Autograph card tracking and verification

• US 20050035196A1
• Filed: 08/15/2003
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michelle Arnsdorf Fie, Winston Chandler Whitmarsh
• Original Assignee: Michelle Arnsdorf Fie, Winston Chandler Whitmarsh
• Inventors: Whitmarsh, Winston Chandler, Fie, Michelle Arnsdorf
• Application Number:
  US10/641,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20050035196A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/16 the marking being a hologram or diffraction grating

Abstract

A process for tracking and verifying cards with original autographs. The process includes obtaining cards where each card contains a unique tracking number and a security feature; delivering the cards to a specific location; retaining a record of the unique tracking numbers and the specific location where the cards containing the unique tracking numbers were shipped; determining which cards containing the unique tracking numbers arrived at the specific location; and maintaining a database containing a corrupt card list and a valid card list.

Claims

1. A method for verifying and authenticating autograph cards comprising:

(a) obtaining one or more autograph cards where each card contains a unique tracking number and at least one security feature wherein the security feature is a hologram, security line type, gradated dot pattern printing, gradated drop shadow printing, a miniature design, or a watermark;

(b) delivering the cards to a specific location;

(c) retaining a record of the unique tracking numbers and the specific location where the cards containing the unique tracking numbers were shipped;

(d) determining which cards containing the unique tracking numbers arrived at the specific location;

(e) maintaining a database containing

(i) a corrupt card list; and

(ii) a valid card list.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the database contains consumer input and said consumer input is used to update the corrupt card list and the valid card list.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the consumer input consists of information provided by a consumer regarding the tracking number, and when and where the consumer received the card.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the consumer input consists of information provided by the consumer regarding the tracking number, and when and where the consumer sold or transferred the card.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein after the cards arrive at the specific location an individual signs each autograph card at his or her convenience and distributes the signed autograph cards at his or her convenience.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein the database contains the tracking numbers of any cards that are lost or destroyed while in the individual'"'"'s possession.

13. The process of claim 1 wherein each card has a plurality of security features.

14. The process of claim 1 wherein a verification provider maintains the database.

15. The process of claim 14 wherein the verification provider maintains a web site and said web site contains the database.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein a consumer may access the database through the web site.

17. The process of claim 14 wherein a consumer may access the database by sending correspondence to the verification provider.

7-12. -12. (Cancelled.)