System and computer program for managing objects

Abstract

A system (10) for managing at least one object (11), the system comprising: - at least one container (12) for accommodating at least one object (11), the container (12) having an element (13) for identifying at least one object (11); - a control element (22); - an element (19) for reading the identification element (13), the element being connected and / or connectable to the control element (22); - an interface (25) for inputting and / or updating data (D1, D2, D3), the interface being connected and / or connectable to the control element (22). The invention also relates to a container (12) for the system (10) and a computer program for operating the system (10).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a computer program for managing objects.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a container that can be used in such a system. Background Art

[0003] It is recognized that objects of even considerable economic value are currently widespread worldwide.

[0004] For example, this is the case with:

[0005] - Objects of collection interest, such as playing cards, illustrated postcards, comics, and / or items belonging to famous people,

[0006] - Works of art,

[0007] - Luxury items, such as wine bottles.

[0008] Some of these items have a considerable economic value, which is determined by various factors such as the following:

[0009] - Scarcity,

[0010] - Integrity,

[0011] - The number and / or identity of previous owners,

[0012] - The quotes of these articles in previous transactions.

[0013] However, currently, it is not always possible or, in any case, easy to establish the value of an object and / or obtain information related to the factors cited above.

[0014] Therefore, for a purchaser, there is a need for a tool that helps him determine the value of an object of interest.

[0015] This need is felt even more due to the proliferation of forged objects that are exactly similar to the original objects, which are customized by criminals and sold to victims at the price of the original objects. Summary of the Invention

[0016] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and a computer program for managing objects that can improve the background art in one or more of the above aspects.

[0017] Within this objective, an object of the present invention is to provide a system and a computer program for managing objects that allow a user to univocally and immediately establish the value of an object.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and a computer program for managing objects that can be provided easily and quickly.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and a computer program for managing objects that are highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and have a competitive cost.

[0021] This object and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a system for managing at least one object, characterized in that the system comprises:

[0022] - at least one container for accommodating the at least one object, the container having an element for identifying the at least one object;

[0023] - a control element;

[0024] - an element for reading the identification element, which is connected and / or connectable to the control element;

[0025] - a data input and / or update interface, connected and / or connectable to the control element.

[0026] This object and these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter are also achieved by a computer program for managing at least one object by means of a system, the program being installed and / or installable in a processor, the computer program being characterized in that the computer program comprises instructions for at least one of the following operations:

[0027] - receiving data input and / or updated through an interface for inputting and / or updating such data;

[0028] - storing the data in a storage unit;

[0029] - receiving a request for the data from a reading element;

[0030] - obtaining in the storage unit the data requested through the reading element;

[0031] - providing the requested data to the reading element. Description of the Drawings

[0032] From the description of some preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of the system and computer program for managing objects according to the present invention, further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, and these embodiments are illustrated by non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a diagram of a system for managing objects according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a diagram of a first embodiment of a component of a system for managing objects;

[0035] Figure 3 is under different conditions Figure 2 a diagram of a component of the system for managing objects;

[0036] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a diagram of a second embodiment of a component of a system for managing objects. Detailed Embodiment

[0037] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a system for managing objects according to the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10.

[0038] The system 10 is adapted to manage one or more objects 11.

[0039] In the example provided in the accompanying drawings, the object 11 is a collection card; however, depending on the field and industry of interest, the object 11 can be any object.

[0040] The system 10 includes one or more containers 12, each of which is adapted to receive one or more objects 11.

[0041] Specifically, the object 11 is received and sealed within the container 12 (such as a sleeve and / or a box).

[0042] In this specification, the term "sealed" means that the object 11 cannot be removed from the container 12 without damaging the container.

[0043] For example, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , in order to seal the object 11 within a container 12 shaped like a sleeve, the object is inserted through its original opening within a base sleeve, which is formed by two opposing flaps made of plastic material heat-sealed along three edges, and then the sleeve is closed by heat-sealing the two flaps along the last edge.

[0044] In Figure 4 the case of the box-shaped container 12 shown, for example, the object 11 is inserted into a tray 15, which is formed by a base 17 and four sidewalls 18, and then the tray 15 is closed by heat-sealing it to the sidewalls 18 along an edge opposite to the edge integral with the base 17 and the lid element 16.

