1. There must be QR-code scanning software installed on a mobile user device (smartphone or tablet). One can use freeware program readers for Android and iOS, while our specialized software is in development stage.
2. A consumer can scan the public label on the product and send the request to the system before having decide to make purchase.
3. The system may return the following response options:
- Product is not found. This means that the QR-encoded item public key is not found in the database. So the commodity is a fake and the key was generated randomly by malefactors.
- This item is already sold. This means that the public label was copied from another product, which private label was already scanner at the time of this verification. I.e. item with the same key has been sold legitimately already, therefore this instance is a fake.
- Shelf life has been expired. It’s not recommended to buy such product.
- This item was recalled. The response must include the recall reason. It’s not recommended to buy such product.
- This item is authentic, fit for sale.
In case of counterfeit detection one can be prompted to send a message with an address and organization name to manufacturer.
4. In addition, the response information must match the information in the human readable code (manufacturer id, batch number, etc.)
5. A buyer can scan the second code after the purchase and opening the package.
6. The system may return the following response options:
- Product is not found. This means that the QR-encoded item private key is not found in the database. So the commodity is a fake and it should be returned to the seller.
- This item is already sold. This means that the private label was copied from another product. I.e. item with the same key has been sold legitimately already, therefore this instance is a fake. Should be returned to the seller.
- The labels do not match. Public and private labels belong to different items registered in the database.
- This item is authentic and it is marked as sold now.
Again, in the case counterfeit detection one can send a message to the manufacturer.
7. The public label of this product is useless now — scanning this label will result in “already sold” response.