Device, system and method for determining authenticity of an item

• US 8,856,533 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2006
• Issued: 10/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Schrijen, Geert Jan, Tuyls, Pim Theo, Kevenaar, Thomas Andreas Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Traore, Fatoumata
• Application Number:
  US12/066,674
• Publication Number:
  US 20080256600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,953 Days
• Field of Search: 713/176
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/72 in cryptographic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2121 Chip on media, e.g. a disk or tape with a chip embedded in its case
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G09C 1/00 Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system cryptographic typewriters G09C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0861 Generation of secret information including derivation or calculation of cryptographic keys or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3218 using proof of knowledge, e.g. Fiat-Shamir, GQ, Schnorr, ornon-interactive zero-knowledge proofs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3278 using physically unclonable functions [PUF]

Abstract

This invention relates to physical uncloneable function (PUF) devices for determining authenticity of an item, systems for determining authenticity of a physical item, and methods for determining authenticity of an item. A PUF pattern of the PUF device is damaged when using the item for the first time.

Claims

1. A physical uncloneable function (PUF) device, comprising:

a memory that comprises a PUF pattern realized through a physical process and for determining authenticity of an item, said PUF pattern having physical characteristics that generate a secret cryptographic key which may be read by an appropriate sensor, said PUF pattern being selected from the group consisting of a coating PUF pattern containing at least two random dielectric particles with different dielectric constants may be measured and an optical PUF pattern comprising a medium containing disordered structures producing a pattern when illuminated by a laser beam, said PUF pattern being arranged to be damaged when using said item for the first time, wherein damaging the PUF pattern comprises either mechanically destroying the PUF pattern or changing the identity of the PUF pattern.

2. The PUF device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor and communication means.

3. The PUF device according to claim 1, wherein said PUF device is formed as a label for attachment to the item.

4. A system for determining authenticity of a physical item, comprising:

a physical uncloneable function (PUF) device comprising a PUF pattern realized through a physical process and for determining authenticity of an item wherein said PUF pattern is arranged to be damaged when using said item for the first time, said PUF pattern having physical characteristics that generate a secret cryptographic key which may be read by an appropriate sensor, said PUF pattern being selected from the group consisting of a coating PUF pattern containing at least two random dielectric particles with different dielectric constants and an optical PUF pattern comprising a medium containing disordered structures producing a pattern when illuminated by a laser beam; and

,

a control device arranged for communication with said PUF device.

5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a database arranged for communication with said control device.

6. The system according to claim 4, wherein said PUF device and said control device are arranged in order to communicate via a zero-knowledge (ZK) protocol.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein a commitment value is digitally signed by a trusted party using public key cryptography and stored in connection with said PUF device.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said digitally signed commitment and additional item information is jointly signed with a second digital signature.

9. A method for determining authenticity of an item, comprising:

adding a physical unclonable function (PUF) device comprising a PUF pattern realized through a physical process onto said item, said PUF pattern having physical characteristics that generate a secret cryptographic key which may be read by an appropriate sensor, said PUF pattern being selected from the group consisting of a coating PUF pattern containing at least two random dielectric particles with different dielectric constants and an optical PUF pattern comprising a medium containing disordered structures producing a pattern when illuminated by a laser beam,

verifying the PUF pattern by interrogating the PUF device with a control device, and

damaging said PUF pattern when using said item for the first time, wherein damaging the PUF pattern comprises either mechanically destroying the PUF pattern or changing the identity of the PUF pattern.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising signing a PUF pattern by a private key, using said PUF pattern comprises verifying said PUF pattern by a public key, and said private and public keys constitute a key pair.