Title of Invention

A SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING PRODUCTS

Abstract

An authentication system for authenticating products at point-of-release, the system including housing the products in respective containers having respective unique product identifiers, e.g., numbers or codes, storing in an authentication database data relating to the product identifiers, reading at a trusted location terminal the data from one of the product identifiers, communicating at least some of the data read from the product identifier to the authentication database and comparing data of the product identifier with data of the authentication database so as to authenticate the corresponding product.

Full Text

AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM The present invention relates to an authentication system, in particular where products can be authenticated at their point-of-release, for instance, to a consumer or end user. For a patient, point-of-release could be dispensing by a pharmacist or other healthcare professional. In a number of industries, particularly the pharmaceutical industry, problems result from products being sold or dispensed which are counterfeit, have been fraudulently obtained or are merely faulty or out of date. Previously, industries have dealt with this problem by providing clearly marked packaging and controlling tightly the chains of distribution. More recently, supply chain industries have considered the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product codes (EPC) for a replacement for standard bar codes. While standard bar codes, EPCs and/or RFID can include information that can be machine-read, for purposes of tracking, etc., the information used therein is not necessarily unique for the product. For example, a bar code carries general information about the product and/or the manufacturer, etc., but the same bar code with identical information is affixed or otherwise provided to multiple containers for the same type of product. Moreover, the information contained in RFID and/or EPC may not necessarily be unique to the product. See, generally, "RFID Changes Everything," E-Business Ecosystems, September 19, 2002. However, problems still arise and the present application recognises for the first time the possibility of implementing a system which provides authentication of individual products. These products may be packaged individually or together in packs and authentication can then be provided for each product separately, for instance, 841306 each tablet, vial, blister strip, etc. In this specification, "authentication" can be used to refer to products which may be subject to, e.g., recall, theft and/or expiration, etc. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of authenticating products at a trusted location including: housing the products in respective containers having respective unique product identifiers associated with data identifying the respective housed products; storing in an authentication database data relating to the products; reading at a trusted location terminal the data from one of the product identifiers; communicating at least some of the data of the product identifier to the authentication database; comparing data of the product identifier with data of the authentication database so as to produce an authentication result; and communicating the authentication result from the authentication database to the trusted location terminal. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an authentication system for authenticating products at a trusted location, the 841306 products being held in respective containers, each container including a respective unique product identifier, the system including: at least one terminal located at a trusted location of the product and for reading data from the respective product identifier; an authentication database to store data relating to the product identifier and the respective products; and a communication channel by which data read by the at least one terminal can be compared with data stored in the authentication database so as to authenticate the corresponding product. In this way, before a particular product, such as a pharmaceutical, is sold or dispensed, it is possible to authenticate that product. The trusted location will often be the point-of-release where the product is sold or dispensed. However, it could also be the point-of-receipt, for instance a trusted consumer or a retailer who will then sell or dispense the product. The product identifier can include merely data uniquely identifying the individual product, with data about the product identifier being stored in the authentication database. However, the container can be provided with data about the product itself. The product identifier can be incorporated into the container for example by embedding an identification device (carrying the product identifier) into a carton or foil blister pack or adhesion of the device or a label (such as bar code) to cartons, bottle labels or caps. The appropriate comparison of data can take place either at the authentication database or at the terminal. 841306 In this way, the system can determine whether or not the product is a genuine product or is a counterfeit. Similarly, if the product is out of date, faulty, intended for a different market or subject to recall, this can also be identified. As a result, if the product is not correctly authenticated, the sale or dispensing of the product can be inhibited. Accordingly, it is possible to provide increased availability of products at points-of-dispensing/sale for the pharmaceutical industry, it is also possible to guarantee patients' safety with regard to counterfeit drugs and dispensing errors. Similarly, additional checks can be made at point-of-receipt. Because details of dispensing/sale of products can be provided back to the authentication database, it is also possible to achieve improved distribution control and management information. In particular, it is possible to provide improved forecasting (profit projection and stock control unit demand), reduced inventory along the distribution channel, more cost effective supply management and determining the length of time a product has been in the supply chain. As part of the system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a container for housing a product for distribution and release, the container including a unique product identifier associated with data relating to the housed product and providing said data for reading by an external device. In one embodiment, the product identifier may be in the form of a number, e.g., a randomly generated number, a code, e.g., one or more bar codes that 841306 can be read/scanned by a scanner or other reading device at the point-of-sale terminal. The product identifier, e.g., may take the form of an RFID, unique ink (e.g., having a unique frequency, e.g., UV), magnetics, etc. In another embodiment, the product identifier may be stored or otherwise available through a product identification device, e.g., one or more tagging devices including unique product identity codes that can be read/scanned by and/or input into the terminals. The container may include additional identification devices and/or bar-codes, in which event the terminals can read/scan both the identification devices/bar-codes and the product identifiers. Thus, preferably, besides the unique product identifier, the terminals are also capable of reading standard prior art bar codes on the container which convey general information about the product and/or manufacture, but are not unique to the specific product. Information from the product identifier, e.g., a number, bar-code, etc., can be provided via the communication channel to enable manufacturers, suppliers and the like to be informed automatically of the particular product for which authentication was not possible. This relieves the operator of the point-of-release, for instance a pharmacist, of the responsibility of informing the supplier. It will be appreciated that even counterfeit products are often provided with bar-codes and these codes will identify the type of product. In this way, the product can be identified for authentication as part of the system. 