(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0200480 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 7, 2006
`Harris et al.
`
`US 2006O200480A1
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING
`PRODUCT DENTIFIERS
`
`(76) Inventors: David N. Harris, Sonora, CA (US);
`Sonja J. Harris, Sonora, CA (US);
`Gregory P. Gibson, Three Rivers, MI
`(US); Larry E. Henneman JR. Three
`Rivers, MI (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Henneman & Saunders
`714. W. Michigan Ave.
`Three Rivers, MI 49093 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/069,764
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 1, 2005
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 7/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 707/101
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A novel method for using product identifiers includes cap
`turing a product identifier identifying a product, selecting
`one of a plurality of queries, transmitting the product iden
`tifier and the selected query to a data provider, and receiving
`a response to the selected query from the data provider. The
`method is performed on a personal data device (e.g., a
`camera phone, PDA, tablet PC et.), which includes a net
`work interface, a Scanner operative to capture the product
`identifier, a user interface operative to receive the query
`selection, and an application program interface operative to
`associate the product identifier and the selected query,
`transmit the product identifier and the selected query to the
`data provider via the network interface, and to receive the
`response to the identifier and query from the data provider
`via the network interface. A method for the data providers to
`use the product identifiers is also disclosed, and includes
`receiving a request from a consumer including a unique
`product identifier and data indicative of the type of infor
`mation requested, retrieving the type of requested informa
`tion associated with the particular product from a database,
`and transmitting the retrieved information to the consumer.
`The data provider includes a database associating the prod
`uct identifiers with information corresponding thereto, and
`means for the providing the associated information to the
`requesting consumer.
`
`Local
`Products
`Database
`
`108
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Position
`Detector
`
`110
`
`100
`
`102
`
`
`
`Product ID
`Scanner
`
`106
`
`116 (1)
`
`Retailer (1)
`
`Retailer (n)
`
`116 (2)
`
`122
`
`124
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Credit
`Company
`
`Account
`Holder
`Database
`
`
`
`
`
`118 (1)
`
`118 (n)
`
`Data
`Provider (1)
`
`Data
`Provider (n)
`
`120 (1)
`
`
`
`120 (n)
`
`Product
`Information
`Database
`
`Product
`Information
`Database
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 1 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`Local
`ProductS
`Database
`
`108
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Product ID
`SCanner
`
`106
`
`116 (1)
`
`Retailer (1)
`
`Retailer (n)
`
`116 (2)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`118 (1)
`
`Data
`Provide (1) )
`
`120 (1)
`
`Product
`Information
`Database
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Position
`
`Detector
`
`110
`
`p
`
`102
`
`122
`
`124
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Credit
`Company
`
`ACCOUnt
`Holder
`Database
`
`118 (n)
`
`120 (n)
`
`Data
`Provider (n)
`
`
`
`Product
`Information
`Database
`
`F.G. 1
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 2 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 3 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`Product
`302
`
`
`
`3O8
`
`310
`
`FIG. 3B
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 4 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`ÁeIds[c] CJCJd
`
`?OnpOJc]
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 5 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`Retailers
`
`Products
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Retailer Name - 510
`
`
`
`Retailer Address - 512
`
`Retailer Phone - 514
`
`InternetAddress - 516
`Payment
`Information - 518
`
`Credit Card Number - 540
`
`Status/Active - 542
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 6 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 7 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`OZZOED
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`701
`
`
`
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`
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`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 8 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`Retailer Product Update
`
`
`
`
`
`E"
`Product Description
`isiana
`E oventity
`New Product
`
`
`
`708
`
`
`
`Product
`information DB
`
`-e-D
`
`Retailer
`
`216 (x)
`
`-C-
`
`Retailers
`
`220
`Data Provider
`
`Transaction Request
`User Name
`Retailer D
`Product ID
`Product Description
`Quantity Desired
`Credit Card Number
`User Address
`
`FIG. 7B
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 9 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`102
`
`202
`
`216 (1-n)
`
`Personal
`Data Device
`
`
`
`
`
`Product
`Information Server
`
`804
`
`
`
`
`
`802
`
`Retailer AP
`PS API
`PDDAP
`Base Database Interface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`806
`
`62
`
`Product
`information
`Database
`
`FIG. 8
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 10 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`096
`
`Z96
`
`6
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 11 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 Al
`
`
`
`
`
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`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 12
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 12
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 12 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`1100
`y
`
`1200
`
`y
`
`
`
`Present Plurality of Sort
`Criteria to User
`
`1202
`
`Receive User Selection of
`Sort Criteria
`
`1204
`
`Sort Products By
`Selected Criteria
`
`1206
`
`FIG. 12
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Capture Product laentifier
`
`1102
`
`Search for Product
`Information on
`Personal Data Device
`
`1104
`Transmit Query With
`Product identifier to
`Data Provider
`
`1106
`
`Receive Product information
`from Data POWider
`1108
`Filter, Format and/or Sort
`Product information
`
`1110
`
`Display Product information
`
`1112
`
`Purchase Product
`
`1114
`C End D
`FIG 11
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 13 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`1300 ?
