System for the identification of items, particularly collectible items

Abstract

A system (10) for authenticating an item (11), comprising: an identification element (13) of the item (11) comprising a unique identification code (Q) associated with the item (11), said identification element (13) being of the RFID tag and / or NFC tag type; a central device (22), comprising: a unit (23) for processing authentication data (D1, D2, D3) of the item (11) associated with the unique identification code (Q); a memory unit (24) containing the authentication data (D1, D2, D3) of the item (11); and an authentication data (D1, D2, D3) associated with the item (11), said authentication data (D1, D2, D3) being able to be obtained / generated only by means of the unique identification code (Q). The device (19) comprises: a central device (22) comprising a module (40) for generating a piece of certification information received from the item (11); a device (19) for reading an identification element (13) in a data connection with the central device (22), the device (19) comprising: means (20) for reading an identification element (13) of the RFID antenna and / or NFC antenna type; means (21) for displaying the certification data (D1, D2, D3) of the item (11) and / or the piece of certification information generated by the generation module (40); means (30) for obtaining a digital image of the item (11); and selection means (31) configured to assign a rating to the item (11).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for authenticating objects, which can be used in particular in the field of collectable objects (collectibles). [Background technology]

[0002] Today, items that have been deemed to have considerable economic value are widespread throughout the world. This is the case, for example, in the following cases:

[0003] - Collectible items such as playing cards, illustrated cards, comic books and / or items owned by celebrities; -Artworks, -Luxury items such as wine bottles.

[0004] Some of these items have significant economic value that is determined by different factors, such as:

[0005] - Creator, - creation date, - Integrity and quality, - the number and / or identity of past owners, - Past trading dates.

[0006] However, currently, it is not always possible, or at least not easy, to establish and prove the value of an item and / or to find information related to the above mentioned factors.

[0007] Therefore, a need arises for the buyer / collector to have a tool / certificate that will help the buyer determine the value of the object of interest and guarantee its authenticity and the accuracy of the certification information associated with it, contributing to the determination of its economic value.

[0008] This need is further felt due to the prevalence of counterfeit items, similar in every respect to the original, which are improvised by criminals and sold to victims at the price of the original item. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for authenticating items, in particular collectable items, that is able to improve upon the background art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] Within this objective, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for authenticating objects, in particular collectible objects, which allows a user to establish in a clear and simple manner the authenticity of the object, its history and its classification and therefore its economic value.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to devise a system for certifying objects, in particular collectible objects, that allows experts to grade objects easily and quickly.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for authenticating objects, in particular collectible objects, making it possible to provide authenticity and / or a rating and / or proof of ownership.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.

[0014] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a system for authenticating items, particularly collectible items, that is reliable, relatively easy to provide, and competitively cost-effective.

[0015] This objective, as well as these and other objectives which will become more apparent hereinafter, is achieved by a system for authenticating objects, in particular collectible objects, the system comprising: - an identification element of said item comprising a unique identification code associated with said item, said identification element being of the RFID tag and / or NFC tag type; a central device, a unit for processing authentication data of said item associated with said unique identification code; a memory unit containing said certification data of said article; a module for generating a piece of certification information associated with said item, said piece containing said certification data and which can only be obtained / generated by means of said unique identification code; - a device for reading said identification element in a data connection with said central device, - means for reading said identification elements of the RFID antenna and / or NFC antenna type, - means for displaying the qualification data of the item and / or the piece of qualification information generated by the generation module; - means for acquiring a digital image of said item; - a reading device comprising selection means adapted to assign a rating to said items.

[0016] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a system for authenticating items, in particular collectable items, according to the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a system for qualifying items, particularly collectible items, according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodiment of components of the system for qualifying items, particularly collectible items, shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Referring to the drawings, a system for authenticating items, particularly collectible items, in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0019] The system 10 is adapted to identify one or more items 11, in particular collectable items.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the items 11 are collectible cards, however, the items 11 can be of any type depending on the field and area of ​​interest.

[0021] The system 10 comprises an identification element 13 of the article 11. Inside the identification element 13 there is a unique identification code Q, preferably of the alphanumeric type, associated with the article 11.

[0022] The identification element 13 may be, for example, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and / or a Near Field Communication (NFC) tag.

[0023] In one embodiment, the system 10 comprises one or more containers 12, each adapted to contain one or more respective articles 11. In particular, the articles 11 are contained and sealed inside the containers 12, such as, for example, pouches and / or boxes.

