U.S. patent application number 11/513004 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for associative data storage system for collectable objects.
Invention is credited to James J. Macor.
Application Number | 20080023343 11/513004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46328331 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080023343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Macor; James J. |
January 31, 2008 |
Associative data storage system for collectable objects
Abstract
A data storage device for use in combination with at least one
collectable object is described. The data storage device is formed
detached from the collectable object. The collectable object is
provided with tamper resistant visual markings. And, the data
storage device is provided with tamper resistant visual markings
associative with the visual markings of the collectable object so
as to provide association of the data storage device with the
collectable object. The data storage device is compatible with a
standard computer system to provide a user with at least one
predetermined characteristic of the collectable object with or
without an external database.
Inventors: |
Macor; James J.; (Jackson,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES J. MACOR
P.O. BOX 1450
JACKSON
NJ
08527
US
|
Family ID: |
46328331 |
Appl. No.: |
11/513004 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11493312 |
Jul 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
11513004 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/.81 ; 206/.8;
206/232 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/58 20130101;
B65D 2401/00 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/81 ; 206/8;
206/232 |
International
Class: |
A45C 1/00 20060101
A45C001/00; B65D 71/00 20060101 B65D071/00 |
Claims
1. A data storage device for use in combination with at least one
collectable object; said data storage device being formed detached
from said collectable object and storing data of at least one
predetermined characteristic of said collectable object, said
collectable object being provided with tamper resistant visual
markings, said data storage device being provided with tamper
resistant visual markings associative with the visual markings of
said collectable object so as to provide association of said data
storage device with said collectable object, and, said data storage
device being compatible with a standard computer system to provide
a user with at least one predetermined characteristic of said
collectable object.
2. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein said collectable
object has more than one predetermined characteristic thereof, and,
said data storage device comprises data of more than one
predetermined characteristic of said collectable object.
3. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein said data storage
device stores data of at least one digital image of the collectible
object so as to assist a user in authentication of said collectable
object.
4. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein at least one
collectable object is held in a holder that provides said tamper
resistant visual markings of said collectable object.
5. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein said data storage
device is detachably held in a holder, and, said collectable object
is held in the same holder as the data storage device is held.
6. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein, said data storage
device is a solid-state Flash Memory storage device.
7. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein, said data storage
device is a Radio Frequency Identification device (RFID).
8. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein the collectable object
and the data storage device are both provided with visual markings
that are encoded.
9. A data storage device of claim 1, wherein said collectible
object is a coin.
10. A data storage device of claim 9, wherein said data storage
device comprises predetermined characteristics of said coin
including at least its date, condition and mintage.
11. A data storage device for use in combination with at least one
collectable object; said data storage device being formed detached
from said collectable object, said collectable object being
provided with tamper resistant visual markings, said data storage
device being provided with tamper resistant visual markings
associative with the visual markings of said collectable object so
as to provide association of said data storage device with said
collectable object, and, said data storage device being connectable
with a predetermined external database via a standard computer
system to provide a user with at least one predetermined
characteristic of said collectable object.
12. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein said collectable
object has more than one predetermined characteristic thereof, and,
said external database comprises data of more than one
predetermined characteristic of said collectable object.
13. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein said external
database stores data of at least one digital image of the
collectible object so as to assist a user in authentication of said
collectable object.
14. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein at least one
collectable object is held in a holder that provides said tamper
resistant visual markings of said collectable object.
15. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein said data storage
device is detachably held in a holder, and, said collectable object
is also held in the same holder as the data storage device is
held.
16. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein, said data storage
device is a solid-state Flash Memory storage device.
17. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein, said data storage
device is a Radio Frequency Identification device (RFID).
18. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein the collectable
object and the data storage device are both provided with visual
markings that are encoded.
19. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein said predetermined
external database is accessed via a UNIFORM RESOURCE LOCATOR
(URL).
20. A data storage device of claim 11, wherein said collectible
object is a coin, and, said external database comprises
predetermined characteristics of said coin including at least its
date, condition, mintage, population and valuation.
21. A data storage device for use in combination with at least one
collectable object; said data storage device being formed detached
from said collectable object and storing data of at least one
predetermined characteristic of said collectable object, said
collectable object being provided with tamper resistant visual
markings, said data storage device being provided with tamper
resistant visual markings associative with the visual markings of
said collectable object so as to provide association of said data
storage device with said collectable object, and, said data storage
device being compatible with a standard computer system to provide
a user with at least one predetermined characteristic of said
collectable object, and, said data storage device being connectable
with a predetermined external database via said computer system, to
provide said user with at least one predetermined characteristic of
said collectable object.
22. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said collectable
object has more than one predetermined characteristic thereof, and,
said data storage device comprises data of more than one
predetermined characteristic of said collectable object.
23. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said collectable
object has more than one predetermined characteristic thereof, and,
said external database comprises data of more than one
predetermined characteristic of said collectable object.
24. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said data storage
device stores data of at least one digital image of the collectible
object so as to assist a user in authentication of said collectable
object.
25. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said external
database stores data of at least one digital image of the
collectible object so as to assist a user in authentication of said
collectable object.
26. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein the at least one
collectable object is held in a holder that provides said tamper
resistant visual markings of said collectable object.
27. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said data storage
device is detachably held in a holder, and, said collectable object
is also held in the same holder as the data storage device is
held.
28. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein, said data storage
device is a solid-state Flash Memory storage device.
29. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein, said data storage
device is a Radio Frequency Identification device (RFID).
30. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein the collectable
object and the data storage device are both provided with visual
markings that are encoded.
31. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said predetermined
external database is accessed via a UNIFORM RESOURCE LOCATOR
(URL).
32. A data storage device of claim 21, wherein said collectible
object is a coin, and, said external database comprises
predetermined characteristics of said coin including at least its
date, condition, mintage, population and valuation.
Description
REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/493,312 filed on Jul. 26, 2006, by the
inventor herein, entitled PROTECTION, AUTHENTICATION,
IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR A COLLECTABLE OBJECT.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the certification,
authentication, identification and marketing of collectable objects
such as coins, stamps, currency and baseball cards.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] An industry for authentication, identification and
certification of collectables has gained market prominence and
certification companies such as the Professional Coin Grading
Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) have
developed protective collectable holders to protect collectable
objects such as coins, stamps, currency, and baseball cards. They
encapsulate the collectable object in a holder and provide a
professional opinion for condition and authenticity. The holder is
designed to be small and portable which necessitates a small label
with visual markings that only allow for minimal marking space and
information about the collectable object. Often times the owner
would have a need to utilize an image of the collectable object for
visual identification of the collectable object and further
validation of certification authentication of that specific
collectable object. The owner could also utilize the image of the
collectable object for marketing purposes including auction and
Internet sales, insurance records, and documentation of a
collectables collection. In addition, the owner or buyer of a
collectable object may want to know information relative to the
collectable object such as historical information, collectable
valuations, condition populations and other relevant information of
that particular collectable object. Applicant believes an
associative data storage system for collectable objects will
significantly improve deficiencies with the current collectables
certification industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention involves a data storage device for use
in combination with at least one collectable object. The data
storage device is formed detached from the collectable object. The
collectable object is provided with tamper resistant visual
markings. The data storage device is provided with tamper resistant
visual markings associative with the visual markings of the
collectable object to provide association of the data storage
device with the collectable object. The data storage device is
compatible with a standard computer system to provide a user with
at least one predetermined characteristic of the collectable
object, with or without the use of an external database. In some
embodiments, for example, the collectable object is a coin.
[0005] Recognizing the need for an improved authentication,
identification and marketing device for collectable objects, the
following objectives are considered:
[0006] It is an important objective of the present invention that
it may provide for a portable holder that provides protection for
valuable collectable objects such as coins, stamps, baseball cards,
currency, autographs, etc.
[0007] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide for a holder of a collectable object that has
tamper resistant visual markings of the collectable object.
[0008] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide for a separate, detached data storage device
that has tamper resistant, associative visual markings of the
collectable object, so as to provide association of the data
storage device with the collectable object.
[0009] It is another important objective of the present invention
that the data storage device may be compatible with a standard
computer system.
[0010] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide a user with a data storage device that stores
at least one digital image and/or at least one characteristic of a
collectable object that can be viewed by means of a standard
computer system, even when the collectable object is stored in a
remote location from the data storage device.
[0011] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide for visual identification and authenticity of a
collectable object by providing a means for easily accessing and
comparing digital image/s of the certified collectable object
and/or at least one unique characteristic, for example, strike,
luster, color, defects, abrasions, centering, etc., of a
collectable coin.
