EP3671674B1 - Valuable item storage object - Google Patents

Description

Already in the seventh century B.C. The money in kind or goods used up until then, represented by food, livestock, weapons, jewellery, clothing or snail shells, was replaced by coins. This coin money made trading much easier. Even then, the value of the corresponding coins was based solely on the trust that those involved in the money trade placed in these coins. The ancient rulers therefore began to emboss their portraits on coins in order to increase trust in these coins.

Paper money was first introduced as a means of payment in China in the tenth century AD. In Europe, the Bank of Stockholm introduced paper money for the first time. The English government made banknotes legal tender in 1833.

Paper money is so-called fiat money, i.e. an object with no intrinsic value that serves as a medium of exchange. The opposite of fiat money is commodity money, e.g. B. tobacco, rice, gold or silver is used, which has an inner value in addition to the external exchange value.

In fact, until recently, nothing has changed in the fact that the value of coins or money essentially depends solely on the trust placed in payment transactions. Guaranteed in most states Central Bank the value of money. However, the problem has always existed that those institutions that are able to guarantee the value of money are also those that can influence the value of money, for example by accelerating or reducing the production of currency units and thereby value of money is changed.

Only in recent years have so-called cryptocurrencies established themselves as an alternative in various forms.

The term cryptocurrency is used in different ways. Colloquially, in addition to the best-known cryptocurrency, "Bitcoin", "cryptocurrencies" such as "Ripple" or "Ether" based on various technical concepts are also referred to as such.

What all cryptocurrencies have in common in a broader sense is that they use blockchain technology.

A blockchain is a continuously expandable list of individual data records that are linked together using a cryptographic process. A blockchain can also be described as a decentralized database management system. A blockchain consists of a series of data blocks, each of which contains one or more transactions and is provided with a checksum. As the word blockchain suggests, more elements are constantly being added to the block until that block is complete. Another block must then be generated, this block containing a checksum of the previous block, the so-called hash value. As a result, the blockchain is a series of hash trees where only the roots and their concatenation are of interest.

Cryptocurrencies in the narrower sense are also called "coins", while the other cryptocurrencies are technically referred to as tokens. A token usually does not have its own blockchain, and rather builds on an existing blockchain protocol or an existing blockchain, such as Ethereum. Tokens can serve different purposes. Security tokens are comparable to a security in which a profit or sales promise is stored as a smart contract in the blockchain. Utility tokens only serve as a tool or medium of exchange on the blockchain.

There are also so-called asset back tokens, in which the value of the token is backed by a real value. Coins and tokens of all kinds are "cryptoassets". This generic term includes various assets generated or managed using cryptographic processes ("assets"). Real cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are just as little based on an intrinsic value as a national currency. In contrast, a cryptoasset like an asset-backed token can embody real-world value, much like a gold-standard currency.

The closest prior art is the Chinese patent application CN 104 835 069 A viewed. This patent application discloses the preamble of the main claim.

In addition, from the EP 2 189 390 A1 a security deposit box for valuables such as diamonds, pearls, stamps or other valuables. The security box consists of an upper element and a lower element, said storage device being made of a transparent polymeric material. This security box is used to hold one or more of the above items of value. The box in question is surrounded by a graphic coating, which is intended to protect the valuables contained in this box against possible forgery, in which any manipulation of the box, such as its unauthorized opening through the then becoming visible holographic message or documented by the visible irreversible destruction of the coating mentioned-also from the WO 2010/112002 A1 a coin is already known, which in a manner known per se consists of a disk-like, metallic base element and an at least flat insert element, which is accommodated in the disk-like metallic base element, the flat insert element being made of a non-conductive material, preferably plastic, and in this flat insert element at least one RFID identification device is integrated. The non-conductive plastic element represents a plastic sheathing of the RFID identification device. The RFID identification device is preferably a known RFID transponder, which in turn is preferably designed as a passive unit, ie without its own power supply. It is therefore a passive unit that can be activated by induction using an RFID reader, so that data can be transmitted from the RFID transponder to the RFID reader. As a result, the integration of the RFID transponder into a coin should enable a simple and trouble-free check of the originality of the coin in order to be able to reliably identify counterfeit coins.

In addition, from the DE 201 13 518 U1 a piece of jewelry, a fashion accessory or a decorative item is already known, which contains at least one coin that is suitable as a means of payment and has been devalued by deformation, embossing and/or profiling.

