DESC:DESCRIPTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method to prevent counterfeiting of article of manufacture and more specifically to prevent counterfeiting and provide multiple brands authenticity efficiently.

Background of the Invention
Generally, counterfeiting refers to unauthorized use of goods and services which are protected by trademarks, copyrights, designs and patents. Counterfeiting is a significant and an increasing problem worldwide in developed as well as in developing countries. Considering the countries worldwide, about five percent of all products are counterfeited. Counterfeiting poses a huge and an increasing threat to all types of manufacturers and service providers across the globe. Increase in social media activities and online auction sales have provided an opportunity for the counterfeiters to counterfeit the branded goods online and offline.
Several attempts had been made to address this counterfeiting of articles as illustrated herein. US8534544B1 discloses a system and method for authenticating an individual item of a particular manufactured product with a mobile computing device includes generating a first identifier including an at least partially random visual feature on the item during manufacture of the item, and generating a second identifier associated with the item, where the second identifier is cryptographically related to the first identifier. One or more digital images of the first and second identifiers may be created by a camera of the mobile computing device. The digital images may be used to validate the authenticity of the item at the mobile computing device. However, this patent discloses a mobile solution that is specific to the manufacturer and does not address plurality of products range pertaining to different manufacturers and also, the solution provided by this patent application is merchant specific and is not open to public.
US8931689 discloses an anti-counterfeit authentication system providing authentication services over available communication networks. The system assigns unique anti-counterfeit certificates to authentic items. The certificates are stored in anti-counterfeit tags that are attached to the authentic items. An authentication server provides authentication services to authentication clients over the communication networks. The authentication clients read, via tag readers, the anti-counterfeit certificates from the tags associated with items to be authenticated, provide the anti-counterfeit certificates to the authentication server which determines authenticity and supplies authentication results back to the authentication clients. However, this patent discloses a mobile solution that is specific to the manufacturer and does not address plurality of products range pertaining to different manufacturers and also, the solution provided by this patent application is merchant specific and is not open to public.
PCT Application WO2017054090 discloses a cloud based authentication method for determining the authenticity of a plurality of a typically counterfeited product each held in a sealed product packaging and for sale to a consumer. A unique identifier is created for each package, attached to the package and stored in the cloud. The identifier is subsequently acquired at different stages, compared with the identifier stored in the cloud and a change in status of the product associated with the identifier made. However, this patent discloses a mobile solution that is specific to the manufacturer and does not address plurality of products range pertaining to different manufacturers and also, the solution provided by this patent application is merchant specific and is not open to public.
US20170154343 discloses counterfeit product detection and content management system that utilizes a product identifier/verification identifier associated with a product used to identify authenticity. However, this patent discloses a mobile solution that is specific to the manufacturer and does not address plurality of products range pertaining to different manufacturers and also, the solution provided by this patent application is merchant specific and is not open to public.

Thus, there is a need to develop a system and method to protect the goods from counterfeiting and provide multiple brands authenticity efficiently

