WO2008153503A1

WO2008153503A1 - A system for marking items, and a system to identify the marked items

Info

Publication number: WO2008153503A1
Application number: PCT/SG2007/000164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tiang Fo Gerard Tan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-12
Filing date: 2007-06-12
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2009-12-12

Abstract

A System for Marking Items, and a System to Identify the Marked Items This invention relates to a system for ensuring integrity of items or for certifying their origin. Particularly, it relates to a system for marking original or genuine items to allow an end-user (e.g. a customer) to identify the same, comprising the following steps of: a. generating and incorporating a selected Physical Visual Arrangement (PVA) in a seal for protecting an item; b. capturing the image of the PVA for storage in a computer server; c. generating a code for the PVA image and storing the code in the server together with additional information if any; and d. transferring the generated code onto the item. Also disclosed is a system to identify the items marked according to the inventive marking system.

Description

A System for Marking Items, and a System to Identify the Marked Items

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for ensuring integrity of items or for certifying their origin. Particularly, it relates to a system for marking original or genuine items to allow an end-user (e.g. a customer) to identify the same.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

New technologies relating to anti-counterfeiting devices are known.

However, none of the systems or devices to-date discloses or suggests the use of unique (irreproducible) seals as practical and effective means of authenticating the integrity of the items or products, nor the use of unique (irreproducible) tags as certificates of origin for items, without which their provenance and value are doubtful.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a system for protecting items e.g. original or genuine items, with seals thus ensuring the items' integrity. It is another object of the invention to provide a system for marking items with tags to certify their origin while maintaining their value.

It is another object of the invention to provide a system for users to easily identify whether a certain item is original or fake.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system for marking certain items and a corresponding system for identifying the marked items which is quick and user-friendly.

The present invention achieves the aforementioned objects by providing a system for marking items, comprising the steps of:

a. generating and incorporating a Physical Visual Arrangement (PVA) in a seal for protecting an item;

b. capturing the image of the PVA for storage in a computer server;

c. generating a code for the PVA image and storing the code in the server; and d. transferring the generated code onto the item.

Alternatively, the PVA could be incorporated in a tag to certify the origin of an item.

The system provides that the PVA is formed by natural or manmade processes giving rise to irreproducible but readily distinguishable visual features, ^reproducibility arises from random, uncontrollable aspects of the processes affecting the visual results. For example, materials or processes which could be used in PVAs include patterned orchid petals, leaf veins, coloured flakes or particles randomly suspended in transparent media, crystals, stones, fossils, ink or paint splashes, and ceramics showing fine cracks.

The seal or tag could be transferred onto the item either manually or automatically.

The system essentially provides that a generated code is produced for each PVA transferred onto the item/s. The generated code is produced from a computer server whilst or simultaneously as each image of the PVA is captured.

The invention additionally provides a system of identifying the original items marked according to the above marking system. The system comprises the steps of,

a. an end-user looks up the generated code placed on the marked item and transmits the code to a back-end server by electronic means, e.g. by mobile phone SMS or computer or other data communication device;

b. the back-end server receives the transmitted code and finds the same code in the server, the server looks up the image of the PVA associated with the code and transmits the image of the PVA to the electronic device of the end- user; and

c. the end-user receives the image of the PVA from the server and visually matches it with the PVA incorporated in the seal or tag on the item,

and learns that the item is original if the image received matches the PVA on the item, and that the item is fake if the image does not match. Alternatively, if a more convenient system is required, the marked items could be identified as follows:

a. an end-user looks up the generated code placed on the marked item, captures an image of the PVA with an image-capturing device, and transmits the image and the generated code to the back-end server;

b. the back-end server receives the transmitted image and code and matches them with the image and/or code stored in the server, and sends to the end- user a positive response when the image and generated code match with the one stored in the server, and sends a negative response when the image and/or code do not match with the one stored in the server; and

c. the end-user receives the positive or negative response, thereby informing the end-user directly if the marked item is original or fake.

The invention provides that the image of the seal could be captured with a mobile phone camera, or a computer equipped with a camera and an access to the internet.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying diagrams wherein by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

Figure 1 is a flow chart of the operations that comprise a system for marking items according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a flow chart of the operations that comprise a system for identifying the marked items (according to Figure 1 ) according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Figure 1 shows a system for marking items with unique (irreproducible)

Physical Visual Arrangements (PVAs) incorporated in seals to ensure integrity of items or tags certifying their origin, comprising the steps of:

a. incorporating a PVA to be borne within a seal , or tag on an item;

b. capturing a digital image of the PVA to be stored in a computer server;

c. generating a code for the PVA as the PVA is applied to each item, storing the code in the server; and

d. transferring the generated code onto the item. The PVA may be of selected or unique random patterns such as orchid petals, coloured flakes, crystals, stones etc. The PVA is incorporated in a seal or tag, wherein the PVA is embedded in a clear transparent medium which renders it physically visible while protected against casual damage. The seal or tag is then transferred or embedded onto an item either on the item itself or the packaging, manually or automatically. The seal may take the form of wax or plastics, or any tamper-proof seals, paper seals, paper stickers, hologram stickers, RFID tags etc. as long as the image is physically visible.

