Method and system for identifying lost or stolen devices

A system for identifying a lost or stolen item, comprising:

• a radio frequency identification device, comprising a radio frequency transceiver, a microcontroller, a battery and a memory, said radio frequency identification device connected to the item so as to frustrate removal therefrom, and which transmits a second signal after decoding a first coded signal received thereby, said second signal having information related to the item associated therewith, the radio frequency identification device being capable of restricting access to the information;
• a reader which transmits the first coded signal and receives the second signal transmitted by the radio frequency identification device when the radio frequency identification device is within a defined distance from the reader, the reader further extracting the information related to the item from the received second signal;
• and
• a computer, coupled to the reader so as to receive the information related to the item from the reader, said computer having a secure database with restricted access for storing a list identifying a plurality of lost or stolen items, wherein the computer compares the information with the list of lost or stolen devices, and generates an alarm if the comparison produces a match.

A system for identifying lost or stolen goods, comprising:

• a radio frequency identification device coupled to an item, the radio frequency identification device including identification information, the device further including:
• means for restricting access to the identification information;
• means for supplying power to the device independent of the item to which the device is coupled;
• means for transmitting an interrogation signal to the radio frequency identification device;
• means, associated with the radio frequency identification device, for authenticating the interrogation signal independent of the operation of the item;
• means for transmitting the identification information upon proper authentication of the interrogation signal, with said means for transmitting the identification information independent of the item to which the device is coupled;
• means for securely receiving the identification information transmitted by the means for transmitting the identification information when the item comes within a defined distance of the means for securely receiving;
• means for storing a list identifying a plurality of lost or stolen goods, the means for storing including means for restricting access to the list of lost or stolen goods to prevent tampering therewith;
• means for comparing the identification information to the list of lost or stolen goods and determining if the identification information matches information contained in the list of lost or stolen goods;
• and
• means for generating an alarm at the means for securely receiving, if the identification information matches the information contained in the list.

A method of identifying lost or stolen goods, comprising:

• storing information within a radio frequency identification (RFID) device coupled to an item, said device being capable of restricting access to said information, said device being a self-contained package independent of said item, and comprising a radio frequency transceiver, a microcontroller, a power source and a memory;
• transmitting an encoded interrogation signal to said RFID device when the item comes within a defined range of a receiver;
• decoding said encoded interrogation signal;
• transmitting said information according to a predetermined communications protocol when said encoded interrogation signal has been decoded;
• receiving said information transmitted by said RFID device;
• storing data identifying a plurality of lost or stolen goods in a database coupled to the receiver, said database having restricted access so as to prevent tampering with said data;
• comparing the information to the data and determining if the information matches the data identifying the plurality of lost or stolen goods;
• and
• generating an alarm at the receiving end of the information transmitted by said RFID device, if the information matches the data.

A method of identifying lost or stolen items, comprising:

• securely storing identification information in a memory of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device contained within an item and comprising a radio frequency transceiver, a microcontroller, a battery and a memory, said RFID device being securely disposed within said item so as to frustrate unauthorized removal thereof and said device comprising a self-contained package independent of said item;
• transmitting an interrogation signal to said RFID device;
• authenticating said interrogation signal;
• transmitting said identification information from said RFID device upon authentication of said interrogation signal;
• maintaining a list identifying a plurality of lost or stolen items in a secure database of a computer, said database having security features associated therewith so as to prevent unauthorized access to said list of lost or stolen items;
• receiving the identification information transmitted by the RFID device;
• transferring the received identification information to said computer;
• comparing the received identification information to the list of lost or stolen items and determining if the identification information indicates that the item is included in the list of lost or stolen items;
• and
• generating an alarm, if the identification information indicates the item is lost or stolen.

A system for identifying a lost or stolen device, comprising:

• a first transceiver, comprising a radio frequency transceiver, a microcontroller, and a memory, said first transceiver coupled to the device, and which transmits identification information according to a communications protocol upon receipt by the first transceiver of a signal having a predetermined security parameter associated therewith, the identification information within the first transceiver being secured from unauthorized access thereto;
• a second transceiver, capable of recognizing said communications protocol, which transmits the signal having the predetermined security parameter associated therewith and receives the identification information transmitted by the first transceiver, when the first transceiver is within a defined distance from the second transceiver;
• a first secure database configured to store data identifying a plurality of lost or stolen devices and which prevents unauthorized access to the data stored therein;
• a computer, directly coupled to the second transceiver so as to receive the identification information therefrom, said computer further coupled to said first secure database so as to receive the stored data, wherein said computer compares the identification information with the stored data, and generates an alarm if the identification information matches at least some of the stored data;
• and
• a central server, coupled to said computer, wherein the central server includes a central database for storing a master list of lost or stolen devices, and wherein the central server communicates with the computer so as to periodically update said first database which stores said data associated with said lost or stolen devices.