EP2892820A1

EP2892820A1 - Device for authenticating a bottle and authentication method using said device

Info

Publication number: EP2892820A1
Application number: EP13774717.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tanguy HOEGH-GULDBERG
Original assignee: Wabash
Priority date: 2012-09-05
Filing date: 2013-09-04
Publication date: 2015-07-15
Also published as: US20150235234A1; WO2014037666A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for authenticating a bottle, which includes a neck (16) having a foil capsule (20) defined by a lower edge (24), and a marker (12) having an electronic component (34) and an antenna (36) enabling communication with an apparatus, said electronic component (34) and said antenna (36) occupying an area A which corresponds to at least one portion of the surface of the marker (12), characterised in that the marker (12) is arranged to overlap the lower edge (24) and in that at least 25% of the area A covers the portion of the bottle located under the lower edge (24) of said foil capsule (20) in order to limit the disruptions induced by the foil capsule (20) on the antenna (36).

Description

BOTTLE AUTHENTICATION DEVICE AND AUTHENTICATION METHOD USING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a device for authenticating a bottle and to an authentication method using said device.

In known manner, a bottle of wine comprises at its neck a plug inserted into the neck and an overcap which covers the opening portion of the neck and the cylindrical upper end of the neck. This overcap is generally metallic.

The bottle includes at its body a label to identify the contents of the bottle and possibly a counter-label on which there is additional information.

The label includes information required by legislation as well as information to identify the contents of the bottle such as a brand.

A first level of counterfeiting is to market any wine with a false container and false labels containing information close to the genuine labels. This level of counterfeiting can be easily foiled by an informed consumer. In addition, to help detect counterfeiting, there are computer applications that allow from a "smartphone" phone to photograph the label and compare it with authentic labels listed in a database accessible via a telephone or computer network such as the Internet. At this first level, the fight against counterfeiting essentially involves raising awareness and training consumers in the world of wine. For this purpose, some applications offer in addition to the authentication of additional information on the wine contained in the bottle authenticated to educate the consumer.

A second level of counterfeiting, more sophisticated than the first, consists in marketing any wine with a false container and labels identical to the authentic labels. In this case, even an informed consumer can be deceived. To fight against this level of counterfeiting, several solutions have been developed. For example, a first solution is to use a bubble code on the label or a two-dimensional bar code also called "QR code" associated with a hologram also affixed to the label.

By way of example, the document WO2010 / 063909 describes a label with several visual security elements. Thus, this document does not describe any electronic type system for authentication whose operation is likely to be altered by a metal or metallized overcap.

As before, applications have been developed allowing from a smartphone-type phone to photograph this visual code (bubble codes or QR code) and compare it with those in a database to determine if the bottle is authentic.

However, these solutions are not fully satisfactory insofar as the techniques of the counterfeiters are more and more sophisticated and allow from an authentic visual code to reproduce it by photocopying it and to affix visual codes identical to the visual code. authentic on labels intended for counterfeiting.

Although the bubble code is more difficult to reproduce, its cost is relatively high because it is not widely used. In addition, few users intuitively know how to use it. In the case of bubble code by for example, this device with the complex appearance is difficult to reproduce. However, its reproduction is necessary only if the user tries to authenticate it with a very particular and very rare reader. But in reality, authentication is achieved in 99% of the cases by a simple visual comparison thanks to the reading of a Q code leading directly to a database referencing all the bubble codes. Thus, the user will be deceived with a simple photo taken by modest means since it will rely only on a 2D reading similar to reading a QRcode or code type "Datamatrix" .

In the field of the traceability of wine bottles, markers containing an electronic chip also called RFID chip may be affixed to the crates of bottles or bottles. These markers also contain a temperature sensor and possibly a geolocation sensor for regularly measuring the temperature of the environment, the measurements being stored in the RFID chip. In known manner, an RFID chip comprises a microprocessor associated with an antenna for the exchange of signals.

According to this solution, the RFID chip makes it possible to ensure that the bottle or the box have been stored under suitable conditions throughout the distribution circuit.

This solution could be diverted and used to authenticate a bottle as each RFID chip includes a unique identifier.

The advantages of the RFID chip are:

Since this technology is widely used, the costs of labels containing an RFID chip are decreasing.

Due to international standards, each RFID chip has a unique identifier. Thus, two RFID chips can not have the same identifier. According to another advantage, it is for the moment difficult to duplicate an RFID chip and to implement an identifier corresponding to that of another RFID chip. RFID chips can be passive and do not require the use of a battery. Therefore, the life of such a chip is almost infinite.

