A method and apparatus using the worldwide web portal site to provide, publish and maintain a database for missing/stolen items and missing persons/fugitives. The method and apparatus further utilize this database as a backbone for an internet portal, providing for automated contact of interested parties, automated e-commerce for replacement of assets, and immediate distribution of published information. The invention allows for extracting information from entered police reports to create an all encompassing database, and provides a method for deterring the selling of stolen items, increasing the potential of recovering stolen or missing items, and simplifying the claim processing process and finding missing persons and fugitives.
A web-based method for identifying items to replace insured items includes receiving item specification information from at least one of a user, a manufacturer, a distributor, a system administrator, and an authorizing agent, and utilizing a server to compare the received specification information with pre-stored information. The method also includes selecting at least one item which matches the received specification information and downloading information to the user related to the item.
A nationwide, web-based pet registration, search and retrieval system. The system is implemented with a host computer (10) that may be accessed by users operating user computers (12) via a communications network (14) such as the Internet. Pet owners may register their pets with the host computer and finders of lost pets may search the host computer in an attempt to locate the owners of lost pets.
A found-item information management server is able to hand a lost item over to the owner early with a high probability. When the finder of a found item sends found-item information to the found-item information management server using a first terminal, a found-item reporting unit registers the found-item information, partly as secret particular information, in a found-item information database. Thereafter, the owner of the found item sends a request to refer to the found-item information registered in the found-item information database using a second terminal. An information disclosing unit sends the found-item information registered in the found-item information database, except for the particular information, to the second terminal. When the owner sends lost-item information to the found-item information management server using the second terminal, a match determining unit determines a match between the lost-item information and the particular information stored in the found-item information database, and sends a determined result to the second terminal.
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.
A system and method of determining a common neighborhood of users sharing a common activity from a plurality of users is provided. The system and method may be used to predict, for a user in the common neighborhood of users, a potential activity from the activities of at least one other user in the common neighborhood of users.
