U.S. patent application number 13/158254 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-15 for labeling and verifying an item with an identifier.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRUTAG TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Timothy Learmonth, Michael P. O'Neill, Peter Pearson, Ting Zhou.
Application Number | 20110304131 13/158254 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45095624 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110304131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhou; Ting ; et al. |
December 15, 2011 |
LABELING AND VERIFYING AN ITEM WITH AN IDENTIFIER
Abstract
A system for manufacturing a label comprises a tag reader a
computer, and a label writer. The tag reader determines an
identifier based at least in part on a data read by the tag reader.
The computer receives an identifier, a key, and a goods information
and provides a message authentication code. The label writer
receives the message authentication code and provides a label.
Inventors: |
Zhou; Ting; (Orinda, CA)
; Learmonth; Timothy; (Oakland, CA) ; O'Neill;
Michael P.; (Kaneohe, HI) ; Pearson; Peter;
(Aptos, CA) |
Assignee: |
TRUTAG TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Honolulu
HI
|
Family ID: |
45095624 |
Appl. No.: |
13/158254 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61354639 |
Jun 14, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
283/74 ;
493/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42D 25/28 20141001;
G09F 3/0297 20130101; B42D 25/22 20141001; G16H 20/13 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
283/74 ;
493/320 |
International
Class: |
B42D 15/00 20060101
B42D015/00; B31B 1/88 20060101 B31B001/88 |
Claims
1. A system for manufacturing a label, comprising: A tag reader,
wherein the tag reader determines an identifier based at least in
part on a data read by the tag reader; A computer, wherein the
computer receives an identifier, a key, and a goods information and
provides a message authentication code; and A label writer, wherein
the label writer receives the message authentication code and
provides a label.
2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is based at least
in part on a spectral content of a tag.
3. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is based at least
in part on a spatial arrangement of one tag or more than one
tag.
4. A system as in claim 1, wherein the identifier is based at least
in part on a shape, or shapes, of one tag or more than one tag.
5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the goods information an
ingredient.
6. A system as in claim 1, wherein the goods information a SKU
number.
7. A system as in claim 1, wherein the goods information a physical
characteristic.
8. A system as in claim 1, wherein the goods information a
nutrition information.
9. A label, comprising: a label, wherein the label is added to a
package of one or more items, and wherein the label has a portion
that is readable by a human being and a portion that is readable by
a machine, and wherein label comprises information based at least
in part on an identifier, a key, and a goods information.
10. A label as in claim 9, wherein the identifier is based at least
in part on a spectral content of a tag.
11. A label as in claim 9, wherein the identifier is based at least
in part on a spatial arrangement of one tag or more than one
tag.
12. A label as in claim 9, wherein the identifier is based at least
in part on a shape of a tag or shapes of more than one tag.
13. A label as in claim 9, wherein the goods information an
ingredient.
14. A label as in claim 9, wherein the goods information a SKU
number.
15. A label as in claim 9, wherein the goods information a physical
characteristic.
16. A label as in claim 9, wherein the goods information a
nutrition information.
17. A label as in claim 9, wherein one of the one or more items
comprises a SODF.
18. A label as in claim 17, wherein the SODF comprises one of the
following: a tablet, a capsule, a caplet, a powder, a crystal, or a
thin film.
19. A label as in claim 9, wherein one of the one or more items
comprises a liquid.
20. A label as in claim 19, wherein the liquid comprises one of the
following: a cream, a gel, a liniment, a balm, a lotion, an
injectable, or an ointment.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/354,639 (Attorney Docket No. CBIOP004+) entitled
LABELING AND VERIFYING AN ITEM WITH AN IDENTIFIER filed Jun. 14,
2010 which is incorporated herein by reference for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A producer or reseller of items (including ingredients and
components of such items)--for example a manufacturer, but also
including other parties in the entire supply and distribution chain
such as a supplier, a wholesaler, a distributor, a repackager, and
a retailer--especially, but not limited to, high-value items, faces
counterfeiting of the item. Counterfeiting includes the
substitution, dilution, addition or omission of ingredients or
components of the item compared to its intended product
specification, as well as misrepresentation or diversion of the
packaged item from its intended course of sale. This leads to loss
of potential revenue as counterfeit items are sold in the place of
the real item. Also, there can be health or product related damages
caused by not using an authentic item as opposed to a
counterfeit--for example, the counterfeit can perform differently
or not at all as compared to an authentic item. This is
particularly acute in industries that can affect health and safety
such as industries involved with pharmaceuticals, nutritional
supplements, medical devices, food and beverages, construction,
transportation, and defense.
