Method and system for authenticating signed memorabilia

Claim 2

1 . A method of providing authentication services to a purchaser of a memorabilia object autographed by an individual at a signing event, the method comprising the steps of: a. making a video recording of the individual and memorabilia object during the signing event; b. placing identifying indicia on the memorabilia object; c. storing the video recording on electronic storage media connected to a wide area network; d. associating the video recording stored on electronic storage media with the identifying indicia; e. receiving information about the identifying indicia from a remote computer connected to the wide area network; and f. making the video recording available for viewing at the remote computer following receipt of the information about the identifying indicia.

Claim 3

2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of placing identifying indicia on the memorabilia object is shown on the video recording.

Claim 4

3 . The method of claim 1 where the identifying indicia is a tamper proof sticker.

Claim 5

4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the information about the identifying indicia is a code included on the identifying indicia.

Claim 6

5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the step of making the video recording available for viewing includes providing a first web page accessible through the remote computer, and providing an e-mail link to the owner of the memorabilia object that is accessible on the first web page or an associated web page.

Claim 7

6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a certificate to the purchaser of the memorabilia object, the certificate including a description of the memorabilia object and information about the identifying indicia.

Claim 8

7 . A system for providing authentication services to a purchaser of a memorabilia object autographed by an individual at a signing event, the system for providing authentication services comprising: a. means for recording the individual and memorabilia object during the signing event; b. identifying indicia for placement on the memorabilia object after the individual signs the memorabilia object; c. means for electronically storing the recording, the means for storing the recording connected to a wide area network; d. means for associating the electronically stored recording with the identifying indicia; e. means for receiving information about the identifying indicia from a remote computer connected to the wide area network; and f. means for making the video recording available for viewing at the remote computer following receipt of the information about the identifying indicia.

Claim 9

7 . A system for providing authentication services to a purchaser of a memorabilia object autographed by an individual at a signing event, the system for providing authentication services comprising: a. means for recording the individual and memorabilia object during the signing event; b. identifying indicia for placement on the memorabilia object after the individual signs the memorabilia object; c. means for electronically storing the recording, the means for storing the recording connected to a wide area network; d. means for associating the electronically stored recording with the identifying indicia; e. means for receiving information about the identifying indicia from a remote computer connected to the wide area network; and f. means for making the video recording available for viewing at the remote computer following receipt of the information about the identifying indicia.

Claim 10

8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the recording taken with the means for recording shows the placement identifying indicia on the memorabilia object as well as the individual and memorabilia object during the signing event also includes is shown on the video recording.

Claim 11

9 . The system of claim 7 where the identifying indicia is a tamper proof sticker.

Claim 12

10 . The system of claim 7 wherein the information about the identifying indicia is a code included on the identifying indicia.

Claim 13

11 . The system of claim 7 wherein the means for making the video recording available for viewing at the remote computer includes a first web page accessible through the remote computer and an e-mail link to the owner of the memorabilia object that is accessible on the first web page or an associated web page.

Claim 14

12 . A method of authenticating a signature on one of a plurality of memorabilia objects, the method comprising the steps of: a. video recording the signature as it is placed on the memorabilia object; b. marking the memorabilia object with a code; c. storing the video recording in a database and associating the video recording with the code in the database; d. playing the video recording on a computer after the code is entered into the computer.

Claim 15

12 . A method of authenticating a signature on one of a plurality of memorabilia objects, the method comprising the steps of: a. video recording the signature as it is placed on the memorabilia object; b. marking the memorabilia object with a code; c. storing the video recording in a database and associating the video recording with the code in the database; d. playing the video recording on a computer after the code is entered into the computer.

Claim 16

13 . The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of video recording the marking of the memorabilia object with the code.

Claim 17

14 . The method of claim 12 wherein the step of marking the memorabilia object with a code includes placing a tamper resistant sticker on the memorabilia object.

Claim 18

15 . The method of claim 12 wherein the step of playing the video recording on a computer after the code is entered in the computer is provided by making the video recording available for viewing through a first web page.

Claim 19

16 . The method of claim 15 wherein the first web page also provides an e-mail link to the owner of the memorabilia object.

Claim 20

17 . The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a certificate to a purchaser of the memorabilia object, the certificate including a description of the memorabilia object and the code.

Claim 21

18 . A memorabilia authentication system connected to a plurality of remote computers over a wide area network, the memorabilia authentication system providing authentication services related to a plurality of memorabilia objects autographed by at least one individual at a plurality of signing events, each of the plurality of signing events followed by placement of one of a plurality of codes on one of the plurality of memorabilia objects, the memorabilia authentication system comprising: a. electronic storage media having a plurality of video recordings stored thereon, each of the video recordings showing one of the plurality of signing events; b. a database associating each of the video recordings with one of the plurality of codes; c. a central computer connected to the database, the electronic storage media and the wide area network, the central computer providing (i) an information entry location accessible at one of the plurality of remote computers for allowing entry of one of the plurality of codes; and (ii) a viewing location accessible at one of the plurality of remote computers for playing the video recording associated with the one of the plurality of codes entered at the information entry location.

Claim 22

18 . A memorabilia authentication system connected to a plurality of remote computers over a wide area network, the memorabilia authentication system providing authentication services related to a plurality of memorabilia objects autographed by at least one individual at a plurality of signing events, each of the plurality of signing events followed by placement of one of a plurality of codes on one of the plurality of memorabilia objects, the memorabilia authentication system comprising: a. electronic storage media having a plurality of video recordings stored thereon, each of the video recordings showing one of the plurality of signing events; b. a database associating each of the video recordings with one of the plurality of codes; c. a central computer connected to the database, the electronic storage media and the wide area network, the central computer providing (i) an information entry location accessible at one of the plurality of remote computers for allowing entry of one of the plurality of codes; and (ii) a viewing location accessible at one of the plurality of remote computers for playing the video recording associated with the one of the plurality of codes entered at the information entry location.

Claim 23

19 . The system of claim 18 wherein the code is an alpha-numeric character string.

Claim 24

20 . The system of claim 18 wherein the code is located on a tamper resistant sticker.