Secure tracking of items using distributed computing

Abstract

To provide a system for registering an item in a convenient and safe manner so that the item can be identified when the item is lost or stolen and later found.SOLUTION: The computerized method includes software having instructions loaded into a computer system including a database populated with item information related to owner, lessee, and / or lienholder information. The CPU executes the instructions to register a user in a first step, associate an item with the user in a second step, and make the registered item information available to the user with necessary permissions for updating and querying in a third step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 688,544, entitled "SECURE TRACKING OF ITEMS UTILIZING DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING," filed June 22, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application and upon which this application relies.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for tracking items using distributed computing. [Background technology]

[0003] Systems exist for tracking items using computers. Tracking animals through their developmental stages, for example to monitor their health and movements, typically involves attaching a radio transmitter to the animal, whose signal can be received and triangulation techniques applied to determine the animal's location.

[0004] Furthermore, systems exist for verifying identities using blockchain technology. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0129994 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and upon which this application relies) describes such a prior art system. However, this system only deals with information about entities for identification purposes. In particular, this prior art system manages the identities of entities within a computer network consisting of multiple computing devices networked together, each computing device being associated with at least one entity. An electronic append-only public identity ledger is simultaneously maintained on two or more of the multiple computing devices, and the electronic append-only public identity ledger is composed of multiple cryptographically encapsulated identity objects, each of which uniquely identifies an entity within the computer network. Each of the plurality of cryptographically encapsulated identities has: (1) one or more identifying attributes that uniquely identify a first entity associated with the respective cryptographically encapsulated identity object, the one or more identifying attributes being self-enveloped by the first entity's public cryptographic key; and (2) one or more verification attributes generated by a second entity associated with a distinct cryptographically encapsulated identity object, the one or more verification attributes being used to verify that the one or more identifying attributes correctly identify the first entity. In this method, after each verification, each of the plurality of cryptographically encapsulated identity objects is structured in a linked list and simultaneously maintained on at least one first computing device associated with the first entity and at least one second computing device associated with the second entity.

[0005] It is essentially impossible to track lost or stolen items using the costly GPS signal transmitters attached to those lost or stolen items. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,635,000 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] What is needed is a secure method for tracking lost or stolen items using a centralized, searchable database to find items that have been reported stolen, while incentivizing finders of the items to report them and receive a reward.

[0008] Additionally, there is a need for a system for storing item data that allows a user to keep the item data private and, after the theft of an item is reported by the user, releases the item data in a centralized and secure manner to allow public searching. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The system and method utilizes a blockchain and a secure registered item database to securely register and track items using registered item information in the registered item database, where such registered item information is selected from the group of information consisting of identification information, warranty information, ownership information, proof of ownership, lost and found status with reward information, recall status, maintenance history, expiration date information, serial number, manufacturing information, product description, item location, and lien information. As used herein, an item or asset is typically a physical item (e.g., a watch, jewelry, hardware, artwork, musical instrument, etc.).

[0010] The computerized method of the present invention includes software having instructions loaded into a computer system including a database populated with item information related to owner, tenant, and / or lien holder information. A CPU executes the instructions to register users in a first step, associate items in a second step, and make the registered item information available to users with the necessary permissions for updates and queries in a third step.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows items to be registered in a convenient and secure manner so that they can be identified if lost or stolen and if subsequently recovered.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows for the rapid scanning of items to determine whether they have been misplaced or stolen.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide an incentive for anyone who finds a registered item to return said item to its rightful owner.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for conveniently labeling products for ease of subsequent identification and tracking.

[0015] The purpose of the present invention is to prevent fraud.

[0016] It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient means for recording ownership changes so that sellers can have greater confidence that they have the right to sell an item.

[0017] An object of the present invention is to control risky devices when the devices are reported lost or stolen.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows for tracking of items and updating the status of said items throughout their lifespan.

[0019] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows purchasers of items to have confidence that said items are not counterfeit.

[0020] In the following detailed description, the present disclosure is further described with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the method of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a trust-enabled decentralized system for registering and tracking items using blockchain, according to an example embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of registering an asset. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of asset discovery and registration using the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the lost or stolen item workflow. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the search function of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operational flow for registering and tracking items according to an example embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operational flow for registering and searching for items, according to an example embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of changing ownership of an item. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 and 2, the present invention provides a trust-enabled decentralized asset tracking system 11 and method 10 that utilizes a public ledger mechanism, such as a blockchain 22a-22n, to securely register and track items with ownership information. A blockchain 22a-22n is a public ledger mechanism, and as used herein, serves as a record of ownership for each registered asset. A blockchain is also a decentralized system that utilizes cryptographic methods to ensure the security of information embedded within the blockchain and the immutability of the records. In one exemplary embodiment, the blockchain configuration used in accordance with the system 11 of the present invention is a partially private, permissioned blockchain, with encrypted data blocks containing, for example, ownership and asset registration information.

