U.S. patent application number 15/173475 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-08 for open registry for identity of things including tamperproof tags.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chronicled, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Aho, Maurizio Greco, Ryan Orr, Samantha Radocchia.
Application Number | 20160358184 15/173475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57442060 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160358184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Radocchia; Samantha ; et
al. |
December 8, 2016 |
OPEN REGISTRY FOR IDENTITY OF THINGS INCLUDING TAMPERPROOF TAGS
Abstract
An identity system for the Internet of Things (IOT) that enables
users and machines to identify, authenticate and interact with
products and collectibles without relying on a
third-party-controlled authentication service. The system includes
wireless tamperproof tags coupled to products and an open registry
database where a chain of ownership of the items is able to be
stored. The open registry enables public access to the item
identity and data combined with item registration anonymity.
Inventors: |
Radocchia; Samantha; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Aho; David; (New York, NY) ;
Orr; Ryan; (Brisbane, CA) ; Greco; Maurizio;
(San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chronicled, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57442060 |
Appl. No.: |
15/173475 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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62230344 |
Jun 4, 2015 |
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62231586 |
Jul 10, 2015 |
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62285085 |
Oct 19, 2015 |
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62285748 |
Nov 9, 2015 |
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62342850 |
May 27, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/70 20180201; H04W
4/80 20180201; H04L 2209/80 20130101; G06K 19/07798 20130101; H04L
9/14 20130101; H04W 12/02 20130101; G06K 19/07758 20130101; H04L
9/3271 20130101; H04W 12/04 20130101; H04W 12/00503 20190101; H04W
12/06 20130101; G06Q 30/018 20130101; G06Q 2220/00 20130101; G06Q
30/0185 20130101; H04L 9/3247 20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; H04L
63/107 20130101; H04L 63/0823 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; H04W 12/04 20060101 H04W012/04; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10; H04L 29/06 20060101 H04L029/06; G06K 19/077 20060101
G06K019/077; G06K 19/14 20060101 G06K019/14 |
Claims
1. An item open registry and authentication system, the system
comprising: one or more physical items; one or more identity tags
each coupled to one of the items, the identity tags each storing a
private key and a unique identifier and configured to enable the
unique identifier to be wirelessly read but prevent the private key
from being read from the tag; a mobile device configured to
wirelessly read the unique identifier from one or more of the
identity tags when proximate to the one or more of the tags; and a
open registry storing the unique identifier, item information and a
public key of each of the items, wherein the public key is
associated with the private key stored on the identity tag coupled
to the item.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the identity tags
comprise: an authentication circuit storing the private key and the
unique identifier, wherein the private key is associated with a
public key such that data encrypted by the private key can only be
decrypted using the public key; and a protective body coupled to
the circuit, wherein the protective body is a single contiguous
plastic body that fully envelopes the circuit.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the circuit is configured to
generate and transmit a digital signature using the private key in
response to a challenge message, wherein the digital signature
corresponds to the challenge message and the private key.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the protective body and the
circuit are both flat and flexible such that the tag is able to
flex without breaking
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the protective body is stitched
in between two layers of an item such that the body is held within
a sealed pouch created between the layers.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein one of the layers is a label
indicating a brand of the item.
7. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the tags further comprise
a fastening line having two ends that are both permanently coupled
to the protective body.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the body and fastening line are
operably coupled with the circuit such that breaking of the body or
fastening line causes the circuit to fail to operate.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the line is threaded through an
aperture of an item such that the tag is physically coupled to the
item by the line.
10. The system of claim 2, wherein circuit is integrated in an
electronic device such that the circuit is integrated into at least
one of the group consisting of a printed circuit board of the
device, a microchip of the device, firmware of the device and
software of the device.
11. An identity tag for use in an item open registry and
authentication system, the identity tag comprising: an
authentication circuit storing a private key and a unique
identifier, wherein the private key is associated with a public key
such that data encrypted by the private key can only be decrypted
using the public key; and a protective body coupled to the circuit,
wherein the protective body is a single contiguous plastic body
that fully envelopes the circuit.
12. The tag of claim 11, wherein the circuit is configured to:
automatically broadcast the unique identifier without prompting
from the wireless reader; and prevent the private key from being
read from the tag.
13. The tag of claim 12, wherein the circuit is configured to
generate and transmit a digital signature using the private key in
response to a challenge message, wherein the digital signature
corresponds to the challenge message and the private key.
14. The tag of claim 13, wherein the protective body and the
circuit are both flat and flexible such that the tag is able to
flex without breaking
15. The tag of claim 14, wherein the protective body is stitched in
between two layers of an item such that the body is held within a
sealed pouch created between the layers.
16. The tag of claim 15, wherein one of the layers is a label
indicating a brand of the item.
17. The tag of claim 13, further comprising a fastening line having
two ends that are both permanently coupled to the protective
body.
18. The tag of claim 17, wherein the body and fastening line are
operably coupled with the circuit such that breaking of the body or
fastening line causes the circuit to fail to operate.
19. The tag of claim 18, wherein the line is threaded through an
aperture of an item such that the tag is physically coupled to the
item by the line.
20. The tag of claim 11, wherein circuit is integrated in an
electronic device such that the circuit is integrated into at least
one of the group consisting of a printed circuit board of the
device, a microchip of the device, firmware of the device and
software of the device.