`
`Sort Criteria =
`Prices and Proximity
`
`1302
`
`Determine Location of
`Personal Data Device
`
`Determine Distance to
`each Product Retailer
`
`Determine Scanned Product
`Price for Each Retailer
`
`Sort Retailers By
`Price and Proximity
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive Product
`Information Request
`ldentifying Product and User
`
`Gather Product information
`
`Transmit Product
`Information to User
`
`Receive Additional
`Instructions from User
`
`FIG. 13
`
`FIG. 14
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 14 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`User Drugs
`
`User ID-1520
`Drug ID - 1522
`
`2-Way Interactions
`
`Drug Description - 1530
`Side Effects - 1532
`
`Manufacturer - 1534
`Manufacturer
`Address - 1536
`Manufacturer Phone - 1538
`
`3-Way Interactions
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 15 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
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`C1|| 6nIGI
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`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 16 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1800 Y
`Capture Drug ldentifier
`
`1802
`
`Search for Drug interactions
`On Personal Data Device
`
`Transmit Query with
`Drug ldentifier(s)
`to Data Provider
`
`1806
`
`Receive Drug interactions
`from Data Provider
`
`1808
`
`Display Drug Interactions
`
`1810
`
`FIG. 18
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1900
`
`Receive Captured Drug ID
`and User ID
`
`1902
`
`Store Record Associating
`Drug ID and User ID
`
`1904
`
`Receive Drug Interaction
`Query
`
`1906
`
`Search Database for Drug
`Interaction Data
`
`1908
`
`Transmit Drug Interaction
`Data to User
`
`1910
`
`Receive Additional
`Instructions from User
`
`1912
`
`FIG. 19
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 17 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`vioz-euodd løsn|| ||
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`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 18 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(Z); OZZ(i)gozz Q (1)VOZZ
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`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 19 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`2300
`Y
`
`2400 Y
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Scan Food Product lodentifier
`
`2302
`
`Search for Food Allergies on
`Personal Data Device
`
`Transmit Query with
`Food Product lodentifier(s)
`to Data Provider
`
`Receive Food
`Allergy Information
`
`2308
`
`Display Food
`Allergy Information
`2310
`
`
`
`FIG. 23
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Receive Food Allergy
`Request lodentifying Food
`Product(s) and User
`2402
`
`Gather Food
`Allergy information
`2404
`
`Transmit Food Allergy
`Information to User
`
`Receive Additional
`Instructions from User
`
`
`
`FIG. 24
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 20 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`Status/Active - 2514
`
`2500
`
`
`
`Food Product Nutrition
`
`FOOd Product D - 2516
`Food Description - 2518
`Serving Size - 2520
`Calories Per Serving - 2522
`Carbohydrates Per Serving - 2524
`Diet Points Per Serving - 2526
`
`FIG. 25
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 21 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`C]] ?OnpOud pOO-)
`
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`C]] ?OnpOud pOO-) | GI resmi
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`C]] Z ] OnpOud pOO
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`C]] ?OnpOud pOO
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`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 22 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`2800
`
`y
`
`29OO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Scan Food Product lodentifier
`
`2802
`
`Search for Nutrition
`Information on
`Personal Data Device
`
`Transmit Query with
`Food Product lodentifier(s)
`to Data Provider
`
`Receive Nutrition
`Information
`
`2808
`
`Display Nutrition information
`
`
`
`2810
`
`FIG. 28
`
`Receive Food Nutrition
`Request lcentifying Food
`Product(s) and User
`
`Gather Food Nutrition
`Information
`
`Transmit Nutrition
`Information to User
`
`Receive Additional
`instructions from User
`
`FIG. 29
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 23 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`9202-ai adpeg|]],
`
`
`2002-ai lesn|]],
`
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`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 24
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 24 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TOEGI Jºsn.
