WO2019018915A1

WO2019018915A1 - Electronic tag and method for the remote identification, tracking and authentication of diverse products

Info

Publication number: WO2019018915A1
Application number: PCT/BR2018/050250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Eduardo MARQUES
Original assignee: Ccl Industries Do Brasil S/A
Priority date: 2017-07-28
Filing date: 2018-07-20
Publication date: 2019-01-31
Also published as: BR102017016344A2; BR102017016344B1

Abstract

More specifically, the present patent of invention provides an electronic tag (10) that uses pattern identification technology - NFC (Near Field Communication) - preferably of the high-frequency (HF) (13.56 MHz) type, of the type produced in the form of a chip on which data relating to the product (P1) are stored; said data, of the type (D1) specific to each client (CL1), such as (ii) data (D2): technical information, a manual, method of use, manufacturer and other references, and when necessary these can be interrogated and identified by a reader (L1) or aerial installed between the point of manufacture (PF) of a client (CL1) in diverse industrial sectors (S1) and the point of distribution or sale (PV); <u>characterized</u> by the electronic tag (10) with NFC technology making provision for the entry of data (D3) into the circuit (20) via recording (G1) and printing (M1), which data (D3) relate to codes pertaining to the validity and authenticity of the product (P1), which data are in the form of specific and random numbers (R1), protected by a password (H1). The method (100) for the identification, tracking and authentication of products (P1) provided with the electronic tag (10) includes: (a) the development of software (200) installed at a central unit (300) with a databank corresponding to the data (D3) produced by the supplier company (EF1), which data are preferably stored in the cloud (N1); and (b) an app (400) with respective software (401) for installation on one or more devices (A1) of smartphone type or specific readers that can be obtained by the recipient (T1) of the products (P1) via app stores or the like.

Description

ELECTRONIC LABEL AND METHOD FOR DISTANCE IDENTIFICATION, TRACEABILITY AND AUTHENTICATION OF MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] Treats the present invention as an electronic tag and method for identification, tracking and remote authentication to be applied in products of various sectors, such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, technological (parts, computers, peripherals and others), perfumes, beverages and so many others in bulk, individual or in batches; the electronic tag has engraving and printing of the specific characteristics - data - that can be read by the method including a software - ΆΡΡ '- specially developed for this purpose, which in turn is installed in mobile devices such as smartphones "or specific readers who are in possession of the receiver of the products (distributor, retailer, consumer or others) and who communicate with a central and respective database in the cloud; as soon as the device with the APP approaches the electronic tag, it is read and identified by APP, returning immediately to the user / receiver of the device with the ΆΡΡ ', bringing varied information, such as if the label is valid or not, if it is valid, the APP will allow access to various information, such as origin, authenticity, period of validity, product characteristics and other information about that product and its packaging. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE TECHNIQUE

[02] It is already widely known by those qualified in the area the identification tags by distance signals. Currently, the two most popular etiquette models are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication).

[03] The differences between NFC and RFID are few, but important. Practical differences exist due to differences in implementation. The first difference is in the possible modes of communication, that is, by definition, RFID consists of techniques of identification through radio waves. Therefore, one-way communication (ie, a reader device sending question marks to a label, which can only respond to question marks) is sufficient. An NFC device, for being able to generate radio waves alternately with another device, can act as both a label and a reader. This enables Peer-to-Peer communication, that is, a true exchange of information. As an example, the current smartphones can be cited.

[04] The second difference is related to scope. Traditional RFID systems can have a good reach (tens of meters, varying according to the type of label). This feature is certainly conducive to various applications. NFC devices have a smaller range, at most 10cm. But in fact, this limitation in scope has some advantages. Limited reach provides greater security in communication, as it makes it difficult to attack. For an attack to be successful, the attacker must be close to the devices that are communicating. Even with all favorable conditions, it should be at most a distance of 1 or 2 meters.

[05] The technology employed in the NFC system is summarized in a set of short-range wireless technologies and consists of three basic elements as well as RFID systems: a reader, an antenna and a tag.

