Tokenization platform for tokenizing items
In embodiments of the present invention, systems are provided for tracking a set of secure digital tokens, each of which uniquely represents an item, including an interface configured to handle a set of unique identifiers, a cryptographic token generation system that generates a set of unique digital tokens, each of the set of unique digital tokens including a set of digital attributes that correspond to the set of item attributes, a cryptographic linking system configured to generate a cryptographically secure, one-to-at-least-one link between the unique digital token generated by the cryptographic token generation system and the unique identifier for the unique unit of the item, and an escrow system configured to handle the items that are represented by the set of unique digital tokens pending redemption of a respective one or more unique digital tokens from the set of unique digital tokens.
1. A system for tracking a set of secure digital tokens, each of which uniquely a real-world object, comprising:
a computing device having one or more processors, the computing device being configured to:
provide an interface configured to handle a set of unique identifiers, each of the set of unique identifiers corresponding to a unique unit of the real-world object, the real-world object having a set of real-world object attributes;
generate a set of unique digital tokens, each of the set of unique digital tokens including a set of digital attributes that correspond to the set of real-world object attributes, wherein the unique digital token is cryptographically secure;
generate a cryptographically secure, one-to-at-least-one link between the unique digital token and the unique identifier for the unique unit of the real-world object, such that the unique digital token provides a unique digital representation of the unique unit of the real-world object;
implement a buyer marketplace configured to enable users to: (i) view virtual representations of the real-world objects, (ii) transact for the real-world objects represented by the virtual representations utilizing the set of unique digital tokens, and (iii) transfer ownership of a particular unique digital token to a particular user on a distributed ledger when the user has transacted for a particular real-world object corresponding to the particular unique digital token, wherein the particular unique digital token is redeemable for possession of the particular real-world object;
implement a redemption process configured to enable the users to redeem tokens of the set of secure digital tokens to possess the respective real-world objects corresponding to the tokens, wherein the redemption process triggers a fulfillment workflow in response to receiving a redemption request corresponding to the particular unique digital token from the particular user, wherein the fulfillment workflow: (i) is specific to a type of the particular real-world object, and (ii) facilitates fulfillment of the particular real-world object to the particular user; and
execute an escrow process configured to handle the real-world objects that are represented by the set of unique digital tokens pending redemption of a respective one or more unique digital tokens from the set of unique digital tokens.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the escrow process uses a blockchain to record ownership of the real-world objects represented by the set of unique digital tokens.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the escrow process uses the distributed ledger to provide a record of ownership of the unique digital tokens.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the control of the unique digital token represents the right to receive the real-world object from escrow.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the escrow process provides physical security for the real-world object pending occurrence of an escrow release condition.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token is redeemable for the release of the real-world object from escrow.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token provides an authentication mechanism for an access control process system that permits physical release of the real-world object from escrow.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the real-world object is a consumer product.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the real-world object is a gift card.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the real-world object is already in existence.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the real-world object has a defined type and a defined set of characteristics but is not yet in existence.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token is redeemable for the right to possess the real-world object.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein possession of the unique digital token represents ownership of the real-world object.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the unique digital token is transferable.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the attributes of the real-world object include a set of physical attributes.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the real-world object attributes include a set of origination attributes.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the origination attributes include limited edition attributes.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the origination attributes include celebrity signature attributes.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the origination attributes include certification of originality attributes.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the origination attributes include location of origin attributes.
21. The system of claim 16 , wherein the origination attributes include certification of ethical production attributes.
22. The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital attributes of the unique digital token include a data structure that represents the physical attributes of the real-world object.
23. The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital attributes of the unique digital token include a data structure that supports a visual representation of the real-world object.
24. The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital attributes of the unique digital token include an image of the real-world object.
25. The system of claim 1 , wherein the digital attributes of the unique digital token include a data structure that represents an animation of the real-world object.
26. The system of claim 1 , wherein the particular unique digital token is burned in response to the particular owner redeeming the particular unique digital token to obtain the particular real-world object, wherein burning the particular unique digital token includes burning the particular unique digital token on the distributed ledger such that the particular unique digital token is no longer redeemable or transferrable.
27. A computer-implemented method for tracking a set of secure digital tokens, each of which uniquely a real-world object, comprising:
providing, by a computing device having one or more processors, an interface configured to handle a set of unique identifiers, each of the set of unique identifiers corresponding to a unique unit of the real-world object, the real-world object having a set of real-world object attributes;
generating, by the computing device, a set of unique digital tokens, each of the set of unique digital tokens including a set of digital attributes that correspond to the set of real-world object attributes, wherein the unique digital token is cryptographically secure;
generating, by the computing device, a cryptographically secure, one-to-at-least-one link between the unique digital token and the unique identifier for the unique unit of the real-world object, such that the unique digital token provides a unique digital representation of the unique unit of the real-world object;
executing, by the computing device, a buyer marketplace configured to enable users to: (i) view virtual representations of the real-world objects, (ii) transact for the real-world objects represented by the virtual representations utilizing the set of unique digital tokens, and (iii) transfer ownership of a particular unique digital token to a particular user on a distributed ledger when the user has transacted for a particular real-world object corresponding to the particular unique digital token, wherein the particular unique digital token is redeemable for possession of the particular real-world object;
executing, by the computing device, a redemption process configured to enable the users to redeem tokens of the set of secure digital tokens to possess the respective real-world objects corresponding to the tokens, wherein the redemption process system triggers a fulfillment workflow in response to receiving a redemption request corresponding to the particular unique digital token from the particular user, wherein the fulfillment workflow: (i) is specific to a type of the particular real-world object, and (ii) facilitates fulfillment of the particular real-world object to the particular user; and
executing, by the computing device, an escrow process to handle the real-world objects that are represented by the set of unique digital tokens pending redemption of a respective one or more unique digital tokens from the set of unique digital tokens.