FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for detecting authenticity of products, in particular a device for detecting counterfeiting of brand products by means of a label attached or incorporated thereon.

PRIOR ART

The following is a list of prior art which is considered to be pertinent for describing the state of the art in the field of the invention.

1] WO90/16043.

2] US Patent No. 6,926,764.

3] US Patent No. 7,650,027.

4] US Patent No. 7,079,230.

;5] US Patent No. 6,470,093.

_. 6] US Patent No.6,603,871.

7] US Patent No.6,610,351.

;8] US Patent No.5,640,002.

9] US Patent No. 6,203,069

10] US Patent No. 6,354,501.

II] US Patent No. 6,536,672.

12] US Patent No. 6,274,873.

13] US Patent No.7,601,544.

14] EP Patent No. 0721717.

15] EP Patent No. 0,721,717. [16] GB Patent No.2,433,318.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for determining the authenticity of products, e.g., products prone to counterfeiting, by detecting the presence of at least one label affixed to or embedded in the products. The authentication device has an electromagnetic illumination source to irradiate the label. The label comprises at least one light-sensitive substance. Through detecting spectral properties of radiation emitted from, scattered from or reflected by the irradiated label the authenticity of the product may be verified. For this, the emitted, scattered or reflected light may be compared to predetermined reference spectral properties that characterize an authentic label.

It is appreciated that the device according to the invention may be used by various classes of users and placed at various locations, at times with some specific use-related adaptations. For example, the device according to the invention may be placed at the point of sale, permitting consumers to verify the authenticity of a product e.g., a medicine or another medical product, prior to its purchase. Generally, a device of the invention provides means for authorities, the public, retailers, manufacturers and others to determine product authenticity and hence counter counterfeit activity.

Thus, the present invention provides a device for product authentication, comprising a body, a signal reader assembly housed in the body, a user accessible surface and a user interface. The body is configured for fixing onto a solid support. The signal reader assembly which is housed within the body includes an illumination source, a sensor and a processing utility. The illumination source is adapted to emit an illuminating electromagnetic radiation of at least one defined wavelength. The sensor is adapted to receive a return electromagnetic radiation which is at least one of radiation emitted by, radiation scattered from or radiation reflected from a surface on the product, illuminated by the source. The processing utility is adapted to record the return electromagnetic radiation and identify a characterizing signal therein. The user accessible surface of the device according to the invention has a window portion which permits passage therethrough of the illuminating and the return electromagnetic radiations and is configured to permit a user to place thereon or bring in proximity thereto a product which has one or more authentication labels affixed thereto or embedded in it. The one or more labels are adapted to emit, scatter and/or reflect the characterizing signal upon illumination thereof by the illuminating electromagnetic radiation.

The user interface of the device according to the invention provides, in response to the characterizing signal, an indicator to the user which is indicative of the product authenticity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with a portion of the external face being removed to illustrate internal components.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the circuitry of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRD7TION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the term "product" refers to a product, a package or a container containing the product. At times, the terms "product" and "package" are interchangeable. As a person versed in the art would appreciate, the product whose authentication is being sought could be any product. The invention is specifically applicable in relation to products that are prone to counterfeiting. Non limiting examples of such products are pharmaceutical products including drugs, cosmetic products, food products, food supplements, electronic data or content carriers including DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) and others, hardware containing computer software (e.g., disc), designer fashion accessories, clothing or footwear, perfumes and fragrances, copyrighted material such as books and art pieces. In some embodiments the product is a medical product such as a medicine. In some embodiments the device according to the invention is placed at the point of sale and the user is a consumer verifying the authenticity of a product e.g., therapeutic drug.

In some further embodiments the device according to the invention may be used for example by authorities to identify stolen products/goods. To this end the product may comprise at least one label indicative of the originator, manufacturer, brand owner etc. According to the present invention, the authentication device is a stationary device located at the point of use, e.g., at the point of sale, and comprises a body configured for fixing onto a solid support.

