Method and system for locating a lost person or lost personal property

Abstract

The present invention defines a method and system for identifying and locating a lost person or lost personal property. The invention makes use of a subscription service wherein individuals desiring the locating service may pre-register the individual or property. At registration, the subscribing individual provides personal information relevant to the individual or property to be tracked which is stored in a data base. The subscribing individual is provided a photo identification card, unique to the individual, which includes a toll-free telephone number and unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) imprinted thereon. If the individual or property to be tracked becomes lost or misplaced, the lost individual or members of his family, or the subscribing individual who has lost his property, may call the toll-free number to report the individual or property as lost or misplaced. Through the PIN, an operator receiving the toll-free call may retrieve the individual's personal information or the information concerning the property. The personal information is used to assist law enforcement and emergency personnel in identifying, locating, tracking the individual or property.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere is a great need for a system that facilitates identification of lost individuals or individuals in need of emergency assistance, particularly children, and the notification of the lost individual's parent / guardian / family members / medical professionals and / or local law enforcement personnel, as necessary. Almost a million persons per year are reported missing to the police and / or the FBI, and the FBI estimates that 85-90% of these persons are juveniles. And, these numbers have been continuously increasing for the past 13 years. Another difficulty with current means used to locate lost individuals is that 2 / 3 of the land area of the United States is not covered by 911 emergency service. Recovery of lost individuals is very difficult in those areas. Moreover, recovery of lost individuals is further complicated when families cannot supply investigators with up to date, detailed personal information concerning the lost individual. Authorities claim that wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a system and method which facilitates the identification and location of a lost individual.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a system and method for the identification and location of a lost individual which provides law enforcement authorities with easy access to a recent full face photograph and vital statistics of the lost individuals to facilitate the location process.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and system of facilitating the rendering of medical assistance in emergency situations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system and method which facilitates the identification and location of lost personal property.

Problems solved by technology

Another difficulty with current means used to locate lost individuals is that 2 / 3 of the land area of the United States is not covered by 911 emergency service.

Recovery of lost individuals is very difficult in those areas.

Moreover, recovery of lost individuals is further complicated when families cannot supply investigators with up to date, detailed personal information concerning the lost individual.

Moreover, even if an individual is within the 911 service area, it is difficult to get accurate information from an individual when that individual is in an emergency situation or is otherwise panicked or frightened.

Moreover, millions of dollars worth of personal property are stolen or lost every year.

These losses serve to increase insurance costs nationwide, among other things.

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