[0023] The computerized method 10 of the present invention includes software having instructions for carrying out the method. The instructions are loaded into a computer system having functional components, such as a CPU; memory including a database 21 into which item information associated with owner, lessee, and / or lienholder information is entered; and a communications interface for operatively interconnecting these functional components. The CPU executes the instructions to register users in a first step 13, associate items with registered users in a second step 15, and make registered item information available to users with the necessary permissions for updates and queries in a third step 17. In the first step 13, the method 10 registers users as owners, lessees, and / or lienholders, and optionally registers members of the public with limited access rights to the item information database. The items are preferably physical items selected from a group of physical items such as watches, jewelry, hardware, artwork, musical instruments, and automobiles. In a second step 15, method 10 associates items with registered users, populating database 21, typically a multi-tenant database, with item information associated with registered users, such as users categorized according to at least one of the following classification groups: owner, tenant, and lien holder, and storing such registration information in a database that includes information stored in a distributed ledger. The distributed ledger is a blockchain 22a-22n (designating each instance as 22a-22n) selected from the list of blockchains consisting of the ETHEREUM™ blockchain, the HYPERLEDGER™ blockchain, the HYPERLEDGER FABRIC™ blockchain, a public blockchain, a private blockchain, a federated blockchain, a permissioned blockchain, and a voluntary blockchain.

[0024] This item information includes at least stolen status, lost / found status, along with any reward information. In a third step 13, method 10 makes the registered item information available to users, based on permissions, for updating or querying. Additional item information, such as identification information, warranty information, ownership information, proof of ownership, recall status, maintenance history, expiration date information, serial number, manufacturing information, product description, item location, and lien information, may be stored in association with the item by users with relevant permissions.

[0025] Method 10 allows item owners and lessees to search database 21 for lost or stolen items and report the items as lost or stolen when the relevant menu selection is made, while other users remain authorized to view basic item information, such as the item's lost, stolen, or lien status, and report found items. In a fourth step, when a found item is reported, method 10 contacts the registered owner to notify them of the found item and confirm that any reward will be provided upon recovery. In a fifth step 23, if the reward is confirmed, the user is notified on how to return the item and that a reward will be provided upon safe return. In a sixth step 25, method 10 queries the user to confirm the return of the item. If the return of the item is not confirmed, method 10 notifies the user who reported the found item on how to return it and how to collect the reward. The reward is only paid to the reporting user if the owner confirms the return of the item.

[0026] Once an item is reported lost or stolen by a registered item owner, in a further optional step, method 10 can upload this report or associate this report with a police report or police file number.

[0027] Method 10 further allows a user to connect to and query database 21 based on the user's access rights or user classification. If the user is classified as a general public without elevated usage privileges, method 10 provides the user with an interface that allows the user to at least determine the lost, stolen, or lien status of an item by limitedly querying the item's status. If the user is classified as a person with elevated permissions, such as an owner, lessee, or lien holder, the method allows the user to access item information and register items as lost, found, lien, or stolen, depending on the user's permissions.

[0028] Access rights are determined by the ID Protocol based on queries, rules, and known item status. The ID Protocol checks a user's account to see if any items are registered as owned by the user, and if so, provides the user with access to an account manager interface, allowing the user to manage (i.e., update or edit) the items in their account.

[0029] Method 10 includes the further step of allowing a user with the necessary authorization to search for and identify an item using a mobile device or any other computer system by entering specific search parameters such as type, brand, serial number, QR code, etc., and verify the item status as "good," "lost," or "stolen." Method 10 further allows a user with the necessary authorization to change the item status to "repair / maintenance," "end of life," "defect," or "destroyed" (further details regarding this feature are provided below under the relevant heading).

[0030] The data in database 21 is optionally stored in the cloud. The data can also be stored on a sidechain.

[0031] Structurally, the system 11 of the present invention includes at least one control server 12 (which may include multiple control servers), one or more trusted partner servers 14a-14n, and one or more customer user devices 16a-16n.

[0032] The components of system 11 are connected via a network 20, optionally any combination of local and wide area networks that typically communicate via TCP / IP. At least one control server 12 and any trusted partner servers 14a-14n run instances of software capable of implementing a distributed ledger blockchain for secure data storage.

[0033] While a single control server 12 is illustrated, it should be understood that this is an example and that there may be multiple control servers 12. Communication between these elements is via a network 20, which may be any combination of local and wide area networks, typically communicating via TCP / IP. The control server 12 and trusted partner servers 14a-14n run instances of blockchain core software 22a-22n. A software instance is a concrete embodiment of a software object. An object can change in many ways. Each embodiment of this object is an instance. Each execution of the software of the present invention becomes an instance of the program. In one exemplary embodiment, the blockchain utilizes the ETHEREUM™ blockchain, although other blockchain implementations, such as the HYPERLEDGER™ blockchain, the HYPERLEDGER FABRIC™ blockchain, public or private blockchains, federated blockchains, and permissioned or privatized blockchains, may also be used.

