Product Authentication Using Barcode Characteristics

A system comprising:

• a shroud comprising:
• a plurality of light sources;
• and
• a diffraction grating;
• a communication interface configured to receive data and power from a smart device;
• and
• a circuit board coupled to the communication interface and the shroud and configured to:
• receive, from the smart device and via the communication interface, an instruction to emit light;
• and
• cause, based on the instruction, the light sources to emit lights to illuminate a barcode to produce reflected lights,
• wherein the diffraction grating is configured to produce diffracted lights based on the reflected lights, and
• wherein the shroud is configured to direct the diffracted lights towards a camera in the smart device in order to produce image data comprising spatial data and a signature.

A method comprising:

• receiving, from a smart device, an authentication request message comprising image data of a barcode associated with a product;
• extracting the image data from the authentication request message;
• processing the image data to determine spatial data of the barcode and a signature of the barcode;
• querying a database to determine whether the database comprises a match of the spatial data and the signature;
• generating, in response to the authentication request message and based on the querying, an authentication response message comprising a notification;
• and
• transmitting the authentication response message to the smart device.

A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions stored on a non-transitory medium that when executed by a processor cause an apparatus to:

• obtain an image of a barcode from a product, wherein the barcode comprises spatial data and a signature;
• obtain a notification associated with authentication of the product based on the spatial data and the signature;
• and
• instruct provision of the notification as an audio, a video, or a combination of audio and video.

A method comprising:

• obtaining a smart device;
• coupling a scanner system to the smart device;
• obtaining a product comprising a barcode;
• scanning, using the scanner system, the barcode to obtain an image of the barcode, wherein the barcode comprises a signature;
• and
• obtaining, using the smart device and based on the signature, a notification associated with authentication of the product.