Method and device for product and document authentication

Abstract

Counterfeit articles are distinguished from genuine articles by a combination of a party-specific code and a product authentication code of the article. After authenticating a genuine article, a replacement authentication code is generated based on the original authentication code and party-specific code. Documents and currencies can be authenticated independently of any party-specific code by an addition to or alteration of their authentication code with each authentication event.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 accessing an object;   associating an authentication code with the object; and   
       storing the authentication code in a memory, the memory coupled to a processor configured to correlate a party-specific code with the authentication code in response to an authentication query, the party-specific code received with the authentication query. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein accessing includes at least one of manufacturing and acquiring. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein associating the authentication code with the object includes at least one of printing, etching, embedding, engraving, encoding and storing in a storage register of the object. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein associating the authentication code with the object includes at least one of marking a chemical storage container, marking a pharmaceutical product container, marking a medical device, marking a biological sample container, marking a mechanical component, marking an electronic component, marking an appliance, marking a gemstone, marking a fine art specimen, marking furniture, marking apparel, marking a shipping container, marking a box and marking an envelope. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein associating the authentication code with the object includes marking the object with a hidden character. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein marking the object with the hidden character includes obscuring the hidden character with at least one of a seal, a wrapper and a closure. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein storing the authentication code includes communicating the authentication code to a processor using a wide area network. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein communicating includes sending digital data using the internet.