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 25 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`33OO
`
`3400
`
`
`
`Capture Food Product
`Identifier
`
`33O2
`
`Search for Recipe
`Information on Personal
`Data Device
`
`Transmit Query With
`Food Product lodentifier(s)
`to Data Provider
`
`Receive Recipe Request
`ldentifying Food Product(s)
`and USer
`
`Gather Recipes Containing
`Food Product(s)
`
`Transmit Recipes to User
`
`
`
`Receive Recipe(s)
`Containing Food Product
`
`Receive Additional
`Instructions from User
`
`Display Recipes
`
`3308
`
`3310
`
`FIG. 33
`
`FIG. 34
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 26 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`Product information Selector
`
`Select Query:
`Retail linformation
`
`2 Drug Interaction
`3 Food Allergy
`
`4 Food Nutrition
`
`5 Recipes
`
`3506
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3502
`
`3506(1)
`3506
`(2)
`3506(3)
`
`3506(4)
`
`3506(5)
`
`3504
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 27
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 27 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`35O2
`
`Product Scanner
`
`Scanned Product(s):
`
`3608
`
`3606(1)
`3606(2)
`3606(3)
`
`3504
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 28
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Sep. 7, 2006 Sheet 28 of 28
`
`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`
`
`35O2
`
`Search Results: Widget A
`
`3702
`
`3704(1-n)
`
`era a
`
`Unit Price. $35.00
`Location information
`
`P
`Unit P : S37.00
`rice S
`O
`Location information
`
`3710(1)
`
`3716(1)
`3712(1)
`
`3714(1)
`
`3712(2)
`3714(2)
`
`3504
`
`IPR2022-00600
`Apple EX1021 Page 29
`
`

`

`US 2006/0200480 A1
`
`Sep. 7, 2006
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR USING PRODUCT
`IDENTIFIERS
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001) 1. Field of the Invention
`0002 This invention relates generally to the use of prod
`uct identifiers, and more particularly to a system and method
`of using product identifiers captured by a personal data
`device to facilitate rapid information retrieval and electronic
`commerce. Even more particularly, this invention relates to
`a portable device that can capture product identifiers at
`convenient locations and immediately retrieve information
`associated with the identified product.
`0003 2. Description of the Background Art
`0004 Since the introduction of the Internet, society has
`become accustomed to having information readily available
`to their home and/or laptop computer. As a result, Society has
`become increasingly captivated by the convenience and
`price competition now available over the Internet. For
`example, many people routinely employ search engines in
`order to quickly research information about a product or
`service they are interested in. Competitive shoppers are also
`frequent information gatherers on the internet, searching
`online stores for the best available prices or for locations at
`which they can purchase a desired product.
`0005 There are several drawbacks, however, to gathering
`information and/or shopping on the Internet. First, the
`information available over the Internet is generally acces
`sible only from a home computer or with a laptop via a
`public wireless access point. Moreover, a particular product
`must be researched via a search engine and/or through
`“hit-or-miss’ shopping at particular websites. Both of these
`procedures can be time consuming. Although some mobile
`telephones offer Some limited Internet services (e.g., e-mail
`retrieval, etc.), most are not yet acceptable as a web brows
`ing research tool. Even if portable personal data devices
`(e.g., cellular telephones, personal data assistants, tablet
`PCs, etc.) can be used to browse the Internet, most users will
`not want to spend a Substantial amount of time browsing the
`Internet with Such devices due to cellular airtime charges,
`limited battery life, slow connection speeds, etc. of Such
`devices. Therefore, someone wanting information about a
`product or wishing to comparison shop while browsing in
`public will have to wait until returning to their computer to
`do so, and will be burdened by the generally time-consum
`ing Internet comparison shopping methods described above.