[06] Just as in an RFID system, the basic flow of data occurs as follows: the reader sends question marks (requests) to the tags through the antenna. The tag then sends its ID response, which will be transmitted through its antenna.9i

[07] RFID tags are classified as passive or active: (i) Active tags: have a battery that constantly feeds the label; (ii) Passive tags: no battery. To start sending a signal, they need to be powered by some power source. In particular, they are fed by the radio waves generated by the reader. RFID systems are defined by the frequency range they operate. The Low Frequency Systems range from 30 kHz to 500 kHz and serve for short reading distance. They are used in access controls, product identification and traceability, point of sale mats, among other things. High Frequency Systems range from 850 MHz to 950 MHz and from 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz and are used for medium and long distance readings and high speed readings. They are used in vehicles (eg tolls) and for automatic data collection. Some companies implement the system of RFID in the loads to facilitate its location, since, as soon as it passes through some "induction field", it can be identified as theft or other. The biggest drawback in using this technology is that, aware of the possible identification, the miscreants adulterate the information or even exchange the labels, making it difficult and even preventing the original identification of the information.

[08] In summary, the current RFI D identification technology carries much more information than the old bar code labels. However, since RFID tags are widely known, they have a local area of application, that is, their application to the product, is usually done at the factory or local packing, but is read locally, to the logo of the route of the cargo / product, or in the area of distribution or direct sale to the consumer by means of device already mentioned readers.

[09] In view of the above, it was observed that the current system of RFID electronic tags has a great inconvenience, that is, even if the products leave the factory with the products identified with RFI tag D, in the event of any deviation of the load, product tampering, or any other interference before arriving at the distributor or retailer or POS, the person responsible for receiving and selling the product has no way of ascertaining or checking the origin and / or authenticity, and may often sell false products to the consumer.

[10] On the other hand, the technology involving NFC tag transmission has a broader scope compared to RFID, since it is done at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. Transmission occurs at rates of 106 kbps, 212 kbps or 424kbps. NFC communication involves an initiator and a target, and can be divided into two modes: (i) Active communication: in the case where both the initiator and the target have power supplies, communication can be done with the two devices generating alternately their radio waves. Each device turns off its field when it is waiting for the data. In other words, both devices act as reader and label. This is the mode that allows Peer-to-Peer communication. It is the mode that is used, for example, in a payment system involving a smartphone and a receiver in the box of a store; (ii) Passive communication: the initiating device, which acts as a reader, generates radio waves actively (ie needs power) that will passively energize the target device, which acts as a label. For example, this type of TAG-NFC is used on items that do not receive direct power, such as cards, packaging and posters (you will see some examples in the topic below).

[11] Passive power supply between devices is possible thanks to the NFC antenna, since it is in fact a great inductor - a spiral wire. When the magnetic field of one inductor (antenna) passes through another inductor, an induced current will be generated in the second inductor.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is the main objective of this invention to propose an electronic tag using NFC technology and its method of identification, tracking and remote authentication to be applied in products of various sectors such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, technological (parts, computers, peripherals and others), perfumes, beverages and many others in bulk, individual or in batches, where it is foreseen the recording of NFC electronic tags, as well as the insertion of specific circuits in these labels that must be installed in the products in general through the labels, package labels or packaging in general.

[13] The method, on the other hand, provides that, once installed in the product, the innovated NFC electronic tag can be read by a software integrator or "APP" reader installed on one or more "smartphones "or specific readers who are in possession of the receiver of the products (distributor, retailer, consumer or others). Since the NFC electronic tag is read, the "APP" communicates with a remote database which, in turn, returns the signal with varied information, such as validating the product or not, or providing the source, authenticity, shelf-life, technical characteristics of the product, manual and other information about that product and its packaging.

ANALYSIS OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

In investigations to the databases of national and foreign patents, it was verified the existence of numerous documents related to the subject, but none of them with the proposed scope. For example, US 8146830 (NXP) which deals with an 'RFID tag and method of manufacturing an RFID tag', wherein an RFID tag comprises at least one antenna and tag components cooperating with the antenna, wherein the antenna and tag components are positioned on a common substrate.

