NFC Anti-Counterfeit Label with Sacrificial Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-counterfeiting devices for containers, such as NFC tags, either become inoperable after the container is opened, limiting further information access, or can be compromised by repairing broken components, allowing fraudulent reactivation on non-authentic products, and do not detect content removal methods like the Coravin process.
Innovation Solution
A contactless anti-counterfeiting NFC tag with a substrate featuring a rupture zone and sacrificial links connecting master and slave microcircuits, which negotiate mutual authentication and are designed to break upon container opening, making it difficult to repair and ensuring secure operation, with additional features like conductive tracks and metal pads to prevent reactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the NFC device is designed to be damaged upon opening the container, then security against fraudulent reactivation is improved, but the device becomes inoperable and information access is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC device is divided into two separate NFC tags (first NFC tag and second NFC tag) connected by a sacrificial link. When the container is opened, the sacrificial link breaks, separating the two tags. The first tag remains functional for information access, while the second tag's functionality is compromised, preventing fraudulent reactivation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain information access capability while ensuring security.
2Ease of repair
If the NFC device is made repairable after breaking, then ease of repair is improved, but security against counterfeiting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication-critical components are extracted into a separate second NFC tag that is connected via a sacrificial link. This link is designed to break upon opening and cannot be easily reconnected, effectively removing the ability to repair the authentication function. The first NFC tag retains general information access functionality that can operate independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial link is designed as a disposable, single-use component that breaks irreversibly upon container opening. Its simple structure (conductive track with break zone or metal pads) makes it inexpensive but effectively prevents any form of repair or reactivation, as reconnecting it would require sophisticated equipment and leave detectable traces.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the sacrificial link is made detectable through penetration, then detection of tampering is improved, but the structural integrity of the substrate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed with localized weak points (break zones) specifically positioned where the sacrificial link passes through. These localized areas have reduced structural integrity by design, allowing the sacrificial link to break cleanly when penetrated. The rest of the substrate maintains its full strength and structural integrity, ensuring the label remains intact and readable after opening.
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
The tag effectively identifies opened containers and prevents fraudulent reactivation, while maintaining access to product information and detecting attempts to pierce the cap, providing enhanced security and integrity verification.
Implementation Method 1
contactless identification devices with near-field magnetic coupling, for example of NFC (Near Field Communication) type
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an anti-counterfeit label which has near-field magnetic coupling and includes a substrate (10) including a breakage area (17a); a master microcircuit (14a) arranged on the substrate on one side of the breakage area, and configured to be queried by a near-field reader; a slave microcircuit (14b) arranged on the substrate on the other side of the breakage area; and a sacrificial link (L) that connects the two microcircuits, the two microcircuits being designed to negotiate mutual authentication via the sacrificial link.