Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02339894 2001-02-28
DESCRIPTION
- Authentication Technology of Digital Barcode
Numerical and Character Coding System
The invention is a method of authentication by using barcode digital
technology.
1o Counterfeiting of commodity products (commercial goods, products, and
printed
items) has been globalized as a giant underground industry. In accordance with
the
statistics, the annual loses of manufacturers and consumers cause by the
counterfeiting
reached several hundreds billions in US dollars, not including man power and
efforts
made by the manufacturers and distributors in anti-counterfeiting of products.
In China,
for instance, almost every famous or high quality products has been faked. The
faked
medical products, foods, electronic appliances have cost life of consumers.
Since the
counterfeiting industries are the most lucrative business, the counterfeiting
giants have
been using the advanced technologies against anti-counterfeiting methods.
Traditional
anti-counterfeiting methods, such as print materials, or laser, thermal
sensitive or
2o photosensitive labels, are no long effectively fighting against
counterfeit, and the telecom
or tele-code increase difficulties and costs for the customers to use them.
Those methods
in fact cannot suppress large scale of counterfeiting activities, for their
inquiry ratios of
the protected products are very low.
This invention adapts the technology of digital barcode & numerical character
coding system for the purpose of authentication of products, which overcomes
all the
weakness of the traditional anti-counterfeiting technologies. In detail, this
invention
means using of the technology of Internet and computer system to produce
digital
barcode & numerical and character coding system through which the authenticate
the
3o product items and commodities can be implemented, therefore, the purpose of
anti-
counterfeit can be realized.
CA 02339894 2001-02-28
To reach above-mentioned goal, this invention is implemented by following
technique plan: an authentication measure through digital barcode & numerical
and
character coding system, its features are: this technology is structured by a
system for
generating and managing digital barcode & numerical and character coding and a
system
for inquiry over the Internet.
The digital barcode & numerical and character coding system includes two-
dimensional barcode and imagine coding, and is formed by two parts: the first
part is the
numerical and character coding for the product items' information combined by
o numberings and wordings. It is a regular combination of numbering and
wordings. The
second part is randomized numerical coding combined by numberings and
wordings. It is
random coding of combination of numbers and words.
The flow chart of the invention is:
~ 5 a) the end-user enter the identity code of the inquired item onto the end-
user's
computer by using the barcode scanner, or
b) the end-user may enter the identity code of the inquired item onto the
computer by hand typing for authentication purpose;
c) upon receipt of the identity code, the computer will verify the identity
code of
2o the inquired item, if the identity code is wrong, the computer will request
re-
enter, if it is correct, the inquiry will be sent to the web-site of inquiring
system for authentication of the inquired item.
d) Upon receipt of the inquiring request, the inquiring system will run the
central
database to get the authentication result and the end-user will receive the
25 authentication result through the instantly.
The system for generating and managing digital barcode & numerical and
character coding is:
a) computer and relevant software generate item identity codes and item
;p label codes. The item identity codes are regular coding containing the
information of the product items; while the item label codes are irregular
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CA 02339894 2001-02-28
coding randomly generated. Therefore, every item label code is unique to
each product item.
b) Upon the customer's order, generating item label codes for each product
item of the customer and save the generated item label codes at the
database.
c) Through the converting/output system, the item label code will be
converted into the form of barcode which will be affixed to each
individual product item.
1 o The inquiring system over Internet is
a) this system is formed by a terminal for entering and verifying the
barcodes, and the inquiring web site as well as relevant database stored on
the server which is linked with Internet.
b) The terminal for entering and verifying the barcode, is structured by the
1 s scanner, personal computers linked with Internet, and the relevant
software. The scanner is used to read the barcode affixed to the individual
product items, while the personal computer and the relevant software are
for making inquiries from the inquiring web site and display the results of
the inquiries.
2o c) The inquiring web site is for receiving the inquiring requests,
searching
with the database, and sending the searching results to the terminals.
This invention, by using the technology of barcode & numerical and character
coding system for authentication, overcomes the weaknesses of existing anti-
faking
2s technologies, and reaches the above-mentioned purposes for which this
technology is
invented. The authentication method designed by this technology is simple,
practical, and
safe, with low cost, to use. It can be used to eliminate large scale of
product faking
activities, and thoroughly to destroy black markets for faked products.
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CA 02339894 2001-02-28
The advantages of this invention are:
1) unique anti-faking technology effectively makes large scale of
underground counterfeiting manufacturers and markets to lose their
foundations for existing, because it is based on the following features of
the anti-faking label barcode:
a) Uniqueness: each label code assigned to each product item is
unique. The code cannot be reproduced by other means or by the
same generating program.
1o b) One-off in use: the label codes will be hidden in the anti-faking
labels specially designed and printed. The label codes can only be
unveiled by destroy the first layers of the labels. Once a label code
being checked, the inquiry is recorded into the database. Future
inquirer of the same label code will be reminded that this code has
checked, therefore, reusing of same code becomes meaningless.
c) Reliability: the anti-counterfeiting label code is generated by
advanced computer encryption program. Once a code is generated,
it will be stored automatically in the database, and only when the
barcode is printed to a label which is affixed to the product item,
2o the relevant numerical code stored in the database starts to use. It is
impossible for the counterfeiters to obtain those codes. This
procedure ensures the safety of the coding data.
