Abstract:
An application for a database system having typical and specialized data related to a person/object that is maintained in case of an emergency such as the person getting lost or abducted. The invention includes secure access to the data by a custodian/customer and/or law enforcement agencies when and if something happens to the person/object.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the field of finding missing persons and more particularly to a system, method and apparatus for capturing and providing specialized data during the time of need. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There have been many notorious cases of missing people, adult and children. The kidnapping of Chas. A. Lindbergh, Jr. from Hopewell, N.J. in March of 1932 is a well known case of a missing child. As for adults, does anybody know the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa? Although there are many notorious cases, thousands of lesser known individuals go missing every year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children was established in 1984 for the sole purpose of finding missing children. This organization claims that 800,000 American children are reported missing every year, of which 200,000 are abducted. Although many of these wind up being abductions by family members (e.g., a byproduct of a divorce), this organization estimates that 58,000 are abducted by non-family members and around 115 children are the subject of more serious abductions resulting in request for ransom, death or never returned. 
         [0003]    According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the first two to three hours following abduction are the most critical to that person&#39;s return. In this time it is imperative that accurate and up-to-date data be provided and promptly disseminated to the community and/or law enforcement authorities. A system called “Amber Alert” exists to automatically disseminate a picture, information about the child, whereabouts and description of the suspect (if known) to a wide geographic region. This system was named after Amber Hagerman who was abducted at age 9. A similar system called, Silver Alert, is in place for missing senior citizens, perhaps those that suffer from Alzheimer&#39;s disease. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, the data critical in finding the missing person/child is not easily and quickly accessible at the time the person goes missing. Even if available, the data is often located in a multitude of places and in various formats. Pictures are often stored on computer hard drives, in frames or in a box. Dental records are often stored at a dental office and X-rays at a medical office. At the time of the loss, such data may or may not be available. For example, the close relatives are traveling, the doctor&#39;s office or dentist&#39;s office is closed, records have been archived and need to be retrieved, etc. This problem is further complicated by the fact that during such situations, persons concerned about the missing person are distraught and often unable to think clearly enough to gather such information. Precious time is lost when the authorities have to interview close relatives to accumulate the necessary data to establish a list of suspects and to disseminate sufficient information to assist in locating of the missing person/child. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a system, method and apparatus that will accumulate, safely store and safely disseminate the needed data a soon as a missing person is identified. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention includes a database of typical and specialized data related to a person that is maintained in case of an emergency such as the person getting lost. The invention includes secure access to the data by a custodian/customer and/or law enforcement agencies when and if something happens to the person. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, a system for aiding in finding a missing person is disclosed including a server computer having a data storage area with a database of information stored in the data storage area. The information is related to a person, is organized into an account, and contains both typical information and specialized information. A client computer is operatively coupled to the server computer and has access to the information through a secured connection. Any possible client computer is anticipated including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a terminal device, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web-enabled television, a web-enabled e-book, etc. 