[0034] Instances of the blockchain core software 22a-22n allow different entities to have access and control over the blockchain on which data is stored, including asset registry information.

[0035] User Registration A user registers themselves with the system 11 of the present invention by email and password. An identity verification protocol follows to verify the identity of the registrant.

[0036] Item or Asset Registration Referring now to FIG. 3, user 202 registers a new item with a unique identifier (i.e., serial number, photo, invoice, or any other proof of ownership). Optionally, for certain high-value items, such as luxury watches or cars, the system 11 of the present invention rechecks the manufacturer's item ID by communicatively connecting to a server hosting a verification service operated by the manufacturer, transmitting the product serial number to the verification service's server, and querying the verification service using a verification algorithm (e.g., the manufacturer compares the serial number information, the IP address from which the query was made, and the location of the product's serial number sent to stores in the queryer's area as estimated from the IP address). After verification as described above, the manufacturer's verification service module registers the asset and transmits an encrypted private key, P_Key204, over the network to user 202, who is invited to store this P_Key204 locally as digital confirmation of the item's registration on the blockchain. P_Key204 may, for example, be a digital invoice containing all relevant information about the asset. In some ways, the P_Key is comparable to a receipt received after paying for an item at a store, but it contains a great deal of information other than price (e.g., ownership information, and possibly warranty information, etc.). Using the system 11 of the present invention, after the previous owner (User A, 702; see FIG. 9 ) communicatively connects over the network, the owner is presented with menu tabs, hyperlinked text, or pop-ups, allowing the user to select what they wish to do. If the user selects "Change Ownership," the system prompts the user to enter owner details, sales price, etc., and provide their P_Key, which they can then submit to the server of the present invention, thereby recording the transfer of ownership to the new owner 704. Once this is done, the system invalidates the "digital invoice" and flags it to prevent it from being reused. The system then issues a new digital invoice containing the new owner's details, overwriting the previous owner's details.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, logic flow diagram 200 of the present invention illustrates the basic workflow of the present invention. In block 201, asset chaincode search parameters (e.g., ID, owner identification data, title, category, brand, group ID, serial code, status, and identity) are entered by a user seeking an asset. Chaincode is code written in one of the supported languages, such as Go or Java. It is installed and instantiated on a network of HYPERLEDGER FABRIC peer nodes through an SDK or CLI, enabling interaction with that network's shared ledger. A blockchain API 203 (e.g., the HYPERLEDGER API, or any other equivalent blockchain API, such as those enumerated herein) is used to specify how HYPERLEDGER (or other blockchain) software components interact. For example, when using the software of the present invention to search for assets (or more precisely, an index of assets), the HYPERLEDGER API 204 defines how the software of the present invention performs the search for the asset and how to register the asset as well. Such asset registration step includes registering inputs such as the owner or manufacturer registering the asset, as specified in block 206, with parameters such as ID, owner identification data, title, category, brand, group ID, serial code (i.e., serial number or ID number), status, and identity. The registration data can be stored in designated nodes 208 of a public or other type of blockchain.

[0038] Optionally, if a digital key of some kind is provided at the time of purchase, e.g., by email, this digital key can be converted into an encrypted P_K that can be used to unlock the manufacturer's own registration system (which can be stored using a multi-tenant database with encrypted private virtual tables of data). In one embodiment, the digital key is provided by the merchant as part of the purchase when the item is sold online. Note that anyone can use this key to register the item in their own name until the purchaser uses it to register the item. Therefore, items purchased with a digital key are preferably provided at the time of purchase or when gifting the item to a third party.

[0039] Additionally, digital keys can be used to record changes in the status of an item, such as a change in ownership of a rental car.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 2, customer user devices 16a-16n execute blockchain client applications 24a-24n (designated 24a-24n as representing each instance). Blockchain client applications 24a-24n allow users to upload information about assets to the blockchain, where the asset information can only be accessed and read by the users. Examples of information that can be entered about assets include category, group ID, serial code, status, identity, brand, serial number, description, ownership information, location, lien information, proof of ownership, and other desired information. In an exemplary embodiment, blockchain client applications 24-24n can be implemented as software applications available as downloadable applications for mobile devices or via accessible websites to provide multiple access point options for a particular user. Varying levels of permission to access portions of data can be used as needed based on the portion of system 11 accessing the data.

[0041] Item repair or maintenance Changing the status of an item where the user has permission to change the status to "Item Repair or Maintenance" is equivalent to a "Status Change" with the addition of the option to record the item as "repaired" or "maintained" and ultimately other relevant characteristics. A P_Key or equivalent digital key is always required.

