Client-Server Product Authentication Using Unique Serial Numbers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for combating counterfeit and diversion of products and services, such as ePedigree, are expensive, complex, and ineffective in policing the entire supply chain, requiring special equipment and infrastructure, and do not protect information systems or provide real-time enforcement.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for electronically storing globally unique serial numbers that allows anyone with Web, instant messaging, or phone access to authenticate products or services, using a client-server architecture with secure storage and authentication, enabling consumers to verify authenticity and allowing for real-time law enforcement intervention, without the need for special equipment or infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ePedigree systems are implemented to track drugs from manufacturers to pharmacies, then product authentication capability is improved, but system complexity and deployment cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct authentication capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the core authentication function from the complex ePedigree supply chain infrastructure. Instead of requiring full pedigree tracking systems, it isolates and implements only the essential serial number verification capability, allowing authentication without the overhead of complete supply chain tracking infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive, permanent infrastructure investments with simpler, more flexible authentication methods. The system uses basic serial number databases and verification mechanisms that can be deployed quickly and modified easily, rather than requiring millions of dollars in permanent ERP system infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If ePedigree systems are deployed with SAP-based ERP infrastructure, then tracking precision is improved, but deployment cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking precisionVSAvoiddeployment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and storing serial numbers in secure databases before products are manufactured. This allows immediate authentication capability without requiring complex infrastructure deployment, achieving both tracking precision and rapid implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the authentication system into independent, manageable components: serial number generation, secure storage, and verification. This modular approach eliminates the need for monolithic ERP systems while maintaining tracking precision through focused, specialized functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If RFID tags are used for product authentication, then authentication reliability is improved, but cost and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical RFID tags and readers with an information-based system using serial numbers stored in databases. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized hardware infrastructure while maintaining authentication reliability through cryptographic security and centralized verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If ePedigree focuses on pallets and packages, then batch tracking is improved, but individual item authentication capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatch tracking capabilityVSAvoidindividual item authentication

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tracking unit from the batch level to the individual item level by assigning unique serial numbers to each product. This segmentation enables both batch tracking (through groups of serial numbers) and individual item authentication, resolving the contradiction between quantity tracking and precision identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7941376B2System and method for customer authentication of an item

Publication Date: 2011.05.10 KLOKE LLC

AI summary

A system, apparatus and method is provided for authentication of an item or a label by storing unique random serial numbers or codes in a remote secure storage that can be used to authenticate the item or the label, generating a pointer to each stored unique random serial number/code and storing the generated pointer(s) in a client data storage. During or prior to a production run of the item(s) or label(s): the generated point(s) are sent from the client data storage to one or more media devices, the generated pointer(s) are obtained from the media device using a post-content manager, the unique random serial number(s)/code(s) are obtained from the server via the post-content manager using the generated pointer(s), the obtained unique random serial number(s)/code(s) are sent to the media device, and the received unique random serial number(s)/code(s) are imprinted on the item(s) or the label(s) using the media device.