`0006 Like the Internet, independent information data
`bases can also store a vast amount of information, but are not
`readily accessible to the public. For example, information
`relating to drug interactions may be accessible on the
`Internet, but such information may be difficult and/or time
`consuming to locate. The search for Such information can
`also be confusing to a lay person due to the various generic
`and trade names used to describe different drugs. Therefore,
`browsing the web with a cell phone would be a particularly
`unsatisfactory method of identifying drug interactions when,
`for example, shopping for over-the-counter medicine at the
`drug store. Similarly, browsing the Internet for information
`on food products, while grocery shopping is equally unac
`ceptable.
`0007 One attempt to address the problems of the prior art
`is provided in United States Patent Application Publication
`
`No. 2002/0023959 (Miller et al.), published Feb. 28, 2002.
`According to Miller et al., a user can scan a bar code,
`download the barcode from the scanning device (when the
`user gets home), then submit the bar code to a server via the
`Internet. The user is then provided with a portal page
`including various graphics, advertisements, links and other
`data, from which the user can navigate to view information
`concerning an item. Thus, the user must return home to use
`the system, instead of being provided with the information
`immediately while out shopping. Indeed, the banners, adver
`tisements and so forth used in Miller et al. would further
`frustrate a shopper attempting to browse a web page on a
`portable device such as a cell phone. Further, apart from
`customizing and/or navigating a user's portal web page, a
`user has no control over the type of information provided in
`response to Submission of the bar code.
`0008 What is needed therefore is a system and method
`for electronically identifying a product and quickly gather
`ing information about the product. What is also needed is a
`system and method for providing and helpfully displaying
`the gathered information to the requester on their personal
`data device, without requiring the user to return home. What
`is also needed is a system and method for providing the type
`of information desired by the user.
`
`SUMMARY
`0009. The present invention overcomes the problems
`associated with the prior art by providing a system and
`method that facilitates rapid information retrieval by scan
`ning a product identifier with a personal data device and
`using the product identifier to search a database associated
`with a data provider.
`0010) A novel method for using product identifiers with
`a personal data device includes capturing a product identifier
`associated with a product, receiving a user's selection of one
`of a plurality of queries, transmitting the product identifier
`and the selected query to a data provider, and receiving a
`response to the selected query from the data provider. There
`are several methods for capturing a product identifier includ
`ing, but not limited to, Scanning a barcode, optically reading
`a barcode (e.g., via digital camera) and decoding the bar
`code, receiving a radio signal identifying the product from
`an RFID device, and entering the product identifier by hand.
`In addition, the product identifier can be transmitted directly
`to the data provider or via a third party, Such as through a
`cellular telephone company.
`0011. Several types of queries used to retrieve particular
`product information are disclosed. These queries include a
`retail information query, a drug interaction query, a food
`allergy query, a food nutrition query, and a recipe query.
`Transmitting a retail information query with a product
`identifier allows a consumer to retrieve product information
`associated with retailers selling an identified product. Trans
`mitting a drug interaction query with one or more drug
`identifiers (i.e., a product identifier associated with a drug
`product) allows the consumer to retrieve drug interaction
`information associated with the identified drug(s). Transmit
`ting a food allergy query with a food identifier (a product
`identifier associated with a food product) allows the con
`Sumer to retrieve allergy information (may be specific to the
`user) associated ingredients of the identified food product.
`Transmitting a food nutrition query with one or more food
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`identifiers allows the consumer to retrieve nutrition infor
`mation (diet points/serving, carbohydrates/serving, etc.)
`associated with the identified food(s). As yet another
`example, transmitting a recipe query with a food identifier
`allows the consumer to retrieve recipes including food
`products identified by the food identifier(s). Optionally, the
`queries described above can include one or more parameters
`to limit and/or define the information received in response to
`the query.
`0012. In a particular method, wherein the retail informa
`tion query is selected, receiving the response to the query
`includes receiving retail information data associated with at
`least one retailer selling a particular identified product.
`Optionally, the current geographical location of the system/
`user can be transmitted with the retail information query, and
`the retail information report contains data associated with
`retailers within a predetermined distance of the geographical
`location. A more particular method includes selecting a
`purchase request and transmitting the product identifier(s)
`and the purchase request to a particular retailer (optionally
`via the data provider) in order to purchase the identified
`product from the retailer.