Furthermore, from the WO 2018/204970 A1 a system comprising software and hardware elements is already known, which provides a technological infrastructure in order to carry out monetary transactions using physical, monetary tokens, with the individual value of each token being documented in a publicly accessible database.

From the WO 2012/135346 A1 a device and a method are already known to check the authenticity of a precious metal unit in terms of purity, ownership, chain of ownership and the current status with regard to the features "stolen" or "not", using a so-called "ping bar" a resonance tone is generated which represents the degree of purity of a silver unit in the sense of a verification of the authenticity of said precious metal unit. in the In the event of any changes made, which are recognizable in the response, the potential buyer or owner will be informed of this in this way.

For the testing of gold, platinum or palladium objects, the previously known device includes a surface test with which any attempts to work on the valuables with drills, planes or other tools are made visible.

In a further embodiment of this checking device, the valuables and their properties as well as information relating to their authenticity, ownership and the chain of depositories are recorded in a global register and/or stored in an individual RFID chip.

Furthermore, from the U.S. 2013/0062165 A1 another method and a device for checking the authenticity of valuables are already known. The object of value to be secured is provided with an RFID tag and the information for checking the authenticity of the object of value is created in this RFID chip, which in turn is then compared with the information also stored elsewhere when reading the RFID chip with a suitable test device Checking the authenticity can be compared. This check can be carried out, for example, when the object of value secured in this way is resold.

This procedure for documenting and checking the authenticity of a valuable can also be used in connection with a so-called coin. In this case, the corresponding coin is provided with an RFID chip. The integrated chip can be partially integrated into the coin or on the coin with resin or epoxy adhesive and possibly secured with additional packaging material. The validation information is then stored in the RFID chip, which can then be read contactlessly using Near Field Communication (NFC) with an NFC-enabled reader.

In addition, said authenticity verification information may also be stored in a remote database accessible only by an authorized dealer.

Finally is out of the DE 20 2013 003 501 U1 a coin previously known. This consists of a surface and at least one in each receiving area arranged corporeal structure. At least one of the corporeal paintings is equipped with a piece of jewellery. This piece of jewelry is secured by a firm connection between the material of the physical structure and the metallic surface of the coin.

Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of creating a physical object for safekeeping, the authenticity and value of which are verified using the blockchain and thus a tradable, secure object for safekeeping and trading movable, ie. in particular to create transportable valuables that can be traded, passed on or exchanged or stored both physically and electronically using the blockchain.

This object is achieved by means of a safekeeping object according to the applicable claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the invention can be found in the dependent claims 2-9.

According to the applicable claim 1, an object of value is kept in a safekeeping box in which an RFID chip is integrated and/or connected to the safekeeping box in a non-destructively detachable manner, with a memory element being integrated into this RFID chip in which a monetary amount corresponding to the corresponds to the nominal value of the object of value, as well as unequivocally verifiable information about the provenance and originality of the object of value is stored in plain text or in encrypted form, which therefore contains at least information about the value, the provenance and originality of the contents of the safekeeping box, so that this information can be read using a conventional RFID transponders can be read contact-free. The value stored in the RFID chip in addition to the other information mentioned corresponds to the nominal value of the valuables kept in the safekeeping box. Accordingly, the valuable can be traded freely or used as a means of payment.

To protect against counterfeiting, the valuables integrated in the safekeeping box are packed together with the safekeeping box in such a way that the packaging of the safekeeping object cannot be opened without destroying it or at least not without visible changes.

The value of the valuables stored in the safekeeping box can be checked at any time using a simple RFID transponder and read out easily on site.

In a specific embodiment, the safekeeping box and thus also the object of value located in the safekeeping box and/or the RFID chip is secured with a known tamper-evident label, so that the integrity of the packaging of the object of value ensures that the corresponding object of value also readable value of the means of payment.

The anti-counterfeiting security of the valuables is also ensured by the fact that the valuables and/or the RFID chip are secured together or separately with a security imprint that contains a pigment and a component that ensures that when conventional solvents are used to remove the adhesive security print is also removed, forming visible stains that make it clear that the means of payment has been tampered with.

In a specific embodiment, the safekeeping object is produced by means of two acrylic glass panes that are to be connected to one another and are connected to one another in such a way that they cannot be separated from one another without being destroyed. At least one or both of the acrylic glass panes are provided with at least one recess for receiving at least one valuable, such as a diamond, so that the safekeeping object contains at least one valuable and at least one RFID chip. The acrylic glass panes mentioned are then glued flush to one another and then using a forgery-proof envelope, which at least partially or completely encloses the object of safekeeping, or is sealed using an adhesive tape or seal in such a way that the plastic glass panes can no longer be separated from one another without destroying them, and the one between the acrylic glass panes the valuables stored cannot be removed from the means of payment without visibly destroying or damaging the said envelope, ribbon or seal.

