DESC:Background
Field
[0001] Disclosed is a novel form of hybrid mode for smartphone based scan for non clonable QR wherein during scanning the mode of scanning is switched from App-less to App-based based on alarm by backend.
[0002] Discussion of related art
QRcode is well established format for asset track and trace and also used for brand protection purposes. Brand protection requires security scan and not just scan for information retrieval. Problem with QRcode is that these gets easily copied and copied QR gets authenticated very much like original. While there are methods to make QR code non clonable one of those disclosed in PCT/IB2019/059097. However, these requires dedicated smartphone applications and sometimes users are hesitant in downloading the same. Other methods are using ordinary QRcode and backend triggers alarm if for same QR – scan anomaly detected. Scanning anomaly includes same QR being authenticated by multiple location from different phones or from location wherein the particular batch number was not distributed. Backend analytics-based methods work with normal QRcode and based on analytics ground investigation is needed to find which one of multiple scans was original. Normal QR can be scanned by camera or standard QRcode readers and then URL encoded in QRcode is hit. With this point of “user hesitation of dedicated app downloading” is addressed but problem of cloned QR problem is not addressed. Quite often even counterfeiters may sponsor intentional false scan on cloned QR just to trigger false alarm from backend. With ordinary QR 1st few scans are always indicated as original and later scans as suspect. So it becomes clear that it is desired to have hybrid mode wherein based on signal from backend logic, User scanning device automatically switches from App-less to App-based and detects cloned QR direct-on-spot. With hybrid-scan also 1st scan will show original (even it is fake) but for later scans using app-based mode once original QR is scanned then 1st one is marked as definite-suspect and ground-action cab be initiated.
Description of invention:
[0003] Following section describes how to enable hybrid scan mode.
[0004] Invention proposes that default start mode is APP-less and once URL encoded in QRcode is hit the backend checks if same QRcode (or security label) is scanned multiple times or tries to detect the anomaly based on location / time / batch number and other similar details as configured. If backend is not able to detect any scan anomaly then basic authentication is reported successful and user have option to check a prompt for APP download and do detailed next level authentication. However, if backend detects some anomaly then user is enforced for APP based authentication. User always have option to use App-based mode but for first scan on any QRcode (or any other form of tracking/GS1 codes on security label) that has not been scanned earlier, user is offered App-less mode to start with.
[0005] Similarly, two kind of cloning i.e. physical and digital cloning is disclosed in PCT/IB2019/059097. Physical cloning means photocopy version while digital cloning means false-scanning the image without having physical product or packaging. Digital cloning is an extended form of cloning wherein before launching actual fakes false-scanning on image from different geographies can be intentionally caused by counterfeiters to create misleading analytics on backend to trigger futile ground investigation and exhaust brand protection. After couple of futile ground investigation actual fakes can be launched and those might go unnoticed. In real deployment in interest of fast scanning it may be desired to trigger digital cloning only when the backend detects anomaly on that specific QRcode (or any other tracking code/GS1 codes). However digital cloning takes additional time and in real-life deployment especially on low end smartphones and for those case it can be configured that if backend detects multiple scans on same QRcode (tracking code/security label print) then only digital-cloning is auto-invoked randomly on scanning devices.
[0006] Another issue with smartphones while scanning micro-printed copy-proof labels - That different phones focus from different height and this degrade user experience. So, it is proposed that first scan on any phone can be made as config scan wherein if phone detects original label then that desired height (specific to that smartphone) of scanning is configured. Configured height is used to open preview of suitable size such that label fits in the preview on desired height and gets scanned easily from second scan onwards.
Drawing
[0007] Fig. 1 shows default APP-less mode and user have option to do App-based scan (Yellow screen as illustration to indicate optional App-based); For illustration smartphone APP is shown named as smartDNA APP for illustration
[0008] Fig. 2 shows user enforced (red screen as illustration to indicate must to use app-based) to use APP-less to APP-based mode in case backend detects an anomaly; For illustration smartphone APP is shown named as smartDNA APP
[0009] Fig. 3 show Different smartphones have variable height focus for micro-printed object. Hence 1st scan is configuration-scan that test focus from different heights and configure the scanning window (in red outline) preview such that for subsequent scans User keeps the phone at best height to scan fast.
[0010] Fig. 4 shows digital cloning wherein user is scanning simply image of QR (and not physical object) captured on another phone ,CLAIMS:I Claim:
1. A method of hybrid scan wherein auto-switching between App-less to App-based mode happens for scanning any tracking-code that comprises,
default start mode being App-less mode;
on hitting the URL encoded in tracking code, backend is triggered to do anomaly check on historical authentication-record of said tracking code;
If anomaly is detected then user is enforced to do app-based scan
otherwise, user is allowed to authenticate in app-less with option of using
app-based mode.

2. A method wherein at-least on some scanning devices physical cloning detection is default start mode without doing digital cloning detection. backend detects any form of anomaly scans on given QRcode or security label;
If anomaly found then backend sends signal to scanning device;
Upon receipt of signal the scanning device invokes digital cloning detection as well.

3. A method wherein first scan is configuration scan to determine the height at which given phone detects original by focussing on micro printed labels;
height as determined from configuration scan is used in subsequent
scans and accordingly size of scan-preview wherein the label being
scanned gets fit at determined height such that label gets focussed and
scanned easily.