Time-Varying Authenticity Marking With Unpredictable Feature Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authenticity marking technologies for branded goods, especially consumer goods and electronics, face challenges in providing effective protection against counterfeiting without relying on high-security features that are not freely available, and existing methods are complex and costly to implement and verify.

Innovation Solution

The use of freely available 'low-level' feature substances in changing, unpredictable combinations to create a chaotic sequence of authenticity markings, combined with time-stamping to ensure authenticity, utilizing substances like fluorescent, phosphorescent, magnetic, and thermochromic materials, which can be easily identified and verified using common test methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-level feature substances that are not freely available are used for authenticity marking, then the security level against counterfeiting is improved, but the cost and complexity of implementation increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of time by using time-varying combinations of freely available feature substances. Instead of relying on permanently secret substances, the system uses common substances in dynamically changing patterns that are updated regularly, making counterfeiting obsolete by the time it is attempted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The authenticity marking system transitions from static secret substances to dynamic time-varying combinations. The feature substances are used in different sequences and patterns over time, creating a moving target that counterfeiters cannot predict or replicate, thereby maintaining security with readily available materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If complex authenticity marking systems are implemented to prevent counterfeiting, then the security level is improved, but the ease of operation and verification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidverification simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses readily available feature substances that can be easily detected and verified using common test methods. Instead of requiring specialized equipment or complex procedures, the system replicates the verification process with simple, accessible tools while maintaining security through time-varying patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The authenticity verification is designed to be self-service oriented, where the marking itself contains sufficient information for verification without requiring complex external systems. The time-stamped patterns enable straightforward validation that can be performed with basic equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If high-security feature substances are used for authenticity marking, then the reliability against counterfeiting is improved, but the cost of implementation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-counterfeiting capabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs inexpensive, freely available feature substances instead of costly proprietary materials. The security is maintained not through the value of the substances themselves but through the time-limited, changing patterns in which they are used, making the system both affordable and effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of manufacture

If authenticity markings use readily available feature substances, then the ease of manufacture and cost are improved, but the security level against counterfeiting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost effectivenessVSAvoidsecurity level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic changes in the authenticity markings using the freely available feature substances. The patterns are updated at regular intervals, creating a rhythm of change that prevents counterfeiters from establishing stable replication methods, thereby maintaining security with low-cost materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies time-stamping and predetermined patterns to the authenticity markings in advance. By pre-planning the sequence and timing of feature substance usage, the system creates an unpredictable timeline that counterfeiters cannot anticipate, transforming ordinary substances into secure markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach significantly deters counterfeiting by making it impossible for counterfeiters to predict the next authenticity mark, ensuring that any attempt to imitate the mark will be obsolete by the time it is used, thus reducing the willingness to counterfeit and maintaining product integrity while being cost-effective and simple to implement.

Implementation Method 1

fluorescent substances, which can be easily identified and verified using common test methods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

phosphorescent materials, which can be easily identified and verified using common test methods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 3

magnetic materials, which can be easily identified and verified using common test methods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 4

thermochromic materials, which can be easily identified and verified using common test methods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermochromism: Thermochromism

Data Source

PatentEP2352880B1Time -varying trade mark
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 GIESECKEDEVRIENT IP
  • EP2352880B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a real-time identification set comprising a plurality of real-time identification substances that differ from one another, wherein each real-time identification substance is a partial amount of a pre-determined total amount of feature substances. The real-time identification substances are used in an unpredictable sequence for different, unpredictable application time frames for real-time identification of goods of any type, in particular consumer goods with a short shelf life.