Abstract:
A system for verifying the authenticity of an item. At least one cellular telephone has an image recorder, a receiver and a transmitter. A cellular telephone network receives a recorded image transmitted by the cellular telephone and forwards the recorded image to at least one remote server. An image-recognition device is accessible to the remote server, the image recognition device being configured to decode a latent image embedded within the recorded image and to generate a dataset corresponding to the latent image. A processor accessible to the remote server generates a response corresponding to the dataset and indicating the authenticity status of the item, the response being forwarded from the remote server to the receiver of the cellular telephone by means of the cellular telephone network.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/298,197, filed Jan. 25, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to cellular telephones, in particular to a system that utilizes camera-equipped cellular telephones to send images recorded by the cellular telephone and to receive stored information corresponding to the images. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Camera-equipped cellular telephones have become commonplace. However, the image-capturing capability of these cellular telephones is typically utilized merely to record images and share them with others. There is a need for a way to utilize the image-capturing capability of camera-equipped cellular telephones to serve as a data input device. There is a further need for a way to utilize data relating to the captured image to provide information and services, particularly to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system utilizing camera-equipped cellular telephones for anti-counterfeit authentication is disclosed according to an embodiment of the present invention. Products to be protected by the present invention are tagged with identifiers that are invisible to the naked eye and comprise a unique set of random codes. To check the product to determine whether it is genuine or counterfeit a user captures a still or video electronic image of the tag on the product with a cellular telephone and sends the image to a service provider as a photographic message. The service provider decodes the image of the tag in the message, then compares the decoded image to reference data stored in a database maintained by the service provider. The service provider determines, from the comparison, whether the product is genuine or counterfeit and notifies the user accordingly. 
     An aspect of the present invention is a system for verifying the authenticity of an item. At least one cellular telephone has an image recorder, a receiver and a transmitter. A cellular telephone network receives a recorded image transmitted by the cellular telephone and forwards the recorded image to at least one remote server. An image-recognition device is accessible to the remote server, the image recognition device being configured to decode a latent image embedded within the recorded image and to generate a dataset corresponding to the latent image. A processor accessible to the remote server generates a response corresponding to the dataset and indicating the authenticity status of the item, the response being forwarded from the remote server to the receiver of the cellular telephone by means of the cellular telephone network. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a method for verifying the authenticity of an item. The method includes the steps of recording an image associated with the item with a camera-equipped cellular telephone and utilizing a cellular telephone network to forward the recorded image to at least one remote server. The remote server decodes a latent image embedded within the recorded image and generates a dataset corresponding to the latent image. The authenticity of the item is determined from the dataset. A response is sent from the remote server to the cellular telephone by means of the cellular network, the response comprising information relating to the authenticity of the item. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features of the inventive embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments relate from reading the specification and claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system utilizing a camera-equipped cellular telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the general arrangement of a system utilizing camera-equipped cellular telephones for anti-counterfeit authentication according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a label that may be associated with a product according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a process for comparing decoded identifiers with stored identifiers according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a composite spectrogram of an image; 
         FIG. 6  is a result of integrating frequencies of interest of the composite spectrogram of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a spectrogram of an example first item; and 
         FIG. 8  is a spectrogram of an example second item, the second item being visually similar to the first item of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The general arrangement of a commerce system  10  (hereafter “system  10 ”) utilizing camera-equipped cellular telephones is shown in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. A user  12  records a still or video image of interest  14  with a camera-equipped cellular telephone and utilizes a cellular telephone network  16  to transmit at  18  the recorded image to one or more remote servers  20  maintained by an operator of system  10 . User  12  data, such as the cellular telephone number, name, address and demographic information relating to the user, may be captured at  22  and stored in a database or data warehouse for later use. The received image is decoded at  24  with image-recognition equipment and/or software to generate a corresponding dataset. The dataset is processed at  26  in a predetermined manner  26  to generate a response corresponding to the dataset. At  28  the response is sent to user  12  via cellular network  16 . User  12  receives the response at  30  and may utilize the response as desired. 
