METHOD OF AUTHENTICATING PRODUCTS USING ANALOG AND DIGITAL IDENTIFIERS

A method of identifying or authenticating a product by providing an analog identification indicium including a randomized pattern of identification features on a first part of the product wherein one or more attributes of the randomized pattern of identification features correspond to an item identifier. A digital identification record is provided on a second part of the product including an encoded digital version of the item identifier, the first and second parts being separable when the product is used. The randomized pattern of identification features of the analog identification indicium is read and decoded to generate an item identifier and the digital identification record is read and decoded to generate an item identifier. The product is deemed authentic if the item identifier from the analog identification indicium substantially matches the item identifier from the digital identification record.