As a further security feature, the antennas of the RFID chip(s) integrated into the safekeeping object are routed inside the envelope over all sides of the envelope, so that unauthorized opening of the envelope inevitably leads to the destruction of the antenna of the safekeeping object integrated RFID chip is connected, so that then subsequently the value of the object recorded in the safekeeping object of value can no longer be read via NFC communication.

As an additional safeguard, the envelope or the adhesive tape or seal for the safekeeping object is provided with at least all the security features that a normal bank note has today. Thus, under normal circumstances, the envelope or tape or seal surrounding the safekeeping item cannot be abusively counterfeited in such a way that the forgery would not be identifiable as such upon appropriate professional inspection. It is therefore also not possible to provide the safekeeping object with an additional, subsequently applied, counterfeit envelope, or to produce a counterfeit safekeeping object as a whole.

During the production of the safekeeping object, the market value of the object of value integrated into the safekeeping object is initially determined by a certified, independent appraiser using a list of values customary in the industry.

The data determined in this way is then - preferably by the independent expert - stored and stored in the blockchain, i.e. in a list of data records that are linked together using cryptographic processes, as a separate block that can be identified at any time. The information stored in this context can also be read out via a QR code, which is clearly assigned to the data record and the safekeeping object - for example by the mentioned expert.

For each individual store of value object, a unique cryptographic token is created on a blockchain using the ERC-721 protocol for Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), which are non-exchangeable (compared to a fungible token such as a Bitcoin). The tokens are unique and cannot be replicated or destroyed due to their existence on the blockchain.

With the generation of the NFT in the blockchain, the means of payment is activated or can be activated.

This means of payment can now be introduced into the money market or offered on the market. The present means of payment can now be in the form of a digital Tokens are offered and traded on the Internet, both physically and electronically.

The physical safekeeping object itself is first insured by the issuer of the safekeeping object and stored in a theft-proof manner in a high-security area of a security company. The information about the storage of the safekeeping object is irreversibly and forgery-proof documented in the blockchain.

The token and thus the means of payment can then be acquired, for example via an Internet platform, by making a payment corresponding to the value of the object of value stored in the safekeeping object either in a conventional currency or in a cryptocurrency. As soon as the payment has been made to the issuer, the purchaser of the object of value stored in the safekeeping object is documented in the blockchain in a forgery-proof manner as the owner of the non-fungible token. The NFTs, which represent the valuable and are stored in the globally accessible blockchain, can be traded digitally on any platform worldwide as a forgery-proof but also largely inflation-free currency.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the owner of the token can request the surrender of the valuable from the custodian, so that on his behalf, the valuable is handed over to the current owner, whereupon this status change of the valuable stored in the safekeeping object is documented in the blockchain in a forgery-proof manner , but in particular the token representing the object of value is devalued, which can be represented, for example, by a color change of the token from green to red on an Internet platform for trading these safekeeping objects. Once the item of value has been issued, it can be used as physical payment, but no longer as electronic payment due to the deactivation of the token.

Conversely, the valuable can be returned to the fiduciary administration for safekeeping and storage at any time, at least if it is still in the safekeeping object, which in turn is documented in the blockchain in a forgery-proof manner and traded on the Internet platform of the object of value is in turn displayed, for example by the token displayed there being switched back from the color red to the color green and thus being able to participate in electronic payment transactions again.

As a result, the solution according to the invention describes the development of a new means of payment that is completely decoupled from the usual money market, which is physically existent and can be traded with cryptographic processes at the same time, with high security features, the value of which is no longer guaranteed by a government promise or by a bank. but rather by the largely stable value of one or more valuables.