[0003] As international criminal organizations become more
sophisticated, existing packaging security is proving inadequate.
The complexity of many industry supply chains--for example, the
supply chain of the pharmaceutical industry--lends itself to entry
points for adulterated or counterfeit product(s), often found in
carefully counterfeited and high-quality packaging, and sometimes
in authentic packaging that has either been stolen or as part of a
repackaging operation.
[0004] In complex product supply chains and markets with variable
pricing, opportunities for arbitrage exist for unscrupulous parties
to misrepresent product pricing without any change to the
underlying product, and thus benefit monetarily, for example, as in
returns, rebate or charge-back fraud. Monetary gain or loss to
either side of a transaction may also result from errors in
record-keeping.
[0005] In addition to counterfeiting or product misrepresentation,
items that appear physically identical or similar, for example
certain nutritional supplements, may actually contain different
ingredients or components, but because of similar appearance may be
unintentionally packaged or labeled incorrectly. Even if the items
are otherwise identical, they may have different properties
associated with the particular lot or batch conditions; for
example, pharmaceuticals that otherwise appear identical may have
different expiration dates and be incorrectly labeled due to
failures or limitations in quality assurance protocols to ascertain
such differences.
[0006] For product development and research, it may be beneficial
at times to study and authenticate performance of items that appear
identical but are made differently to learn whether or how those
differences affect an end use. At times, it is important in such
studies--for example in clinically masked (or `blind`) studies
leading to pharmaceutical development--to be able to confidently
identify the underlying item without revealing the true identity to
study participants. In the case of pharmaceutical development and
clinical trials, item-level identity error may be introduced, for
example, at the contract research organization that repackages the
various product formulations into masked unit-doses. Much time,
cost, and effort goes into statistical sampling and chemical
analyses to verify the true identity of the unit-doses that are
ultimately administered.
[0007] In the effort to attain positive health outcomes in a more
cost-effective and timely manner, healthcare providers need to
focus on the adherence to health regimens, not just the efficacy of
specific drugs. Understanding when, where and how often medicine is
prescribed by a doctor, accurately and timely dispensed from a
pharmacy, received by a patient, and consumed by the patient is
helpful in understanding and verifying the effectiveness of the
overall health regimen. Recording and collecting the data for
appropriate analysis and study while also being able to confirm the
underlying identity of the medicine at each stage is important to
the reliability of the information collected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the
following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
package producer.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
labeler.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
reader.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
Marker UID computer.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
digital signature computer.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
label writer.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
verifier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including
as a process; an apparatus; a system; a composition of matter; a
computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage
medium; and/or a processor, such as a processor configured to
execute instructions stored on and/or provided by a memory coupled
to the processor. In this specification, these implementations, or
any other form that the invention may take, may be referred to as
techniques. In general, the order of the steps of disclosed
processes may be altered within the scope of the invention. Unless
stated otherwise, a component such as a processor or a memory
described as being configured to perform a task may be implemented
as a general component that is temporarily configured to perform
the task at a given time or a specific component that is
manufactured to perform the task. As used herein, the term
`processor` refers to one or more devices, circuits, and/or
processing cores configured to process data, such as computer
program instructions.
[0017] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the
invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that
illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is
described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is
not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is
limited only by the claims and the invention encompasses numerous
alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific
details are set forth in the following description in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details
are provided for the purpose of example and the invention may be
practiced according to the claims without some or all of these
specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material
that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has
not been described in detail so that the invention is not
unnecessarily obscured.
[0018] A system for labeling and verifying an item with an
identifier is disclosed. The system comprises a package producer
and a verifier. The package producer produces a package with a
label. The package includes one or more items each with an
associated one or more selected tag identifiers that are placed in
a location on the item. The verifier verifies the one or more items
using 1) the associated one or more selected tag identifiers as
detected using a spectral measurement or 2) the location and/or
shape of the tag identifiers on the item as detected using an
imager, and 3) the label as read using a label reader.
