GB2454042A - Method of accommodating predispositions to substances with disclosure of identifying items for purchase - Google Patents

Abstract

A method by which a person may avoid the absorption (eg eating) of a harmful/ undesirable substance or may be made aware of the presence of a desirable substance includes comparing a substance profile with a personal profile of a user (a profile of a users dietary requirements). The substance (eg product, food) may be identified with reference to an associated barcode or RFID tag. In one embodiment a photograph of a barcode on a product is taken by a camera mobilephone and then sent to a database wherein a list ingredients associated with it, is identified with reference to the barcode. The list of ingredient is then compared with a personal profile associated with the mobilephone. An alert message is communicated back to the phone. The method may be performed using a point of sales device. Identity of items may be recorded on eg a mobile phone for use at checkout.

Description

Merchandise Apparatus and Method

Field of the Invention

Ibis invention relates to methods and apparatus for accommodating predispositions to substances. In particular, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for preventing the ingestion of undesired substances and increasing the likelihood of ingesting desired substances. More specilcally, it relates to methods and apparatus used in the identification of ingredients to he found in loodstufis and drinks intended fOr either human or animal consumption or both and fOr medications such as tablets. I'he invention also relates to methods and apparatus fOr recording the identity of items to he purchased or itemised in a retail outlet

Background and Prior Art known to the applicant

To the unwary, food packaging is a minefield which can prove tough to negotiate.

Ostensibly simple methods of discerning the composition of a given foodstuff are complicated many times over by a multiplicity of different systems of providing nutritional and compositional identification. I'his is particularly the case with compound fOods such as "ready meals", the packaging of' which often has a long list of ingredients, listing a variety of unfamiliar substances.

People have become increasingly aware that their bodies and, as a result, their temperaments can he affected (Iramatically by the loods they eat A person may now he tested for a range of dill crent intolerances and allergies. One who undergoes such tests typically finds himself or herself allergic or intolerant to several substances, each of hicli may he lound in a variety ol loods. Whilst eating such foods and drinks may not make someone sick or send them into shock in the manner of, for example, a nut allergy, ii may he the case that. by avoiding a variety of mildly allergenic f(x)ds and drinks, the individual iiiay ftel more well and healthy.

Yet, in practice, checking everything OflC purchases during a visit to the supermarket is difficult and time consuming. Complex loods may have long lists ol' ingredients.

Moreover, the ingredients themselves may have a variety of aliases; F -numbers for example also have long form names (e.g. 1 131 is also known as "Patent Blue V", and could simply he viewed as "blue food colounng"), and one name may he substitutable for the other.

Moreover, whilst there may he standardisation in any given jurisdiction, consumers themselves may not he familiar with, or use, the standard nomenclature. It is thus ol' utility to have a service which "speaks the language" of the consumer.

Further, in sonic countnes, labels may he somewhat vague as to exact composition, listing, for exaniple "emulsifying agents", hut not listing a cpecific agent. Such labels arc of no use if a specific agent is to he avoided.

lists ol ingredients can thus he beyond the understanding of a shopper in the domestic supermarket environment. It is clearly therefore considerably iiore difficult to ensure avoidance of ingredients in foreign countries where further complications are caused by variations in national labelling law and practice, and ol course also the fact that the labelling is likely to he in a language which is not understood by the consumer.

Such difficulties in food avoidance are equally present for the person looking lör ft)ods rich in particular ingredients or those looking for a food with sonic "positive" qualities and some "negative" qualities, in order that they might enjoy a good diet.

With the growing obesity epidemic, it is clear that, at least in this country and more likely in the entire Western world, there is a need for devices that help people choose foods, as they are often faced with a profusion of systems of product infonnation to traverse, SOfl1C of which are inlbrmed by a particular agenda and therefore open to accusations of being misleading.

These difficulties extend beyond foodstuffs and the like to other substances such as cosmetics, medicines, cleaning products and other chemicals and compounds thereof, which one or more people may need to purchase and use.

What is needed is a method and system of checking the substances which conlpnse products against the predispositions of the subject and the people for whom he or she is buying quickly and efficiently. Further, this must he done while minimising the risk that a given substance is present under an unfamiliar name.