The body of the device may be of any shape or form to enable to fix the device onto a solid support. The body of the device may typically be designed to have aesthetic features or features that blend well with its immediate environment. The body of the device should preferably be robust and may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, alloy, polymeric materials, composite materials, combinations of any of the aforementioned and others. As appreciated by a person versed in the art, the solid support may be any support providing physical support and/or stability to the device according to the invention. Non limiting examples of such supporting media are ground surface, desk, table, wall, shelf and counter top. In some embodiments the solid support provides the device protection from unauthorized removal of the device from its location. In some embodiments the body is configured for fixing onto a ground surface, table or a counter top. In some further embodiments, the body has a general upright configuration extending from a base fixable to a ground surface, a table or a counter top.

In some further embodiments the body is configured for fixing onto a wall or a shelf. In yet further embodiments the body has a general L-shape (the shape that resembles the capital letter L).

According to the present invention, the authentication device comprises a signal reader assembly comprising an illumination source, a sensor and a processing utility. Ensemble of components that may be applicable for use in the device of the present invention, for example an ensemble of illumination sources, sensors e.g., readers and processing utilities may be of the kind disclosed in WO90/16043 [1] and in US Patent No. 6,926,764 [2]. These publications and the Patents mentioned therein are fully incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the use of such ensembles. The term "illumination source" as used herein refers to any illuminating electromagnetic source emitting radiation, e.g. in the form of infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, of at least one defined wavelength. Illumination source may include but is not limited to one or more fluorescent lamp, sodium lamp, tungsten halogen lamp, laser, diode laser, light-emitting diode (LED) or other conventional source of electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the illuminating electromagnetic radiation source may emit radiation in at least one of the following spectral regions: infrared (IR), visible (VIS), and ultraviolet (UV).

In some embodiments, the illuminating electromagnetic radiation source may emit monochromatic or polychromatic radiation or any combination of a number of discrete monochromatic and/or polychromatic radiation spectra. To this end, the device may include one or more filters transmitting radiation of specific spectral properties. In some embodiments, the radiation emitted from the illuminating source is one or more LED or laser, for example diode laser.

In some embodiments, the illuminating source emits infrared light at wavelengths in the range of about 700 nm to about 14 μπι. In some further embodiments, the illuminating source emits visible light at wavelengths in the range of about 400 nm to about 700 nm. In yet further embodiments the illuminating source emits ultraviolet light at a spectral range of about 200 nm to 400 nm. In yet further embodiments the illuminating source emits ultraviolet light at a spectral range of about 260 nm to about 380 nm such as 320 nm to about 340 nm. As used herein the term "about" indicates ±10% of the specified values.

As may be appreciated by a person versed in the art, the illumination parameters, such as the intensity, power or duration of irradiation may be adjusted as a function of the nature of the label affixed to or embedded in the inspected product.

In some embodiments the device according to the invention comprises a microprocessor with electronic circuit which controls the radiation source e.g., lasers or LEDs, for example triggers the onset of radiation, e.g. upon placing the product onto the user accessible surface, and the time of the irradiation pulse. In some embodiments the radiation is applied on the product for a period of time of about one second up to about a few seconds for example about 3 seconds to about 10 seconds etc. In some embodiments the radiation may be continuous over the above-mentioned period of time. In further embodiments the radiation may consists of a series of pulses which may range in length from 1 microsecond to 100 milliseconds and repeated at intervals of a few times the pulse length.

The term "sensor" as used herein refers to any optical detector/reader adapted to receive the return electromagnetic radiation. Sensors may include but not limited to photodiodes, charge couple devices (CCD), photomultipliers and infrared detectors. The sensor according to the present invention detects a return electromagnetic radiation being at least one of radiation emitted by (e.g. fluorescence activated by the illuminating radiation), scattered or reflected from a surface of a product.

The sensor according to the present invention comprises at least one detector with appropriate electronics sensitive to detect radiation which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of infrared, visible and ultraviolet radiation. The at least one detector may comprise one or more detectors all adapted to detect radiation at the same wavelength or each group of detectors being adapted to detect radiation in a different wavelength than the other. A detector to be used in embodiments of the invention may be adapted to detect radiation of a narrow bandwidth, e.g. monochromatic radiation, or may have detection ability over a broader spectrum. The wavelength specification may be achieved, for example, through the use of filters or may be an intrinsic property of the detector.

