AU2005331886A1 - Asset registration system and method - Google Patents

Description

WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -1 ASSET REGISTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD TECHNICAL FIELD [ 0001 ] The present invention relates to asset protection systems and in particular to systems for the registration of assets. 5 [ 0002 ] The invention has been developed primarily for use as an asset register system or the pre-registration of a user's assets to provide an increased layer of asset protection and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 10 [ 0003 ] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field. [ 0004 ] Known methods of recording the details of assets include filing of those details in a filing cabinet. In the case of the typical consumer, these details are often 15 filed in the consumer's normal place of residence. This situation is far from ideal as the details may become lost or damaged through, for example, theft or fire. Thus it is' advantageous that the details of the consumer's asset are kept in a secure location away from the principle place 'of residence. There is therefore a need to provide for a centralised database system whereby assets of a user may be pre-registered. This need is 20 often only felt after the user's assets are lost, at which time the damage is already done. [0005 ] A number of systems exist, such as those disclosed in US patents 5,955,952 and 6,449,611, although these only focus on a system for the recovery of assets after they been stolen. They do not provide any means of pre-registration of a consumers assets for the peace of mind that this provides when the consumer is, for example, on 25 holiday. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [ 0006 ] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved asset registration system and method. [ 0007 ] Preferred embodiments of the invention provide an asset register system for 30 protection of a user's asset. The asset register system provides links to other associated WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -2 asset protection and recovery systems such as insurance and law enforcement agencies to provide an increased layer of protection for a user's assets. [ 0008 ] Further preferred embodiments of the invention provide for a system whereby a stolen asset may be more readily identified as such. 5 [ 0009 ] Even further preferred embodiments of the invention, whereby, in the event that a user's registered asset is stolen, provide systems and methods whereby illegal disposal of the asset is made increasingly difficult. [0010] Further preferred embodiments of the invention provide for a system whereby a stolen asset may be more readily recovered and returned to the owner. 10 [0011] According to a first aspect of the preferred embodiments of the invention there is provided a method of providing registration of at least one asset owned by a user including the steps of: creating a personal asset register associated with said user on a secure, remotely located, computer database; 15 recording at least one identifying feature of the asset in a unique asset record; associating the unique asset record with the personal asset register; and storing the unique asset register in the secure database. [0012 ] Preferably, the asset is pre-registered in the event the asset is subsequently lost. Preferably, the personal asset register includes unique identifying details associated 20 with the user. More preferably the unique user identifying details includes a user alias used to gain access to an internet site independent of the secure database. [ 0013 ] Preferably the method further includes the step of indexing the asset with a unique identifier such that similar assets in the database may be subsequently retrieved for comparison. More preferably, the comparison is performed by a interested party 25 wishing to authenticate the ownership of the asset [ 0014 ] Preferably, the details of the asset include at least one of: a serial number, identification number, description, photograph, make, model, year of manufacture, date of purchase, purchase price, or an electronic copy of a proof of purchase receipt. [0015] Preferably, the method further includes integration of the user's personal asset 30 register with the user's account with an insurance provider.

WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -3 [0016 ] According to a second aspect of the preferred embodiments of the invention there is provided a system for pre-registration of assets including: a remotely located computer database accessible via a computerised interface by a user, said user having a unique identifier; and 5 recording means for enabling the user to record details of at least one asset in a asset record for storage in a personal asset register located on said database, the asset record having a unique identifier, the system providing means whereby an interested party may poll the database to ascertain the ownership details of the asset such that, in the event that a registered asset is subsequently stolen, the 10 system increases the difficulty in which the stolen asset may be illegally disposed of. [0017 ] Preferably, when an asset is identified as stolen, the system enables the return of the stolen asset to the lawful owner. [ 0018 ] According to further aspects of the preferred embodiments of the invention 15 there is provided a system for pre-registration of a user's assets including: a remotely located computer database; a personal asset register located on the database and associated with the user, the user having a unique identifier for authentication with the personal asset register; an access portal for providing user access to the personal asset register; 20 an interface for allowing said user to record details of their assets in an asset record in the personal asset register such that the details of the asset are securely recorded remotely to the location of the asset to enable identification of the owner of the asset in the situation where the asset is subsequently lost. [0019 ] Preferably, the access portal is accessed over an internet interface or a direct 25 connection to the system. [ 0020 ] Preferably, the interface includes the facility to perform at least one of: adding a new asset to the personal asset register, deleting an existing asset from the personal asset register, or providing further or updated asset details to an existing asset in the personal asset register. More preferably, the details of said asset include the initial 30 monetary value of said asset. Even more preferably, the details of the asset include a depreciated monetary value of the asset. Even more preferably still, the asset register determines the depreciated monetary value.

WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -4 [0021 ] Preferably, a commercial or corporate entity registers individual assets in the personal asset register that form part of the inventory owned by the entity. Preferably, the entity transfers the ownership rights of a particular asset or assets to the personal asset register of a purchaser of the particular asset or assets at the point of sale. 5 [ 0022 ] Preferably, the system further provides a query facility to an interested party to enable the query of ownership details of an asset registered in the database such that, when a query is made by the interested party with respect to a query asset, if the query asset exists in the database and the person presenting said query asset does not match the details of the registered owner of the query asset, the system informs the interested party 10 that the query asset may be stolen. [ 0023 ] Preferably, whenever a query asset is identified as possibly stolen, the system automatically informs an appropriate law enforcement agency of the details of the asset, the identity of the person presenting the asset, and the location where the asset was presented. More preferably, the asset register also sends a notification to the registered 15 owner of the asset. [ 0024 ] Preferably, the asset register includes details of an insurance policy held by the user for the protection of the assets in the user's personal asset register. More preferably, the asset register compares the monetary value of a selected portion of the user's personal asset register with the user's insurance policy details for determination of 20 the adequacy of the insurance policy in the event of loss of any of the assets in the personal asset register. More preferably still, the asset register is integrated with an insurance policy held by the user for the protection of the assets in said user's personal asset register. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 25 [0025 ] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0026 ] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an asset registration system according to preferred embodiments of the invention. [ 0027 ] Figure 2 is flow chart of the asset registration method of the preferred 30 embodiments according to the invention; WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -5 [0028 ] Figure 3 is a screen shot of an access portal of the asset registration method according to the invention; [0029] Figure 4 is a screen shot of a home user interface according to the invention; [0030] Figure 5 is a screen shot of a interface to enable a user to add an asset into 5 their personal asset register; [ 0031 ] Figure 6 is a screen shot of a interface to enable a user to dispose of an asset into their personal asset register; and [ 0032 ] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a asset authentication query method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 10 DETAILED DECRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [ 0033 ] With reference to the drawings, there is provided a system and method of registering the assets of a user in a global asset register known as Global Asses On Line (GAOL). The GAOL project is a secure managed database operated out of a centralised location. One of the primary benefits of having the database located in a secure location 15 is that the asset details of the users of the system are stored independently and away from the location of the asset itself. This ensures that, in the event of for example theft of the asset or damage by fire, the asset records are not also lost. [ 0034 ] Types of assets that particularly lend themselves to registration by this system are those that present easy opportunities and quick money for thieves such as televisions, 20 especially plasma screen or LCD televisions and monitors; computers, especially laptop computers; video recorders; DVD players; stereo equipment; hand-held camcorders; cameras and other similar goods. [ 0035 ] The registration system, however, is not limited to these types of assets. Any item owned by a user may be registered provided it has a unique feature that can be 25 authenticated if required. Examples of other asset types that may be registered with the GAOL include special assets such as framed memorabilia; power tools and construction equipment; white goods such as fridges, freezers, air conditioners and cooking equipment; car stereos, amplifiers, car DVD equipment, GPS navigation equipment; vending and amusement machines; communications equipment such as mobile 30 telephones, two way radios and pagers; important documents such as passports, wills, and legal documents; books from libraries; artwork and paintings; antiques and premier WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -6 furniture; musical instruments and equipment; cars, boats, trailers and caravans; industrial machinery; farm equipment and machinery; transport containers; et cetera. For goods that have no obvious model or serial number, microdot technology can be employed where the asset is physically tagged with the microdots and the unique 5 microdot signature recorded in the PAR against the asset record. [ 0036 ] As the number of users of the system increases and the asset register expands, it would become increasingly difficult to sell or otherwise dispose of stolen property due to the increased possibility that it will have been registered on the system so that the goods could be easily traced back to their rightful owner. As an added deterrent to 10 thieves, participants in the GAOL program may display warning decals on their home or commercial premises identifying that any goods of value have been pre-registered with the system. [ 0037 ] Turning initially to Fig. 1, in a first embodiment of the invention, to register their assets, a user 100 connects to the GAOL system 1 via an access portal 2. The 15 access portal may be a direct link 3 to the central GOAL server 4 or via an internet connection 5. Access over the internet interface may be via a direct link to the server portal 2 from a web page located on the GAOL server 4, or through a secondary link from an insurance agency or other commercial client associated with the GAOL system. [ 0038 ] Referring now to Fig. 2, if it is the first time the user has used the registration 20 system, they are prompted to register 5 with the GAOL by entering personal identifying details. Once the required information has been recorded, the GAOL allocates the user with at least one unique identifier and creates a personal asset register (PAR) (6 of Fig. 1) in the GAOL database (7 of Fig. 1). On subsequent visits to the access portal 2, the user may skip the initial registration process by entering their unique identifiers to 25 the login interface 8 of the portal 2 (as shown in Fig. 3) and thereby gain access to a PAR home interface 10 as shown in Fig. 4. [ 0039 ] Referring back to Fig. 2, the PAR home interface 10 provides a number of options to the user such as: * Add 20 a new asset. 30 * Modify 20 or add additional details to an existing asset. * Delete / dispose 30 of an existing asset.

WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -7 * View details 40 of all the assets in the PAR for example total value of goods registered (41 of Fig. 4). * Query / authenticate 50 the ownership of an asset. [0040 ] To add a new asset to their PAR 6, the user selects that option from the home 5 interface 10 and is presented with an "Add an Asset" screen 20 similar to that shown in Fig. 5. The user is then able to enter identifying details about the asset such as a description, make and model identifiers (21 and 22), serial numbers 23, date of manufacture 24, purchase price 25 and other similar details. The user is also able to upload a photograph 26 of the asset to the database and enter details about the purchase 10 including the date, purchase cost, details of the seller 27, as well as the ability to upload proof of purchase such as a scanned copy 28 of the purchase receipt. [0041] To enable the protection of important documents, for example birth certificates, wills and other legal documentation, the GOAL system provides a facility to upload a digital scan of the document into the user's PAR. This ensures that, in the 15 event that the original is lost, the information contained in the document is not. Photographs may also be protected in this manner [ 0042 ] The user may at any time log in to their PAR to modify, update or add additional details to the record of a particular asset. As an additional level of security to the user, they may need to provide an additional security code or password to modify an 20 asset record. This would assist in the situation where access to the PAR of a user has been fraudulently gained by another party to attempt to try and change information on the database such as the ownership details of a particular asset. [ 0043 ] When a user disposes of an asset, for example by selling or gifting the asset to another party, they will be able to record this in their PAR by entering a "Sell an Asset" 25 screen similar to that shown in Fig. 6. In this screen the details of the asset to be disposed of are automatically populated from the PAR. The user is then prompted to enter details of the disposal such as, among others, the name of the person 31 the asset was sold/gifted to, the sale price 32 (if any) and the date of the disposal 33. The database would then be updated and the user would, in some embodiments, be prompted 30 to enter a further security code or password to confirm the disposal. The addition of this feature would help in the prevention of unauthorised disposal of the asset as mentioned earlier. In the situation where the recipient of the asset is also a GAOL client, the new WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -8 owner's GAOL details may be entered and, on confirmation of the transfer, the entire asset record is transferred directly to their PAR without the need for further data entry by the new owner. This added feature improves the ease of accuracy of the information in the database as the information only needs to be entered once, and provides a complete 5 audit trail for the particular asset. [ 0044] Turning to Fig. 7, a further aspect of the preferred embodiments of the invention include a capability in the GAOL to query and authenticate the ownership details of a particular asset. A user wishing to authenticate ownership of an item could log in to the system, select a query option 50 from the home interface, and enter 10 identifying details of the item to the GAOL along with personal details of the individual presenting the item for sale. If the asset had been registered on the database and the details entered by the user matched 51 the details in the GAOL, the GAOL would then tell the user that the person presenting the assets is indeed the rightful owner and to proceed with the transaction. If the details do not match 52, the querying user would be 15 so informed and the transaction may be cancelled. [ 0045 ] In the case where the ownership details of an asset do not match the personal details of the person presenting the asset for sale, the asset may be immediately flagged as "Stolen" and relevant parties such as the registered owner and local law enforcement details may be notified. In some embodiments the initial flag may be a "Possibly 20 Stolen" 53. The registered owner may be contacted 54 via details available in the database and queried whether or not they believed the ownership details of the asset should have changed. If not, the flag may be upgraded to "Stolen" 55 and the law enforcement agencies notified 56. This notification may be automatic or may be undertaken by trained administrators of the GAOL. Details of the attempted transaction, 25 such as the identity (or claimed identity) of the person presenting the goods and the location the goods were presented, would be made available to the authorities so that further investigations may be carried out as necessary. [ 0046] This functionality would be particularly