[0042] The item's "expiry date" or "defect" or "destruction" The method 10 of the present invention includes this option as a separate final status change when an item must be removed from the system due to a "use by date" or other reason.

[0043] After verification, the P_Key is invalidated and cannot be used any more, and the item is deregistered from the database of the present invention, preventing the circulation of counterfeit items replacing expired items.

[0044] Blockchains 22a-22n used with the present invention typically have multiple layers of permissions created and controlled by users. These permission layers allow private information to remain private until a user from another authorized entity seeks access to this information, for example, the user wishes to report a particular asset as stolen or lost or obtain an inventory of registered information. When an asset is reported as lost or stolen, control server 12 can use search engine 26 (shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8) to search and publish key asset information, allowing the item to be searched and located within system 11.

[0045] Lost or stolen items Referring now to FIG. 5, reporting an item as lost or stolen is accomplished by a change in status recorded in a column of the database of the present invention.

[0046] User 302 must log in with their credentials and change the item's status from "OK" to "Lost / Stolen," which requires P_Key 304. After verification, the item is set to the new status and filed in the appropriate blockchain database (Lost or Stolen) for faster tracking. In order to change the item's status, User 302's status must be the active owner. Therefore, the system checks the user's status to confirm "Current Owner" status before making any changes.

[0047] Searching for items Referring now to FIG. 6, the present invention includes an optional cloud-based search engine 402 accessible from any networked computer, including mobile devices, to input item unique identifiers.

[0048] Based on the above inputs, the search engine 402 searches the appropriate databases 404, 406 for potential matches. The results can indicate the following status: 1. The item is properly owned and registered 2. Items are missing 3. Your items have been stolen 4. Item not found 5. The item is counterfeit 6. The item has been recalled 7. The item is undergoing maintenance 8. Item is rented and owned by person X

[0049] The system 11 of the present invention includes a key tool that enables the practical operation of the registration system of the present invention. For example, registration is based on information encoded on the object, preferably in a form that is somewhat difficult to erase. Typically, this is performed by the manufacturer itself for items of less than minimal value. At one level, the manufacturer simply marks each product, optionally with a hologram and / or a serial number that serves as a key to unlock product information on the manufacturer's own server when a user registers a product from that manufacturer (typically online). Many electronic gadgets with well-known brand names are already marked with unique serial numbers that sufficiently identify the specific product, so no system changes are necessary here. The serial number and manufacturer are registered by each owner. For potentially high-value goods (e.g., LOUIS VUITTON® bags), RFID chips, typically passive chips, may be embedded in the product itself. A suitable RFID reader energizes these chips, activating them and causing them to transmit their ID number. The reader has a receiver that can read the number and display the number or transmit the serial number information to a user application that can process the information according to the user's intention.

[0050] The ID and registration station of the present invention, located in a modern shopping mall or department store (typically co-located with or integrated into a self-service checkout station), uses optical shape recognition technology to identify the location of a unique serial number on a product whose label location information has been registered using the system 11 of the present invention. The station may also be equipped with an RFID reader for reading the identification information stored in an RFID chip embedded in the device. Ownership registration can be performed by the registration station. This is particularly useful for items intended as gifts, as it allows the purchaser to register the intended gift recipient as the primary owner, thereby enabling the recipient to return the product hassle-free. Obviously, ownership registration is only permitted after payment for the item has been made. Portable such stations may be located in various locations, especially for purchasers who frequently purchase items, even second-hand items. Such devices allow verification of the authenticity of the product, i.e., whether the product status is clear (i.e., no indication of loss or theft), etc.

[0051] For example, a seller of an item may sell to a person who has not registered ownership of the item originally registered by the first owner. If the item has substantial value (practical or sentimental), the seller may report the item as stolen and seek to recover it, even after receiving legitimate payment. To avoid this problem, the system 11 imposes rules on all users through terms of use or terms of use at the time of registration. Such rules revert to ancient legal principles, such as "possession is 9 / 10ths of the law," meaning that a person who possesses an item is considered the owner, or a person who has possessed an item long enough acquires a right of adverse possession against a previous owner. Some rules depend on the class of user, and optionally, the user's reputation, trustworthiness, and reliability. In some embodiments, users may be limited to a certain number of reported losses per year depending on the user's class (reputation, trustworthiness, or reliability). For example, a significant number of theft complaints may be permitted for users in the "manufacturer" class. It is much less the case for individual users: depending on each user's level of trust, they may be allowed more complaints per year, or their explanation of the incident may be given more credibility.