     Products to be protected by the present invention are tagged or are otherwise marked with identifiers comprising a unique set of random codes and “watermarks,” either or both of which may or may not be visually perceivable. To check the product to determine whether it is genuine or counterfeit a user captures an image of the tag on the product and sends the image to a service provider as a photographic message. The service provider compares the image of the tag in the message to reference data stored in a database maintained by the service provider. The service provider determines, from the comparison, whether the product is genuine or counterfeit. If the product is genuine the service provider sends a certificate of authenticity to the sender of the image in the form of a validation certification code, which may include identifying information about the product and/or visually perceivable data on the tag that the user may compare to the certification code. If the product is counterfeit the service may warn the user accordingly. 
     Details of the operation of system  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown in  FIG. 2 . At s 100  product labels or tags, such as a product label or tag  50  (hereafter generally “label”), shown in  FIG. 3 , are produced by (or at the behest of) a “remote server” or, interchangeably a “remote operator” using any suitable process, such as printing using black-and-white, gray-scale or color ink. The product labels  50  each preferably include “latent identifiers,” that is, identifying characteristics that are not visually perceivable. 
     Product labels  50  may also include visually perceivable identifiers  52 , such as alphanumeric characters and/or a non-alphanumeric symbol or symbols. In alpha-numeric form, visually perceivable identifiers  52  are photographable or, alternatively, may be sent in a “Short Message Service” (SMS), MMS (multimedia service) or similar text message. It should be noted that labels  50  may be produced such that each label has a unique set of identifiers  52 , each label being associated with a single determinable item. Identifiers  52  may be configured in a random or other non-sequential manner between labels  50 , thereby deterring counterfeiting by copying a known-authentic label. 
     At s 102 , the latent identifiers and the visually perceivable identifiers  52  of label  50  are associated with a particular item or product (hereafter generally “product”) by the remote operator, information about the product and the latent identifiers being stored at s 104  along with information about the visually perceivable identifiers  52 . The product information associated and stored at s 102 , s 104  may include one or more photographic images of the product, as well as a unique validation code  54  on the label  50  and/or the product. 
     A manufacturer, distributor, vendor, retailer, etc. applies the label  50  to the associated product in any suitable manner at s 106 . As non-limiting examples, the label may be adhered or attached to the product or its packaging. 
     At s 108  a consumer considering purchase of the product may verify the authenticity of the product by utilizing a camera-equipped cellular telephone to capture a still or video photographic image of the tag  50  attached to the product. The consumer transmits the image to the remote operator at s 110 , utilizing system  10  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The remote operator receives the photographic image from the consumer and decodes the latent identifier in the image at s 112 . At s 114  the remote operator compares the decoded latent identifiers to the latent identifiers that were previously associated with the product at s 102  and stored at s 104 . The remote operator may also compare the visually perceivable identifiers  52  of label  50  with the visually perceivable identifiers associated with the product at s 102  and stored at s 104 . By comparing the level of correlation and correspondence between the visually perceivable and decoded identifiers of s 112  with the associated stored identifiers of s 102 , s 104 , the remote operator is able to determine the authenticity status of the item. 
     The remote operator forwards the authentication results to the consumer at s 116 . If the decoded latent identifiers of s 112  match the stored latent identifiers of s 102 , the authentication results may include a certificate of authenticity that may be electronically stored by the consumer and/or printed as a record. The authentication results may further include the visually perceivable identifiers  52  of label  50  that were associated with the product at s 102  and stored at s 104 , allowing the consumer to compare them with the visually perceivable identifiers present on the label  50  attached to the product to confirm authenticity. The certificate of authenticity may also include the image associated with the product at s 102  and stored at s 104 . 
     If the comparison at s 114  indicates that either or both of the visually perceivable identifiers  52  and the latent identifiers of label  50  that were forwarded to the remote operator at s 110  do not match the visually perceivable identifiers  52  of label  50  that were associated with the product at s 102  and stored at s 104 , the authentication results may include an advisory to the consumer that the authenticity of the product cannot be confirmed, thus placing the consumer on notice that the product may not be genuine. A similar advisory may be issued to the consumer in the event that the label  50  has been tampered with, as the latent identifiers will be altered by the tampering. 