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system to prevent counterfeiting and provide brand authenticity more specifically using digital signatures.
In yet another object of the present invention to provide a system and method to prevent counterfeiting of products by use of digital code associated with an article of manufacture generated by the algorithm of the system. By using the algorithm of the present invention, it is not possible to duplicate the digital code.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is multiple input interfaces connected to the mobile application. The interfaces include NFC certificate, QR code, barcode, printed codes, Bluetooth beacons, custom color labels, patterns, holograms, material property detection means, photogenic detection means, sound & IR detection means.
In another embodiment of the invention, artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) algorithms are used to prevent the duplication of the digital certificate printed/placed on the product wherever it can be copied and make a duplicate.
Once the tag is detached from the original product or original package, the tag is disabled and cannot be used further. Other features of the embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Example embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention at the customer end;
FIG. 3 illustrates an analysis environment overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG. 4 illustrates an overview of OEM Dashboard Environment of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 5 illustrates a Certification generation Environment overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 6 illustrates an overview of Single platform multi-brands authentication in consumer hand of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 7 illustrates an Open platform for multiple brands participation of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 8 illustrates an overview process of usage of Artificial Intelligence/deep learning technology pertaining to the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 9 illustrates block diagram of the local authentication system of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 10 illustrates a cloning prevention using Unique ID and chip vendor original signature in the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention;
FIG 11 illustrates a cloning prevention using Unique ID and chip vendor original signature in the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A system and method to prevent counterfeiting and provide brand authenticity is disclosed. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, applications, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
The present invention discloses a system for determining the authenticity of an article of manufacture. The system includes a tag with an authentication code and having a suitable size and form to be associated with the article of manufacture; a database configured to store the data relating to the article of the manufacture and the data relating to the tag; a mobile application configured to communicate with the tag or the label associated with the article of manufacture and ascertain the authenticity of the article of manufacture. One or more authentication tags are attached to the article of manufacture. The tags attached to the article of manufacture are electronic, physical, chemical etc. The tag includes the information relating to the manufacturer, date of manufacture, place of manufacture, batch number, date of expiry of the article, price of the article.
The present invention discloses a method for authentication of products. The method includes a) submitting the relevant documents by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the article (1202); b) verification of the documents by the system (1204); c) issuing of the public key by the system (1206); d) obtaining public key certificate by the manufacturer of the article (1208); e) uploading of public key certificate to cloud application of the system for registration activation (1210); f) authentication of the legitimacy of the article of manufacture before offering digital certificates for each article of manufacture (1212); g) issuing of labels to manufacturer of the article (1214) h) scanning of the label by a smart phone for authentication by using secure mobile application of the system (1216); i) detection of authentication and counterfeit articles of manufacture by the system (1218); j) alerting the manufacturer of the article in case of counterfeit goods (1220).
By using public empowerment environment overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention, anyone can download the mobile application to run on their handheld device, application automatically selects the brand and performs the authenticity with relevant digital keys. These results are reported to backend system to build additional intelligence.
Referring to FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. Before starting the production with authenticity chip, the brand owner obtains a public key certification from any authorized certification authority and HSM holds the brand’s keys securely. At the factory, product personalization application process the various attributes of the product such as Serial Number, Manufactured date Etc. These attributes are processed for the digital signing with Brand’s key. Signed Certificate will be programmed to the specific product or package for authentication. The storage of the certificate on product can be made in the form of NFC Tag, RFID, Color codes, QR Codes, Bar Codes, Hologram, DNA Label and the like.
OEM application (102): Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) application could be a standalone computer or ERP application running at factory automatically interacts with signing application (104) to get the specific signatures received for that individual product. Also OEM portal enables OEM or brand to access various analytics.
Signing application (106): Signing application runs in association within Hardware Secure Module (HSM). Signing application provides various services such as generating key pair, storing key securely, signing the label, managing the certifications and key rotation services (126).
Network HSM (108): Highly qualified and certified Hardware secure module, with highest security measures to generate keys and to store those keys securely. HSM has its own security features with global standards to offer highest security. No application or program can extract the secure keys.
Encrypted label (112): Signed Secure label or chip is packaged within the product with a controlled process. After this stage specific product is signed by Brand, any user who has supporting mobile application can authenticate the product for its originality.
Chip (120, 122, 124): Product carrying the secure label or chip with Brand's digital signature (124) for authenticity. Certificate can be stored in any form described in this disclosure but not just limited to Bluetooth beacon (114), NFC tag (116) or QR code (118).
Referring to FIG. 2 illustrates an overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention at the customer end. Once product is attached with the digitally signed certificate (208, 210, 212), this certificate carried along the product. Any consumer purchasing the specific product can download supported mobile application (214) on his smart phone to authenticate the product. Authentication can be done in offline as well. This certificate is specific to the product, the chip technology will not allow duplication of the certificate on other chip, by running the public key (206) with a set of algorithms (202) along with the tightened hardware security module (204) and hence authenticity of the certificate is exclusive to the specific chip or product. In case of QR Code or other copiable technology, backend AI Technology detects the duplication of the certificate to the maximum accuracy.