         [0008]    The typical information includes at least a name of the person, a data of birth of the person and a race of the person; and the specialized information includes at least five data selected from the group comprising images of family and friends of the person, X-ray images of the person, images of scars of the person, images of birthmarks of the person, images of tattoos of the person, images of piercings of the person, images of fingerprints of the person and images of dental records of the person. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a method of providing a service that aids in finding the missing person is disclosed including providing a server computer having a data storage area and a database of information stored in the data storage area. The information is related to a person, organized into accounts, and contains typical information related to the person and specialized information related to the person. The method includes accepting a fee from a customer and in return for the fee, accepting the information from the customer and storing the information in an account for the customer. The typical information comprises at least a name of the person, a data of birth of the person and a race of the person; and the specialized information comprises at least five of: images of family and friends of the person, X-ray images of the person, images of scars of the person, images of birthmarks of the person, images of tattoos of the person, images of piercings of the person, images of fingerprints of the person and images of dental records of the person. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, a system for aiding in finding a missing person is disclosed including a server computer that has a data storage area in which a database of information is stored. The information is related to a person, is organized in an account and includes typical information and specialized information. The system includes a client computer operatively coupled to the server computer through a secured connection. Account maintenance software runs on the server and accepts the information from the client computer and stores the information in the database of information. The account maintenance software also provides the information from the database of information to authorized users of the account. The typical information includes at least a name of the person, a data of birth of the person and a race of the person while the specialized information includes X-ray images of the person, images of scars of the person, images of birthmarks of the person, images of fingerprints of the person and images of dental records of the person. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of a system of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a typical logon/account creation user interface of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a typical account update user interface of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a typical data entry user interface of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates a continuation of the data entry user interface of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates another continuation of the data entry user interface of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates a typical poster creation user interface of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  illustrates a flow chart of the account access and data entry process of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  illustrates a flow chart of child data entry process of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  illustrates a flow chart of the data access process of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a flow chart of the poster generation process of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a cell phone showing an alert of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a plan view of a typical generated poster of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a front plan view of a typical user identification card of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates a rear plan view of a typical user identification card of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates a schematic view of a typical computer system of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. The present invention is generally described with respect to a missing person, and often to a missing child. This is done for clarity and brevity purposes only and the present invention is anticipated to apply to any missing person, animal and/or object, including, but not limited to, children, adults, senior citizens, ailing individuals, pets, vehicles and art work. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic view of a system of the present invention is shown. Although the present invention is intended to operate with any known network, it is preferred to operate with the Internet  10  (a.k.a the World Wide Web). The present invention provides any number of end users terminals  20  (e.g. personal computers) with a system for creating accounts, entering data, reviewing data, generating posters, providing information to authorities, etc. In some embodiments, the user is issued a card  21  containing access information (see  FIGS. 8 ,  14  and  15 ). It is anticipated that the card  21  be convenient for carrying on the person of the parent or guardian. In some embodiments, the card includes a data stripe  24  (see  FIG. 15 ) to improve access time. 
         [0030]    The server  40  provides the services of the present invention. The server system includes security data  42  for authorizing access to the child data  46  associated with each particular user  20 . In some embodiments, the server has access to a database of criminal records  44  (e.g., pedophile or sex offenders, felons). It is anticipated that any or all databases or storage areas  42 / 44 / 46  are locally interfaced to the server  20 , remotely interfaced to the server  20  (e.g., Network Attached Storage—NAS) and/or remotely interfaced to the server  20  over a network, either a local area network or wide area network. 
         [0031]    The server also interfaces to cell phone subscribers  30  through a connection provided by the cell phone service providers, as known in the industry. The cell phone service providers are interfaced to the server  40  with any known network or direct connection, as known in the industry. As shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , the cell phone service providers are interfaced to the server  40  through the Internet  10 . 
         [0032]    The server also interfaces to various law enforcement agencies  50 . The law enforcement agencies  50  are interfaced to the server  40  with any known network or direct connection, as known in the industry. As shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , the law enforcement agencies  50  are interfaced to the server  40  through the Internet  10 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a typical logon/account creation user interface  90  of the present invention is shown. The user interface examples and flow chart examples disclosed in the present application are examples of ways to implement the intended system, method and apparatus and are in no way meant to limit the present invention to any particular user interface or program flow. 
         [0034]    The logon/account creation user interface  90  is accessed by a user  20  through a network (e.g., Internet  10 ). The user access the logon/account creation user interface  90  to create an account  97 / 98 / 99  or to logon to an existing account  92 . 
         [0035]    To logon to an existing account, the user enters typical logon security data  92  such as a username  94  and a password  95 , and then selects the logon icon/button  96 . Username/password security is well known for protecting access to data. Data from the security data  42  is used to authorize the users. Likewise, other security features are known such as presenting certain images to the user to prevent spoofing, requiring the user answer one or more pre-defined personal questions, identification of the user&#39;s computer (IP address), biometrics, etc. All known modes of security are recognized and included in the present invention. 