It is an object of the present invention to attempt a solution to these and other problems.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the invention provides a iiiethod by which one or more persons may avoid the absorption of a harmful substance (as dellned herein), or by which said subject may he made aware of the presence of a desirable substance (as defined herein), comprising the steps of the collection of personal data and data regarding the predispositions of said suhject to he harmed by or to desire a particular substance: the creation of a person profile of said subject based on the data so collected: the profiling of' a substance comprising a listing of its components; the creation of a substance profile of said substance, based on the proliling of the substance; and subsequently: the transmission of a signal containing the identification of a substance; the selection of a corresponding substance profile; the comparing of a person profile with a substance profile, and; the triggering of an alert when a match (as defined herein) is frund between the person profile and the substance proli Ic.

The provision of such a method described above provides an effective way of identifying substances, matching them with the predispositions of one or iiiore CFSOflS and alerting the user accordingly. It will help the user to avoid the selection of substances which are inappropriate to the person or persons profiled, and will thereibre assist the person or persons in avoiding suhstances to which they are intolerant or allergic, or in the case of loodstu!ls, breaks a diet, whether imposed lör reasons of health or socially, as by a religion, or are otherwise negatively predisposed towards. Equally, positive predispositions towards substances -for example Omega 3 oils -may he satisfied through the use of' this method.

As such, the method, when used in the any of the ways below, helps people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, without. having to memorise vast amounts of general dietary and specific product information.

Advantageously the method further comprises the transmission of a signal comprising the identifIcation data of' a person profile.

Ibis is particularly advantageous because it allows one or more persons the means by which they can protect their person prol'ilc from use by others. The quasi -medical nature of the inlormation means that many people are likely to want to keep their information to themselves. 13y requiring identification data from a user in order to access the person profile, means are provided lbr keeping the I'hc transmission of' such identification data is of' Further advantage in that it allows the comparison to happen remotely, !br example at the site of a remote database, and will therelbre demand less in situ processing power at the demand site.

Advantageously the inethod further comprises the selection of a substance profile is instigated by ihe detection of a bar code.

Using bar code technology is advantageous in that it provides a way of using technology familiar both to consuiiiers and institutions to achieve the desired effects. J'his will save costs and should therefore ensure a wider uptake of the system. A wider uptake would accordingly ensure that the consumer enjoyed a wider spread of protection.

Advantageously the method further comprises the selection of a substance profile is instigated by the detection of a Radio Frequency Identification l)evice (RI/Il)).

In a second broad aspect, the invention provides a system for implementing a iiethod according to any previous claim, comprising means for receiving substance identification data, means fOr transmitting said substance identification data to a database, a database comprising inlonuation about substances and inlonnation about the predispositions of one or more persons, means for relating the received substance identification data to corresponding inIoniation about a given substance. means for comparing the substance information with the information about the predispositions of one of more persons, wherein if an element or property of the substance corresponds with a predisposition of OflC or more persons, a match is formed, iueans for triggering an alert, actuated by the formation of a match, and means to display said alert to a user, in use.

The provision of a system for implementing the method described above provides an effective way of identifying substances and matching them with the predispositions of one or more persons by alerting the user accordingly. It will help the user to avoid the selection of substances which are inappropriate to the person or persons profiled, and will therefOre assist the person or persons in avoiding substances to which they are intolerant or allergic, or in the case of fOodstulIs, breaks a diet, whether imposed for reasons of health or socially, as by a religion, or are otherwise negatively predisposed towanis.

Equally, positive predispositions towards substances -fOr example Omega 3 oils -iiay he satisfied through the use of this system.

As such, the system, when used in the any of the ways below helps people to adopt a healthier lilstyle, without having to memorise vast amounts of general dietary and specific product in lbrmation.

In exiremis, it could prove lile-saving ftr Someone with an acute allergy.

Advantageously, the reception of substance identification data is instigated by the detection of a bar code.

Using bar code technology is advantageous in that it provides a way of using technology familiar both to consumers and Institutions to achieve the desired effects. This will save costs and should therefore ensure a wider uptake of the system. A wider uptake would accordingly ensure that the consumer enjoyed a wider spread ol protection.

Advantageously, the reception of substance identification data is instigated by the is detection of an RF/li).

l'his has very marked advantages over other systems of product identification which may he used, such as harcodes, in that OflC does not have to fx)int a reader or scanner at a particular product in order to receive information about it. Instead, one merely has to pass the product with the RI/Il) near to detection means in order for it to he identified.