[0024] The term "sealed" in this specification means that item 11 cannot be removed from container 12 without destroying said container.

[0025] For example, referring to FIG. 2, to seal an item 11 inside a pouch-like container 12, said item 11 is inserted through an original opening inside a basic pouch made of a plastic material and constituted by two opposing flaps welded on three edges, and then the pouch is closed by heat sealing the two flaps along the final edge.

[0026] For example, the container 12 is at least partially made from a transparent plastic material and / or glass.

[0027] In another embodiment, the container 12 may include an identification element 13 for the item 11 or items 11 contained therein. The identification element 13 may be physically associated with, or affixed to, the container 12. The identification element 13 uniquely correlates with the item 11 or items 11 within the container 12.

[0028] In another embodiment, not shown, the identification element 13 may be physically associated with, or affixed to, the item 11 without the container 12 .

[0029] For example, if the article 11 is a painting, the identification element 13 may be a label adhered to the frame of said painting.

[0030] In practice, the identification element 13 may be securely associated with the container 12 and / or the article 11 .

[0031] The expression "securely associated" in this specification means that the identification element 13 is applied and / or fixed to the article 11 and / or container 12 by a non-removable fastening means (such as an adhesive) and / or is embedded within the material from which the container 12 is made and cannot be removed from the container without irretrievably destroying it.

[0032] The system 10 further comprises a central unit 22, for example a server, which a unit 23 for processing the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. of the item 11, a memory unit 24 containing said certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. of the item 11;

[0033] The central device 22 also comprises a module 40 for generating a piece of certification information, such as, for example, a digital certificate, associated with the item 11, containing certification data D1, D2, D3 of said item 11 and which can only be obtained / generated by means of the unique identification code Q (key) of said item 11.

[0034] This generation module 40 generates this piece of certification information, for example a certificate in PDF (Portable Document Format) format, associated with a particular unique identification code Q, read by a reading device 19 and containing certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. referencing the item 11.

[0035] For example, the module 40 for generating a piece of qualification information is software dedicated to this operation.

[0036] In particular, the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. of the item 11 are associated with at least a unique identification code Q associated with the item 11 and with each unique identification code Q, - the electronic address of the creator of item 11; - the creation date of item 11 (creation timestamp); - the electronic address of the owner of item 11; - date of purchase of item 11 (purchase timestamp); - Classification of item 11, - the rating date (rating timestamp) of item 11, and - one or more pieces of information relating to such an item 11 selected from the group consisting of a digital image of the item 11.

[0037] When transferring ownership of an item 11, there are several data items associated with the owner and purchase date of each transaction.

[0038] The system 10 further comprises at least one reader 19 configured to read the identification element 13 of the article 11. The reader 19 comprises: - means 20 for reading the identification element 13, for example an RFID antenna and / or an NFC antenna, in order to detect / read the unique identification code Q contained in the identification element 13; - means 21 for displaying the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. associated with the unique identification code Q and therefore associated with the item 11, and / or the piece of certification information generated by the generation module 40 described above; - means 30 for acquiring a digital image of the article 11; selection means 31 adapted to assign a rating to the items 11;

[0039] In another embodiment, the reading device 19 is a smartphone and / or a tablet; the means 21 for displaying the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. are constituted by a touchscreen display of a smartphone and / or tablet, the means 30 for acquiring a digital image of the article 11 are constituted by a camera of a smartphone and / or a tablet, The selection means 31 arranged to assign a rating to the article 11 are constituted by one or more buttons provided on a convenient graphical interface of a touchscreen display of a smartphone and / or tablet.

[0040] In another embodiment, the reading device 19 is a computer equipped with a scanner; the means 21 for displaying the certified data D1, D2, D3 etc. are constituted by a computer screen, the means 30 for acquiring a digital image of the article 11 are constituted by a scanner connected to a computer, The selection means 31 arranged to assign a rating to the items 11 are constituted by a computer keyboard and a mouse.

[0041] The selection means 31 can be used by a user / expert of the item 11 to give the item 11 a rating, for example a numerical value from 1 to 10, with 1 being the minimum level of quality and 10 being a substantially perfect level.

[0042] For example, the rating may be based on the item 11's rarity, completeness, the presence or absence of defects, etc.

[0043] If necessary, it is possible, for example at a later time, to repeat the operation of grading the items 11 and again correct the grading of the items 11 by means of the selection means 31 .