Mobile phone (214): A mobile application carrying the Brands public key can authenticate the product even in off-line. For certain methods of certification storage such as QR code or color code, authenticity will be derived from back-end Artificial Intelligence (AI) to avoid the probable duplication
FIG. 3 illustrates an analysis environment overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention; All product scan data can be stored and processed for the legitimate usage to enhance user experience to enhance business reach. Also, various intelligent algorithms utilize the field reported data to produce predictions, alerts, trends, and other meaningful indicators. These analytical functions shall be leveraged by all entities involved in the service based on their agreements.
Algorithms (302): Algorithms are part of back-end application, they does various intelligent tasks including detection of certification duplication, security enhancements, also known as hardware security module (304), learning the behavior of Authenticity failed events, for example from a customer’s phone (310) managing the useful data, offering the highest security. It helps providing various services to enhance consumer experience and convenience. They also help providing trusted communication channel between consumer (310) and Brand and manufacturers (306).
Data storage (308): Database captures all the unorganized information required for the Deep Learning Algorithms to provide better experience to consumers and Brand.
FIG. 4 illustrates an overview of OEM Dashboard Environment of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention; user authentication information through AI, ML and DL Algorithms results can be fed to OEM or Brand Owner or any other entity that leverage the results to monitor field reality. If these are geographic scans identified more than what distribution system indicates, then this is an alert about counterfeit exercise in that specific region.