         [0036]    To create a new account, the user enters personal information  97  such as name, address, phone number and email address. The user then selects a plan  98 , indicating that they wish to pay a certain fee monthly, semi-annually, yearly, etc. For example, the user will pay $11.95 per month (dollar amounts and time periods are examples). Once the plan is selected, the user selects the “Sign Up” icon/button  99  to continue. Not shown are the payment entry user interfaces used to accept various forms of payment by the user such as credit cards, bank transfers, pre-paid check, etc. Such internet-based payment methods and user interfaces are well known in the industry and all of which are included here within. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a typical account update user interface  100  of the present invention is shown. This user interface is presented upon successful login  92  or successful sign up  97 / 98 / 99  and payment. This exemplary interface  100  has three main features: add an identity  102  (e.g., a child or senior citizen), edit profile  104  and change login  106 . The user interface screens of the present invention relate to children, but it is anticipated that the present invention includes any class of person and/or object (e.g. vehicles, pets, unique objects, etc). The process or adding an identity  102  is described in subsequent user interface descriptions and flow charts. 
         [0038]    Personal information  104  is shown and, if changes are needed (e.g., last name changes due to marriage, address changes), the edit account icon/button is selected. 
         [0039]    Logon information  106  is shown and, if changes are needed (e.g., the user wants to change his or her password), the change username icon/button is selected. In some embodiments, the user is requested to change passwords at certain intervals, as known in the industry. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a first section of a typical data entry user interface  110  of the present invention is shown. This typical user interface  110  is presented when the user adds an identity  102  (e.g. child). Much of the information  112  is typical information  112  commonly used in identifying the person (e.g. child). For example, it is known to identify a person by name, height, age, etc. The present invention builds upon the typical identification information  112  with other specialized data/information to improve on the breadth of data and, therefore, increase the chances of finding the person (e.g. child) once they are lost. For example, the person&#39;s nick name  113  and whether the person wears glasses  114 . Also, it is known to have pictures or videos  115  of the person/child uploaded and related to the person/child&#39;s record. Note, the term “lost” includes the meaning of, not able to be found, thereby encompassing all possible reasons why a person or object is not able to be found including, but not limited to, the person/object is actually lost, the person was abducted, the object/pet was stolen, the person fled or is in hiding, the object was misplaced, the person died, the remains of a person/object are not recognizable, etc. 
         [0041]    The present invention builds on this typical set of information with a unique and complete schema of specialized information for the person/child including, but not limited to, images of family and friends  116 , X-ray images  117 , images of scars  118 , images of birthmarks  119 , images of tattoos  120 , images of piercings  121 , images of fingerprints  122  and images of dental records  123 . In such, the user selects an add/edit image icon/button and another user interface is provided to present any images currently saved and to upload new or replacement images along with any textual description of the images, as known in the art. There are many known user interfaces for uploading images and entering text, all are included here within. 
         [0042]    Although a very delicate subject, there are many psychotic people in the world that abduct people/children and do nasty things. The information collected based upon the schema of the database  46  of the present invention is used, hopefully, to find the abducted person/child, but, at times is used to identify the remains or partial remains of such. In this, having ubiquitous access to dental records  123 , X-rays  117 , etc, are vital in identifying the remains. 
         [0043]    Another type of information collected is specialized information regarding a parent  126 , which is especially useful in cases in which an estranged parent abducts a child. The parent information  126  is collected in a similar user interface, garnering such data as name, address, phone number, vehicle information, as well as other identifying information such as images, tattoos, etc. 