[0044] In practice, the reading device 19 reads the unique identification code Q contained in the identification element 13 of the item 11 and, by means of a data connection designated by arrows 28 and 30, obtains the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. of the item 11 associated with the unique identification code Q which is stored in the central device 22 and which is in fact the key for accessing said certification data D1, D2, D3 etc.

[0045] At that point, the user of the reading device 19 can also modify one or more of the authentication data D1, D2, D3 etc., but of course cannot modify the unique identification code Q associated therewith.

[0046] The system 10 may comprise an interface 25 for entering and / or updating the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. in the central device 22.

[0047] For example, this interface 25 for entering and / or updating the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. is a computer and / or a tablet and / or a dedicated computing device.

[0048] This interface 25 for entering and / or updating the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. can correspond to a reading device 19.

[0049] An interface 25 for entering and / or updating the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. directly connected to the central device 22 by a physical connection, e.g. an electrical connection, or - Remotely connected to a central unit 22, for example by a telematics communication network or a Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth connection.

[0050] Computer programs for managing these certified data D1, D2, D3 etc. are installed and / or can be installed in the central device 22, in particular in a corresponding unit 23 for processing the certified data D1, D2, D3 etc.

[0051] The central device 22, in particular the corresponding unit 23 for processing the certified data D1, D2, D3, etc. receiving the entered and / or updated certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. by means of the interface 25 (arrow 26) or the reading device 19 (arrow 28), - storing the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. in a memory unit 24 (arrow 27), receiving a request for authentication data D1, D2, D3 etc. from the reading device 19 after the reading means 20 have decoded the identification element 13 to read the unique identification code Q (arrow 28), - the reading element 19 in the memory unit 24 obtains the required qualified data D1, D2, D3 etc. (arrow 29), - configured to provide the certification data D1, D2, D3 etc. to a reading device 19 (arrow 30).

[0052] The reading device 19 is - directly connected to the central unit 22 by a physical connection, e.g. an electrical connection, or - May be remotely connected to the central unit 22 via a telematics communication network or a Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth connection.

[0053] In one embodiment, within the system 10 according to the invention, each real item 11 corresponds to a respective digital twin. In this embodiment, the central device 22 is connected by a telematics communication network to at least one remote device 50, for example a server acting as a node of a blockchain distributed ledger infrastructure in which the Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) associated to said digital twin of the real item 11 are registered.

[0054] In practice, after generating a digital twin of the actual item 11, not shown, it is possible to actually certify and guarantee its ownership and authenticity, thereby associating it with an NFT that can only be accessed by the unique identification code Q associated with the actual item 11, this unique identification code Q being read by a reading device 19.

[0055] In particular, the remote device 50 a unit 51 for processing certified data I1, I2, I3, etc. of a digital twin of a real item 11; a memory unit 52 containing said certification data I1, I2, I3 etc. of the digital twin of the actual item 11.

[0056] In particular, the certified data I1, I2, I3, etc. of the digital twin of the real item 11 are included in an NFT associated with such digital twin of the real item 11 and are associated with at least a unique identification code Q associated with the real item 11 and each unique identification code Q, - the electronic address of the creator of the digital twin of the real object11; - Creation date (creation timestamp) of the digital twin of the actual item 11, - the electronic address of the owner of the digital twin of the real object11; - Purchase date (purchase timestamp) of the digital twin of the actual item11, -Rating of digital twins of 11 real objects, - Rating date (rating timestamp) of the digital twin of the actual item 11, - one or more pieces of information regarding the digital twin of the actual item 11 selected from a group consisting of hash codes of the digital twin of the actual item 11.

[0057] When transferring ownership of a digital twin of a physical item 11, this may also correspond to a transfer of ownership of all or part of the physical item 11, with multiple data associated with the owner and purchase date for each transaction.

[0058] Advantageously, each certified data item I1, I2, I3 etc. of the digital twin of a real item 11 is, if present, equal to a respective certified data item D1, D2, D3 etc. of said real item 11. In other words, the electronic address of the creator of the digital twin of a real item 11 is equal to the electronic address of the creator of said real item 11, and so on.

[0059] The module 40 for generating an authorized piece of information, included in the central device 22 as described above, can also provide, by data communication between the central device 22 and the remote device 50, an NFT associated with the digital twin of the actual item 11, and optionally other information associated therewith, as an authorized piece of information, based on the unique identification code Q of the actual item 11 read by the reading device 19 (arrows 61, 62).