Select OEM brand (402): OEM selection is an optional, intelligent application automatically detects the owning brand and process the authentication with the legitimate brand.
Scan product for brand authenticity (404): Scanning of the product could be in any form dependent on the choice made by the brand, the certification storage could be in QR code, NFC Chip, RFID or any other form described in this disclosure.
Report status and location to cloud application algorithms (406): Application algorithms automatically takes care of various parameters reporting based on the scan result, these parameters are limited to user acceptance.
FIG 5 illustrates a Certification generation Environment overview of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. Before starting the production with authenticity chip, relevant infrastructure should be ready. Brand owner gets his public key certification (kpc) from any authorized certification authority (CA) while HSM holds the Brand’s Keys securely. At factory, product personalization application processes the various attributes of the product such as serial number, manufactured date, location etc. These attributes are processed for the digital signing with Brand’s key. Signed certificate will be programmed to the specific product or package for authentication. Storage of the certificate on product can be achieved in any form like NFD tag, RFID, Color Codes, QR Code, barcode, hologram, DNA Label, etc.
Selected OEM brand + label information (502): Automated process at factory, these labels could be preprocessed or dynamically generated based on the factory requirement.
Hardware Secure Module (504): Highly qualified and certified Hardware secure module, with highest security measures to generate keys and to store those keys securely. HSM has its own security features with global standards to offer highest security. No application or program can extract the secure keys.
Signed label or certificate specific to OEM brand (506): Specific label generated for that product by brand will be programmed at factory with certain validation process to be accurate.
Certification programming production line (508): Received signed label (certificate) is programmed with the product in the form factory had chosen.
FIG 6 illustrates an overview of Single platform multi-brands authentication at the consumer’s end for Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. Signing algorithms are designed to support various brands (602) with their exclusive privileged channel for secure signing along with network hardware module (608) and data storage (604). Multiple input interfaces such as a mobile phone (606) scan a plurality of NFC certificates, QR code, Barcode and other, printed codes, Bluetooth Beacons, Custom color labels, Pattern detection, Hologram detection, Material property Detection, Photogenic detection, Sound & IR detection and the like codes.
FIG 7 illustrates an Open platform for multiple brands participation of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. The present application (702) gives each manufacturer/producer a set of AI and deep learning mechanism technology backed algorithms (706), a robust network hardware module (708) and all the events are recorded in data storage (704) for future reference. An exemplary module (710) depicts any Brand or OEM that may upload their digital certificate and KYC onto the system. After approval, labels are downloadable for specific label certificates. These certificates are placed on product with selected form (NFC, QR code. etc.,); wherein a consumer can authenticate your product anywhere across world. All the modules are interacting constantly with each other for better security and counter fake products.
FIG 8 illustrates an overview process of usage of Artificial Intelligence/deep learning technology pertaining to the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. Referring FIG 8, duplication of certification can be prevented in multiple ways:
a) Authentic chip (802) - This chip has certain secure features whereas the information required to create the duplicate is not allowed to read by any application other than chip own logic. Also, chip will have its own signature and unique number from manufacturer;
b) Dynamic Authentication (804) - This chip comes with pre-programmed information along with the logic, logic and keys are not exposed to application when scanned.
c) Artificial Intelligence (808) - Artificial information algorithms are used to detect the duplication by utilizing the Meta data from each scan (806), with various attributes such as location, time, and device info. etc., are collected and collated to prevent any duplication.
FIG 9 illustrates an overview process of usage of Artificial Intelligence/deep learning technology pertaining to the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. When the algorithms backed with Artificial Intelligence/deep learning logics detect a counterfeiting of an article, an alert is immediately sent to the customer (904) purchasing the article as well as to the manufacturer/OEM (906) stating a counterfeit article is in the market.
FIG 10 illustrates block diagram of the local authentication system of the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention. The Label key pair (1004) is generated by a cryptographic black chain engine. These keys are at regulatory standard to meet the stringent level. The key pair consists of public and private key called as label public key and label private key respectively for this use. The Brand’s key pair (1006) block contains the securely stored pre generated key pair, known as brand’s public key and Brand’s private key. The Brand’s private key (1008) is a secure key stored in Hardware Secure Module (HSM) and no external access permitted to read the private key. Brand’s public key (1010) is an open key, to protect the authenticity of this public key, brand gets public key certification from signing authority (1012). The Certification Authority (CA) (1012) is the agency or institute having recognition to issue the public certificates to applicant; in this case brand is the applicant. This ensures the right public key used to access the label public key during the authentication process at field. The Brand’s public certificate (1014) is issued by Certification Authority; this certificate will be stored in the label (chip) to decrypt the label public key during the authentication process.
The Chip based label (1018) is an intelligent microcomputer, which has capability to store and process certain information and data respectively. When authentication device interacts with the chip, chip gets energized and sends the brands public key certification and a challenge to interacting authentication device. Authentication device recovers the brands public key using CA’s public key. Having this brand’s public key, authentication device is capable to recover label’s public key. Using recovered Label’s Public key, Authentication device answers the challenge. Chip validates the answer sent by Authentication device. Since this entire process is cryptographically processed and randomly generated challenge is authenticated, it is impossible to create a duplicate challenge which can pass through the process. This method is a state of the art to protect the articles authenticity.
Once the entire process of Dynamic data label generation (1002) is done, the Brand public key certificate (1024) is issued by CA with diligence signing process. The Label public key (1026) is recovered using brand’s public key, every time authentication process initiated. The Label microcomputer generates (1022) a random code every time authentication initiated by remote (authentication) device, this code will be signed with label private key which can be only authenticated by recovered label’s public key.
The Dynamic data authentication at field (1020) constantly interacts with devices such as mobile phones, scanning devices, cameras etc. This process is linked with a mobile authentication application (1028).
FIG 11 illustrates a cloning prevention using Unique ID and chip vendor original signature in the Counterfeit Detection system of the present invention.
Cloud storage (1116): this is where the authentication, product, location of authentication, consumer shared information are stored for the analytics and brand insights.
Cipher portal (1102) is the super admin access to onboard and administrate bran activities, where unique brand keys generated and stored appropriately.
Firebase or equivalent cloud storage (1104), used to store the temporary processing data.
Cipher CRM (1106): Consumer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a standard application leveraged to additional services to consumers on top of the primary Authentication service. CRM is the intelligent application, which empowers the entire brand, product and consumer engagement journey.
Consumer mobile application (1110) or cloud application contains algorithms to authenticate the cryptographic blocks securely.
Brand ERP (1112) injects the specific product information to be signed to create specific signatures of the product which remains unique per article.
Brand admin (1114) has complete control on dynamic content what consumer experiences and also receives the ML driven AI insights to empower the consumer while protecting the brand.
Brand ERP (1112): ERP interface takes care of automated label generation specific to product. After that there is no dependency on the ERP or the supply chain, end consumer directly can authenticate the product. Brand ERP injects the specific product information to be signed to create specific signatures of the product which remains unique per article.
External Storage (1108): All the consumer touch-point data and authentication samples stored at brand database for the next level of insights.
Fig 12 illustrates a flowchart showcasing the method of preventing counterfeiting of article of manufacture comprising the steps of: submitting the relevant documents by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the article (1202), the next step is verification of the documents by the system (1204), next is the issuing of the public key by the system (1206), then obtaining public key certificate by the manufacturer of the article (1208), then uploading of public key certificate to cloud application for registration activation (1210), then the next step is authentication of the legitimacy of the article of manufacture before offering digital certificates for each article of manufacture (1212), then issuing of labels to the manufacturer of the article (1214), then scanning of the label by a smart phone for authentication by using secure mobile application (1216), then detection of authentication and counterfeit articles of manufacture (1218), and as a result if needed, alerting the manufacturer of the article in case of counterfeit goods (1220).
It will be recognized that the above described subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that, the subject matter is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details.
It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A system to prevent counterfeiting of article of manufacture at manufacturing end, the system consisting of components such as:
a. An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) application (102) running at factory that automatically receives specific signatures for a particular product;

