METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE AUTHENTICITY OF A PRODUCT

Abstract

This method for verifying the authenticity of a product includes steps consisting of: including in or on the product (10) at least one predetermined element (12) that does not alter the performance of the product (10); instantly detecting whether this element (12) is present using a predetermined non-intrusive technology to which the element is adapted to react, this technology involving a magnetic field, or a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, or spectrometric analysis; determining that the product (10) is authentic if the element (12) is detected. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Claims

Demands

1. A method for verifying the authenticity of a product (10), characterized in that it comprises steps consisting of: providing (20) in or on said product (10) at least one predetermined element (12) not altering the performance of said product (10); detecting (22) instantaneously whether said element (12) is present by using a predetermined non-intrusive technology to which said element (12) is adapted to react, said technology involving a magnetic field, or a light source emitting at least one specific wavelength, or spectrometric analysis; determining that the product (10) is authentic upon detection of said element (12).

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (12) is magnetized during the manufacture of said product (10) so as to generate a permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field and in that said technology consists of detecting said permanent or semi-permanent magnetic field by means of a magnetometer.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (12) is adapted to be magnetized by application of a point magnetic field and in that said technology consists of applying said point magnetic field to said product (10) and measuring the response to said point magnetic field emitted back by said product (10).

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that said technology consists of applying said magnetic field to the surface of said product (10).

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element (12) is a filler incorporated in a constituent of said product (10).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said element (12) is a magnetizable particle contained in an ink of a two- or three-dimensional pattern printed on the surface of said product (10).

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said element (12) comprises a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic material.

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16. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that said element (12) comprises a hard ferrite or neodymium or an AINiCo alloy. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (12) is visible only under said specific wavelength and in that said technology consists of illuminating said product (10) by means of said light source emitting at least said specific wavelength. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that said element (12) is an ink. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said element (12) has a predetermined composition and in that said technology consists of performing a spectrometric analysis of said product (10) to determine whether said element (12) is present. A method according to claim 9 or 11, characterized in that said element (12) is a microsphere. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that said microsphere is made of an inorganic material. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product (10) is an electrical cable. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 13 taken in combination with claim 14, characterized in that said element (12) is located in or on the outer layer of said cable. An electrical cable (10), characterized in that it contains at least one element (12) adapted for carrying out a method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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