Radio frequency identification authentication of memorabilia

• US 7,841,513 B1
• Filed: 08/06/2007
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: Sprint Communications Company LP (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Ponnangath, Sunil K., Katzer, Robin Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODMAN, KEITH E
• Application Number:
  US11/834,405
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A system is provided for radio frequency identification authentication of memorabilia. The system includes a database, a radio frequency identification tag having a unique identifier, a reader, and a user interface. The radio frequency identification tag is provided to a memorabilia item. The reader is configured to read the radio frequency tag and to determine a geographic location where the reader reads the radio frequency identification tag. The user interface is configured to enter information associated with the memorabilia item into the database, wherein the information comprises the unique identifier, a name of an authenticator, a description of the memorabilia item, and a time of authentication.

Claims

1. A system for radio frequency identification authentication of memorabilia, comprising:

a database;

a first radio frequency identification tag provided to a memorabilia item and having a unique identifier associated with the memorabilia item;

a second radio frequency identification tag provided to an authenticator and having a unique identifier associated with the authenticator;

a reader configured to read the first radio frequency identification tag and the second radio frequency identification tag, wherein the first and second radio frequency identification tags are read contemporaneously at an authentication event where the authenticator authenticates the memorabilia item; and

a user interface configured to enter information associated with the memorabilia item into the database, wherein the information comprises a description of the memorabilia item, the unique identifier associated with the memorabilia item, a description of the authenticator, the unique identifier associated with the authenticator, and a time of the authentication.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface is further configured to display the information.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a camera configured to record the authentication and to transmit the recording to the database for subsequent display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the database is pre-loaded with at least one of a list of authenticators and a list of descriptions for the memorabilia items.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the reader is configured to determine a geographic location of the reader when the reader reads the first and second radio frequency identification tags, and the user interface is further configured to enter the geographic location into the database.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the reader is configured to determine the geographic location of the reader using at least one of a radio frequency identification technology, a global positioning system technology, a forward link triangulation technology, and a hybrid technology.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the reader is in a mobile phone.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises at least one of a microphone, a display screen, a pointer, a keyboard, and a camera.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the authentication comprises the authenticator autographing the memorabilia item.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the memorabilia item is one of a piece of sports equipment, a garment, a photograph, a trading card, a program, a poster, a brochure, a media clipping, a button, a pennant, a sticker, a certificate, a document, a souvenir, a musical instrument, an autograph, a letter, a journal, a diary, an entertainment merchandise, and a motion picture memorabilia.

11. A method for radio frequency identification authentication of a memorabilia item, comprising:

providing a first radio frequency identification tag to the memorabilia item, the first radio frequency identification tag having a unique identifier associated with the memorabilia item;

providing a second radio frequency identification tag to an authenticator, the second radio frequency identification tag having a unique identifier associated with the authenticator;

contemporaneously reading, by a reader, the first and second radio frequency identification tags at an authentication event where the authenticator authenticates the memorabilia item;

determining, by the reader, a geographic location of the reader when the reader reads the first and second radio frequency identification tags; and

storing information associated with the memorabilia item, the information comprising a description of the memorabilia item, the unique identifier associated with the memorabilia item, a description of the authenticator, a time of authentication, and the geographic location.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising accessing a website using access enabling information to display information associated with the memorabilia item.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising enabling an on-line auction to display the information associated with the memorabilia item.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein storing information associated with the memorabilia item further comprises storing information related to a sale of the memorabilia item.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein storing the information related to the sale for the memorabilia item includes storing at least one of a seller, a buyer, and a sale price for subsequent display.

16. A method for radio frequency identification authentication of memorabilia, comprising:

providing a first radio frequency identification tag to a memorabilia item, the radio frequency identification tag having a unique identifier associated with the memorabilia item;

providing a second radio frequency identification tag to an authenticator, the second radio frequency identification tag having a unique identifier associated with the authenticator;

contemporaneously reading, by a reader, the first and second radio frequency identification tags at an authentication event where the authenticator authenticates the memorabilia item;

entering information associated with the memorabilia item into a database, wherein the information comprises a description of the memorabilia item, the unique identifier associated with the memorabilia item, a description of the authenticator, the unique identifier associated with the authenticator, and a time of the authentication;

recording the authentication by a camera; and

transmitting the recording to the database for subsequent display.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising embedding the first radio frequency identification tag in the memorabilia item.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the unique identifier associated with the authenticator is associated with a name of the authenticator.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising requesting to display the information.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the second radio frequency identification tag provided to the authenticator is in one of an autographing instrument and an identification card.