relevant to pawnbrokers and other similar businesses who at present must rely on a register of stolen property provided to 30 them periodically by law enforcement agencies. One of the drawbacks of this existing system is that the stolen goods register is not generally available to the pawnbroker in real-time so they are often relying on out of date information. A pawnbroker with access WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -9 to the GAOL will be able to authenticate that the person presenting the goods for sale is actually the owner, provided of course that the particular asset is recorded on the GAOL database. This can be carried out in real-time so that the pawnbroker may be able to withdraw from the transaction before the thief is paid. The pawnbroker may even retain 5 possession of the goods for collection by the law enforcement agency who can subsequently return to them to the registered owner. [ 0047 ] The present stolen goods register also only includes property or assets that have been reported as stolen by the owner. Often, a thief will target a residence when the owners are absent on holidays. The thief will then typically dispose of the goods 10 taken from the residence in a very short time period - often before the owners have returned to report the theft. In this situation, having the assets pre-registered means that any actions where the assets are presented for sale by a person not the registered owner may be immediately reported to local law enforcement agencies and the rightful owner may be notified. In some embodiments, the GAOL may include an access portal for the 15 authentication of ownership that does not require a user to have a registered account of their own on the system. This would enable the public at large the security and peace of mind of being able to check that an asset has not been stolen before proceeding with any purchase, particularly in low regulation situations such as the offering of goods for sale over the internet. 20 [ 0048 ] A further use for the query aspect of the GAOL includes the presentation of goods for sale over internet auction-style web-sites such as ebay T M . A seller may provide details about the goods for sale to a potential buyer along with identifying personal information. The potential buyer may then attempt to authenticate the details of the goods with the GAOL in a similar manner as above. To assist in this process, the 25 owner of the goods may provide details such as their ebay T m login name in the personal details recorded against their PAR on the database. [ 0049 ] A further aspect of the preferred embodiments of the GAOL is to record, not just the personal asset details of individual consumers, but also those of commercial corporations, manufacturers and retailers. A company may register with the GAOL and 30 record details of company assets for example employee computer terminals, photocopiers, printers, telephones, computer network equipment, cash registers and other similar commercial appliances. The GAOL may be particularly beneficial for WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -10 recording the asset details of companies who provide products or equipment for hire and hotels and resorts which are regularly the target of opportunists. [ 0050 ] Further aspects of the GAOL asset register system provide for, depending on the types of goods, a manufacturing or retail client to register their entire stock inventory 5 with the GAOL. Firstly, this would assist the recovery of any goods that happen to be stolen if the manufacturer or retailer subsequently becomes a victim of theft. Secondly, this situation gives an improved level of integration between the elements of a supply chain between manufactures, wholesalers, retailers and the final consumer and provides a complete audit trail for each individual item. The manufacturer can enter individual 10 asset details into their company asset register as they are completed in the production line. This then provides protection of the asset from its creation in the factory and prevent such activities as factory raids for pallet loads of goods to be subsequently sold illegally. As the assets are transferred to each subsequent entity in the supply chain, that is, a wholesaler or retailer etc, the asset details are automatically transferred to the PAR 15 of the entity thereby automatically updating the inventory record and providing stock security against for example fire or theft. The system may be improved further through the use of individually identifiable tagging technology affixed to each item for example radio frequency identification tags or other automatic scanning technology. A further level of integration and protection for the assets may also be provided whereby the asset 20 details are assigned to the individual truck or container during transit. [ 0051 ] In the case of the final consumer, the option may be provided at the point of sale for the consumer