Secure Identifier Generation Using Physical Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Counterfeit and contraband goods pose significant challenges due to their inferior quality and evasion of taxes or regulations, necessitating effective authentication methods that do not require extensive storage of unique markings.
Innovation Solution
A method involving encryption of unique product identifiers with physical noise values, using a combination of cryptographic hash functions and physical properties to create secure identifiers, allowing for authentication without large-scale storage of codes and detecting cloning attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique markings are stored at the authentication location, then authentication accuracy is improved, but storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unique marking data from the authentication system and stores it only at the manufacturing location. Instead of storing complete marking records at authentication points, the system uses a streamlined verification process that checks authentication data against manufacturing records remotely, reducing on-site storage requirements while maintaining authentication accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from storing complete marking data in traditional dimensions to using cryptographic hash functions that transform the data into a compact verification format. This dimensional transformation allows authentication without storing the original large-scale marking datasets at authentication locations
2Reliability
If authentication records are stored for each unique marking, then counterfeit detection capability is improved, but data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential authentication verification data needed for counterfeit detection, rather than storing complete records of each unique marking. The system stores condensed authentication information that can be verified without requiring full marking databases at authentication points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the storage requirement from storing complete marking records to storing cryptographic verification data. This parameter change in data representation dramatically reduces storage volume while maintaining the ability to detect counterfeits through verification of the transformed data
3Reliability
If extensive marking storage is implemented, then authentication completeness is improved, but system costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only the critical authentication elements at the manufacturing location, rather than implementing extensive storage of all marking data. The authentication process is designed to verify completeness through streamlined checks that do not require maintaining large-scale storage systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary authentication data generation and verification setup at the manufacturing location before products reach authentication points. This preliminary action ensures authentication completeness is built into the product data structure, eliminating the need for extensive ongoing storage and complex verification systems downstream
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of marking a manufactured item is described, comprising: creating a unique product identifier for a manufactured item; creating one or more encryption keys; generating a secret key using the unique product identifier and the one or more encryption keys; generating a system noise value by performing a hash function on the secret key and the unique product identifier; generating a physical key from a measured physical property of the manufactured item; generating a physical noise value by performing a hash function on the physical key and the unique product identifier; generating a secure identifier derived from or incorporating the system noise value and the physical noise value; and placing a mark on the manufactured item, the mark comprising the secure identifier or an identifier derived from the secure identifier. Also described are methods of authenticating items marked in accordance with the described method.