DE102011114248A1 - Procedure for handling product information - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for handling direct and indirect information in relation to a specific product has the following procedural steps: the goods or their outer packaging is provided with a machine-readable code that individualizes the goods, the code is read and, together with product-specific information (primary information), a preferably supplied to the central database, the code stored in the database can be assigned any further information (secondary information) and the code can be read on the product or on the outer packaging by means of suitable reading devices and sent to the database in the sense of a query, if necessary together with user level, device or location-related information can be transmitted, after which the database replies with the primary information and possibly the secondary information or a link from the primary information and the secondary information and possibly further self-generated additional information.

Description

The invention relates to a method for handling direct and / or indirect information in relation to a specific product.

Product-specific information is handled in a variety of ways by associating manufacturer product codes with the products or their outer packaging. For example, it is customary to assign so-called barcodes to products, by means of which an identification of the product at the cash register and, if the price is associated with it, the selling price can be read from a file.

It is also already known to make a price comparison via the barcodes assigned to the product, wherein the barcode is read via a mobile phone camera and fed via a program (app) loaded there to a database for price comparison. Thus, the cheapest price or the cheapest point of sale can be determined, and if necessary, the opinion of other users about this product.

In the context of the above-mentioned methods known from practice, so-called product codes are assigned to the product or product packaging, the information relating to the product being correlated with these codes. There is an association between the respective code and the product or product group. However, an identification of the concrete - individual - product is not yet possible.

In addition, some products, for example packaged pharmaceutical products, may additionally be associated with individual product-specific codes, by means of which it is possible to tracing the distribution path of the individual product all the way to its production facility, usually via an internet connection (tracing). In this way, the introduction of wrong products in the supply chain to be recognized and thus made more difficult.

In practice, there is a particular need for brand and product protection or protection against counterfeiting, especially for brands, especially as high-quality brands, for example in the cosmetics or medicines sector, are frequently the victims of plagiarism, counterfeiting and utility model infringements. The associated damage worldwide is in the tens of billions per year. Not infrequently, a general loss of trust in the quality of the originals and thus an image damage the result. For the end user, counterfeit products can even pose a life-threatening risk.

Moreover, as stated above, there is often the need to monitor the distribution channels (tracing) to avoid the so-called gray market trading, i. H. Prevent the unwanted re-import of genuine products from countries with lower list price, or the introduction of secretly over-produced genuine goods in the supply chain to avert related margin and image losses for the brand manufacturer.

For product protection, numerous methods are known from practice. In this case, security features, such as holograms or secret markings are usually applied in visible or invisible form, and it is always problematic in view of the variety of technologies and variants used, in particular on the part of the end customer to check the actual product on its actual authenticity. Not infrequently, the product protection generating attributes are also imitated or faked. In the case of individual codes, if they are to act as a security feature, they can refer to a counterfeit product, the consumer on an equally fake database for the alleged query of its authenticity. A safe and at the same time easy to handle product / counterfeit protection does not exist so far.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for handling direct and indirect information in relation to a specific product, according to which u. a. A sufficiently good protection against counterfeiting or a monitoring of distribution channels, but also an effective and cost-effective authentication option for the stakeholders of the product, can be realized. In addition, it should be possible to use the method for linking product-specific information (primary information) with any further information (secondary information), be it for reasons of information policy on the part of the brand manufacturer or for advertising reasons, on the part of the brand manufacturer itself or on the part of third parties.

The above object is solved by the features of claim 1. Thereafter, a method is disclosed for handling direct and / or indirect information relating to a specific product, comprising the following method steps:
The goods or their outer packaging is provided with a product-individualizing, machine-readable code. It is essential that this is a code for individualization or exact labeling of the specific product and not just the product or product group. Such an individualizing code is applied to the goods or the outer packaging of the goods, for example by means of printing technology or by means of a label. The code is machine-readable so that automatic handling is possible.

In a next step, the code is automatically read, either before or after the application on the product or the outer packaging of the goods, and a link with product-specific information (primary information) takes place immediately upon reading or after reading or in a downstream processing process. This information - code and primary information - is fed to a central database. It is also conceivable that the link only takes place in the database, by means of a suitable computer program. It is also conceivable that the primary information by means of suitable algorithms are already fully or partially integrated in the individual code itself and are supplied in this way together with the individual code of the database. In any case, after completion of this method step, the code and the primary information associated with the code are in the database and can be handled there. It should be noted once again that this is a code and the primary information associated with the code, which relate to a single, concrete product, which may be unique.