[0045] The container 12 is made of, for example, at least partially transparent plastic material and / or glass.

[0046] Specifically, the container 12 is provided with an element 13 for identifying one object 11 or a plurality of objects 11 accommodated therein.

[0047] The identification element 13 is, for example, a label with a bar code and / or a Quick Response code (QR code) and / or a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and / or a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag, etc.

[0048] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the present invention, the identification element 13 is a dual-frequency NFC tag.

[0049] Specifically, the dual frequency of the NFC tag includes:

[0050] - A first operating frequency of the high frequency (HF) type,

[0051] - A second operating frequency of the ultra-high frequency (UHF) type.

[0052] For example, the first frequency is on the order of 13 MHz, and the second frequency is included between 860 MHz and 960 MHz.

[0053] In addition, the NFC tag has a rectangular profile, and the dimensions of the sides of the rectangle are substantially included between 30 mm and 60 mm.

[0054] Such an NFC tag is, for example, a tag with the trade name WEB DF, EM4423 of the Dutch company Smartrac.

[0055] The dual frequency of the tag is advantageous because one of the two frequencies is used to manage the identification element 13, while the other frequency is used to communicate with the reading element 19 described below and to operate with the aid of an app.

[0056] The container 12 has a preweakening 14, and the identification element 13 is arranged at and / or across the preweakening.

[0057] Specifically, the identification element 13 is arranged at the preweakening 14 such that the container 12 cannot be damaged / opened without irreparably damaging the identification element 13, as Figure 3 shown.

[0058] In this specification, the expression "irreparably damaged" should be understood to mean that once the identification element 13 is damaged, even if the content of the container 12 is restored, the data D1, D2, D3 of the content of the container can no longer be provided.

[0059] This situation occurs because, for example, the antenna of the NFC tag is broken and thus the tag is no longer able to transmit data.

[0060] Such content data D1, D2, D3 refers to an object 11 (or multiple objects 11 if there are more than one) arranged within the container 12 and provides information regarding, for example, the following:

[0061] - The scarcity of the object 11,

[0062] - The integrity of the object 11,

[0063] - The number and / or identity of the previous owners of the object 11,

[0064] - The quotes of the object 11 in previous transactions.

[0065] Such an identification element 13 is firmly associated with the container 12.

[0066] In this specification, the expression "firmly associated" should be understood to mean that the identification element 13 is applied and / or fixed and / or embedded within the material forming the container 12 by means of non-removable fixing means (such as adhesives), and it is not possible to remove the identification element 13 from the container without irreparably damaging the identification element 13.

[0067] In this way, the integrity of the identification element 13 ensures the authenticity of the contents of the container 12 and the authenticity of the data derivable therefrom, since the company manufacturing the object 11 or other recognized certification entity provides and / or configures the container 12 and / or the identification element 13.

[0068] In the example shown in the drawings, the identification element 13 has an extension that only partially corresponds to the extension of the pre-weakening portion 14; however, in a constructive variant not shown in the drawing of the container 12, the identification element 13 has an extension that is substantially equal to the extension of the pre-weakening portion 14: in the case of a box-shaped container (such as Figure 4 the container shown), the identification element 13 can thus extend on four sides of the box, completely surrounding the object 11.

[0069] In other constructive variants not shown in the drawing, the identification element 13 has an extension that is substantially equal to the peripheral edge of the container 12 without having the pre-weakening portion 14.

[0070] For example, in the case of a sleeve, the identification element 13 has an antenna with a quadrilateral profile that extends substantially along its entire peripheral edge. In this way, any breakage and / or damage along the entire peripheral edge of the sleeve will irreparably damage the identification element 13.

[0071] The identification element 13 is uniquely associated with the content of the container 12 to which it is applied (i.e., an object 11 (or objects 11) within the container 12).

[0072] Specifically, the system 10 includes at least one element 19 for reading the identification element 13.

[0073] The reading element 19 includes:

[0074] - means 20 for reading the identification element 13, such as an optical reader and / or an RFID antenna and / or an NFC antenna;

[0075] - means 21 for displaying data D1, D2, D3 associated with the identification element 13.

[0076] The reading element 19 is, for example, a smart phone and / or a tablet computer and / or a dedicated user interface.