841306 The product identifier and/or identification device, etc. can be incorporated into the container for example by embedding it in a carton or foil blister pack or adhesion to cartons, bottle labels or caps. Preferably the container is arranged to be opened in a predetermined manner and the product identifier and/or identification device, etc. is arranged to indicate that the container has been opened. This prevents any tampering with the product, thereby further enhancing the authentication process. The container, e.g., by way of the identification device, may be provided with some form of sensor for detecting and recording that the container has been opened. However, preferably, the product identifier or identification device, etc. is formed in or on the container such that opening the container at least partly destroys such. Partly destroying the product identifier or identification device, etc., can be arranged to provide a signal that the container has been opened. Alternatively, the product identifier or identification device can be rendered completely inoperable such that the external reading device cannot detect the product identifier or identification device and, hence, cannot authenticate the housed product. In some embodiments, a partly destroyed product identifier or identification device could be reactivated by the manufacturer for investigation purposes. Preferably, the product identifier includes data indicating a unique product identity code but no other information about the product. Optionally the 841306 identification device or label/bar code in which the product identifier is provided can additionally include one or more of the following types of exemplary information: the nature or type of product housed in the container; the date of manufacture of the product; the name of the manufacturer; the place of manufacture of the product; the date of housing the product in the container; the sell-by date; the use-by date; and special instructions, e.g. contra-indications or warnings. Of course, the identification device could include other information. This information can be used to determine whether or not the product is suitable for sale or dispensing, preferably in conjunction with information provided by the authentication database. Alternatively or additionally, such data may be stored in the authentication database and accessed by reference to data associated with the product identifier and/or identification device identifying the corresponding respective product. Optionally, the container, e.g., by way of the identification device, includes at least one sensor for environmental conditions including one or more of temperature and humidity and stores data from which it can be determined if CLAIMS 1. An authentication system for authenticating products at point-of- release, the products being housed in respective containers, each container including at least one unique product identifier, the system including: at least one terminal located at a point-of-release of the product and for reading the product identifier; an authentication database for storing data relating to the product identifier and the respective products; and a communication channel by which data read by the at least one terminal can be compared with data stored in the authentication database so as to authenticate the corresponding product. 2. An authentication system according to claim 1, further including a plurality of containers, each housing a respective product and each including a respective product identifier. 3. An authentication system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the product identifier is selected from the group consisting of a machine-readable bar code and a number respectively. 4. An authentication system as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the product identifier is stored on an identification device provided to the container. 5. A container for housing a product for distribution and release, the container including at least one unique product identifier having or conveying data identifying the housed product and providing said data for reading by an external device. 6. A container according to claim 5, wherein: the container is arranged to be opened in a predetermined manner and the product identifier is arranged to indicate that the container has been opened. 7. A container according to claim 6, wherein: the product identifier is formed in or on the container such that opening the container at least partly destroys the product identifier. 8. A container according to any one of claims 5-7, including: additional data indicating one or more of: the nature or type of product housed in the container; the date of manufacture of the product; the name of the manufacturer; the place of manufacture of the product; the date of housing the product in the container; the sell-by date; the use-by date; and specials instructions. 9. A container according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising at least one sensor for environmental conditions including one or more of temperature and humidity and stores data from which it can be determined if the product has been subjected to environmental conditions beyond a predetermined limit. 1U. A container accoramg to any one or Claims D to ?, wnerem ine proaucr identifier is selected from the group consisting of a number, preferably a randomly generated number, and a machine-readable code, preferably a bar code. 11. A container according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the product identifier is stored or otherwise accessible via an identification device provided to the container. 12. A container according to claim 11, wherein the identification device is a tagging device. 13. A terminal for use at a point-of-release of products held in respective containers, each container including at least one respective unique product identifier, the terminal including: a reader for reading data from the product identifier; a communication port for communicating at least some of said data to a remote authentication database and for receiving data from the authentication database; and a controller for providing authentication of a product on the basis of the data received from the authentication database. 14. A terminal according to claim 13, wherein: the terminal is arranged to conduct transactions relating to release of said products and the controller inhibits such transactions without said authentication. 15. A terminal according to claim 13 or 14, further including a user interface. 