US 9246555 (Blackberry Ltd.) relates to a tag configured to be magnetically detected by a magnetic sensor charged by a communication device to activate an NFC circuit within the communications device to communicate using a communication protocol NFC communications. The data store is configured to be read by the communications device using an NFC communications protocol.

[16] There are in fact a myriad of documents related to RFID technology and a few other documents related to NFC technology. Among the documents that use NFC it has been observed that none of them presents the scope proposed in the present invention, allowing to conclude that the present request has the characteristics of novelty and inventiveness required for its privilege.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

In order to bring improvements to the security sector between the manufacturing and commercialization of products in general, the electronic tag based on NFC technology and the respective method proposed here can be used in several sectors, bringing substantial advantages such as example:

• Agrochemical Sector - to combat forgery, provide important information to the consumer, better use, advertising campaigns.

• Pharmaceutical Sector - to combat counterfeiting, provide important information to the consumer, advertising campaigns.

• Beverage Sector - to combat counterfeiting, provide information on consumption and use, advertising campaigns.

• Automotive Industry - Important Information on Vehicle Maintenance, Car Manual, Recall Information, Advertising Campaigns, New Accessory Campaigns.

• Automotive (parts) - to combat counterfeiting, help with technical assistance, provide part installation information, recall.

• Technology Sector (computers, servers, printers, etc.) - to combat counterfeiting, help with technical assistance, provide important information to the consumer, new driver versions and advertising campaigns for supplies.

• Perfume Sector - to combat forgery, better use, advertising campaigns.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[18] Complementing the present description in order to obtain a better understanding of the features of the present invention and according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, accompanying the attached description is a set of drawings, where, in an exemplified manner, although non-limiting, the following was represented:

The figure schematically represents an electronic label produced in accordance with the present invention, which is intended to be applied to the labels, labels and packaging of products of various sectors;

Figure 2 illustrates, by means of symbolic representation, the elements composing the electronic tag authentication method, foreseen in the present invention; and

Figure 3 shows a representative block diagram of the steps of the method in question.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OBJECT

The present invention therefore relates to the "ELECTRONIC LABEL AND METHOD FOR DENTIFYING, TRYING AND AUTHENTICATING THE DISTANCE OF MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS", more precisely, there is provided an electronic tag (10) employing the identification technology NFC (Near Field Communication) -, of the type made in the form of a chip where data (D1) / (D2) or other data related to the product (PI) are stored; said data (D1), when necessary, may be interrogated and identified by a reader (LI) or antenna installed between the manufacturing point (PF) of a customer (CLl) of various industrial sectors (SI) and the distribution point or sale (PV). The electronic tag (10) with N FC technology, preferably of the high frequency type 'HF' 13.56 MHz, is made of various materials, such as cards, adhesive substrates (11) or others that allow insertion of a circuit (20) with recording (Gl) and printing (Ml) of customer-specific data (CLl). This label may contain information such as data (Dl): technical information, manual, usage, manufacturer and other references and data (D2): information about expiration dates, product composition and others.

[21] According to the present invention, the data (D3) which relates to the label supplier (EF1) is included in the electronic label 10, by recording (Gl) and printing (M1) to be performed by the label supplier (EF1). validity codes and product authenticity (PI), which are presented in the form of password-protected (H1) and random numbers (RI), data (D3) that remain in the company's (EFl) and making electronic tags (10).

[22] All data (D1) / (D2) and (D3) and others required compose the information of the circuit (20) recorded and printed on the electronic tag (10).

This electronic label (10) is reproduced in the quantity desired by the customer (CLl) manufacturer or distributor of the product (PI) who, in possession thereof, can apply them to said products (PI) by means of fixing them on labels (LI), label-labels or labels in general.

The method (100) of identification, tracking and remote authentication to be applied in products (PI) of various industrial sectors (SI), such as agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, technological (parts, computers, peripherals and others), perfumes , beverages and so on, in bulk, individually or in batches, is based on conventional steps, such as recording (G1) and printing (M1) of information (D1) and (D2) and other labels NFC electronics (10) to be installed in general products through labels (LI), label labels or packaging in general.

