Patent Application
20230141976
The present disclosure relates to a system and method to detect counterfeit products.
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
In today’s time, in order to verify whether a product is fake or genuine, many techniques are available. The most common techniques rely on the use of Radio Frequency tags and QR codes at manufacturing or shipping stages. Even though the existing products are provided with anti-counterfeit tags, it is not uncommon for counterfeit goods to enter into high-end retail stores.
Further, repeated scanning of QR codes by the same device for the same unique ID does not help in concluding if a product is a genuine or a fake product. The product’s batch number also does not help in concluding if it’s a genuine or a counterfeit product. Thus, the existing anti-counterfeiting ways are not sufficient in preventing counterfeit products from entering the market.
In addition to this, in the existing anti-counterfeiting measures, there is no consideration of the location and the unique ID of the device from which a product’s QR code is scanned. This makes it easy for the counterfeiters to circulate fake products in the market and the consumer is easily fooled in buying these fake products. Hence, company faces the risk of losing customers and its reputation.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that takes into consideration additional scanning information such as location of scan and frequency of scan, to detect counterfeit products and alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system to detect counterfeit products.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that considers information related to the scanning of visual codes, such as scanning location, frequency of scanning, and ID of device from which the code is scanned, to detect counterfeit products.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that effectively detects counterfeit products and is easy to implement.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a self-correcting system for detecting counterfeit products that improves its accuracy by learning from feedback data.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure envisages a system to detect counterfeit products.
The system comprises a first scanner, an application loaded in a user device and a server.
The first scanner is installed on a production line and is configured to scan images of visual codes printed on products manufactured and packaged on the production line, and is further configured to assign product details to the visual code of each of the products. The product details include, but are not limited to, batch number, manufacturing date, and expiry date.
In an embodiment, the first scanner includes a video capturing device and an assignment module. The video capturing device is configured to scan the images of the visual codes printed on the products. The assignment module is configured to cooperate with the server to assign the product details to the visual codes.
The application loaded in a user device is configured to facilitate a user associated with the user device to scan the visual code, and is further configured to re-direct the user to an encoded URL to view the product details. The application is configured to capture and transmit a browser ID and location data of the user device. The application is further configured to facilitate the user to provide at least one input corresponding to a set of pre-defined questions to ascertain whether or not the product is authentic.
In an embodiment, the application includes a second scanner and a graphical interface. The second scanner is configured to scan the visual code on the product and capture device ID and the location data of the user device, and is further configured to re-direct the user to the encoded URL that opens in a browser where the user can view the product details. The second scanner is further configured to capture and transmit the browser ID and the location data to the server. The graphical interface is configured to facilitate the user to provide the inputs corresponding to the set of pre-defined questions to ascertain whether or not the product is authentic.
The server is configured to store the product details and cooperate with the first scanner to facilitate assignment of the product details to the visual codes. The server is configured to cooperate with the user device to receive and store the browser ID and location data associated with the scanning of the visual codes on the products and the user inputs. The server is further configured to derive a plurality of scanning indices associated with each of the products based on the received browser ID and location data and identify whether or not the products are counterfeit, based on the scanning indices and the user inputs.
In an embodiment, the server comprises a computation unit, a repository and a verification module.
The computation unit is configured to receive browser IDs and location data associated with user devices scanning the visual codes of each of the products, and is further configured to derive the scanning indices based on the received browser IDs and location data.
The repository is configured to cooperate with the computation unit and store:
The verification module is configured to cooperate with the repository and the user device to identify whether or not the product is counterfeit, based on the scanning indices and the inputs.
In an embodiment, the scanning indices include:
Accordingly, the pre-determined thresholds include:
The verification module includes a first comparator, a second comparator, a third comparator, a query generator and an analyser.
The first comparator is configured to compare the Nd with the X, and is further configured to generate a first fake signal if the Nd is less than or equal to the X, or else generate a positive signal.
The second comparator is configured to cooperate with the first comparator to compare the NL with the Y upon receiving the positive signal. If NL is found to be less than Y, the second comparator is further configured to compare current location of the user device with its previous location stored in the repository to:
The third comparator (126) is configured to compare NL with Z, if NL is found to be less than Y and determine if NL is less than or equal to Z, the third comparator is further configured to:
The query generator is configured to receive the suspicion signal, and is further configured to generate and transmit the set of pre-defined questions to the user device to receive the inputs related to the product purchase.
The analyser is configured to analyse the inputs, and generate a third genuine signal if the product is found to be genuine based on the analysis, else generate a third fake signal.
The notification generator is configured to cooperate with the first comparator, the second comparator, the third comparator, and the analyzer to receive one of the first, second, and third fake signals and the first, second, and third genuine signals, the notification generator is further configured to generate and transmit:
The first and second messages are received and displayed on the user device.
The server includes a learning module configured to periodically determine the values of the pre-determined thresholds to accurately represent the product’s behavior by implementing machine learning techniques and update the values of the pre-determined thresholds in the repository.
The present disclosure envisages a method for detecting counterfeit products. The method comprises the following steps:
A system and method to detect counterfeit products of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
The present disclosure relates to a system and method to detect counterfeit products.