[0077] The system 10 includes a control element 22, such as a server, which in turn includes:

[0078] - a processor 23 for data D1, D2, D3, such as a central processing unit (CPU);

[0079] - a storage unit 24 for data D1, D2, D3.

[0080] The system 10 includes an interface 25 for inputting and / or updating data D1, D2, D3 in the control element 22.

[0081] The interface 25 for inputting and / or updating data D1, D2, D3 is, for example, a computer and / or a tablet computer and / or a dedicated computer.

[0082] The interface 25 for inputting and / or updating data D1, D2, D3 may:

[0083] - be directly connected to the control element 22 by a physical connection (e.g., an electrical connection);

[0084] - be remotely connected to the control element 22, for example, in the cloud, via a Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth link.

[0085] A dedicated computer program or software for managing data D1, D2, D3 is installed and / or installable in the processor 23 for data D1, D2, D3.

[0086] In the following description, the computer program will be denoted by the term "software".

[0087] The software is applicable to:

[0088] - Receive the data D1, D2, D3 input and / or updated through the interface 25 (arrow 26);

[0089] - Store the data D1, D2, D3 in the storage unit 24 (arrow 27);

[0090] - After the reading device 20 has decoded the identification element 13, receive a request for the data D1, D2, D3 from the reading element 19 (arrow 28);

[0091] - Obtain the data D1, D2, D3 requested by the reading element 19 in the storage unit 24 (arrow 29);

[0092] - Provide the data D1, D2, D3 to the reading element 19 (arrow 30).

[0093] Once the data D1, D2, D3 have been received, the display element 19 presents the data to the user by means of the display device 21.

[0094] The reading element 19 can:

[0095] - Be directly connected to the control element 22 through a physical connection (e.g., an electrical connection);

[0096] - Be remotely connected to the control element 22 through a Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth connection.

[0097] The software present in the processor 23 can also manage the transactions of the object 11.

[0098] In this case, the purchaser can make a purchase by inputting data related to, for example, their identity and transaction offer through the interface 25.

[0099] The data D1, D2, D3 are thus automatically updated by the processor 23 through the software contained in the control element 22.

[0100] Specifically, the software includes instructions for controlling the operation of the system 10.

[0101] The instructions contained in the software control the processor 23 to sequentially perform the following steps:

[0102] - Receive the univocal code included in the identification element 13 read by the reading device 20;

[0103] - Selectively and automatically extract one or more data items D1, D2, D3 from the storage unit 24, where the one or more data items D1, D2, D3 are related to the information items linked to the object 11 associated with the received univocal code;

[0104] - Automatically send these one or more data D1, D2, D3 to the display device 21.

[0105] The instructions included in the software 23 also control the processor 23 to perform the following steps:

[0106] - After the data of the purchaser user's identity is input through the interface 25, manage the purchase of at least one object of interest 11;

[0107] - When purchasing the object of interest 11, automatically add the data of the purchaser user's identity to the data D1, D2, D3 included in the storage unit 24, so that when reading the identification element 13 including the code uniquely associated with the identification element 13, the display device 21 shows the purchaser's identity as the last owner or the first owner of the object 11.

[0108] It should be noted that with the present invention, information related to a valuable object contained in a sealed container (which maintains its integrity) can be obtained quickly and simply by moving the reading element 19 closer to the identification element 13.

[0109] This also allows obtaining information without having to open the container 12.

[0110] In fact, it has been found that the present invention achieves the proposed goals and purposes, providing a system and a computer program for managing objects, which allow the user to uniquely and immediately establish the value of the objects.

[0111] The present invention provides a system and a computer program for managing objects that can be provided easily and quickly.

[0112] The present invention thus conceived can have many modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the appended claims; all details can be further replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0113] In practice, as long as the materials used are compatible with the specific use and the shape and size as the case may be, the materials used can be any materials according to requirements and the prior art.

