Abstract:
A process for tracking and verifying cards with original autographs. The process includes obtaining cards where each card contains a unique tracking number and a security feature; delivering the cards to a specific location; retaining a record of the unique tracking numbers and the specific location where the cards containing the unique tracking numbers were shipped; determining which cards containing the unique tracking numbers arrived at the specific location; and maintaining a database containing a corrupt card list and a valid card list.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable.  
       FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP  
       [0002]     Not Applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The practice of signing autographs, commonly used by individuals who have attained an arbitrary degree of fame or notoriety (referred to here as celebrities), is a time-honored and popular practice. This practice is widely recognized throughout much of the United States and the rest of the world and is commonly associated with celebrities.  
         [0004]     The act of signing an autograph is, in most cases for most celebrities, a relatively simple act of placing a writing instrument to a surface that may be written on and signing the celebrity&#39;s name. But what happens to the resultant physical autographs has evolved into a very large and complex autograph industry. This industry encompasses the obtaining of autographs, the hobby of collecting autographs or autographed items, and the multiple forms of businesses that sell autographs or autographed items.  
         [0005]     The autograph industry is unique in requiring a physical signature, and authentication to verify that the autographed item is not forged. The autograph industry currently suffers from a number of disadvantages in both obtaining the original celebrity signatures, and in verifying that autographs are authentic.  
         [0006]     Many difficulties may be encountered in obtaining original signatures. Celebrities may wish to please many fans by giving autographs. However, celebrities are often limited in the amount of time the celebrity can spend signing autographs for fans. The celebrity may lack the ability to sign a large number of autographs at one time, location, or event; the celebrity may lack of an adequate item upon which to place his or her signature; the celebrity may lack the space needed to write the signature; the celebrity may be presented with an item to autograph that the celebrity may not wish to autograph; or there may be security issues that prevent the celebrity from signing autographs.  
         [0007]     There are additional difficulties after the celebrity signs the autographed item. The autograph industry is rampant with forgeries. By some estimates, up to 80% of all autographed items are fakes. With the advent in recent years of better and better electronic methods of duplication, the capabilities have increased exponentially for those wishing to produce and sell authentic looking forged autographs.  
         [0008]     As a direct result of the common practice of creating forged autographs many celebrities do not sign autographs, or sign autographs in ways they think may help curtail said fraudulent activity, or sign autographs but are displeased with the fact that said fraudulent activity routinely occurs.  
         [0009]     Once an item has been autographed, and leaves the possession of the celebrity it becomes difficult to trace the ownership of the autographed item. Therefore, it is often difficult to verify that the celebrity signature is authentic. Because of this, many individuals who purchase autographed items are left with no choice but to take it on good faith that the autographs on the autographed items they are purchasing are in fact authentic. In addition, the person selling the autograph may have to provide personal verification that the signature if authentic, potentially exposing the person to liability if the verification is incorrect.  
         [0010]     The prior art includes many methods by which a celebrity signs a labeled autograph item in front of the fan or other witness. The label allows the fan or other witness to then track the autographed item to verify authenticity. For example, International Patent No. WO 01/57761 A1, issued to Fredrick Noyes on Aug. 9, 2001 describes an autograph verification and authentication process. In this process, the celebrity meets with a direct representative of the provider of the verification system. This process requires that the celebrity sign the autographed item in the presence of the provider representative. The representative places a unique, tamper-proof label on the autographed item to verify authenticity of the autograph. This method requires that the representative and celebrity make a specific appointment to complete the authentication process.  
         [0011]     Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,435 issued to Robert D. DiCesare on Oct. 26, 1999 requires that the autographed item be signed in the presence of the consumer and a representative of the authentication company. The consumer and representative sign a voucher containing a code number, and labeling the autographed item with the same code number.  