     The transmission of s 116  may optionally include ancillary product-related information from a sponsor or other interested party, such as a manufacturer, distributor or vendor of the product, as well as available accessories for the product. The ancillary product-related information may be, without limitation, original manufacturer data, the geographic location of the facility where the product was made, quality control information, chain of custody tracking and authentication, sale or discount information, product specifications, optional product features, recall information, similar product comparison information, product status (e.g., authentic, not authentic, tampered), manufacturer information, manufacturer worker identification, date/time of manufacture, shipping data, and distribution channels. Additional marketing messages or value-added services may be included in the transmission of s 116 . 
     In some embodiments the transmission of s 116  may be provided in the primary language of the country of request made at s 110 . The country of request information is available to the system operator by means of cellular network  16  ( FIG. 1 ), or may be included in the transmission of s 110 . 
     At s 120  the consumer may compare visually perceivable identifiers received at s 118  with visually perceivable identifiers on the label  50  of the product to be purchased. The consumer may also compare the image of s 102  with the product to ensure that the image matches the product. If the visually perceivable identifiers  52  on the product label match those provided to the consumer by the remote operator at s 118 , the product is authentic. If the visually perceivable identifiers  52  on the product label do not match those provided to the consumer by the remote operator at s 118 , the product may be counterfeit. 
     If the same visually perceivable identifiers  52  and latent identifiers and presented to the remote operator from different locales and from different camera phones the identifiers may be “taken out of circulation” by the remote operator and flagged as counterfeit with an indication or flag stored at s 104  with the identifiers associated with the product at s 102 . The flag will be retrieved and noted at s 114 . 
     Similarly, the visually perceivable identifiers  52  and latent identifiers may also have a predetermined shelf life if used on products having expiration dates, such as fruit, and may expire concurrently with the product. The expiration date is noted by the remote operator and stored at s 104  with the identifiers associated with the product at s 102 . The date will be retrieved and noted at s 114 , an advisory of the expiration being issued to the consumer at s 116 . 
     In some embodiments of the present invention data relating to activity of system  10  relating to product authentication may be collected and stored at s 122  for later recall and analysis. Activity data may include, but is not limited to, product inventory, data traffic between the remote operator and consumers relating to the product, vendor verification of the authenticity of inventory, date and time of issuance of authenticity, and the originating cellular network  16  ( FIG. 1 ) utilized by the consumer. 
     Details of a process for generating and detecting latent identifiers for a label  50  are shown in  FIG. 4  according to an embodiment of the present invention. At s 200  an image of a label  50  ( FIG. 3 ) to be associated with an authentic product is captured and stored. 
     A composite spectrogram of the image of s 200  ( FIG. 5 ) is generated at s 202  using, for example, a spectrum analyzer to view both time and frequency domains simultaneously. The spectrogram has one axis for the time domain, one axis for the frequency domain, and typically uses color to represent power levels. The composite spectrogram may be of the entire image, of a predetermined portion of the image, or a plurality of predetermined portions of the image. 
     At s 204  particular predetermined frequencies of interest of the composite spectrogram data are selected, for select portions of the image, and are integrated at s 206  to generate a non-visually perceivable “watermark” of the label  50 , the watermark comprising predetermined amplitudes and/or peaks at predetermined frequencies, as shown generally in  FIG. 6 . The watermark integration data is stored at s 208 . 
     The process of s 200  through s 206  is repeated for an image of a product label, (e.g., s 108  of  FIG. 2 ), these process steps being shown in  FIG. 3  as corresponding steps s 210  through s 216 . A watermark of the product label results from s 216 . 
     At s 218  the watermarks of s 206  and s 216  are compared. If the watermarks meet a predetermined threshold of similarity, the product label of s 108  (and the associated product) may be deemed authentic. If the watermarks do not meet the predetermined threshold of similarity, the associated product is likely counterfeit. 
     In some embodiments the composite spectrogram of s 202  may be spectral images in infrared and ultraviolet electromagnetic wavelength ranges that cannot be visually perceived or reproduced. However, the composite spectrogram of s 202  is recordable by the cellular telephone camera at s 108  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     With even apparently identical items the composite spectrogram of s 202  differs slightly, giving each item a unique “fingerprint” that is not easily visually perceivable. Special, proprietary inks may also be utilized to prevent true-color copying of the image. In some embodiments one or more characters, symbols or graphic elements of label  50  may be uniquely yet subtly varied between labels, such as, for example, graphic  56  in  FIG. 3 . 