`0013 In another particular method, wherein the drug
`interaction query is selected, receiving the response to the
`query includes receiving drug interaction data associated
`with at least one drug interaction between the identified drug
`and at least one other drug associated with the consumer
`(e.g., by a record stored by the data provider). Optionally,
`the user can transmit storage instructions to cause the data
`provider to store a record associating the drug identified by
`the drug identifier with the user. A more particular method
`includes capturing a plurality of drug identifiers, transmit
`ting the drug identifiers and the drug interaction query to the
`data provider, and receiving a response including a drug
`interaction report having data therein associated with at least
`one drug interaction between any combination of the Sub
`mitted drug identifiers.
`0014. In another particular method, wherein the food
`allergy query is selected, receiving the response to the query
`includes receiving data including at least one ingredient
`identifier associated with an ingredient in the food product,
`the ingredient being associated with an allergy of the user
`(e.g., by a record stored by the data provider). A more
`particular method allows a consumer to record pre-identified
`allergy identifiers by capturing at least one allergy ingredient
`identifier and transmitting storage instructions with the
`allergy ingredient identifier(s) causing the data provider to
`store a record associating the allergy ingredient(s) with the
`COSU.
`0015. In another particular method, wherein the food
`nutrition query is selected, receiving the response to the
`query includes receiving a nutrition report having nutrition
`information stored therein associated with a food product
`identified by the food identifier. In the case of a recipe query,
`a particular method includes receiving at least one recipe
`including a food product identified by a food identifier.
`0016.
`In any of the above-described methods, the
`responses to the queries can be displayed to the consumer.
`Optionally, the received data can be sorted before being
`displayed. Accordingly, a more particular method includes
`sorting the information according to a sort criteria (e.g., by
`price and/or location) selected by the consumer. Also option
`
`ally, the method includes a step of storing the response from
`the data provider in a local database of the personal data
`device for later retrieval. The local database on the personal
`data device associates product information and product
`identifiers, such that the personal data device can perform at
`least some limited functions of the data provider if so
`desired. Stated another way, the step of transmitting a
`product identifier and a query to the data provider can be
`achieved by transferring at least a portion of the database
`from the data provider to the local device and querying the
`database on the local device.
`0017. A system (e.g., a camera phone, PDA, tablet PC,
`etc.) for using product identifiers is also disclosed. The
`system includes a network interface, a scanner (e.g., a digital
`camera, a radio receiver, etc.) operative to capture the
`product identifier, a user interface operative to receive the
`query selection from the user, and a control module opera
`tive to associate the product identifier and the selected query,
`to transmit the product identifier and the selected query to
`the data provider, and to receive the response to the identifier
`and query from the data provider. In a particular embodi
`ment, the system includes a position detector operative to
`detect the geographical position of the mobile system. The
`user interface includes a display for displaying graphical
`data to the consumer.
`0018. An application program interface (API) provides
`communication between the control module of the user
`system and the database of the data provider. The application
`program interface defines the commands (e.g., to write a
`record to the database), queries (e.g., drug interaction que
`ries), and parameters that may be submitted to the database,
`and also defines the structure of the response returned by the
`database. An information formatter/sorter, responsive to a
`user selected Sort criteria, is operative to sort the product
`information according to the sort criteria. In another embodi
`ment, the application program interface defines an interface
`to transmit a Subscriber identifier uniquely identifying a
`consumer to the data provider.
`0019. In a particular embodiment, the application pro
`gram interface includes a purchase request interface opera
`tive to associate a purchase request query with a product
`identifier and a retailer identifier responsive to instruction
`from the consumer. The product request interface is then
`operative to transmit a purchase request and the product
`identifier to the retailer identified by the retailer identifier.
`Optionally, the purchase request query can be transmitted to
`the retailer via the data provider.
`0020. In another particular embodiment, in the case of a
`food allergy query, the API defines a command whereby,
`responsive to instructions from a consumer, the control
`module can Submit one or more allergy ingredient identifiers
`to be associated with the consumer. Responsive to receipt of
`the command, the data provider stores one or more records
`associating a unique consumer identifier with the Submitted
`allergy ingredient identifiers.
