US20020004753A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for finding and serving consumer product related information to consumers using internet-based information servers and clients
Assignee: IPF Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A novel system and method are disclosed for finding and serving consumer product-related information over the Internet to consumers. The system includes Internet information servers which store information pertaining to Universal Product Number (e.g. UPC number) preassigned to each consumer product registered with the system, along with a list of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) that point to the location of one or more information resources on the Internet, e.g. World Wide Web-sites, which related to such registered consumer products. Upon entering the UPC number into the system using a conventional Internet browser program, the menu of URLs associated with the entered UPC number is automatically displayed for user selection. The displayed menu of URLs are categorically arranged according to specific types of product information such as, for example: product specifications and operation manuals; product wholesalers and retailers; product advertisements and promotions; product endorsements; product updates and reviews; product warranty/servicing; related or complementary products; product incentives including rebates, discounts and/or coupons; manufacturer's annual report and 10K information; electronic stock purchase; etc. As part of the product registration process, manufacturers are provided with turn-key database construction tools that allow them to create, maintain and serve on the WWW, limited versions of the UPC/URL databases which contain information relating only to the manufacturer's products, and no other manufacturers. The master UPC/URL database of the system is updated using the UPC/URL information in these manufacturer maintained UPC/URL databases.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Perkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:03
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/16; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0623; G06Q30/0625; G06Q30/0641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
1 . A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising: URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
1 . A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising: URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
3 . The system of claim 1 , which further comprises said client system, wherein said client system includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen product finder button which, when selected, results in a dialogue box requesting that the UPN associated with said request be entered into said client system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
5 . A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; (b) storing information related to said plurality of products; (c) transmitting a request from a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and (d) responding to said transmitted request and serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
5 . A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; (b) storing information related to said plurality of products; (c) transmitting a request from a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and (d) responding to said transmitted request and serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein step (c) comprises: selecting a on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the UPN associated with the requested product be entered; and entering said UPN into said dialogue box.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
8 . A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising: URL/trademark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
8 . A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising: URL/trademark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein each said trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with said product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
10 . A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; (b) storing information related to said plurality of products; (c) transmitting from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and (d) responding to said transmitted request, and serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark and included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
162 words
10 . A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; (b) storing information related to said plurality of products; (c) transmitting from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and (d) responding to said transmitted request, and serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark and included in said request made by said client system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein each said trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with said product.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
60 words
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein step (c) comprises: selecting an on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the trademark and/or company name associated with the requested product be entered; and entering said trademark and/or company name into said dialogue box.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
13 . An Internet-based consumer product information delivery system comprising: means for enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and means for enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office and on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
13 . An Internet-based consumer product information delivery system comprising: means for enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and means for enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office and on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
14 . A consumer product information finding system comprising: at least one kiosk installed within a retail shopping environment and each said kiosk includes a bar code symbol reader for reading the UPC (or UPC/EAN) numbers on consumer products being offered for sale in the store, and a LCD touch-type display screen for displaying product-related information accessed from hyper-linked Web-sites on the Internet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
63 words
14 . A consumer product information finding system comprising: at least one kiosk installed within a retail shopping environment and each said kiosk includes a bar code symbol reader for reading the UPC (or UPC/EAN) numbers on consumer products being offered for sale in the store, and a LCD touch-type display screen for displaying product-related information accessed from hyper-linked Web-sites on the Internet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
15 . The consumer product information finding system of claim 14 , wherein said bar code symbol reader projects a 3-D laser scanning pattern over said LCD touch-screen panel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
16 . The consumer product information finding system of claim 14 , wherein said kiosk further comprises a telephone handset for carrying out telephone calls.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
17 . The consumer product information finding system of claim 14 , wherein said kiosk further comprises a credit card transaction terminal for conducting consumer purchase transactions and other forms of electronic commerce while using said consumer product information finding system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
40 words
18 . The consumer product information finding system of claim 14 , wherein said bar code symbol reader has a cordless interface with said kiosk so that it may be moved about within said retail environment in a portable manner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
125 words
19 . A method of providing consumer product information to consumers in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, said method comprising the steps of: (a) enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and (b) enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
125 words
19 . A method of providing consumer product information to consumers in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, said method comprising the steps of: (a) enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and (b) enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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