[0019] In various embodiments, the package contains individually
identified items, the package contains one type of item identified
with an identifier for the one type of item, or any other
appropriate mapping of identifier(s) and/or item type, or any
appropriate item or type of item. For example, each item (e.g., an
individual art piece) has an individually identifiable set of tags
or each type of item (e.g., all art pieces of a series of art
pieces, a series of lithographic reproductions, etc.) has the same
tag. So, that either each individual item is identifiable because
it has a different tag, or all the items of the same type have the
same tag so that the items of the type cannot individually be told
apart but instead can be differentiated from other types of items
(e.g., vitamin C tablets as opposed to vitamin D, or a low-dose
type of medicine opposed to its higher-dose counterpart, etc.).
[0020] In various embodiments, the label is comprised in part of
information about the packaged items (hereby denoted goods
information or goods info) that is useful to authenticate with the
item. For example, goods info for medicines may contain dosage
information, expiration dates, lot numbers, etc. Goods information
may comprise different types of information depending on the
associated item--for example, ingredient(s), SKU number,
identifier, physical characteristic (e.g., weight, dimension,
volume, etc.), nutrition information, etc.
[0021] In various embodiments, the package comprises a
pharmaceutical package that includes one or more solid oral dosage
forms (SODFs: e.g., tablets, capsules, caplets, powders, crystals,
and thin films, etc.), liquids (e.g., creams, gels, liniments,
balms, lotions, injectables, and ointments, etc.), and/or any other
appropriate medicines. The medicines have one or more added tag
identifiers that are added into the outer coating, are distributed
on the outer layer of an uncoated medicine (e.g., a SODF), are
distributed throughout a SODF or liquid, or any other appropriate
manner of adding a tag identifier. In some embodiments, each tag
comprises a rugate filter. In some embodiments, the physical
placement is used for identification--for example, the tags are
laid out in a pattern (e.g., geometric shape, bar code, etc.) that
is detectable using an imaging device. In some embodiments, the
shapes of the tags are characterized and the characterization is
used for identification.
[0022] In various embodiments, the package comprises a
pharmaceutical package that includes one or more pills, liquids,
test strips, transdermal patches or any other appropriate medicines
or medical devices. The medicines have an added tag identifier that
is added into the outer coating, is distributed on the outer layer
of an uncoated medicine (e.g., a pill), is distributed throughout a
pill or liquid, or any other appropriate manner of adding a tag
identifier. In various embodiments, the package comprises an
item--for example, an electronic chip, sub-component, medical
devices, an automobile or airplane part, building or material
supplies, clothing, toys, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, works of
art, currency, tickets, official identification documents, wine, or
gourmet food. In some embodiments, the tag comprises a rugate
filter. In some embodiments, the physical placement is used for
identification--for example, the tags are laid out in a shape
(e.g., a circle, a square, etc.) or pattern (e.g., checkerboard,
bar code, etc.) that is detectable using an imaging device. In some
embodiments, the shape or shapes of one or more than one of the
tags themselves are characterized and the characterization is used
for identification. In some embodiments, individual tag placement
is partially variable due to inclusion of a random or pseudorandom
step in the tag placement process, allowing unique or nearly unique
tag placement for each cluster of tags. In some embodiments, the
verifier measures the location of one or more tags on an item or
label, and from the tag locations and/or shapes produces a
signature by means of an algorithm. In some embodiments, the
algorithm uses the relative arrangement and/or shape of multiple
tags with or without a fiduciary mark to produce a single item
signature. In some embodiments, the algorithm produces a signature
from the location and/or shape of each tag, and then combines the
signatures from more than one tag on an item into a single
signature. In some embodiments, the algorithm produces multiple
signatures derived from the location and/or shape of one or more
tags. In some embodiments, the verifier produces a single signature
from the location and/or shape of one or more tags. For example,
the use of a tag shape or combination of tag shapes, the placement
of one or more tags in a pattern or arrangement or the relative
locations of the one or more tags, or the spectral signature of a
tag or of more than one tag are used alone or in combination to
determine whether or not an item marked with the tag(s) is the
authentic item.