         [0012]     U.S. Patent Application No. US2002/0133703 A1, published on Sep. 19, 2002, listing the inventor as Dan C. Morgan, requires the celebrity to sign the autographed item in the presence of the consumer. The consumer then accesses an on-line database and provides the information to authenticate the autograph. Of course, this invention suffers from the problem that there is no independent verification of the consumer&#39;s information. The consumer may not tell the truth when entering information into the on-line database. Likewise, other inventions, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,532, issued to Gluck on Nov. 7, 2000 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,774 issued to Schlauch on Jul. 4, 2000 lack independent verification of the celebrity autograph.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The present invention allows a celebrity to sign autograph cards containing a unique tracking number at his or her leisure and then transfer said autographs into the public domain. Once the signed autographs are in the public domain the authenticity of the autographs may be verified by the tracking number.  
         [0014]     The autograph cards will contain one or more security features to deter or prevent unauthorized duplication. The security features could include, but are not limited to, a hologram, a printed number in small type behind the hologram, gradated dot pattern type, security type, a gradated drop shadow frame, and other printed security features. The cards will also contain a tracking number that is unique to each card.  
         [0015]     The pre-numbered cards are delivered to a specific location determined by the celebrity or the celebrity representative. The cards are delivered to the proper person at the proper location. All numbered cards will be accounted for. Any cards that are lost or stolen will be identified in a database or an on-line web site.  
         [0016]     After the cards are delivered to the specific location, the celebrity can sign the cards at his or her convenience. There is no need to have any witness or provider representative present during the signing.  
         [0017]     The celebrity can then personally distribute the pre-signed autographed cards at any time. The pre-signed cards may also be distributed by authorized celebrity representatives at concerts, movie premiers, or other venues. Alternatively, if the celebrity wants to sign the autograph card in the presence of the fan the celebrity can do so.  
         [0018]     Once the pre-numbered cards have been delivered to the celebrity and have been autographed, the authenticity of the signatures will be verified through a database or on-line account. The database will contain the number of each card and the status of each numbered card.  
         [0019]     Another embodiment of the cards will allow a celebrity to distribute a card with the celebrity&#39;s printed (rather than original) signature. Although these cards will not have an original signature, the celebrity will officially authorize them. These pre-signed cards may also be tracked and verified.  
         [0020]     The present invention will make it easier and more convenient for a celebrity to create and transfer autographs into the public domain. Once an autograph card is in the public domain, the consumer will be able to track the card to verify its authenticity. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2   a  is an enlarged view of one of the security features shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is view of the reverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3   a  is an enlarged view of one of the security features shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart representation of the primary steps of the invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10   a  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 10   b  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0034]      FIG. 10   c  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 10   d  is a view of the obverse side of an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0036]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , an autograph card  10  contains a front side  12  and a back side  14 . The inventors currently prefer to use autograph cards made from cardstock material with security features printed on or affixed to the cardstock material by a variety of means. However, the autograph card can be comprised of any other material besides cardstock, such as any paper material, various plasticized materials, nylon, or any other material that will allow the security features to be printed on or affixed to the material.  
         [0037]     The shape of the autograph card may be any imagined shape (square, rectangular, circular, diamond, etc.). It is believed the most typical dimensions used in the preferred embodiment will be somewhere between 80 mm to 210 mm in width to 80 mm to 300 mm in height in either a square or rectangular shape. Likewise, the thickness may be varied to suit the requirements of the celebrity, or for any reason. The inventors currently prefer using a card thickness somewhere between 0.001 mm to 2 mm.  
         [0038]     The autograph card  10  may use a limitless variety of fonts, type, type styles, type designs, type sizes, type colors, colors, designs, printing methods, technologies, inks, or materials. Cards  10  will come in many different visual embodiments because the features on autograph cards  10  will change for each individual celebrity.  
         [0039]     Cards  10  will contain one or more security features. Any or all of these security features may be used on cards  10 . These security features are methods that make exact duplication difficult, and make copies easier to detect. In addition, the security features can significantly increase the cost of making unauthorized copies. The security features on autograph card  10  may be changed or upgraded to stay current with new or improved methods of security that may be introduced into the marketplace at any given time.  