Based the above-mentioned features, counterfeiters will not be able
to produce correct label barcode, and it is also impossible for the
counterfeiters to store reproduced the label barcode in the database.
Therefore the counterfeiters will not be able to make large scale of
counterfeiting activities, and it is not worthwhile, in terms of money and
time, for the counterfeiter to make small scale of counterfeiting activities.
3o This will give the underground faking industries a fatal blow.
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CA 02339894 2001-02-28
2) Easy and fast to operate
Consumers and merchants (including distributors and retailers at different
levels) authenticate their commodities at the verification terminal. The
operation
is simple and quick with no cost. If an item is found to be a faked product,
then
the customer will be able to request the refund immediately.
3) large anti-counterfeiting coverage, powerful threat to the counterfeiters,
and low costs
to
This invention provides global networking authentication against anti-
counterfeiting, for the invention is based on the Internet technology which
has no
territory limit. The manufacturers, merchants and organizations do not have to
put
huge manpower, and financial costs respectively to fight with the
counterfeits,
~ 5 once they join this network, they will obtain maximum effects with minimum
costs. In addition, if there is a verification terminal setting up in a
complex
shopping mall, all the merchants in this mall will be automatically regulated
not to
carry faked products, therefore, stop the selling channels of the
counterfeiters.
20 4) Broad range of application with muti-functions diversification
This invention is applicable to all types of products and items. An anh-
counterfeiting label barcode may contain numerous informations, and this
advantage may facilitate the manufacturers with relevant services, such as
Internet
25 shopping, information distribution and labels and certificates management
through Internet.
5) Creating famous brands for the manufacturers who has joined this Internet
networking
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The anti-counterfeiting web site established by this invention not only
efficiently and effectively protects the legal rights of
manufacturers/enterprises,
merchants and consumers who join this web network, but also raises their
products' reputations and popularity, that lays down the foundations for those
manufacturers/enterprises to establish brands for their products.
Below is the further explanation that is supported by the drawings and
operating
demonstration:
p Drawing 1 - diagram of the barcode used by this invention
Drawing 2 - diagram of the two-dimensional barcode used by this invention
Drawing 3 - diagram of imagine coding used by this invention
Drawing 4 - diagram of another imagine coding used by this invention
Drawing 5 - technological principles of the invention
~5
The implementing demonstration of the invention, see as Drawing 1 - 5:
1. the organizations or individuals who are using the technology set up anti-
counterfeiting station on Internet, and establish relevant database and
inquiring
system;
20 2. using computer and relevant software to generate serial anti-
counterfeiting label
barcode for the each individual items of products ordered by the
manufacturers.
The label barcode may be printed directly to an item of the products or to the
surface or inner lay of the item's label, or into an anti-counterfeiting label
affixed
to the item. The item's anti-counterfeiting label barcode contains item
identity
25 numerical coding and randomized numerical coding. Such label barcode has
following features:
a) the label barcode is permanent and unique, because there is randomized
coding contained in the barcode.
b) The label barcode cannot be reproduced, because that the randomized
3o coding makes the each label barcode cannot be regenerated even by the
same generating program;
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c) Searching for authentication is quick and fast, because the item identity
numerical coding is regular coding for the information of the product, such
as name of the product, place of production, manufacturer, date of
production, etc., that makes the search and matching in a fast speed.
3. When an item's label barcode is generated, simultaneously, the numerical
coding
in corresponding to the barcode is automatically stored into database ready
for
authentication.
4. Choosing sites for establishing anti-counterfeiting verification terminal.
The
terminal is formed by barcode scanner and personal computer linked with
1 o Internet. The barcode of each item can be read to enter by the scanner or
entered
by hand, and automatically download to the database on the anti-counterfeiting
web site for inquiry. The database will search and match the inquiry with the
information stored, and dispatch the inquiring result to the verification
terminal,
including all the information relating the inquired item, such as name and
type of
~ 5 product, manufacturer, place and date of production, date of expiry,
ingredient,
etc.. The end-user will instantly know the authentication of the product and
its
relevant information.
For example, a domestic or overseas winery is a member of the anti-
counterfeiting web
2o network. Its each individual item of products is affixed by a anti-
counterfeiting label
barcode. The consumers may verify the authenticity of the products at the wine
store
where they bought the wines by using the scanner to enter the anti-
counterfeiting label
barcode into the terminal. After al or 30 seconds, the terminal will display
the
authentication results. If the item is authentic, the consumer will see the
information
25 relating to the product, such as the manufacturer, place and date of
production, date of
expiry, ingredient, etc. If the product is faked, the consumer will be warned
and reminded
to report to the anti-counterfeiting authority. The consumer may return the
good to the
store immediately as well reserve the right to claim for damage. Therefore,
along with the
promotion and popularity of the invention, the large scale of counterfeiting
markets will
3o be uprooted thoroughly.
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