System and method for asset tracking with organization-property-individual model

• US 20040019609A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Centricmedia Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Centricmedia Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoffman, David, Orton, J. R. III, Conta, Rodrigo von, Roman, Kendyl A., Raposo, Paul, Holmes, Maria
• Granted Patent: US 7,424,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/28 Databases characterised by their database models, e.g. relational or object models
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A system for asset tracking, comprising a universally accessible property tracking database. The database is based on an organization-property-individual model, and uses automatic close-match searching to match lost and found items. Any type of property can be reported found, registered, and reported lost, and recovered property can be returned to its owner. Embodiments of the system include on-line access that allows a user or organization to register an item, based upon the item'"'"'s characteristics or an affixed label code. If the item is lost due to accident, theft, or damage, the system can be used to register the lost item and to generate reports and insurance claim information. A user who finds an item may register the item as a found item. When a match is found between a registered lost and registered found item the system may be used to return the item to the proper owner.

Claims

1. A system for tracking property items, comprising:

a database that includes a plurality of entries stored therein, wherein each entry represents a property item tracked by the system, and wherein a particular entry includes a set of attributes associated with a particular property item, said attributes including whether said particular property item is registered, lost, and/or found;

a user interface that allows a user to enter, retrieve, or update information in said database, including adding entries for new property items, and identifying a particular property item stored in said database as being registered, lost and/or found; and

,

a search mechanism that operates with said database to automatically match property items that are identified as both lost and found, and upon finding a match then notifying either the user and/or the owner of the property item thereof.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a distinctive label that may be attached to a property item, wherein said distinctive label includes information thereon that can be entered into said database and associated with said property item.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the entries in the database are based on an organization-property-individual model.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a gateway to a third party database.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said database is accessible via a network.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said network uses an Internet protocol.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said database is dynamically extensible, so that new property items or new item attributes can be added without changing the database schema or reprogramming the data access routines.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said search mechanism performs a process for comparing closely matching lost and found items, said process comprising the steps of:

i) selecting a search scope based on known attributes of a lost item;

ii) comparing found item attributes with the attributes of the lost item; and

,

iii) ordering the search results by the weight, number, and type of attributes that match.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said database includes attribute values stored as universal codes;

and wherein natural language names are derived from the database codes based on locale settings.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

a) a plurality of national databases; and

,

b) a international database.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a) a data file with attribute definitions; and

,

b) a software program that reads the data file and updates the attributes definition stored in the database.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used to provide users with an offsite record of their property.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used to maintain a record of an items chain of title.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used to track credit card numbers.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used to identify victims of accidents or crime.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used to automate insurance claims.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the system can be used to generate reports required of collateral lenders.

18. A method for tracking property items, comprising the steps of:

receiving information from a user via a user interface, wherein said user interface allows a user to enter, retrieve, or update information about property items, and identify a particular property item as being registered, lost and/or found;

storing said registration, lost, and/or found information in a dynamically searchable database, wherein each entry in the database represents a property item tracked by the system, and wherein a particular entry includes a set of attributes associated with a particular property item, said attributes including whether said particular item is registered, lost, and/or found; and

,

automatically matching property items that are identified as both lost and found, and notifying either the user and/or the owner of the property item thereof.

19. A computer readable medium, including instructions stored thereon which when executed cause the computer to perform the steps of:

receiving information from a user via a user interface, wherein said user interface allows a user to enter, retrieve, or update information about property items, and identify a particular property item as being registered, lost and/or found;

storing said registration, lost, and/or found information in a dynamically searchable database, wherein each entry in the database represents a property item tracked by the system, and wherein a particular entry includes a set of attributes associated with a particular property item, said attributes including whether said particular item is registered, lost, and/or found; and

,

automatically matching property items that are identified as both lost and found, and notifying either the user and/or the owner of the property item thereof.