ANTI-COUNTERFEITING SYSTEM

A system and method of marking goods for authentication and tracking purposes is described. The system and method include a central control which enables the system. The method and system are accomplished in real time affording manufacturers the ability to eliminate problems associated with counterfeiting and diversion which begin at the manufacturing site. A central control unit enables the system by providing an allotment of marks to a host unit. The host unit directs marking terminals to mark particular goods or documents with specific information encoding symbols. Goods or documents are either marked directly, or are identified by means of affixed fixtures which are marked with encoding symbols either prior to, or subsequent to, affixing to the goods. Following marking, documents, goods or fixtures are scanned to insure proper marking and then packaged for shipment. Following marking, the documents, goods or affixed fixtures can be checked by illuminating the symbols marked thereon and cross referencing this data with the host database by using a field reading unit, or alternately decoded into clear text at the field reader for analysis.