Counterfeit protection and verification system and method

摘要

A system (10) is provided comprising first (12) and second (14) parts that are brought together for each occasion the system is used. The first part (12) comprises a label (16) having a plurality of discrete magnetic portions (18) arranged in a predetermined pattern unique to the first part, and the second part (14) comprises a magnetic reader (24) for identifying the magnetic pattern on the first part (12) and generating a signal indicative of the pattern. The second part (14) also includes a programmable controller configured to receive signals from the reader to confirm the identity of the first part (14) and permit further operation of the system (10) upon a positive identification of the first part (12).