An image of each PVA is then captured with an image-capturing device, and as this occurs an identification code is simultaneously produced from a computer server. Accordingly, each image of each PVA is assigned with a different or unique generated code, and no two PVAs would have the same generated code.

The generated code is then transferred or printed on the item bearing the corresponding PVA. The code and seal or tag incorporating the PVA could be placed at separate positions on the item or its packaging, as long as both are physically visible.

Figure 2 illustrates a system of authenticating the items marked according to the above system. This comprises the following steps:

a. an end-user looks up the generated code placed on the marked item and transmits the code to a back-end server by means of an electronic device and associated communications network e.g. mobile phone or computer with access to the internet; b. the back-end server receives the transmitted code and finds the same code in the server, the server looks up the image associated with the code and transmits the image to the device of the end-user; and

c. the end-user receives the image from the server and matches it with the PVA on the item. Optionally, additional information relating to the product may be included.

This allows the end-user to know that an item is original or has its origin certified when the images match and that an item is fake or compromised when the images do not match.

Alternatively, the system of identifying the marked items could be modified to be more user-friendly, e.g. comprises the following steps of:

a. an end-user looks up the PVA and the generated code placed on the marked item, captures an image of the PVA with an image-capturing device, and transmits the image and the generated code to the back-end server;

b. the back-end server receives the transmitted image and code and matches them with the image and/or code stored in the server, and sends to the end- user a positive response when the image and generated code match with the one stored in the server, and sends a negative response when the image and/or code do not match with the one stored in the server. Optionally, the response may include additional information relating to the product; and

c. the end-user receives the positive or negative response together with the additional information relating to the product

As such, when the end-user receives a positive response, he will automatically know that an item is original. On contrary, when the end-user receives a negative response, he will automatically know that the item is fake or compromised.

In addition to the generated code as explained in the above which is solely used for image identification, the invention allows other codes e.g. cancellation code to be incorporated as well. For example, a manufacturer or retailer may choose to incorporate a one-use cancellation code along with the identification code. As such, once an item is sold, a cancellation code will be revealed and the particular image and identification code borne by it could be cancelled and could not be reused. The cancellation code would also be applicable as backup confirmation should there be any doubt regarding the visual matching of stored image to PVA or the generated code.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for marking items, comprising the steps of: a. generating and incorporating a selected Physical Visual Arrangement (PVA) in a seal for protecting an item; b. capturing the image of the PVA for storage in a computer server; c. generating a code for the PVA image and storing the code in the server together with additional information if any; and d. transferring the generated code onto the item.

2. A system of claim 1 , wherein the PVA could also be incorporated in a tag to certify the origin of an item.

3. A system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the PVA is formed by natural or manmade processes giving rise to irreproducible but readily distinguishable visual features.

4. A system of claim 1 or 2 wherein the seal or tag is transferred onto an item either manually or automatically.

5. A system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the generated code is simultaneously produced from a computer server as each image of the PVA is captured.

6. A system of identifying the original items marked according to a marking system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of,

a. an end-user looks up the generated code placed on the marked item and transmits the code to a back-end server by electronic means; b. the back-end server receives the transmitted code and finds the same code in the server, the server looks up the image of the PVA associated with the code and transmits the image of the PVA to the electronic device of the end- user, optionally additional information relating to the product may be included; and

c. the end-user receives the image of the PVA and information from the server and visually matches it with the PVA incorporated in the seal or tag on the item, whereby end-user learns that the item is original if the image received matches the PVA on the item, and that the item is fake if the image does not match.

7. A system of claim 6 wherein the electronic means is a mobile phone sms or the like.

8. A system of identifying the original items marked according to a marking system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of,

9. A system of claim 8, wherein the image-capturing device is a mobile phone equipped with an image capturing device.

10. A system of either claim 6 or claim 8, wherein the image-capturing device is a data processing device equipped with a camera.

11. A system of either claim 6 or claim 8 wherein a predetermined code may be sent by authorized persons to cancel the seal upon sale or disposal of item.