Method and System for Deterring Product Counterfeiting, Diversion and Piracy

Abstract

A client system receives a request for a set of unique security codes and also receives product data associated with a product on which the security codes are to be printed. The client sends at least some of the product data to a host system and receives a batch identifier from the host. The host stores received product data with the batch identifier. The client generates the set of security codes and then provides the codes to be printed on the product. After the products enter the stream of commerce, the host can receive an authentication request including a security code, and in response the host will verify that the security code is valid and return to the requestor the authentication result and at least part of the product data associated with the batch identifier.

1 . A method comprising:
 reading an encrypted security code from a unit of a product;   communicating an authentication request to a host, the authentication request including the encrypted security code;   receiving from the host an indication of authenticity and product data specific to the unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product data comprises a time attribute, a location attribute, a work order, a lot number, a manufacturing date, a use-by date, a sell-by date, an operator name, or a manufacturing plant. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the authentication request identifies a type of requester. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein reading the encrypted security code from the unit comprises reading the encrypted security code from an RFID tag affixed to the unit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein reading the encrypted security code from the unit comprises using a camera to capture an image of the encrypted security code.