21. A method of providing an identity tag for use in an item open
registry and authentication system, the method comprising:
providing an authentication circuit storing a private key and a
unique identifier, wherein the private key is associated with a
public key such that data encrypted by the private key can only be
decrypted using the public key; and sealing the authentication
circuit within a protective body coupled to the circuit, wherein
the protective body is a single contiguous plastic body that fully
envelopes the circuit.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the circuit is configured to:
automatically broadcast the unique identifier without prompting
from the wireless reader; and prevent the private key from being
read from the tag.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the circuit is configured to
generate and transmit a digital signature using the private key in
response to a challenge message, wherein the digital signature
corresponds to the challenge message and the private key.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the protective body and the
circuit are both flat and flexible such that the tag is able to
flex without breaking
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising stitching the
protective body in between two layers of an item such that the body
is held within a sealed pouch created between the layers.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein one of the layers is a label
indicating a brand of the item.
27. The method of claim 23, further comprising permanently coupling
two ends of a fastening line to the protective body.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the body and fastening line are
operably coupled with the circuit such that breaking of the body or
fastening line causes the circuit to fail to operate.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising threading the line
through an aperture of an item such that the tag is physically
coupled to the item by the line.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein circuit is integrated in an
electronic device such that the circuit is integrated into at least
one of the group consisting of a printed circuit board of the
device, a microchip of the device, firmware of the device and
software of the device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of the co-pending U.S. provisional patent application
Ser. No. 62/230,344 filed Jun. 4, 2015, and titled "SMART APPAREL
LABEL CONTAINING A MICROCHIP SO THAT A CONSUMER CAN VERIFY
AUTHENTICITY OF AN APPAREL ITEM FROM A MOBILE DEVICE," the
co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/231,586
filed Jul. 10, 2015, and titled "PKI-ENABLED TAG," the co-pending
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/285,085 filed Oct.
19, 2015, and titled "TIMELINE FOR CONSUMER/LUXURY PRODUCTS THAT
TRACKS OWNERSHIP, PROVENANCE, AND KEY DATA POINTS/EVENTS IN THE
LIFE OF THE PRODUCT," the co-pending U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 62/285,748 filed Nov. 9, 2015, and titled
"ONE-PIECE EXTERNAL PLASTIC TAG CONTAINING ENCRYPTED MICROCHIP FOR
COLLECTIBLE AND LUXURY CONSUMER GOODS AUTHENTICITY VERIFICATION AND
CONSUMER-BRAND ENGAGEMENT," and the co-pending U.S. provisional
patent application Ser. No. 62/342,850 filed May 27, 2016, and
titled "USING PROOF OF PROXIMITY TO SERVE-UP PRIVATE DATA ABOUT
PHYSICAL OBJECTS IN THE CONSUMER INTERNET WOF THINGS, AND TO
SUPPORT AN VARITY PROVABLE LOGISTICS, SOCIAL, COMMERCE, AND
SECONDARY," all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of the unique
identity of things, including products, collectables and
identity/internet of things devices. More particularly, the present
invention relates to identification, authentication and provenance
tracking using identifying tags and an open registry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Physical assets are poorly represented on the Internet,
public databases or marketplaces. Current identification methods
are often not machine-readable. Also, existing tags are not secure
as they are able to easily be forged and/or re-applied to a
different non-authentic asset. In particular, technologies that
help prevent the duplication of tags are weak and rely on
obfuscation methods (which can be hacked) or require the use of
private databases (e.g. privately controlled) which rely on
trusting a third party (e.g. the controlling party) to accurately
maintain the database. Such methods do not prevent the third party
from creating duplicate tags or database records, nor are they able
to exist if/when the third party dissolves or goes out of business.
Finally, such a third party controlled system lacks the ability for
users to seamlessly migrate their identity and/or proof of
ownership to other systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An identity verification and authentication system that
enables users and machines to assign and authenticate the identity
of things without relying on a third-party-controlled identity
verification or authentication service. Things are any physical
object, including products, collectables and identity of things
devices. The system includes wireless tamperproof tags coupled to
things and an open registry database where a chain of ownership of
the things is able to be stored. The open registry enables public
access to the identification data with optional item registration
anonymity. In some embodiments, the open registry is a database, a
blockchain or a smart contract.
[0005] A first aspect is directed to an item open registry and
authentication system. The system comprises one or more physical
items, one or more identity tags each coupled to one of the items,
the identity tags each storing a private key and a unique
identifier and configured to enable the unique identifier to be
wirelessly read but prevent the private key from being read from
the tag, a mobile device configured to wirelessly read the unique
identifier from one or more of the identity tags when proximate to
the one or more of the tags and a blockchain database storing the
unique identifier, a chain of ownership and a public key of each of
the items, wherein the public key is associated with the private
key stored on the identity tag coupled to the item and the chain of
ownership defines a sequence of owners of the item and a sequence
of transactions between pairs of the owners that conferred the
ownership of the item between the pairs. In some embodiments, each
of the identity tags comprise an authentication circuit storing the
private key and the unique identifier, wherein the private key is
associated with a public key such that data encrypted by the
private key can only be decrypted using the public key and a
protective body coupled to the circuit, wherein the protective body
is a single contiguous plastic body that fully envelopes the
circuit. In some embodiments, the circuit is configured to generate
and transmit a digital signature using the private key in response
to a challenge message, wherein the digital signature corresponds
to the challenge message and the private key. In some embodiments,
the protective body and the circuit are both flat and flexible such
that the tag is able to flex without breaking In some embodiments,
the protective body is stitched in between two layers of an item
such that the body is held within a sealed pouch created between
the layers. In some embodiments, one of the layers is a label
indicating a brand of the item. In some embodiments, each of the
tags further comprise a fastening line having two ends that are
both permanently coupled to the protective body. In some
embodiments, the body and fastening line are operably coupled with
the circuit such that breaking of the body or fastening line causes
the circuit to fail to operate. In some embodiments, the line is
threaded through an aperture of an item such that the tag is
physically coupled to the item by the line. In some embodiments,
the circuit is integrated in an electronic device such that the
circuit is integrated into at least one of the group consisting of
a printed circuit board of the device, a microchip of the device,
firmware of the device and software of the device.