The "processing utility" refers to a module (including one or more electronic components) for analyzing the return electromagnetic radiation detected by the sensor, e.g. by comparing this detected signal to predetermined characteristics of electromagnetic signal; for example the relative intensity of the radiation at one or more specific wavelengths, a characteristic spectrum e.g., absorption spectrum, etc. The processing utility according to the present invention may comprise a microprocessor. The processing utility may be associated with an analogue to digital (A-to-D) circuit which receives the signals from the sensor and digitizes them. Once characteristics of the recorded signal are determined and analyzed, e.g. through comparison to corresponding predetermined characteristics that characterize an authentic product, the microprocessor provides an output indicative of the authenticity of the inspected product which activates an output indicator to emit an appropriate signal to the user. In some embodiments the output indicator is a visual display, for example a

YES/NO written indication, a light signal such as a LED being indicative of the authenticity of the inspected product or both. In some embodiments the output indicator is an audio indicator such as a buzzer, a bell that may, for example, be designed to provide a YES/NO audio indication of authenticity. In some further embodiment the output indication is a combination of a visual display and audio indication.

In some embodiments the authentication information may be communicated to another device. The term "user accessible surface" refers to a surface of the device easily accessible by users such as consumers. In some embodiments the user accessible surface may include easy-to-understand (user friendly) instructions for use. In some embodiments the device may be adapted to emit audio instructions or written instructions on a display or combination of both. In some embodiments the user accessible surface is a substantially flat surface; but is of course not limited to a flat topology. The user accessible surface may be located at the top of the device's body, at its front or at one of its sides/faces. In some embodiments the user-accessible surface is substantially horizontal. In other embodiments the user-accessible surface is slanted or may even be substantially vertical. The user accessible surface may be rectangular in overall shape, may be rounded, etc.

The user accessible surface according to the invention has a window portion. The window portion permits passage therethrough of the illuminating electromagnetic radiation applied on the product and of electromagnetic radiation emitted, scattered and/or reflected from an illuminated surface on the inspected product. The window may be made of any material that is transparent to these radiations. Examples are glass, quartz or fused silica, sapphire, infrared transmitting materials such as germanium and KBr, transparent plastic materials, etc. The window portion is configured such as to permit a user to place thereon or bring in proximity thereto a product or a package.

The window portion may be at any convenient location on the user accessible surface. In some embodiments the window portion may be located at substantially the center of the user accessible surface. In some embodiments the product may be brought into proximity to the window without being placed thereon. The proximity (distance) may range from few millimeters to few centimeters. Typically, a distance of about 0.1 millimeter (mm) to about 10 centimeters (cm) may be sufficient to enable the device to illuminate the product and detect electromagnetic radiation emitted, scattered and/or reflected from an illuminated surface on the inspected product.

In some embodiments the window is substantially flat. In some further embodiments, the window is rounded, e.g. substantially circular, oval or elliptical.

An authentic or genuine product or package to be authenticated according to the invention has one or more authentication labels affixed thereto or embedded in it.

As used herein the terms "affixed", "attached" or any lingual variations thereof are interchangeable.

As used herein the terms "embedded", "incorporated" or any lingual variations thereof are interchangeable. The labels according to the invention are adapted to emit, scatter and/or reflect a certain characteristic electromagnetic radiation upon illumination thereof by the illuminating electromagnetic radiation, the characteristic emitted, scattered and/or reflected electromagnetic radiation is detected by the sensor. Through comparison of the detected return electromagnetic radiation to the characteristic radiation, authenticity may be determined. The characteristic return electromagnetic radiation may be characterized by one or more property such as wavelength, bandwidth, polarization, and others.

Labels of the kind that may be used according to the present invention may, for example, be those that have been previously disclosed in WO90/16043 [1] and in US Patent No. 6,926,764 [2]. The relevant portions of these publications are incorporated herein by reference. The label used in accordance with the present application may comprise at least one substance that can interact with the illuminating electromagnetic radiation through having one or more of the following optical properties: fluorescence, absorption, polarization, Raman scattering and other nonlinear optical properties. The optical properties of the substance affect the return electromagnetic radiation.