[0060] Indeed, by reading the unique identification code Q contained in the identification element 13 of the actual item 11, the system 10 can provide the user with an authenticated piece of information containing data related to the actual item 11, such as, for example, the creator and date of creation, the owner, a rating, and an authenticated piece of information in the form of an NFT containing data related to the digital twin of the actual item 11, such as, for example, the creator and date of creation, the owner, a rating, and the like.

[0061] Indeed, it has been found that the present invention provides a system for authenticating objects that achieves its intended goals and objectives and allows a user to establish the authenticity of an object and its grading in a clear and straightforward manner.

[0062] The present invention provides a system for qualifying items that allows experts to easily and quickly grade items.

[0063] Furthermore, the present invention provides a system for authenticating an item, making it possible to provide authenticity and / or a rating and / or proof of ownership.

[0064] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims, and all details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0065] In fact, the materials used can be any, depending on the requirements and the state of the art, as long as they fit the specific application, as well as the conditional shapes and dimensions.

[0066] The disclosures of Italian Patent Application No. 102022000004091, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] Where technical features described in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs are included only for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the claims, and therefore such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by such reference signs as an example.

Claims

1. A system (10) for identifying an item (11), in particular a collectible item, comprising: - an identification element (13) of said item (11) comprising a unique identification code (Q) associated with said item (11), said identification element (13) being of the RFID tag and / or NFC tag type; a central unit (22), a unit (23) for processing authentication data (D1, D2, D3) of said item (11) associated with said unique identification code (Q), - a memory unit (24) containing said qualification data (D1, D2, D3) of said item (11), a central device (22) comprising a module (40) for generating a piece of qualification information associated with said item (11), said piece containing said qualification data (D1, D2, D3) and which can only be obtained / generated by means of said unique identification code (Q); - a device (19) for reading said identification element (13) in a data connection with said central device (22), - means (20) for reading said identification element (13) of the RFID antenna and / or NFC antenna type, - means (21) for displaying said qualification data (D1, D2, D3) of said item (11) and / or said piece of qualification information generated by said generation module (40); - means (30) for acquiring a digital image of said item (11); a reading device (19) comprising selection means (31) adapted to assign a rating to said item (11); A system (10) for qualifying an article (11), comprising:

2. said certification data (D1, D2, D3) of said item (11) relate to at least said unique identification code (Q) associated with said item (11) and to said item (11); - the electronic address of the creator of said item (11), the date of creation of said item (11), - the electronic address of the owner of said item (11), - the date of purchase of said item (11), - the rating of said item (11), - the rating date of said item (11), and A system (10) for authenticating an object (11) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more pieces of information selected from the group constituted by digital images of said object (11).

3. 3. A system (10) for certifying an article (11) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an interface (25) for entering and / or updating the certification data (D1, D2, D3) of the article (11) in the central device (22), the interface (25) being in a data connection with the central device (22).

4. A system (10) for certifying an item (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (40) for generating a certification information piece is configured to generate a certification information piece that is read by the reading device (19) and contains the certification data (D1, D2, D3) associated with the unique identification code (Q) referenced to the item (11).

5. The system (10) for authenticating an item (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central device (22) is connected by a telematics communication network to at least one remote device (50) acting as a node of a blockchain distributed ledger infrastructure in which NFTs associated with the digital twin of the item (11) are registered.

6. The remote device (50) a unit (51) for processing certification data (I1, I2, I3) associated with said digital twin of said item (11), A system (10) for certifying an item (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a memory unit (52) containing the certification data (I1, I2, I3) of the digital twin of the item (11).

7. The certification data (I1, I2, I3) of the digital twin of the item (11) is included in the NFT associated with the digital twin of the item (11), and includes at least the unique identification code (Q) associated with the item (11) and one or more pieces of information related to the digital twin of the item (11), - the electronic address of the creator of the digital twin of said item (11), - the creation date of the digital twin of the item (11), - the electronic address of the owner of the digital twin of said item (11), - the purchase date of the digital twin of the item (11), - a rating of the digital twin of the item (11), - the rating date of the digital twin of the item (11), and one or more pieces of information selected from the group consisting of a hash code of the digital twin of the item (11), A system (10) for qualifying an article (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises:

8. A system (10) for authenticating an item (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module (40) for generating an authentication information piece is configured to provide the NFT associated with the digital twin of the item (11) as authentication information based on the unique identification code (Q) associated with the item (11) and read by the reading device (19).

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