[0006] Another aspect is directed to an identity tag for use in an
item open registry and authentication system. The identity tag
comprises an authentication circuit storing a private key and a
unique identifier, wherein the private key is associated with a
public key such that data encrypted by the private key can only be
decrypted using the public key and a protective body coupled to the
circuit, wherein the protective body is a single contiguous plastic
body that fully envelopes the circuit. In some embodiments, the
circuit is configured to automatically broadcast the unique
identifier without prompting from the wireless reader and prevent
the private key from being read from the tag. In some embodiments,
the circuit is configured to generate and transmit a digital
signature using the private key in response to a challenge message,
wherein the digital signature corresponds to the challenge message
and the private key. In some embodiments, the protective body and
the circuit are both flat and flexible such that the tag is able to
flex without breaking In some embodiments, the protective body is
stitched in between two layers of an item such that the body is
held within a sealed pouch created between the layers. In some
embodiments, one of the layers is a label indicating a brand of the
item. In some embodiments, the tag further comprises a fastening
line having two ends that are both permanently coupled to the
protective body. In some embodiments, the body and fastening line
are operably coupled with the circuit such that breaking of the
body or fastening line causes the circuit to fail to operate. In
some embodiments, the line is threaded through an aperture of an
item such that the tag is physically coupled to the item by the
line. In some embodiments, the circuit is integrated in an
electronic device such that the circuit is integrated into at least
one of the group consisting of a printed circuit board of the
device, a microchip of the device, firmware of the device and
software of the device.
[0007] Another aspect is directed to a method of providing an
identity tag for use in an item open registry and authentication
system. The method comprises providing an authentication circuit
storing a private key and a unique identifier, wherein the private
key is associated with a public key such that data encrypted by the
private key can only be decrypted using the public key and sealing
the authentication circuit within a protective body coupled to the
circuit, wherein the protective body is a single contiguous plastic
body that fully envelopes the circuit. In some embodiments, the
circuit is configured to automatically broadcast the unique
identifier without prompting from the wireless reader and prevent
the private key from being read from the tag. In some embodiments,
the circuit is configured to generate and transmit a digital
signature using the private key in response to a challenge message,
wherein the digital signature corresponds to the challenge message
and the private key. In some embodiments, the protective body and
the circuit are both flat and flexible such that the tag is able to
flex without breaking In some embodiments, the method further
comprises stitching the protective body in between two layers of an
item such that the body is held within a sealed pouch created
between the layers. In some embodiments, one of the layers is a
label indicating a brand of the item. In some embodiments, the
method further comprises permanently coupling two ends of a
fastening line to the protective body. In some embodiments, the
body and fastening line are operably coupled with the circuit such
that breaking of the body or fastening line causes the circuit to
fail to operate. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
threading the line through an aperture of an item such that the tag
is physically coupled to the item by the line. In some embodiments,
the circuit is integrated in an electronic device such that the
circuit is integrated into at least one of the group consisting of
a printed circuit board of the device, a microchip of the device,
firmware of the device and software of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an item open registry authentication
system according to some embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates a tag according to some embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a tag according to some embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 2C illustrates a tag according to some embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an item authentication method using the
system according to some embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of presenting item information
according to some embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of registering items on the open
database according to some embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a proof of proximity method according to
some embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing
device configured to implement the system according to some
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Embodiments described herein are directed to an identity
verification and authentication system that enables users, devices
and machines to verify the identity of things and authenticate them
without relying on a third-party-controlled authentication service.
The system enables users to authenticate collectable products. The
system includes wireless tamperproof tags coupled to things and an
open registry database where a chain of ownership of the things is
able to be stored. As a result, by easily scanning a tag with a
device having an authentication application, a user is able to use
the system to immediately determine whether the thing coupled to
the tag is authentic as well as be provided with a history of
ownership and description of the thing to ensure an entity has the
right to sell the thing. Thus, the system provides the advantage of
thing and purchase certainty in a field of common forgeries.
Further, the open registry enables public access to the
authentication data combined with a registration protocol that is
technology agnostic and having selectable item registration
anonymity such that the users do not have to rely on a third party
for the authentication while the merchandisers or registrants can
register their products without making public on the database to
competitors product line roll-out/release quantities. Finally,
registration protocol of the open registry is able to enable
submission of item data including a network accessible location
(link and/or address) that the system can use to access to a cloud
service that can serve digital content related to the thing/product
or execute programs related to the thing/product.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an item open registry authentication
system 100 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the
system 100 comprises one or more items 102 each having an identity
(and/or authentication) tag 103, one or more computing devices 104
each having a receiver/transmitter 105, an open registry 106 and
one or more servers 108, wherein the servers 108, the registry 106
and/or the devices 104 are communicatively coupled via one or more
networks 110. Although as shown in FIG. 1, a single server 108 is
coupled with two client devices 104, it is understood that any
number of servers 108 are able to be coupled with any number of
devices 104. The networks 110 are able to be one or a combination
of wired or wireless networks as are well known in the art. The one
or more servers 108 are able to store at least a portion of an item
authentication agent and/or application 107 including a graphic
user interface on a memory of one or more of the servers 108. As a
result, a user is able to download the application 107 from the
servers 108 over the network 110 onto one or more of the devices
104. After being downloaded to the client device 104, the
application 107 is able to create and use an application database
within the local memory on the device 104 to store and utilize data
necessary for operation.
