RU2365990C1 - Product's originality identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: safety products.

SUBSTANCE: product's originality identification method is intended for protection of mass production goods from forgery. Method consists in application of a label with and identification code, whereat code is generated by means of random number generator and presents a numeric-alphabetic selection. Identification code is covered with opaque erasable cover. After purchase of the product its originality is checked by erasing opaque cover and transmitting read identification code to the supervisory service by electronic communication means. In the supervisory service received identification code is compared with the identification codes stored in the computer data base. Whereat identification code is assigned open number similar to the number of the package of identification codes, as a part whereof identification code is stored in the computer data base of the supervisory service. Open number is applied onto the opaque erasable cover of the identification code or near by. The above mentioned open number is used by the manufacturer for activation of the protection of the product, including sending number of the identification code along with the password of the manufacturer by means electronic telecommunication means to telephone number or to the Internet address of the supervisory service and writing information on the product under protection into the identification numbers computer data base.

EFFECT: suggested invention secures simplification of labeling of the protected products, and enhances level of security from forgery.

5 dwg

Description

The technical field to which the invention relates.

The invention relates to the field of protection of mass-produced goods from counterfeiting.

The prior art.

The closest analogue of the claimed method of identifying the authenticity of the product is the method described in patent RU 2181503 C1. The technical result of the above prototype is achieved by the fact that a marking code is included on the product or its label, including the product type code and the individual product code, as well as phone numbers or the Internet address of the control service, and the individual product code generated using a random number generator represents a set of numbers. This product type code and the individual product code are transmitted via telecommunication means and recorded in the control service database, while the security code marking on the product or on its label is covered with an opaque erasable coating. The buyer verifies the authenticity of the product by erasing the protective coating, dialing the phone number or Internet address of the control service and transmitting an individual code and product type code. The control service compares the codes received from the buyer with the codes recorded in the database, and if it matches, the product is identified as genuine, and if it does not match, it is identified as genuine.

The disadvantage of this method is the high probability of errors when marking the protected product and writing individual codes to the control service database directly by the manufacturer of the protected product, caused by personnel errors as well as interruptions in the operation of telecommunication facilities. In addition, there is a high probability of leakage of classified information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical result of the claimed invention is to simplify the process of generating identification codes and marking products (goods) protected against counterfeiting by excluding the manufacturer from participation in the operation of generating identification codes and, as a result, making the claimed identification method more accessible for a wide range of bona fide manufacturers, as well as increasing level of protection against fakes.

The specified technical result is achieved through the proposed following set of features.

The method of identifying the authenticity of the product, which consists in applying a label to it with the product identification code, the product identification code generated using a random number generator, is an alphanumeric set, and the identification code is covered with an opaque erasable coating, and after purchasing the product, authentication is performed products for which an opaque coating is erased from the identification code, they transmit a read through electronic telecommunications the product identification code to the control service, the control service compares the received product identification code with the identification codes recorded in the computer database and, if it matches, the product is identified as genuine, and if it does not match, it is not genuine, characterized in that the identification code is assigned an open identification code number that is identical the number of the package or group of identification codes, in which the identification code is stored in the computer base of the control service, applied to a transparent erasable cover of the identification code or near, used by the manufacturer to activate the protection of the product, including sending the identification code number - the package number of identification codes together with the manufacturer's password using electronic telecommunications to the telephone number or Internet address to the control and recording service in the computer identification database codes of the service for monitoring information about the protected product.

Let us explain the operation of the method in detail based on the following necessary operations.

Operation 1. Production of special labels.

The control service produces special labels with alphanumeric identification codes printed on them, generated according to the law of random numbers and closed from free reading by an opaque, easily erasable coating. One identification label is marked with one identification code. Identification codes are placed in a computer database of the control service and grouped into packets of identification codes.

Each package of identification codes is assigned an open alphanumeric number of the package and applied to each special label whose identification code is included in this package. The packet number is at the same time the number of the identification code included in it. The package volume is arbitrary and is set by agreement with the manufacturer, based on production volumes and the range of products to be protected. Package numbers are strictly individual and never repeated. The base of identification codes is classified. Special labels with identification codes hidden on them and open with an identification code number (package number of identification codes) become goods and are sold by the control service to all bona fide manufacturers who wish to protect their products from counterfeiting by the proposed method.

Step 2. Marking of the protected product and activation of protection.

A bona fide manufacturer purchases from the control service special labels with a certain number of identification codes in the required quantity. The control service informs the manufacturer of his personal password of the manufacturer and, by the identification number of the purchased special labels, “attaches” the identification codes corresponding to this number (package) in the computer database to the official name of the manufacturer and the manufacturer’s password. The manufacturer’s password gives access to the database of identification codes in the part of the identification code number of purchased special labels and is kept in strict secrecy.

A bona fide manufacturer sticks special labels purchased from the control service on their products and activates protection, for which, using electronic telecommunications (mobile communications, the Internet), contacts the control service at a well-known telephone number or Internet address. In response, the control service asks for a personal password. The manufacturer provides a personal password and gains access to the computer database of identification codes regarding the identification numbers of special labels purchased by him. Then, the manufacturer, using electronic telecommunications (mobile phone, electronic payment terminal), personally identifies the number of identification codes for him with the name of the product to be protected. Also, to counter attempts to counterfeit special labels themselves, the manufacturer indicates the validity period of the protection and, at its discretion, enters other consumer-friendly information about its product, including advertising. In the computer database of identification codes of the control service, the product name is automatically assigned to the corresponding identification codes by the numbers of identification codes. The product is protected.