Fig. 1a:

die Wiedergabe des Zahlungsmittels in einer Längsschnittansicht

Fig. 1b:

die Widergabe des Zahlungsmittels in einer Querschnittansicht

Fig. 2:

den Umschlag des Zahlungsmittels in einer Draufsicht

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing:
Show it:

Figure 1a:

the representation of the means of payment in a longitudinal section view

Figure 1b:

the representation of the means of payment in a cross-sectional view

Figure 2:

the envelope of the means of payment in a plan view

According to Fig. 1a the object of safekeeping 1 shown in a longitudinal section is made of two solid plastic glass panes 2, 2', the strength of which ensures that the plastic glass panes 2, 2' are largely unbreakable. One or both plastic glass panes 2, 2' are each provided with a recess 3, which allows the inclusion of an object of value 4. Fig. 1b shows the safekeeping object 1 in a cross-sectional view, i.e. the plastic glass panes 2, 2' connected to one another with the diamond 4 accommodated in a recess of at least one plastic glass pane. The safekeeping object 1 according to FIG.

The object of value 4 used in the safekeeping object 1 is first clearly identified, documented and, in particular, evaluated with regard to its current monetary value by an independent appraiser. The accordingly assessed and certified valuables 4 are each, as in the Figures 1a and 1b shown, in a recess 3 of one or both plastic glass panes 2, 2', which can then no longer be separated from one another without being destroyed, in a counterfeit-proof envelope 5 which cannot be detached from the connected plastic glass panes 2, 2' without being destroyed. The safekeeping object 1 can then be shipped and can then be stored in a so-called duty-free warehouse or in another secured warehouse of a security company.

Subsequently or in parallel, the safekeeping object 1 is documented in the blockchain and, for security reasons, in parallel in a memory module. The blockchain contains the value and the characteristics of the object of value 4, so that it is clearly identified. In addition, the documentation includes the respective owner and status of the safekeeping object 1, whose digital image is a unique token that is generated on the basis of the information stored in the blockchain without the intervention of human intelligence and is therefore also forgery-proof.

This token is sold on a secure website of the issuer of the means of payment 1, traded and—if desired by the current owner—also bought back again by the issuer of the safekeeping object 1. The token is sold for the first time at the current value of the object of value 4 stored in the safekeeping object. The token can be purchased either in a standard currency or using a standard cryptocurrency.

When the token is returned to the issuer, the current daily value of the object of value 4 stored in the safekeeping object 1 is paid out to the owner of the token, minus a processing fee.

Alternatively, the owner of the token can also have the object of value 4 handed over to him, whereupon its handing over is then documented in the blockchain.

For example, tokens that are still available for purchase are shown in green, tokens that can no longer be purchased are red. The red display occurs, for example, when the owner can release the object of value 4 as such in physical form.

According to the illustration in FIG. 3, the safe-of-value object 1 is, as already mentioned, encased by a forgery-free envelope 5 which completely or at least partially encloses the safe-of-value object 1 . This envelope 5 is provided with the usual security features of a banknote, namely optical, haptic and/or acoustic security features, in particular using a special printing material, and using a steel intaglio printing process for printing the envelope, incorporating watermarks, positive and/or negative guilloches, nano-type security grids, variable-size micro-lettering, hologram foil and/or security strips in the envelope 5, embossing of finely resolved grid images, see-through windows and/or see-through registers in the envelope, the use of fluorescent colors, foil elements, glossy effects, micro-perforations and/or other security features.

REFERENCE LIST

1

store of value object

2

lower plastic pane

2'

upper plastic glass pane

3

recess

4

valuable item

5

envelope

6

RFID chip

7

antenna

Claims (9)

