Merchandise verification and information system

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, a considerable need has been recognized for anti-counterfeiting devices and systems for use on a variety of articles including trade-identified goods. Problems of lost sales may be compounded by loss of goodwill resulting from inferior counterfeits. Even erroneous product liability exposure may develop in relation to counterfeits. Specific forms of anti-counterfeit devices and systems are disclosed in the parent patent application hereto, Ser. No. 276,282 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,415 entitled "Non-Counterfeitable Document System". While such devices and systems have been determined to be quite effective in combatting counterfeit operations, meaningful problems continue to plague merchandisers, which problems are somewhat related to counterfeit operations. Specifically, for example, such problems may develop when anti-counterfeit tags or labels are stolen or otherwise obtained and used to improperly authenticate counterfeit or unauthorized goods.

After an anti-counterfeit device is securely affixed to genuine goods, culpable activities may still present problems in relation to the proper movement of goods through approved channels of commerce. For example, the quantity of goods acknowledged to be received by a retailer may not coincide to the quantity of goods indicated to have been shipped to the retailer by a distributor. Without detailed information, compromise is routine in such situations. Somewhat related problems, as stolen merchandise, tend to occur at various points as units of merchandise move into the channels of commerce. Without positive identification of individual units, tracing missing units is exceedingly difficult if not impossible. Of course, positive identification of goods is important in several other aspects as shelf-life planning and control.

Another grave problem in the distribution of trade identified goods involves unauthorized diversion operations. For example, to maintain certain standards, a manufacturer may establish specific requirements for retail establishments that sell its merchandise. In the face of such provisions, it is not uncommon for an authorized retailer to unload sizable quantities of merchandise, sometimes at a discounted price, to a retailer that does not meet the minimal standards. Again, without the ability to positively identify and trace individual units of merchandise, it is difficult if not impossible to identify the culpable source of the diverted merchandise.

In view of the above considerations, it may be seen that as trademarked or trade identified units of merchandise flow into the channels of commerce, such merchandise is plagued by counterfeits, diversion problems, pilferage, short counts, and a variety of other culpable activities. In addition to a need for a system for combatting such problems, a need exists for a practical system for selectively obtaining data on merchandise at various distribution points, as for use in market and product planning.

The present invention is based upon recognizing the need for a system to provide select detailed information in relation to marketing operations for specific units of merchandise and particularly to enable positive recognition of the units of merchandise that have gone astray. In a broad sense, the present system includes some form of anti-counterfeit verification devices associated with individual units of merchandise. Such "association" may be as a label or tag affixed to a unit of merchandise, or as a package element, or even as part of a unit. Within the system, the devices each bear a unique machine-readable identification number which is machine read, as by an optical code reader, to activate the system to develop and provide data on the merchandise. As disclosed in detail below, the system is organized to interrogate and maintain a memory carrying data on individual products. A logic of subset testing is implemented in the system whereby critical information on individual units may be obtained. The system is effective for obtaining data on merchandise of concern (stolen, lost, and so on) rather than accounting for merchandise of little concern that is properly moving through channels of commerce.

The invention hereof is briefly summarized as a system using a tag for auditing the movement of individual units of merchandise in commerce. Each tag is associated with a specific unit of merchandise and is imprinted to indicate a specific identification for the unit of merchandise and the batch or set of units to which the individual unit of merchandise belongs. As the unit of merchandise moves into commerce (normally along with others), its movement is designated as with respect to locations and customers. Such information is stored in a memory. The historical movement of the unit may then be traced by addressing the memory with specific logic combinations, e.g. "identify all units of a specified batch set shipped to a specific location". Thus, logic combinations of batch set data, locations, customers and so on enables selective tracing of individual units of merchandise that may be of particular concern.

As disclosed in detail below, the physical system and method hereof may be variously implemented using different forms of verification devices and apparatus. For example, verification devices may comprise a wide variety of sheet materials embodying different formats and variously attached to units of merchandise; or such devices may comprise part of an actual unit of merchandise or its package. Various forms of optical readers or sensors can be used to read or sense identifications. Furthermore, a wide variety of coding formats may be utilized for identifying the goods, authenticating the goods, and tracing the goods. Also, depending on specific merchandising problems, various logic systems can be implemented to perform the set-theory operations in obtaining the selectively meaningful data of a subset of merchandise units.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, exemplary embodiments of the invention are set forth as follows:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an authenticator tag in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graphic representation illustrating one form of memory cell organization in the system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a package incorporating an authenticator tag in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

As indicated above, detailed illustrative embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, authentication tags, physical identification media, data formats, and operating systems constructed in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of different forms, some of which may be quite different from those of the disclosed embodiments. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative; yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein which define the scope of the present invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a merchandise verification tag 10 is represented for use on a specific product or unit of merchandise. In various embodiments, the tag 10 may take the form of a label, product instructions, a certificate, a guarantee, or various other forms of documents associated with units of merchandise.