to either register with the GAOL or give the details of their own PAR. The retailer automatically records the details of the purchase with the GAOL and transfers the ownership of the goods to the consumer in their PAR. This integration 25 would assist in promoting the registration of assets to consumers, thereby increasing the breadth of assets covered by the GAOL and increasing the deterrent to potential thieves. [ 0052 ] It is envisaged that this system of asset pre-registration may provide significant benefits to the community as it will most likely have a measureable impact on crime since it would provide law enforcement agencies with a database to aid in the 30 identification of property suspected of being stolen. [ 0053 ] Use of the GAOL system may simplify and reduce the stress normally associated with an insurance claim by providing direct integration (41 of Fig. 2) with WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 - 11 insurance providers. Particular insurers may offer reduced or discounted premiums to a client that has their assets registered with the GAOL or even provide mechanisms for the replacement of goods after a burglary or after a fire.. Factors likely to influence this aspect include to the deterrent of thieves, and the increased chance that an asset may be 5 identified and returned to the owner if recovered. When a claim arises, the consumer simply presents to the insurer - either electronically or in hard copy - an accurate record of the asset along with proof of purchase. Insurance claims could be expedited further by an integration of the insurer's management systems with the GAOL for a direct link in the event that an asset is reported as stolen. 10 [ 0054 ] Other aspects of integration with insurance providers include a feature of the GAOL (42 of Fig. 4) whereby it may calculate the tendered value of all assets entered in a particular user's PAR, and compare this against the amount of insurance coverage the user possesses. The GAOL may even provide a current value (43 of Fig. 4) of the asset portfolio by calculating a depreciated value of the goods based on their purchase date 15 and accepted depreciation values for particular asset types. In this way, the consumer may ensure that their current insurance policy is adequate. [ 0055 ] Clients of the GAOL system who do not have access to either to the internet or a computer would be provided with a manual application form to complete. The form would prompt the client for all the relevant details of assets the client wishes to protect. 20 The user's PAR can then be created and their asset details entered into the database by a member of GAOL professional staff. A further aspect of the GAOL system provided by the preferred embodiments is the offering of a premium service to potential clients. Professional authenticated personnel may by dispatched to a client's private residence or commercial premises to record the details of assets owned by the client for recordation 25 in the client's PAR. This can offer peace of mind to the client that the details of their assets have been properly recorded on the GAOL and that they were protected against any subsequent incident of loss. Once recorded on the system the client may then be provided with a hardcopy of the asset records. [ 0056 ] A further aspect of the GAOL database is that it would preferably maintain a 30 history of all activity regarding on a consumer's file and any administrative work. This aspect would find use should the activity details be required at a later date, for example by law enforcement agencies or insurance companies. Naturally, this data would be WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 - 12 subject to privacy laws and may only be divulged in accordance with local aspects of those laws. [ 0057 ] A further additional aspects of the GOAL system may include: * Facility for clients to provide details of items that they either wish to 5 purchase or replace (60 of Fig. 1). Wholesalers will then be able to provide the client with a quote for the item online saving the client the inconvenience of travelling to multiple retail outlets to compare products and prices. * An advertisement section whereby sellers or service providers may advertise their products directly to clients (70 of Fig. 1). This section may be 10 reserved generally for security related products such as insurance, security alarm systems, monitoring systems etc. The providers may use this facility to offer discounts or periodical specials exclusively to GAOL clients. [ 0058 ] It will be appreciated that the illustrated system and method can be used to provide an asset register system for protection of a user's assets including the provision 15 of links to other associated asset protection and recovery systems such as insurance and law enforcement agencies for an increased layer of protection for the user's assets. [ 0059 ] Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (27)

