FR2764422A1 - COMPLEX AND DEVICE FOR GUARANTEEING THE INVIOLABILITY AND AUTHENTICITY OF A DOCUMENT OR GOODS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a complex designed to guarantee the tamper-protection and authenticity of an object comprising: a base support (1) made permanently integral with the object and whereon are printed an identifying code (3) and at least an authenticating code (5, 6, 7); a protective sheet (2), optionally opaque, partially covering the base support (1) to protect the authenticating code (5, 6, 7) and to be applied on the object (16) to ensure its tamper-protection; data (4) concerning the object itself borne on the uncovered part of the base support (1).

Description

 The present invention relates to a complex and a device for guaranteeing the inviolability and authenticity of a document or of a commodity, with a view to preventing their counterfeiting.

 Devices are already known which are intended to guarantee the authenticity of a document or a product. These devices use relatively complex techniques, often combined with each other.

 However, these known devices are not entirely satisfactory, in particular because they are often copied, they do not make it possible to control the authenticity of a product at the various stages of its life, or to detect a fraudulent copy 'an existing authentic product.

 The present invention aims to eliminate these drawbacks by proposing a device which also makes it possible to guarantee the inviolability of a product.

 The invention therefore makes it possible to exercise all of the controls that can be carried out during the life of a product, that is to say before its sale, when it is sold or put into service, during its life at a consumer and until the end of his life.

 The invention applies generally to any object, the latter possibly being for example a paper document, an envelope, a commodity or its packaging.

The present invention firstly relates to a complex intended to guarantee the inviolability and the authenticity of an object comprising
- a basic support permanently attached to the object and on which an identification code and at least one authentication code are printed,
- a protective sheet partially covering the base support to protect the authentication code and suitable for being applied to the object so as to ensure its inviolability,
- information concerning the object itself carried on the part not covered with the basic support.

 The basic support can be constituted by the packaging of the object or even a part of the object capable of receiving an impression, or by a label stuck firmly on the object.

 The label and the protective sheet can be made of different materials such as paper, plastic, fabric, wood, leather, etc.

 The identification code can be printed by any known method of printing on the base support. A fluorescent ink can be used for this purpose, invisible to the human eye and requiring a special reading device.

 The authentication code printed on the basic support is preferably masked by an opaque layer of a scrapable material, that is to say a material which can be removed by scraping to reveal the authentication code, such as the one used to hide authentication codes on state lottery tickets.

 In this case, the protective sheet can be transparent, which makes it possible to show the consumer that he will have means of checking the authenticity of the product and that the manufacturer will ensure the follow-up of the product, which is a guarantee of quality of the latter. .

 In the absence of a removable opaque layer on the authentication code or codes, the protective sheet must be opaque.

 The protective sheet ensures a double protection of the object because it makes the authentication code inaccessible and possibly invisible and that it constitutes a witness of inviolability for the protected object, thus guaranteeing that the latter has not been neither opened nor used.

 The information relating to the object itself is for example information carried on the basic support by the manufacturer of the object at the time of its manufacture. It can be the date and place of production, the production team, the type of product, etc.

 The complex according to the invention is intended to be implemented in combination with files kept by the manufacturer of the complexes and by the user of said complexes, who applies them to objects to be protected.

The present invention therefore also relates to a device intended to guarantee the inviolability and authenticity of an object, characterized in that it comprises complexes as described above and at least one file of links containing the identification code of each complex in relation to its authentication code, as well as an authentication file containing, in relation to the authentication code of each complex, the information concerning the protected object carried on the non-part covered with the base support of said complex
According to the invention, only the manufacturer of the complexes, which is generally a printer working in a secure universe, that is to say respecting different procedures guaranteeing the confidentiality of the information, knows the file of links which links the identification codes. and the authentication codes carried by the complexes.

 Since at this stage we do not know the destination of the complexes, any fraudulent copy of the link file would be unsuccessful because it is impossible to know on which objects the complexes will be applied.

The implementation of the complexes is carried out in the following manner
10) The manufacturer of the complexes prints on each basic support an identification code and at least one authentication code and updates its link file, thus memorizing the tuples (identification code, authentication codes ) that he creates without knowing the destination of the complexes.

 20) The manufacturer then covers with a protective sheet the part of the base support carrying the authentication code (s), after having possibly masked these authentication codes with an opaque layer of removable material. The protective sheet possibly protrudes from the base support so that it can be glued to the opening of an object to be protected to ensure its inviolability.

This sheet also includes cutouts delimiting one or more windows which each give access to an authentication code of the complex. Each window can only be opened definitively, which allows unauthorized access to an authentication code to be detected.

 In a variant, an authentication code can be printed with magnetic ink, which makes it possible to read this code through the sheet and possibly the opaque layer which covers it.

