DE102013008521A1 - Automatic searching system for registered subject matters, includes activating registered object with particular single, automated process, retrieving registered object and publishing characteristics of reported lost object in text form - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic searching system includes activating a registered object with a particular single, automated process and retrieving a registered object. The common data, such as a serial number of the object registered in the search engine, and if necessary, a manual search are available in the searching system. The general characteristic features of the object are registered in the searching system. The characteristics of a reported lost or stolen object is published in text form in the electronic publishing system.

Description

The invention relates to an automatic search system in which a number of uniform reference addresses each point to a single registered item. By entering a reference address, the search system can be contacted in a single operation and all registered information about the object can be queried.

State of the art

The registration and replacement of items, eg. B. after loss or theft, can be done with multiple systems. Most of these systems are limited to providing a system for notifying finders and owners.

Over the past decade, several new systems have been developed that allow the owner to register valuable items in advance (eg WO 03/058397 . US7978068 B1 ). The item will be given a unique code identifying the item. Alternatively, sometimes a unitary proprietary code, e.g. As the serial number to be registered. The finder of the item can enter the registration number or serial number in the search system (eg a website) and check if the owner is known.

In order to protect the privacy or security of the owner, his contact information may not be retrievable in matches.

Disadvantage of the existing systems is that the finder has to perform several actions: First, he must enter the address of the search system, for example, in a computer; then, using the feedback from the search system, it must search for the field in which to enter the register or serial number. This is a hindrance as several actions are required. In addition, typing address and code on mobile devices without a reasonable keyboard is very cumbersome. Because of this, finders are often inclined to do a search if it is certainly a lost item. In case of doubt, z. For example, in a left behind bicycle, the finder usually does not even try to check whether it has actually been lost or simply parked. Also, for public services or service providers, routine checks on a larger number of possessions would be cumbersome.

A major drawback of the current systems is further that the owner of the item is only findable if the finder knows the system (eg a website) into which the registration or serial number is to be entered. If an identification by the dimensions of the item is impossible, or if there is no other way to specify the address (eg the URL) of the search system, the commonly used search methods such. Internet search engines, with the serial number alone, the owner will never be located.

The invention has for its object to overcome disadvantages of the known from the prior art systems or at least reduce.

This object is achieved by the search system according to claim 1.

Description of the invention

An essential feature of the invention is the provision of an automatic search system, which provides each object to be registered with a uniform identification code ( 2 ) assigns. A search is initiated by entering into a electronic search system a combined identification identifying both the address ( 4 ) of the search system, as well as the identification ( 5 ) of the object. Thus, a single operation can lead to a search result. The input of the identification of the address of the search system and the search object can be done with the reading of a single machine-readable code.

Characteristic of the invention is the identification by a uniform machine-readable code by means of a visible sticker on the object to be registered ( ). This code is read with optical techniques, eg. B. 2D barcode, such as. B. QR code ( 3 ) ( US5726435 ) or Datamatrix ( ), 1D barcode ( ), ... RFID ( ), with radio frequency techniques, such. As Mifare, with innovative systems, such. B. SnapTag ( ) or with other automatic reading techniques. The code is both from the general address ( 4 ) of the automatic search system as well as from the identification code ( 5 ) of the registered property.

The contact with the automatic search system and the forwarding of the uniform registration code of the object take place in a single operation.

Advantages over the prior art

The extremely simple search using the machine-readable sticker allows finders and security services to more often check if an item crossing their path is lost, stolen or left behind. A quick check and identification of extensive item groups, such as B. bicycles, is possible. In addition, routine reviews can quickly, easily, and without privacy violations determine whether the verified person's possession is lawfully acquired or stolen without the examiner having to enter data using a keyboard.

Finally, the invention allows an item to be retrieved not only when the finder knows the address of the search system, but also that the serial number or description of the item can be entered into other common search systems in multiple languages.

The invention, preferred embodiments and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Show it:

: Machine-readable sticker with QR code;

: Two-dimensional datamtrix code;

: Micro QR Code;

: Identification via radio frequencies with RFID tag;

: SnapTag;

: 1D barcode;

: Combined address of the search system and identification of the object;

: Combined address of the search system and identification of the object;

: Construction of the uniform identification code;

: Structured data of the registered object; and

: Search options of the Finder.

The machine-readable codes can be read in various ways. For example, there are several formats of one-dimensional (1D) ( ) or two-dimensional (2D) ( 3 ) ( ) Barcodes with a relatively large data content, and there are many RFID standards (Radio Frequency Identification) ( ) which are applicable worldwide. At present, the best-known and most economical code is definitely the two-dimensional QR code ( 3 ) ( US5726435 ). This has the advantage that its use is not licensed, that it can contain URLs (Universal Resource Locators), that it is compact and still supports the correction of errors, and, above all, that consumers are familiar with this code. In addition, many modern mobile phones or laptops (tablets) camera and free software for reading the identifiers are installed. Thus, the automatic search system can be contacted quickly and automatically, which further processes the code.

In contrast to the usual QR codes, which contain a fixed URL address for marketing purposes, all QR codes or other codes of the search system ( 3 ) uniform for the registered item concerned. The code is a combination of the address in the search system ( 4 ) (ideally this would be an internet URL) and the single code ( 5 ) of the registered object. The QR code measures at least 1 × 1 cm so that most readers / cameras can read the combinations. For the print parameters of the code and the distances to other graphical components, the QR standard code is used. Ideally, an average error correction is set to provide a minimum of reliability, but care must be taken that the code does not fill too much. Micro QR codes ( ) is a new development but not yet supported by most readers. As most reading systems support this more compact code, this form will be preferred. The uniform code ( 5 ) can be part of the address ( 4 ) of the search system ( ), it can be readjusted to the address ( ) or it can be processed in other ways according to the capabilities of the communication network used.

The unified code of the registered item may be composed of a letter / number combination. Ideally, this includes a set of 8 letters and numbers ( ), which on the one hand enables sufficient combinations and on the other hand sufficiently simple manual input, while keeping the size of the QR code within limits. The letter "o" is not used because it is easily mistaken for the number "o" when you type with a keyboard. For this reason, the search system automatically replaces the letter "o" with the number "o". The proposed 8-letter / number combination without "o" provides 2.25 × 10 ¹² possible combinations. Nevertheless, the search system allows a different length, so that later extensions are already taken into account. At the same time, shorter codes for items that can not be labeled with longer codes are possible.

The owner can enter the items in advance in the search system, ideally in the form of a website. The registration can be made on the basis of a uniform identification number ( 2 ) ( 5 ) on one - possibly from a QR code ( 3 ) - Stickers (or on a key chain, luggage label, ...) ( ), by serial number, by a description of the item according to classifications ( ) ( 14 ) or by a combination of these systems.

In the event of loss or theft of the item, the owner may return it to the website or by other means, such as: B. via SMS, as lost or stolen report. Finder can search the item in different ways and then contact the owner.

Option 1: Scan ( 8th ) the finder with the QR code ( 3 ), it then contacts the search system (the website) in a single operation which automatically 5 ) from the address ( 4 ), searches the database for the code and shows the Finder the registered item. He then has the opportunity to send a message to the owner without him seeing the personal data.

Option 2: If the Finder does not have a QR code reader, it can change the address ( 4 ) of the search system by hand, z. In his Internet browser ( 9 ) ( 10 ). Subsequently, he can use the single registration code ( 5 () 12 ) or the serial number ( 13 ) or initiate a search based on the object description ( 11 ). If one finds one, the procedure of option 1 follows.

Option 3: Certain articles, eg. Clocks are too small to read the address ( 4 ) of the search system. As a result, the finder can neither find the serial number nor find the owner. Once the owner reports the loss of the item, the search system automatically publishes all known information about the item in a publicly accessible zone. These are data, such. Registration code, serial number, classification ( ) of the item (eg a watch), brand, etc. Also a finder who does not know the address of the automatic search system and who introduces the description of the item into another common search system, e.g. As an Internet search engine, can find this description. Since the search system is multilingual, the given characteristics (classification, color, ...) ( 14 ) of the registered objects in the various languages of the database. The characteristics of the lost object can thus be automatically published in different languages in the public access zone. For example, non-native Finder language learners can initiate a search on a standard Internet search engine and retrieve the owner regardless of the language used during registration. The description of the subject is first published in text form (HTML) in the public access zone, since all search engines support HTML. Since search engines index the pages, the Finder does not necessarily know the address of the search system. If other structured data formats ("microformats", "microdata", "RDFa", rich snippets, etc.) become available for certain types of objects, they can be published as additional options, allowing for a more powerful search engine search , the procedure of option 1 follows.

Option 4: Specific user groups, such as: B. order services, may be granted a non-public access to the search system. For example, an application programming interface (API) allows them to quickly scan a limited number of parameters (eg, stolen) for large sets of objects without having to pay attention to the system's other queries. The interface may, for example, web services, such. B. SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) use.

The communication between finder and owner ( 15 ) may be made (anonymously) by e-mail, SMS, through the search system's own publication system (eg an internet forum), or by any other standard form of communication, depending on the state of technology development and personal data disclosed by both parties ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Address of the search system

2

Uniform identification of the object

3

Machine-readable code

4

Address of the search system

5

Uniform identification of the object

6

antenna

7

RFID circuit for identification via radio frequencies

8th

Search by scanning the sticker with QR code

9

Search by manually entering the address and the identification of the item in the search system

10

Search by manually entering the address and serial number of the item into the search system

11

Search based on the description of the item

12

Manual input of the uniform identification of the object

13

Manual entry of the serial number of the item

14

Predetermined characteristics of the object

15

Start the communication between finder and owner

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 03/058397 [0003]
• US 7978068 B1 [0003]
• US 5726435 [0010, 0026]

Claims (11)

A search system in which, based on a uniform, machine-readable object-specific sticker or key fob or luggage label, the 4 ) of the search system in which the sticker, key fob or luggage label is registered, as well as a uniform code ( 5 ) contains one, in particular in the search system, registered object, activated with a, in particular single, automated process the respective search system and the registered object can be retrieved in the search system. Search system according to claim 1, wherein also other uniform data, such. As a serial number of the object, registered in the search system and, possibly via a manual search, are available. Search system according to claim 1 and / or 2, wherein in the search system and general feature descriptions of the object are registered. Search system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein other uniform identification features of a reported as lost or stolen item such. As serial number, automatically published in text form in a publicly available and retrievable electronic publication system. Search system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the features of a reported as lost or stolen item are also published in text form in the electronic publication system. Search system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the features of a reported lost or stolen object are also published in a structured form with standardized metadata in the electronic publication system. Search system according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the feature descriptions of the object are published in all languages supported by the search system. A search system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the search system enables anonymous communication between the owner and the finder of the item. A search system according to claim 8, wherein the communication is sent by e-mail, SMS or similar new media from the fill-in form in the search system. Search system according to claim 8, wherein the communication via e-mail, SMS or other communication addresses that are temporarily and anonymously created for communication between the parties in the search system, takes place. A search system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein certain user groups have specific access to the search system, which allows them to quickly scan one or more parameters for large sets of objects.

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