         [0044]    Much more data is captured in the user interfaces of the present invention. On the first section of a typical data entry user interface  110 , there are provisions to accept specialized information related to custody records  124  (divorce decrees, custody decrees, prior/future custody schedules, etc) and information related to threats  125  (school bully, neighbor, etc). 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a continuation of the data entry user interface  130  of the present invention is shown. This continuation screen is either a separate screen/web-page or a continuation accessed by scrolling. It contains more specialized information regarding the person/child. The list of specialized information includes, but is not limited to, Internet Harassment  133 , recently ended relationships  134 , lists of doctors  135 , lists of medications  136 , lists of medical conditions  137 , names of school bus drivers  138 , computer profiles  139 , baby sitter information  140 , baby sitting jobs  141 , personality traits  142 , hobbies  143 , other relatives  144 , other friends  145 , parents of friends  146 , school information  147 , teacher information (for each teacher)  148 , tutor information  149 , mentor information  150 , information about your domestic employees  151 , after school hangouts  152 , neighbor associations  153 , job and volunteer information  154 , summer camp information  155  and sport participation information  156 . The list continues with  FIG. 6 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , another continuation of the data entry user interface  160  of the present invention is shown. This continuation screen  160  is either a separate screen/web-page or a continuation accessed by scrolling. It contains more special information regarding the person/child. The additional list of data includes, but is not limited to, church/youth groups  161 , organizations  162 , lessons  163  (e.g. music, dance), home maintenance staff  164 , strangers  165  and known sex offenders  166 . It is appreciated that, during data entry, the parent or guardian of the person/child is much more likely to accurately remember and enter the above information than when the parent or guardian is under the duress of a lost or abducted person/child. 
         [0047]    In a pre-abduction situation, a guardian is likely to remember the name of the class bully  125  or the make/model of an estranged spouse&#39;s vehicle  126  but, sitting in the police station and under extreme stress, the guardian is less likely to recall many of the details requested in the present invention. Furthermore, some of the details are not always readily available when such an event occurs. Modern X-rays and dental records are digitally stored and, upon request, emailed to the parent/guardian for upload into the database  46  before an event occurs. After the event occurs, such records are often locked in dental or medical offices or archived and are not quickly available, especially when such offices are closed unless they available through the present invention. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a typical poster creation user interface  170  of the present invention is shown. Posters  190  (see  FIG. 13 ) hung in various public locations (markets, post office, banks, etc) are well known ways to aid in the identifying and locating a missing person/child. Such posters  190  often include a photograph  192  and descriptive information  194  (see  FIG. 13 ). Once an abduction is suspected, it is crucial to make such posters  190  visible to as many people in the surrounding community as possible to improve the chances of recovering the missing person/child. The longer it takes to disseminate this information (picture/text), the further away the person/child might be. 
         [0049]    Prior to the present invention, it often took days or even weeks before the poster  190  is produced and disseminated, especially when the person/child and/or parent/guardian is out-of-town, having limited access to the person/child&#39;s photographs. Even when home, the parent/guardian is often too distraught to think clearly, let alone to be able to gather information and design such a poster  190 . 
         [0050]    The present invention automates this process using information from the person/child database  46  augmented with information regarding the abduction such as the locality&#39;s police department information  172 , information regarding when and where the abduction occurred  174  and suspect information  176  (e.g. circumstances, vehicle, suspect identification, image of the suspect). This information is often readily available from the police department and, once entered in the user interface  170 , the poster  190  is created and ready for printing and/or electronic distribution (see  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a flow chart of the account access and data entry process of the present invention is shown. The present invention begins with either an existing user logging onto the service  200  or a new user creating an account  202 . When the new user creates an account  202 , in some embodiments, the new user is issued  204  a card  21  containing access information (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). It is anticipated that the card  21  be convenient for carrying on the person of the parent or guardian. In some embodiments, the card includes a data stripe  24  to improve access time (see  FIG. 15 ). 
