METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING, EXCHANGING AND UTILIZING ELECTRONIC COLLECTIBLES

摘要

A method and apparatus for distributing, exchanging and utilizing electronic collectibles. In one embodiment, a collectibles apparatus is created where a register is maintained of the owners of each electronic collectible. A client apparatus is also created that can be used by collectors to view and make use of their electronic collectibles. The client apparatus can also include a placeholder template, which provides a specific placeholder for each electronic collectible within a defined set of electronic collectibles. The uniqueness of the electronic collectibles can be enhanced by registering all collectors within the collectibles apparatus and adding matching pairs of encrypted codes that incorporate the collectors' registration identification to both the electronic collectibles and to their corresponding placeholders within the placeholder templates such that electronic collectibles can only be viewed and used by the owner of the electronic collectible, as recorded within the collectibles apparatus. The collectibles apparatus can also facilitate the exchange of electronic collectibles between registered collectors by providing further apparatuses to enable trading, purchasing and auctioning of electronic collectibles.