[0019] Alternatively, some or all of the data is able to be stored
in a server database on the memory on the servers 108 such that the
application 107 is able to connect to the servers 108 over the
networks 110 in order to utilize the data on the server database.
For example, the locally executing application 107 on the devices
104 is able to remotely communicate with the servers 108 over the
network 110 to perform any features of the application 107 and/or
access any data on the server database not available with just the
data on the device 104. In some embodiments, the same data is
stored on both the server database and one or more of the devices
104 such that either local or remote data access is possible. In
such embodiments, the data on the servers 108 and/or devices 104 is
able to be synchronized by the application. In some embodiments,
the server database and/or application 107 is distributed across a
plurality of the servers 108. Alternatively or in addition, one or
more of the servers 108 are able to store all of the database
and/or application data. In such embodiments, the servers 108 are
able to perform a synchronization process such that all the
databases and/or other application data are synchronized.
[0020] Alternatively, the application 107 is able to be replaced or
supplemented with an item agent and/or website stored on the server
memory and executed by the servers 108, wherein the agent and/or
website provides some or all of the functionality of the
application 107 with a website user interface that is substantially
similar to the application user interface. In such embodiments, a
device 104 is able to access the agent and/or website and utilize
the features of the agent and/or website with a web browser that
communicates with the servers 108 over the networks 110. In some
embodiments, the functionality of the website is able to be limited
to facilitating the downloading of the application 107 onto one or
more devices 104. In other words, the application/agent 107 is able
to operate on just the servers 108, just the devices 104 or a
combination of the servers 108 and devices 104. Accordingly, it
should be noted that although described according to an exemplary
functional distribution herein, other distributions of the
functions of the application/agent 107 between the servers 108 (via
the agent/website) and the devices 104 (via the application) are
contemplated but not included for the sake of brevity.
Alternatively, the device 104 is able to be an autonomous machine
such as a drone or an identity/internet of things (IOT) device. In
such embodiments, the application 107 is able to be already
installed in the device 104 or is able to be part of the software
or firmware operating the device 104 itself.
[0021] Further, the servers 108 are able to store item information
describing one or more of the items 102 (e.g. text, audio, photos
and/or video describing brand/product) and associated with the
public key and/or unique identifier stored on the tags 103 coupled
to the items 102. As a result, when one of the devices 104
scan/read one or more of the tags 103 on one or more of the items
102, the application on the device 104 is able to communicate the
public key and/or the unique identifier of the scanned tags 103 to
the server(s) 108, which then are able to provide the item
information associated with the key/identifier to the device 104
for display to the user. In some embodiments, the item information
is able to comprise one or more links to or addresses of network
accessible locations (e.g. uniform resource identifiers), wherein
the locations include information about the items. In such
embodiments, when one of the devices 104 scan/read one or more of
the tags 103 on one or more of the items 102, the application on
the device 104 is able to communicate the public key and/or the
unique identifier of the scanned tags 103 to the server(s) 108,
which then are able to provide the links/addresses enabling the
application 107 on the device to access the locations (and the
server(s) operating the locations) on the device 104 (e.g. via a
web browser). In some embodiments, the item information and
associated public keys/unique identifiers are uploaded to the
servers 108 during a registration process.
[0022] The computing devices 104 are able to be any computing
device having a memory for storing at least a portion of the
application 107 and a wireless tag reading feature 105 capable of
wirelessly reading and/or communicating with the tags 103. In some
embodiments, the devices 104 comprise a display (e.g. a
touchscreen). Examples of suitable computing devices 104 capable of
including the reading feature 105 and/or storing the application
107 include smart jewelry (e.g., smartwatch), a personal computer,
a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, a mainframe
computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a
cellular/mobile telephone, an IOT device, a smart appliance, a game
console, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, a
smart phone, a portable music player, a tablet computer, a mobile
device, a video player, a video disc writer/player (e.g., DVD
writer/player, high definition disc writer/player, ultra high
definition disc writer/player), a television, a home entertainment
system or any other suitable computing device.
[0023] The items 102 are able to be collectibles, IOT devices,
apparel, shoes, hand bags, garments or other commonly forged or
collectable physical items. For example, the items are able to be a
brand name purse or pair of shoes where because of the existence of
numerous knockoffs, it can be difficult to prove that the items are
authentic for the purpose of transfers/sales from a current owner
to a prospective buyer. In some embodiments, the items 102 are also
able to be automobiles, vehicles, boats, collectibles and the
like.
[0024] FIGS. 2A-C illustrate the tags 103 according to some
embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2A, the tag 103 is able to be an
external tag that comprises a tamperproof body 202, a tamperproof
fastening mechanism 204 (e.g. a ring), with the body 202 housing an
authentication circuit 206. The body 202 and/or fastening mechanism
204 are able to be formed by a single contiguous piece of plastic
such that the circuit 206 is entirely sealed within the body 202
and/or fastening mechanism 204. As a result, the circuit 206 cannot
be physically removed or tampered without breaking the body 202
and/or fastening mechanism 204. Additionally, the body 202 and/or
fastening mechanism 204 are able to be coupled with the circuit 206
such that decoupling of the tag 103 from the item 102 damages the
circuit 206 such that the circuit 206 is unable to be read and/or
transmit any stored data, or the circuit 206 transmits warning data
indicating that tampering occurred. As shown in FIG. 2B, the tag
103 is also able to be an internal tag that is substantially
similar to the external tag of FIG. 2A except that instead of the
fastening mechanism 204 the internal tag is able to be stitched
into a label or other material of the item 102. Specifically, the
body 202 is able to be entirely enveloped by two pieces/layers of
fabric or other material of the item 102 stitched or otherwise
coupled together around the body 202 (e.g. like a sealed pouch). In
some embodiments, at least one of the layers is able to be a label
of the item 102 and include writing describing the item 102 (e.g
the brand name). In some embodiments, the body 202 and the circuit
206 within the body 202 of the internal tag is able to be flexible
such that the item 102 is able to flex without damaging the tag
103. As shown in FIG. 2C, the tag 103 is able to be an electronic
device 210 wherein the circuit 206 is integrated into the circuitry
of the electronic device 210. For example, the electronic device
210 is able to be a printed circuit board or other electronics with
wireless communication capabilities (e.g. an IOT device). As a
result, all embodiments of the tags 103 provide the benefit of
ensuring that the identification and authentication data stored on
the tags 103 are securely coupled to the proper item 102 for
authentication/identification purposes or that tampering with the
tags 103 and/or item 102 is easily determined.
