Patent ID: 7761400

Claim:
A machine-implemented method comprising: receiving event identifying information at a machine including a processor system having one or more processors; and in response to receiving the event identifying information, the processor system returning event information about an event corresponding to the event identifying information, and the machine returning event information about one or more other events having at least some event identifying information that does not match at least some of the event identifying information that was received; the machine including at least: a network appliance for returning search results; an event stamp function on the network appliance, which initializes a collection of multiple event identifying pieces of information upon which the search results are based, wherein the network appliance automatically launches a search in response to the event stamp function being initialized; the system is capable of identifying at least two different types of events, and the network appliance includes at least: the event stamp function causes event stamp information to be collected, the event stamp information includes at least a time associated with an event, and global positioning coordinates identifying a location associated with the event, a memory for storing the event stamp information collected as a result of initiating the event stamp function; one or more machine instructions for causing the processor to initialize a search in response to activating the event stamp function; a receiver for receiving global positioning system coordinates; and a communications link for communicatively coupling the network appliance for transferring the event stamp information.