US6092069A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Market research database containing separate product and naked product information
Assignee: TNC US Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-19
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2017-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A market research database includes industry code information containing industry codes (such as UPCs), naked product information containing information about naked products, package information containing information about packages, and product definition information linking naked product information, package information, and industry codes. Accordingly, the storage of information in the database is not dependent upon UPCs or other industry codes, making access to product related information difficult. The use of naked product information, together with the way of identifying products, facilitate a third normal form database.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara Elizabeth Johnson
- 👤 James Charles Martin
- 👤 Kenneth Francis Rabolt
- 👤 Keri Anderson Healy
- 👤 Danielle Anne Byron
- 👤 Ilga Anita Berzkalns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A market research database comprising: industry code information including industry codes; naked product information linking naked product codes and naked product definition codes, wherein a naked product code is a code related to a naked product, and wherein a naked product is a substance absent a package; and, product definition information linking product definition codes, naked product codes, and industry codes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A market research database comprising: industry code information including industry codes; naked product information linking naked product codes and naked product definition codes, wherein a naked product code is a code related to a naked product, and wherein a naked product is a substance absent a package; and, product definition information linking product definition codes, naked product codes, and industry codes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 2 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with product characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising characteristic information linking product definition codes with characteristic types.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising characteristic information linking product definition codes with characteristic values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information links naked product definition codes and product characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising characteristic information linking naked product codes with characteristic types.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising characteristic information linking naked product codes with characteristic values.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising package information including package codes, wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with package codes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 9 wherein the package information links package codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 10 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 11 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 10 wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 13 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 13 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 15 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 9 wherein the package information links package codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising characteristic information linking package codes with characteristic types.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising characteristic information linking package codes with characteristic values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising brand name information linking brand name codes, to product definition codes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The market research database of claim 20 wherein the brand name codes are linked to the product definition codes through the naked product codes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The market research database of claim 20 further comprising package information including package codes, wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with package codes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 22 wherein the package information links package codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 23 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 23 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 25 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 23 wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 27 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 27 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 29 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 20 wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 31 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 20 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 33 further comprising characteristic information linking characteristic codes with characteristic types and values.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising business enterprise information linking business enterprise codes with product definition codes.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The market research database of claim 35 further comprising brand name information linking brand name codes with product definition codes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
The market research database of claim 36 wherein the brand name codes are linked with product definition codes through naked product codes, and wherein the business enterprise codes are linked with product definition codes through brand name codes and naked product codes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The market research database of claim 36 further comprising package information linking package codes with product definition codes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 38 wherein the package information links package codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The market research database of claim 35 further comprising package information linking package codes with product definition codes.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The market research database of claim 40 wherein the package information links package codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The market research database of claim 35 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with product definition codes.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 42 wherein the naked product information links naked product codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The market research database of claim 35 wherein the product definition information links product definition codes with characteristic codes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising time dependent links so that product related information may be tracked through time.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information includes time dependent links to naked products and product characteristics so that product related information may be tracked through time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
52 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information includes a first product name and a second product name, and further comprising redefine information linking the first and second product names with a product redefine date on which the first product name was changed to the second product name.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
52 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the industry code information includes a first industry code and a second industry code, and further comprising redefine information linking the first and second industry codes with a code redefine date on which the first industry code was changed to the second industry code.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
53 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the naked product information includes a first naked product and a second naked product, and further comprising redefine information linking the first and second naked products with a naked product redefine date on which the first naked product was changed to the second naked product.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
51 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising: brand name information including a first brand name and a second brand name; and, redefine information linking the first and second brand names with a brand name redefine date on which the first brand name was changed to the second brand name.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
51 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprising: business enterprise information including a first business enterprise and a second business enterprise; and, redefine information linking the first and second business enterprises with a business enterprise redefine date on which the first business enterprise was changed to the second business enterprise.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