A magnetic reader is used for this purpose.

 30) The user of the complexes, who is generally a manufacturer of objects to be protected, receives from the manufacturer of the complexes a copy of the link file and a corresponding batch of complexes.

 40) The user applies a complex he personalizes to each object he wishes to protect by printing information about the object on the latter, such as a product code, a manufacturing date, a lot number, etc. ..

 5e) Simultaneously, the user updates a central file constructed on the basis of the link file, by indicating therein all the information concerning the object, in relation to the authentication code.

 6) The user then splits this central file into two separate files, namely an authentication file which contains the authentication codes and the information concerning the previously updated objects and a management file which contains only the codes identification and information intended to organize the distribution of objects by traditional logistical means.

 The entire system makes it possible to control the authenticity of the object at different stages of its life.

 First, at a distributor, an inspector sworn in by the manufacturer recovers an authentication code carried by the complex by opening the window intended for him or by reading, through the protective sheet and using a magnetic reader, the authentication code intended for it, if the latter is printed with magnetic ink.

 The inspector sends the retrieved authentication code to the manufacturer of the objects, who consults his authentication file and tells the inspector on the one hand, if the object belongs to all of the objects put into circulation by the manufacturer and on the other hand, the information concerning the object contained in the file, information that the inspector can compare with that printed in clear on the complex.

 This exchange of data can of course be automated by telematic means.

 If the authentication code does not exist in the authentication file kept by the manufacturer or if there is a discrepancy between the information provided in clear on the complex and that contained in the file, an infringement is presumed and a control procedure may be triggered.

 To prevent this control from being carried out by an unauthorized person, the transmission of the authentication code is accompanied by a password known only to the inspector. In the absence of the correct password, the manufacturer detects a fraudulent attempt and does not provide the expected response.

 During each control, the manufacturer records in the authentication file the trace of the control carried out, for example by memorizing the date and the nature of the control.

 When selling the object, the distributor does the same using the authentication code intended for him and the password assigned to him.

 The manufacturer checks on this occasion that the object is registered in its authentication file as being in a condition to be sold. If the object has already been sold, an anomaly is detected.

 The trace of the control is also recorded in the authentication file, with other information relating to the sale such as its date, place and information relating to the consumer and making it possible to carry out statistics later.

 In the case of a good of equipment or more generally of a guaranteed product, once the control carried out, the merchant sends to the manufacturer the preprinted number of a guarantee voucher or a service slip after sale, issues this voucher or this slip, then prints on it a new authentication code which is supplied to it in response by the manufacturer to link the number of the voucher or the slip to the protected object. The new authentication code is simultaneously recorded in the authentication file kept by the manufacturer.

 The consumer who purchased the object can also verify its authenticity. To this end, when the object is opened, it permanently destroys the protective sheet which testified to the inviolability of the object and discovers the authentication code intended for it. The consumer can also take note of this code before opening the object, by opening a window in the opaque sheet and by scraping the scrapable layer which masks his code of authenticity. Knowing this code, the consumer can interrogate the manufacturer either by telephone or by telematic means. The manufacturer can thus verify that the object is registered as having been sold and returns to the consumer general information on the object, information that the consumer can compare with that carried in clear on the complex associated with the object.

 Later, after using the object, the consumer can call on the manufacturer's after-sales service. The warranty card or the after-sales service slip then provides an authentication code which makes it possible to carry out the same verifications with the manufacturer, the latter being able to further update his authentication file by recording the trace of it. after-sales service intervention.

 In a particular embodiment, the complex comprises, in the part of the base support not covered by the protective sheet, a control key generated by an algorithm on the basis of a part of the authentication code of the complex, on the other hand, information specific to the protected object, for example its date and time of manufacture. This specific information must appear legibly on the basic medium.

 In this embodiment, an authentication code printed with magnetic ink is used so that it can be read through the protective sheet using a magnetic reader.

 The magnetic reader is supplied to each participant in the distribution network, for example to the merchant who sells the object.

 A microprocessor running the same algorithm as the one used to generate the control key is integrated into the magnetic reader.

This microprocessor is enclosed in a tamper-proof capsule so as to self-destruct in the event of an attempt to read the algorithm.

 The merchant can thus verify the authenticity of the object by having the authentication code read by the magnetic reader and by entering the information specific to the object which he reads on the visible part of the basic support. The microprocessor included in the magnetic reader again generates a control key from the authentication code read and the specific information entered.

 The merchant only has to compare the control key thus generated with that printed in plain text on the basic support to verify the authenticity of the object.

 This embodiment allows, without degrading the complex, to verify the authenticity of almost all of a stock of objects. This verification does not guarantee the same reliability as that of interrogating the manufacturer's authentication file, but it can supplement it. Indeed, we can limit the interrogation of the manufacturer's file to a relatively small sample of the stock and check the rest of the stock thanks to the control keys.