The tag 10, illustrated somewhat as a label, comprises a sheet of fiber paper having as a characteristic, an innate variable pattern of light transmissivity. The pattern is measurable. Such patterns may be observed in common ordinary bond paper by holding a sheet up to a light source and viewing the light source through the paper. The fact that such a pattern is inherent and random in the natural composition of the sheet, renders it substantially unduplicable as a characteristic for the tag 10.

The tag 10 is perforated to define three distinct sections. The major section 12 is separated from a section 14 by a line 16 of perforations, and somewhat similarly a section 18 is separated from the section 14 by a line 20 of perforations. The sections 14 and 18 are of similar size while the section 12 is somewhat larger and incorporates a cord 22 for direct attachment to a unit of merchandise.

The verification tag 10 carries several different items of specific information. Indicia 24 on the tag indicates a trade identity for the product. Normally, such indicia will be in a form readily perceivable to a prospective purchaser of the product.

Immediately below the indicia 24 on the section 12, there is machine-readable printing 26 in the form of a numerical representation, part of which is a batch-set designation, another part stating the specific identification of the tag. The number, e.g. "32-746128" serves as a unique address identification for use to designate a storage location or cell in memory (described below) where information is stored relevant to the product associated with the verification tag 10. Specifically with regard to the exemplary tag 10, the printing 26 manifests a numeral "32" which designates the product to be one unit in a particular batch set. Additionally, the printing designates a numeral "746128" which, within the batch set, identifies a specific unit of merchandise.

Below the printing 26 another row of numerals is provided by indicia 28 which is characteristic identification and relates to the verification of the tag 10. Indicia 28 specifies a characteristic identification of the tag 10, i.e. the transparency of the tag 10 at select spots in a specific area within a box 30. That is, the box 30 defines a fragment of section 12 of the tag 10, specific spot locations which have a characteristic, e.g. light transparency, which is specified directly or indirectly by the indicia 28.

The detailed operations of sensing the medium of the tag 10 within the box 30 to specify the unique characteristic, then comparing the observed data with the data represented by the indicia 28 is treated in considerable detail in the above-identified parent patent captioned "Non-Counterfeitable Document System".

Along the bottom of the verification tag 10 (below the box 30) there is size indicia 32 ("34W 32L") for the product and an identification indicia 34. The size indicia 32 indicates the size of the product, e.g. trousers, to which the verification tag will be attached and the identification indicia 34 indicates the so-called SKU data for the product (stock keeping unit) as widely used in the retail industry.

Considering the tag sections 14 and 18, each section carries indicia similar to the machine-readable printing 26. Specifically, section 14 carries machine-readable printing 36 and section 18 carries machine-readable printing 38. In general it has been found to be desirable to provide the printings 26, 36, and 38 in horizontal alignment on the tag 10 for standardization in batch processing.

To consider the use of the tag 10 somewhat preliminarily, assume that it is to be used on a pair of trousers of a specific size and style. That is, the tag 10 is produced for the specific unit of merchandise to which it is to be attached. In a sense, the tag 10 might be analogized to a "birth certificate" for a specific unit of merchandise.

In the exemplary system, the tag 10 is attached to its associated unit of merchandise by the cord 22. On completion of the unit of merchandise (not shown) with the tag 10 attached, section 18 of the tag might be removed and processed (as part of a set) to record the fact that the unit of merchandise exists in a finished form with tag affixed.

During normal distribution and marketing operations, the tag 10 will move (with its associated unit of merchandise) into various channels of commerce. For example, in due course, the unit of merchandise might be placed in inventory for a time, shipped to a distribution point, and then transported to a retail establishment. As a part of such operations, the tag may be sensed at different junctures. At one stage, section 14 may be removed for bulk processing as to record the fact that the unit of merchandise has been sold to a particular retail establishment. Accordingly, groups of the tags provide input data (on the basis of the machine-readable printing) concerning the history (status and location) of their associated individual units of merchandise. Set data is accordingly developed for convenient future selection of subsets of interest or concern.

To provide information on products at terminal or junction points along the commercial path to a consumer, the tag is machine read and data is recorded. In that regard, sections 14 and 18 of the tag can be removed for use in bulk processing operations, or a sensor wand as well known in the art can be used to sense the individual identification number and the batch-set number (printing 26). As individual product histories are developed, a record becomes available for sensing, as by use of set theory techniques, to detect and identify products that may be of concern and also to trace the history of specific products.

For specific product applications, tags in accordance herewith may incorporate varying numbers of removable sections (or none whatsoever) depending upon the nature of the merchandise and the related channels of commerce. Essentially, the advantage of removable sections is to accommodate high volume machine operations. Alternatively, as indicated, the product verification tag may be sensed or read by use of a hand-held wand as well known in the art of optical readers.