16. A terminal according to claim 15, wherein: the controller indicates authentication of a product with the user interface. 17. A terminal according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: the nature or type of the product is confirmed on the user interface on the basis of data received from the authentication database. 18. A terminal according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the reader is a bar code reader and the product identifier is a bar code. 19. An authentication database for authenticating products housed in respective containers, each container including a respective unique product identifier, the database including: a communication port for receiving from a remote terminal data relating to the product identifier of a corresponding product and for communicating to the terminal data for authenticating the product; and a memory for storing for each product data relating to the respective product identifier and optionally for indicating one or more of: the nature or type of product housed in the container; the date of manufacture of the product; the name of the manufacturer; the place of manufacture of the product; the date of housing the product in the container; the sell-by date; the use-by date; special instructions; and data regarding unauthorized terminals. 20. A method of authenticating products at trusted location, said products having been previously housed in respective containers having respective unique product identifiers and data relating to the unique identifiers having been previously stored in an authentication database data relating to the products, said method comprising: reading at a trusted location terminal the data from one of the product identifiers; communicating at least some of the data read from the product identifier to the authentication database; comparing data of the product identifier with data of the authentication database so as to produce an authentication result; and communicating the authentication result from the authentication database to the trusted location terminal. 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the product identifier is at least one of a number, for example, a randomly generated number, and a machine-readable code, for example, a bar code. 22 A method according to claim 20 or 21 further comprising: communicating to the authenticating database data identifying the trusted location terminal and optionally the date and time; and comparing the data identifying the trusted location terminal with data regarding unauthorized terminals as part of producing the authentication result. 23. A recording medium on which is recorded a control program for controlling a data processor used in conjunction with a product authentication system, the recording medium including machine-readable instructions for causing the data processor to: read at or input into a trusted location terminal data from a unique product identifier; communicate at least some of the data read from the product identifier to an authentication database; compare data of the product identifier with data of the authentication database so as to provide an authentication result; and communicate the authentication result from the authentication database to the trusted location terminal 24. A recording medium on which is recorded a control program for controlling a data processor used in conjunction with a trusted location terminal of an authentication system, the recording medium including machine-readable instructions for causing the data processor to: read, receive or scan data from a unique product identifier provided on a product container; communicate at least some data from the product identifier to a remote authentication database; and provide authentication of a product on the basis of a comparison of data from the authentication database and data from the product identifier. 25. A recording medium on which is recorded a control program for controlling a data processor used in conjunction with an authentication database of an authentication system, the recording medium including machine-readable instructions for causing the data processor to: receive from a remote terminal data relating to a unique product identifier provided on a container for a product; and store for each product data relating to the product identifier for later retrieval in conjunction with product authentication. 26. A recording medium according to any one of claims23-25, wherein the product identifier comprises at least one of a number, which is preferably randomly generated at the time the product is placed in the container, and a machine-readable code, such as a bar code, 27. A recording medium according to any one of claims23-26, wherein the authentication system includes access to third party data which can be considered as part of the authentication process. 28. A method of authenticating a product comprising: providing at least one unique product identifier to a container of the product; and storing the product identifier in an authentication database so that an authentication result can be provided to a remote trusted location terminal. 29. A method of authenticating a product according to claim28, further comprising providing supplemental information to the authentication database after the container with product has been shipped, said supplemental information being provided as part of the authentication result. 30. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims 28 to 29, further comprising providing third party information to the authentication database, as part of the authentication result. 31. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein the product identifier has no value without access to the authentication database. 32. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the product identifier may not be soft programmed. 33. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein the product identifier includes a unique number and/or code. 34. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims28-33, wherein, upon dispensing, the authentication database communicates with one or more parties within the supply chain to arrange for billing and/or replenishment of the product. 35. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims 28-34, wherein the product identifier includes only security information without information about the product. 36. A method of authenticating a product according to any one of claims 28-35, further comprising providing a product information tag or label on the

Documents:

2910-chenp-2005 abstract-duplicate.pdf

2910-chenp-2005 claims-duplicate.pdf

2910-chenp-2005 description(complete)-duplicate.pdf

2910-chenp-2005 drawings-duplicate.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-abstract.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-claims.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-correspondnece-others.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-correspondnece-po.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-description(complete).pdf

2910-chenp-2005-drawings.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-form 1.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-form 18.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-form 3.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-form 5.pdf

2910-chenp-2005-pct.pdf