[0025] The circuit 206 is able to communicate wirelessly via near
field communication, bluetooth low energy, radio frequency
identification, bluetooth, WiFi or other types of wireless
communication known in the art. Further, the circuit 206 is able to
be public key infrastructure enabled. Specifically, the circuit 206
is able to store a unique identifier and a private key and
wirelessly communicate with the readers 105 of the devices 104. The
private key is secret and cannot be read or extracted from the tag
103 (e.g. cannot be read by the reader 105). In contrast, the
unique identifier is able to be read by a reader 105 and/or
otherwise transmitted from the tag 103 to one or more of the
devices 104 when requested by the devices 104. The private key is
an encryption key that is associated with a corresponding public
key. In other words, the public key and private keys are related
such that data encrypted with the public key are only able to be
decrypted using the private key and digital signatures generated by
the private key are only able to be validated using the public key.
As a result, as described in detail below, the private key of each
of the tags 103 is able to be used to authenticate the item 102 to
which the tag 103 is coupled. Specifically, the circuit 206 is able
to digitally sign a challenge message received from a device 104
(via the reader 105) using the private key and transmit the digital
signature back to the device 104 for authentication of the item
102. Alternatively, the circuit 206 is able to perform other
authentication processes on the challenge message using the private
key in response to a challenge message from a device 104.
[0026] The unique identifier is able to be the public key
(associated with the private key stored on the tag 103), a hash of
the public key, a universally unique identifier (UUID) or other
unique identifier. Additionally, in some embodiments, the circuit
206 is able to store data related to the item 102 to which the tag
103 is attached (e.g. text, photos, video and/or audio describing
the item 102 and/or registrant). In such embodiments, when scanned
by the reader 105, the circuit 206 is able to send the item-related
data to the application on the device 104 which then automatically
presents the data to the user of the device 104.
[0027] The open registry 106 stores registry data and is able to be
a database, a blockchain, or a smart contract whose records are
open to the public (e.g. access to view records is not permission
based, but ownership/transfer protocol requirements for making
changes to database). For example, the registry 106 is able to be a
distributed database (e.g. across a plurality of computing devices
that each store copies of transactions in one or more linked
blocks) that maintains a continuously-growing list of data records
(e.g. descriptions of the items associated with the unique
identifiers, provenance or chain of ownership transactions
associated with pairs of public keys and unique identifiers)
hardened against tampering and revision. In some embodiments, the
registry 106 consists of data structure blocks which hold
exclusively data (e.g. public keys, ownership data, item
identification data) with each block holding batches of individual
transactions and the results of any blockchain executables.
Alternatively, the blocks are able to store both data and programs.
Each block of the blockchain contains a timestamp and information
linking it to a previous block thereby defining the chain and
maintaining a chronological order of each of the
records/transactions. Thus, the registry 106 provides the
advantages of, unlike private third party databases which are
controlled by the third party and often require permission for data
access, the data (e.g. chain of ownership information, other
information related to the item associated with the unique
identifier) of the open registry 106 is able to be self-controlled
(based on the transaction rules inherent to the database) and
publically accessible/viewable without any privileged permissions
required. Alternatively, the open registry 106 is able to be a
non-blockchain database.
[0028] The registry data is able to comprise pairs of public keys
and item unique identifiers uploaded by registrants or other owners
of keys/items. The registrants are able to be manufacturers,
authenticators, owners and/or other entities associated with the
item 102. The registry data is also able to comprise item
information such as network accessible locations (e.g. websites,
cloud servers) or links thereto. This item information is able to
be associated with one or more of the pairs and optionally made
accessible or not accessible to the public. Additionally, unlike
other databases, the registry 106 is able to enable the upload or
creation of new entries of pairs of item identifiers and public
keys (e.g. as registered by a registrant that just manufactured the
items 102 associated with the identifiers) without also associating
data with the pairs that identifies the source of the pairs. In
other words, if desired, the registry 106 protects registrants from
competitors being able to access the registry 106 and determine the
quantity of a new product/item rollout or release based on the
number of pairs by shielding the source of the pairs from public
view. In some embodiments, the shielding is in the form of
preventing public access to associated source data. Alternatively,
the shielding is able to be in the form of enabling the
registration of new pairs without any source information such that
even if all the data was publicly accessible the registry 106 does
not include any source information (that is associated with the
pairs) to be accessed. Alternatively, the registry 106 is provides
the registrants the option to include the source information such
that the source information is publically associated with the new
pairs.