Devices as the tag 10 in cooperation with the methods and processing system of the present invention afford verification and flow information on individual units of merchandise associated with the tags. In general, the information is afforded by a technique of processing units of merchandise on a batch basis and treating the batch as a numerical set. By testing developed subsets of a batch set, desired data relating to merchandise of concern may be identified, verification being possible with access to the tags in question. It is important to appreciate that the numeral "32" in the machine-readable printing 26 identifies the batch of goods which constitutes an arithmetic set that includes the individual unit associated with the verification tag 10. That is, the system of the present invention involves a philosophy of operation in which units of merchandise are identified both individually and in batches or groups as specified sets and subsets to isolate useful data as the units move in the channels of commerce. Significantly, the system is capable of providing information on the products that are of concern, as distinct from the large volume of products that move properly as scheduled. Examples below will illustrate the subset selection operation with respect to certain market occurrences.

Assume, for example, that a batch of verification tags are to be provided to a manufacturing facility from a secure source where the tags are stored. There is always some danger that part of the batch will be diverted for use on counterfeit or unauthorized units of merchandise. In spite of the danger, normally in due course, most of the verification tags in the batch would be attached to individual units of merchandise. Treating such individual units as a subset, with the system hereof it is relatively simple to determine which if any of the tags were not attached to units of merchandise. The identification of the unused tags accommodates tracing and search operations. It may be important that the tags be of a non-counterfeitable configuration to assure that the data is reliable.

Considering another example, assume that some of a batch of goods are pilfered or lost. By using subset tests, the divergent goods may be positively identified. Goods that are diverted from the manufacturer's proper channels of distribution can also be identified. Additionally, any diverted units of merchandise (located outside proper distribution channels) may be verified and the source of such units determined.

A system of the present invention utilizing the verification tag 10 is illustrated generally in FIG. 2. The system includes a central processor 40 with a plurality of terminals, some of which are at locations that are remote from the location of the processor and memory 40. A secure terminal 42 for management use may be conveniently located with respect to the central processor and memory 40. Generally, the terminal 42 can command all available operations by the processor 40. The other terminals in the system do not offer such unlimited access or control. Specifically, a limited-function terminal 44 is located at a manufacturing site, a similar terminal 46 is located at a warehouse site, and another such terminal 48 is located at a distribution center. Of course, in different embodiments of the present invention, the terminals may be variously located and disposed, depending upon the channels of commerce and the specific goods on which the tags are to be used.

In view of the above explanation and description, an understanding of the system of FIG. 2 may now best be accomplished by assuming a specific merchandising situation and explaining operations by the system of FIG. 2 utilizing the tag 10 (FIG. 1) as associated goods move through channels of commerce. Accordingly, assume initially that at the location of the management terminal 42, a batch of tags (exemplified by the tag 10, FIG. 1) are prepared for use with a batch of goods, specifically trousers.

Tags 10, defining a batch set "32" of identification numbers are sensed and prepared for subsequent verification as described in detail in the above-referenced parent patent, "Non-Counterfeitable Document System". Generally, the characteristic of each tag is sensed at select spots within the box 30. The resulting numerical values are encoded according to a format that may be specified for the batch. The resulting encoded values (e.g. 634721) are then printed on the tags along with the other indicia including the machine-readable printing 26.

Either as an independent operation or concurrently with the coding of the tags, the signal represented data from each tag is registered in the central processor and memory 40 through a communication channel 51. Specifically, the identification numbers (e.g. 32-746128), the SKU numbers (e.g. 47318), and the present state of the tags (being sent unattached to a specific manufacturing location) are registered as disclosed in detail below to initiate a historical record of each unit of merchandise associated with each tag.

Following the initial preparation and recording operations, the tags are transported as a batch to a specific manufacturing site, in the disclosed embodiment the site of the terminal 44. Note that the movement of the tags from the location of the management terminal 42 to the location of the manufacture terminal 44 is indicated by a dashed line 50.

The manufacture terminal 44 essentially has the capability to record the next step for commercial production in the processor and memory 40. Specifically, when the assumed batch of tags (exemplified by tag 10, FIG. 1) have been attached individually to units of finished merchandise, e.g. trousers, that occurrence is recorded. The actual recording is performed when section 18 (FIG. 1) of the attached tags is removed and physically supplied to the terminal 44. The terminal processes the tag sections, e.g. section 18, to produce signals representative of the machine-readable printing which indicate the batch set number "32" and the unit identification number, for example "746128". The signals representative of the information are transmitted via the channel 52 to the central processor and memory 40. The records of each unit in the batch set are thus updated by a status change to indicate that the tags are attached to units of merchandise. The terminal 44 also may be actuated to indicate the shipment of specific items of merchandise to specific warehouses for recording in the cells of memory 40.