         [0040]     One security feature is hologram  42 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Hologram  42  may be placed in any location on either front side  12  or back side  14  of card  10 . In the preferred embodiment the hologram  42  will be on the front side  12  in the lower right corner as indicated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0041]     In the preferred embodiment, hologram  42  is two-level, and contains 60 to 75 lines per inch. Hologram  42  is adhered to card  10  with permanent adhesive, making it difficult to remove hologram  42  without damaging card  10 . Hologram  42  may have any design or shape.  
         [0042]     Another security feature is a miniature design  44 . Miniature design  44  may be any number or design printed behind hologram  42 . Miniature design  44  is very small, and will require magnification to view miniature design  44 . In the preferred embodiment, miniature design  44  will be a specific number assigned to a specific celebrity.  
         [0043]     Another security feature is the use of gradated dot pattern printing  40 . In the preferred embodiment, gradated dot printing will be from 100% down to 10% and then back up to 100%. However, any gradation pattern may be used. Gradated dot printing  40  will be printed in a very light type. Therefore, gradated dot printing  40  should not affect the aesthetic value of any celebrity autograph that is on top of the dot printing  40 .  
         [0044]     The inventors envision that gradated dot pattern printing  40  will be used as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , to show whether the card is an original or machine printed signature card. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a , the inventors envision that the words “ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPH” will be printed if the autograph is intended to be a celebrity&#39;s personally signed original handwritten autograph. The inventors further envision that the words “PRINTED AUTOGRAPH” will be printed if the autograph is a celebrity&#39;s official autograph created by professional mechanical means. The use of the terms “ORIGINAL AUTOGRAPH” and “PRINTED AUTOGRAPH” are for purposes of illustration only. The gradated dot pattern printing  40  may be used for any words or phrases in any location on card  10 .  
         [0045]     Gradated dot printing  40  will prevent or discourage others from making unauthorized duplications of autograph card  10 . In addition gradated dot printing  40  will make it easier to detect unauthorized duplications of cards  10 . As needed, the gradated dot printing  40  may be changed or upgraded to stay current with new or improved methods of security that may be introduced into the marketplace at any given time.  
         [0046]     Another security features, as shown in  FIG. 2 , is gradated drop shadow printing  46 . In the preferred embodiment, the gradated drop shadow printing is a 300-line drop shadow, beginning with a 100% dot pattern and gradating down to 0%. In the preferred embodiment, the gradated drop shadow printing  46  will form a frame or outline around the celebrity depiction  22 .  
         [0047]     Another security feature, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3   a , is security type lines  48 . Security type lines  48  appear to be a solid line. They are, in fact, comprised of repeated words or phrases in 1-point type, without any spaces between the words (see  FIG. 3   a ). The repeated word or phrase is visible only with magnification. Any attempt to copy or duplicate the card will result in a blurring of security type  48 , and no phrase or words will be visible upon magnification. Security type lines  48  may be used for any line on cards  10 .  FIG. 3  shows the security type lines  48  as part of a fill-in-the blank section  60 . However, security type lines  48  may be used at this location, or any other location on cards  10 .  
         [0048]     Another security features as shown in  FIG. 3 , is a light watermark or a very lightened depiction of a celebrity  49 . This light watermark or depiction  49  would create an additional difficulty in copying cards  10  for a would-be forger.  
         [0049]     Every card  10  will contain a unique tracking number  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each and every card  10  will be individually and consecutively numbered. The inventors envision that the celebrity will request a set of cards  10 . The number of cards printed in a set will vary according to the needs of the celebrity. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the celebrity requested a set of 5000 cards. If an autograph card is the 230 th  card in a set of 5000 cards, that card and only that card will be tracked and identified as number 0230 of a set of 5000. The next card in the set will be identified and tracked as number 0231 of a set of 5000. The very last card in the entire set will be identified and tracked as number 5000 of a set of 5000.  
