# US 12,003,967 B2 · Devices, systems, and methods using microtransponders

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- Number: US 12,003,967 B2
- Document ID: US12003967B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/463,812
- Filed: 2021-09-01
- Published: 2022-03-17
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-09-17
- Assignees: P-Chip IP Holdings Inc.
- Applicants: P-Chip IP Holdings Inc.
- Inventors: William E. Eibon; Conrad Styczen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003967B2

## CPC

- G06F 21/32: using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
- H04W 12/30: Security of mobile devices; Security of mobile applications
- G06F 21/44: Program or device authentication
- G06F 21/45: Structures or tools for the administration of authentication
- G09C 1/00: Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system (cryptographic typewriters G09C3/00)
- H04L 9/0866: {involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics}
- H04L 9/3236: {using cryptographic hash functions}
- H04L 9/3278: {using physically unclonable functions [PUF]}
- H04L 9/50: {using hash chains, e.g. blockchains or hash trees}
- H04L 63/0861: {using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231)}
- H04W 4/029: Location-based management or tracking services
- H04W 12/06: Authentication
- H04W 84/18: Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
- H10F 19/50: Integrated devices comprising at least one photovoltaic cell and other types of semiconductor or solid-state components (H10F19/75 takes precedence)
- H10F 39/191: {Photoconductor image sensors}
- H10F 77/206: {for devices having potential barriers}
- H10F 77/331: {for filtering or shielding light, e.g. multicolour filters for photodetectors}
- G06F 2221/2115: Third party
- H04B 1/38: Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
- H04B 10/114: Indoor or close-range type systems
- H04L 2209/608: Watermarking
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- G09C: CIPHERING OR DECIPHERING APPARATUS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC OR OTHER PURPOSES INVOLVING THE NEED FOR SECRECY
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H04B: TRANSMISSION

## Abstract

An object may include at least one microtransponder (MTP) configured with an identifier. The identifier of the MTP may be indexed to the object. Indexing information associated with the MTP and the object may be stored in a database of a security system. The MTP may be read, and data reported by the MTP may be processed to determine authenticity of the object.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device comprising:
a general-purpose illumination device;
a general-purpose camera;
a general-purpose transceiver;
a processor in communication with the general-purpose illumination device, the general-purpose camera, and the general-purpose transceiver; and
a non-transitory memory in communication with the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform processing comprising:
generating an optical transmission pattern configured to power on a light triggered transponder (MTP) and trigger a response by the MTP;
causing the general-purpose illumination device to illuminate according to the optical transmission pattern;
receiving, by the general-purpose camera or the general-purpose transceiver, a signal from the MTP subsequent to the causing; and
decoding the signal from the MTP.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device of claim 1, further comprising a general-purpose display, wherein the processing further comprises:
sending, by the general-purpose transceiver, the decoded signal from the MTP to a trust center via a network;
receiving, from the trust center through the network, an indication of authenticity or inauthenticity from the trust center; and
displaying, by the general-purpose display, information based on the indication.

### Claim 3

A system comprising:
a peripheral device comprising:
an illumination device;
a receiver; and
a peripheral interface; and
a smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device comprising:
a general-purpose peripheral interface;
a processor in communication with the general-purpose peripheral interface; and
a non-transitory memory in communication with the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform processing comprising:
facilitating communications between the peripheral device and the processor via the peripheral interface and the general-purpose peripheral interface;
generating an optical transmission pattern configured to power on a light triggered transponder (MTP) and trigger a response by the MTP;
causing the illumination device to illuminate according to the optical transmission pattern;
receiving, by the receiver, a signal from the MTP subsequent to the causing; and
decoding the signal from the MTP.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein:
the smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device further comprises a display and a transceiver; and
the processing further comprises:
sending, by the transceiver, the decoded signal from the MTP to a trust center via a network;
receiving, from the trust center through the network, an indication of authenticity or inauthenticity from the trust center; and
displaying, by the display, information based on the indication.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the peripheral device is embodied as a case configured to at least partially enclose the smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the peripheral interface and the general-purpose peripheral interface are respective wireless transceivers, and the communications comprise wirelessly-transmitted signals.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the receiver comprises at least one of an optical sensor and an RF receiver.

### Claim 8

A system comprising:
a smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device comprising a general-purpose peripheral interface; and
a peripheral device comprising:
an illumination device;
a receiver;
a peripheral interface; and
a processor in communication with the illumination device, the receiver, and the peripheral interface; and
a non-transitory memory in communication with the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform processing comprising:
facilitating communications between the peripheral device and the processor via the peripheral interface and the general-purpose peripheral interface;
generating an optical transmission pattern configured to power on a light triggered transponder (MTP) and trigger a response by the MTP;
causing the illumination device to illuminate according to the optical transmission pattern;
receiving, by the receiver, a signal from the MTP subsequent to the causing; and
decoding the signal from the MTP.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, further comprising a transceiver, wherein:
the smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device further comprises a display; and
the processing further comprises:
sending, by the transceiver, the decoded signal from the MTP to a trust center via a network;
receiving, from the trust center through the network, an indication of authenticity or inauthenticity from the trust center; and
causing the display to display information based on the indication.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the peripheral device is embodied as a case configured to at least partially enclose the smartphone, tablet, or portable computing device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the peripheral interface and the general-purpose peripheral interface are respective wireless transceivers, and the communications comprise wirelessly-transmitted signals.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the receiver comprises at least one of an optical sensor and an RF receiver.