Method for improving security and enhancing information storage capability, the system and apparatus for producing the method, and products produced by the system and apparatus using the method

Abstract

One alternative and optional method of the present invention provides a secured item specific identification system incorporating the steps of identifying an item to a determined degree, generating a first identifying code for the item, generating a second code and separately providing the same to a partner, enabling an access to secure identification data regarding the item upon an authorizing use of both the first and second code. In other optional alternative embodiments, the first and second codes may be optionally linked or alternatively provided in alternative and adaptive composite symbology formats.

1 . (canceled)  
   
   
       2 . A method for enhancing information security during item transfer, comprising the steps of: 
 enumerating an item specific designation for a user specified item;    encoding said enumerated item specific designation into a readable composite symbology encodation; 
 said composite symbology encodation, comprising: 
 at least a first and a second encoded symbology portion, wherein said at least first and second portions are electronically joined during said step of encoding and require a combination of said portions to read said encoded item specific designation;  
 
 applying one of said at least first and second encoded symbology portions to said user specified item;  
   transferring said user specified item to at least a first authorized party;    constructing said at least first and second encoded symbology portions into said readable composite symbology encodation, thereby enabling said authorized party to conduct a step of reading said composite symbology encodation and determining said item specific designation.    
   
   
       3 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of: 
 recording at least said item-specific designation for said user specified item in an authorized-use accessible storage system;    providing to said at least first authorized party means for securely accessing said authorized-use storage system; and    accessing said authorized-use accessible storage system and comparing said constructed composite symbology encodation with said recorded item-specific designation, thereby enabling said at least first authorized party to confirm at least one of a pedigree and an authentication of said user specified item.    
   
   
       4 . A method for enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said means for securely accessing includes means for securely updating said authorized-use storage system, whereby said system enables at least a receipt confirmation of said user specified item.    
   
   
       5 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: 
 conducting at least one of a step of updating, a step of modifying, and a step of correcting said authorized-use accessible storage system to link said recorded item specific designation to at least one of a location status, a return status, an authorization status, a pedigree status, and a counterfeit status, relative to said user specified item, whereby said method enables a comprehensive supply-chain report during said item transfer to said authorized party.    
   
   
       6 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: 
 accessing said authorized-use accessible storage system and determining at least a location of said user specified item.    
   
   
       7 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said item specific designation includes both higher-order information and specific-item information effective to provide a user-determined unit designation to said user specified item.    
   
   
       8 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 said higher-order information includes at least one of a UPC identifier, a NDC code identifier, a manufacturer identification identifier, and a transmission means identifier; and    said specific-item information includes at least a one of a serial number and a custom identification number for said user specified item.    
   
   
       9 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: 
 enabling said authorized party to access said authorized-use accessible storage system via one of an internet-based secure hyperlink connection and an intranet-based connection, wherein said step of enabling allows an easy access to said accessible storage system for simplified and secure item tracking.    
   
   
       10 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 at least one of said first and second encoded symbology portions is a 2D symbology encodation; and    said other of said first and second encoded symbology portions is a 1D symbology encodation, whereby said readable composite symbology encodation combines said 1D and said 2D symbology encodations enabling at least an increased security during item transfer.    
   
   
       11 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 at least one of said first and second encoded symbology portions is a 2D symbology encodation; and    said other of said first and second encoded symbology portions is a 2D symbology encodation, whereby said readable composite symbology encodation combines said 2D and said 2D symbology encodations enabling at least an increased security during item transfer.    
   
   
       12 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 3 , wherein: 
 said step of encoding said readable composite symbology encodation further comprises a step of: 
 providing additional human readable references to said item specific designation on respective said at least first and second encoded symbology portions.  
   
   
   
       13 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 during said step of deconstructing portions of said human readable references are also deconstructed relative to said respective encoded symbology portions, thereby allowing during said step of reconstructing said authorized party to enter said human readable references in said authorized-use accessible storage system to reconstruct said item specific designation and enable said at least first authorized party to confirm said item specific designation despite a damage to said encoded symbology portions rendering them incapable of reading by non-human devices during said steps of reconstructing and accessing.    
   
   
       14 . A method of enhancing information security during item transfer, according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said step of reconstructing includes at least one of a step of physically reconstructing and at step of electronically reconstructing said first and second symbology encoded portions into said readable composite symbology encodation, whereby said method enables an adaptive reconstructing method improving information security during item transfer.