In a further method step, any further information (secondary information) stored in the database can be assigned to other, whereby a combination of primary information and secondary information is possible. Thus, for example, it is possible for the manufacturer of the specific product to supply the database with further product-specific information or rules of conduct with respect to the consumption, storage of a product, etc. The secondary information can be changed and / or supplemented as desired and can, for example, be in the form of advertising also from a third party, on the basis of an authorization on the part of the database operator, the data record are supplied.

The code and associated data may be accessed by authorized persons, such as the prospect or purchaser of a particular product, or by government agencies or employees or business partners of the manufacturer through the machine-readable code. Thus, the code individualizing the respective product can be scanned on the product or on the outer packaging and transmitted to the database in the sense of a query. The database responds to an address defined by the reader, such as a cell phone with an integrated camera, or computer, and in the simplest case sends a confirmation as to whether the product is likely to be genuine or spurious. Based on the query, plausibility checks are carried out on the database and it is possible to regularly determine a quota for the security of the authenticity statement. In any case, the person requesting the code receives information in the broadest sense, whereby this information can be assigned to any primary information and possibly secondary information or a combination of the primary information and the secondary information.

Thus, the person requesting the code could receive a statement of authenticity, product-specific information for information, for example instructions for use, plus advertising for matching products from the producer or brand owner or competitors, depending on which secondary information is assigned.

Any coding could be used as individualizing code, it being possible to choose a combination of an already existing manufacturer-product code and an individualizing additive. The manufacturer product code may be a conventional GTIN, UPC or EAN code. As an individualizing additive comes a so-called item-level code for identifying the specific or specific product (item). The item-level code can be, for example, a 1D code, a 2D code, a plain text code, a RFID chip with a readable Unique Identification Number, a code derived from the unique surface structure of the product or its outer packaging (digital fingerprint), a derived from stochastic on the product or its outer packaging elements or structures (similar to a digital fingerprint) derived code, an individualizing adhesive label with one or more of the aforementioned codes, etc., or a combination of the foregoing serve.

With respect to the overall generated code, it is important that it covers a sufficiently large number space and the coding algorithm is sufficiently unpredictable, namely to minimize possible "random hits" by product pirates with respect to a specific code. The larger the number space, the better the possible protection against counterfeiting.

As mentioned earlier, the code is generally at least partially printed on the product or its outer packaging and is thereafter, regularly automatically, read. Individually or in batch processing, product-specific data is either integrated in the code in whole or in part, or only assigned after reading. Preferably on a secure transmission path, which prevents the introduction of false codes by unauthorized third parties, the data associated with the respective code or data to be supplied to the database.

Likewise, it is conceivable that the assignment takes place only in the database with product-specific data stored there.

In any case, it is essential that the database is supplied with information on each individual product, which can later be accessed via the respective code of the specific product. The data is - in whatever state - stored in the database and can be handled by the database server. This includes on the one hand the processing of the data and on the other hand the data transfer according to a given rule.

For example, the prospect or buyer of a commodity may communicate with the database or the database server, by detecting the code individualizing the product and sending the code to the database server. As a result, a query is generated with respect to the database server, for example by means of a data connection via the Internet, possibly using radio transmission technology such as W-LAN, 3G or GSM. In the simplest case and using state-of-the-art technologies, the query can be made via a mobile terminal, for example via a mobile phone, wherein the individualizing code is recorded via a camera integrated in the mobile phone or other input media / sensors such as RFID readers, infrared readers or the keyboard and is transmitted via a loaded in the mobile application or via a dedicated program to the database server as a query. Ultimately, the code can be detected as desired and, for example, via an Internet-capable computer to the database server. In principle, it is also conceivable to make a manual input of the code in a web front-end of the database. A special code reader can also be used.

The database server or a program installed there generates a response to the request made via the individualizing code, which can relate, for example, to the authenticity of the product. The answer includes the primary information already discussed above and, if appropriate, secondary information, preferably attached in a prepared form. It is conceivable that, in addition to the authenticity information, any other information is conveyed, in particular also information from the manufacturer or brand owner of the product or from a third party, for example advertising by third-party suppliers or consumer opinions. Any combinations of product-specific information or primary information and secondary information are conceivable.