[0114] The disclosures in Italian Patent Applications Nos. 102019000018992, 102019000020442, and 102020000002728, for which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0115] Where a technical feature referred to in any claim is accompanied by a reference sign, the sole purpose of including such reference signs is to enhance the intelligibility of the claim, and accordingly such reference signs shall have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A system (10) for managing an object (11) of at least one collector, characterized in that, The system comprises: - at least one container (12) for accommodating at least one object (11) of the collector, the container (12) being made of glass and / or at least partially transparent plastic material, the container (12) having an identification element (13) for identifying at least one object (11) of the collector; - a control element (22); - a reading element (19) for reading the identification element (13), the reading element (19) being connected and / or connectable to the control element (22); - an interface (25) for inputting and updating data (D1, D2, D3) related to the value of the object (11) of the collector, the data (D1, D2, D3) including the scarcity of the object (11) of the collector, the integrity of the object (11) of the collector, the number and / or identity of the previous owners of the object (11) of the collector, and the quotes of the object (11) of the collector in previous transactions, the interface (25) being connected and / or connectable to the control element (22), The identification element (13) is a dual-frequency NFC tag, the dual-frequency NFC tag including a first frequency for managing the identification element (13) and a second frequency for communicating with the reading element (19).

2. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The reading element (19) comprises: - a reading device (20) for reading the identification element (13); - a display device (21) for displaying the data (D1, D2, D3).

3. The system (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The reading device (20) of the identification element (13) is an NFC antenna.

4. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reading element (19) is a smart phone and / or a tablet computer and / or a dedicated user interface.

5. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control element (22) is a server, and the server further comprises: - a processor (23) for the data (D1, D2, D3); - a storage unit (24) for the data (D1, D2, D3).

6. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The interface (25) for inputting and updating the data (D1, D2, D3) is a computer and / or a tablet computer, wherein the computer is a dedicated computer.

7. The system (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The dual frequency of the NFC tag includes: - a first operating frequency of the high frequency (HF) type, - a second operating frequency of the ultra high frequency (UHF) type.

8. The system (10) according to claim 7, wherein The first operating frequency is on the order of 13 MHz, and the second operating frequency is included between 860 MHz and 960 MHz.

9. The system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The NFC tag has a quadrilateral profile, and the dimensions of the sides of the quadrilateral profile are included between 30 mm and 60 mm.

10. A container (12) incorporating the system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, said container (12) containing at least one object (11) of the collector and having an identification element (13) of at least one object (11) of the collector, characterized in that, The container (12) is sealed, and is characterized in that the identification element (13) is a dual-frequency NFC tag.

11. The container (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The identification element (13) is a label with the dual-frequency NFC tag.

12. The container (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The container (12) has a pre-weakening portion (14), and the identification element (13) is arranged at and / or across the pre-weakening portion (14).

13. The container (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The identification element (13) is arranged such that the container (12) cannot be damaged / open without irreparably damaging the identification element (13).

14. The container (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The identification element (13) is firmly associated with the container (12).

15. The container (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The identification element (13) is uniquely associated with the content of the container (12).

16. A computer program product for specifically managing an object (11) of at least one collector by means of a system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the computer program product being installed and / or installable in a processor (23), characterized in that the computer program product comprises instructions for at least one of the following operations: - receiving the data (D1, D2, D3) input and updated via an interface (25) for inputting and updating data (D1, D2, D3); - storing the data (D1, D2, D3) in a storage unit (24); - receiving a request for the data (D1, D2, D3) from the reading element (19); - obtaining the data (D1, D2, D3) in the storage unit (24) via the reading element (19); - providing the requested data (D1, D2, D3) to the reading element (19).

17. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein The computer program product comprises instructions for sequentially performing the following steps: - receiving a unique code included in the identification element (13) read by a reading device (20); - selectively and automatically extracting one or more of the data (D1, D2, D3) from the storage unit (24), the one or more of the data (D1, D2, D3) being related to an information item of an object (11) of at least one collector linked to the received unique code; - automatically sending one or more of the data (D1, D2, D3) to a display device (21).

18. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein, The computer program product comprises instructions for performing the following steps: - managing the purchase by the purchaser user of at least one object (11) of the collector after data of the identity of the purchaser user itself has been input via the interface (25); - automatically adding data of the identity of the purchaser user to the data (D1, D2, D3) included in the storage unit (24) when purchasing at least one object (11) of the collector, such that when the identification element (13) including the unique code associated with the identification element (13) is read, the display device (21) shows the identity of the purchaser user as the last and / or first owner of at least one object (11) of the collector.

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