Global asset information registry

• US 20020032626A1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Published: 03/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Frederik M. Dewolf, Steven Lutter
• Original Assignee: Frederik M. Dewolf, Gregory C. Flickinger, Steven Lutter
• Inventors: Lutter, Steven, DeWolf, Frederik M., Eldering, Charles A., Flickinger, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US09/740,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20020032626A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis

Abstract

Recording information related to an asset in an asset registry throughout the life cycle of the asset. Categorizing the information into multiple attributes. Managing read and write privileges to the asset registry for various entities having an interest in the asset. Providing access to the attributes to the various entities that have an interest in the asset. Entities having write privileges can write information to the asset registry, and entities having read privileges can read information from the asst registry.

Claims

1. A method for recording information related to assets throughout a life cycle of the asset, the method comprising:

identifying the asset to be entered into an asset registry;

assigning a unique identifier to the asset;

recording the information related to the asset in the asset registry, wherein the information is associated with the unique identifier;

categorizing the information related to the asset into multiple attributes;

managing read and write privileges to the asset registry for various entities; and

providing access to the attributes to the various entities that have an interest in the asset, wherein an entity having write privileges for a first attribute of the asset can write data related to a change in the first attribute of the asset to the asset registry, and an entity having read privileges for a second attribute of the asset can read data related to the second attribute.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is being recorded for an entire life cycle of the asset.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is being recorded for a portion of a life cycle of the asset.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset includes multiple components.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the information related to the asset includes data corresponding to each component part.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each component part can be considered to be an asset in and of itself.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset is a multi-vendor asset.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information related to the asset includes data corresponding to each sub-asset and data identifying each vendor providing a sub-asset.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to the asset includes data identifying a manufacturer of the asset.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to the asset includes data identifying a current owner of the asset.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein ownership of an asset can be of varying nature, such as right to publication, right to distribution, or right to limited uses.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein ownership of the asset can be of a shared nature, such as joint ownership or partnership rights.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the information related to the asset includes documents associated with the asset.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the documents may be parts lists, warrantees, service agreements, user manuals, insurance, or specifications.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the documents are digital images of original paper documents.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the documents are authenticated digital originals.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset is a physical asset.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset is a financial asset such as stock certificates, certificates of deposits, mortgages, options or other forms.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset is a digital object.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the digital object is a copyrighted asset.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the copyrighted asset is an audio program, video program, or a work of art.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the entities having an interest in the asset communicate with the asset registry.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the entities communicate with the asset registry over a network.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the network is the Internet.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique identifier may be an already existing designator or may be newly created.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset registry includes one or more databases.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the current owner manages the read and right privileges.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing data related to any change in status of the asset.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein a transaction would effect a change in the status of the asset.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the transaction may be anything that effects rights, values or ownership of the asset.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the transaction may be buying, selling, repairing, appraising, insuring, financing, registering, maintaining, modifying, or disposing of.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the transaction may involve electronic financial payments.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the transaction may involve credit cards, debit cards, or other consumer credit systems.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the transaction may involve new or future methods such as though that may rely on digital wallets, smart cards or other embedded technologies.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the transaction may involve business to business exchanges that rely on commercial credit transactions such as wire transfers, Electronic Data Interchange technologies or other commercial credit systems.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein one transaction may change the status of one or more assets.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the status of the asset may be affected by one or more transactions.

38. The method of claim 29, wherein entities are involved in the transactions.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the entities may generate documents in support of the transaction.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the entities may be required to produce documents prior to participating in a transaction.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the documents required for participating in a transaction are identification documents.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the documents required for participating in a transaction may further include insurance, finance, ownership, or registration.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein each entity may be involved in one or more transactions.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein each transaction may have involvement from one or more entities.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the various entities include organizations, individuals and partnerships.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein the various entities include manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, buyers, owners, law enforcement, insurance, and financial.

47. The method of claim 29, wherein documentation may be generated in support of the transaction.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the documentation includes purchase orders, maintenance receipts, appraisals, inspections, and registrations.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein each transaction may have one or more associated documents.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein the read and write privileges can be changed during the life cycle of the asset.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein an owner of the asset manages the read and write privileges.

62. The method of claim 1, wherein various entities always have read privileges.

63. The method of claim 1, further comprising authenticating an entity'"'"'s identity prior to providing read or write access.

52. A system for recording information related to an asset and providing access to the information to interested parties throughout a life cycle of the asset, the system comprising:

a plurality of entities having an interest in the asset;

an asset registry for recording information related to the asset;

categorizing the information into various attributes;

managing read and write privileges to the plurality of entities having an interest in the asset;

providing access to the various attributes to the plurality of entities, wherein an entity having write privileges for a first attribute of the asset can write data related to a change in the first attribute of the asset, and an organization having read privileges for a second attribute of the asset can read data related to the second attribute; and

a network providing a link between the plurality of entities and the asset registry.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the asset registry includes one or more databases.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the network is the Internet.

55. A system for recording information related to an asset and providing access to the information to interested entities, the system comprising:

means for recording information related to the asset;

means for categorizing the information into various attributes;

means for managing read and write privileges to entities having an interest in the asset; and

means for providing access to the various attributes of the asset to the entities having an interest in the asset, wherein an entity having write privileges for a first attribute of the asset can write data related to a change in the first attribute of the asset, and an organization having read privileges for a second attribute of the asset can read data related to the second attribute.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the means for recoding information records information related to any change in status of the asset.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the means for recording information records information related to transactions that have an effect on the asset.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the means for recording information records documents related to the transactions.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the means for recording information records information related to the entities participating in the transactions.

60. The system of claim 55, wherein the means for recoding information records information related to the entities having an interest in the asset.

61. The system of claim 57, wherein the means for providing access to the various attributes of the asset includes means for authenticating the entity desiring access.