         [0052]    Once the user logs in  200  or creates a new account  202 , one option is to add information regarding one or more persons/children  206 . In this, the first person/child is selected/named  208  then data is entered/uploaded for that person/child  210  (see  FIG. 9 ). The next person/child is selected  212  and if there is another person/child  214 , data is entered/uploaded for that person/child  210 , etc. If not, the entry/editing is done. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a flow chart of person/child data entry process of the present invention is shown. Data entry for the person/child includes entering the typical information  300  regarding the child such as name, age, address, height, weight, etc. Data entry for the person/child further includes entering special information/data  302  such as nicknames, the route they take home from school, bus driver information, etc. Data entry for the person/child further includes uploading special information/data  304  such as images of friends, x-rays, dental records, images of tattoos, sound-bites, etc. 
         [0054]    The data entry of special data  302  includes names of many individuals in the person/child&#39;s life. In embodiments in which the system of the present invention has access to any criminal records  44 , each of the names is checked  306  to see if the name is in the criminal records  44  (e.g. is one of the names in a list of local sex offenders). 
         [0055]    If any name is found to have one or more associated matches  308  from the criminal records  44 , further processing is performed to make a positive identification since many names are common between those convicted of a crime (e.g. sex offender) and perfectly innocent people. This is done, for example, by accessing an image of the first possible criminal  310  and displaying the image  312  then asking  314  the user if the image is that of the person named during data entry. If the user recognizes the person in the picture  314  (e.g. the person named is a possible criminal), a warning is made  320 . The warning is anticipated to include a message to the user informing the user of the fact that the person named is or might be a criminal or registered sex offender. In some embodiments, in cases in which the criminal or registered sex offender has an outstanding warrant, information related to their location is forwarded to the appropriate authorities. 
         [0056]    If the user does not recognize the person in the picture  314 , it is determined if additional pictures of the same or another named person are available  316 . If more pictures are available, a next picture of the potential criminal/sex offender is accessed  318  and the method continues with displaying the picture  312 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a flow chart of the data access process of the present invention is shown. This process is likely executed when a person/child is believed to be missing or abducted. In embodiments in which cards  21  are issued to users, a test is made to determine if a card  21  is available  350  (e.g. a prompt “Is the card available?” and response “yes/no”). If the card  21  is available (e.g. in the parent or guardian&#39;s wallet), access authorization is performed  352  using data on the card  21 . In embodiments in which a police station has a card reader capable of reading the card  21 , the card  21  is swiped to gain access to the data/information  46 . In embodiments in which a police station does not have a card reader capable of reading the card  21 , the account information from the card  21  is used to gain access to the data/information  46 . It is anticipated, for security reasons, that additional information is required to gain access to the person/child data/information  46  including, but not limited to, one or a combination of: a personal identification number (pin), a password, answering pre-determined questions, a fingerprint, a voice sample, a retinal scan, etc. Once the user is authorized/verified against stored security data  42 , the person/child data  46  is made available to the local law enforcement agency(s)  358 . 
         [0058]    If the card  21  is not available  350 , a test is made to determine if access information is known  360  by the user (e.g. a prompt “Enter username?” and the user enters their username). If the user remembers their logon information  360 , an amber security web page is accessed  362  and the credentials are entered  364  to gain access to the person/child data  46 . This includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of: a username, a personal identification number (pin), a password, answering pre-determined questions, a fingerprint, a voice sample, a retinal scan, etc. Once the user is verified, the person/child data  46  is made available to the local law enforcement agency(s)  358 . 
         [0059]    If the user cannot remember their logon information  360 , an amber security administrative web page is accessed  372  and the credentials are entered  374  to gain access to the person/child data  46 . It is anticipated that, in some embodiments, this bypass mechanism requires additional security to access the person/child data  46  including, but not limited to, a law enforcement agency identifier, a law enforcement agency password, a recognized biometric reading of a law enforcement employee, verbal interaction with trusted individuals associated with the service, etc. Once the law enforcement agency is verified, the person/child data  46  is made available to the local law enforcement agency(s)  358 . 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a flow chart of the poster generation process of the present invention is shown. Posters  190  (see  FIG. 13 ) hung in various public locations (markets, post office, banks, etc) are well known ways to aid in the identifying and locating a missing person/child. Such posters  190  often include a photograph and descriptive information (see  FIG. 13 ). Once an abduction (or other loss such as a child is lost) is suspected, it is crucial to make such posters  190  visible to as many people in the surrounding community as possible to improve the chances of recovering the missing person/child. The longer it takes to disseminate this information (picture/text), the further away the person/child might be. 