[0052] Of course, once a theft is reported using the system 11 of the present invention, the system should not simply make information about all subsequent registrations available to the person alleging the theft. A counterargument by the purchaser could be the fact that the purchaser registered their purchase with the system of the present invention long enough in advance to cause the system to assume that the purchaser is the true owner. This places a burden on the person alleging the theft to report it, assuming one of the rules mentioned above is that the theft must be reported within five days of the date the theft is alleged to have occurred, and that the current owner cannot have had registered ownership prior to the date of the alleged theft. The system 11 of the present invention explicitly incentivizes prompt registration of valuable goods, in order to trigger and / or prevent action (e.g., reporting the theft) when a delay in reporting would be unreasonable.

[0053] If a lien has been recorded on the item for which a loan was obtained (e.g., an automobile), the system 11 of the present invention will not allow the transfer without notifying the lien holder, at least by email, of the requested transaction and without a person approving such transaction by the lien holder when the lien is repaid or when the lending entity accepts that the new owner will assume responsibility for repaying the loan.

[0054] To automatically register ownership, users who fail to register their ownership within a set number of days after purchase may use the inventory-reading device of the present invention, which is essentially a wide-area RFID reader (WA RFID reader). This WA RFID reader, which may be part of standard IoT installations in a home or office, periodically interrogates items containing passive RFID devices in a room and automatically records the detected values ​​to associate with the user's ownership of those items (these values ​​indicate, at a minimum, that the user owns such items). Of course, for the transmitted information to be valid, it must also include at least the brand and serial number (or at least a single value embedding these two pieces of information). Such a system can also notify the owner when an item is lost from a specific location to quickly identify theft. After registering with the system 11 of the present invention, each user agrees to terms of use and conditions that define the period of time the user can possess an item before it is considered the user's property (illegible possession) and is no longer eligible for return to the previously registered owner. While the item has not been in possession long enough to be considered unlawful possession, this public information is available for search by registered owners, thereby satisfying the "open and notorious" possession requirement of unlawful possession law.

[0055] The scanner of the present invention can be particularly useful to police in locating stolen property: they need only scan it, and such information is available for retrieval by the registered owner.

[0056] The scanner of the present invention can also be used by customs authorities to identify counterfeit items whose ID does not correspond to the ID registered in the manufacturer's database.

[0057] In some ways, the theft control features of the present invention are a significant improvement over shopping center security systems that attach RFID tags to clothing and other products (which must then be removed before leaving the store). Such prior art systems are described in European Patent Registration No. 2504823B1, "ANTI-THEFT RFID SYSTEM AND METHOD," granted on October 1, 2014. The disclosure of the patent is herein incorporated by reference and relied upon by this application. This is because the theft control feature of the present invention can compare scan results with identity changes, such as an item no longer responding to queries. This triggers a query of the seller's inventory management database to identify whether the item has been sold. Referring to FIG. 7, operations 28 and 30 are performed when a new user initially sets up their account through a customer-user device 16a-16n, where a private key unique to that user is generated. In operations 32 and 34, new assets and identifying information to be added to the blockchain 22a-22n are entered through the customer-user device 16a-16n. The asset information entered in operation 34 is then combined with the private key, which encrypts the transaction data in operation 36 as part of the blockchain transaction, which is recorded by control server 12. Control server 12 then publishes the transaction to blockchain 22a-22n, 38. At this point, the encrypted portion of the blockchain transaction (the more sensitive transaction details) can only be recovered by the user using the private key. Asset ownership information can be updated by the current or first owner, and additional asset information can be added to the portion. When a user reports an asset as stolen or lost, the private key identifies the user and the specific blockchain transaction to control server 12.When the control server 12 receives notification of the loss or theft, a blockchain transaction is pulled from the blockchain 38 and a public search record is published to the search engine 26, where the asset identification information can be used by other users in assisting in identifying the owner of the lost asset.

[0058] 8, in one exemplary embodiment, asset information 34, once entered through control server 12, can optionally be published as part of a sidechain 40. The sidechain is managed by control server 12 to reduce traffic on the blockchain 38 and to improve performance and speed while keeping the cost of updating the blockchain 42 on the primary blockchain 38 to a minimum. The use of sidechains can improve the security of encrypted assets and user private information while maintaining a decentralized ledger on the blockchain 38. Different sidechains may be used depending on the value of the assets, providing a level of security commensurate with the value of the registered assets.

[0059] Item discovery The present invention allows anyone to report a "found item" by describing the item with any characteristics, such as product code or ID, product type, brand, photo, location of discovery, etc. The search engine of the present invention searches for the closest match in the appropriate records and reports it to the finder, automatically generating a notification to the potential owner. If the item has not been reported as lost or stolen, the system of the present invention will notify the current registered owner.

