

wherein the carrier comprises a plurality of electrically conductive areas and a plurality of adhesive area, the plurality of adhesive areas being arranged in contact with respective electrically conductive areas, the plurality of adhesive areas comprising a conductive adhesive material, and

wherein at least one electrically conductive area is covered by a plastic foil, the plastic foil comprising openings at positions, in which the carrier comprises an adhesive area, and

wherein the plurality of electrically conductive areas and the plurality of adhesive areas are formed such that a unique electrical detectable pattern between two respective ones of the plurality of electrically conductive areas via an adhesive area opening of the plurality of adhesive areas openings is formed when the authenticity tag is attached to the object by wrapping around the object such that the two ends of the carrier comprising the conductive areas and the conductive adhesive areas join together at a plurality of the openings of the adhesive areas corresponding to a unique combination of joined conductive areas and conductive adhesive areas;

a controller attached to the carrier, comprising;

a detector configured to detect an electrically detectable quantity at the electrically conductive areas;

a memory configured to store a comparative quantity; and

a communicator configured to communicate the comparative quantity and the electrically detectable quantity detected or a result of a comparison between the electrically detectable quantity detected and the comparative quantity.