System for verification of unique items
First Claim
1. A method for registration and verification of items, to confirm whether an item is a particular unique item previously registered, comprising:
- providing a central data storage location and a plurality of local stations,providing a data communication link between one of said local stations and the central data storage location,initially performing a registration procedure on a particular unique item at said one local station by(1) placing the item on optical equipment enabling microscopic viewing at the local station and capable of recording microscopic images from the item,(2) selecting a microsite for imaging on the item by microscopically viewing the item and selecting the microsite,(3) recording at a microscopic level of magnification an image of a unique pattern of features at the selected microsite of the item, said unique pattern of features being intrinsic to the item itself without any addition to the item, and(4) in conjunction with the recording step, producing and electronically storing, using a computer, data representing the microsite image and containing the unique pattern of features, in a form capable of use in reproducing the microsite image, along with data representing the location of the selected microsite, and along with data identifying the item being registered,providing security to prevent unauthorized duplication, alteration or use of the stored data,communicating said data to a computer at said central data storage location and storing said data at the central data storage location,at a time subsequent to the storing of the data at the central data storage location, performing a verification procedure by(a) recalling over a communication link the stored data from the central data storage location to a selected one of said local stations,(b) examining at said selected local station at a microscopic level of magnification a subject item purporting to be said particular unique item, at a site on the item corresponding in location to said selected microsite in accordance with the recalled data,(c) comparing the image of the microsite generated by local examination to the microsite image recalled from the central data storage location to determine whether the two microsite images match to a preselected degree, thereby determining whether the subject item is the same unique item, and(d) controlling the verification procedure from the central data storage location, at least to the extent of verifying said selected local station for access to the stored data before the stored data are recalled to the selected local station.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for determining the authenticity of an item such as an original work of art, an art print, valuable jewelry or other valuable items utilizes images of one or more unique patterns of features, preferably at a microscopic level, as one or more "signatures" of the item. The image of this unique signature is recorded and stored electronically as data representing the unique pattern. The data are registered with identifying text and stored in a secure storage location, to prevent unauthorized duplication or use of the stored data. Following this registration and storage, an item presented as authentic can be examined microscopically at prescribed sites on the item where the original images were taken. Comparison is made at one or more of the sites, and a decision is made as to whether the item exhibits substantially identical features to those originally registered, so as to be the same authentic item. Comparison can be made electronically or visually/microscopically. The storage location can be a central location remote from local verification stations, with data transferred to and from local stations by telephone lines or other communication links.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A method for registration and verification of items, to confirm whether an item is a particular unique item previously registered, comprising:
-
providing a central data storage location and a plurality of local stations, providing a data communication link between one of said local stations and the central data storage location, initially performing a registration procedure on a particular unique item at said one local station by (1) placing the item on optical equipment enabling microscopic viewing at the local station and capable of recording microscopic images from the item, (2) selecting a microsite for imaging on the item by microscopically viewing the item and selecting the microsite, (3) recording at a microscopic level of magnification an image of a unique pattern of features at the selected microsite of the item, said unique pattern of features being intrinsic to the item itself without any addition to the item, and (4) in conjunction with the recording step, producing and electronically storing, using a computer, data representing the microsite image and containing the unique pattern of features, in a form capable of use in reproducing the microsite image, along with data representing the location of the selected microsite, and along with data identifying the item being registered, providing security to prevent unauthorized duplication, alteration or use of the stored data, communicating said data to a computer at said central data storage location and storing said data at the central data storage location, at a time subsequent to the storing of the data at the central data storage location, performing a verification procedure by (a) recalling over a communication link the stored data from the central data storage location to a selected one of said local stations, (b) examining at said selected local station at a microscopic level of magnification a subject item purporting to be said particular unique item, at a site on the item corresponding in location to said selected microsite in accordance with the recalled data, (c) comparing the image of the microsite generated by local examination to the microsite image recalled from the central data storage location to determine whether the two microsite images match to a preselected degree, thereby determining whether the subject item is the same unique item, and (d) controlling the verification procedure from the central data storage location, at least to the extent of verifying said selected local station for access to the stored data before the stored data are recalled to the selected local station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
Specification