Patent ID: 8660914
Filing Date: 2014-02-25
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A control apparatus for use in enabling verification by entities on a path across a supply network of an item identification means traversing said path, the network comprising: at least one supplier entity operable to introduce into the network an item identification means having stored therein an item identifier and a digital signature associated with said supplier entity, and to forward said item identification means along a path across said network; at least one intermediate entity operable to receive said item identification means from said at least one supplier entity or from another intermediate entity in said network and forward said item identification means along said path; and at least one receiver entity operable to receive said item identification means from an intermediate entity in said network; the control apparatus comprising: a processor configured to operate a path generator and a translation key provider, wherein: the path generator is configured to determine path data in respect of an item identification means, said path data relating to at least one path across the network deemed to be a valid path, each said valid path being a path by which said item identification means is permitted to traverse the network from a supplier entity to a receiver entity via one or more intermediate entities each of which is deemed to be authorized to forward the item identification means to or receive the item identification means from another entity on said valid path, said path data comprising: data in respect of said at least one intermediate entity indicative of one or more entities upstream thereof from which said item identification means is permitted to be received when traversing the network along one said valid path; and data in respect of said at least one receiver entity indicative of one or more entities upstream thereof from which said item identification means may is permitted to be received when traversing the network along one said valid path; and the translation key provider is responsive to said path generator and is configured to provide for said at least one intermediate entity a translation key, said translation key being determined in dependence on the path data determined by said path generator in respect of said item identification means and being structured to enable translation by said intermediate entity of a digital signature associated with an upstream entity into a new digital signature associated with said intermediate entity and to enable said digital signature associated with said upstream entity to be replaced by said new digital signature associated with said intermediate entity the event that: said intermediate entity receives an item identification means having stored therein said digital signature associated with said upstream entity; said upstream entity and said intermediate entity are both entities on one said valid path; and said upstream entity is authorized to forward the item identification means to said intermediate entity on that valid path.