Anti-counterfeiting system and method

摘要

In an anti-counterfeiting system and method, a set of identification codes are generated from data associated with units of a line of items. A manufacturer affixes machine readable forms of such identification codes to units of an item, and scans or reads the affixed identification codes before distribution of the units in order to flag only affixed identification codes as “active”. Thereafter, when a user scans or reads the machine readable form of an affixed identification code from a unit of some item, such as by using a “smart phone”, the identification code value is transmitted for verification and validation, and subjected to selected computer based tests to determine the authenticity of the identification code and thus of the associated unit. The user is provided with feedback as to the genuineness of the unit, or is contacted by or directed to contact a representative of the manufacturer if doubt exists.

主权项

1. An anti-counterfeiting method, including the steps of:
(a) generating an identification code; (b) storing the generated identification code in a computer database; (c) storing a default status associated with the generated identification code; (d) affixing a machine readable form of the generated identification code to a unit of an item; (e) initially scanning the affixed identification code in close proximity to the time of affixation of the identification code on the unit; (f) verifying that the initially scanned affixed identification code corresponds to the stored generated identification code in the computer database; (g) associating, upon such verification, a selected status with the initially scanned affixed identification code, the selected status being different from the associated default status for the generated identification code; and (h) associating unique user identification data with the affixed identification code in the computer database after transfer of the unit having the affixed identification code to a user.