DESC:PRIORITY CLAIM:
This application claims priority from the provisional application numbered 201941011636 filed with Indian Patent Office, Chennai on 26th March 2019 titled “A system and method for self-authenticating and in-line product key generation”, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for generating an in-line unique key for a product identifier. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for providing self-authentication and in-line product key generation for the product identifier.

Background of the invention
[0003] Counterfeit products are an imitation of legitimate branded products which infringe upon a production monopoly held by an individual or a corporation. Counterfeit products are produced with the intent to bypass the legitimate branded products owner's monopoly, and take advantage of the high market value of branded products. Counterfeit products frequently typically include clothing, software, pharmaceuticals, watches, electronics, recreational equipment and other branded goods resulting in patent infringement or trademark infringement.
[0004] In recent times, counterfeited products have drastically increased due to the easy access for raw material and production costs. To overcome the above mentioned problem, the government and private companies have taken strict actions to prevent counterfeit products, for example,by tagging each product with a product identifier so that each product can be tracked from production to distribution of the product, to ensure the product integrity.
[0005] However, one of the primary drawback associated with the current system is managing huge number of data associated with the product identifier tagged to each product during both generation and authentication stage of the product identifier. Further, as mass number of the product identifiers, typically in range of millions is to be generated at the beginning, and storage of huge number of data associated with the authentication system for tracking and tracing purpose results in more computation time and storage hassle.
[0006] Hence, there exists a need of a system to facilitate minimum data storage and less computation time for authentication purpose.
Summary of the invention
[0007] To overcome the drawbacks mentioned in the prior art, the present invention provides a system and method for providing an in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier. For this purpose the system mainly comprises a random key generator, a generation system, a marking system and an authentication server. The random key generator is configured to generate a random key to initiate the generation of product identifier. The generation system is configured to generate a product ID, batch ID and a unique serial number. The generation system then generates an encryption key by combining the generated product ID, batch ID and unique serial number. The generation system further generates a security code using the generated encryption key with a random number. A master key is generated by using batch ID,unique serial number ,random number and security code. Finally the product identifier for a product is generated by encrypting the generated master key using the encryption key. The marking system is used to tag a substrate with the generated product identifier for the product from the generation system.The authentication server is configured to receive product identifier from an end user device and to provide authentication to the product identifier pertaining to the particular product by using the product ID, batch ID and unique serial number.
[0008] The method for providing self-authentication and in-line unique key generation comprises the steps of generating a random key to initiate the generation of unique key. The method then generates an unique product ID, batch ID and a unique serial number. The method then generates an encryption key using the product ID, batch ID and unique serial number. A security code is generated using the encryption key and a random number. Further a master key is generated by using batch ID,unique serial number ,random number and security code. The method finally generates an unique product identifier by encrypting the generated master key and the encryption key generated by a generation system. The marking system tags a substrate with the generated unique product identifier from the generation system. The authentication server provides authentication of the product identifier to an end user by providing the batch and product details of the generated unique key.
Brief description of the drawings:
[0009] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a system for in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier, in accordance to one embodiment of the invention.Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b illustrate a method for in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier, in accordance to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention:
[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0012] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the technology available in the state of the art by providing an in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier and a marking system for each product. The purpose of this system is to make each product item unique by affixing (printing) the non-repeatable, non-predictable self-authentication product identifier using in-line generation and marking system. The system further stores only the batch ID, and product ID and unique serial number for each of the generated product identifier in the data base thereby eliminating the hassle of storing and retrieval of generated product identifier for authentication purposes.
[0013] Fig. 1 illustrates a system (100) for providing an in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] As exemplarily illustrated in Fig. 1, the system (100) comprises a random key generator (101), a generation system (102), a marking system (103), and an authentication server (104). In an embodiment, the random key generator (101) is configured to generate a random key to initiate the generation of unique key. In an embodiment, the random key generator (101) is a hardware based non-repetitive key generator to generate real (true) random key for each product identifier.
[0015] In another embodiment, the random key generator (101) is an algorithm based non-repetitive key generator to generate real (true) random key for each product.
[0016] In an embodiment, the generation system (102) is configured to allow an user to enter product ID and generate batch ID, a unique serial number for each product using a graphical user interface. The generation system (102) also generates an encryption key by using a combination of the product ID, batch ID and unique serial number.The generation system (102) also generates a security code using the generated encryption key with the random key. Further generates a master key by using batch ID,unique serial number ,random number and security code. Generate a product identifier for each product by encrypting the generated master key using the encryption key.
[0017] In an embodiment, the generation system (102) is configured to generate a batch ID representing a timeline of affixation of the product identifier to each product.
[0018] In an embodiment, the marking system (103) is used to tag a substrate with the generated product identifier for each product from the generation system (102).
[0019] The marking system (103) is, for example, an inkjet system, a laser marking system or any other technology known in the art to tag the substrate with the generated product identifier for each product from the generation system (102).
[0020] In an embodiment, the substrate is, for example, a paper, a carton, a bottle, hologram or any other techniques known in the art for packing a product. Thus, the generated product identifier is tagged to the substrate for authenticating the product.
[0021] In an embodiment, the authentication server (104) is configured to store data pertaining to the batch ID, unique serial number and product ID for each of the generated product identifier for authentication purpose.
[0022] The authentication server (104) is configured to receive the product identifier from an end user (consumer) device (105) and provide authentication to the product identifier pertaining to the particular product by using stored batch ID, unique serial number and product ID data pertaining to the product identifier. Thus, the authentication server (104) of the present invention stores only batch ID, unique serial number and product ID data for each product identifier, to facilitate minimum data storage and less computation time for authentication purposes.
[0023] In another embodiment, the end user sends the product identifier by using a mobile application installed on the end user device (105). The mobile application installed on the end user device (105) is configured to validate the product identifier by allowing the customer to automatically capture a product image using a camera. The authentication server (104) validates the received product identifier against the stored product ID, batch ID and unique serial number data to authenticate the product identifier. Once the product identifier is validated, the authentication result along with the product information is displayed on the graphical user interface, for example, a mobile screen of the end user device (105).
[0024] In another embodiment, the authentication server (104) authenticates the end user device (105) by receiving the product identifier through a SMS gateway. The authentication server (104) upon validation of the received product identifier details, transmits the authentication result along with the product information via a SMS to the end user device (105).
[0025] In another embodiment, the authentication server (104) authenticates the product identifier through a web application installed on the end user device (105). The user sends product identifer or product image using the web application to the authentication server (104) for validation purpose. Once the product identifier is validated, the authentication result along with the product information is displayed on the web application installed on the end user device (105).
[0026] In another embodiment, the authentication server (104) compares the generated master key and security code with the master key and security code stored in the database.
[0027] Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b illustrates a method for providing an in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. The method for providing an in-line unique key and self-authentication for a product identifier comprises the steps of generating a random key to initiate the generation of unique key by a random key generator (101) at step 201. At step 202, the method generates a product ID, batch ID and a unique serial number in step 202. The method generates an encryption key using a combination of the - product ID, batch ID and unique serial number at step 203 and generates a security code using the generated encryption key with the random key at step 204. The method generates a master key using batch ID,unique serial number, random number and security code. at step 205. The method finally generates a product identifier for a product by encrypting the generated master key using the encryption key by using a generation system (102), in step 206.
[0028] The method tags a substrate by using a marking system (103) with the generated product identifier for the product in step 207.
[0029] At step 208, the tagged substrate is affixed with the product identifier to a product. At step 209, the authentication server (104) receives the product identifier from an end user device (105) to provide authentication to the product identifier by using the stored batch ID, product ID and unique serial number.
[0030] In an embodiment, the master key generated by a generation system (102) are stored in the database.
[0031] The description of the present system has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
,CLAIMS:Claims:
We Claim:
1. A system (100) for providing an in-line unique key generation and self-authentication for a product identifier, the system (100) comprising:
a) a random key generator (101) configured to generate a random key to initiate the generation of product identifier;
b) a generation system (102) configured to generate:
i. a product ID, batch ID and a unique serial number;
ii. an encryption key by using a combination of the generated product ID, batch ID and unique serial number;
iii. a security code using the generated encryption key with the random number;
iv. a master key using batch ID,unique serial number ,random number and security code; and
v. a product identifier for a product by encrypting the generated master key using the encryption key;
c) a marking system (103) to tag a substrate with the generated product identifier for the product from the generation system (102); and
d) an authentication server (104) to receive product identifier from an end user device (105) and provide authentication to the product identifier pertaining to the particular product by using the stored product ID, batch ID and unique serial number .