b. A Signing application (106) providing services such as generating key pair, storing key securely, signing label, managing certifications and key rotation services (126);

c. Network Hardware secure module (108) to generate keys and to store those keys with highest security measures in a manner that no application or program can extract the secure keys;

d. An Encrypted label (112) to authenticate the product for its originality;

e. A server (202, 302) to run a set of algorithms as back-end application fulfilling various tasks including detection of certification duplication, security enhancements, learning the behavior of Authenticity failed events, managing the useful data, offering the highest security, providing various services to enhance consumer experience and convenience, providing trusted communication channel between consumer and Brand; and

f. A Database (308, 604, 704) to capture all unorganized information required for Deep Learning Algorithms so as to provide better experience to consumers and producers.

2. A system to prevent counterfeiting of article of manufacture at consumer end, the system consisting of components such as:
a. A tag (116, 118) with an authentication code to be associated with the article of manufacture;

b. A database configured (308, 604, 704) to store the data relating to the article of the manufacture and the data relating to the tag;

c. A mobile application (214, 606) configured to communicate with the tag or the label associated with the article;

3. The system to prevent counterfeiting of article of manufacture at consumer end as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tag may be but not limited to include NFC certificate, QR code, barcode, printed codes, Bluetooth beacons, custom color labels, patterns, holograms, material property detection means, photogenic detection means, sound and IR detection means, and the like.

4. A method to prevent counterfeiting of article of manufacture, the method comprising the steps of:
a. submitting the relevant documents by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the article (1202);

b. verification of the documents by the system (1204);

c. issuing of the public key by the system (1206);

d. obtaining public key certificate by the manufacturer of the article (1208);

e. uploading of public key certificate to cloud application for registration activation (1210);

f. authentication of the legitimacy of the article of manufacture before offering digital certificates for each article of manufacture (1212);

g. issuing of labels to the manufacturer of the article (1214);

h. scanning of the label by a smart phone for authentication by using secure mobile application (1216);

i. detection of authentication and counterfeit articles of manufacture (1218); and

j. Alerting the manufacturer of the article in case of counterfeit goods (1220).