Visually Perceptible Marking for Remote Product Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for authenticating goods are often complex and difficult for both counterfeiters and legitimate parties to verify, as they rely on specialized technologies that can eventually be emulated by counterfeitters, making it hard to distinguish genuine from counterfeit items.
Innovation Solution
A system using a decodeable unique identifier applied as a visually perceptible marking on goods, which can be transmitted via a smartphone to a remote computer for verification, eliminating the need for specialized equipment and allowing remote, secure authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized authentication technologies (security inks, holograms, RFID tags) are used to make goods difficult to counterfeit, then product security is improved, but the complexity of verification increases and requires specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a coded marking that can be copied using standard printing technology rather than requiring specialized security materials. The marking contains encoded information that can be replicated with ordinary printers, eliminating the need for complex verification equipment while maintaining security through remote validation of the coded data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical security features (holograms, special inks) with a digital coding system that can be verified remotely. Instead of requiring physical inspection of complex security features, the system uses image capture and remote data validation to authenticate products, substituting mechanical/physical verification with electronic validation
2Reliability
If secret technological solutions are used to prevent counterfeiting for some time, then product security is improved, but the information eventually escapes and becomes available to counterfeiters
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the manufacturer to maintain centralized control of the authentication database without requiring them to physically inspect each product. The remote validation system automatically checks coded markings against the database, enabling the manufacturer to serve their own authentication needs without exposing sensitive verification methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote computer system as an intermediary between the product and the manufacturer. This intermediary validates the coded markings without requiring the manufacturer to handle or inspect physical products, maintaining security while enabling verification. The intermediary layer prevents direct exposure of security information
3Ease of manufacture
If coded markings are applied to goods at manufacture using standard technology, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to remotely verify authenticity requires complex transmission and validation systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a coded marking system that serves multiple functions: it provides product identification, enables traceability, and facilitates remote authentication. The same simple visual marking can be captured by any smartphone camera and validated remotely, eliminating the need for specialized verification equipment while maintaining ease of manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
A system of monitoring movable articles, e.g. for detecting counterfeits, is described. It comprises applying to the article (30) a label thereon, coded data in the form of a visually perceptible marking (34) conveniently at the time and place of manufacture and using a digitally controlled printer. Details of the marking are stored in a high capacity memory store. When it is desired to monitor the article, a pictorial image of the marking is sent from the location of the article to a remote computer (37) via a wide area communications network, such as a mobile telephone network (50). Details concerning the location of the article are also transmitted to the remote computer, which is programmed, to extract the coded data from the transmitted image file, and evaluate whether the coded data matches coded data stored in the high capacity memory store. If there is a match, the item is genuine and the remote computer can return a message to that effect.