WO2017051428A1

WO2017051428A1 - Marking of electronically readable unique identification numbers at random location on products for authentication, tracing and anti-counterfeiting

Info

Publication number: WO2017051428A1
Application number: PCT/IN2016/000229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shantanu GHOSH
Original assignee: Ghosh Shantanu
Priority date: 2015-09-21
Filing date: 2016-09-20
Publication date: 2017-03-30
Also published as: IN2015KO01001A

Abstract

This invention relates to a counterfeit-proof labels having QR code and in, particular, this invention relates to the Counterfeit-proof labels having QR code and an online verification system using a mobile phone. More particularly, this present invention also relates to a method of verifying whether a product label by using the counterfeit-proof labels having QR code. Furthermore, this invention also relates to a system for verifying verifiable counterfeit-proof labels.

Description

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to nnarking of Quick Response (QR) Code containing an UID(Unique Identification number) and an URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on to each product at no fixed location (i.e. at random location) by changing the position or orientation of the product physically while marking with an objective to make the product unique in appearance as well as through QR code marked.

Background of the invention and the related Prior Art

Authen tica tion :

Refers to confirmation of a product to be genuine. The best person to make such confirmation is the manufacturer or creator. However, there are experts who know what features to check in a product. Also machines that can confirm the genuineness e.g. currency verifying machines,.

Tracing:

There are two types - forward and backward. Forward tracing refers to the movement of the product post manufacturing e.g. the shipment details through regular channels e.g. to which importer/distributor, wholesaler, retailer the product has been sold. However the end user i.e. the customer is generally not known except for some e.g. guns. The backward tracing refers to the tracking of supplier of raw materials, .machinery used and various other inputs used to make the product. This is generally done using the batch code marked on the product for example pharmaceutical products, processed food etc. However, detailed records have to be maintained to backtrack. In modern industries, this is generally done by using sophisticated ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems.

Counterfeiting:

To counterfeit means to produce and/or sell bogus, fake, false, forged, inauthentic, phony, spurious and unauthentic products. They are fake replicas of the real product and produced by taking advantage of the superior value of the imitated product. These products have a reputation for being of lower quality (sometimes not working at all) and may even include spurious or toxic elements resulting to deaths of people. Counterfeit paper money tops the list followed by goods of high valued and/or fast selling articles e.g. medicine, perfumes etc. Every country has laws against counterfeiting but implementing them varies from country to country. The aim of all counterfeiters is to make money illegally and the cnly way to stop counterfeiting is to make the business financially non-viable to the persons who are engaged. A manufacturer produces goods and his produce reach'es the customer through a channel of Distributor/Importer - Wholesaler - Retailer. The customer purchases the product from the retailer with utmost good faith as he has no or very little knowledge to verify whether the product is authentic. The manufacturer is the best person who can confirm whether the product has been produced by him provided the product is brought physically to him by the consumer and this is quite impractical. There is no link between the customer and the manufacturer as can be seen in the illustration below.

A counterfeiter takes advantage of this shortcoming and the missing link. He either penetrates the existing supply chain or creates his own supply chain and inflicts severe damage to manufacturer's reputation and customer's health. Summary of the invention

This invention relates to marking of Quick Response (QR) Code containing an UID(Unique Identification number) and an URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on tc each product at no fixed location (i.e. at random location) by changing the position or orientation of the product physically while marking with an objective to make the product unique in appearance as well as through QR code marked.

Detailed working of the invention

The invention i.e. the process encompasses sub processes as under:

A. Creation of unique identification number (UID)

The UID consists of 16 alphanumeric characters with each character drawn randomly. Such UID is unique for lifetime to the manufacturer. These UDIs are passed on to the manufacturer through secure media.

B. Converting the unique identification number into QR code

The Unique Resource Locator or a web address of the manufacturer is added to the UID and the combination is converted into two dimensional QR (Quick Response) code on the computer at the manufacturer's location ready for printing.

C. Printing the QR code on the product The QR code is transferred on to the main product at the assembly line. The location is chosen at random location with or without changed orientation. The transfer (of QR) is made through printer, etching by laser or sticking high security labels etc. These QR codes are readable using freely available mobile applications.

Although in the currency notes and other products the serial numbers are unique but they are predictable like in the illustration above :he numbers are ...386 followed by ... 387, ...388 etc. The location of the QR code is unique and it is decided during transfer (printing) only.

D. Storing the image of each product with the OR code

The image of each product is stored in a database on a secured computer server. The image of the rear side of each currency note in the above example is recorded.

E. Display of the image and other information

When a customer scans the QR code on the product using freely available mobile QR code reader the image of the product is displayed on his mobile screen provided it is recorded in the database. In addition many more information that the manufacturer wishes to pass on the customer e.g. some recipe, certification etc.

F. Passing information to the customer in case of doubt regarding authenticity

If the image of the product appears on the screen, the customer is advised to compare that with the physical one especially the location of the QR code. If both matches, the product is genuine. If the image does not match with the physical product, the product is certainly a counterfeited one.

As soon as a scan is made, the location of the mobile is available to the system. If more than one scan is made outside of reasonable interval of the same QR code, the product is not genuine. Example: A note is scanned at Kolkata and Mumbai at a time difference of 1 Hour. It is not possible due to their geographic location hence the note is counterfeit.

However, it is possible that second scan is made at a short interval but from same or near same location. In this case, the customer is advised not to accept the product and try for another. If the scan result is same, the product is a counterfeited one.

As the location i.e. Latitude and Longitude of the mobile is k.nown, it is possible to display them on to a map of 'the world. This becomes an extremely helpful tool for the marketing personnel to determine the concentration of customers geographically as well as the cases where counterfeit has been reported.

Each product is an unique product that can be easily linked to an ERP system thereby the forward and backward tracing can be achieved.

Therefore according to the impugned invention a security feature in the form of QR Code is introduced on the product. With this, each product is made unique in such a way that it is easily identifiable from its fake versions using state-of-the-art technology and virtual reality. The other embodiment of the invention is to ^' provide a system for verifying verifiable counterfeit-proof Iabels wherein the consumer can verify the code by viewing it on the mobile phone.

Advantages of the invention:

1) Due to worldwide spread and usage of mobile phones, the QR code verification by the public has become very easy with no global or language barrier by using this system of the impugned invention.

2) The common people will be empowered to detect the fake and this would make counterfeiting a futile venture in no time.

3) This invention (process) can be applied to almost all products that uses single use packaging e.g. cans, medicine strips etc. or is a product by itself e.g. currency notes, stamp papers etc.

Claims

I claim:

1)A method of verifying whether a product label is genuine or counterfeit which comprises

a) Scanning the QR code on the product;

b) The QR code is transmitted to the server through internet;

c) Server will verify the code;

d) After verification, image of the product is sent to the mobile phone if verification is positive;

e) Comparing the physical note with the image of the product on the mobile;