Dynamic Product Authentication via Variable Count Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for authenticating tangible products, such as holograms and NFC devices, are insufficient against sophisticated counterfeiters and do not effectively verify the brand origin of products, leading to significant economic losses and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A product authentication system that uses an authentication device attached to each product, which generates a unique device identifier and variable count based on an algorithm, and communicates with a user device and authentication server to verify the product's authenticity through a data set and device key, ensuring each product has a one-to-one relationship with its authentication device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods like holograms and NFC devices are used, then product authentication is provided, but these methods are easily bypassed by sophisticated counterfeiters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic authentication codes that change over time or with each authentication attempt, rather than static codes. The system uses variable authentication data that is refreshed periodically, making it difficult for counterfeiters to capture and reuse authentication codes. This dynamic approach directly addresses the vulnerability to counterfeiting while maintaining authentication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the authentication server validates codes against current product data and provides real-time verification results. The system continuously monitors authentication attempts and can update product authentication data based on detected patterns or anomalies, creating a responsive defense against counterfeiting efforts.
2Measurement precision
If detailed examination of goods by authentication experts is performed, then counterfeit identification capability is improved, but the process is time-consuming and can be defeated by well counterfeited goods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual expert examination with an automated electronic authentication system. Users can authenticate products using mobile devices by scanning codes or communicating with authentication elements on the product. This substitution of mechanical human examination with electronic automated verification dramatically reduces authentication time while maintaining or improving detection accuracy through consistent algorithmic evaluation.
3Ease of operation
If NFC tags are activated and read by nearby enabled NFC readers, then authentication capability is provided, but privacy issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system implements selective activation where authentication data is only read when explicitly triggered by the user through a specific action, such as opening an authentication app or pointing a camera at the product. This localized control over when and how authentication data is accessed protects user privacy while maintaining ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary protective measures by requiring user consent or explicit activation before authentication data can be read. This preemptive control mechanism prevents unauthorized access to authentication information while still allowing convenient authentication when the user intentionally initiates the process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and associated methods for authenticating an at least one tangible product are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, upon a user desiring to authenticate a given product via a user application on a user device, an authentication request is initiated with an authentication device attached to the product. A device variable count on the authentication device is incremented based on an underlying algorithm, and the authentication device generates a data set containing at least one of a unique device identifier, a unique device key and the device variable count. The authentication device provides the data set and the device identifier to the user application, which then transmits the data to an authentication server. If the authentication server locates the device identifier in an authentication table, and subsequently processes the data set successfully, the authentication server obtains from the authentication table a server variable count associated with the device identifier. If the device variable count is greater than the server variable count, the authentication server transmits a success message to the user application and sets the server variable count to be equal to the device variable count.