Optical Code Scanner Authenticating Encrypted Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing point of sale (POS) systems are vulnerable to fraudulent use of false optical codes, which can misidentify or misprice items, as they do not effectively authenticate the authenticity of optical codes presented, especially when false codes are displayed on devices like cell phones.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical code scanner that captures and processes images of optical codes, where a portion of the information is encrypted, using cryptographic methods such as public/private key systems or XOR ciphers, to decrypt and authenticate the data, ensuring that the weight information matches the actual item's weight determined by the weigh scale, thereby preventing unauthorized use of false codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical code scanning is implemented without encryption authentication, then the scanning process is simple and fast, but the system is vulnerable to fraudulent false optical codes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encrypting the optical code data before it is printed or displayed. The encryption is performed in advance using cryptographic keys, so that when the optical code is scanned, the encrypted data can be quickly authenticated without requiring complex real-time encryption operations. This resolves the contradiction by preparing the authentication mechanism beforehand, making the verification process reliable while keeping the actual scanning operation relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cryptographic authentication layer between the optical code and the scanning system. Instead of directly comparing plain text codes, the system uses encrypted data as an intermediary that requires cryptographic verification. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliability through authentication while managing complexity by using standardized cryptographic protocols rather than custom complex verification algorithms.
2Reliability
If encrypted data is used in optical codes, then fraud prevention is improved, but the processing time increases due to decryption and authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing selective encryption where only critical portions of the optical code data are encrypted, rather than encrypting the entire code. This allows the system to maintain fraud prevention capabilities for the most important data elements while minimizing the decryption and authentication processing time. The partial encryption approach balances security requirements with processing efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If weight verification is implemented, then item identification accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases with additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the weight verification function with the existing optical code scanning process. Instead of implementing weight verification as a completely separate system, the patent integrates it into the optical code authentication flow, where the scanned optical code data (including weight information) is verified alongside the cryptographic authentication. This combining approach improves item identification accuracy while minimizing additional system complexity by reusing existing hardware components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A scanner (250), terminal (205) and method are provided for reading an optical code (171) where a portion of the information stored in the optical code (171) is encrypted. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a public cryptographic key associated with the optical code (171) is used to decrypt the encrypted portion of the information and data from the decrypted portion is used to authenticate the remainder of the information.