[0029] Also, as described above, the item information data uploaded
by a registrant onto the registry 106 along with the pairs is able
to comprise one or more links to or addresses of network accessible
locations (e.g. uniform resource identifiers), wherein the
locations (e.g. a cloud, website) include information about the
items. In such embodiments, when one of the devices 104 scan/read
one or more of the tags 103 on one or more of the items 102, the
application 107 on the device 104 is able to communicate the public
key and/or the unique identifier of the scanned tags 103 to the
registry 106 in order to retrieve the associated network accessible
location(s). In some embodiments, this access is a part of a proof
of proximity process as described below. As a result, the
registrants are able to limit access to the locations unless a
device 104 is able to prove that it is in proximity to the item 102
as well as help provide the source shielding described above.
Alternatively or in addition, the item information and associated
public keys and/or unique identifiers are uploaded to the servers
108 and/or devices 104 during a registration process as described
in detail below.
[0030] The application 107 is able to comprise an authentication
module, a proximity module and a description module, wherein the
application 107 and the modules use the application database to
store, maintain and access data necessary for the operation of the
application 107. The authentication module is able to automatically
perform the authentication process described below when a device
104 reads one of the tags 103 coupled to an item 102. Similarly,
the description module is able to provide an item description on
the device 104 also upon reading one of the tags 103. In
particular, the description module is able to access the item
information stored on the device 104 and/or the servers 108 as
described above.
[0031] Additionally, in some embodiments the application is able to
comprise a login and registration module and a payment module,
wherein the application user interface is configured to enable
users to utilize the application modules. The login and
registration module enables a user to create a user profile/account
by inputting username and password information via the graphical
user interface that is then associated with the account such that
the information is able to be used to identify the user when
logging onto the application. Alternatively, the login information
is able to be omitted and a user is able to use the application
without creating a user account or logging in. After a user account
is created, the user is able to access the account by entering the
username and password in order to identify themselves to the
application. In some embodiments, during the creation of the
account or subsequently, additional information is able to be
stored and associated with the account such as, but not limited to,
contact information (e.g. phone number, email, address), submitted
content (e.g. item images, descriptions), account
privileges/subscription information (e.g. unlocked application
features), friends or other trusted accounts on the system and
payment information. In some embodiments, the additional
information is submitted by a user upon logging into the account.
Alternatively, some or all of the additional information is able to
be applied to the account automatically by the application based on
interactions by the user with the application.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates an item authentication method using the
system 100 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the
circuit 206 of the tag 103 on an item 102 wirelessly broadcasts the
unique identifier stored on the tag 103 over the air at the step
302. Alternatively, the circuit 206 is able to only broadcast after
being interrogated by a reader (e.g. the application 107 of a
device 104). The application 107 of a device 104 in proximity of
the tag 103 discovers the tag 103 and the unique identifier of the
tag 103 at the step 304. In some embodiments, the application 107
provides an authentication option of the authentication module to a
user on the device 104 and automatically/continuously monitors for
tags 103 (and/or the associated identifiers) to discover when the
authentication option is selected. Alternatively, the application
107 is able to automatically monitor for tags 103 (and/or
identifiers) and displays the authentication option of the
authentication module on the device 104 when a tag 103 (and/or
identifier) is discovered. In such embodiments, the application 107
is able to await selection of the authentication option before
proceeding with the remainder of the method steps. After receiving
the unique identifier, the application 107 on the device 103
transmits the unique identifier to the open registry 106 over the
network 110 at the step 306. Upon receiving the unique identifier,
the open registry 106 retrieves the stored public key paired to the
unique identifier that matches the received unique identifier and
transmits the public key to the device 104 over the network 110 at
the step 308. Additionally, in some embodiments the registry 106 is
able to transmit the chain of ownership or other item related data
(e.g. the current owner) associated with the unique identifier to
the device 104. If no pairs match the received unique identifier,
the authentication fails and the registry 106 instead sends a
failure message to the device 104 which then indicates the failure
on the device 104 to the user via the application 107.
[0033] After or concurrently with steps 306 and 306, the
application 107 on the device 104 generates and transmits a
challenge message (e.g. a random data set, a data set received from
the registry 106) to the tag 103 at the step 310. Upon receiving
the challenge message, the circuit 206 of the tag 103 digitally
signs the challenge message using the private key stored on the tag
103 and transmits the signed challenge (e.g. the digital signature
and the challenge message) to the device 104 via the reader 105 at
the step 312. In some embodiments, the digital signature is a hash
of the challenge message using the private key. Alternatively, the
digital signature is able to be other modulations of and/or
operations performed on the message using the private key.
[0034] The application 107 determines if the message of the signed
challenge matches the original challenge message at the step 314.
If the messages do not match, the authentication fails and the
application 107 indicates the failure to a user on the device 104.
If the messages match, the application 107 determines if the
digital signature from the tag 103 is valid using the public key
received from the registry 106 at the step 316. In some
embodiments, determining if the digital signature if valid
comprises generating a public signature using the public key and
the challenge message and determining if it matches or corresponds
to the digital signature.
[0035] Alternatively, other signature validation methods are able
to be used based on the public key and the challenge message.
Alternatively, the open registry 106 is able to perform some or all
of the signature validation. Specifically, the open registry 106 is
able to receive the challenge message from the device 104 and
generate and send to a public signature based on the public key and
the challenge message to the application 107. In such embodiments,
the application 107 only needs to determine if the public signature
matches or corresponds to the digital signature from the tag 103 in
order to determine if the digital signature if valid.
Alternatively, the application 107 is able to further forward the
signed message (e.g. the digital signature and the challenge
message) received from the tag 103 to the registry 106 such that
all the validation is performed by the registry 106 which then
indicates to the device 104 whether the authentication was a
success.
