Method and apparatus for authenticating unique items

• US 6,591,252 B1
• Filed: 11/11/1999
• Issued: 07/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven R. Young
• Original Assignee: Steven R. Young
• Inventors: Young, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E.
• Application Number:
  US09/438,350
• Time in Patent Office: 1,335 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/10, 705/17, 705/27, 705/18, 705/67, 705/72, 705/57, 705/58, 380/200, 380/201, 380/202, 380/232, 380/270, 380/284, 380/54, 380/55, 283/86, 283/74, 283/70, 283/72, 283/67, 283/60.1, 713/200, 713/201
• US Class Current: 705/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/23 by means of a password
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/33 by means of a password

Abstract

A method and apparatus for authenticating, archiving information and updating ownership of unique items by associating a unique identifying code with the item. Ownership history of the item is locked with a PIN or Personal Identification Number of the owner and cannot be changed until the owner releases the PIN. A new owner then associates his PIN with the item.

Claims

1. A method of updating registered ownership of unique items from a present registered owner to a subsequent registered owner in an authentication system comprising:

receiving first unique data at said authentication system;

associating said first unique data with said unique item;

encoding and archiving said first unique data in said authentication system;

receiving second unique data at said authentication system, said second unique data associated with said present registered owner;

associating said second unique data with said unique item;

receiving a change in registered ownership indication for updating registered ownership of said unique item at said authentication system;

receiving third unique data at said authentication system, said third unique data associated with said subsequent owner;

disassociating or releasing said second unique data from said unique item in response to said change in registered ownership indication; and

associating said third unique data with said unique item in response to said third unique data being received.

2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of archiving selected information associated with said updating of said registered ownership which information at least includes the names of the parties and the date of the ownership change by said authentication system to maintain a record of the historical ownership of said unique item.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said authentication system requires the step of paying a fee prior to performing the step of associating said third unique data with said unique item.

4. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of providing a documented record of the change of registered ownership at least to the subsequent owner.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said authentication system is accessed through a website and further comprising the step of making at least a portion of said selected information available to other users having access to said authentication system.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said first unique data must be provided to said authentication system by said subsequent owner prior to said step of associating said third unique data with said unique item.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said authentication system is accessed through a website by said present registered owner and said subsequent registered owner or their representative and wherein said second unique data is a PIN (“

Personal Identification Number”

) associated with said present owner and said third unique data is a PIN associated with said subsequent owner.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of placing said encoded data representing said unique item on a magnetic strip associated with said unique item.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the stop of placing said encoded data representing said unique item in a bar code associated with said unique item.

10. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of sending said selected information from said authentication system to a website for viewing by website users.

11. The method of claim 10 further including the step of enabling website users to purchase a authenticated memorabilia.

12. An authentication system for updating registered ownership of unique items from a present registered owner to a subsequent registered owner comprising:

encoded first unique data associated with a unique item;

an authentication center for receiving and archiving said encoded first unique data;

second unique data associated with said unique item, said second unique data also associated with said present registered owner;

third unique data associated with said subsequent registered owner; and

a computer system at said authentication center for disassociating said second unique data from said unique item upon a specific request and in response to said second unique data being provided to said computer system, said computer system further associating said third unique data with said unique item subsequent to said second unique data being disassociated with said unique item upon request and in response to said third unique data being provided to said computer system.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said second and third unique data are PIN numbers.

14. The system of claim 12 and further comprising an Internet website associated with said authentication center for accessing said computer system.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said computer system archives said updated registered ownership and provides selected information concerning said updates to users having access to said computer system through said website.

16. The system of claim 12 further comprising a magnetic strip associated with a unique item for containing a unique identifying code.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a bar code associated with said unique item for containing said unique identifying code.

18. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a website coupled to said central clearing house for enabling the display of information identifying a unique item to website users to enable website users to view all of said registered unique items.

19. A method of updating registered ownership of unique items from a present registered owner to a subsequent registered owner in an authentication system comprising:

associating first unique data with said unique item;

encoding and archiving first unique data in said authentication system;

associating second unique data with said unique item, said second unique data associated with a first owner of said unique item;

disassociating or releasing said second unique data from said unique item in response to a change in registered ownership indication;

associating third unique data with said unique item, said third unique data associated with a second owner of said unique item, wherein said first owner and said second owner are not concurrent owners; and

tracking an ownership history of said unique item, said ownership history comprising at least an identifier for said first owner and said second owner.

20. The method of claim 19 above further comprises:

presenting one of said second unique data and said third unique data to said authentication system, wherein said second unique data is a first Personal Identification Number (PIN) and said third unique data is a second PIN; and

accessing said ownership history in said authentication system.