[0023] In some embodiments, tags are made of the silica (deemed
"generally recognized as safe"--or GRAS--by the FDA), rendering
them biologically inert and edible. Each barely visible tag
contains a custom-manufactured spectral signature chosen from over
one billion possibilities, yet each item costs only fractions of a
penny to label. The unique optical signature of each tag can be
read by a low cost scanner and be linked to a label in a secure
database, where additional information about the item can be
stored, such as referencing a future e-pedigree track-and-trace
system. Tags comprise a silicon wafer that is etched to have a
spectral code encoded by the etching. The wafer is divided into
small tags, and the resultant tags contain a complex porous
nanostructure that is programmed during electrochemical synthesis
to display a unique reflectivity spectrum. The tags are then
oxidized by a high-temperature bake step to turn the crystalline,
nanoporous silicon tags into amorphous, nanoporous silica. This
bake step stabilizes the nanoporous structure against further
oxidation (thus stabilizing the spectral signature) and provides
for the tags to be characterized as a GRAS excipient. The spectrum
is measured via a simple, low-cost spectrometer-based reader, then
quickly verified against other information printed on the package,
such that the medicine and packaging are authenticated together;
tampering with either the package, or the contents, would flag a
security violation. The tags can also be used on their own acting
simply as labels for quality assurance or other purposes.
Information capacity is projected to potentially reach one trillion
possible unique spectra, using peak number, peak placement, peak
rugate phase, and/or peak amplitude as modulation parameters. The
tags are passive, inconspicuous and can be attached to the outside
of medicines or food products to be read, for example, through
clear or translucent plastic blister packs, or mixed into medicines
or food as a forensic excipient, to be read as part of an
investigation or inspection process by authorized security or
quality assurance personnel.
[0024] In some embodiments, the tag properties comprise: [0025]
More than one billion codes available [0026] Inconspicuous size
range (20 .mu.m to 150 .mu.m) allows covert or semi-covert use
[0027] Made from clear, high purity silica rendering them
biologically inert and edible [0028] High temperature
resistance--melting point above 1600.degree. C. [0029] Passive--no
energy input or output [0030] Can be used in or on a product,
package, label, or security fiber [0031] Can be applied via sprays,
coatings, inks, varnishes, or as part of laminate [0032] Can be
integrated at a number of manufacturing stages--will not slow FDA
approvals [0033] High level of security possible using random tag
shapes; security can be scaled to suit specific product needs
[0034] Can be made self-authenticating and reduce the costs and
security risks associated with online databases and maintenance
[0035] Each piece of the silica microtag contains the coded
information, useful for forensics
[0036] In some embodiments, a system for manufacturing a label
comprises a tag reader a computer, and a label writer. The tag
reader determines an identifier based at least in part on a data
read by the tag reader. The computer receives an identifier, a key,
and a goods information and provides a message authentication code.
The label writer receives the message authentication code and
provides a label.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
package producer. In the example shown, package producer 100
comprises identifier adder 102, labeler 104, and packager 106.
Identifier adder 102 receives an identifier (e.g., tag(s)) and
item(s) and adds the identifier to the item(s). In some
embodiments, the identifier adder 102 is part of an item
manufacturing system. In some embodiments, the identifier adder 102
is placed prior to or after item manufacturing. The item with
identifier is measured by labeler 104 for spectral information from
the tag, placement information of the tag on the item (e.g., in a
pattern, in a code, forming a shape, etc.), and tag shape and/or
characteristic information. Labeler 104, based on the information
detected from the items and/or key and/or goods information,
generates a label for a package for the item. Label is added to the
package using packager 106. In some embodiments, labeler 104 also
sends some or all information to a database handler.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
labeler. In some embodiments, labeler 200 is used to implement
labeler 104 of FIG. 1. In the example shown, labeler 200 comprises
reader 202, marker UID computer 204, digital signature computer
206, and label writer 208. Labeler 200 receives item(s) with
identifier and goods information and a private key and provides
label(s). Reader 202 reads identifier associated with item(s).
Reader 202 reads an item using a plurality of reading methods so
that an item's tag and/or an item's placement and/or type of item
are read. Marker UID computer 204 calculates a marker unique
identifier, which comprises information about spectral content,
spatial arrangement and/or shape of tags composing the marker.
Digital signature computer 206 computes a digital signature using
goods information (e.g., information regarding the item) and the
marker UID. In some embodiments, Digital signature computer 206 is
omitted, and the marker UID is passed directly to label writer 208.
