Uniform system for verifying and tracking the title of articles or objects of value

• US 6,076,064 A
• Filed: 03/09/1998
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1992
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Unitrac LLC
• Original Assignee: R. Edward Rose, Jr.
• Inventors: Rose, R. Edward Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weinhardt, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US09/035,275
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 705/28, 705/31, 705/1, 705/30, 705/22, 705/7, 235/375, 235/385, 364/479.06, 700/236
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission

Abstract

A uniform, centralized system for converting all existing systems into one unique, universal system which allows for tracking those titles for articles objects of value, such as motor vehicles, boats, land, antiques insurance files, etc., in a congruent and continual manner. The system provides a centralized computer data base(s) operating in a "client-server" computer environment for use in creating a title history file, and for assigning a singular registration number and identification number from the VIN (or other) identifying number with those numbers being coded, and creating a coded title and registration number and for storing relevant data on the item. The centralized data base is connected to various authorized agents such as insurance agents and car dealers, and to governmental agents such as department of motor vehicles and tax collecting entities. In this way, all relevant data on an item can now be is maintained on a centralized system which is accessible to all who need the information.

Claims

1. A system for tracking titles to articles having an identifying number comprising:

(a) a centralized computer data base for storing data;

(b) means for transmitting a coded identifying number to said centralized computer data base;

(c) means for decoding said identifying number and storing characters of said identifying numbers in predetermined storage locations wherein each of said storage locations corresponds to a specific identifying feature of an article;

(d) means for creating a title history file responsive to transmission of said identifying number;

(e) means for creating a title number identical to said identifying number;

(f) means for creating a registration number identical to said identifying number;

(g) means for mathematically linking said identifying number, said title number and said registration number to create a uniform system of tracking the article independent of preexisting tracking systems; and

(h) means for enabling uniform system users to retrieve data relating to the article.

2. A system for tracking an article or object having a first identifying number comprising:

(a) a centralized computer data base for storing data;

(b) means for transmitting a coded first identifying number to said centralized computer data base;

(c) means for decoding said coded first identifying number and storing the results in predetermined storage locations wherein each of said storage locations corresponds to a specific identifying feature of an article or object;

(d) means for creating a history file responsive to transmission of said first identifying number;

(e) means for creating a second identifying number related to said first identifying number;

(f) means for creating a third identifying number related to said first identifying number;

(g) means for mathematically linking said first, second or and third identifying numbers, or any combination of said identifying numbers, to create a uniform system for tracking the history of an article or object independent of preexisting tracking systems, said uniform system further having means for accepting and updating data relating to the article or object;

(h) means for providing said uniform system to a plurality of users, having means for enabling said users to input data relating to the article or object, and means for instantly receiving updated data relating to the article or object;

(i) means for accepting alpha-numeric symbols, said alpha-numeric symbols being generated externally from said uniform system.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising means responsive to the creation of said second identifying number for creating an encoded second identifying number comprised of certain alpha-numeric characters of said second identifying number corresponding to preselected storage locations so that said encoded second identifying number directly corresponds to said first, second and third identifying numbers, or any combination of said identifying numbers, wherein said encoded second number reveals information about the article or object, and may be applied directly to the article or object for easy identification.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising means for verifying that no duplicate numerations of at least said first, second and third identifying numbers exist.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising means responsive to said verification that no duplicate second identifying number exists, for transmitting a signal to a device for cutting, imprinting or attaching the encoded second identifying number on an identification medium for the article or object.

6. They system of claim 3 further comprising means for transmitting information regarding replacement or maintenance of subparts of the article or object to said centralized data base and means for storing said information in said history file, so that when said history file is accessed, it will reveal such information.

7. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for verifying that no duplicate numbers of at least said first, second and third identifying numbers exist.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising means for determining that all relevant fees and information have been accounted for.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising means responsive to verification that no duplicate numerations exist and that all relevant fees and information have been accounted for, before issuing a second identifying number to said article or object.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a) means for transmitting insurance and other information to said centralized computer data base;

b) means for determining whether insurance has been paid in those places where insurance is required; and

,

c) means for issuing a statement responsive to a determination that insurance, where required, has been paid.

11. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a) means for transmitting verification of any fee payment(s) to a centralized computer data base and for storing that information;

b) means for determining whether any and all fees have been paid; and

c) means for issuing a statement responsive to a determination that fees have not been paid.

12. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

a) means for transmitting and storing lienholder data in said centralized computer data base;

b) means for determining whether liens are open or replicated; and

,

c) means for issuing a statement responsive to a determination that liens are open.

13. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for updating said history file.

14. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for determining that no duplicate second identifying number exists;

and, means for determining that the coded first identifying number and second identifying number are mathematically linked.

15. The system of claim 2 further comprising:

a) means for verifying said first, second and third identifying numbers;

b) means for verifying that an encoded second identifying number is a coded version of said second identifying number; and

,

c) means for issuing a statement in case of error, so that no history file will issue unless said first, second and third identifying numbers are linked together.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprising:

a) means for transmitting and storing tax data in said centralized computer data base;

b) means for determining whether said taxes have been paid; and

,

c) means for issuing a statement responsive to a determination that taxes have not been paid.

17. The system of claim 2 further comprising security means for transmitting information regarding damage to an article or object, to said centralized data base;

and, means for storing said information in said history file so that when the history file is accessed it will reveal such information.

18. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for transmitting and storing photo-imagery files.

19. The system of claim 2 further comprising an input/output device for reading and transmitting data to said data base.

20. The system of claim 2 wherein said system is adaptable for use with independent systems.

21. The system of claim 2 further comprising means for mathematically linking the first, second and third identifying numbers so that a mathematical certification of said combination can be proved by congruence.

22. A system for tracking ownership to an article or object of value comprising:

a) a centralized computer data base;

b) means for inputing identifying features for an article or object of value;

c) means for assigning storage locations corresponding to certain identifying features of an article or object of value;

d) means for routing the specific identifying features to a corresponding storage location;

e) means for generating a first identifying number based on the storage locations for the identifying features;

f) means for creating a history file for the first identifying number;

g) means for linking the first identifying number with the history file to create a uniform system of tracking the article of value, said uniform system further having means for accepting and updating data relating to the article or object;

h) means for providing said uniform system to a plurality of users, so as to enable said users to input data relating to the article or object of value, and instantly receiving updated data relating to the article.

23. The system of claim 22 further comprising means responsive to the creation of said first identifying number for creating a mathematically linked and coded first identifying number comprised of certain alpha-numeric characters of said first identifying number corresponding to preselected storage locations so that said shortened encoded first identifying number directly corresponds to said first identifying number and is coded to reveal information about the article or object.

24. The system of claim 23 further comprising means for mathematically linking said first identifying number and said encoded first identifying number to create a uniform system for tracking the history of an article or object independent of preexisting tracking systems, said uniform system further having means for accepting and updating data relating to the article or object of value.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising means for generating a second identifying number related to said first identifying number.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising means for creating a shortened encoded second identifying number comprised of certain alpha-numeric characters of said second identifying number corresponding to preselected storage locations so that said shortened encoded second identifying number directly corresponds to said first and second identifying numbers and is coded to reveal information about the article.

27. The system of claim 26 further comprising means for mathematically linking said first identifying number and said second identifying number to create a uniform system for tracking the history of an article independent of preexisting tracking systems, said uniform system further having means for accepting and updating data relating to the article.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising means for accepting information from external tracking systems, said external tracking systems having a coded first, second or third identifying number.

29. The system of claim 23 wherein said coded first identifying number may be applied directly to the article for easy identification.