Protection and authentication device for a collectable object

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a protection and authentication device for a collectable object is described. The protection, authentication device comprises a holder formed for assembly with at least one collectable object to provide protection and preservation of the collectable object. The holder is formed so as to resist disassembly and separation with the collectable object. The holder further comprises a machine readable coded marking, such as a barcode that is nondetachably secured to the protection, authentication device. The coded marking, comprises a cryptographic protocol means for a user to view at least one digital image of the collectable object via a standard computer system to aid the user in the authentication of the collectable object. The digital image may be stored at a predetermined remote database.

1 . A protection and authentication device for a collectable object, said device comprising a holder formed for assembly with at least one collectable object to provide protection and preservation of said collectable object, said holder being formed so as to resist disassembly and separation with said collectable object, a machine readable coded marking nondetachably secured to said protection and authentication device, said marking comprising a cryptographic protocol means for a user to view at least one digital image of said collectable object via a standard computer system to aid said user in the authentication of said collectable object, and, said digital image being stored at a predetermined remote database. 
   
   
       2 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 1 , wherein said machine readable marking is a barcode type marking. 
   
   
       3 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 1 , wherein the digital image of the collectable object provides an authenticated record of the collectable object. 
   
   
       4 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined remote database may also provide a secure protocol for said user to electronically trade said collectable object utilizing said digital image as a means of authentication of the collectable object. 
   
   
       5 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined database may also provide additional characteristics of said collectable object. 
   
   
       6 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 2 , wherein the digital image of the collectable object provides an authenticated record of the collectable object. 
   
   
       7 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined remote database may also provide a secure protocol for said user to electronically trade said collectable object utilizing said digital image as a means of authentication of the collectable object. 
   
   
       8 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined database may also provide additional characteristics of said collectable object. 
   
   
       9 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 3 , wherein said predetermined remote database may also provide a secure protocol for said user to electronically trade, buy or sell said collectable object utilizing said digital image as a means of authentication of the collectable object. 
   
   
       10 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 3 , wherein said predetermined remote database may also provide additional characteristics of said collectable object. 
   
   
       11 . A protection and authentication device for a collectable object, said device comprising a holder formed for assembly with at least one collectable object to provide protection and preservation of said collectable object, said holder being formed so as to resist disassembly and separation with said collectable object, a machine readable barcode nondetachably secured to said protection and authentication device, said barcode comprising a security protocol for a user to electronically link to at least one digital image of said collectable object, said digital image being stored at a predetermined remote database and viewable via a standard computer system to aid said user in the authentication of said collectable object, and, the digital image of the collectable object providing an authenticated record of the collectable object. 
   
   
       12 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said predetermined remote database may also provide a secure protocol for said user to electronically trade said collectable object utilizing said digital image as a means of authentication of the collectable object. 
   
   
       13 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said predetermined remote database may also provide additional characteristics of said collectable object. 
   
   
       14 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said barcode is a one-dimensional (1D) symbology. 
   
   
       15 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said barcode is a two-dimensional (2D) symbology. 
   
   
       16 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said cryptographic protocol means is symmetric cryptography. 
   
   
       17 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said cryptographic protocol means is asymmetric cryptography. 
   
   
       18 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , said barcode comprises a security protocol including an encoded electronic link to the corresponding digital image of said collectable object at said predetermined remote database. 
   
   
       19 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 11 , wherein said barcode comprises a security protocol including an encoded Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that links to the corresponding digital image of said collectable object at said predetermined remote database. 
   
   
       20 . A protection and authentication device of  claim 15 , wherein, said barcode is graphical tag.