Crypto-Anchor for Physical Object Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital track-and-trace solutions alone are insufficient to prove the authenticity and originality of physical objects throughout their lifecycle, as unique identifiers can be easily copied or transferred, failing to securely and uniquely identify objects.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that associates a physical object with an object identifier and obtains a digital fingerprint from its unique physical property, cryptographically signs the dataset, and stores the object identifier and signature on a data storage device, creating a crypto-anchor that ties the object ID to its unique physical property, making it hard to clone or forge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a unique identifier (UID) is printed, embossed or attached as a tag to the object, then the object can be identified and tracked, but the identifier can be easily copied or transferred to a clone of the object, failing to securely authenticate the object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject authenticationVSAvoididentification system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical identification systems (printed, embossed, or attached UIDs) with a cryptographic identification system. Instead of relying on physical tags that can be copied, the system uses cryptographic signatures generated from unique physical properties of the object, making authentication secure and不可复制

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of identification from a static UID to a dynamic cryptographic signature that is derived from unique physical properties. The signature is computationally infeasible to reproduce, transforming the identification mechanism from something that can be copied to something that is inherently unique and secure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If blockchain or digital track-and-trace solutions are used, then trust and visibility are achieved along the supply chain, but the solutions alone are insufficient to prove originality or provide an uninterrupted chain of relationships throughout the product lifecycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply chain trustVSAvoidauthenticity proof

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding unique physical properties and generating cryptographic signatures during the manufacturing process, before the object enters the supply chain. This ensures that the authenticity proof is established at the source and can be verified throughout the entire product lifecycle, preventing any breaks in the chain of trust

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11798342B2Managing physical objects using crypto-anchors

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A computer-implemented method, a computer system, and a computer program product for managing physical objects. A computer system associates a physical object of a set of physical objects with an object identifier. The computer system obtains a digital fingerprint, from a unique physical property of the physical object, wherein the digital fingerprint is impacted by the unique physical property. The computer system obtains a dataset from the object identifier and the digital fingerprint. The computer system cryptographically signs the dataset to obtain a signature. The computer system instructs to store the object identifier and the signature on a data storage device.