Authentication Tags That Disable After Product Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Counterfeiting of branded and certified products is a significant issue in the industrial and consumer goods industries, leading to revenue loss and damage to company reputation, especially in extended global supply chains where authentication is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for product authentication using a user device communicatively coupled to databases, which includes a processor to scan pre-programmed authentication tags, verify user credentials, and display product data, ensuring the tag becomes inactive when detached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional authentication methods are used in extended global supply chains, then product distribution reaches more markets, but authentication reliability deteriorates due to lack of detection capability in developing countries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication tag as an intermediary component attached to the product. This tag contains embedded authentication data and can be verified by authentication devices, serving as a mediator between the product and the verification system. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable authentication in regions lacking advanced detection capabilities, while maintaining global distribution reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication tag is pre-programmed with authentication data before the product reaches the market. This preliminary action ensures that authentication capability is built into the product itself, eliminating the need for complex external verification systems in developing countries and enabling reliable authentication anywhere in the global supply chain.
2Ease of operation
If authentication tags can be detached from products, then ease of operation improves for resale, but reliability deteriorates as counterfeits can use detached tags
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication tag incorporates a sensor that detects whether the tag is properly attached to the product. When detached, the sensor triggers an inactivation signal that renders the authentication data unusable. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing easy attachment/detachment for resale while preventing counterfeiters from misusing detached tags, as the tags automatically become inactive when not properly mounted.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a method, and a device for authentication of a product includes one or more databases configured to store data of one or more products, and a user device communicatively coupled to the databases via a network. The user device includes at least one memory configured to store computer executable instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to receive, from an authenticator, product search data of the product, and to search the product in the databases based on the product search data. The product is listed by a user for authentication, and the product is authenticated by scanning an authentication tag attached to the product. The authentication tag is pre-programmed and becomes inactive when detached from the product. There is also a dual-purpose device for authenticating a commercial product and associating a brand with the authentication of the product.