Method for authenticating and Anti-counterfeiting coffee machines or coffee grinders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeiting methods for coffee machines and grinders face challenges such as the inability to verify the authenticity of QR codes, vulnerability to cyber attacks on verification servers, and potential updates being applied to counterfeit products, requiring consumers to use additional applications and risking data integrity.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) and Near-Field Communication (NFC) tag, combined with blockchain technology, ensures that updates and operations are performed only on original products by associating encrypted identification data with a public key and private key, stored in the product's control unit, and verified through a cloud-based web server and mobile application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anti-counterfeiting methods using QR codes or RFID tags are used, then product identification is enabled, but the system is vulnerable to cyber attacks and data manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between the product identification system and the verification process. The blockchain serves as a decentralized mediator that stores authentication data immutably, preventing direct attacks on centralised servers while maintaining reliable product verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional centralized server-based verification systems with a distributed blockchain-based system. This substitution eliminates single points of failure and vulnerability to cyber attacks by distributing the verification mechanism across multiple nodes in the blockchain network
2Reliability
If blockchain technology is used to store update data, then data integrity is improved, but counterfeit products may also receive updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by embedding unique cryptographic identifiers and public keys directly into the product's control unit during manufacturing. This local authentication mechanism ensures that only the specific original product can receive updates, preventing counterfeit products from accessing blockchain-stored update data even though the blockchain itself is accessible to all
3Ease of operation
If consumers use additional applications to verify authenticity, then verification capability is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service verification by integrating the authentication logic directly into the product's control unit. The control unit autonomously communicates with the blockchain network to verify its own authenticity and receive updates, eliminating the need for consumers to install or operate additional verification applications
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for authenticating and anti-counterfeiting coffee machines (1) or coffee grinders, comprising the steps of: acquiring by means of a web server (3) identification data associated with a coffee machine (1) or a coffee grinder; generating encrypted data by executing a hash function of the identification data; generating a digital certificate associated with a public key and a private key; storing the encrypted data in a blockchain (4) by means of unique association with the public key of the digital certificate using the private key of the digital certificate; storing the public key and the private key in the database installed in the coffee machine (1) or in the coffee grinder; sending the control unit of the coffee machine (1) or the coffee grinder, by means of an application residing in a mobile device (2), an authentication request containing a message with the public key; in response, sending by means of the control unit the digitally signed message with the private key stored in the database to the application; sending the signed message to the web server (3) by means of the application; sending to the web server (3) an authentication request notification by means of the communication between the control unit and the web server (3) when the communication unit receives the authentication request; sending to the blockchain (4) by means of the web server (3) the signed message received by the application; identifying the absence of counterfeiting of the coffee machine (1) or of the coffee grinder only if the blockchain (4) identifies that the signed message associated with the coffee machine (1) or with the coffee grinder is authentic when both the public key and the private key of the digital certificate match.