Electronic brand authentication method using scannable codes

Abstract

A “scannable logo” image contains encoded identity data for the logo brand owner, encoded visual identification characteristics for the logo brand, an encoded GPS data corresponding to manufacturing location for a manufactured item or assembled item, plus additional embodiment dependent data. The image is scanned with the image scanning function of a mobile communication device and the encoded logo brand owner identity data, the encoded visually identifying characteristics for the logo brand, and the encoded GPS location information are decoded with a decoding function. The GPS location information is captured for the mobile communication device with the GPS function of the mobile communication device, and compared to the decoded GPS location information. If the decoded information is a geo-proximal match, an authentication application is launched in the computer function of the mobile communication device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of logo authentication, brand authentication, or authentication of the manufacturing origin of an item comprising the steps of:
 providing, in an electronic database, brand or logo identity data;   providing, in the same electronic database as the brand or logo identity data or   a different electronic database, visually identifying characteristics data for each of a plurality of brand or logo marks, with the visually identifying characteristics data for each brand or logo mark being electronically associated with the brand or logo identity data in a validating way;   visually displaying one or more of said plurality of marks from a personal object,   electronically scanning each displayed logo or brand mark;   electronically transferring the visually identifying characteristics data for the scanned logo or brand mark;   and electronically determining from the logo or brand identity data, and the visually identifying characteristics for each logo or brand mark or marks displayed whether the scanned mark is validated or authenticated for use.   
     
     
         2 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein the validating way of associating the identifying characteristics data for the logo or brand mark with the logo or brand identity data, and the one or more of the marks displayed from the personal object occurs by displaying the one or more marks during a specific or predetermined time period, and one or more of the authentication characteristics is whether the displayed mark is displayed during the specific or predetermined time period. 
     
     
         3 . A method, as in  claim 2 , wherein the specified or predetermined time period is based alternatively on government or quasi-government created statutory rules, a period designated by the software or the hardware device used to scan or display the logo or brand mark, or by a period otherwise designated by a trusted registrar, merchant, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer in the process of creating or displaying logo or brand mark. 
     
     
         4 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein the validating way of associating the identifying characteristics data for the logo or brand mark with the logo or brand identity data, and the one or more of the marks displayed from the personal object is validated or authenticated for use by scanning the logo or brand mark and electronically associating geo-location data with the logo or brand identity database, the database containing the visually identifying characteristics for the mark or marks, or another database, and then confirming the association by scanning the logo or brand mark. 
     
     
         5 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein the validating way of associating the identifying characteristics data for the logo or brand mark with the logo or brand identity data includes encrypting the data communication channel used to display the one or more marks, or encrypting the identity data communication channel, or encrypting the visually identifying characteristics data communication channel from one network address point to another network address point. 
     
     
         6 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein the validating way of associating the identifying characteristics data for the logo or brand mark with the logo or brand identity data includes encrypting the display of the one or more marks displayed from the personal object, and electronically decrypting the one or more marks displayed from the personal object, and one or more of the authentication characteristics is whether the displayed mark is encrypted 
     
     
         7 . A method, as in  claim 6 , wherein the encrypting of the display of the one or more marks displayed from the personal object includes displaying the marks at frequencies above or below the range of human visible light, and electronically decrypting the one or more marks so displayed from the personal object. 
     
     
         8 . A method, as in  claim 6 , wherein the encrypting of the display of the one or more marks displayed from the personal object includes shifting the displayed scannable code pixel's location according to a predetermined pattern, and electronically decrypting the one or more marks displayed from the personal object. 
     
     
         9 . A method, as in  claim 4 , further comprising verifying authenticity of a manufactured item by scanning a logo or mark that has been previously validated for use, and appending the geo-location data of the origin of manufacture of an item to the existing electronic database containing the brand or logo identity, the database containing the visually identifying characteristics, or another database. 
     
     
         10 . A method, as in  claim 9 , further comprising verifying authenticity of a manufactured item by confirming an item's origin of manufacture in response to a determination that the scanned logo or brand mark is associated with the previously appended origin of manufacturer geo-location data. 
     
     
         11 . A method, as in  claim 4 , further comprising verifying authenticity of a manufactured item by scanning a logo or mark that has been previously validated for use, and appending the geo-location data corresponding to a manufactured item's port of entry into a country, state or other geo-political entry point to the existing electronic database containing the brand or logo identity, the database containing the visually identifying characteristics, or another database. 
     
     
         12 . A method, as in  claim 11 , further comprising verifying authenticity of a manufactured item by confirming a manufactured item's port of entry into a country, state or other geo-political entry point in response to a determination that the scanned logo or brand mark is associated with the previously appended port of entry geo-location data. 
     
     
         13 . A method, as in  claim 4 , further comprising verifying authenticity of a manufactured item by scanning a logo or mark that has been previously validated for use, and appending the geo-location data corresponding to a manufactured item's wholesale or retail location to the existing electronic database containing the brand or logo identity, the database containing the visually identifying characteristics, or another database. 
     
     
         14 . A method, as in  claim 13 , further comprising verifying authenticity of a manufactured item by confirming a manufactured item's wholesale or retail location in response to a determination that the scanned logo or brand mark is associated with the previously appended wholesale or retail geo-location data. 
     
     
         15 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein displaying the brand or logo mark comprises displaying a decal, label, sticker, or visual display of a scannable design which yields a data string. 
     
     
         16 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein displaying the brand or logo mark comprises displaying a decal, label, sticker, with a bar code or other scannable design which yields a data string. 
     