Label writer 208 writes a label including machine readable (e.g.,
1-dimensional and/or 2-dimensional bar codes) and human readable
(e.g., an alphanumeric printed codes and/or other printed
characters) features and/or symbols.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
reader. In some embodiments, reader 300 is used to implement reader
202 of FIG. 2. In the example shown, reader 300 comprises
illuminator 302, spectra measurer 304, and imager 306. Reader 300
examines an item with an identifier and provides an output spectra
and image. Illuminator 302 illuminates the item enabling the item
to be read. In various embodiments, illuminator 302 illuminates
with different illumination for spectra measurer 304 (e.g.,
broadband illumination), for imager 306 (e.g., white light,
monochromatic light, etc.), or any other appropriate illumination.
Spectra measurer 304 measures the reflectance or transmission
spectral response of an item with an identifier. For example, the
spectral peaks, their amplitudes (e.g., relative or absolute
amplitudes), their frequencies are measured. Imager 306 images the
item with an identifier--For example, a placement or shape
information associated with the tag placed in item (e.g., a shape
or a relation to a fiducial). In some embodiments, imager 306 is
omitted from reader 300. In some embodiments, spectra measurer 304
is omitted from reader 300.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
Marker UID computer. In some embodiments, marker UID computer 400
is used to implement marker UID computer 204 of FIG. 2. In the
example shown, marker UID computer 400 comprises identifier
extractor 402, image fingerprinter 404, and UID determiner 406.
Marker UID computer 400 receives spectra and image information and
provides a Marker UID. Identifier extractor 402 extracts identifier
from spectra information of identifier (e.g., a tag) associated
with the item. Image fingerprinter 404 extracts information
associated with tag shape or placement information. UID determiner
406 determines a UID based on identifier extracted from spectra and
image extracted information. In some embodiments, identifier
extractor 402 is omitted, and UID determiner 406 uses only the
output of image fingerprinter 404. In some embodiments, image
fingerprinter 404 is omitted, and UID determiner 406 uses only the
output of identifier extractor 402.
[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
digital signature computer. In some embodiments, digital signature
computer 500 is used to implement digital signature computer 206 of
FIG. 2. In the example shown, digital signature computer 500
comprises combiner 502 and message authenticator 504. Digital
signature computer 500 receives goods information and marker UID
and a key and provides a message authentication code. Combiner 502
combines goods information and marker UID. Message authenticator
504 digitally signs the output of combiner 502 using a key, and
outputs the result.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
label writer. In some embodiments, in 600 label writer is used to
implement labeler 104 of FIG. 1. Label writer 600 comprises a label
determiner 602, human readable labeler 604, and machine readable
labeler 606. Label writer 600 receives a marker UID, goods
information, message authentication code and provides a human
readable label and a machine readable label. Label determiner 602
receives a marker UID, goods information, optionally message
authentication code and determines a human readable label and a
machine readable label. Human readable labeler 604 provides a human
readable label--for example, a label is produced with alphanumeric
codes or an understandable image or combination of the two or with
any other appropriate human decodable label. Machine readable
labeler 606 provides a machine readable label--for example, a label
is produced with a 1-d or 2-d barcode. In some embodiments, label
writer 600 also outputs label determiner 602 output to a secure
database.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
verifier. In the example shown, verifier 700 comprises imager 703,
reader 702, label reader 704, item marker UID computer 706, label
marker UID extractor 708, label digital signature extractor 710,
label goods information extractor 712, label digital validity
determiner 714, Marker UID validity determiner 716, and product
validity determiner 718. Verifier 700 operates on an item with an
identifier and on a package with a label and provides a validity
determination. Imager 703 and reader 702 extract information by
measuring one or more spectra of at least one information tag and
an image of the position and/or shape of at least one of the
information tags. Item marker UID computer 706 receives the
information from imager 703 and reader 702 and determines a marker
UID. Label reader 704 reads an item package label and extracts
information. Label marker UID extractor 708 receives the
information and determines the marker UID. Marker UID validity
determiner 716 determines the validity of the marker UIDs produced
by label marker UID extractor 708 and item marker UID computer 706.
Label reader 704 also determines information for label digital
signature extractor 710 and label goods information extractor 712.
Label digital validity determiner 714 receives information from
label goods information extractor 712, label digital signature
extractor 710, label marker UID extractor 708, and public key to
determine the validity of the digital signature received from label
digital signature extractor 710. Product validity determiner 718
receives UID validity and label digital validity information and
produces a product validity determination.
[0044] Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in
some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention
is not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative
ways of implementing the invention. The disclosed embodiments are
illustrative and not restrictive.
* * * * *