Granted Patent B2

US 11,620,658 · App. 16/781,841 · Granted Apr 4, 2023

Inventors: Michael Caton (Oakfield, NY); Michael Roy (Webster, NY); David Wicker (Dansville, NY); Nicole Acton (Churchville, NY); Jaeson Caulley (Foster City, CA)

Assignee: PROOF AUTHENTICATION CORPORATION

G06Q30/018G06F21/34G06F21/36G06K19/06037G06K19/14G06Q20/204

Abstract

Claims (42)

1. A smart device, comprising:

a camera;

a user interface; and

one or more processors configured to execute program instructions stored in a non-transitory memory storage, cause the smart device to perform a set of operations comprising:

causing a security feature to become visible by auto-focusing a lens of the camera using a focusing target embedded in the security feature;

while the security feature is visible from the lens of the camera, obtaining image data of a product code associated with a particular item, wherein the product code comprises a pattern printed as a barcode and a background pattern that contains both of the security feature and the focusing target, and wherein the security feature is distorted by a reproduction of the product code and the security feature is adjacent to the barcode;

determining, based on the security feature, whether the product code is authentic or unauthentic; and

if the product code is unauthentic, displaying, via the user interface, an indication of unauthenticity; or

(ii) if the product code is authentic, proceeding with a transaction for the particular item.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:

sending an authentication query to an authentication server, wherein the authentication query comprises at least a portion of the obtained image data;

receiving, from the authentication server, an indication of an authenticity of the product code; and

using the received indication as a basis to make the determination.

3. The mobile device of claim 2 , wherein the indication comprises an indication of serialized information associated with the particular item.

4. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein proceeding with the transaction for the particular item comprises:

determining a price for the particular item; and

determining that a payment for the price has been tendered.

5. The mobile device of claim 4 , wherein the set of acts further comprises:

in response to determining that the payment has been tendered, providing a receipt indicating the payment tendered and the product type indicated by the product identification data.

6. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:

if the product code is unauthentic, terminating the transaction for the particular item.

7. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:

if the product code is unauthentic, sending an unauthenticity indication to an authentication server.

8. A method comprising:

causing, by a smart device, a security feature to become visible by auto-focusing a lens of a camera of the smart device using a focusing target embedded in the security feature;

while the security feature is visible from the lens of the camera, obtaining image data of a product code associated with a particular item, wherein the product code comprises a pattern printed as a barcode and a background pattern that contains both of the security feature and the focusing target, and wherein the security feature is distorted by a reproduction of the product code and the security feature is located within the barcode;

determining, by the smart device, based on the security feature, whether the product code is authentic or unauthentic; and

if the product code is unauthentic, displaying, via a user interface of the smart device, an indication of unauthenticity; or

(ii) if the product code is authentic, proceeding, by the smart device, with a transaction for the particular item.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein proceeding with the transaction for the particular item comprises:

determining, by the mobile device, a price for the particular item; and

determining, by the mobile device, that a payment for the price has been tendered.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the method further comprises:

in response to determining that the payment has been tendered, providing a receipt indicating the payment tendered and the product type indicated by the product identification data.

11. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the set of operations further comprises:

if the product code is unauthentic, terminating the transaction for the particular item.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium, having stored thereon program instructions that, upon execution by a smart device, cause the smart device to perform a set of operations comprising:

causing a security feature to become visible by auto-focusing a lens of a camera of the smart device using a focusing target embedded in the security feature;

while the security feature is visible from the lens of the camera, obtaining image data of a product code associated with a particular item, wherein the product code comprises a pattern printed as a barcode and a background pattern that contains both of the security feature and the focusing target, wherein the security feature is distorted by a reproduction of the product code and the security feature is located within the barcode;

determining, based on the security feature, whether the product code is authentic or unauthentic; and

(i) if the product code is unauthentic, displaying an indication of unauthenticity; or

(ii) if the product code is authentic, proceeding with a transaction for the particular item.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (8)