     Example spectrograms of visually identical items are shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Although similar, the spectrograms for the items are not identical. Thus, a counterfeit of a label (or the item itself) may be detected through comparison of spectrograms of the authentic label or authentic item with the image of the label or item submitted at s 108 . 
     As can be appreciated from the foregoing discussion, the present invention may deter counterfeiting with visually perceivable identifiers  52  and validation code  54  upon labels  50 , the visually perceivable identifiers and/or validation code being non-sequential between labels, and each label being uniquely associated with a particular item. Visually perceivable identifiers  52  and validation code  54  are preferably associated with or “synced” one another at s 102 , s 104 , forming a unique associated pair. Thus, to print out a sequence of counterfeit labels to apply to counterfeit goods is virtually impossible as one would need to know the entire series of visually perceivable identifiers and validation codes to determine how (or if) the series repeats in order to be able to copy and print them. Even if this were possible, the counterfeit labels would not be usable without knowing what particular authentic items (and/or the source of the items) each authentic label is assigned to, and the counterfeiter would be obliged to attaching a like counterfeit label to a counterfeit item matching that of the item associated with the authentic label. A counterfeiter would also need to know how to access the remote operator (such as knowing the appropriate universal resource locator or URL of the remote operator) in order to decode the labels  50 . Taken together, the present invention makes counterfeiting laborious and technically challenging. 
     Furthermore, when each unique label  50  is assigned to a single unique item, the remote operator may detect at s 114  the occurrence of more than one instance of a label, noting for example plural inquiries s 110  originating from plural locations (as indicated by location information provided to the remote operator by cellular network  16  in  FIG. 1 ), indicating a possible counterfeit item. 
     To further deter counterfeiting, the remote operator may track, store and change the status of each label  50 . Such status indications may include, without limitation, active, inactive, stolen, counterfeit, missing, altered, and consumed (i.e., item has been sold). The remote operator may change and store the status of each label at s 104  for later reference at s 114 . The impetus for changing the status of each label may be based upon information relating to the label  50  and/or the associated item provided by any or all of the manufacturer, vendor, retailers, consumers, or examination by the remote operator of data stored at s 104 . If the system operator receives a plurality of counterfeit labels, from a plurality of transmissions s 110  from different consumers the system operator is able to determine what labels have been copied and what item(s) the counterfeit label have been attached to. The system operator may update the status of the label  50  accordingly, at s 104 . 
     The transmission to the consumer at s 116  item may include the visually perceivable validation code  54  previously associated with the item and stored at s 102 , s 104 , which the consumer may compare with a like validation code on the label attached to the item (and/or marked on the item itself) to ensure that they are the same, i.e., “in sync.” If they do not match, the item may be counterfeit. Similarly, the certificate of authenticity sent at s 116  may include one or more of a manufacturer&#39;s control code, manufacturing reference or serial number unique to that item and associated at s 102 , s 104 , which the consumer may compare with a like manufacturer&#39;s control code, manufacturing reference or serial number on the actual item to which the label is attached. If they do not match, the item may be counterfeit. Alternatively, any or all of validation code  54 , manufacturer&#39;s control code, manufacturing reference or serial number may be read and compared to stored data for the label  50  by the remote operator at s 114 . 
     In an alternate non-camera embodiment of the present invention a visually perceivable code  52  is associated with an item and stored at s 102 , s 104 . A terminal coupled to a network, such as a computer connected to the internet, or an MMS (multimedia service) or SMS (Short Message Service) for texting, or an email function of a cellular telephone connected to a cellular telephone network, is utilized to manually key in and forward the visually perceivable code to at least one remote server. The remote server generates a dataset as at s 114  corresponding to the visually perceivable code and determines the authenticity of the item in the manner previously detailed. The remote server sends at s 116  a response from the remote server to the terminal by means of the network, the response comprising information relating to the authenticity of the item. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to use by consumers. Local, federal and international law enforcement agencies as well as customs agencies may also utilize the system and methods of the present invention to determine the authentication status of products. 
     While this invention has been shown and described with respect to a detailed embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail thereof may be made without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention. For example, although the present invention is described with reference to a camera-equipped cellular telephone, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be implemented with any wired and/or wireless network, including the internet and fax machines, and may be carried out manually or automatically, such as with a computer system within the scope of the invention.