[0012] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide additional characteristics or data of a
collectable object, such as a coin, for example, date of mintage,
condition, production mintage, etc.
[0013] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide storage or access to historical information
about the collectable object.
[0014] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may provide a data storage device for insurance
verification and records documentation of a collectable object.
[0015] It is another important objective of the present invention
that it may be linkable with an external database by means of a
Hyperlink that it may provide the user with additional or
corresponding information of a collectable object, for example, the
certified population and current valuation of a coin, stamp,
baseball card, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a right front perspective, exploded view of a
collectable object combined with means of tamper resistant visual
markings.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a right front perspective, exploded view of a
data storage device combined with means of tamper resistant visual
markings.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a right front perspective view of an embodiment
of the present invention, which includes the example components
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with each component being marked with
tamper resistant associative markings.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a right front perspective view of a present
invention data storage device used in combination with a
collectable object being a coin. In this embodiment a separate
housing is formed to house both the data storage device and the
collectable object.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a present invention associative
data storage device used in combination with a collectable object
being a coin, and, an interface with a traditional computer system
having Internet capability.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Referring now to the drawings which are for the purpose of
illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and are
not for the purpose of limiting same,
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a right front perspective, exploded view of a
collectable object combined with means of tamper resistant visual
markings. A collectable object provided with tamper resistant
visual markings is a component of the present invention. A second
component, a data storage device with tamper resistant visual
markings, is illustrated and discussed in FIG. 2. FIG. 1
illustrates an example of a collectable object provided with tamper
resistant visual markings 10. Coin 11 is illustrated only as a
generic example of a collectable object, such as a coin. Other
collectable objects such as stamps, currency, or baseball cards are
additional examples of collectable objects that would also be
applicable to the present invention. Furthermore, larger
collectable objects, such as collectable automobiles and antiques
would also be applicable to the present invention. Label 5 is an
example of a method that may provide visual markings of a
collectable object, such as coin 11. Visual markings of coin 11 may
include associative characteristics of coin 11, and may include
collectable object descriptors, such as the date, the denomination,
and a certification grade of coin 11. The certification grade of
coin 11 refers to the condition grade of coin 11 as determined by a
grading certification service. Coin 11 is provided with tamper
resistant visual markings such as markings 7 and 9 shown. Markings
7 and 9 are protected by means of a tamper resistant holder
comprised of an upper housing 3 and a lower housing 17, which
enclose and protect coin 11 and label 5 with markings 7 and 9 as
shown. A "holder" shall mean a device that holds at least one
object. "Tamper resistant" shall mean resists alteration or
disassembly. An example of such a tamper resistant holder, may be
comprised of an upper housing 3, and a lower housing 17 that are
formed to enclose and protect coin 11, and label 5. The holder may
be made of a clear plastic, e.g., acrylic, and is designed to be
tamper resistant by providing a means that will make it difficult
for a user or owner to disassemble the holder once it has been
assembled. This may be accomplished for example, by a method that
securely bonds upper housing 3 and lower housing 17 together, such
as ultrasonic welding of the plastic mating surfaces during an
assembly process. An Inner structure, such as core component 15 may
be used to hold coin 11 and label 5 to resist movement within the
holder after the assembly process. Core component 15 may be
comprised of a plastic material and holds coin 11 by means of a
cut-through opening 13 and allows viewing of the front (obverse)
and rear (reverse) of coin 11. Label 5 may also have an encoded
barcode 9, and when read by an appropriate barcode reader device
may provide additional characteristics of coin 11 and may also
corroborate the visual markings of label 5.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a right front perspective, exploded view of a
data storage device combined with means of tamper resistant visual
markings. Data storage device with tamper resistant visual markings
20 is used in combination with at least one collectable object also
provided with tamper resistant visual markings (discussed in FIG.
1), and is detached from the collectable object. Data storage
device with tamper resistant visual markings 20 may be comprised of
a data storage device 29, a label 27 that provides a method for
displaying visual markings 23, and a tamper resistant means to
protect visual markings 23 and 25. Visual markings 23 and 25 are
associative with the visual markings of the detached corresponding
collectable object so to provide association of the data storage
device with the collectable object. Tamper resistant visual
markings may be provided for by means of a tamper resistant holder.