1. Valuable item storage object (1), preferably in the form of a chip card, coin, valuable item storage box, bank note or credit card, the valuable article, preferably a cut diamond (4), one or more payment means, drugs, securities, diamonds, jewelry or watches, being integrated in the valuable item storage object (1), which article represents the value of the valuable item storage object (1), this value preferably being the nominal value of the valuable article, an RFID chip (6), preferably an RFID transponder, being integrated into the valuable item storage object (1), or being connected to the valuable item storage object so as to not be removable from the valuable item storage object non-destructively, this RFID chip (6) containing a storage element in which the nominal value of the valuable item storage object (1) is stored in plain text or in encrypted form at the time the valuable item storage object (1) is issued, which RFID chip contains information about the nominal value, as well as unequivocally verifiable information about the provenance and/or originality of the valuable article (1) stored in the valuable item storage object, this nominal value as well as the information about the provenance and/or originality of the valuable article being readable in a contact-free manner by means of an RFID transponder and the valuable article and/or the RFID chip (6) being accommodated either individually or together in an envelope that partially or completely encloses the valuable item storage object and/or being secured by means of an at least partially adhesive tape or seal, which in each case cannot be opened non-destructively or without visible changes, the envelope or the tape or the seal (5), such as a tamper-evident label, being glued to the valuable article, such as a diamond (4), and/or to the RFID chip (6) and its respective edition, characterized in that this envelope or the tape or the seal (5) is provided with perforation lines, folding lines or incisions, as intended, so that this envelope or the tape or the seal (5) cannot be removed from the valuable item storage object box and reattached thereto or cannot be removed and reattached thereto undamaged, and the valuable article and/or the RFID chip (6) being glued with an adhesive layer, which has security printing, this security printing containing at least one pigment and a component that also dissolves in solvents with which the adhesive can be dissolved, so that the security printing is also removed and/or forms visible spots, characterized in that the nominal value of the payment means (1) and, if applicable, information about the provenance and/or originality of the valuable article is, on the day the payment means (1) is issued, biuniquely documented in a blockchain, i.e. in a list of data records, in the broader sense of data blocks, which are chained to one another by means of cryptographic methods, with each block being by a cryptographically secure hash value of the previous block, and can be read out via a QR code, the valuable item storage object (1) being activated with the documentation of the payment means (1) in a blockchain.
2. Valuable item storage object according to claim 1, characterized in that a security element is glued with the valuable article and/or the RFID chip (6) jointly or separately in each case, the security element having a layer structure such that the security element can no longer be removed without changing the security element after it has been glued with the valuable article and/or the RFID chip (6).
3. Valuable item storage object (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the valuable item storage object (1) consists of two plastics glass panes (2, 2') which are to be connected to one another in such a way that they cannot be separated non-destructively, with one or both plastics glass panes (2, 2') being provided with at least one recess (3) for accommodating at least one valuable article (4) and/or at least one RFID chip (6), and after the at least one valuable article (4) and/or at least one RFID chip (6) are stored, said panes are glued together in at least one of the recesses (3) and then sealed with a forgery-proof envelope (5), namely provided with the usual security features of a banknote, namely optical, haptic and/or acoustic security features, in particular the use of a special printing material, as well as the use of a steel engraving gravure printing process for printing the envelope (5), incorporation of watermarks, positive and/or negative guilloches, nano-type security grids, micro-writing of variable dimensions, hologram foil and/or security strips in the envelope (5), embossing of finely resolved raster images, transparent windows and/or transparent registers in the envelope (5), the use of fluorescent colors, foil elements, gloss effects, micro-perforations and/or other security features, which envelope partially or completely surrounds the valuable item storage object (1).
4. Valuable item storage object (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (7) of the RFID chip (6) integrated in the valuable item storage object (1) is guided over all sides of the envelope (5).
5. Valuable item storage object (1) according to either claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the envelope (5) has at least the same security features as a banknote, namely optical, haptic and acoustic security features, in particular a special printing material, as well as the use of a steel engraving gravure printing process for printing the envelope (5), incorporation of watermarks, positive and/or negative guilloches, nano-type security grids, micro-writing of various dimensions, hologram foil and/or security strips in the envelope (5), embossing of finely resolved raster images, transparent windows and/or transparent registers in the envelope (5), the use of fluorescent colors, foil elements, gloss effects, micro-perforations and/or other security features.
6. Valuable item storage object (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valuable item storage object (1) can be acquired by a customer via a digital trading platform against payment in a conventional currency, but also in a crypto currency, the purchase of the valuable item storage object (1) being documented in the Ethereum blockchain, i.e. the valuable item storage object (1) being assigned a digital ID in the blockchain, the valuable item storage object (1) being subsequently documented as no longer available on the Internet.
7. Valuable item storage object (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the valuable item storage object (1) can also be transferred worldwide with the interposition of a digital trading platform, the change in ownership of the valuable item storage object (1) being documented in the blockchain in a forgery-proof manner.
8. Valuable item storage object (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surrender of the valuable item storage object (1) as such to the respective owner of the unique, i.e. non-exchangeable, cryptographic token upon a corresponding request of the owner by surrendering the valuable item storage object (1) itself can be carried out by the valuable item storage object (1) itself, upon a corresponding request of the respective token holder via a digital trading platform, being picked up from the high-security region and handed over to the current owner, whereupon the changed status of the valuable item storage object (1) is documented in the blockchain, and the valuable item storage object (1) is marked as not available on the trading platform.
9. Valuable item storage object (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the valuable item storage object (1) can also be stored again after an appropriate inspection of the security features has been carried out, which is again documented in a blockchain, and then the valuable item storage object (1) is either marked for purchase or else is assigned to the current owner or to a new owner.

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