US 5768384

Summary of US Patent 5,768,384

Based on the provided patent text and public records, here is a concise summary of US patent 5,768,384.

• Title: System for identifying authenticating and tracking manufactured articles
• Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
• Inventor: William Berson
• Filing Date: March 28, 1996
• Issue Date: June 16, 1998
• Abstract: This invention relates to a system for identifying, authenticating and tracking articles of manufacture throughout their manufacturing and distribution channels. The foregoing system utilizes: manufacturing meters that are located at authorized manufacturing locations and produce encrypted data that is uniquely associated with each manufactured article; a printer located at the authorized manufacturing locations so that the printer will print the information encrypted by the meter, which encrypted information is affixed to the manufactured article; a data center coupled to the manufacturing meters and located at a site remote from the manufacturing meters; means for producing information that identifies the manufactured articles; and a plurality of means located where the authenticity of the manufactured articles are checked by comparing the encrypted information on the article with the information produced that identifies the article.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

The patent asserts two independent claims which define the core of the invention: one covering the system (Claim 1) and one covering the method (Claim 19).

Claim 1: The System

In simple terms, Claim 1 describes the physical components of an anti-counterfeiting and tracking system. The system requires:

1. A Secure "Manufacturing Meter": A specialized, secure device located at an authorized factory. Its job is to create a unique piece of encrypted (coded) information for each product made. This information is tied not only to the product but also to the specific person who operated the manufacturing equipment.
2. A Printer: A printer connected to the meter at the factory. It prints the unique encrypted information onto a label or tag. This tag is then attached to the product.
3. A Way to Get Product Information: A means of generating identifying information about the product, such as from an invoice, a shipping manifest, or a customs form.
4. An Authenticating Device: A device (like a scanner) that can check if the product is genuine. It does this by reading the encrypted code on the product and comparing it to the information from the associated document (like the invoice). A match confirms the product is authentic and in the correct supply chain.

Claim 19: The Method

This claim describes the step-by-step process for using the system to determine if a product is authentic and correctly described by its associated paperwork. The method involves:

1. Producing and Attaching an Encrypted Code: Generating a unique, encrypted code that is tied to a specific manufactured product and the equipment operator, and then placing this code onto the product itself.
2. Documenting the Product: Separately creating a document or record (referred to as a "medium of expression," which could be paper or a digital file) that contains information about that product.
3. Encrypting and Attaching a Second Code: Encrypting some of the information from the product's document and placing this second encrypted code onto that same document.
4. Comparing the Codes: At a later point, comparing the encrypted code on the product with the encrypted code on the document.
5. Authenticating: Based on whether the two codes match or are correctly related, a determination is made about the product's authenticity.