A further advantage is that a number of products with RF/II)s may he passed in front of RF/JD detection means at the same time, for example in the form of a trolley laden with shopping. The use of RI/Il) saves time, in that products do not have to undergo individual examination in order to he subjected to the identification and alert process.

The other advantage of using RFIII)s is that. because products do not need individual scanning, no product will escape the attentions of the system. Ibis is advantageous over a scanner and barcode configuration in that there is flO need for the subject procuring the product to suspect that it might contain a given substance, before it is actually subjected to comparison. When, fOr example the allergy of a particularly person (to nuts for example) SO acute that exposure to the merest trace of a nut derived product may he lik -threatening, the provision of such a service, supplenientary to the attentions of a procuring subject, may prove vital and at the very least provides peace of mind for the person profiled.

Advantageously the system further comprises thesaurus means.

Clearly it is particularly useful to incorfx)rale a thesaurus into this systeni. Particular substances and the elements thereof are relrred to by various dilThrent words, phrases and codes and ii is important to provide a facility which identilles these correctly and provides "translations". either hguratively or literally speaking, in order that a given predisposition or multiple thereof may he serviced.

This is useful not only to overcome the terminology inherent in a regulatory system as complex as that surrounding lodstufl's, hut also to help the user to understand fi.reign ingredient lahels which may he found not only in Ibreign countries, hut increasingly on the premises of domestic suppliers.

A further lèature, which may he incorporated into the thesaurus or may he located elsewhere, is one which identifies situations where things which are listed as single ingredients are in fact compounds, in order, as ahove, that predispositions may he taken fully into account.

Advantageously, the means provided within the system for receiving substance information data comprises a handheld scanning device.

l'he provision of a handheld scanning device gives the user a freedom to choose which objects to scan. With the portability of the device comes the ability br a user to take a person profile to any substance provider and apply it to their substances.

Alternatively, one or more handheld devices may brm part of a closed system within one or more product outlets. the owners of said outlets could offer it as a supplementary service to their customers. Examples of such outlets would he supermarkets, markets, wholesalers and Internet shopping sites, hut any selling outlet may he equally appropriate.

Advantageously the system is characterised in that the database is held on the handheld scanning device.

l'his provides the advantage of quick access to data regarding person and substance profiles. A system is envisaged wherein data may he held by a particular shop or chain thereof, and may he accessed prior to or during a visit to the shop. Fhis would he advantageous in that. it would cut down the amount of data that a user would carry around.

An alternative advantage would he [hat. a given institution could provide a handheld scanning device to the user.

Advantageously the system is characterised in that the transmission means comprises a l1)Ohi le telephone.

One advantage of using the mobile telephone as transmission means is that the majority of people have one, and thereftre the technology is familiar to them.

A second advantage is thai since illost people have them, a given retailer would not have to provide scanning means in its shop, thus keeping down the costs of implementing such a technology, and avoiding problems which may otherwise arise, such as that of theft of devices.

Advantageously, the system further comprises a point of sale device.

l'his would he particularly advantageous in that it would provide an alternative to carrying a handheld device for the customer. The onus would not, therefore, he on the customer to scan each product Rather, it could he done as part of the checkout barcode or RF/ID scan.

Alternatively, all products could he subjected to a single RFIII) scan by passing through a gate or otherwise being brought into proximity with scanning means. Both of these systems would save the time which would otherwise he expended in a separate, individual scan.

Further, the fact that all of the objects are scanned means that flO products containing substances to which the subject exhibits an allergy or intolerance will he missed and thereIre the System inaximises protection.

In a further independent aspect, the invention comprises the use of a iiiohile telephone incorporating a camera to record the identification harcodes of a nuiither of items within a retail outlet such as a supermarket. Such recording would he of use by a customer intending to purchase said items, or a stock controller wishing to assess stock levels in the store.

In the case of the customer, images of the harcodes identifying items to he purchased may then he transmitted, preferably wirelessly, e.g. by use of the wireless technology available under the registered trademark l3lue'Footh, to a point of sale device in which device the unique product identification codes may he extracted from the images. l'he product identifIcation codes may then he used to calculate the customer's bill using data look-up technology e.g. of the type currently used in shop checkouts.

In preferred emtxdiments, the mobile telephone itself further comprises software to extract the unique product identification codes froni the images of the harcodes. The codes may then he stored in (he telephone for later transmission to a point of sale device.

