FEATURE SPECIFICATION FOR AUTHENTICATION FEATURE
A method for supplying a feature specification of at least one authentication feature connected with a product, wherein a central device deposits in a database of the central device the feature specification and a reference code linked with the feature specification and uniquely marks the product. Within the framework of a request of a checking device, the central device receives a comparison code of the product from the checking device and ascertains the requested feature specification in the database by identifying the reference code corresponding with the comparison code. The ascertained feature specification is transferred at least partly to the checking device. In a subsequent method for checking the authenticity of the product, the checking device verifies one or several of the authentication features of the product on the basis of the received feature specification.
1 .- 15 . (canceled)
16 . A method for supplying a feature specification of at least one authentication feature connected with a product, comprising:
depositing a feature specification and a reference code, which is linked with the feature specification and uniquely marks the product, in a database of a central device;
receiving from a checking device a request comprising a comparison code of the product;
ascertaining the feature specification in the database by identifying the reference code corresponding with the comparison code; and
transferring the at least partial feature specification to the checking device.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database a feature specification which relates to information about the presence of the at least one authentication feature on the product, about the position of the at least one authentication feature on the product, and/or about a possible verification of the at least one authentication feature, and comprises texts, images, animations, audible instructions and/or control instructions executable by the checking device for the at least one authentication feature.
18 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database a feature specification which relates to at least one authentication feature which is not verifiable with the naked eye.
19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database a feature specification which relates to at least one authentication feature individual to a product or individual to a batch.
20 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database a checking entitlement which relates to an entitlement of the checking device, and/or of an operator operating the checking device, and/or of a body operating the checking device, to check the authenticity of the product or of a product batch including the product, and/or to verify the at least one authentication feature or a feature class including the authentication feature.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein the central device receives the checking entitlement from the checking device, and transfers the at least partial feature specification to the checking device only after successful examination of the checking entitlement.
22 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database a feature specification which relates to several authentication features connected with the product, wherein the central device transfers to the checking device, upon the request of the checking device, a part of the feature specification which relates only to one of the several authentication features.
23 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein the central device, upon the request of the checking device, individually determines the authentication feature to be verified by the checking device, and transfers to the checking device only that part of the feature specification that relates to the authentication feature.
24 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database a reference code which relates to a bar code, a batch number or serial number and/or a digital image of the product and/or of the at least one authentication feature.
25 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device deposits in the database the feature specification and the reference code linked therewith, before delivery of the product to an end user or middleman.
26 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the central device receives the feature specification of the at least one authentication feature and/or the reference code from a producer device of a producer of the product and/or of the authentication feature.
27 . A method for checking the authenticity of a product through a checking device, wherein the checking device cooperates with the central device according to the method recited in claim 16 and checks the authenticity of the product on the basis of the at least partial feature specification received from the central device, by verifying the at least one authentication feature.
28 . A central device for supplying a feature specification of at least one authentication feature connected with a product, comprising a database and a control device, wherein the control device is arranged to
deposit in the database the feature specification and a reference code linked with the feature specification and uniquely marking the product;
receive a comparison code of the product from a checking device;
ascertain the feature specification by identifying the reference code corresponding with the comparison code in the database; and
transfer the ascertained feature specification at least partly to the checking device.
29 . The central device recited in claim 28 , wherein the central device comprises a server connected with a data communication network and configured to carry out the method recited in claim 16 .
30 . A system comprising a central device and at least one checking device, wherein the checking device comprises a verifier connected with a data communication network and arranged to cooperate with the central device according to the method recited in claim 16 and to check the authenticity of the product on the basis of the received at least partial feature specification by verifying the at least one authentication feature.