Finally, a wireless communication standard (called near field communication or NFC communication) makes it possible to communicate these RFID chips with a very large number of devices. Thus, the majority of mobile phones are marketed with this technology and can therefore communicate with RFID chips.

This solution could meet the authentication objectives by making it difficult to copy and easy to authenticate thanks to applications installed on a communicating device such as a "smartphone" -type telephone which, on the one hand, communicates with the RFID chip can read its identifier and secondly with a server compare it with those of a database to authenticate the bottle.

Finally, a last level of counterfeiting is to market any wine in an authentic bottle. In view of the increasing costs of certain bottles, networks aiming to collect authentic bottles when the contents of these bottles have been drunk are developing. After being recovered, these bottles are refilled, refilled and again marketed with usually a bad wine. This type of counterfeit is aimed at the luxury market and mainly affects Asian markets whose consumers generally have a low level of knowledge about wine. This counterfeiting carries significant damage both economically and in terms of image because consumers are not great connoisseurs may wrongly think that the wrong wine is the real wine. In some cases, the bottle can be refilled with a liquid unfit for consumption, which can undermine food safety and therefore the health of the consumer.

To combat this type of counterfeiting, solutions propose placing the marker containing the RFID chip at the level of the overcap so that the opening of the bottle irreversibly alters the operation of the RFID chip.

In the case of a bottle of spirits, the overcap comprises a precut line allowing during opening to separate the upper part of the overcap to remove the cap. In this case, the RFID tag is placed astride the precut line. Thus, during the opening, the RFID chip and more particularly its antenna are irreparably damaged when the precut line is cut and the upper part of the overcap recovery.

In the case of a bottle of wine, the marker containing the RFID chip is in the form of a band affixed along a generatrix of the neck of the bottle from the glass of the bottle to above the neck from the bottle. Thus, when the bottle is opened, the upper part of the overcap being removed in order to extract the cap, the RFID chip and more particularly its antenna are irreparably damaged. This type of implantation is described in particular in US-6,360,208. In both cases, the RFID chip being irreparably damaged after the first opening of the bottle, the genuine bottle which would eventually be refilled could not be authenticated again.

This mode of implantation of the marker containing the RFID chip theoretically allows to fight effectively against all levels of counterfeiting.

In practice, this authentication mode is not fully satisfactory for the following reason: The overcap being metal, it disrupts the functioning of RFID chips as they operate on the basis of electromagnetic fields. Also, it may happen that the RFID chip can not communicate and allow authentication of the bottle. In this case, the user may wrongly believe that he is in the presence of a counterfeit product. To overcome this problem, solutions described for example in EP-1.857.374 propose to isolate the RFID chip of the overcap. However, these solutions are not satisfactory because it is necessary to create specific markers or to use more complex marker setting techniques to isolate it which impact the cost of the authentication method.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

In a non-exhaustive manner, an object of the invention is to authenticate a bottle reliably without additional cost even when the bottle comprises a metal overcap.

In order to meet this objective, the invention proposes a device for authenticating a bottle which comprises, on the one hand, a neck with an overcap capsule delimited by a lower edge and, on the other hand, a marker with an electronic component and an antenna for communicating with a device, said electronic component and said antenna occupying a zone A which corresponds to at least a part of the area of the marker, characterized in that the marker is arranged astride the lower edge and in that at least 25% of the zone A covers the part of the bottle located under the lower edge of said overcap capsule in order to limit the disturbances induced by the overcap on the antenna.

Advantageously, the marker comprises at its outer face a coating which forms a sealed barrier. This solution makes it possible to improve the resistance of the marker. The invention also proposes an authentication method which makes it possible to increase the level of security.

Other features and advantages will emerge from the following description of the invention, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the device for authenticating a bottle according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of a neck of a bottle on which is affixed a marker according to the invention illustrating by transparency a FID chip,

FIG. 3 is a front view of a neck of a bottle on which is affixed a marker according to a variant of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a section of a neck of a bottle to which a marker is affixed according to another variant of the invention,

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an authentication method according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the implementation of an authentication method according to a first variant of the invention,

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating the implementation of an authentication method according to a second variant of the invention, and

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating the implementation of an authentication method according to a third variant of the invention.

In Figure 1, there is shown at 10 a bottle comprising a marker 12 according to the invention to authenticate.