In this way, the images may he discarded after extraction of the code, thus freeing memory in the telephone, and significantly reducing the amount of data that must he transmitte(l 10 the point of sale device.

In yet further embodiments, payment for the goods could also he effected via the customer's mobile phone. For example, the point of sale device can transmit the total cost inkrmation to the mobile phone (e.g. by the wireless link described above) together with a payment reference: the customer can authorise payment via a code entry into the telephone, and forward the authorised hilling information to their hank for payment to the shop.

In the case of the stock control function, the barcode images (or the decoded harcodes extracted therefrom) can he transiii1ied to the shop's computer systems for purpose of stock-control and/or sales monitoring.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will he described with rekrence to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a flow chart illustrating a preferred emhodinient of the method.

Figure 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the system.

Figure 3 shows an example of a handheld device, which may fonii an element of the system.

Figure 4 shows an example of a mobile telephone, which may form an element of the system.

I)escription of Prefernd Embodiments lhe method provided in figure I is intended to provide a way by which one or more persons can avoid the absorption of a harmful substance or substances, or by which said subject may he made aware of' the presence of' a desirable substance. 1'he method will tend to he embodied in a system of' the type found in figure 2 and it is one embodiment of' this system which is set out below. In this embodiment, the harmful substances are foods to which the person, who in this case is a man, is intolerant or allergic. The desirable substances are foods which he likes, for example because they are high in fIbre. In this embodiment, the man is also the user ol' the method.

First, personal data must he collected about the man. En this embodiment, he is required to give his name and telephone number, although the use of a variety of personal data is foreseen. The data is inputted into an online questionnaire via a keyboard.

l)ata regarding his predispositions to he intolerant or allergic to particular Ibods and drinks must also he inputted. They may he submitted contemporaneously with or separately from the personal data. In this embodiment, the personal data is submitted first, and is then processed to Ibrin a "person profile" which is subsequently populated with harmful and desirable substance inibrmnation. Clearly this data need not he static; rather it could be altered to take into account changes in the subject to whom the profile refrs.

Thus, if SOfflCOflC becomes more or less allergic to a substance, or wishes to change diet for another reason, the profile may he changed.

l'his embodiment further comprises a large number of "substance proliles', upon which structure is imposed by a database. I'here are a number of advantageous structures available to the man skilled in the art, and any of these will do, insofar as they fulfil the tasks required of a database, as discussed elsewhere in the specification. In this embodiment, the substance profiles contain a breakdown of the ingredients of all foods available lhr sale in the UK. Properties of particular interest to the consumer, such as the nutritional and calorific values of the Ibods are also included in this embodiment.

I'he database is so structured that one can set products according to the presence or absence of a particular ingredient, or according to selected nutritional values, or both. In this embodiment, the database is stored in a remote place -that is to say, it is not present in any device utilised by the user.

In use, this embodiment of the method will entail the user going into a retail outlet and selecting a Ibod of which he wishes to know the composition. lIe uses his mobile phone, 40, at figure 4, to take a picture of the barcode of the product.

lie then sends this picture using an MMS message to the site of the remote database, where it is received. This message will have been sent from a particular telephone, which will have its OWfl unique number. The database will use this number to select a particular person profile. ftc picture will then he pn)cessed by image recognition soitware, which will he so calibrated as to recognise the barcode lr whal it is and will further he able to understand the identihication inlormation that the barcode carries. The soitware communicates this inlirination to the database. l'he dai.ahase uses this inIrniation to choose a data set corresponding to the löod to which the bar code was attached.

l'he database then compares the person profile and the substance profile. If the substance prohile contains data that matches the harmful and desirable substance inlorniation then the presence of such a match will trigger the transmission of a signal to the user's mobile telephone. Ibis may take the thrni of a text message. l'he text message will indicate which of the harmful and/or desirable traits are present in the fiod. In this embodiment, even ii the food contains neither harmful nor desirable traits, an "all -clear" text message will he sent.

In alternative embodiments, the means of creating this pn)lile may he any known to the skilled man, and may include one or more of the frllowing: a telephone call to a person or to an automated system or to a combination thereof, via letter, or face to face con\'ersation.

In other embodiments, person profiles may he made for groups of people, such as families. In addition it may he possible to offer readymade profiles to individuals or groups -for example a profile that allows fcr the avoidance of non -kosher or non -halal foods for a person who follows a religion. Readymade profiles, alongside the usual individual profiles, may he offered to groups such as \egetarlans, vegans, those who wish to buy only organic foods or those who wish to avoid genetically modified foods, to cite a

few examples.