The method (100) as innovation (see Figure 2), includes: (a) the development of a software (200) installed in a central (300) with a database corresponding to the data (D3) produced (EFl), which are preferably stored in the "cloud" (NI) and (b) an application (400) with (401) to be installed in one or more smartphones (Al) devices or specific readers that can be obtained by the receiver (T1) of the products (PI) through AppStore ^® application stores, Google Play ^® or any other. Namely, the receiver (T1) can be the distributor, the shopkeeper and even the consumer.

[26] Method (100) can be better defined by the following steps:

• Supplier Company (EF1):

Step (101) - Receive or develop electronic labels (10) provided with recording and printing (M1) of circuits (20) with data (D1) and (D2) and / or others relating to the product (PI) and customer (CL1 );

Step (102) - Recording (G1) and printing (M1) the data (D4) referring to the validity and authenticity codes (RI) and (H1) of the corresponding customer product (CL1);

Step (103) - Storing the data (D3) at the exchange (300) via software (200);

• Customer (CL1) producer company (PI):

Step (104) - Apply the electronic tag (10) to the circuit (20) and respective information (D1) / (D2) / (D3) and others to the product (PI) that is desired to have identification, tracking and authentication control ;

• Receiver (Tl) -

Step (105) - Install and 'download' the application (400) on the device (Al) that will be used to test the product (PI);

Step (106) - After installing the application (400), run the software (401) and bring the apparatus (Al) closer to the electronic tag (10);

The apparatus (A1) emits a signal (W1) (sound, light, vibration) indicating that the electronic tag (10) has been read;

Step (108) - At this point the software (401), recognizing the tag (10), performs the validation of the same query through a suitable system, for example, its own description algorithm;

Step (109) - If the routine does not identify the electronic tag (10) consulted the

"software" (401) will display an electronic tag message (10) that is unknown;

Step (110) - If the electronic tag (10) is valid the "software" (401) will search the central (300) and respective database (e.g. installed in the "cloud"(N1)); Step (111) - Allows access by the receiver (T1) to the unique information (D1) / (D2) and mainly (D3) of that electronic tag (10), such as, for example:

• Visual Identification: Images that represent the product to facilitate identification by the consumer. Examples: images of the bottle, the label, the use, etc;

• Description: Detailed description of the product;

• Details: Link to access the PDF with product details: Examples: Medication label, Instruction manual, Technical manual, etc .;

• Status: Indicates the status of that product, this field is used to inform if there is any occurrence with that product. Examples: Valid, Stolen, Overdue, etc;

• Batch: identifies the manufacturing batch of the product;

• Manufacturing: indicates the date of manufacture of the product;

• Validity: indicates the expiration date of the product;

• Manufacturer: indicates the Manufacturer of the product.

[27] All of these fields can be customized by the customer (CL1) in order to display relevant data for each type of product.

[28] From that moment the software 200 proceeds to work proactively, that is, after the receiver (Tl) (distributor, shopkeeper or even the final consumer) validates the product (PI), the application (400) stores the reading and can send specific warnings to the receiver (Tl), such as "whether the validity of the product will expire or expired, a new way of using the product, recall, etc.".

The application (400) can still be used by the customer (CL1) as a digital marketing tool, that is, it can generate sales, causing the users / receivers (Tl) to maintain contact with the brand and / or product, share content, results, library and other services, allowing the user / receiver (Tl) to have more information about the product purchased or from other customers of the same CL1 that may be the representative, supplier and / or manufacturer .

[30] The receiver (Tl) also has access to the history of all products read by it, having access to all the information mentioned above. [31] By providing access to a "web portal" of the "software" (200), the supplier company (EF1), administrator of the plant (300) can obtain the following functionalities:

• Register Customer Lot (CL1);

• Tie electronic tag sequence (10) with Customer Lot (CL1);

• Change Batch Status;

• Change Electronic Tag Status (10);

• Lock the device (Al) to read the electronic tags (10);

• Simplified consultation of electronic tags (10) read by lot and product;

• Detailed consultation of the readings by batch;

• Detailed consultation of the batch readings by Geolocation;

• Statistical dashboard - statistical with Geolocation;

• Option of product evaluation, and others.