In known manner, the bottle 10 comprises firstly a body on which is affixed a label 14 and possibly a back label, and secondly, a neck 16 surmounting the body in which is inserted a plug 18 (visible on FIG. 4), covered with an overcap 20. Legal and identifying information for the bottle (such as a mark) is provided on the label 14.

The neck 16 generally comprises a collar 22 projecting from the outer surface of the neck and offset from the upper end of the neck.

The overcap 20 is generally metallic (tin or aluminum) and comprises a skirt which extends from the upper end of the neck over a certain height, of the order of 5 to 6 cm. Thus, the lower edge 24 of the overcap is offset downwardly relative to the flange 22 by a distance of the order of 3 to 4 cm. These dimensions are given by way of example and are in no way limiting.

When opening the bottle, the overcap 20 is cut with a cutting tool along a cutting line 26 positioned just below the flange 22. Following this cutting, the upper part of the capsule overcap 20 is removed to allow the plug to be removed. The lower portion 28 of the overcap 20 in the form of a sleeve is retained on the bottle.

All the elements previously described are known to those skilled in the art and are not more detailed. The techniques of filling bottles, capping and placing labels and caps for overcaping are perfectly controlled and are generally automated. They are not more described.

To allow its authentication, a bottle comprises a marker 12. This marker is in the form of a label straddling the glass of the bottle and the overcap 20, on both sides of the lower edge 24 of said capsule. To give an order of magnitude, the marker 12 is a square of 30 mm side. Nevertheless, the marker is not limited to this geometry and may have dimensions and shapes (square, rectangular, round, ...) variables.

This marker 12 is affixed to the bottle 10 by gluing. Advantageously, the marker 12 comprises at one of its faces an adhesive coating 29 allowing it to be fixed by gluing on the bottle, as illustrated in FIG. 4. This adhesive coating or this glue has a high adhesion power. in order to limit the risks of tearing off the marker 12.

According to one embodiment, the marker 12 comprises a film 30 in the format of the marker on which are reported means for storing information and contactless communication means for exchanging information with a reader 32.

To reduce manufacturing costs, the means of storing information and the means of communication are integrated in an FID chip. This solution makes it possible to reduce the costs of the marker insofar as the RFID chips are manufactured in large numbers.

However, the invention is not limited to an RFID chip. It thus covers all electronic devices for storing at least one piece of information and communicating with another device according to a contactless communication protocol. Thus, the marker may integrate an NFC chip, and more particularly an "NFC inlay" chip. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the marker 12 comprises an electronic device with at least one electronic component 34 with at least one memory, more particularly a microprocessor, and at least one antenna 36. According to the variants, the electronic device can be passive or be semi-passive and integrate a sensor such as a temperature sensor for example.

According to a preferred embodiment, the communication protocol is of the NFC type near-field communication type defined according to the standards recognized by the NFC Forum, including ISO / IEC 14443-1 to ISO / IEC 14443-4. The majority of mobile phones and tablets being equipped with NFC technology, they can be used as a player 32. Thus, all owners of such devices can use it to authenticate a bottle according to the invention. This solution has the advantage of using widely used devices and used as a reader, which reduces the authentication costs and democratize the authentication method very quickly.

This technology is widely used because it is also used for contactless payment and its use is very intuitive.

At the marker 12, the electronic component 34 and the antenna 36 occupy a zone A which corresponds to at least a portion of the area of the marker 12. According to an important characteristic of the invention, at least 25% of the area A occupied by the electronic component 34 and the antenna 36 does not cover the overcap 20 and covers the portion of the bottle located under the lower edge 24 of said capsule not covered by the overcap.

This solution makes it possible to limit the disturbances induced by the metal overcap on the marker and substantially increases the reliability of the authentication. In addition, this solution makes it possible to use FID chips widely marketed without adding isolation means that can significantly increase costs.

The introduction of the marker 12 on the bottle can be performed during bottling using a machine to deposit labels.

The portion of zone A situated under the lower edge 24 of the overcap is less than 90% of the total area of zone A. This solution makes it possible to be sure that the marker is irreparably damaged and no longer functions during removal of the capsule, this withdrawal being mandatory when reusing the bottle to replace it with a new overcap.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the zone A does not cover the collar 22 and does not extend above the cutting line 26 positioned just under the collar 22.

This solution makes it possible not to alter the operation of the marker 12 when the bottle is open. When the consumer opens the bottle as it should, the lower part of the overcap 20 is kept on the bottle and the marker 12 is not damaged. Thus, it is possible to authenticate the bottle and obtain additional information even after opening the bottle contrary to the prior art.

