Autograph verification and authentication system

• US 20010033676A1
• Filed: 01/30/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Frederick D. Noyes
• Original Assignee: Frederick D. Noyes
• Inventors: Noyes, Frederick D.
• Granted Patent: US 6,691,916 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/119
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/30 Writer recognition; Reading and verifying signatures

Abstract

An autograph verification and authentication process. The process includes having a representative of an authentication system provider witness an individual autographing an item and generate a unique label for each signed item. The tamper-proof label includes two forms of coding. The first is visible and provides unique identifying information. The second one is embedded and can only be observed by the authentication service provider. The second code includes the unique identifying information as well. The label includes Information associated with the signing and that information may be entered into a database. The process further includes the step of having the individual sign a statement that identifies the items(s) signed, the date and location of the signing, and reference to the label(s) affixed to the item(s). The unique information may be accessed through the database under control of the provider.

Claims

1. A process for verifying and authenticating the autograph of an individual, the process comprising the steps of:

a. providing to the individual one or more items to be autographed and having the individual autograph each of the one or more items in the presence of a representative of a verification system provider;

b. generating for each of the one or more items a label to be applied to the one or more autographed items, wherein each said label is tamper-proof;

c. creating as part of each said label a first code providing unique identifying information related to the particular autographed item and the individual, wherein said code is visible; and

d. creating as part of each said label a second code providing said unique identifying information, wherein said second code is embedded as part of said label and is observable only by said verification system provider.

2. The process as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the step of generating each said label is performed prior to having the individual autograph the one or more items.

3. The process as claimed in

claim 1

wherein the step of generating each said label is performed while the individual autographs the one or more items.

4. The process as claimed in

claim 1

wherein said second code is embedded in a hologram depiction of each said label.

5. The process as claimed in

claim 1

further comprising the step of inserting said unique identifying information into a database.

6. The process as claimed in

claim 1

wherein each said label includes a pixelated kinetic matrix representing a unique image associated with said authentication system provider.

7. The process as claimed in

claim 1

further comprising the step of obtaining from the individual a signed statement identifying the one or more items autographed, the date and location of the autographing, and a reference to each said label.

8. The process as claimed in

claim 1

wherein each said unique identifying information includes alphanumeric coding uniquely associated with each of the one or more autographed labels.

9. The process as claimed in

claim 8

wherein said unique identifying information includes the name of the individual, the date and location of the autographing, and a sequential identifier unique to each said label.

10. The process as claimed in

claim 5

wherein said database is configured to be accessed by said authentication service provider to confirm or refute the authenticity of an autograph by the individual based upon receipt from a user of said first code.

11. The process as claimed in

claim 10

further comprising the step of scanning the label of the item offered for autograph authenticity and detecting said second code.

12. The process as claimed in

claim 5

further comprising the step of enabling the individual to access the database to review said unique identifying information for one or more items for which the individual has said first code.

13. The process as claimed in

claim 12

further comprising the step of enabling an item purchaser to retain said authentication service provider to access said database to review said unique identifying information for one or more items for which the purchaser has said first code.

14. The process as claimed in

claim 5

wherein said authentication system provider manages a website accessible through an interconnected computer system, wherein said website includes access to said database, wherein said database is accessible via said website by users.