Multi-Layer Item Labeling for Authenticity Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges in verifying the authenticity and origin of products, as existing systems lack reliable methods for tracking and ensuring the integrity of items from production to consumption, leading to difficulties in ensuring quality and safety, particularly in the food industry.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer identifier label system using a pair of public and private identifiers, where the private identifier is only accessible after a tamper-evident action, allowing consumers to verify the item's authenticity and history through a networked environment, facilitating item-level tracking and recall processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional product labeling is used, then product identification is simple, but consumers cannot verify product authenticity and origin
Solution Approach 1:
The label is divided into multiple layers (first layer with public identifier, second layer with private identifier, third layer with verification code) that can be separately processed and verified. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive verification information while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that consumers can interact with.
Solution Approach 2:
The label employs a nested structure where the second layer containing the private identifier is positioned between the first and third layers. The private identifier is hidden within the multi-layer structure and only accessible through specific verification processes, creating a nested information architecture that enhances security without significantly increasing consumer-facing complexity.
2Reliability
If product tracking information is made accessible, then consumer trust increases, but information security and tamper prevention become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The verification code is extracted and placed on the third layer of the label, separate from the private identifier on the second layer. This extraction allows the verification code to be independently validated against the private identifier, enabling consumers to verify authenticity while the private identifier remains protected within the label structure, thus balancing transparency with security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by validating the verification code against the private identifier before full product information is disclosed to the consumer. This preliminary action ensures that only authentic products have their tracking information made accessible, preventing unauthorized access to product data while still building consumer trust through verifiable authenticity.
3Productivity
If unique item tracking is implemented, then recall efficiency improves, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The label structure serves multiple functions: it provides product identification, authenticity verification, origin tracking, and recall capability all through a single multi-layer label system. The public identifier enables general product identification while the private identifier and verification code provide security and tracking functions, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identifier codes (public and private) that can be digitally copied and transmitted through the supply chain without requiring physical manipulation of the actual product or label. This copying mechanism enables efficient tracking and recall operations where digital records can be quickly accessed and processed, improving productivity while keeping the physical label structure relatively simple.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments for tracking and verifying the authenticity of items. Public and private unique identifiers are generated for an item, and an identifier label is printed and affixed to the item. The public identifier is visible, but the private identifier is not visible unless a tamper-evident action is performed. Events involving scans of the public identifier are recorded. The private identifier is scanned by a client, and in response, authenticity information for the item is sent to the client. The authenticity information is determined based at least in part on the events relative to the public identifier.