Method and apparatus for marking manufactured items
US9721260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/32
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus includes providing a cryptographic key, in an inactive state, to a point in a supply chain for manufactured items, providing the cryptographic key, in an active state, and an activation code for activating the cryptographic key, to a verification center, and providing the activation code to the point in the supply chain in response to the point in the supply chain transmitting information relating to the received cryptographic key. The method includes generating, at the point in the supply chain, an identification (ID) code for each manufactured item, derived from the cryptographic key in the active state and a dynamic key generated for each batch of manufactured items. Including providing the dynamic key for each batch of manufactured items to the verification center, marking each manufactured item with the ID code, and counting the actual or correct number of ID codes marked on the manufactured items.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.