A preferred embodiment of a system (100) to detect counterfeit products, of the present disclosure is now being described in detail with reference to the
A company generates a series of visual codes for its products which are manufactured for sale. There can be many ways to print the generated visual codes on the outer surface of a product or its outer packaging.
The company can directly print the visual code using a digital printer installed on the production line after the product’s filling and packaging is done, or the company or its vendor can first print the visual code on the outer package (sleeves, carton, labels, etc.) using a digital printer. Either the company gives the series of unique IDs to its vendor, or the vendor can generate the IDs by any third-party system by themselves and then print them on the outer packaging by providing the outer packaging with a pre-printed visual code before the production, or the packaging of the product starts.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the first scanner (102) includes a video capturing device (104) and an assignment module (106).
The video capturing device (104) is configured to scan the images of the visual codes printed on the products. The assignment module (106) is configured to cooperate with the server (110) to assign the product details to the visual codes.
The application (132) loaded in a user device (114) is configured to facilitate a user associated with the user device (114) to scan the visual code, and is further configured to re-direct the user to an encoded URL to view the product details. The application (132) is configured to capture and transmit a browser ID and location data of the user device (114). The user device (114) is further configured to facilitate the user to provide at least one input corresponding to a set of pre-defined questions to ascertain whether or not the product is authentic.
In an embodiment, the application (132) includes a second scanner (116) and a graphical interface (118).
The second scanner (116) is configured to scan the visual code on the product and capture device ID and the location data of the user device (114), and is further configured to re-direct the user to the encoded URL that opens in a browser where the user can view the product details. The second scanner (116) is further configured to capture and transmit the browser ID and the location data to the server (110). The graphical interface (118) is configured to facilitate the user to provide the inputs corresponding to the set of pre-defined questions to ascertain whether or not the product is authentic.
In an embodiment, the frequency of scan and the time period between the scans are significant in order to detect counterfeit products.
In an embodiment, the user device (114) may be selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, a smart watch, a smartphone, a tracker, a laptop, a desktop, and a palmtop.
In another embodiment, if the visual code is scanned using the application (132), the system (100) captures other details of the user device (114) like device ID. In an embodiment, the visual code is scanned using any visual code scanner application available on any application on the user device (114). The visual code can also be scanned by an image capturing device.
The server (110) is configured to store the product details and cooperate with the first scanner (102) to facilitate assignment of the product details to the visual codes and activation of the visual codes. The server (110) is configured to cooperate with the user device (114) to receive and store the browser ID and location data associated with the scanning of the products and the user inputs. The server (110) is further configured to derive a scanning indices associated with each of the products based on the received browser ID and location data and identify whether or not the products are counterfeit, based on the scanning indices and the user inputs.
In an embodiment, the server (110) comprises a computation unit (134), a repository (108) and a verification module (120).
The computation unit (134) is configured to receive browser IDs and location data associated with user devices (114) scanning the visual codes of each of the products, and is further configured to derive the scanning indices based on the received browser IDs and location data.
The repository (108) is configured to cooperate with the computation unit (134) and store:
In an embodiment, the scanned visual codes are activated by the server (110)/auto-activated.
Once the visual code is activated and the products are in the market for sale, a customer can scan the unique ID/ visual code using a user device (114) (using any generic visual code scanner) and view the information that has been paired with that ID.
The verification module (120) is configured to cooperate with the repository (108) and the user device (114) to identify whether or not the product is counterfeit, based on the scanning indices and the inputs.
In an embodiment, the scanning indices include:
Accordingly, the pre-determined thresholds include:
In an embodiment, any one or a combination of all the indices may be employed to check authenticity. In another embodiment, the order in which the parameters are checked can be changed.
In an embodiment, the verification module (120) includes a first comparator (122), a second comparator (124), a third comparator (126), a query generator (128), an analyser (130) and a notification generator (136).
The first comparator (122) is configured to compare the Nd with the X, and is further configured to generate a first fake signal if the Nd is less than or equal to the X, or else generate a positive signal.
The second comparator (124) is configured to cooperate with the first comparator (122) to compare the NL with the Y upon receiving the positive signal. if NL is found to be less than Y, the second comparator (124) is further configured to compare current location of the user device (114) with its previous location stored in the repository (108) to:
The third comparator (126) is configured to compare NL with Z, if NL is found to be less than Y and determine if NL is less than or equal to Z, the third comparator further configured to:
The query generator (128) is configured to receive the suspicion signal, and is further configured to generate and transmit the set of pre-defined questions to the user device (114) to receive the inputs related to the product purchase.
The analyser (130) is configured to analyse the inputs, and generate a third genuine signal if the product is found to be genuine based on the analysis, else generate a third fake signal.
The notification generator (136) is configured to cooperate with the first comparator (122), the second comparator (124), the third comparator (126), and the analyzer (128) to receive one of the first, second, and third fake signals and the first, second, and third genuine signals. The notification generator (136) is further configured to generate and transmit:
The first and second messages are received and displayed on the user device (114).