[0036] If the digital signature is not verified or validated using
the public key, the authentication fails and the application 107
indicates the failure to a user on the device 104. If the digital
signature is verified/validated, the authentication succeeds and
the application 107 indicates the success to the user on the device
104 at the step 318. As a result, the method provides the advantage
of enabling a user to authenticate that the item 102 is genuine
and/or the current owner of the item 102. In some embodiments,
indicating the success to the user on the device 104 comprises
presenting the chain of ownership information and/or the item
information (e.g. stored on the device 104, the servers 108 or
both) corresponding to the item 102 to the user on the device 104
using the description module. In such embodiments, the presenting
of the item information is able to comprise the automatic
navigation to a network accessible address of the item information
(e.g. via the application 107 or a web browser) and/or the
presentation of a link to the network accessible address to a user.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining proof
of ownership data from a user and authenticating the proof of
ownership data based on the records and/or protocols of the
registry 106 in order to authenticate the ownership. In such
embodiments, the application 107 is able to indicate successful
authentication of ownership to the user on the device 104. In some
embodiments, the authentication method is used by IOT devices and
autonomous machines to recognize objects and execute their
programmed behavior accordingly. In some embodiments, the
authentication method is used by IOT devices and autonomous
machines to recognize other IOT devices and machines and engage
them accordingly to their programs, including performing a task and
establishing a connection/communication.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a method of presenting item information
according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit 206
of the tag 103 on an item 102 wirelessly broadcasts the unique
identifier stored on the tag 103 over the air at the step 402.
Alternatively, the circuit 206 is able to only broadcast after
being interrogated by a reader (e.g. the application 107 of a
device 104). The application 107 of a device 104 in proximity of
the tag 103 discovers the tag 103 and the unique identifier of the
tag 103 at the step 404. In some embodiments, the application 107
provides an authentication option of the authentication module to a
user on the device 104 and automatically/continuously monitors for
tags 103 (and/or the associated identifiers) to discover when the
authentication option is selected. Alternatively, the application
107 is able to automatically monitor for tags 103 (and/or
identifiers) and displays the authentication option of the
authentication module on the device 104 when a tag 103 (and/or
identifier) is discovered. In such embodiments, the application 107
is able to await selection of the authentication option before
proceeding with the remainder of the method steps. After receiving
the unique identifier, the application 107 on the device 103
accesses the item information (on the device 104 and/or the servers
108) and/or chain of ownership information associated with the
received unique identifier and presents the chain of ownership
information and/or the item information to the user on the device
104 using the description module at the step 406. In some
embodiments, the presenting of the item information is able to
comprise the automatic navigation to a network accessible address
of the item information (e.g. via the application 107 or a web
browser) and/or the presentation of a link to the network
accessible address to a user on the device 104. Alternatively or in
addition, the presenting of the item information is able to
comprise accessing the item information associated with the unique
identifier on the servers 108, locally on the device 104 and/or on
the open registry 106 over the network 110. As a result, the method
provides the advantage of enabling a user to quickly find
authenticated information about an item and/or be forwarded to a
location (e.g. website) with information about the item.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of registering items 102 on the
registry 106 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, a
registrant uploads one or more pairs of public keys and item unique
identifiers to the open registry 106 over the network 110 at the
step 502. The public keys correspond to the private keys stored in
the tags 103 along with the item unique identifiers to which the
public keys are paired. The registry 106 provides the registrant
with an option to make the source (e.g. the registrant or owner) of
the pairs private or publically accessible at the step 504. If the
private option is selected, the registry 106 does not store any
information associated with the pairs indicating the source of the
pairs at the step 506. If the public option is selected,
information indicating the source of the pairs is stored along with
the data associated with the pairs (e.g. optional chain of
ownership data, other item information data) at the step 508.
[0039] The registry 106 enables the registrant to associate a
network accessible location (e.g. cloud server, website) with one
or more of the pairs at the step 510. In some embodiments, the
network accessible location requires proof of proximity, as
described below, before enabling access to digital content and/or
executing services or programs related to the pairs provided by the
network accessible location. Thus, the registration method provides
the advantage of enabling owners or registrants to remain anonymous
if desired and/or to restrict access to a network accessible
location associated with the items 102 (associated with the
uploaded pairs) unless a proof of proximity or authentication
process is completed. Thus, the method enables the registrants to
protect themselves from competitive product size release
determination while still utilizing an open registry 106.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a proof of proximity method according to
some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit 206 of the tag
103 on an item 102 wirelessly broadcasts the unique identifier
stored on the tag 103 over the air at the step 602. Alternatively,
the circuit 206 is able to only broadcast after being interrogated
by a reader (e.g. the application 107 of a device 104). The
application 107 of a device 104 in proximity of the tag 103
discovers the tag 103 and the unique identifier of the tag 103 at
the step 604. In some embodiments, the application 107 provides a
proof of proximity option of the proof of proximity module to a
user on the device 104 and automatically/continuously monitors for
tags 103 (and/or the associated identifiers) to discover when the
proof of proximity option is selected. Alternatively, the
application 107 is able to automatically monitor for tags 103
(and/or identifiers) and displays the proof of proximity option of
the proof of proximity module on the device 104 when a tag 103
(and/or identifier) is discovered. In such embodiments, the
application 107 is able to await selection of the proof of
proximity option before proceeding with the remainder of the method
steps. In some embodiments, the proof of proximity and
authentication options are able to be presented simultaneously
and/or concurrently by the application 107 such that a user is able
to select whether they want to perform an authentication method,
proximity method, or both on the discovered tag 103.