An example of such a tamper resistant holder, may be comprised of
an upper housing 21, and a lower housing 31 that are formed to
enclose and protect label 27 as shown. The holder may be made of a
clear plastic, such as acrylic, and may be designed to be tamper
resistant by providing a means that will make it difficult for a
user to disassemble the holder once it has been assembled. This may
be accomplished for example, by a method that securely bonds upper
housing 21 and lower housing 31 together, such as ultrasonic
welding of the plastic mating surfaces during an assembly process.
Label 27 may provide a means for displaying associative visual
markings of a collectable object, such as a coin, and may be
displayed as collectable object descriptors, such as the date, the
denomination, and a certification grade of the associated
collectable object. Data storage device 29, such as a USB Flash
Drive, which is illustrated as an example for use in the present
invention for it's compact size, and non-volatile memory (NVM)
capability. However, many other examples of data storage devices
could also be used such as a Flash Memory Card, PC Card, Memory
Card, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital Card, Memory Stick,
xD-Picture Card and other compact sized, solid-state data storage
devices. Additionally, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) data
storage device could also be utilized with the present invention.
For data security reasons, the data storage device 29 may comprise
a Read-Only-Memory (ROM) condition that is immutable and may
prevent a user from altering or erasing the data of the data
storage device 29. "Immutable" shall mean data that is highly
resistant to change or alteration. Data storage device 29 is used
in combination of at least one collectable object, being formed
detached from the collectable object, and storing data of at least
one characteristic of the collectable object. Data storage device
29 is compatible with a standard computer system so it may provide
a user with at least one characteristic of a collectable object,
such as a coin, and may comprise data such as digital images of the
coin, the date of minting, the production mintage, and condition
certification grade. The digital images of the collectable object
may provide authentication and identification of the unique
characteristics of the collectable object (coin) such as, strike,
luster, color, defects, abrasions, centering, date, mintmark, die
variations, etc. Additional information such as historical
information that is associated with the collectable coin may also
be stored. Data storage device 29 may also contain predetermined
external database links, such as the certification service's
private network, which may be in the form of Internet Hyperlinks,
that also provide predetermined characteristics of the collectable
coin, and/or other data, such as the current certification
population and current valuation of the coin. Label 27 may also
have a barcode 25, and when read by an appropriate barcode reader
may also provide predetermined characteristics of the associated
collectable object by means of an appropriate barcode reader
device.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a right front perspective view of an embodiment
of the present invention, which includes the example components
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with each component being marked with
tamper resistant associative markings. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment
of the present invention 50, which is comprised of a collectable
object provided with tamper resistant visual markings 10, and a
data storage device with tamper resistant visual markings 20.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a right front perspective view of a present
invention data storage device used in combination with a
collectable object being a coin. In this embodiment a separate
housing is formed to house both the data storage device and the
collectable object. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present
invention, that is comprised of a collectable object with tamper
resistant visual markings 10, and a data storage device with tamper
resistant visual markings 20. They are shown being capable of
stored in the same holder 70. A collectable object provided with
tamper resistant visual markings 10 nests in preformed cavity 73 of
storage holder device 70. Also, a data storage device with tamper
resistant visual markings 20 nests in preformed cavity 75 of
storage holder device 70.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a present invention associative
data storage device used in combination with a collectable object
being a coin, and, an interface with a traditional computer system
having Internet capability. The present invention, associative data
storage system for collectable objects 103 is comprised of a
collectable object provided with tamper resistant visual markings
105, and a data storage device with tamper resistant visual
markings 107. Data storage device 107 is compatible with a standard
computer system 111 and may display images of the corresponding
associative collectable object shown here as a coin, and may
include additional characteristics of the collectable object, such
as, certification data, mintages and production data. Data storage
device 107 may also provide an Internet link to a predetermined
external database 113. The Internet link may be in the form of a
Hyperlink and may be the certification service's private network.
The private network may provide additional or similar data, images,
and/or characteristics of a collectable object with tamper
resistant visual markings 105. It may provide changing information
of the collectable object, such as it's current-valuation.
[0027] Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein
in detail, it should be noted and will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that numerous variations may be made within the
scope of this invention without departing from the principles and
chief advantages of this invention. Unless otherwise specifically
stated, the terms and expressions have been used herein as terms of
description and not limitation. There is no intention to use the
terms or expressions to exclude any equivalents of features shown
and described or portions thereof, and this invention should be
defined in accordance with the claims that follow, or the
equivalence thereof.
* * * * *