[0060] Rewards from users 28 can be entered into the system of the present invention and established using smart contracts or other desirable methods to incentivize other users to report and locate stolen or lost assets using the search engine 26. For example, a finder reward can be posted along with the asset information 34 when the asset information 34 is published to the search engine 26, providing an incentive to report a found asset and locate the user 28 listed by the system 11 as the current owner. Such finder rewards can be prepaid by the owner, who can then use the reward to pay for the lost item upon its return. The present invention allows anyone to report a "found item" by describing the item with certain characteristics, such as product type, brand, photo, location of discovery, etc. The search engine of the present invention searches for the closest match in appropriate records, reports it to the finder, and automatically generates a notification to one or more potential owners.

[0061] It should be noted that the system of the present invention can also be used to locate items with sentimental value years after they were sold by registered users. Particularly useful here is current owner information, which, if the current owner allows it, can be used by past owners (or people in contact with the past owners) to track the item's whereabouts and make offers to purchase the item. This can be particularly beneficial to collectors.

[0062] Additionally, the present invention's ability to facilitate item location by serial number provides manufacturers with a way to contact current owners with updated warnings, recalls or repairs, and periodic service notifications.

[0063] Change of ownership 9, for the transfer of ownership from the original owner (User A) 702 to the new owner (User B) 704, User A must log into the system. To change ownership, the P_Key provided by the seller must be entered, either by email or, for example, by providing a data stick with the P_Key loaded on it. After verification, User A 702 can transfer ownership to User B 704 by uploading new proof of ownership. After entry and verification, the active P_Key is invalidated and a new P_KeyNew is generated and sent to the new owner, User B 704.

[0064] Additionally, the present invention includes a rule that when a change of ownership of a product occurs, the previous owner 702 must report it to a centralized database using a website or mobile app, which will then record the new owner 704 of the item on the blockchain by generating a new private key for the ownership transfer.

[0065] Reporting fraud Reporting a fraud is similar to "finding an item," with the addition that you are reporting a suspicious person's potential criminal intent in selling the item.

[0066] Another aspect of the present invention seeks to prevent fraud committed on the system. Furthermore, if a registered owner reports an item as lost or stolen, and then a new owner enters the correct P_Key for the item, a flag is generated for fraud committed by the previous owner, assuming that the previous owner has sold the item but is attempting to recover it as lost or stolen. Note, however, that the system of the present invention incorporates rules that automatically prevent the previous owner (after the new owner is registered as the owner of the item) from reporting the item as lost or stolen by denying the previous owner the right to do so. However, the new owner must typically register, in order to deny the previous owner the right to enter these statuses in the database.

[0067] The system of the present invention automatically notifies affected parties of fraudulent claims, and false statements are flagged for prosecution under applicable law.

[0068] The system 11 of the present invention helps ensure that any finished product parts or components are genuine and that any machine (such as an aircraft) has used genuine parts for repair and not counterfeit or minor manufacturing parts. The system 11 of the present invention acts as a certifying authority that all products recorded in the centralized database are original.

[0069] Once an item is registered in the centralized database of the present invention, containing proof of ownership, ownership transfer information in any form, i.e., in the form of a printed invoice and / or certificate of title or equivalent document showing legitimate ownership, this is automatically transferred to the centralized blockchain-based system and made available by the search engine functionality of the present invention. If scannable documentation of legitimate ownership is not available, the user is required to sign a waiver via the dialog box of the present invention and submit it through the website of the present invention, which can then serve as confirmation of this fact. In the event of false statements, the user is warned that they may be prosecuted under any applicable law.

[0070] As an accessory to the system 11 of the present invention for easier identification, the system prints a scannable ID sticker containing a donor hologram of the present invention, a barcode, or a link where information about the item can be found. The sticker is attached to an available, preferably exposed, surface of the item, preferably with a permanent adhesive that is difficult to remove. A 2D barcode may optionally be included that, when scanned with the app of the present invention, automatically opens information about the item in a smartphone or other computer, and the system of the present invention provides menu selections so that the user can select the action they wish to take, such as registering the asset or reporting a lost or stolen asset. Items that have been reported as lost or stolen may have an alias added to their URL so that, instead of opening a website start page, scanning the 2D barcode opens a webpage alerting users that the item has been reported as lost or stolen, followed by an automatic lost and found report form, greatly facilitating the purchase of legitimate goods by enabling rapid identification of problematic items. Optionally, the system of the present invention prints two or more stickers, one of which is coded as a simple label (providing information only) and therefore does not allow for registration of ownership, but is intended to be attached to the exterior of the gift, so that the scanner of the present invention can be used to identify the contents of the gift without the need to open the packaging.

