Patents by Inventor Alain Sager
Alain Sager has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240028578Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Erwan FRADET, Alain SAGER, Patrick MAUROUX, Patrick CHANEZ, Philippe CHATELAIN
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Patent number: 11797512Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Erwan Fradet, Alain Sager, Patrick Mauroux, Patrick Chanez, Philippe Chatelain
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Publication number: 20230316211Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Patrick CHANEZ, Alain SAGER, Philippe CHATELAIN, Erwan FRADET
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Patent number: 11710091Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Patrick Chanez, Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Publication number: 20220309517Abstract: Manufactured goods are marked or labeled with a secure unique identifier. A central checking centre allows users to verify the authenticity of a particular good such as a cigarette pack or carton via any convenient interface such as the internet or a cell phone. A system of secret sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Alain SAGER, Philippe CHATELAIN, Erwan FRADET
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Patent number: 11379854Abstract: Manufactured goods are marked or labeled with a secure unique identifier. A central checking centre allows users to verify the authenticity of a particular good such as a cigarette pack or carton via any convenient interface such as the internet or a cell phone. A system of secret sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Publication number: 20210406809Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Patrick CHANEZ, Alain SAGER, Philippe CHATELAIN, Erwan FRADET
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Patent number: 11144863Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Patrick Chanez, Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Patent number: 11120387Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Patrick Chanez, Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Patent number: 11080719Abstract: Manufactured goods are marked or labelled with a secure unique identifier. A central checking centre allows users to verify the authenticity of a particular good such as a cigarette pack or carton via any convenient interface such as the internet or a cell phone. A system of secret sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2013Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Publication number: 20190361863Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Erwan FRADET, Alain SAGER, Patrick MAUROUX, Patrick CHANEZ, Philippe CHATELAIN
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Patent number: 10380095Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Erwan Fradet, Alain Sager, Patrick Mauroux, Patrick Chanez, Philippe Chatelain
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Patent number: 10083197Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Erwan Fradet, Alain Sager, Patrick Mauroux, Patrick Chanez, Philippe Chatelain
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Publication number: 20180218179Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Erwan FRADET, Alain SAGER, Patrick MAUROUX, Patrick CHANEZ, Philippe CHATELAIN
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Patent number: 10019606Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Erwan Fradet, Alain Sager, Patrick Mauroux, Patrick Chanez, Philippe Chatelain
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Publication number: 20170345018Abstract: Manufactured goods are marked or labelled with a secure unique identifier. A central checking centre allows users to verify the authenticity of a particular good such as a cigarette pack or carton via any convenient interface such as the internet or a cell phone. A system of secret sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2013Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Publication number: 20170270467Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: September 21, 2017Inventors: Patrick Chanez, Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Publication number: 20170262864Abstract: Manufactured goods are marked or labeled with a secure unique identifier. A central checking centre allows users to verify the authenticity of a particular good such as a cigarette pack or carton via any convenient interface such as the internet or a cell phone. A system of secret sharing allows secure authentication of each item and prevents code breaking or misuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Alain Sager, Philippe Chatelain, Erwan Fradet
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Publication number: 20170235976Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and apparatus for storing data for a batch of manufactured items. The method comprises defining in a processor, using a lower limit identifier and an upper limit identifier, a range of unique item identifiers for the batch, wherein each manufactured item in the batch is allocated a unique item identifier falling within the range. The item identifiers are stored in allocated storage space. If an upper limit identifier is specified for each time interval, an amount of storage specified for all manufactured items during a production time period is calculated as a sum of a first product and a second product, the first product being a product of a production time and a size allocated to each upper limit identifier, and the second product being a product of the production time, a total number of manufactured items, and a percentage of unused identifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.Inventors: Erwan FRADET, Alain SAGER, Patrick MAUROUX, Patrick CHANEZ, Philippe CHATELAIN
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Patent number: 9721260Abstract: A method and apparatus includes providing a cryptographic key, in an inactive state, to a point in a supply chain for manufactured items, providing the cryptographic key, in an active state, and an activation code for activating the cryptographic key, to a verification center, and providing the activation code to the point in the supply chain in response to the point in the supply chain transmitting information relating to the received cryptographic key. The method includes generating, at the point in the supply chain, an identification (ID) code for each manufactured item, derived from the cryptographic key in the active state and a dynamic key generated for each batch of manufactured items. Including providing the dynamic key for each batch of manufactured items to the verification center, marking each manufactured item with the ID code, and counting the actual or correct number of ID codes marked on the manufactured items.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: INEXTO SAInventors: Philippe Chatelain, Patrick Chanez, Erwan Fradet, Alain Sager