System, method, and apparatus for identifying and authenticating the presence of high value assets at remote locations

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus for identifying and authenticating the presence of high value assets at remote location includes associating an identification tag with the asset. The identification tag includes identification information that can be electronically read and sent to a remote location for verifying the authenticity of the asset.

1 . A method for verifying compliance with a finance agreement between a first party and a second party, the finance agreement associated with an asset, the method comprising:
 affixing an identification tag to the asset associated with said finance agreement;   performing an audit of the asset by:   (a) reading said identification tag using a machine configured to read encrypted data from said identification tag,   (b) sending audit information based on the encrypted data to the first party,   (c) analyzing the audit information to determine whether the second party is complying with the finance agreement based on the audit information; and   wherein the step of analyzing the audit information is performed by a server programmed to analyze the audit information and determine whether the second party is complying or not complying with the finance agreement based on the audit information.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the asset associated with the finance agreement is selected from a set consisting of a car, a truck, a recreational vehicle, a boat, a motorcycle, construction equipment, farm equipment, manufacturing equipment, containerized freight, art, an antique, and a collectible. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the identification tag is self-destructing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the identification tag includes a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the identification tag includes a bar code. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the audit information comprises a hash. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the machine that is configured to read encrypted data from said identification tag is integrated in a cell phone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the encrypted data includes a geographic position associated with the asset. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the auditor is the second party to said finance agreement. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said server includes a database containing information related to second party of said finance agreement. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said information related to second party contained on said database which can be used for a purpose selected from the set consisting of targeted advertising, customer relationship management, sales force automation, logistics management, title history, repair work orders, maintenance records, inventory control, retail sales activity, and document control. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said cell phone includes a bar code reader. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said cell phone includes a radio frequency identification tag reader. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein compliance with said finance agreement is based on location of said asset. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the location of said asset is determined by a radio location method from the set consisting of GPS, ultra wideband, Bluetooth, wireless local are network, and cellular. 
     
     
         16 . A method for verifying compliance with a finance agreement between a first party and a second party, the finance agreement associated with an asset, the method comprising:
 affixing an identification tag to the asset associated with said finance agreement,   assigning an auditor to audit said asset,   performing an audit of the asset,   reading said identification tag using a machine configured to read encrypted data from said identification tag,   said auditor sending audit information based on the encrypted data to the first party,   analyzing the audit information to determine whether the second party is complying with the finance agreement based on the audit information; and   wherein the step of analyzing the audit information is performed by a server programmed to analyze the audit information and determine whether the second party is complying or not complying with the finance agreement based on the audit information.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the asset associated with the finance agreement is selected from a set consisting of a car, a truck, a recreational vehicle, a boat, a motorcycle, construction equipment, farm equipment, manufacturing equipment, containerized freight, art, an antique, and a collectible. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the identification tag is self-destructing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the identification tag includes a radio frequency identification tag. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the identification tag includes a bar code.