Multi-dimensional approach to anti-counterfeiting across different industries

Abstract

Application and associated methods relate to facilitating verification of authenticity of a product instance. Such verification of authenticity is facilitated by a verification transceiver configured to be affixed to a product instance. The verification transceiver includes an engagement fixture configured to affix the verification transceiver to a product instance. The verification transceiver includes a receiver configured to receive a query signal from a proximate mobile device. The verification transceiver includes a transmitter configured to transmit a current encoded signal indicative of the product instance in response to receiving the query signal. The verification transceiver also includes a verification-code sequencer configured to advance the current encoded signal to a next encoded signal in a sequence of encoded signals, each of the sequence indicative of the product instance, current encoded signal advanced to be transmitted in response to a next received query signal.

1 . A method for facilitating verification of authenticity of a product instance, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a verification transceiver affixed to the product instance, a query signal from a proximate mobile device;   transmitting, by the verification transceiver, a current encoded signal indicative of the product instance in response to receiving the query signal; and   advancing, by the verification transceiver, the current encoded signal to a next encoded signal in a sequence of encoded signals, each indicative of the product instance, the current encoded signal advanced to be transmitted in response to a next received query signal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current encoded signal is encoded according to an encoding algorithm that is replicated by a product-data management server such that verification of authenticity can be performed by comparing the current encoded signal with a current expected signal retrieved by the product-data management server. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rendering inoperative the verification transceiver upon opening of product packaging of the product instance.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sequence of encoded signals is limited to a finite number of encoded signals. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 transmitting, by the verification transceiver, a signal indicative of excessive queries, if the advancing of the current encoded signal has exceeded a limit of the finite number of encoded signals.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the finite number is limited to fewer than 10. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 affixing the verification transceiver to the product instance.   
     
     
         8 . A verification transceiver for facilitating verification of authenticity of a product instance, the verification transceiver comprising:
 an engagement fixture configured to affix the verification transceiver to a product instance;   a receiver configured to receive a query signal from a proximate mobile device;   a transmitter configured to transmit a current encoded signal indicative of the product instance in response to receiving the query signal; and   a verification-code sequencer configured to advance the current encoded signal to a next encoded signal in a sequence of encoded signals, each of the sequence indicative of the product instance, current encoded signal advanced to be transmitted in response to a next received query signal.   
     
     
         9 . The verification transceiver of  claim 8 , wherein the current encoded signal is encoded according to an encoding algorithm that is replicated by a product-data management server such that verification of authenticity can be performed by comparing the current encoded signal with an current expected signal retrieved by the product-data management server. 
     
     
         10 . The verification transceiver of  claim 8 , wherein the verification transceiver is configured to be rendered inoperative upon opening of product packaging of the product instance. 
     
     
         11 . The verification transceiver of  claim 8 , wherein the sequence of encoded signals is limited to a finite number of encoded signals. 
     
     
         12 . The verification transceiver of  claim 11 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a signal indicative of excessive queries, if the advancing of the current encoded signal has exceeded a limit of the finite number of encoded signals. 
     
     
         13 . The verification transceiver of  claim 11 , wherein the finite number is limited to fewer than 10. 
     
     
         14 . The verification transceiver of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement fixture comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
         15 . A method for facilitating verification of authenticity of a product instance, the method comprising:
 transmitting, by a mobile device, a query signal to a proximate product instance;   receiving, by the mobile device, a current encoded signal indicative of the product instance from the proximate product instance, the current encoded signal being a current of a sequence of encoded signals, the current encoded signal sent by the proximate product instance in response to the proximate product instance receiving the query signal;   transmitting, by the mobile device, an authentication request signal to a product-authentication internet website in response to receiving the current encoded signal, the authentication request signal including the current encoded signal;   receiving, by the mobile device, a verification signal indicative of authenticity of the product instance from the product-authentication website; and   indicating the authenticity of the product as indicated by the verification signal.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transmitting the query signal to the proximate mobile device is in response to an input provided by a user of the mobile device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transmitting the query signal to the proximate mobile device is in response to proximity of the mobile device to the product instance decreasing to less than a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transmitting a query signal comprises:
 transmitting, via Near Field Communications (NFC), the query signal to the proximate product instance.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein transmitting a query signal comprises:
 transmitting, via RFID protocols, the query signal to the proximate product instance.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the authentication request signal includes location data corresponding to a location of the mobile device at a time of query. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the authentication request signal includes date/time data corresponding to date/time corresponding to a time of query. 
     
     
         22 . A mobile device system for facilitating verification of authenticity of a product instance, the system comprising:
 a first transmitter configured to transmit a query signal to a proximate product instance;   a first receiver configured to receive a current encoded signal indicative of the product instance from the proximate product instance, the current encoded signal being a current of a sequence of encoded signals, the current encoded signal sent by the proximate product instance in response to the proximate product instance receiving the query signal;   a second transmitter configured to transmit an authentication request signal to a product-authentication internet website, the authentication request signal including the current encoded signal;   a second receiver configured to receive a verification signal indicative of authenticity of the product instance from the product-authentication website; and   a user interface configured to indicate, to a user of the mobile device, the authenticity of the product as indicated by the verification signal.   
     
     
         23 . The mobile device system of  claim 22 , wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit the query signal to a proximate product instance in response to an input provided by a user of the mobile device via the user interface. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile device system of  claim 22 , wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit the query signal to a proximate product instance in response to proximity of the mobile device to the product instance decreasing to less than a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         25 . The mobile device system of  claim 22 , wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit the query signal to a proximate product instance via Near Field Communications (NFC). 
     
     
         26 . The mobile device system of  claim 22 , wherein the first transmitter is configured to transmit the query signal to a proximate product instance via RFID protocols. 
     
     
         27 . The mobile device system of  claim 22 , wherein the authentication request signal includes location data corresponding to a location of the mobile device at a time of query. 
     
     
         28 . The mobile device system of  claim 22 , wherein the authentication request signal includes date/time data corresponding to date/time corresponding to a time of query.