Thus, according to the invention, the marker is irreparably damaged and no longer works not at the opening of the bottle but at the time of the attempted counterfeit and the reuse of the bottle, the removal of the rest of the overcap capsule being mandatory when repacking the bottle.

Advantageously, the marker 12 is in the form of a label with at least one precut 38 (visible in Figure 3) so that the marker 12 is torn during an attempt to take off. In the case of an "NFC inlay" type marker, the latter is positioned and processed in a specific manner so that it definitively destroys itself during any tearing attempts.

According to another characteristic, the marker 12 comprises at its outer face 40 a coating 42 which forms a sealed barrier to enhance the moisture resistance of the marker. This solution makes it possible to increase the reliability of the marker by protecting the electronic component 34 and the antenna 36. According to one embodiment, the coating 42 is made based on a polymer, in particular based on printable polyethylene. An implanted marker according to the recommendations of the invention makes it possible to authenticate a bottle reliably without additional cost even when the bottle comprises a metal overcap.

The design of the marker incorporating a FID chip, at least one precut 38 and a coating 42 and using an NFC type communication protocol makes it possible to meet the following objectives:

- Make it more difficult to transpose the marker used to authenticate the bottle,

- Improve the resistance of the marker, and

- Simplify and democratize the authentication method.

In parallel with an authenticating device using a marker affixed in a specific manner on the bottle, the invention also proposes an authentication method with a high level of security.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the marker according to the invention comprises an electronic component 34 comprising at least one memory 44 and an antenna 36 making it possible to communicate information with a communicating device 32.

Advantageously, as indicated above, the marker 12 is in the form of an RFID chip and the apparatus 32 integrates the NFC type near-field communication technology. According to the illustrated example, the device 32 is a mobile phone type "smartphone". Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to this type of apparatus. Thus, a touch pad or any device incorporating the NFC protocol may also be suitable.

The entire authentication device comprises at least one server 46 with at least one database 48 and a "server" application 50, said server 46 being capable of being connected by means of a telephone network or a computer network in particular Internet to a communicating device 32. The communicating device 32 comprises a mobile application 52 enabling it to communicate with the marker 12 on the one hand, and with the server 46 on the other, but also to interface with a user.

According to an important point of the invention, the memory 44 of the marker 12 comprises on the one hand an identifier which is specific to each memory and which is assigned to the memory 44 during its manufacture, and on the other hand at least one code which is implemented in the memory during its use. Advantageously, the marker 12 comprises a visual cue 54, such as for example a serial number.

According to the standards, each RFID chip includes an identifier that is unique to it and assigned to it during its manufacture.

The code is implemented in the memory 44 prior to the setting of the marker 12. Thus, each marker 12 includes a code of its own. In the database 48, each bottle 10 is associated with the identifier of the memory 44 of the marker affixed to said bottle and a code corresponding to the code implemented in said memory 44. The code implemented in said memory 44 varies from a marker. to the other. Therefore, each code is unique.

Preferably, the code present in the memory is encrypted. In parallel, the database associates with each bottle the identifier of the marker and an decrypted code which corresponds to the encrypted code implemented in the memory. The encryption means are not more detailed because they are known.

The presence of the encrypted code makes it possible to significantly increase the degree of security since, unlike the identifier, it is not determined by the manufacturer of the RFID chips but by the company managing the authentication method according to the invention. invention.

For the rest of the description, the variants described with an encrypted code also work with unencrypted code. According to the invention, each bottle 10 is associated with at least one question relating to a characteristic of the bottle 10 and its response. Preferably, this characteristic is visual and relates to at least one physical specificity of the container, for example to a detail appearing on the overcap 20, on the label 14 and / or at the bottom of the bottle.

The association of at least one pair of questions / answers to the identifier and the code implemented in the memory 44 makes it possible to increase the level of security by increasing the number of combinations knowing that these pairs of questions / answers vary from one to another. one wine to another. These question / answer pairs are usually determined by the wine producer and are therefore different from one producer to another. In addition, it informs and reassures the user that he is participating in the authentication.

By way of example, the question may consist in showing an image of a label and asking the user if this image corresponds to the label on the bottle that the user is trying to authenticate.

Preferably, to complicate the copy and increase the level of security, each bottle is associated with several pairs of questions / answers. According to one procedure, each bottle is associated with three pairs of questions / answers, a first question relating to a visual characteristic of the neck, a second question relating to a visual characteristic of the label and a third question relating to a visual characteristic of the bottle. bottom of the bottle. However, the invention is not limited to this series of question / answer pairs.