In other embodiments, the barcode could he substituted for an RF/JD, a number, an image of the product itself, the name of the product or any other means of conveying product information known to the skilled man.

Other enihodinients will use different means to scan the barcode. In embodiments where the content ol a signal is governed by information created by a barcode, the means for generating said signal could he a bar code reader, a bar code reader attachment to a mobile phone, direct illiaging means, such as a camera, and conversion of the resulting image into a bar code within the telephone using software in the telephone, the software being known to the skilled man, the inputting by the user ol' the number corresponding to the bar code into the phone via the microphone or via keying means, wherein the bar code is comniunicated either directly to a database on the phone, or via a telephone line or using SMS or other text message technology, or any other means known to the man skilled in the art.

l'hese means may he equally useful for scanning an RE/Il). In addition, the RF/Il) may he scanned by dedicated equipment. In some embodiments this equipment will lrm a stile through which a user may pass substances. In some other embodiments, the user will he able to walk or wheel his trolley through the stile, in such a way as to enable all of his substances to he scanned at once.

The means of the communication of identification data may he a beam, signal, or any other form 01' communication known to the skilled man.

In other embodiments, the database may have one or more of the lollowing uses, amongst other things. It may, for example, he used to distribute information about new products which correspond with the particular dispositions of given consumers. Equally, it can he used by companies to deliver product recall advice, thereby Facilitating a more efficient recall. More generally, it can be used as a tool to search br products with specific characteristics, or nutritional henel'its, or dietary benefits, such as newly introduced products, those that contain a desirable level of content of a specified ingredient, or any other searchable parameter. Such a Function could he used, lr example, as a dietary planning facility, and could enable the operator to save time and ellort looking for the right loods. It could further he integrated into an on-line shopping website.

In Some embodiments, the substance profile data will he subject to filtration through a thesaurus, which in this enihodiiiient is a computer programme. This will ensure that all alternatives to particular terms are recognised, as well as listing the c-number and any similar numerically encoded emhodiments.

The thesaurus may also act as a translator, in order to ensure the recognition ol substances in foreitn countries.

In OflC embodiment, such a systeill could even he used to check that the ingredients of a given compound substance are listed accurately and in the correct Irm.

Alternative embodiments the database may he stored on the device rather than remotely.

Still Further embodiments may advantageously Fuature Iragmentatmon of the database, with part or all of either the person prolile data, the substance prollie data. or both is stored remotely, while another part is present on the handheld device.

In sonic eiuhodinients, the database will he present on an intranet, Ethernet or other such network using technology known to the skilled man. In some embodiments the network, and the database accessible through the use of it, will relate only to the substances offered by a particular retail estahlmshnienL In other embodiments, the database will comprise the menu of a restaurant or multiple thereof.

The data may he conditioned so that the database only features products from a particular shop.

The person profile will comprise at least some of the following data, the name of one or more proliled persons, the address of one or more profiled persons, the mobile telephone number of a mobile telephone being used in the process, demographic data such as age, sex, marital status and weight), the allergy status, real or perceived, of the person profiled that is to say the Ihods to which one or more profiled persons are allergic, the intolerance status, real or perceived, ol the person proliled that is to say the loods to which one or more proh led persons are intolerant, the foodstuffs that person wishes to avoid, the foodstuffs one or more proilled persons specilically seeking, for example because the product is fibre or starch rich, or because the profiled person likes the food, the contact details of the profiled person, which iay include his or her eniail address and any other data which is necessary for the system to function properly. Optionally, sonic or all ol' this data may he checked for authenticity. l'he exact composition will vary between enihodimenis.

In other eiithodiinents, the alert need not he an SMS message. The alert may take the thrin of text in any language, abbreviated or codc(l text, coloured shapes such as "traffic light" symbols, graphic shapes, symbols, nunihers, numbers and text and graphics and colours in any combination, animated images, animated text, sound sequences, video sequences, single sounds, lights, one or more vibrations or any combination of these features or others available to the man skilled in the art.

l'he means by which the alert is displayed may also vary considerably, and include all those known to the skilled man, hut particularly: computer screens, television screens, sound creation means and vibrating devices of the sort found in pagers.