For example: in a case of a substance that fluoresces in response to the illuminating electromagnetic radiation, the return electromagnetic radiation would depend on the excitation wavelengths, emission wavelengths, radiation intensity, lifetime or combinations thereof; the return electromagnetic radiation of a substance that absorbs a certain portion of the illuminating electromagnetic radiation would depend on the wavelength and the absorption coefficient; the return electromagnetic radiation of a substance that polarizes or alters the polarization of the illuminating electromagnetic radiation may depend on the depolarization ratio and whether the incident radiation is linearly or circularly polarized; the return electromagnetic radiation of a substance with nonlinear optical properties may be dependent on the Raman wavelengths and intensities, up-conversion wavelengths and intensities, and harmonic generation.

Non-limiting examples of substances applicable to be used as authenticating labels within the framework of the present invention are pigments, dyes, inks (e.g., a chromophore or a fluorophore). In some embodiments, the substance is non-visible to the naked eye. In yet further embodiment, the substance is a visible substance or incorporated into a visible substance, for example an ink. Such substances typically reflect and/or emit (e.g. by fluorescence) return electromagnetic radiation upon illumination with an illuminating electromagnetic irradiation at one or more wavelengths at the following spectral regions: infrared (IR), visible (VIS) and ultraviolet (UV). The returned electromagnetic radiation may be in a narrow bandwidth, e.g. essentially monochromatic, or may be of a broader bandwidth. In some embodiments, the label substance used by the invention (e.g., an ink) may comprise at least one fluorescent material which upon irradiation with UV light at one or more wavelengths within a certain spectral range of, for example, 320-340 nm, emits IR light at one or more wavelengths within a certain spectral range, e.g. in the range of 760- 780 nm, 780-800 nm, 800-820 nm, 820-840 nm and/or 840-860 nm. In some embodiments the illuminating source may be a UV light source e.g., a UV diode laser or a UV LED, emitting UV light at a spectral range of about 320 nm to about 340 nm and the sensor may be sensitive to at least one spectral range of those noted above, for example of about 760 to about 780 nm, of about 780 to about 800 nm, of about 800 nm to about 820 nm, of about 820 to about 840 nm and of about 840 nm to about 860 nm. In some embodiments the illuminating source may be an IR light source e.g., an IR diode laser or an IR LED, emitting IR light at a spectral range of about 700 nm to about 760 nm and the sensor may be sensitive to at least one spectral range of those noted above, for example of about 760 to about 780 nm, of about 780 to about 800 nm, of about 800 nm to about 820 nm, of about 820 to about 840 nm and of about 840 nm to about 860 nm.

In some embodiments the substances according to the invention are visible, non- visible or both.

The label used by the invention may be applied to the product by any technique known in the art. Non-limiting examples are stamping or printing techniques such as letterpress, flexography, silkscreen, gravure, laser printing, ink jet printing and transfer ribbon.

In some embodiments, the label may be applied directly to the product.

In yet further embodiments the label may be indirectly applied to the product. To this end, the label may be first applied to a substrate which may then be affixed to the product or may be used to pack the product within it. Non limiting examples of applicable substrates are stickers (adhesive), fabrics, polymeric sheets, plastic sheets, cardboard and paper. In some embodiments the substrate is a fabric knitted to the product. The labels may be applied to the product at one or more locations. The labels may be applied onto the product in various patterns. The patterns may be continuous and/or non- continuous. Non limiting examples of such patterns are a line, a dot, number/s pattern, letter/s pattern etc. In some embodiments the labels may overlap with a printed mark on the product/package. The marks may be visible as well as non-visible marks. Non-limiting examples of visible marks include trademark, product name, company name, logos, barcodes etc.

In some embodiments, the label may be incorporated within at least a portion of a mark on the product. In yet further embodiments, the label may be applied under or over at least a portion of a mark e.g., visible mark. In some embodiments the labels according to the invention may be comprised within a mark on the product.

In some embodiments the labels according to the invention may comprise at least one visible substance e.g., ink, and at least one non-visible substance. To this end, the invisible substance may have minimal effect on the visible characteristic of the visible substance. In some embodiments, the at least one visible substance and the at least one invisible substance may interact with each other, affecting the optical characteristic of at least one of the substances.