The query generator (128) may, for example, generate questions to ascertain whether or not the user or someone known to the user has already made the purchase of the product. If the input provided by the user in response to this question is yes, the result is that the product is genuine. The next user scanning the same product ID from a different user device (114) will have a message displayed that the product has been already marked as sold and is not for sale or any other message which may be stored in the repository (108).
If the user’s answer is no, the result is that the product is counterfeit. The user may be provided additional details like shop name/picture of the product or any other message/questionnaire which may be stored in the repository (108). All subsequent scans of this visual code by any next user will be declared as a counterfeit.
In an embodiment, if the user clears the cache of the browser or deletes the user device’s (114) data, the system (100) may consider the user device (114) as a new user/device/browser.
The server (110) includes a learning module (138) configured to periodically determine the values of the pre-determined thresholds to accurately represent the product’s behavior by implementing machine learning techniques and update the values of the pre-determined thresholds in the repository (108).
Referring to
In an embodiment, X, Y, and Z can be different for different products and can be determined by using neural networks. With sufficient data and on the basis of consumer and auditors’ feedback, the values of X, Y and Z may be updated to accurately represent a products behavior. For example, certain products may be sold exclusively in modern trade and may have a higher value of X, when compared to a prescription drug. Values of X, Y and Z may be manually set initially and will vary by product. In future, Machine Learning may determine the optimal value of X, Y and Z based on data gathered.
The various components/modules of the server (110) and the application (132) are implemented using one or more processor(s).
The processor may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any device that manipulates signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor may be configured to fetch and execute the set of predetermined rules stored in the memory to control the operation of different modules/units of the system.
In an embodiment, each visual code is a URL with a unique ID extension like https://tru.sale/ab23ys628. The URL extension is the hashed value output of a serial number generated by the system (100).
The system (100) may store the browser ID and keep the count of different browser ID’s that may scan a product/ unique visual code in a retail store, the number of times a visual code is scanned, the location details of every location where the visual code is scanned (location is defined at the latitude/longitude of the user device (114) at the time of scanning), the number of locations where a visual code is scanned from, and the number of times a scan location is changed which is monitored by checking if the current scan location is same as the previous scan location. The radius of the current or previous location can be anywhere between few meters and few hundred kilometers depending on whether the user (previous or current) provides the location access or not (IP address will be taken as location if location access is not given) respectively. Current and previous scan locations will be compared on the basis of the location permission. All subsequent scan locations will be compared against this location on the basis of location accuracy. There will be distance threshold which will be used to determine if the scan is genuine or suspicious. Threshold value will separate as per the comparison of different types of locations. GPS location to GPS location, GPS location to IP-based location and IP-based location to IP-based location.
In an exemplary embodiment, the manufactured products in the production line are printed with the unique IDs on the outer packaging or on the product. The first scanner (102) installed on a production line scans images of visual codes printed on products manufactured and packaged on the production line and assigns product details, like batch number, manufacturing date, and expiry date to the visual code of each of the products. The visual codes are then activated by the server (110) or auto-activated.
The application (132) loaded in a user device (114) facilitates a user associated with the user device (114) to scan the printed visual codes, and re-directs the user to an encoded URL to view the product details. The application (132) captures and transmits a browser ID and location data of the user device (114) to a server (110) for verification of the product.
The server (110) stores the product details and facilitate assignment of the product details to the visual codes and activation of the visual codes, receives and stores the browser ID and location data associated with the user devices (114) scanning the products and the user inputs.
The application (132) facilitates the user to provide at least one input corresponding to a set of pre-defined questions to ascertain whether or not the product is authentic.
The server (110) derives scanning indices associated with each of the products based on the received browser ID and location data and identifies whether or not the products are counterfeit, based on the scanning indices and the user inputs.
The messages indicating the authenticity of the product are displayed on the user device (114).
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of, a system and method to detect counterfeit products that:
One of the objects of the Patent Law is to provide protection to new technologies in all fields and domain of technologies. The new technologies shall or may contribute to the country economy growth by way of involvement of new efficient and quality method or product manufacturing in India.
To provide the protection of new technologies by patenting the product or process will contribute significant for innovation development in the country. Further by granting patent the patentee can contribute to manufacturing the new product or new process of manufacturing by himself or by technology collaboration or through the licensing.
The applicant submits that the present disclosure will contribute to country economy, which is one of the purposes to enact the Patents Act, 1970. The product in accordance with present invention will be in great demand in country and worldwide due to novel technical features of a present invention is a technical advancement in detecting the counterfeit products. The technology in accordance with present disclosure will provide
The product will contribute new concept in counterfeit detection wherein the patented system and method will be used. The present disclosure will replace the whole concept of verifying the authenticity of products from decades. The product is developed in the national interest and will contribute to country economy.
The economy significance details requirement may be called during the examination. Only after filing of this Patent application, the applicant can work publicly related to present disclosure product/process/method. The applicant will disclose all the details related to the economic significance contribution after the protection of invention.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202021025053 | Jun 2020 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2021/054796 | 6/1/2021 | WO |