         [0061]    The present invention automates the process of producing posters using information from the person/child database  46  augmented with information (see  FIG. 7 ) regarding the abduction. After logging into the system (see above), the user enters data  400  such as the locality&#39;s police department information  172 , information regarding when and where the abduction occurred  174  and suspect information  176  (e.g. circumstances, vehicle, suspect identification, image of the suspect). This information is often readily available from the police department (e.g. police report), once entered in the user interface  170 . 
         [0062]    If the user has pre-set data  405  for poster generation (e.g. pre-determined which photograph is to be used), a test is made to determine if an automated alert is available  416 . If an automated alert  416  is available, the situation is tested to make sure it meets local and/or state criteria  417  and, if so, data for the poster is formatted and transmitted to subscribers  418  (see  FIG. 12 ). The situation is tested to prevent a glut of amber alerts issued when, for example, a child is visiting a neighbor and a parent, not seeing the child, panics. 
         [0063]    Next, the poster  190  is created  420  for printing and/or electronic distribution. Next it is determined if the user will use a local printer  422 . If using a local printer  422 , the poster is sent to the local printer  424  for printing one or more copies. If using a remote service for printing  422 , the poster image is sent/transferred  426  to a remote printing service to print a number of posters. 
         [0064]    In either case, after printing  424  or transferring  426 , in some embodiments, the poster is electronically distributed  428  to friends, family, neighbors, schools, etc. 
         [0065]    If the user did not pre-select data and images  405 , the user selects data  410  that is to be included on the poster  190 . If one or more image is available  412 , the user selects the image(s)  414  to be included on the poster  190 . As above, a test is then made to determine if an automated alert is available  416 . If an automated alert  416  is available, the situation is tested to make sure it meets local and/or state criteria  417  and, if so, data for the poster is formatted and transmitted to subscribers  418  (see  FIG. 12 ). The situation is tested to prevent a glut of amber alerts issued when, for example, a child is visiting a neighbor and a parent, not seeing the child, panics. 
         [0066]    Next, the poster  190  is created  420  for printing and/or electronic distribution. Next it is determined if the user will use a local printer  422 . If using a local printer  422 , the poster is sent to the local printer  424  for printing one or more copies. If using a remote service for printing  422 , the poster image is sent/transferred  426  to a remote printing service to print a number of posters. 
         [0067]    In either case, after printing  424  or transferring  426 , in some embodiments, the poster is electronically distributed  428  to friends, family, neighbors, schools, etc. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a perspective view of a cell phone showing an alert  180  of the present invention is shown. In this, an alert  180  is sent to and displayed on a device  181  such as a cell phone. The alert  180  includes information similar to that of the poster  190 , although in some instances, abbreviated or reduced to match the display capabilities of the devices  181 . The alert  180  includes, but is not limited to, a picture  182  of the missing person/child and text  184  describing the missing person/child. 
         [0069]    The alert  180  is sent to a list of device subscribers. In some embodiments, the list of cell phone subscribers is associated with the user. In some embodiments, the list of cell phone subscribers is associated with a geographic region. In some embodiments, the list of cell phone subscribers is associated with a particular service provider (e.g. a cell phone service provider). In some embodiments, the list of cell phone subscribers is associated with customers of a particular service provider (e.g. a cell phone service provider) that have opted to receive such alerts  180 . Combinations of these embodiments are anticipated such at the list of cell phone subscribers is associated with a geographic region that is serviced by a particular service provider. 