 In order to be able to use the same magnetic reader to carry out a control on objects coming from different manufacturers, the microprocessor can be mounted on a smart card pluggable in the reader. Each manufacturer then provides its own smart card to the merchant.

 In a variant, the control key is masked by a removable layer of opaque material, and possibly protected by a window of the protective sheet.

 The device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to fight effectively against counterfeit objects sold and to follow the evolution of protected objects from their manufacture to their use by a consumer.

In order to better understand the invention, we will now describe an embodiment, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which
FIG. 1 represents a complex intended to be applied to a bottle,
FIG. 2 represents the neck of the bottle covered by the complex of FIG. 1,
- Figures 3 to 8 are flowcharts showing the different stages of authenticity control operations.

 The complex shown in FIG. 1 has a label 1 as a base support and an opaque protective sheet 2.

 The label is rectangular, it is made of paper covered on its back with a layer of strong glue.

 The opaque sheet has the shape of a T. It is made of PVC.

 The opaque sheet 2 partially covers the label 1 in the central part of the latter.

 According to the invention, the label includes, in its part not covered by the opaque sheet, an identification code 3 as well as information 4 concerning the object on which the complex is to be stuck.

 In its central part, the label also includes three identification codes 5,6,7 each masked by a layer of an opaque scrapable material 8,9,10.

 These three identification codes and their removable layer are covered by the part of the opaque sheet 2 which is stuck on the label.

 Windows 11, 12, 13 are cut from the opaque sheet opposite each removable layer 8, 9, 10.

 Full-flesh cutouts 14 of the opaque sheet 2 make it possible to reveal that the latter has been detached from the object, if necessary.

 In the part of the opaque sheet covering the label, these cutouts are found in correspondence with other full-cut cuts made in the label in order to reveal any attempt to peel off the opaque sheet and / or the label.

 Identification signs 15 are also placed astride the opaque sheet 2 and the label 1. These identification signs are destroyed when the opaque sheet is separated from the label, for example when opens the protected object.

 Other authentication signs (not shown) can be provided such as for example an intaglio print, an iridescent print or security threads.

 The complex of FIG. 1 is intended to be bonded to a bottle, for example a perfume bottle as shown in FIG. 2.

 The bottle 16 of Figure 2 has a stopper 17 which covers its neck. The large front face 18 of the bottle 16 is flat and lies in the same plane as a flat part 19 of the stopper 17. The complex is bonded on the one hand to the large front face 18 of the bottle, which receives the label 1 and the vertical part of the T of the opaque sheet 2, while the cap receives the horizontal part of the T glued on its lateral surface and glued on itself at its end.

 It is understood that the complex can thus constitute a witness to the inviolability of the bottle because any action exerted on the cap would cause the destruction of the various authentication signs provided for on the opaque sheet and on the label, or even the destruction of the latter.

 We will now explain, with reference to Figures 3 to 8, the implementation of the complex described above.

 FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the different stages of the manufacturing of the complexes.

 During a step 30, the graphics of the complexes are determined by drawing the labels on the one hand, and the opaque sheets on the other hand.

 During a step 31, the identification code 3 and the authentication codes 5,6,7 are printed on the label prepared by computer means during a step 32.

 In step 33, an opaque material is coated on the authentication codes to mask them, then the label and the opaque sheet are shaped and they are combined in step 34. A quality control is carried out at step 35 to eliminate the complexes having a defect.

 In parallel with the manufacturing of the complexes, the computer means generate a link file 36 which establishes the relationship between each identification code and the corresponding identification codes.

 In the quality control step 35, the computer means are informed of the elimination of the defective labels with a view to the deletion of the corresponding records in the link file 36.

 The link file 36 and the stock of complexes obtained are delivered in step 37 to a user who is here a manufacturer of bottles.

 The flow diagram of FIG. 4 indicates the steps implemented by the manufacturer to personalize the complexes.

 From the bottles 40 manufactured by the manufacturer and from the 1 + 2 complexes received from the printer, the manufacturer prints information 4 on the parts not covered with the label 1 concerning the bottles he wishes to protect.

 This complex personalization information is simultaneously updated in a central file 42 constructed on the basis of the link file 36 and each record of which includes the personalization information 4.

 The manufacturer then splits the central file 42 into an authentication file 43 and a management file 44.

 The authentication file 43 contains, for each bottle, the three authentication codes of the corresponding complex and the personalization information 4, as well as free fields for subsequent information.

 The management file 44 contains the identification code 3 as well as other information allowing the organization of the commercial distribution of the bottles.