[0041] After receiving the unique identifier, the application 107
accesses the open registry 106 and uses the unique identifier to
retrieves the associated network accessible location stored on the
registry 106 at the step 606. Additionally, in some embodiments the
application 107 is able to concurrently access the other data (e.g.
chain of ownership and/or other item information data) associated
with the unique identifier on the registry 106. If no pairs match
the received unique identifier, the proof of proximity fails and
the device 104 indicates the failure on the device 104 to the user
via the application 107. Alternatively, if the network accessible
location and associated unique identifier is stored on the servers
108 and/or the device 104, the application 107 on the device 104 is
able to omit the communication with the registry 106 and instead
obtain the network accessible location associated with the unique
identifier locally or in the same manner from the servers 108.
[0042] The application 107 requests access to the network
accessible location and/or the services provided at the location at
the step 608. In some embodiments, the services comprise one or
more of digital content, raw data, execution of a program or other
services related to the unique identifier (and/or the item 102
coupled to the tag 103). The network accessible location (e.g.
cloud server, website server) generates and transmits a proximity
challenge message to the application 107 on the device 104 in
response to the access request at the step 610. In some
embodiments, the proximity challenge message is able to be similar
to the authentication challenge message described above. For
example, the proximity challenge message is able to be a random
string, the unique identifier or other data sets. Upon receiving
the proximity challenge message, application 107 on the device 104
forwards the message to the circuit 206 of the tag 103, which
digitally signs the challenge message using the private key stored
on the tag 103 at the step 612. The circuit 206 then transmits the
signed proximity challenge (e.g. the digital signature and the
challenge message) to the device 104 via the reader 105 which then
forwards it to the network accessible location via the network 110
at the step 614. In some embodiments, the digital signature is a
hash of the challenge message using the private key. Alternatively,
the digital signature is able to be other modulations of or
operation on the message using the private key.
[0043] The network accessible location determines if the signed
proximity challenge message is valid using the public key at the
step 618. In some embodiments, the network accessible location
locally stores a copy of the public key paired with the unique
identifier. Alternatively, the location is able to request/receive
the public key from the registry 106, the servers 108, the device
104 or a combination thereof The verification of the signed
challenge is able to be performed in the same manner as the
verification of the signed authentication message described above
in the item authentication method. Specifically, the network
accessible location is able to determine validity if both the
signed challenge matches the original proximity challenge message
and the submitted signature validates against the public key
associated with the private key of the tag 103. If the verification
fails (e.g. due to the messages not matching and/or due to the
signature being incorrect), the proof of proximity fails and the
location sends a failure message to the application 107 which
indicates the failure to a user on the device 104 at the step 618.
If the digital signature is verified/validated, the proof of
proximity succeeds such that the location provides the
device/application 104/107 access to the services provided by the
location at the step 620. The application 107 is then able to
provide the user with access to the services via the device 104. As
a result, the method provides the advantage of enabling registrants
to require a proof of proximity before providing access to item
related information and/or features from a network accessible
location. Indeed, this also serves to help ensure the anonymity of
the registry 106 as the item related information (which likely
indicates the source/registrant of the item 102) is able to be
separate from the data on the open registry 106 (such that it is
shielded from the public).
[0044] In some embodiments, the network accessible location is able
to restrict access based on the proof of proximity method combined
with other protocols (e.g. developer tokens, user authentication)
such that both must be satisfied for access to be granted. In some
embodiments, the network accessible location is a smart contract
operating on a blockchain database (e.g. the registry 106). In some
embodiments, the providing access to the content/features of the
location is able to comprise the automatic navigation to the
network accessible address by the device 104 (e.g. via the
application 107 or a web browser) and/or the presentation of a link
to the network accessible address on the device/application 104/107
to a user. In some embodiments, the application 107 on the device
104 and/or the servers 108 are able to perform the verification of
the signed proximity challenge message. In such embodiments, if
performed on the device 104 the signed message does not need to be
forwarded and instead the public key is requested/received from the
registry 106 and/or the network accessible location to perform the
verification. Similarly, if performed by the servers 108 (e.g. by
the agent/application 107 on the servers 108), the signed message
is forwarded to the servers 108 which either currently store or
request/receive the public key from the registry 106 and/or the
network accessible location to perform the verification. The
network accessible location described herein is able to refer to
the address itself and/or the computers/servers operating the
website and/or other services provided at the network accessible
location.
[0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing
device 700 configured to implement the system 100 according to some
embodiments. In addition to the features described above, the
computing devices 104 and/or servers 108 are able to be
substantially similar to the device 700. In general, a hardware
structure suitable for implementing the computing device 700
includes a network interface 702, a memory 704, a processor 706,
I/O device(s) 708 (e.g. reader 105), a bus 710 and a storage device
712. Alternatively, one or more of the illustrated components are
able to be removed or substituted for other components well known
in the art. The choice of processor is not critical as long as a
suitable processor with sufficient speed is chosen. The memory 704
is able to be any conventional computer memory known in the art.
The storage device 712 is able to include a hard drive, CDROM,
CDRW, DVD, DVDRW, flash memory card or any other storage device.
The computing device 700 is able to include one or more network
interfaces 702. An example of a network interface includes a
network card connected to an Ethernet or other type of LAN. The I/O
device(s) 708 are able to include one or more of the following:
keyboard, mouse, monitor, display, printer, modem, touchscreen,
button interface and other devices. Authentication system
application 107 or module(s) thereof are likely to be stored in the
storage device 712 and memory 704 and processed as applications are
typically processed. More or fewer components shown in FIG. 7 are
able to be included in the computing device 700. In some
embodiments, authentication system hardware 720 is included.
Although the computing device 700 in FIG. 7 includes applications
730 and hardware 720 for the authentication system, the
authentication system is able to be implemented on a computing
device in hardware, firmware, software or any combination
thereof.
[0046] The present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the
understanding of principles of construction and operation of the
invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and
details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims
appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment
chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the claims.
* * * * *