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) further comprises an affixing unit to affix the tagged substrate with the generated product identifier to a product.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated batch ID represents a timeline of affixation of the product identifier to each product.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated product ID, batch ID and a unique serial number are stored in a database.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the authentication server (104) decrypts the product identifier with the encryption key generated by concatenating the product identifier, product ID, batch ID and unique serial number.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the authentication server (104) obtains the master key from the decrypted product identifier.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the authentication server(104) compares the obtained master key with the stored master key in the database for providing authentication to the end user on a graphical user interface.

8. A method for providing self-authentication and in-line unique key generation comprising:
a) generating a random key to initiate the generation of product identifier by using a random key generator (101);
b) generating a unique product ID, batch ID and a unique serial number;
c) generating an encryption key using the product ID, batch ID and unique serial number;
d) generating a security code using the encryption key and a random number;
e) generating a master key using the batch ID,unique serial number, random number and security code;
f) generating an unique product identifier by encrypting the generated master key and the encryption key by using a generation system (102);
g) tagging a substrate with the generated unique product identifier by using a marking system (103); and
h) authenticating an end user by providing the batch ID, product ID and unique serial number of the unique product identifier by an authentication server (104).

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the master key are decrypted from the product identifier received from the end user device (105) and compared with the stored master key by the authentication server (104).