Methods and Systems for Making, Tracking and Authentication of Products

Abstract

The invention foresees the labeling of each manufactured good with a digitally verified unique numeric identifier, and a central checking center allowing users to verify the authenticity of a particular cigarette pack or case by means of a cell phone interface. A system of secret key sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to the marking, tracking and authentication of goods, in particular, but not exclusively, of packaged goods, for example packs or cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco products. The invention also relates to production control. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Contraband and counterfeiting cause significant loss of revenue to producers of traded goods as well as for national authorities. Moreover, the illegal sale of counterfeited goods of inferior quality is detrimental to the customer and to the manufacturer. [0003] Legally produced goods may also be illegally imported or traded, for example in order to evade taxes or national regulations. It is therefore a major concern in several trade areas to detect and avoid unauthorized parallel import channels. [0004] The problems of contraband and counterfeiting are particularly acute for goods subject to special taxation, like tobacco products. They also exist for many other kinds o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] Embodiments of the various aspects of the invention have the advantage that marking and authentication can be accessed and interrogated remotely by an ordinary network, such as a land or mobile telephone. The marking and authentication has the further advantage that it may not be violated by counterfeiters. Moreover, the genuineness of a manufactured item on sale can be checked easily, for example within a few seconds at the point of sale.

Problems solved by technology

Contraband and counterfeiting cause significant loss of revenue to producers of traded goods as well as for national authorities.

Moreover, the illegal sale of counterfeited goods of inferior quality is detrimental to the customer and to the manufacturer.

The problems of contraband and counterfeiting are particularly acute for goods subject to special taxation, like tobacco products.

A limitation of this practice is that the interpretation and validation of these production codes can be time-consuming and cumbersome.

These requirements may jeopardize reliability and safety.

Another limitation of this practice is that the production codes can easily be imitated or cloned.

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