     
         17 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein displaying the logo or brand mark comprises an electronic visual display of a bar code or other scannable design which yields a data string. 
     
     
         18 . A method, as in  claim 1 , wherein displaying the logo or brand mark comprises engraving or molding the 2D scannable mark into an item during the manufacturing process in such a way that the displayed mark or other scannable design, can be electronically scanned to yield a data string. 
     
     
         19 . A method, as in  claim 1 , where a personal object is either a tangible property such as: an electronic component chassis, a smart-phone case, a rectangular “credit” card, an electronic disc or flash drive, an article of clothing, a wrist band, a component of an automobile, a component of an airplane, a component of a piece of military hardware, a sheet of letter paper, a receipt, a newspaper, magazine, a credit card protective sleeve, a dermal patch, a postage stamp, currency, a human appendage, a cup, bottle, or other container; or an electronic display such as on a CRT monitor, television, LCD, or other mobile display that virtually displays a brand or logo either alone or as part of a virtually depicted tangible property. 
     
     
         20 . A method, as in  claim 1 , where electronically scanning, electronically transferring electronically determining, electronically decrypting, and validation or authentication are performed by software residing on a mobile computer operated by a trusted registrar, merchant, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer. 
     
     
         21 . A method, as in  claim 3 , wherein a trusted registrar is understood to be a merchant, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer individually or in concert with others, that maintains the physical or virtual custody of the brand or logo identity data, visually identifying characteristics data, specific or predetermined time period, geo-location data, consumer data, merchant identity data, item manufacturer data, mobile device data, or software application data. 
     
     
         22 . A method of logo authentication, brand authentication, or authentication of the manufacturing origin of an item comprising the steps of:
 a trusted registrar personally providing or causing a merchant, software developer, or hardware manufacturer to provide, in an electronic database, brand or logo identity data;   providing in the same electronic database as the brand or logo identity data or a different electronic database, visually identifying characteristics data for each of a plurality of brand or logo marks, with the visually identifying characteristics data for each brand or logo mark being associated with the brand or logo identity data in a validating way;   said trusted registrar to personally display or to cause a merchant, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer to visually display one or more of said plurality of marks from a personal object in such a way that,   said trusted registrar, or a merchant, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer is able to electronically scan the displayed logo or brand mark. electronically transfers the visually identifying characteristics data for the scanned logo or brand mark;   and the trusted registrar, merchant, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer determines electronically from the logo or brand identity data, and the visually identifying characteristics for the plurality of logo or brand marks whether the scanned mark is validated for use.   
     
     
         23 . A method, as in  claim 22 , wherein the validating way of associating the identifying characteristics data for the logo or brand mark with the logo or brand identity data, and the one or more of the marks displayed from the personal object occurs by displaying the one or more marks during a specific or predetermined time period, and one or more of the authentication characteristics is whether the displayed mark is displayed during the specific or predetermined time period. 
     
     
         24 . A method of logo authentication, brand authentication, or authentication of the manufacturing origin of an item comprising the steps of:
 A merchant personally providing or causing a trusted registrar, software developer, or hardware manufacturer to provide, in an electronic database, brand or logo identity data;   providing in the same electronic database as the brand or logo identity data or   a different electronic database, visually identifying characteristics data for each of a plurality of brand or logo marks, with the visually identifying characteristics data for each brand or logo mark being associated with the brand or logo identity data in a validating way;   said merchant to personally display or to cause a trusted registrar, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer to visually display one or more of said plurality of marks from a personal object in such a way that,   said merchant, or a trusted registrar, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer is able to electronically scan the displayed logo or brand mark, electronically transfers the visually identifying characteristics data for the scanned logo or brand mark;   and the merchant, trusted registrar, consumer, government agency, hardware manufacturer, or software developer determines electronically from the logo or brand identity data, and the visually identifying characteristics for the plurality of logo or brand marks whether the scanned mark is validated for use.   
     
     
         25 . A method, as in  claim 24 , wherein the validating way of associating the identifying characteristics data for the logo or brand mark with the logo or brand identity data, and the one or more of the marks displayed from the personal object occurs by displaying the one or more marks during a specific or predetermined time period, and one or more of the authentication characteristics is whether the displayed mark is displayed during the specific or predetermined time period. 
     
     
         26 . An improved method for scanning a 2D bar code or other image which yields a data string providing:
 a method to affix a scannable mark or marks to a personal object which incorporate inks or other luminescent chemicals that luminesce above or below the human visible light range, wherein the scannable marks are either applied directly to a personal object,   or applied to a sticker, label or decal which is then affixed to the personal object, or chemically molded or etched marks into a manufactured item;   a physical display or electronic display of said marks above or below the human visible light range;   a mobile device with a camera function that contains a strobe flash function such that when the strobe flash is activated, the mark or marks displayed above or below the range or human visible light will luminesce with greater intensity so as to be more easily scanned by said mobile device's electronic camera function.   one or more marks which, when scanned yield a data string but are such that, when strobe by the flash, the mark or marks will reflect brightly at frequencies above or believe the human visible light range,   an electronic flash capable of emitting light at frequencies above or below the human visible light range,   software to either manually or automatically select the light wavelength of the flash, and to set the camera function to scan or otherwise capture the image of the selected light frequency,   a mobile communication device with a camera for scanning or capturing an image of a 2D bar code or other image which yields a data string with the camera to include an optical sensor capability to capture frequencies above or below the visible human light range,   visually displaying one or more of the marks from a person object;   electronically scanning each displayed mark;   electronically transferring the identifying data contained in the displayed mark;   and determining that the scanned data is valid.