US4463250A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for use against counterfeiting
Assignee: OBLON FISHER SPIVAK MCCLELLAND & MAIER PC
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Filing: 1982-05-21
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Granted: 1984-07-31
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Expires: 2002-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for use in the detection of fake mass-produced articles that may be apparently identical to genuine articles involves marking genuine articles with a unique or restricted code mark generated by a secret algorithm, the gamut of such marks being underutilized so that attempts to generate seemingly genuine marks without knowledge of the algorithm will stand only a small chance of success. The marks can be scrutinized for genuineness--whether or not they conform to the algorithm--by a programmable hand held calculator or by a computer. Since one way to produce a seemingly genuine mark would be to copy genuine marks, the calculator or computer is also programmed to detect whether any particular mark has been read before.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. McNeight
- 👤 John G. Lawrence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:19
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/004; G07D7/0043; G07D11/00; G07D11/20; G07D11/30; G07D7/20; G07D7/06; G07D7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for identifying genuine mass-produced articles from fake articles comprising the steps of applying to said genuine articles an open identifying mark generated by a secret algorithm which mark is unique for a particular small subset of articles taken from a set consisting of all such genuine articles marked according to the algorithm, the mark being selected from a set of such marks, which set is itself a small subset of a set of all possible such marks which can be generated by the algorithm, so that the probability of unauthorized identification of a mark that belongs to the said particular small subset of marks is small, and subsequently inspecting articles to distinguish genuine articles from fake articles which bear fake identifying marks by: (a) testing a sample of applied marks attached to articles to be identified to determine if said applied marks correspond with the secret algorithm; and (b) comparing thus tested and applied marks which correspond with the secret algorithm against previously tested marks to determine if there is a higher incidence of repeated marks in the sample than would be expected from the relative sizes of the particular small sub-set of articles identically marked and the set of all genuine articles marked according to the algorithm.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
210 words
A method for identifying genuine mass-produced articles from fake articles comprising the steps of applying to said genuine articles an open identifying mark generated by a secret algorithm which mark is unique for a particular small subset of articles taken from a set consisting of all such genuine articles marked according to the algorithm, the mark being selected from a set of such marks, which set is itself a small subset of a set of all possible such marks which can be generated by the algorithm, so that the probability of unauthorized identification of a mark that belongs to the said particular small subset of marks is small, and subsequently inspecting articles to distinguish genuine articles from fake articles which bear fake identifying marks by: (a) testing a sample of applied marks attached to articles to be identified to determine if said applied marks correspond with the secret algorithm; and (b) comparing thus tested and applied marks which correspond with the secret algorithm against previously tested marks to determine if there is a higher incidence of repeated marks in the sample than would be expected from the relative sizes of the particular small sub-set of articles identically marked and the set of all genuine articles marked according to the algorithm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1, in which the said particular small sub-set of articles comprises a single article so that each article bears a unique mark and any repeated mark indicates that one at least of the articles bearing the repeated mark is fake.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said identifying mark comprises a string of alphanumeric characters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said identifying mark comprises a string of machine-readable characters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, in which said identifying mark comprises a bar code.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, in which a programmable, hand-held electronic calculator is used to determine whether a mark purporting to be genuine conforms to the secret algorithm and to store all marks examined and to check for repeated marks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 6, in which data is periodically transferred from said calculator to a computer capable of storing larger numbers of tested marks than said calculator and the computer examines the marks it stores for repeated marks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-31 | 1988-01-30 | 1988-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-31 | 1992-01-30 | 1992-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-31 | 1996-01-30 | 1996-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |