Patent ID: 7309011
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: G06K,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying or authenticating a product comprising: providing an analog identification indicium comprising a pattern of identification features, wherein the visual appearance of the identification features is altered when stimulated by a compatible stimulus mechanism, the identification features corresponding to an item identifier that can be determined when the identification features are stimulated by a compatible stimulus mechanism; providing a digital identification record including an encoded digital version of the item identifier; providing at least one stimulus mechanism; providing a hardware compatibility flag on the product that indicates at least one compatible stimulus mechanism that alters the identification features on the product such that the item identifier can be determined; analyzing the hardware compatibility flag and determining if a compatible stimulus mechanism has been provided; if a compatible stimulus mechanism has been provided, activating the compatible stimulus mechanism to read the pattern of identification features of the analog identification indicium and decode an item identifier; reading the digital identification record and decoding an item identifier; and determining authenticity of the product by comparing the item identifier determined from the analog identification indicium to the item identifier determined from the digital identification record.