Step 3. Product authentication.

The consumer who wants to verify the authenticity of the product he purchases erases the opaque coating of the special label, reads the identification code and sends it to the control service using a well-known telephone number or Internet address using electronic telecommunications. The sent identification code is compared with the identification codes stored in the computer database of the control service and, according to the results of the comparison using the same electronic telecommunication means, the consumer is given the answer: if the codes match, then the authenticity of the product is reported, if they do not match, then counterfeit. At the same time, together with the message on the authenticity of the product, the official name of the enterprise, manufacturer, recorded in the computer base by the control service when selling special labels, and all related information about the product, personally recorded by the manufacturer, are transmitted. Thus, the consumer is given the opportunity to compare the information sent with the information on the packaging or the usual label of the purchased product, which is an additional measure to counter attempts to counterfeit special labels and identification codes.

The advantages of the proposed method in contrast to the prototype method are its following features:

- the staff of the manufacturer is deprived of access to secret identification codes;

- simplified labeling of the protected product, which boils down to just sticker on special labels, as well as the possibility of activating protection at any time convenient for the manufacturer;

- the possibility of centralizing the control service throughout the country (preferably under state control) to avoid confusion in the telephone numbers and Internet addresses of the masses of various manufacturers, as well as to prevent accidental coincidence of identification codes when they are generated independently and inconsistently;

- the possibility of widespread use of the proposed method by small manufacturers who do not have the ability to organize their own control service.

A brief description of the drawings.

Figure 1. An example of the structure of a computer database of identification codes of a control service.

An example diagram of the structure of the database of identification codes stored in the control service is shown. Identification codes are combined into code packages, to which the password of the manufacturer who purchased these packages is “attached” and the official name of his company. Package numbers of unsold special labels are not “attached” to anything.

Figure 2. An example of a manufacturer’s activation of product protection.

An example of an image on the screen of a mobile phone or electronic payment terminal with activation of protection of goods is given. The control service offers the manufacturer to enter a personal password and indicate the number of identification codes that he intends to use to protect his goods. It is also proposed to indicate the period during which the protection will be valid.

Figure 3. An example of recording information about a protected product in a computer database of identification codes of a control service.

An example of an image on the screen of a mobile phone or electronic payment terminal is given when the manufacturer writes to the computer database of identification codes of the control service for information about the goods manufactured by him that are installed under protection. The manufacturer indicates the name of his product exactly as it appears on the packaging or on the usual label of the product.

Figure 4. An example of a consumer requesting information about the results of authentication of goods.

An example of an image on the screen of a mobile phone or electronic payment terminal is given when the consumer has entered the product identification code read from a special label and sends it to the control service for verification.

Figure 5. An example of communicating to the consumer information about the authenticity of the goods purchased by him.

An example of an image on the screen of a mobile phone or electronic payment terminal is given when the consumer is informed of the authenticity of the goods he has purchased.

The implementation of the invention.

The implementation of the invention is considered on the example of protecting a carbonated drink and acquiring it in a store.

The control service produces special labels in a design convenient for the manufacturer: in rolls, sheets or packs. Sells to the manufacturer the required number of special labels and tells him his secret personal password of the manufacturer. In the computer database of the control service, the official name of the enterprise is “attached” to the identification codes by the corresponding number (Figure 1).

The manufacturer sticks one special label for each bottle of carbonated drink of the same name. Then, before sending it to the implementation, it activates the protection, for which it makes a call to the control service from a mobile phone by a well-known number, at the request of the control service, enters a personal password, identification code number, indicates the validity period of the protection and sends the required data back (Figure 2).

The control service checks the authenticity of the personal password and the availability of the declared identification number to this manufacturer. If the verification is successful, a request is sent to the manufacturer with a proposal to enter information on the protected product that matches the information on the bottle. (Figure 3). The manufacturer sends a response, after which the product becomes protected from fake. The carbonated drink is sent to the distribution network for sale.

The consumer in the store wants to verify the authenticity of the soda bottle he buys, for which he erases the protective coating from the identification code. Then, from a mobile phone, he dials the well-known telephone number of the control service and sends an identification code read from the purchased bottle (Figure 4). In the control service, the sent identification code is checked with the identification codes stored in the computer database, and the results give the answer: if they match, authenticity is reported (Figure 5), and if they do not match, they are falsified.

Claims (1)

The method of identifying the authenticity of the product, which consists in applying a label to it with the product identification code, the product identification code generated using a random number generator, is an alphanumeric set, and the identification code is covered with an opaque erasable coating, and after purchasing the product, authentication is performed products for which an opaque coating is erased from the identification code, they transmit a read through electronic telecommunications the product identification code to the control service, the control service compares the received product identification code with the identification codes recorded in the computer database and, if it matches, the product is identified as genuine, and if it does not match, it is not genuine, characterized in that the identification code is assigned an open identification code number that is identical the number of the package or group of identification codes, in which the identification code is stored in the computer base of the control service, applied to a transparent erasable cover of the identification code or near, used by the manufacturer to activate the protection of the product, including sending the identification code number - the package number of identification codes together with the manufacturer's password using electronic telecommunications to the telephone number or Internet address to the control and recording service in the computer identification database codes of the service for monitoring information about the protected product.

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