In some embodiments at least two labels are applied onto the product. The at least two labels may be applied on the same face or on different faces of the product. The inclusion of more than one label on the product may increase authentication flexibility as authentication may be less sensitive to the manner in which the product is placed onto the device. In some embodiments more than one type of label may be applied onto a product and the device is then adapted for detection of the characteristic return electromagnetic radiation of a corresponding more than one label types. Having two or more types of label may significantly increase the difficulty of counterfeiting and may thus be applied, for example, to valuable products. The authentication device of the present invention may also comprise a user interface for communicating an output indicator indicative of product authenticity to the user.

In some embodiments the device according to the invention may be configured to determine other parameters relating to the product through readout of at least one indication, a mark or any other manner of encoding information, referred to herein as a "security feature", wherein the security feature is incorporated, affixed to, embedded in, directly printed or associated with the package and/or product. To this end, the security feature such as a mark on the product, for example a barcode, may serve as a unique identifier of a particular product and the device may have an appropriate sensor for detecting and identifying this unique identifier. Said sensor may be associated with an illumination source for illuminating the identifier such that a return signal may be detected and identified by the sensor and the associated circuitry or processor utility. In some embodiments the sensor may be a photo sensor (e.g., a camera) configured to capture an image of the mark. In some embodiments the sensor may have a processing utility configured to identify the unique identifier and to store the identification information in an internal memory of the device and/or to communicate this identification information to a remote database. In some embodiments the processing utility may incorporate a transmitter and a receiver enabling transmitting the identification information to a database and receiving a confirmation of the status (e.g. whether it passed the expiration date) of the identified product/item. In some embodiments the processing unit may be adapted to download the identification information to an external unit upon receipt of a signal indicating that the detected product is authentic. Such an external unit may be configured to communicate with a database, as know per se. Specific identifiers (security features) on or associated with the package and/or product may provide the user or a central database with an indication of information other than authenticity. Non limiting examples are: whether the product is sold in its intended location (e.g., in a specific store); whether the product was already sold previously, which may be an indication of, for example, a reuse of the package, e.g. by a counterfeiter; and others.

In some embodiments the user interface of the device according to the invention may provide the user with an output indicator with information on the security feature uniquely identifying the individual product/item. The information may be visually and/or audio displayed. Further, the information may be communicated to another device and/or to a remote database. In some embodiments the information may be stored and retrieved by an external unit.

In some embodiments the security feature may be directly printed on the product/item/package. In some further embodiments the security feature may be comprised within at least one label used by the invention, the label being affixed to, embedded in, attached to or directly printed on the product. In some further embodiments the security feature may be incorporated within at least a portion of the label.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 providing a schematic illustration of a device according to an embodiment of the invention. As seen, a portion of the external face of the device has been removed to permit viewing of internal components. The device (100) has a body (102), a user accessible surface (104) and instructions panel (106) carrying an instruction label (108) (which may be adhered or printed onto panel 106) for instructing a user on the use of the device. The user accessible surface has a window portion (110). The user accessible surface includes an authenticity indicator (114) which may provide a user with an audio and/or visual output indicating authenticity. The indicator may also, in some embodiments, provide an output indicating questionable authenticity or may provide one type of output indicating authenticity and another where authenticity could not be established. The device may also include an activating button (116) that should be pressed by a user prior to testing a product so as to activate the device. Alternatively, the device may be continuously activated. The device also includes an emitter and a signal reader assembly (120) housed within the body. The assembly is designed to emit a signal towards window 110 and record the return signal. The signal reader assembly may be optionally housed within a protective housing (118).

Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the circuitry (200) of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The circuitry includes a power source (202) which may be a mains adapter or which may be battery-powered; a control module (204), with a communication control unit (205) operationally linked to communication links (as represented schematically be arrows 240 and 242), a microprocessor (206), light emitter control unit (208) and a data acquisition sensor unit (210) which are, respectively, linked to light emitter (214) and light sensor (216) configured within an optical head (212) of the device to emit and receive electromagnetic signals as represented schematically be arrows (230) and (232). The control module (204) is also operationally linked to an output indicator unit (222) for emitting an audio, visual or audiovisual signal indicating authenticity or indicating that authenticity could not be determined.