         [0070]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the service providers provide the alerts  180  as an enticement to customers in return for considerations by the customers such as extending their contract, adding additional lines, upgrading service, upgrading equipment, etc. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a plan view of a typical generated poster  190  of the present invention is shown. The generated poster  190  is similar to prior posters created after a person/child is missing and has information such as a picture  192  of the person/child, data  194  regarding the person/child, data regarding the circumstances of when the person/child was lost  196 , contact information  198 , perpetrator information (vehicle identification, etc—not shown in  FIG. 13 ), etc. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , a front plan view of a typical user identification card  21  of the present invention is shown. Although shown to conform to credit/debit card size and shape requirements, the card  21  is of any shape and form including, but not limited to, key-chain sized cards  21 . As shown, the front of the card  21  has identification information  22  and account information  23 . The account information is used to logon and access the child data  46  associated with the particular user  22 . 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , a rear plan view of a typical user identification card of the present invention is shown. Although shown to conform to credit/debit card size and shape requirements, the card  21  is of any shape and form including, but not limited to, key-chain sized cards  21 . In embodiments in which the card  21  conforms to credit card standards, the back of the card  21  has identification information encoded into, for example, a magnetic stripe  24 . The back of the card  21  has, optionally; other printed information  25  such as the web site URL for accessing the child data  46  and an address in case the card is lost. The account information encoded on the card  21  is used by law authorities to logon and access the child data  46  associated with the particular user  22 . Although shown as a magnetic stripe  24 , any form of digital encoding of the account information onto or into the card  21  is anticipated including, but not limited to, radio frequency identification tags, holograms, bar codes and smart card technology. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , a schematic view of a typical computer system of the present invention is shown. The example computer system represents a typical computer system used as the server  40  and/or the user terminal devices  20 . The example computer system is shown in its simplest form, having a single processor. Many different computer architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular computer system. The present invention works well utilizing a single processor system as shown in  FIG. 16 , a multiple processor system where multiple processors share resources such as memory and storage, a multiple server system where several independent servers operate in parallel (perhaps having shared access to the data or any combination). In this, a processor  610  is provided to execute stored programs that are generally stored for execution within a memory  620 . The processor  610  can be any processor or a group of processors, for example an Intel Pentium-4® CPU or the like. The memory  620  is connected to the processor by a memory bus  615  and can be any memory  620  suitable for connection with the selected processor  610 , such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. Firmware is stored in firmware storage  625  that is also connected to the processor  610  through the memory bus  615 . The firmware storage is anticipated to include initialization software known as BIOS. This initialization software usually operates when power is applied to the system or when the system is reset. 
         [0075]    Also connected to the processor  610  is a system bus  630  for connecting to peripheral subsystems such as a network interface  680 , a hard disk  640 , a disk drive (e.g. DVD)  650 , a graphics adapter  660  and a keyboard/mouse  670 . The graphics adapter  660  receives commands and display information from the system bus  630  and generates a display image that is displayed on the display  665 . 
         [0076]    In general, the hard disk  640  may be used to store programs, executable code and data persistently, while the disk drive  650  may be used to load CD/DVD/Blueray disk having programs, executable code and data onto the hard disk  640 . These peripherals are examples of input/output devices, persistent storage and removable media storage. Other examples of persistent storage include core memory, FRAM, flash memory, etc. Other examples of removable media storage include CDRW, DVD, DVD writeable, Blueray, compact flash, other removable flash media, floppy disk, ZIP®, etc. In some embodiments, other devices are connected to the system through the system bus  630  or with other input-output connections. Examples of these devices include printers; graphics tablets; joysticks; and communications adapters such as modems and Ethernet adapters. 
         [0077]    The network interface  680  connects the computer-based system to the Internet  10  through a link  685  which is, preferably, a high speed link such as a cable broadband connection, a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) broadband connection, a T1 line or a T3 line. 
         [0078]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
         [0079]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.