It is envisaged that this method and system will fonii part of a service, which may offer conventional searching facilities to the user too. The service will offer regular updates to the database, whether it is remote, or incorporated into a handhcld device.

It is envisaged that this method and system may he provided by retailers as a supplementary service to the use of a "club" or "loyalty" card, or similar. If one were to submit the card to the checkout before scanning goods, there would he an occasion to access a person profile, and substance profiles could he accessed by the scanning of goods across the checkout, providing a point of sale alert.

Such a system need not he dependent on a club card lr activation. Tt may he activated by any means known to the man skilled in the art.

In still further embodiments, the database might include (or he linked to) data tracing the origin of ingredients hack to their source. This inlorniation is olten collected and collated to improve the traceability of ingredienLs -particularly in f.xxls -through to consumer products. In this way, ii inlorniation needs to he transmitted to consumers as a result of a change in status of an ingredient, the data may he used to route the inlrniation (such as a warning) direct to the consumer. For example, if a hatch of eggs is lund to he infected with Salnione/ki, and these eggs are then used to iiake mayonnaise, this information may he communicated to a consumer via the database, so that the consumer is alerted of the fact, when scanning, e.g. a prepared salad containing the mayonnaise.

For the purposes of this invention, the word "food" also means drinks, and further covers any product which is commonly ingested.

l'he word "substance" means, hut is not limited to, foods, cosmetics, medicines and chemicals or compounds thereof.

i\ "harmful substance" is a!oc)d, cosmetic, medicine, chemical, compound thereof or other such substance to which, in whole or in part, a profiled subject has an allergy, intolerance or other aversion, which may he a personal preference or a religious belief.

A "desirable substance" is a lood, cosmetic, iiiedicine chemical, compound thereof or other such substance to which, in whole or in part, a profiled subject has a predilection or personal preference, he it for medical reasons, or kr personal reasons, or lhr social reasons, such as religious beliefs.

l'he word "match" describes the result of an occasion when a person profile and substance profile are compared, and an element of a substance is lund to correspond with a predisposition ol one or more people.

Claims (1)

1. A method by which one or more persons may avoid the absorption of a harmful substance (as defined herein), or by which said subject may he iiade aware of the presence ol a desirable substance (as dellned herein), comprising the steps of: the collection of' personal data and data regarding the predispositions of said subject to he harmed by or to desire a parlicular substance; the creation ol a person profile of said subject based on the data so collected; the profiling of a substance comprising a listing of its components; the creation of a substance profile of said substance, based on the profiling of the substance; and subsequently: the transmission of a signal containing the identification of a substance; the selection of a corresponding substance prolIle; the comparing of a person profile with a substance profile, and; the triggering of an alert when a match (as defined herein) is Iöund between the person profile and the substance profile.

   2 A method according to claim I, further comprising the transmission of a signal comprising the identification data of a person profile.

   3 A method according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the generation of a signal is instigated by the detection of a barcode 4 A method according any of the previous claims, wherein the generation of a signal is instigated by the detection of a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RF/ID).

   A method according to any of the previous claims, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate selection or combination of

   the description or drawings.

   6 A system kr implementing a method according to any previous claim, comprising: means for receiving substance identification data; means br transmitting said substance identilication data to a database; a database comprising inborniation about substances and inlbrmation about the predispositions of one or more persons; means for relating the received substance identification data to corresponding infOrmation about a given substance; means for comparing the substance information with the inf'ormation about the predispositions of one of more persons, wherein if an element or properly of the substance corresponds with a predisposition of OflC or niore persons, a match is bornied; means for triggering an alert, actuated by the bormation of' a match, and, means to display said alert to a user, in use.

   7 A system according to claim 6, wherein the reception of' substance identilication data is instigated by the detection o! a bar code.

   8 A system according to either of claims 6 or 7, wherein the reception of substance identification data is instigated by the detection ob' an RF/ID.

   9 A system according to any of' claims 6 -8 further comprising thesaurus means.

   A system according to any of claims 6 -9 wherein the means for receiving substance inlormation data comprises a handheld scanning device.

   I I A system according to any of claims 6 -10 wherein the database is held on the handheld scanning device.

   12 A system according to any of claims 6 -11 wherein the transmission means comprises a mobile telephone.

   13 A system according to any ol claims 6 -12 wherein the system further comprises a point of sale device.

   14 A system substantially as described herein with relèrence to and as illustrated by any appropriate selection or combination of the description or drawings.