Item Authentication Tagging System for Supply Chain Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current inventory tracking and pedigree systems fail to effectively authenticate and manage item ownership and authenticity across the entire supply chain, allowing counterfeit products to infiltrate global markets, and do not provide comprehensive ownership information, leading to financial and reputational losses for manufacturers and consumers.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a physical tagging device affixed to items, an item information system, an owner registration and transfer system, and an authentication system, using technologies like linear barcodes, QR codes, RFID, NFC, and Bluetooth to track and verify item authenticity and ownership history, allowing consumers and entities to verify items throughout their lifetime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If inventory tracking systems based on AIDC technologies are used, then inventory management within defined segments is improved, but the ability to detect counterfeit products across the entire supply chain deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management efficiencyVSAvoidcounterfeit detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a pedigree system that serves multiple functions: it tracks inventory within segments, detects counterfeit products across the entire supply chain, and provides authentication capabilities. The system integrates these previously separate functions into a unified platform that operates globally across all supply chain segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate inventory tracking systems and pedigree systems into a single integrated system. By combining inventory management capabilities with counterfeit detection and authentication functions, the system achieves both efficient inventory management and reliable counterfeit detection across the entire supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If pedigree systems are used to provide proof of chain-of-custody, then information authentication is improved, but item authentication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain-of-custody trackingVSAvoiditem authentication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism that bridges information authentication and item authentication. The system uses authenticated item identifiers as intermediaries to link chain-of-custody information with actual item verification, enabling both information tracking and physical item authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the authentication process into distinct layers: information authentication (pedigree data) and item authentication (physical verification). This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function while the system as a whole provides both chain-of-custody tracking and accurate item authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If multiple inventory tracking systems operate within limited segments, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect counterfeit products between supply chain segments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem architecture simplicityVSAvoidcross-segment counterfeit detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single pedigree system that functions across all supply chain segments simultaneously. Rather than requiring multiple specialized systems, one universal system performs inventory tracking, counterfeit detection, and authentication throughout the entire supply chain from manufacture to point of sale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If inventory management systems are used, then inventory tracking within a segment is improved, but ownership information management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking efficiencyVSAvoidownership information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges inventory tracking functionality with ownership information management in the pedigree system. By combining these functions, the system simultaneously provides efficient inventory tracking within segments and comprehensive ownership information management across the entire supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10387695B2Authenticating and managing item ownership and authenticity

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 VATTACA LLC

AI summary

A method for creating an authentication tag includes receiving, at an authentication server, tagging device data and item data from a tagging device, authenticating, by the authentication server, the tagging device using the tagging device data, generating an authentication tag, and sending, by the authentication server, the authentication tag to the electronic device. The tagging device is affixed to an item, and the authentication tag comprises a digital signature provided by the authentication server.