Collectible card with correlated virtual collection and authentication

Abstract

Generally, the present disclosure provides a system and method for distributing subjective images on paper or other material containing symbols, serial alphanumeric strings and cryptograms indelibly connecting the card object and content to computer systems. and real objects marked with the same code or serial ASCII character string. Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.

1 . A method for authenticating trading cards, comprising:
 a verification mechanism, receiving authentication indicia from a user, wherein the authentication indicia is included on a trading card;   determining that the authentication indicia is valid; and   after determining that the authentication indicia is valid, registering the trading card for the first and only time as authentic.   
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 after registering the trading card, adding subject matter depicted on the trading card to a virtual collection for the user.   
     
     
         3 . A system for manufacturing and distributing cryptographically individualized image bearing collector trading cards comprising:
 a serialized image bearing trading card, the serialized image bearing trading card including one or more of the following indicia:
 i. a digitally encrypted message and individualized statistics and pertinent details rendered to a two-dimensional datamatrix symbol, pdf-417, maxicode or other computer readable portable database symbol; 
 ii. a datamatrix code and/or image embedded within the printed image on the trading card; or 
 iii. a randomly or pseudo-randomly, non-sequential serial number, the serial number being linked to the serialized image bearing trading card and/or subject matter thereon; 
   a remotely stored private/public key pair used for encrypting/decrypting and digitally signing messages contained within distributed indicia imprinted upon trading cards; and   a generating mechanism for digitally signing and/or encrypting messages, rendering datamatrix symbols from the signed/encrypted messages, generating random or pseudo-random serial numbers, and/or embedding symbols or other indicia into images or other portions imprinted on collector trading cards.   
     
     
         4 . A computer system for authenticating a user and allowing the registration of an individualized collector trading card, the system comprising:
 a registration engine configured to register an individualized trading card;   an authentication and validation engine; and   a decoding engine.   
     
     
         5 . A computer system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the registration engine is further configured to render a digital twin card that is an exact digital match to the real or physical trading card. 
     
     
         6 . A computer system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the authentication and validation engine is configured to validate ownership to a single owner of the trading card. 
     
     
         7 . A computer system as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the system further comprises:
 an exchange engine, the exchange engine being adapted to facilitate trading, appraisal or enhanced game play with the trading card, a virtual representation of the trading card, or the subject matter on the trading card.   
     
     
         8 . A computer system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the decoding engine is configured to decode and authenticate two dimensional matrix symbols scanned using a clandestine flatbed computer based document scanner or a handheld computing device. 
     
     
         9 . A computer system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the scanner or handheld computing device is or includes a PDA, smart phone, or other visual spectrum camera bearing device with Internet connectivity.