Concretely, secondary information could be definable by the operator of the database and possibly be expandable. It is of particular importance that the third-party secondary information be brought into the database, thereby becoming part of the answer.

The possible third-party interaction here means communication with the database server, whereby authorized parties are entitled to assign any information to the respective code, if permitted by the database operator. This information could, for example, be the advertising of third parties which, after being released by the database operator, can be linked to the product-specific information in return for payment, or at least can be attached to it. The database server could be a commercial search engine already in use with a corresponding merchant platform, via which advertising information from third parties can be linked to the search queries and billed. As previously mentioned, the response generated upon the request may have a comprehensive informational content. Thus, any primary information on the product in question can be retrievable, for example concerning the place of manufacture, the production time, the batch number, the expiration date, guarantee periods, safety features applied to the product, ingredients, nutritional information, quality labels, test reports, eco-information, E-number explanations, etc A final list is not possible because the information content has no limits. In addition to the authenticity or tracing information generated by the database, the answer may contain any secondary information, for example, advertising from the producer or brand owner or from third-party suppliers or third-party companies. It is also conceivable that the answer comprises further links with corresponding instructions.

In concrete terms, warning notices can also be sent in this way. It is also possible to design a callback via the information that can be assigned to the respective product, whereby it is possible to contact the buyer or consumer directly if requested to do so.

Information regarding the handling of complaints can also be assigned to the specific product. Also, the answer may include a request to submit a rating (I like, four stars, etc.). Likewise, vouchers, discounts, etc. can be granted to the user.

For the manufacturer, information about the behavior of the consumer can be obtained almost in real time, for example, in which region is which of his products requested how often at what times, or for which other products are consumers interested in his product, etc. It could be offered a raffle or a special promotion of the manufacturer. Finally, it is possible with the method according to the invention that the manufacturer makes direct contact with the buyer of a specific product, at least when the buyer starts the communication about his request.

As mentioned earlier, the code can be read via a mobile phone with an integrated camera, for example. Likewise - in the commercial area - a mobile reader can be provided. It is also conceivable that the determination of the code automatically via a POS system, etc. takes place. In any case, it is essential that the code is read.

With regard to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is possible that in the context of the query in addition to the actual code further information is transmitted with, for. For example, a user-level identifier (for example, for trademark owner employees, an agency, a retailer, or a regular consumer), a unique device identifier, or the geographic location of the terminal. These can also be linked to the queried record, so that in the case of a renewed query of the same record, a modified response may result, for example, a customized statement of authenticity or transport path information.

The reader contains, for example in the form of an app, a SW program for recognizing and evaluating the code and for transmitting the code to the database or the database server. Within the scope of such an application, it is also conceivable that the mobile terminal can also receive electronic discount vouchers as secondary information. These can be managed via the terminal and can be used and debited as part of a cashless payment, also via the terminal (for example, the mobile phone), for a product advertised in the context of secondary information.

In any case, the mobile terminal may include a SW program, with which the payment of the specific product at the checkout is cashless possible. The payment can also be made via a card in direct assignment to the mobile device. It is likewise conceivable that the product-specific code and, on the other hand, the card-specific data are read via the mobile terminal and linked accordingly.

The database server can receive information about the sale of the products, for example, can generate a list of the total products sold. Likewise, it is conceivable that on the part of the buyer in the mobile phone, a list of the products purchased by the respective buyer managed and evaluated, for example, weekly or monthly. Thus, a kind of budget planning or even a kind of household book could lead electronically.

There are no limits to the transmission and linking of data. It would also be possible to establish a connection to social networks, for example via "I like" product information that can be shared with the circle of friends. If the producer succeeds in persuading buyers to make an "I like" assessment, he would have easily implemented a sales promotion measure without having to spend a special advertising budget.

With regard to a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is possible that the code in the form of a photo, an image component, a surface structure relating to the product or the packaging, etc., is decoded or partially decoded transferred to the database. The database could do the full decoding specifically for proprietary code. The decoding algorithm would then at least partially not run on the reader or the application in the reader, would rather secured on the database server installed. A so-called reverse engineering of the algorithm could thereby be prevented in the context of a further protective measure.

