Vehicle identification tracking system

Abstract

A method of assigning identification to and tracking objects comprises transmitting a unique identification for an object and a description of the object from a remote location to an approval location, and creating an approval code based on the unique identification and the object description. The method then includes recording the unique identification, the object description and the approval code in a database, using the approval code to create an identification label containing the unique identification for the object, and assigning a debit to the remote location for the identification label. The identification label is then used to mark the unique identification onto the object surface. The database containing the unique identification and object description may be accessed on a network by: i) an owner of the object to record information regarding theft of the object and ii) an authorized person to search for information regarding theft of the object.

1 . A method of tracking objects comprising: 
 causing a unique identification to be marked onto a surface of an object at a location other than that marked by the manufacturer of the object;    recording the unique identification of the object in a database; and    maintaining the database containing the unique identification and object description for access on a network by: i) an owner of the object to record information regarding theft of the object and ii) an authorized person to search for information regarding theft of the object.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the unique identification is a discrete alphanumeric identification caused to be marked at a selected location onto the object surface.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the unique identification is caused to be marked onto a selected location onto the object surface, and wherein the location of the discrete identification is recorded in the database.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the unique identification is a discrete alphanumeric identification caused to be marked onto a selected location onto the object surface, wherein the location of the discrete alphanumeric identification is recorded in the database, and wherein the database is maintained for searching by an authorized person for the object description, discrete alphanumeric identification, location of the discrete alphanumeric identification and owner.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  further including, upon a request by an owner, editing the database for information on the object selected from the group consisting of object description, discrete alphanumeric identification, location of the identification and owner.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  further including providing to the owner a password for access to the database.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further including, upon a request by an authorized person, searching of the database for information on the object comprising object description, discrete alphanumeric identification, location of the identification and owner.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further including contacting the owner, by the authorized person, upon obtaining a match for information on the object selected from the group consisting of object description, discrete alphanumeric identification, location of the identification and owner.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the object is a vehicle and the unique identification is the same identification assigned by a manufacturer of the vehicle.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further including creating and recording in the database an approval code based on the unique identification and the object description.  
   
   
       11 . A method of assigning identification to objects comprising: 
 providing a unique identification for an object;    transmitting the unique identification and a description of the object from a remote location to a central approval location;    creating an approval code based on the unique identification and the object description;    recording the unique identification, the object description and the approval code in a database associated with the approval location;    using the approval code to authorize creation of an identification label containing the unique identification for the object; and    assigning a debit to the remote location for the identification label.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further including transmitting the approval code and the debit from the approval location to the remote location.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further including transmitting the approval code to the remote location, and wherein the approval code is used to create an identification label containing the unique identification for the object at the remote location.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the identification label comprises a single-use-only, label.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the single-use-only label comprises a stencil.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the single-use-only label comprises an adhesive label.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the approval code is used to create an identification label containing the unique identification for the object at a central location, and further including shipping the identification label to the remote location.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  including transmitting and recording identification of the owner of the object, and further including transmitting acknowledgement of the recording of the unique identification and the object description to the owner of the object.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the database containing the unique identification and object description is accessible by an owner of the object to record information regarding theft of the object.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the database containing the unique identification and object description is accessible by an authority to search for information regarding theft of the object.  
   
   
       21 . A method of assigning identification to and tracking objects comprising: 
 providing a unique identification for an object;    transmitting the unique identification and a description of the object from a remote location to an approval location;    creating an approval code based on the unique identification and the object description;    recording the unique identification, the object description and the approval code in a database associated with the approval location;    using the approval code to create an identification label containing the unique identification for the object;    assigning a debit to the remote location for the identification label;    using the identification label to mark the unique identification onto the object surface; and    maintaining the database containing the unique identification and object description for access on a network by: i) an owner of the object to record information regarding theft of the object and ii) an authorized person to search for information regarding theft of the object.