Bottle Closure Authentication Using Breakable Dual RFID Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-value bottled products such as prescription drugs, elite wines, and luxury food products are susceptible to counterfeiting, where the container is opened, replaced with a counterfeit product, and resealed, making it difficult for end customers to verify authenticity.
Innovation Solution
The use of ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chips affixed to containers and closures that harvest energy from ambient electromagnetic fields, featuring write-once static memory for authentication codes and dynamic memory for distribution information, with antenna destruction upon opening to ensure authenticity and track provenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive RFID chips are used for product authentication, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the data storage capability is limited to 2 MB or less and the chip lacks autonomous power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is divided into two separate RFID chips: a first RFID chip containing a first authentication code and a second RFID chip containing a second authentication code. This segmentation ensures that even if one chip is compromised, the other remains secure, thereby enhancing authentication security while maintaining simplicity of individual chip structures
Solution Approach 2:
Both authentication codes are pre-written into the RFID chips before the product reaches the consumer. The first authentication code is written to the first RFID chip and the second authentication code is written to the second RFID chip during manufacturing, ensuring that authentication data is established in advance and cannot be altered later, thus preventing counterfeiting
2Ease of operation
If the container is opened for product access, then the customer can use the product, but the closure can be replaced with a counterfeit closure making authentication difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first RFID chip is attached to the closure in a predetermined location before the product is sealed. The authentication code is pre-written into the chip during manufacturing, so that when the customer opens the container, they can immediately verify authenticity using a reader device without needing to check for physical tampering signs
Solution Approach 2:
The first RFID chip acts as an intermediary between the closure and the authentication system. It contains the first authentication code that can be read by a reader device, providing a reliable verification mechanism that works even after the container is opened, thus mediating between product accessibility and authenticity verification
3Measurement precision
If authentication codes are stored in readable memory, then the reader device can verify authenticity, but counterfeiters can potentially read and replicate the codes
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system uses two separate RFID chips with different authentication codes stored in their respective memory. The first authentication code is in the first RFID chip attached to the closure, and the second authentication code is in the second RFID chip attached to the container. This segmentation means that even if a counterfeiter reads one code, they cannot replicate the complete authentication pair, thus maintaining authentication accuracy while reducing counterfeiting risk
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of authentication from a single code to a paired code structure. The first authentication code and second authentication code must both be present and match the predetermined pairing stored in the database. This parameter change makes it significantly harder for counterfeiters to successfully replicate authentication, as they would need to obtain both codes and their correct pairing relationship
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system effectively thwarts counterfeiting by ensuring that the AEPH chips cannot be spoofed, allowing authorized readers to verify authenticity and track product provenance, protecting the integrity of high-value products throughout the distribution chain.
Implementation Method 1
the first AEPH chip extracts electric power from an ambient radio frequency emission
Data Source
AI summary
A container, a closure, and a product system. The system comprises the container; the closure; the product stored in the container and retained within the container by the closure; a first ambient electromagnetic power harvesting (AEPH) chip affixed between the container and the closure in such a way that removing the closure destroys an antenna of the first AEPH chip, wherein the first AEPH chip stores a first authentication code; and a second AEPH chip affixed to one of the container or the closure, wherein the second AEPH chip stores a second authentication code, a reader authorization code, and sourcing information in a static memory portion, wherein the sourcing information identifies the product, the place of manufacture of the product, the date of manufacture of the product, and an identity of the manufacturer of the product.