There are now various possibilities for designing and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. For this purpose, on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and on the other hand to refer to the following explanation of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are explained.

In the drawing shows the

FIG. 1 shows, in a basic diagram, the function of the method according to the invention, wherein besides the producer of the goods, the buyer and third parties, for example those interested in advertising, can access the database server.

The only Fig. Shows schematically the individual process steps. From a producer or a brand company 1 becomes a product 2 or its outer packaging with a product-specific barcode 3 Mistake. In addition, the product receives 2 or its outer packaging an item-level code individualizing the specific product 4 so the product 2 is clearly identifiable.

The entire code 3 . 4 comes with product-specific primary information to a database server 5 transmitted.

From third parties, for example from competitors or competitors 6 , secondary information can be added to the database if authorized. The secondary information is also sent to the database server 5 transmitted there, where there is a link between the data in accordance with a rule agreed between the parties involved.

Via an internet-enabled computer 7 or via a mobile device 8th For example, a cell phone, the code can be 3 . 4 read and in the sense of a query, if necessary together with user-level, device or location-related information, to the database server 5 to transfer. The database server 5 responds with a response that includes, for example, a statement of authenticity and / or transport path information and primary data, and possibly secondary data.

A communication in relation to the database server 5 is basically possible with all participants in both directions.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, reference is made to avoid repetition to the general part of the specification and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly understood that the above-described embodiment of the method according to the invention only serves to discuss the claimed teaching, but this does not limit the embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Producer, brand owner

2

product

3

barcode

4

Item-level code

5

Database server

6

Market companion, competitor

7

Internet-enabled computer

8th

mobile device, mobile phone

Claims (12)

Procedure for handling direct and indirect information relating to a specific product, comprising the following steps: the goods or their outer packaging is provided with features (coded) in such a way that a machine-readable code (item-level code) can be derived from this goods, the code is read and fed together with product-specific information (primary information) to a preferably central database, the code stored in the database can be assigned any further information (secondary information) and the code can be read on the product or on the outer packaging by means of suitable reading devices and transmitted to the database in the sense of a query if necessary together with user-level, device or location-related information, after which the database with the primary information and possibly the secondary information or a link the primary information and the secondary information and optionally further self-generated additional information answers. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that as an individualizing code, the combination of a manufacturer-product code, in particular a GTIN, UPC or EAN code, or one or more machine-verifiable product group or brand-specific security elements, and an item Level code is used to identify the specific product (Item). Method according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the item-level code is a machine-readable 2D code, a 1D code, a plain text code, an electronically stored code on an RFID chip, one from the surface structure of the product or a code derived from its outer packaging (Digital Fingerprint), a code derived from applied stochastically distributed elements, an adhesive label with applied code according to one or more of the aforementioned coding methods, etc., or a combination of a plurality of the aforementioned coding methods is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the code on the product or outer packaging at least partially printed and then read and individually or in batch together with the product-specific Data, preferably in a secure transmission path, is supplied to the database. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the query via the Internet or via a telephone connection, possibly using radio technology such. B. W-LAN, 3G or GSM takes place. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the query via a mobile terminal, for example via a mobile phone and there is activated as an application there program. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that as a reading medium for the recognition of the code and subsequent generation of the query, a digital camera, preferably a mobile phone camera, an RFID reader, an optical scanner, a keyboard, a special hand-held reader , a cash register associated reader or the like is used. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the code individualizing the goods can be used as protection against forgery or for product tracking, wherein the reply comprises at least authentication information or information about the distribution path. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the secondary information from the operator of the database can be defined and possibly extended. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the secondary information from third party side can be introduced into the database, whereby they become part of the answer. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the database and, if necessary, necessary merchant platform for the management of secondary information about the operator of a known Internet search engine is provided and managed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the secondary information advertising for third-party products, links, current information from the manufacturer (for example, a product recall o. Ä.) Downloadable electronic discount vouchers, information to Complaint processing, information from other customers about this product, statistical information about the behavior of other customers of this product, a raffle or other limited special promotions of the manufacturer, direct customer surveys of the manufacturer, or may include the ability to evaluate the product itself and make it available to other users.

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