[0071] In another embodiment, the ID sticker can be a programmable passive RFID tag, optionally also fitted with a 2D barcode label, which tag is programmable in write-only mode. Such tags can also be attached to assets that do not have tags or to assets that have been purchased second-hand. If a serial number is integrated into the ID sticker, anyone can add this ID sticker to any asset and start the process of tracking this asset, provided that when this serial number is scanned or entered into a form that checks it against the database of the present invention or against one of the manufacturers (or both), the serial number does not show any conflicting data.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 10 , in another embodiment, the system 11 of the present invention can be used to facilitate the identification of owners of guns or automobiles in jurisdictions where ownership of such items must be registered. A firearm or ignition key disablement device or steering lock device 900, as shown, may be added to a firearm or automobile, allowing the system of the present invention to automatically disable the item if it receives an indication of its “lost or stolen” status, which is broadcast (optionally only periodically) over radio waves 901 on a toll-free radio channel reserved for this purpose. By broadcasting periodically and over short distances, such broadcasts are useful in sensitive locations, such as banks, gas stations, and other areas where gun violence or theft is likely to occur. The system 11 is typically embodied as a device 900 on a firearm or automobile that disables the device 900 over radio waves if the registered owner reports the item as lost or stolen. The radio waves, in this embodiment, electromagnetically activate a linear motion generator 906, which activates a lever 907 attached to a rack 909, which engages a gear 911. As gear 911 rotates, a spherical magnet 908 changes its magnetic property relative to a tumbler or plunger 902 (which is itself a magnet in this embodiment), which, depending on whether it is repelled or attracted by the spherical magnet 908, locks a trigger 904, preventing the firearm from firing or the vehicle from restarting. In this embodiment, trigger 904 is hinged to a pin 905 so that a lower portion thereof can pivot in and out of the plane of the drawing, and includes a locking recess 914 into which plunger 902 can engage. In variations adapted to lock the steering wheel or ignition of a vehicle, safety becomes an issue. The system 11 of the present invention must be such that the vehicle cannot be disabled while it is being driven.Thus, in one embodiment, as long as the vehicle ignition 916 is on, the switch in the wireless receiver 912 does not apply power to activate the linear motion generator 906, thereby preventing the plunger 902 from locking. In this exemplary embodiment, activating an electromagnet (not specifically shown) in the linear motion generator 906 rotates a spherical magnet 908, which can abut the magnetic plunger or tumbler 902, changing the state of the magnets from attraction to repulsion (and vice versa), causing the plunger or tumbler 902 to move within the container 910, where it slides to lock or unlock the firearm or vehicle. By broadcasting and activating the device 900 with a wireless signal, the system of the present invention can prevent violence before it occurs or assist a user in recovering a lost item.

[0073] As an advantage, the system allows items to be registered in a convenient and secure manner so that they can be identified when lost or stolen and when subsequently recovered.

[0074] As another advantage, the system allows for the rapid scanning of items to determine if they have been misplaced or stolen.

[0075] As another advantage, the system provides an incentive for anyone who finds a registered item to return the item to its rightful owner.

[0076] As another advantage, the system of the present invention provides a means for conveniently labeling products for ease of later identification or tracking.

[0077] Another advantage is that the chances of successful fraud are minimized.

[0078] Another advantage is that changes in ownership are easily recorded, giving sellers greater confidence that they have the right to sell the item.

[0079] Another advantage is that dangerous devices can be disabled if they are reported lost or stolen.

[0080] As another advantage, the system allows for tracking of items and updating the status of an item over its lifespan.

[0081] As another benefit, the system allows the purchaser of an item to have confidence that the item is not counterfeit.

[0082] Many industrial applications can be formulated for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the network can include any system for exchanging data, such as the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a WAN, a LAN, a wireless network, satellite communications, etc. It should be noted that the network can be implemented as other types of networks, such as an interactive television network. A user can interact with the system via any input device, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a kiosk, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, etc. Furthermore, the system contemplates the use, sale, and / or distribution of any goods, services, or information having functionality similar to that described herein.

[0083] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a system, device or method.

[0084] The present invention has been described with reference to block diagrams, devices, components, and modules in accordance with various aspects of the invention. Further, the above systems contemplate the use, sale, and / or distribution of any goods, services, or information having functionality similar to that described herein.

[0085] The specification and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and all modifications described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims (as they currently exist or as later amended or added) (and their legal equivalents), and not merely by the examples described above. The steps recited in any method or process claim may be performed in any order, unless expressly stated otherwise, and are not limited to the specific order presented in any claim. Furthermore, the elements and / or components recited in an apparatus claim may be assembled or functionally configured in various permutations to produce substantially the same results as the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific configurations recited in the claims.

[0086] HYPERLEDGER SAWTOOTH or other blockchain APIs (see above for a list of other options) can be used to describe the complete architecture of HYPERLEDGER FABRIC. See hyperledger‐fabric.readthedocs.io / en / release‐1.4 / arch‐deep‐dive.html

[0087] The benefits, other advantages, and solutions described herein should not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or elements of any or all claims.