         [0050]     Unique tracking number  30  is part of the tracking and verification system shown in  FIG. 8 . The verification provider will keep track of all cards  10  that are manufactured.  
         [0051]     A celebrity or his or her authorized representative will place an order for a set of cards with the verification provider. Each autograph card will be manufactured with a unique tracking number  30  and at least one security feature, described above. The celebrity or representative will provide a specific location to which the autograph cards  10  will be delivered. Cards  10  containing unique tracking numbers  30  will be delivered only to that specific location.  
         [0052]     The verification provider will retain a record of the celebrity that ordered the cards  10 , the unique tracking number  30 , and the specific location to which cards  10  were delivered. The verification provider will keep a list of the unique tracking numbers  30  of all cards  10  that are delivered to the celebrity. The verification provider will determine if all cards  10  with tracking numbers  30  were received by the celebrity or celebrity representative.  
         [0053]     The verification provider will determine if any cards  10  were not received at the specific location. The verification provider will maintain a corrupt card list containing the unique tracking numbers  30  of any cards  10  that, for any reason, are not received at the specific location. The corrupt card list will also contain the unique tracking numbers  30  of any cards  10  that, for any reason, are misplaced after arriving at the specific location. The corrupt card list will contain the unique tracking numbers  30  of all cards  10  that have, for whatever reason, fallen out of the verification system.  
         [0054]     The verification provider will maintain a database containing the valid card list and corrupt card list. These lists will identify cards  10  by tracking numbers  30 . The lists will not contain personal consumer information. The inventors envision that this database will be available via a web site on the Internet. A consumer can access the web site and obtain information regarding whether a card  10  with a unique tracking number  30  is on the valid card list or the corrupt card list. Alternatively, the consumer may access the database by sending correspondence requesting verification of a card  10  bearing a unique tracking number  30  to the verification provider. The verification provider will then access the database and determine if card  10  bearing a unique tracking number is in the valid card list or the corrupt card list.  
         [0055]     After cards  10  are received at the specific location, the celebrity may sign the cards at his or her convenience. The celebrity may chose to sign the cards  10  at home and later distribute the signed cards to fans. Alternatively, the celebrity may bring unsigned cards to events and sign the cards in the presence of fans requesting an autograph. Or, the celebrity may sign the cards at any time or place, and in any manner, the celebrity deems appropriate. If any cards are lost or destroyed while in the celebrity&#39;s possession, the celebrity or his or her representative may contact the verification provider to provide the tracking numbers  30  of cards  10 . These tracking numbers  30  will be added to the corrupt card list.  
         [0056]     After a consumer receives a signed card  10 , the consumer may contact the verification provider and provide details concerning the consumer&#39;s ownership of the card  10 . Although not mandatory, a consumer may wish to provide this consumer input to the verification provider. The consumer input would provide additional information of the cards  10  that will allow the cards  10  to be followed after the celebrity distributes cards  10 . The veracity of the consumer information cannot be guaranteed. For example, the consumer may contact the verification provider and state that the consumer received card  10  with tracking number  30  from the celebrity at a specific time and location. If the consumer later sells or transfers this card, the consumer can provide this consumer input to the verification provider. The specific card  10  will thereby remain in the tracking and verification system.  
         [0057]     As shown by  FIG. 2 , the cards  10  may also contain a celebrity name  20 , a depiction of the celebrity  22 , a space for the celebrity autograph  24 . The inventor currently envisions having the name  20 , depiction  22 , and space  24  on front side  12  of the card  10 . However, these elements may be arranged in any manner.  
         [0058]     The celebrity name  20  may be in any font, color or design. The celebrity name  20  can be, depending upon the individual celebrity, either a birth name, a legal name, a stage name, a pseudonym, a symbol. The inventors envision that the typical placement of celebrity name  20  will be above the depiction  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the specific placement of the celebrity name  20  will not be restricted to the placement illustrated. Alternative manners of placement of a celebrity&#39;s name may include, but are not limited to, the following possibilities as illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5 ,  6  and  7 .  FIG. 4  shows the celebrity name  20  placed on celebrity depiction  22 .  FIG. 5  shows celebrity name  20  placed below celebrity depiction  22 .  FIG. 6  shows celebrity name  20  placed along the side (either left or right) of celebrity depiction  22 .  FIG. 7  shows celebrity name  20  placed at the bottom of the autograph card  10 .  