 The management file 44 is entrusted to logistics teams 45 while the authentication file 43 remains in the sole hands of the manufacturer.

 By dividing the central file 42 into two separate files, the manufacturer loses all possibility of establishing a link between the information concerning a bottle and the identification code carried by this bottle.

 The authenticity of a bottle is checked according to the flowchart shown in Figure 5.

 During a step 50, a sworn inspector responsible for checking the authenticity of a bottle, tears off the window 15 from the opaque sheet 2 and scrapes the opaque layer 10 to discover the authentication code 7 which is intended for it, then send this authentication code 7 accompanied by its password 51 to the manufacturer.

 During step 52, the manufacturer interrogates his authentication file 43 and returns his response 53, thus indicating to the inspector whether the bottle is authentic or not.

 Simultaneously, the information concerning the bottle is sent to the inspector for comparison with that appearing on the label 1.

 In step 54, the inspector decides whether it is necessary to initiate a control procedure based on the response received from the manufacturer.

 In step 55, the manufacturer enriches his authentication file 43 by recording therein the trace of the control carried out, if the latter has been positive.

 In Figure 6, there is shown a flowchart of the authenticity check implemented by a distributor at the time of the sale of the bottle.

 In step 60, the distributor tears off the window 14, scrapes the opaque layer 9 and discovers the authentication code 6 which it sends to the manufacturer together with his personal password.

 This sending can be done through a connection device 61 connected to the manufacturer.

 The latter interrogates its authentication file 43 and checks in step 62 the authenticity of the bottle. The manufacturer's response 63 is returned to the distributor with a new authentication code that the distributor enters in step 64.

 Simultaneously, the manufacturer enriches its authentication file in step 65 by recording the name of the point of sale and general information on the consumer.

 In step 65, the distributor issues a guarantee voucher numbered 66 on which it prints the new authentication code received from the manufacturer.

 FIG. 7 illustrates an authenticity control operation carried out by a consumer 70 having bought the bottle.

 After having torn off window 13 and discovered the authentication code 5 masked by the removable layer 8, the consumer questions the manufacturer either by telephone or by telematic means.

 Depending on the authentication code supplied to the manufacturer, the latter interrogates his authentication file 43 and confirms to the consumer the authenticity of the bottle.

 Subsequently, if the bottle turns out to be defective, the consumer can exercise the guarantee by implementing the steps illustrated in Figure 8.

 In step 80, the consumer sends the manufacturer the authentication code appearing on his warranty card as well as his own authentication code.

 The manufacturer interrogates the authentication file 43 in step 81 and verifies that the guarantee bond thus identified is indeed that which is linked to the bottle in the consumer's possession.

 The manufacturer's response is sent to the consumer in step 82.

 This operation of checking authenticity after the sale of the product can also be carried out by an after-sales service or by the distributor.

 In step 83, the manufacturer enriches his authentication file by recording, for example, the date of implementation of the warranty.

 It is understood that the embodiment which has just been described does not have any limiting character and that it can receive any desirable modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

 1 - Complex intended to guarantee the inviolability and authenticity of an object comprising  - a base support (1) permanently secured to the object (16) and on which an identification code (3) and at least one authentication code (5,6.7) are printed  - a protective sheet (2), possibly opaque.  - Information (4) concerning the object (16) itself carried on the part not covered with the base support (1). partially covering the base support (1) to protect the authentication code (5,6.7) and suitable for being applied to the object (16) so as to ensure its inviolability,  2 - Complex according to claim 1. characterized in that the authentication code (5.6.7) printed on the base support masked by an opaque layer of a scrapable material (8.9.10).  3 - Complex according to any one of claims 1 and 2. characterized in that it comprises an authentication code printed with a magnetic ink readable through the protective sheet.  4 - Complex according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises. in the base support part (1) not covered by the protective sheet (2), a control key generated by an algorithm on the one hand, of the authentication code (5.6.7) of the complex, d on the other hand, information specific to the protected object (16) appearing legibly on the basic support (1).  5 - Device intended to guarantee the inviolability and the authenticity of an object, characterized in that it comprises complexes (1,2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and at least one file of links (36) containing the identification code (3) of each complex in relation to its authentication code (5.6,7), as well as an authentication file (42) containing. in relation to the authentication code (5.6.7) of each complex. the information (4) concerning the protected object (16) carried on the part not covered with the base support (1) of said complex.  6 - Device intended to guarantee the inviolability and the authenticity of an object. characterized in that it comprises a complex (1,2) according to claim 4 and a magnetic reader in which is integrated a microprocessor executing the same algorithm as that which served to generate the control key printed on the complex.  7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the microprocessor is supported by a smart card pluggable in the magnetic reader.  8 - Device according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the microprocessor is enclosed in an inviolable capsule.