Method and apparatus for storage of data for manufactured items

摘要

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storage of data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining, by a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The number of unique item identifiers allocated to the manufactured items is smaller than the number of unique item identifiers in the range. The unique item identifiers allocated to the manufactured items are defined by the lower limit item identifier of the range, the upper limit item identifier of the range and an indication of those item identifiers in the range which are not allocated to a manufactured item.

主权项

1. A method for storage of data for a batch of manufactured items, the method comprising:
defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range; wherein the number of unique item identifiers allocated to the manufactured items is smaller than the number of unique item identifiers in the range, wherein the processor defines the unique item identifiers allocated to the manufactured items in a storage device using:
the lower limit item identifier of the range,the upper limit item identifier of the range, andan indication of those item identifiers in the range which are not allocated to a manufactured item, wherein each identifier is derived by:
generating an identification code in the processor;providing a plurality of secret codes; anddigitally signing, in the processor, the identification code by means of a secret derived from the plurality of secret codes, and wherein the processor provides the plurality of secret codes to a checking center for authenticating identifiers on the manufactured items.