Method and system for product authentication

Abstract

Methods and systems for product authentication include the storage of product authenticity data in integrated circuit (IC) chips of verification objects for physical association with authentic products. The IC chips are operable to determine verification data using the stored product authenticity data, and may include private key encryption, private algorithm and/or count processing functionality for verification data determination. A verification server(s) is utilized to receive an inbound message(s) from an electronic device(s) that includes test data obtained by the electronic device(s) from an integrated circuit chip at a product of interest, and in response thereto, to send an outbound message to the electronic device(s) indicative of verification or non-verification of authenticity of the product of interest, based upon identification or non-identification of an association between the test data and product authenticity data. Each outbound message is dependent upon determining the presence of an association utilizing stored data and optional algorithmic and count processing functionality. The electronic device(s) may be a smart phone(s) having a mobile product authentication application downloaded thereto for use in obtaining the test data that may or may not correspond to verification data determinable by a verification object.