`0021. A method for data providers to use product iden
`tifiers is also disclosed, and includes receiving a request
`(e.g., a database query) from a consumer including a unique
`product identifier and data indicative of the type of infor
`mation requested, retrieving the type of requested informa
`tion associated with the particular product from a database,
`and transmitting the retrieved information to the consumer.
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`In addition, the consumer can be authenticated before the
`data provider accepts the request. The request can also
`contain a parameter to define the content of the retrieved
`data from the database.
`0022. In a particular method when the data provider
`receives a retail information request, the data provider is
`further operative to retrieve retailer information from its
`database including a retailer identifier, and transmit the
`retailer information to the consumer. In a more particular
`embodiment, the method includes receiving a geographical
`location of the consumer with the retail information request,
`and then retrieving retailer information only for retailers
`near the geographical location. Optionally, the method fur
`ther includes a step of receiving a purchase request from the
`consumer for purchasing a particular product from a par
`ticular retailer after the retail information has been trans
`mitted. The purchase request contains the product identifier
`and the retailer identifier such that the data center can
`retrieve credit data associated with the consumer from the
`database, and transmit a transaction request to the retailer
`including the product identifier and the consumer's credit
`data.
`0023. In a particular method when the data provider
`receives a drug interaction request including at least one
`drug identifier, the method further includes retrieving infor
`mation from the database for each combination of the at least
`one drug and at least one pre-identified drug associated with
`the consumer in the database, and transmitting the retrieved
`interaction information for each combination to the con
`Sumer. Optionally, a more particular method includes the
`step of receiving Storage instructions from the consumer to
`store the drug associated with the drug identifier in the
`database as a pre-identified drug associated with the con
`Sumer. Finally, in the case that the drug interaction request
`includes a plurality of drug identifiers, an alternate more
`particular method includes retrieving interaction informa
`tion between each combination of the drugs identified in the
`interaction request, and transmitting interaction information
`for each combination of drugs having an interaction to the
`COSU.
`0024. In another particular method when the data pro
`vider receives a food allergy request including at least one
`food product identifier, the method includes retrieving the
`ingredient identifiers associated with the ingredients con
`tained in the food product and attempting to match the
`ingredient identifiers in the food product with pre-identified
`allergy ingredient identifiers associated with the consumer,
`and then transmitting any allergy ingredient identifiers asso
`ciated with allergy ingredients in the food product to the
`consumer. A more particular method includes the steps of
`receiving an allergy ingredient storage request including at
`least one allergy ingredient identifier, and storing the allergy
`ingredient identifier in the database as a pre-identified
`allergy ingredient identifier associated with the consumer.
`0025. In some cases (e.g., pure food items) the allergy
`ingredient will be the food product itself. For example, eggs,
`peanuts, etc. are not considered to have constituent “ingre
`dients.” Rather, the only ingredient in an egg is egg. Thus,
`the food product is the same as the allergy ingredient.
`0026.
`In another particular method when the data pro
`vider receives a food nutrition request including at least one
`food product identifier, the method includes retrieving nutri
`
`tion information associated with the food product. Finally, in
`another particular method when the data provider receives a
`recipe request including at least one food product identifier,
`the method includes retrieving at least one recipe having the
`food product as an ingredient.
`0027. The consumer may wish to update information
`associated with him/her with the data provider. In such a
`case, a particular method includes the steps of receiving an
`information update request from the consumer, associating
`the request with the consumer, and storing the information
`associated with the consumer in the database. Such infor
`mation can be submitted to the data provider by, for
`example, form or query.
`0028. In addition, the product data contained in the
`database of the data provider must be updated from time to
`time. A particular method for updating database information
`includes receiving product update information from a prod
`uct vendor including a unique vendor identifier and at least
`one unique product identifier, retrieving data from the data
`base corresponding with the product and the vendor, and
`updating the retrieved information with product update
`information. Optionally, the data is updated by simply
`writing new records to the database, without altering any
`existing records. The product update information can be
`received from the vendor via a query of the vendor's
`database, a database form, or any other type of data tem
`plate.
`0029. A system for a data provider to use product iden
`tifiers is also disclosed and includes a database associating
`unique product identifiers with information corresponding to
`the product, a network interface to receive a request from a
`consumer (i.e., a user) including at least one product iden
`tifier and data indicative of the type of information
`requested, and a consumer application program interface
`(A