1. A method of providing registration of at least one asset owned by a user including the steps of: creating a personal asset register associated with said user on a secure remotely 5 located, computer database; recording at least one identifying feature of said asset in a unique asset record; associating said unique asset record with said personal asset register; and storing the unique asset register in said database.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said asset is pre-registered in the event the 10 asset is subsequently lost.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 further including the step of indexing said asset with a unique identifier such that similar assets in said database may be subsequently retrieved for comparison.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said comparison is performed by an 15 interested party wishing to authenticate the ownership of said asset.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said personal asset register includes unique identifying details associated with said user.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said details of said asset include at least one of: a serial number, identification number, description, photograph, 20 make, model, year of manufacture, date of purchase, purchase price, or an electronic copy of a proof of purchase receipt.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unique user identifying details includes a user alias used to gain access to an internet site independent of said secure database. 25

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims further including integration of said personal asset register with said user's account with an insurance provider.

9. A system for pre-registration of assets including: WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -14 a remotely located computer database accessible via a computerised interface by a user, said user having a unique identifier; and recording means for enabling said user to record details of at least one asset in a asset record for storage in a personal asset register located on said database, said 5 asset record having a unique identifier, said system providing means whereby an interested party may poll said database to ascertain the ownership details of said asset such that, in the event that a registered asset is subsequently stolen, said system increases the difficulty in which said stolen asset may be illegally disposed of.

10 10. An system as claimed in claim 9 wherein when an asset is identified as stolen, said system enables the return of said stolen asset to the lawful owner.

11. A system for pre-registration of user's assets including: a remotely located computer database; a personal asset register located on said database and associated with said user, 15 said user having a unique identifier for authentication with said personal asset register; an access portal for providing user access to said personal asset.register; an interface for allowing said user to record details of their assets in an asset record in said personal asset register such that the details of said asset are 20 securely recorded remotely to the location of said asset to enable identification of the owner of said asset in the situation where said asset is subsequently lost.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said interface includes the facility to perform at least one of: adding a new asset to said personal asset register, deleting an existing asset from said personal asset register, or providing further or updated asset 25 details to an existing asset in said personal asset register.

13. A system as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said details of said asset include the initial monetary value of said asset.

14. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said details of said asset include a depreciated monetary value of said asset. WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -15

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said asset register determines said depreciated monetary value.

16. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein a commercial or corporate entity registers individual assets in said personal asset register that form part of 5 the inventory owned by said entity.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said entity transfers the ownership rights of a particular asset or assets to the personal asset register of a purchaser of said particular asset or assets at the point of sale.

18. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein, further providing a 10 query facility to an interested party to enable the query of ownership details of an asset registered in said database such that, when a query is made by said interested party with respect to a query asset, if said query asset exists in said database and the person presenting said query asset does not match the details of the registered owner of said query asset, said system informs said interested party that the query asset may be stolen. 15

19. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein, whenever a query asset is identified as possibly stolen, said system automatically informs an appropriate law enforcement agency of the details of the asset, the identity of said person presenting the asset, and the location where the asset was presented.

20. A system as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 wherein when an asset is flagged as 20 being possibly stolen, said system also sends a notification to the registered owner of said asset.

21. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said asset register includes details of an insurance policy held by said user for the protection of said assets in said user's personal asset register. 25

22. A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein said asset register compares the monetary value of a selected portion of said user's personal asset register with said user's insurance policy details for determination of the adequacy of said insurance policy in the event of loss of any of said assets in said personal asset register. WO 2006/122343 PCT/AU2005/001243 -16

23. A system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said asset register is integrated with an insurance policy held by said user for the protection of said assets in said user's personal asset register.

24. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 23 wherein said access portal is 5 accessed over an internet interface.

25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 24 wherein said access portal is accessed over a direct connection to system.

26. A method of providing registration of at least one asset owned by a user substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the 10 invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples.

27. A system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or examples. 15