Considering the specific operations, the information developed at the terminal 44 by machine reading the sections 18 and by supplemental input (as a keyboard) data is supplied to the central processor 40 through a communication path 52 and the record on the exemplary batch set is enhanced. The batch set may now comprise a plurality of separate subsets. For example, less than all of the batch of the tags might have been attached to units of merchandise. Also, the tags of a batch set may be on goods that are shipped to different warehouses. In any event, the central processor 40 (FIG. 2) registers such facts to distinguish subsets of the batch set.

Units of merchandise shipped from the location of the terminal 44 to the warehouse location of the terminal 46 is indicated by the dashed line 54. As suggested, other destinations might also be involved; however, at the terminal 46, an operation similar to that described above occurs when the units of merchandise are again moved as indicated by the dashed line 56. Specifically, the set may be further divided, the data on individual units reflecting such divisions being transmitted by the terminal 46 through the channel 58 to be recorded in individual cells (or the equivalent) by the processor and memory 40.

The original batch set may be further divided at the distribution terminal 48 where appropriate data is transmitted by the terminal 48 through the channel 60 to the memory 40. The related movement of the units of merchandise is indicated by the dashed lines 61, an event which is also recorded in the memory 40.

With each significant movement of the units of merchandise, the machine-readable numerical designation is sensed to provide input signals to the central processor and memory 40 which enables tracing of individual units of merchandise based on numerical set analysis. In using the label tag 10 to reduce data to signals, tag sections 14 and 18 may be removed for batch processing by an optical code reader. Consequently, the sections can be transported to a terminal location for access to the central processor 40. Using an alternative approach, as indicated above, the machine-readable numerical designations on the tag 10 may be sensed by a hand-held wand with the tags in place, attached to individual units of merchandise.

As the units of merchandise flow into channels of commerce, the management secure terminal 42 may be employed to test the contents of the central processor 40 (and associated memory) to indicate that either tags or merchandise have gone astray. It is important to appreciate that the machine-readable numerical designations indicate a designated batch and an individual item. By utilization of the combination information with the ability to define subsets, the system is effective for providing detailed information for tracing goods, particularly goods that have gone astray. A variety of arithmetic set operations are described below with reference to the more detailed system representation of FIG. 3, for identifying units of merchandise that have moved out of proper marketing channels. History information on select units of merchandise is also available. For example, the distribution terminal 48 may provide an identification number to the processor and memory 40 for a rundown on a specific unit of merchandise.

FIG. 3 illustrates the system of FIG. 2 in somewhat greater detail and will now be described with regard to detailed operations. However, in FIG. 3 only two terminals are represented, i.e. a location terminal 62 representative of remote terminals, e.g. terminals 44, 46, and 48, and a management terminal 64. The remote location terminal 62 typifies a possible variety of such terminals while the management terminal 64 represents a comprehensive computer interface in relation to the central processor.

The terminals 62 and 64 are connected to a terminal controller 66 which is in turn connected to a central processor controller 68 that is associated with an address register 70 and a memory 72.

The memory 72 is organized to register a large number of information items each being associated with a particular item of merchandise. Considering the exemplary tag 10 (FIG. 1) a cell in the memory 72 is provided for information on the tag 10 where data may take a format as represented in FIG. 4. Of course, a wide variety of different data registration techniques and schemes may be employed as well as a multitude of addressing and search techniques. However, in essence, the memory 72 (FIG. 3) registers information on units of merchandise designated individually and in batch sets with information indicative of the history of such units of merchandise.

In the described embodiment, individual data locations are specified by the identification number, e.g. "32-746128" which can form an address for the memory 72 either for all units in a batch or for any individual unit. That is, the identification number is in a one-to-one arithmetic correspondence with the machine address. Of course, a wide variety of addressing and search schemes are presently in use and can be variously implemented. Likely, additional schemes will evolve in the future. The important consideration resides in the fact that the identification number (printing 26) associated with the tag 10 (FIG. 1) may be specified to the memory 72 (FIG. 3) to place a value in the address register 70 which will access the memory 72 specifying a data cell or a group of cells as illustrated in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an initial data section 80 of the memory cell contains representations of the identification (batch number "32" and unit number "746128") which is the machine-readable printing 26 (FIG. 1). Note that this data is a repetition, in that the identification confirms the address.

The next section 86 of the memory cell (FIG. 4) contains the SKU number, e.g. "47316", providing further identification data. The following section 88 registers a number manifesting the last reported status or state of the associated unit of merchandise. Of course, a number of states may be assigned; however, examples simply include possible situations for units of merchandise associated with the tag 10. In the illustrative embodiment, the following state codes are applicable:

______________________________________ STATE CODES DESCRIPTION ______________________________________ 1 Tags completed and printed