Cryptographic Item Marking for Anti-Counterfeiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeiting measures for manufactured items, such as tobacco products, can be compromised as counterfeiters can replicate convincing copies of packaging with sophisticated anti-counterfeiting features, and systems requiring secret sharing are vulnerable to subversion.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for marking manufactured items with a combination of visible anti-counterfeiting indicia, alphanumeric strings, and marking time data, where the alphanumeric string encodes material signature information of a luminescent ink-based security element, and this information is verified against a database to authenticate the item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sophisticated printing techniques and anti-counterfeiting measures are used on packaging, then the difficulty of replication is improved, but counterfeiters can still make convincing copies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/printing anti-counterfeiting systems with a cryptographic system. Instead of relying on sophisticated printing techniques that can be replicated, the invention uses digital signature algorithms and hash functions to create authentication codes that are mathematically secure and cannot be forged without the private key.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the anti-counterfeiting approach by changing from physical/package-level parameters to digital/cryptographic parameters. The authentication is based on mathematical properties (hash values, digital signatures) rather than physical packaging features, making replication computationally infeasible.
2Reliability
If secret codes are shared between production line and data management centre for authentication, then item verification is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to subversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the secret from the system entirely by using public-key cryptography. The authentication code (hash value) is publicly visible on the package, while the private key remains securely stored in the database. This eliminates the need to share secrets between production and verification systems, removing the vulnerability to subversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cryptographic hash function as an intermediary that transforms the private key into a public authentication code. This one-way function allows verification without exposing the private key, acting as a secure mediator between the secret (private key) and the public verification data (hash code).
3Reliability
If de-obfuscation and noise signal generation are required for authentication, then security is improved, but the authentication process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex signal processing operations (de-obfuscation, noise generation) with a simple cryptographic verification process. Instead of manipulating audio or visual signals, the system uses mathematical hash verification, which is computationally simple and can be performed by any standard device.
4Reliability
If multiple anti-counterfeiting features are combined on packaging, then replication difficulty is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple physical anti-counterfeiting features (holograms, watermarks, special inks) with a single digital authentication code printed on the package. This cryptographic approach provides equivalent or superior security while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process, as it only requires standard printing capabilities.
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 approach provides robust anti-counterfeiting measures that are less complex and less susceptible to subversion, as mere copying of the alphanumeric string is insufficient to compromise the system, and the use of interrelated data marked on the item ensures authenticity verification.
Implementation Method 1
the material-based security element is provided in the form of a luminescent ink, and the material signature is one or more spectral emission or absorption characteristics of the luminescent ink
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of marking and authenticating a manufactured item, comprising providing the manufactured item with a visible anti-counterfeiting indicium, marking with marking means the manufactured item with a visible alphanumeric string, marking with marking means the manufactured item with visible marking time data, and transmitting with data transmission and control means marking time data marked on the manufactured item and the alphanumeric string marked on the manufactured item. The method further comprises with computer database control means, receiving the transmitted marking time data and the transmitted alphanumeric string and storing in association in a database marking time information corresponding with the received marking time data marked on the manufactured item and alphanumeric information corresponding with the received alphanumeric string marked on the manufactured item. The method further comprises checking authenticity of the anti-counterfeiting indicium provided on the manufactured item, interrogating the database with the alphanumeric string read from the manufactured item to obtain marking time information for the manufactured item, and comparing the marking time information with marking time data read from the manufactured item to determine if they match. The method comprises determining the manufactured item as authentic if criteria are met, the criteria including that the checking step reveals an authentic anti-counterfeiting indicium and the comparing step determines a match.