Systems and methods for verifying authenticity of a product

Abstract

Various aspects of the invention provide systems and method for verifying authenticity of a product. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a tamper-evident package; and a unique identifier usable to verify the authenticity of the product, the unique identifier contained within the tamper-evident package. The unique identifier cannot be detected from outside of the tamper-evident package without demonstrating evidence of tampering. Another aspect of the invention provides a system including: a tamper-evident package; and a concealed unique identifier coupled to the tamper-evident package. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of providing a providing a unique identifier. The method includes: providing a tamper-evident package; and placing the unique identifier within the tamper-evident package, wherein the unique identifier cannot be detected from outside of the tamper-evident package.

1 . A system comprising:
 a tamper-evident package; and   a unique identifier usable to verify the authenticity of the product, the unique identifier contained within the tamper-evident package;   wherein the unique identifier cannot be detected from outside of the tamper-evident package without demonstrating evidence of tampering,   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-evident package is a blister pack. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blister pack includes a blister material and a lidding material defining one or more cavities. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the unique identifier is printed on the blister material. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the unique identifier is printed on the lidding material. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a region of the tamper-evident package containing the unique identifier is opaque, 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the unique material is printed on a substrate received within the tamper-evident package. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is folded. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is rolled. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a further unique identifier. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the further unique identifier is mathematically related to the unique identifier. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of consumer goods, electronic goods, alcoholic beverages, electronic media, luxury goods, cosmetics, and software. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 a tamper-evident package; and   a concealed unique identifier coupled to the tamper-evident package.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the concealed unique identifier is concealed by a removable opaque coating. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the concealed unique identifier is concealed by a substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is perforated. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the concealed unique identifier is modified by one or more selected from the group consisting of exposure to an environmental condition, exposure to a substance, and use of a lens of a defined wavelength. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the environmental condition is selected from the group consisting of: a temperature, light, energy, stress, strain, and magnetic forces. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein one or more of the plurality of distinct hidden unique identifiers can be modified by exposure to the environmental condition for a defined period of time. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the substance is water. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the concealed unique identifier is removably coupled to the tamper-evident package. 
     
     
         23 . A method of providing a providing a unique identifier, the method comprising:
 providing a tamper-evident package; and   placing the unique identifier within the tamper-evident package, wherein the unique identifier cannot be detected from outside of the tamper-evident package.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the tamper-evident package is a blister pack. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 sealing the tamper-evident package,   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein a region of the tamper-evident package containing the unique identifier is opaque. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the unique identifier is printed on a substrate received within the tamper-evident package. 
     
     
         28 . A method of providing a providing a unique identifier, the method comprising:
 providing a tamper-evident package;   placing the unique identifier on the tamper-evident package; and   concealing the unique identifier.