[32] In the light of the foregoing, since the NFC electronic tag 10 is read by the APP in the apparatus A1, where it communicates with a central 300 and respective remote database which, in turn, returns the signal with varied information, such as validating the product or not, or providing the origin, authenticity, validity period, technical characteristics of the product, manual and other information about that product and its packaging.

[33] It will be apparent to those who have a good understanding of this art and field to which the invention pertains that various modifications and variations of the described examples and embodiments are possible in light of the above instructions. The examples and embodiments disclosed are presented for illustrative purposes only. Other alternative embodiments may include some or all of the features mentioned in this document. Therefore, the intention is to cover all such modifications and alternative embodiments as may come within the scope of this invention, with extreme effectiveness.

Claims

CLAIM

1) "ELECTRONIC LABEL", more precisely, there is provided an electronic tag (10) employing the technology of identification - NFC (Near Field Communication), preferably of the high frequency type (HF) 13,56 MHz of the type made in the form of a "chip" where data relating to the product (PI) is stored; (D1) specific to each customer (CL1), such as (ii) data (D2): technical information, manual, mode of use, manufacturer references and others, where necessary, may be interrogated and identified by a reader (LI) or antenna installed between the manufacturing point (PF) of a customer (CL1) of various industrial sectors (SI) and the point of distribution or sale (PV); characterized in that the electronic tag (10) with NFC technology, foresees the insertion of data (D3) into the circuit (20) through recording (G1) and printing (M1), data (D3) which refer to validity codes and authenticity of the product (PI), which are presented in the form of specific and random numbers (RI), protected by password (H1).

An electronic label according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic label (10) comprises data (D1) / (D2) relating to the producer (CL1), the product (PI) and data (D3) relating to validity codes and product authenticity (PI).

A method for identifying, tracing and authenticating products (IP) having the electronic tag of claim 1, characterized in that steps of the method (100) provide :

(a) development of a software (200) installed in a central (300) with database corresponding to the data (D3) produced by the supplier company (EFl), which are preferably stored in the "cloud" (NI ); and

(b) installing an application (400) with respective software (401) to be installed in one or more smartphones (Al) devices or specific readers that can be obtained by the receiver (T1) of the products (PI ) through app stores or other occasional ones.

The method according to claim 3, the method (100) for Supplier Company (EFl) is defined by the steps: Step (101) - Receive or develop electronic labels (10) provided with recording and printing (M1) of circuits (20) with data (D1) and (D2) and / or others relating to the product (PI) and customer (CL1 );

Step (103) - Store the data (D3) in the exchange (300) via software (200).

The method according to claim 3, wherein the method (100) for customer company (CL1) producing the products (PI) is defined by the step:

Step (104) - Apply the electronic tag (10) with the circuit (20) and respective information (D1) / (D2) / (D3) on the product (PI).

A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the method (100) for Receptor (T1) is defined by the steps:

Step (106) - After installing the application (400), run the software (401) and bring the apparatus (A1) closer to the electronic tag (10);

Step (107) Said apparatus (A1) emits a signal (W1) (sound, light, vibration) indicating that the electronic tag (10) has been read;

Step (108) - At that moment the software (401), recognizing the tag (10), performs the validation of the same query through a suitable system, for example, its own decryption algorithm;

"software" (401) will display an unknown e-mail message (10);

Step (110) - If the electronic tag (10) is valid the software (401) will fetch the central (300) and respective database (eg installed in the "cloud" (NI));

Step (111) - Allows the access by the receiver (T1) to the unique information (D1) / (D2) and mainly (D3) of that electronic tag (10).

A method according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the circuit (20) recorded and printed on the electronic tag (10) is read and identified by the application (400). The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the application (400) informs the authenticity or not of the electronic tag (10) present in the product (PI).