The database associates for each bottle, an identifier, an encrypted code, at least one pair of question / answer relating to a characteristic of the bottle and an authentication certificate.

Advantageously, the database associates for each bottle, an identifier, an encrypted code, at least one pair of question / answer relating to a characteristic of the bottle, a series of alphanumeric characters that corresponds to the visual cue 54 and an authentication certificate. Thus, the visual cue 54 allows the user to refer to a single visible security in order to testify to the invisible security (identifier and code implemented in the memory 44 of the marker).

The nomad application 52 of the communicating device 32 performs several functions. In the first place, the nomadic application comprises a read module of the marker 12 making it possible to read the identifier and the implemented encrypted code of the memory 44 of the marker.

The mobile application also includes a communication module for exchanging information between the communicating device 32 and the server 46. Thus, the communication module ensures the transmission of the identifier and the encrypted code to the server 46 and the exchanges between the communicating device and the server relating to the question / answer couples and to the authentication certificate.

The mobile application also includes an interface allowing, for each question / answer pair, to display the question and to enter the response of a user and to display the authentication certificate which integrates the visual cue 54, if the authentication is successful.

The mobile application can be downloaded via a telephone or computer network. Advantageously, to simplify the download of the mobile application, the memory 44 of the marker comprises at least one address of the URL type of a site on which the mobile application can be downloaded. Thus, by approaching the communicating device 32 of the marker 12, the identifier, the code and the URL address are read by the device 32. If the device does not yet have the mobile application, a message s' displays on his device inviting him to be directed to a download site of the application. The application "server" includes means of communication with a communicating device 32 which transmits a request and information processing means for:

to compare the pair of identifier / encrypted code with those present in the database 48,

if the identifying / encrypted code pair is located in the database, reading the associated question / answer pair (s) and transmitting it (s) to the communicating device having formulated the request,

if the answers provided by the user are correct, to transmit the authentication certificate including the visual cue 54 associated with the pair identifier / encrypted code / answers to the questions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the authentication method comprises an algorithm with the following steps:

- Reading by approaching the communicating device of the marker of the identifier and the encrypted code present in its memory,

- If the marker and more precisely its FID chip were damaged due to an act of forgery, this reading is not possible and the nomad application informs the user that the bottle can not be authenticated,

- If reading is possible, the communicating device transmits to the server a request mentioning the pair identifying / encrypted code,

- After decrypting the code, the server compares this identifier / code pair with those present in the database.

- If this couple does not appear in the database, the server transmits a message to the communicating device which then indicates to the user that the bottle can not be authenticated,

- If this identifier / code pair is present in the database, the server transmits to the communicating device that made the request to the less a couple of questions / answers relating to one or more visual characteristics of the bottle,

- If at least one answer provided by the user is not correct, the nomad application indicates to the user that the bottle can not be authenticated,

- If all the answers are correct, the server transmits the authentication certificate to the communicating device having formulated the request which displays it,

Finally, on the basis of the authentication certificate provided, the user can compare the unique visual cue 54 present on both the tag 12 and the authentication certificate.

According to other variants illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7B, the database associates for each bottle, an identifier, an decrypted code, at least one pair of question / answer relating to a characteristic of the bottle, a series of alphanumeric characters. which corresponds to the visual cue 54 and an authentication certificate.

According to one embodiment, this visual cue 54 comprises a series of alphanumeric signs.

This visual cue 54 is present on an authentic bottle, in particular on the marker 12. In a variant, it can be affixed to the label of the bottle as illustrated in FIG.

According to a first operating mode illustrated in FIG. 7A, if all the answers are correct, the server transmits to the communicating device having formulated the request the visual cue associated with the bottle which displays it on the screen. If the user confirms the presence of this visual cue on the bottle, the server 46 then transmits the authentication certificate.

According to another operating mode illustrated in FIG. 7B, if all the answers are correct, the server transmits to the communicating device having formulated the The certificate of authentication, which includes the visual cue 54, is requested by the user so that the user can compare the transmitted visual cue 54 with that affixed to the bottle in order to carry out a final verification.

This new question makes it possible to reinforce the security and complicates a possible copy.

Advantageously, when the bottle is authenticated, the server 46 can transmit other information relating to wine, producers, traders, consumers or others. This feature allows you to authenticate, trace products, educate the consumer, promote products and brands, and exchange information.