[0088] As used herein, the term "comprise," "comprising," or variations thereof, is intended to refer to a non-exhaustive list of elements; thus, any device, process, method, article, or composition of the invention that includes a list of elements does not include only the listed elements, but may also include other elements, such as those described herein. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the use of the terms "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of" is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the elements listed thereafter. Other combinations and / or modifications of the above-described elements, materials, or structures used in the practice of the present invention may be changed or adapted to other designs by those skilled in the art without departing from the general principles of the invention.

[0089] The above-referenced patents and publications are incorporated by reference into this application to the extent not inconsistent with the present disclosure, unless otherwise stated.

[0090] Other features and modes of execution of the invention are set out in the appended claims.

[0091] Furthermore, the present invention is to be considered to include all possible combinations of all features described in this specification, the appended claims, and / or the drawings that may be considered to be novel, inventive, and industrially applicable.

[0092] Further features and capabilities of the present invention are set forth in the claims appended hereto, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety and are to be considered part of the filed application.

[0093] Numerous variations and modifications are possible in the embodiments of the invention described herein. While certain exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, a wide range of changes, modifications, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. While the above description contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as illustrating certain preferred or alternative embodiments of the invention. In some cases, some features of the invention may be employed without the corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description be broadly construed and understood as merely exemplary, with the spirit and scope of the invention being limited only by the claims ultimately published in this application.

Claims

1. 1. A computerized method comprising: The method includes software having instructions for performing the method; the instructions are loaded into a computer system having functional components, such as a CPU; a memory including a database into which item information associated with owner, lessee and / or lien holder information is entered; and a communications interface for operatively interconnecting the functional components; The CPU executes the instructions, The method further comprises: a) registering users as owners, lessees, and / or lien holders, wherein the public is further registered with restricted access rights to said item information database; b) associating items with registered users and populating the database with item information associated with registered users, such as users categorized according to at least one of the following classification groups: owner, lessee, and lien holder, and storing the registration information in a database including information stored in a distributed ledger, such as a blockchain, wherein the item information includes at least a stolen status, a lost and found status, along with any reward information; and c) making the registered item information available to users for updating or querying based on permissions. A method including instructions for:

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein when the method makes the registered item information available to users for updates and inquiries / questions depending on the user's permissions, the method allows item owners and lessees to search for items or report the items as lost or stolen when relevant menu selections are made, while other users still have permission to view basic item information and the lost, stolen, or lien status of the items.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein when an item is reported lost or stolen by the registered item owner, the method further optionally can upload the report or associate the report with a police report or police file number.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein additional item information selected from the group of information types consisting of identification information, warranty information, ownership information, proof of ownership, recall status, maintenance history, expiration date information, serial number, manufacturing information, product description, item location, and lien information may be stored in association with the item by a user with relevant permissions.

5. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the method allows the user to connect to and query the database based on the user's access rights or classification, and if the user is classified as a general person without elevated usage privileges, provides the user with an interface that allows the user to at least determine the lost, stolen, or lien status of an item by limitedly querying the status of the item, and if the user is classified as a person with elevated permissions, such as an owner, lessee, or lien holder, allows the user to access item information and register items as lost, found, lien, or stolen, depending on the user's permissions.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein access rights are determined by an identity protocol based on queries, rules, and known item status.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the ID protocol checks the user's account to see if items are registered as owned by the user, and if so, provides the user with access to an account manager interface, thereby enabling the user to manage (i.e., update or edit) items in the user's account.

8. 10. The method of claim 1, comprising the further step of enabling a user with the necessary authorization to search and identify an item using a mobile device or any other computer system by entering specific search parameters such as type, brand, serial number, QR code, etc., to verify the item status as "good," "lost," or "stolen."

9. 9. The method of claim 8, further enabling a user with the necessary permissions to change an item status to "repair / maintenance," "end of life," "defect," or "destroyed."

10. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the item is a physical item selected from the group of physical items consisting of watches, jewelry, hardware, artwork, musical instruments, and automobiles.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the database data is stored in a cloud.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the data of the database is stored at least in part on a sidechain.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed on a system including a control server, one or more trusted partner servers, and one or more customer user devices.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the system includes a plurality of control servers.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the components of the system are connected via a network, optionally any combination of local area networks and wide area networks, typically communicating via TCP / IP.

16. 146. The method of claim 145, wherein the at least one control server and any trusted partner servers run instances of software capable of implementing a distributed ledger blockchain for secure data storage.

17. 17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein when the computer system receives notification from a registered owner or lessee that an item incorporating a wirelessly controlled deactivation device has been lost or stolen, the system sends out a wireless signal to initiate deactivation of the item.

18. 18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the distributed ledger is a blockchain selected from the list of blockchains consisting of: an ETHEREUM™ blockchain, a HYPERLEDGER™ blockchain, a HYPERLEDGER FABRIC™ blockchain, a public blockchain, a private blockchain, a federated blockchain, a permissioned blockchain, and a public blockchain.

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