System for and method of authenticating items

• US 7,131,581 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SHAW IP Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: SHAW IP Pty Limited
• Inventors: Shaw, Grant Langley Hohepa
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labaze, Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US10/475,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140349A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/375, 235/385, 235/470, 235/485, 235/487, 705/1, 705/58, 705/67, 705/28, 713/176
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 15/00 Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object record carriers for use with machines having a detectable tag or marker G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/10 together with the recording, indicating or registering of other data, e.g. of signs of identity
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games

Abstract

A system (10) is disclosed for authenticating an item (12), the item (12) being associated with an event or associated with one or more participants (70) in the event. The system (10) comprises first identification means (14) incorporated into an item (12) prior to an event, the first identification means (14) having an associated unique identifier, a database (22) for storing an item record including information indicative of the unique identifier and information indicative of the item (12), and detecting means (20) for authenticating that the item (12) has been used at the event by detecting the first identification means (14) and recognising the unique identifier during the event whilst the item (12) is being used. The arrangement is such that the item record is updated so as to include information indicative of the event in which the item (12) has been used when the item (12) has been detected by the detecting means (20). A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for authenticating an item, said item being associated with an event or associated with one or more participants in the event, said system comprising:

first identification means incorporated into an item prior to an event, said first identification means being a first RFID tag for storing an associated unique identifier which is detectable from a remote location;

a database for storing an item record including information indicative of the unique identifier and information indicative of the item;

detecting means for authenticating that the item has been used at the event by detecting the first identification means and recognizing the unique identifier during the event whilst the item is being used;

means for updating the item record to include information indicative of the event in which the item has been used when the item has been detected by the detecting means; and

registration means that is issued with the item during the event, wherein the registration means comprises a second identification means which is a second RFID tag that stores a unique identifier that is linked to the unique identifier stored in the first RFID tag, details of the item and details of the event.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event is a sporting event.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the event is a musical or theatrical event, a motion picture, a horse racing event or a circus performance.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the item is a garment worn by a participant in the event.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the garment is an article of clothing, footwear or headgear, or a jewelry item.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the item is an article used by a participant in the event.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the item is an article of sporting equipment, a musical instrument, or a theatrical prop.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the item record includes information indicative of the type of item, the identity of the event participant using the item and/or the contribution to the event made by the participant associated with the item.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the item has been sold, the item record includes details of a sale amount for the item.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the item record includes an image or video of the item.

11. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first RFID tag is a passive-type RFID tag.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unique identifier associated with the first identification means is in the form of an alpha numeric code.

13. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first identification means includes a tamper minimisation arrangement.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tamper minimisation arrangement includes a heat sealed patch disposed over the first identification means.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, further including scanning means for scanning the first identification means so as to provide the first identification means with an associated unique identifier and for verifying that the unique identifier provided to the first identification means is correct.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is arranged so as to facilitate on-line access to the item record so that the item record may be viewed from a remote location.

17. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is arranged so as to facilitate on-line purchasing of an item associated with the item record by a remotely located purchaser.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the system is further arranged so as to facilitate on-line bidding for the item.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is further arranged such that when an item is used at a subsequent event, the detecting means detects the first identification means associated with the item during the event whilst the item is being used, and updates the item record so as to include information indicative of the subsequent event in which the item has been used.

20. A system as claimed claim 1, wherein for subsequent sales of the item, the system may be arranged to issue subsequent registration means including details of the purchased item and details of the new owner.

21. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second RFID tag unique identifier is the same as the first RFID tag unique identifier.

22. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second identification means is provided with a tamper minimisation arrangement.

23. A system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the tamper minimisation arrangement includes a heat sealed patch disposed over the second identification means.

24. A system as claimed claim 1, wherein an image of the registration means is included in the item record.

25. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is further arranged so as to issue certification means.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the certification means is provided with third identification means.

27. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the third identification means is a third RFID tag.

28. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the third identification means is provided with a unique code which is the same as the unique code associated with the first and second RFID tags.

29. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the third identification means is provided with a tamper minimisation arrangement.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the tamper minimisation arrangement includes a heat sealed patch disposed over the third identification means.

31. A system as claimed in claims 26, wherein the certification means includes details of the item and details of each event in which the item has been used.

32. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the item record includes an image of the certification means.

33. A method of authenticating an item, said item being associated with an event or associated with one or more participants in the event, said method comprising the steps of:

incorporating first identification means into an item prior to an event, said first identification means being a first RFID tag for storing an associated unique identifier which is detectable from a remote location;

creating an item record and storing the item record on a database, said item record including information indicative of the unique identifier and information indicative of the item;

authenticating that the item has been used at the event by detecting the first identification means and recognizing the unique identifier during the event whilst the item is being used;

updating the item record so as to include information indicative of the event in which the item has been used; and

issuing a registration means with the item during the event to identify the item, the registration means including a second RFID tag that stores a unique identifier that is linked to the unique identifier stored in the first RFID tag.

34. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the event is a sporting event such as a basketball game or a cricket match.

35. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the event is a musical or theatrical event, a motion picture, a horse racing event, a circus performance.

36. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the item is a garment worn by a participant in the event.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the garment is an article of clothing, footwear or headgear, or a jewellery item.

38. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the item is an article used by a participant in the event.

39. A method as claimed in claim 38, wherein the item is an article of sporting equipment, a musical instrument, or a theatrical prop.

40. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the item record includes information indicative of the type of item, the identity of the event participant using the item and/or the contribution to the event made by the participant associated with the item.

41. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein, when the item has been sold, the item record includes details of a sale amount for the item.

42. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the item record includes an image or video of the item.

43. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the first RFID tag is a passive-type RFID tag.

44. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the unique identifier associated with the first identification means is in the form of an alpha numeric code.

45. A method as claimed in claim 33, further including the step of providing the first identification means with a tamper minimisation arrangement.

46. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein the tamper minimisation arrangement includes a heat sealed patch disposed over the first identification means.

47. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the step of incorporating first identification means into an item includes the steps of scanning the first identification means so as to provide the first identification means with an associated unique identifier and verifying that the unique identifier provided to the first identification means is correct.

49. A method as claimed in claim 33, further including the step of facilitating on-line purchasing of an item associated with the item record by a remotely located purchaser.

50. A method as claimed in claim 49, wherein the step of facilitating on-line purchasing of an item includes the step of facilitating on-line bidding for the item.

51. A method as claimed in claims 33, further including the steps of using the item at a subsequent event, authenticating that the item has been used at the subsequent event by detecting the first identification means and recognizing the unique identifier during the event whilst the item is being used, and updating the item record so as to include information indicative of the subsequent event in which the item has been used.

52. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein, for subsequent sales of the item, the method is arranged to issue subsequent registration means including details of the purchased item and details of the new owner.

53. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the second RFID tag is provided with a unique code which is the same as the unique code associated with the first RFID tag.

54. A method as claimed in claim 33, further including the step of providing the second identification means with a tamper minimisation arrangement.

55. A method as claimed in claim 54, wherein the tamper minimisation arrangement includes a heat sealed patch disposed over the second identification means.

56. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the item record includes an image of the registration means.

57. A method as claimed in claim 33, further including the step of issuing certification means.

58. A method as claimed claim 57, wherein the certification means is provided with third identification means.

59. A method as claimed in claim 58, wherein the third identification means is a third RFID tag.

60. A method as claimed in claim 58, wherein the third identification means is provided with a unique code which is the same as the unique code associated with the first and second RFID tags.

61. A method as claimed in claim 60, further including the step of providing the third identification means with a tamper minimisation arrangement.

62. A method as claimed in claim 61, wherein the tamper minimisation arrangement includes a heat sealed patch disposed over the third identification means.

63. A method as claimed in claim 57, wherein the certification means includes details of the item and details of each event in which the item was used.

64. A method as claimed in claim 57, further including the step of including an image of the certification means in the item record.

48. A method as claimed in 33, further including the step of facilitating on-line access to the item record so that the item record may be viewed from a remote location.

65. A management system for managing authenticated items, said system comprising:

a) a plurality of authentication systems, each such system comprising;

first identification means incorporated into an item prior to an event, said first identification means being a first RFID tag for storing an associated unique identifier which is detectable from a remote location;

a database for storing an item record including information indicative of the unique identifier and information indicative of the item;

detecting means for authenticating that the item has been used at the event by detecting the first identification means and recognizing the unique identifier during the event whilst the item is being used;

means for updating the item record to include information indicative of the event in which the item has been used when the item has been detected by the detecting means; and

registration means that is issued with the item during the event, wherein registration means comprises a second identification means which is a second RFID tag that stores a unique identifier that is linked to the unique identifier stored in the first RFID tag, details of the item and details of the event;

b) a central control unit in networked communication with the plurality of authentication systems, each authentication system being arranged to forward item records to the central control unit;

c) a central database in communication with the central control unit for storing the forwarded item records; and

d) means for facilitating on-line access to the item records in the central database.

66. A management system as claimed in claim 65, wherein the central control unit is arranged so as to facilitate on-line purchasing of an item associated with the item record by a remotely located purchaser.

67. A management system as claim 65, wherein the central control unit is further arranged so as to facilitate on-line bidding for the item.