Advantageously, when the bottle is not authenticated, the nomad application asks the user if he wishes to declare the counterfeit. In this case, the application prompts him to take a picture of the bottle with his camera 32 and the latter accompanied by the geolocation coordinates of the camera 32 (provided by the geolocation system integrated into the camera) are transmitted to the camera. server 46. This feedback helps identify counterfeiting and intensify the fight against it.

Although described for wine bottles, the authentication process can be used for other products, such as drugs or luxury goods.

In addition, the authentication method is more particularly intended to be used with the marker 12 according to the invention, affixed in a certain way on the bottle. However, it could be used with other markers containing memory and using the near field communication protocol.

Finally, the communicating device 32 could integrate the database 48 and all the features of the "server" application. In this case, according to a very simplified variant, the authentication device could comprise only one device communicating with the marker and no longer include a server.

Claims

1. Authentication device for a bottle which comprises on the one hand a neck (16) with an overcap (20) delimited by a lower edge (24) and on the other hand a marker (12) with a electronic component (34) and an antenna (36) for communicating with an apparatus (32), said electronic component (34) and said antenna (36) occupying an area A which corresponds to at least a portion of the area of the marker ( 12), characterized in that the marker (12) is arranged astride the lower edge (24) and in that at least 25% of the zone A covers the part of the bottle situated under the lower edge (24) said overcap capsule (20) to limit the disturbances induced by the overcap (20) on the antenna (36).

2. A device for authenticating a bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the portion of the zone A situated under the lower edge (24) of the overcap is less than 90% of the total area of the bottle. zone A.

3. Authentication device of a bottle according to claim 1 or

2, characterized in that the zone A does not extend above a cutting line (26) of the overcap (20) cut to open the bottle.

4. Authentication device for a bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marker (12) is in the form of a label with at least one precut (38) so that the marker (12) tears when attempting to take off.

5. Authentication device of a bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marker (12) comprises at its outer face (40) a coating (42) which forms a sealed barrier.

6. Authentication device of a bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic component (34) and said antenna (36) are integrated in a FID chip.

7. Authentication device for a bottle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic component

(34) comprises a memory (44) with an identifier assigned to the memory during its manufacture and at least one code which is programmed into the memory during its use.

8. Authentication device of a bottle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a communicating device (32) incorporating a mobile application comprising a communication module with the marker (12) to read the identifier and the code of the memory (44) and an interface with a user.

9. Authentication device of a bottle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the memory (44) comprises at least one URL type of a site on which the nomadic application can be downloaded.

10. Authentication device for a bottle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a server (46) comprising on the one hand a database (48) associating with each bottle the identifier of the memory (44) of the marker affixed to said bottle and a code corresponding to the code implemented in said memory (44), and secondly, a "server" application comprising means of communication with a communicating device ( 32) which sends him a request as well as means of processing the information.

11. A method of authenticating a product on which is affixed a device according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Authentication method according to claim 11, said method consisting in comparing information contained in the memory of the marker (12) with information contained in a database (48), characterized in that the memory (44) of the marker (12) comprises an identifier which is specific to each memory and a code which is programmed in the memory during its use, in that the database (48) associates with each product the identifier of the memory (44). ) of the marker affixed to said product, a code corresponding to the code implemented in said memory (44), at least one question / answer pair relating to a characteristic of the product (10) and an authentication certificate, the method consisting of:

reading the identifier and the code of the memory (44) of the marker (12) of the product that a user is trying to identify,

comparing the identifier / code pair with those present in the database (48),

if the identifier / code pair is located in the database, to read the associated question / answer pair (s),

- if the response or answers provided by the user are correct, to transmit the authentication certificate associated with the pair identifier / code.

13. Authentication process according to claim 12, characterized in that the characteristic of the product is visual and relates to at least one physical specificity of the product.

14. Authentication method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the database associates with each product several pairs of question / answer.

15. Authentication method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the database associates with each product, an identifier, a code, at least a question / answer pair relating to a characteristic of the product, a visual cue (54) affixed to the product and an authentication certificate.

16. Authentication method according to claim 15, characterized in that the visual cue (54) comprises a sequence of alphanumeric signs.

17. Authentication method according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the memory (44) is integrated in an RFID chip which communicates with a device (32) which itself communicates with a server (46). containing the database (48) and integrates a mobile application.

18. Authentication method according to claim 17, characterized in that the memory (44) comprises at least one URL address of a site on which the mobile application can be downloaded.