         [0059]     Celebrity depiction  22  may be any depiction chosen by the celebrity. For example, the depiction  22  could be a black and white, or color photographic image of the celebrity either in whole or in part, a CD cover, a video box cover, a DVD cover, a movie poster or advertisement, a drawing, any form or style of artistic rendering that depicts a celebrity&#39;s likeness and/or a caricature of a celebrity, either in whole or in part, any image chosen by the celebrity, or any other image.  
         [0060]     Although depiction  22  is shown with a rectangular or square shape, any shape may be used for depiction  22 . The size, style, manner of placement, style of edges and borders of the depiction  22  may vary. For example, depiction  22  may be circular, triangular, or any other shape.  
         [0061]     Cards  10  will also contain a space  24  for the celebrity autograph. Space  24  may be an open, clear space, as shown in  FIG. 2 . However, it is not necessary to have a dedicated area for the autograph. For example, celebrity depiction  22  may take up most of the face of the card, and the celebrity may wish to sign on top of depiction  22 . Space  24  may be a location on top of depiction  22 , on back face  14 , or any other location on card  10 . Space  24  is large enough and suitable enough for a handwritten autograph. The celebrity may either personally sign their autograph, or have their official autograph created by professional mechanical means in this space.  
         [0062]     Cards  10  contain additional optional features. One optional feature is the brand name  50  of the autograph card. Brand name  50  may appear, any number of times, in any variety of ways, positions or placements. In  FIG. 2 , the brand name  50  is stated as “Celebrity Autograph Card”. This brand name  50  is used only as an example, and not as a limitation.  
         [0063]     Another optional feature as shown in  FIG. 9  is the celebrity information  52 . The celebrity information  52  may state any information the celebrity wishes, for example, the celebrity&#39;s occupation, title, a professional athlete&#39;s team&#39;s name, an athlete&#39;s position on a team, a beauty pageant winner&#39;s title, the name of a radio show or radio station, or other identifying information. The celebrity information  52  may appear at any location, and in any design on cards  10 .  
         [0064]     Another optional feature as shown in  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  and  10   d  is a set or series number  54 . The set number  54  identifies different sets of autograph cards  10 . A celebrity may, over the course of time, wish to have different sets or versions of the autograph card  10 . These different sets of card of the same celebrity may each have different depictions  22 , or may have other design changes. To distinguish the different sets, the set number  54  may appear in print in any location, and in any design on cards  10 .  
         [0065]     Another optional features as shown in  FIG. 3  is an advertisement or sponsor space  56 . Advertisers or sponsors may wish to pay to appear on the card, and thereby to offset the cost of printing the card. Advertising space  56  will provide businesses and non-profit organizations with a unique advertising opportunity that currently does not exist. Advertising or sponsor space  56  may appear on either front side  12  or back side  14  of card  10 . Advertising or sponsor space  56  may have any design imaginable.  
         [0066]     Another optional feature as shown in  FIG. 3  is a celebrity&#39;s personal message  58 . The celebrity may use this space to create a pre-printed message on the cards  10 , or to create an individual message to a fan.  
         [0067]     Another optional feature as shown in  FIG. 3  is a fill-in-the blank section  60 . The inventors envision that the consumer will use the fill-in-the blank section  60  to identify who received the card, and when and where the card was received, or any other information as may be required.  
         [0068]     Other optional features as shown in  FIG. 3  are legal notices  62 , manufacturing information  64 , and set identification  54 .  
         [0069]     Although the present invention has been described in terms of various embodiments in regards to the placement and style of mandatory features and numerous possible optional features, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these embodiments. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.