223 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information includes a first product name and a second product name, wherein the industry code information includes a first industry code and a second industry code, wherein the naked product information includes a first naked product and a second naked product, and wherein the market research database further comprises: brand name information including a first brand name and a second brand name; business enterprise information including a first business enterprise and a second business enterprise; and, redefine information (i) linking the first and second product names with a product redefine date on which the first product name was changed to the second product name, (ii) linking the first and second industry codes with a code redefine date on which the first industry code was changed to the second industry code, (iii) linking the first and second naked products with a naked product redefine date on which the first naked product was changed to the second naked product, (iv) linking the first and second brand names with a brand name redefine date on which the first brand name was changed to the second brand name, and (v) linking the first and second business enterprises with a business enterprise redefine date on which the first business enterprise was changed to the second business enterprise.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
The market research database of claim 52 wherein the brand names are linked to naked products, and wherein business enterprises are linked to brand names.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
182 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information includes a first product name and a second product name, wherein the naked product information includes a first naked product and a second naked product, and wherein the market research database further comprises: brand name information including a first brand name and a second brand name; business enterprise information including a first business enterprise and a second business enterprise; and, redefine information (i) linking the first and second product names with a product redefine date on which the first product name was changed to the second product name, (ii) linking the first and second naked products with a naked product redefine date on which the first naked product was changed to the second naked product, (iii) linking the first and second brand names with a brand name redefine date on which the first brand name was changed to the second brand name, and (iv) linking the first and second business enterprises with a business enterprise redefine date on which the first business enterprise was changed to the second business enterprise.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The market research database of claim 54 wherein the brand names are linked to naked products, and wherein business enterprises are linked to brand names.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
181 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information includes a first product name and a second product name, wherein the industry code information includes a first industry code and a second industry code, and wherein the market research database further comprises: brand name information including a first brand name and a second brand name; business enterprise information including a first business enterprise and a second business enterprise; and, redefine information (i) linking the first and second product names with a product redefine date on which the first product name was changed to the second product name, (ii) linking the first and second industry codes with a code redefine date on which the first industry code was changed to the second industry code, (iii) linking the first and second brand names with a brand name redefine date on which the first brand name was changed to the second brand name, and (iv) linking the first and second business enterprises with a business enterprise redefine date on which the first business enterprise was changed to the second business enterprise.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
24 words
The market research database of claim 56 wherein brand names are linked to naked products, and wherein business enterprises are linked to brand names.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
93 words
The market research database of claim 1 further comprises: brand name information including a first brand name and a second brand name; business enterprise information including a first business enterprise and a second business enterprise; and, redefine information (i) linking the first and second brand names with a brand name redefine date on which the first brand name was changed to the second brand name, and (ii) linking the first and second business enterprises with a business enterprise redefine date on which the first business enterprise was changed to the second business enterprise.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The market research database of claim 58 wherein brand names are linked to naked products, and wherein business enterprises are linked to brand names.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
140 words
The market research database of claim 1 wherein the product definition information includes a first product name and a second product name, and wherein the market research database further comprises: brand name information including a first brand name and a second brand name; business enterprise information including a first business enterprise and a second business enterprise; and, redefine information (i) linking the first and second product names with a product redefine date on which the first product name was changed to the second product name, (ii) linking the first and second brand names with a brand name redefine date on which the first brand name was changed to the second brand name, and (iii) linking the first and second business enterprises with a business enterprise redefine date on which the first business enterprise was changed to the second business enterprise.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
The market research database of claim 60 wherein brand names are linked to naked products, and wherein business enterprises are linked to brand names.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
63 words
A market research database comprising: a first information set including information about products; a second information set including information about brands; a third information set including information about business enterprises; and, time related links between the first, second, and third information sets, the time related links being arranged to permit tracking of evolutionary relationships between the products, the brands, and the business enterprises.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
63 words
A market research database comprising: a first information set including information about products; a second information set including information about brands; a third information set including information about business enterprises; and, time related links between the first, second, and third information sets, the time related links being arranged to permit tracking of evolutionary relationships between the products, the brands, and the business enterprises.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
52 words
A market research database comprising: a first information set including brand information; a second information set including business enterprise information; and, time related links between the first and second information sets, the time related links being arranged to permit tracking of evolutionary relationships between the brand information and the business enterprise information.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
52 words
A market research database comprising: a first information set including brand information; a second information set including business enterprise information; and, time related links between the first and second information sets, the time related links being arranged to permit tracking of evolutionary relationships between the brand information and the business enterprise information.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
78 words
A market research database comprising: a first information set including product definition information; a second information set including naked product information; a third information set including brand information; a fourth information set including business enterprise information; and, time related links between the first, second, third, and fourth information sets, the time related links being arranged to permit tracking of evolutionary relationships between the product definition information, the naked product information, the brand information, and the business enterprise information.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
78 words
A market research database comprising: a first information set including product definition information; a second information set including naked product information; a third information set including brand information; a fourth information set including business enterprise information; and, time related links between the first, second, third, and fourth information sets, the time related links being arranged to permit tracking of evolutionary relationships between the product definition information, the naked product information, the brand information, and the business enterprise information.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |