WO2002011015A2

WO2002011015A2 - Method and apparatus for tracking product information

Info

Publication number: WO2002011015A2
Application number: PCT/US2001/021429
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rinaldo Digiorgio
Original assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-07-28
Filing date: 2001-07-06
Publication date: 2002-02-07
Also published as: AU2001278871A1

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING PRODUCT INFORMATION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF TEE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of computer software. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for tracking information associated with obtaining goods and/or services (e.g., products).

2. BACKGROUND ART

Consumers and corporate purchasing departments are faced with a tremendous accounting and tracking problem. This is in large part due to the inability of companies to provided information associated with the purchase of a good and /or service that contains more information than just the purchase price, amount and location. Sales receipts and credit card statements, for example, do not provide consumers with access to information associated with product and/ or service the consumer purchased. For example, such receipts or credit card statements do not have an effective mechanism for tracking and cataloging warranty information and /or other information useful to the owner of the product and/or service that was purchased.

Current credit card web sites that list purchases on the Web, and smart cards that work to track purchases, do not provide purchasers of products (such as electronics goods) or services (such as auto mechanic service or access to the Internet) adequate information to own, operate, maintain, and enforce rights associated with those products or services. Such rights include for example, those related to warrantees, defects, and insurance.

As a buyer of goods and /or services it is very desirable to be able to obtain, store and easily access integrated purchase information. For example, buyers regularly have a need for access to the following information:

1. What product/ service was purchased?

2. When the product /service purchased?

3. Where the product/service purchased?

Similarly, the following purchase information, which is not provided by current purchase receipts and/or credit card statements, is also desirable:

1. The terms of a warranty.

2. The location of information about how to operate/use a product. 3. Recall information.

As a result, there is a need for a system whereby the consumer (e.g., a user) can easily store and access information about a purchased product/service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides a method and apparatus for tracking product information. For example, the invention comprises a convenient process for the purchaser of a product and/or service to quickly obtain and track information about a product. The invention may, however, be utilized by parties other than the purchaser of the product and/or service.

In one embodiment of the invention, the provider of a product /service or any other party associated with the distribution of the product/service, adheres at least one indicia to the product, a receipt, or a statement associated with the product and/or service. The indicia may comprise information associated with the product and /or service that is to be purchased. For example, the indicia may comprises warranty information or a pointer (e.g. a URL) that identifies the location where the consumer/user can obtain additional information about the product and/or service that was purchased. In one embodiment of the invention, the indicia comprises a 2-dimensional indicia that can be printed directly on the product or paper associated with the product and/or service. The user /consumer may store the indicia in digital form and then utilize the indicia to later lookup information associated with the product and/or service. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the user may place a digital representation of the indicia in a data repository. The digital representation of the indicia may later be utilized to lookup information associated with the product and/ or service to which the indicia pertains or to generate a duplicate of a document associated with the product and/or service.

The digital representation of the indicia may be stored in a data repository such as a database and/or any other form of data storage. The data repository typically comprises information associated with the buyer's purchases and provides the buyer with a central location from which to retrieve information about the products and/or service the buyer has purchased. Thus, the database provides the buyer with a mechanism for obtaining information about owning, operating, mamtaining, and enforcing rights associated with the buyer's purchased product and/or service.

In an embodiment of the invention, for example, a consumer may input purchase information into a purchase-tracking database by obtaining a receipt that comprises the indicia associated with the product and /or service the buyer purchased. The receipt or document associated with the product and/or service may comprise various types of indicia. For example, the receipt may contain indicia that comprises barcode data, PDF data (e.g., PDF 417), and/or any other 2-dimensional indicia. In an embodiment of the invention, the indicium comprises information associated with the product and/or service that is easily lost or difficult for consumers to obtain. The indicia and/or the data associated with the indicia may be inserted into the data repository by the user by an mechanism configured to obtain data. For example, the indicia may be scanned into the data repository or transmitted to the data repository via a communication network. Once the indicia is in the data repository it provides consumers with a mechanism for cataloging, accessing, and retrieving information about the products the consumer has purchased. In one embodiment of the invention, the data about the product is transmitted directly to the purchasing party at the time of via a communication network. For example, rather than storing data associated with a product and/ or service in an indicia, an embodiment of the invention opts to transmit such data in digital form directly to the user at the time of purchase. A merchant may, for example, send such data to a PDA or cell phone via a wireless communication mechanism. In other instances, the data associated with the product and/or service may be provided directly to a smart card and /or any other type of device capable of storing data.

For example, in an embodiment of the invention, a consumer may keep a personal database of product and service purchase information on a computer at home. Also, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user is able to use codes provided on the product or service indicia to access various web sites from which various forms of product or service information can be obtained.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a user is able to transfer various forms of product or service information to a repository web site or other network location where the purchase information database is located. Thus, for example, the invention allows for the information to be stored to and accessed from one location (e.g. an Internet server) that is accessible from various locations (e.g. Internet clients) via accessing an Internet web site.

Moreover, in an embodiment of the invention, the system supplies the consumer with a personal database of goods and service purchase receipts, warrantees, instructions, maintenance manuals, insurance policies, maintenance schedules, and any other useful information associated with the purchased item from which a copy of such documents or reports containing data regarding such documents can be generated. For example, the consumer may generate a new instance of a warranty by obtaining the necessary information from the database. Similarly, an embodiment of the invention, provide the user with a way to organize owner/purchaser information. The owner may, for example, use the information to track budgets, inventory, replacement rates, replenishment rates, and upgrade purposes. In some instances, this information is further tied into automatic systems or programs for performing such tasks (e.g. automatic replenishment of goods stock).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a flow diagram that illustrates use of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates the process used to input or enter product/ service information into the system, in accordance ith one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates the process used by the system to associate product/service purchase information input into the system by barcode with additional information and purchase database fields, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of an example of a general-purpose computer system for implementing an automated purchase information system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of a method and apparatus for tracking product information, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example of an automated purchase information system comprising a general-purpose computer linked to the Internet, in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for tracking product information. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. Hereinafter, the term "system" is used to refer to a device and/or a method for performing a function.

One or more embodiments of the invention provides the user of products, services, and /or any other tangible or intangible item (all of which are hereinafter collectively referred to as a product and /or an item) a system to obtain purchase data and /or other information associated with the product. The user may be an owner, purchaser, or anyone else who is authorized to obtain information about the product. The information associated with the product may be entered into a data repository that the user can access from a local or remote location. The data that resides in the repository provides the user with information necessary to generate copies of documents associated with the product. For example, the user may utilize the information in the repository to generate copies of warranties, receipts, proof of purchase, and /or any other document associated with the product. One embodiment of the invention contemplates utilizing the repository to generate authenticated copies of such documents. Moreover, the repository may contain information that points to one or more locations where the user may obtain information associated with the product. For example, the repository may contain a URL that points to a location on the web that comprises product manuals and /or other useful information associated with the product.

In one embodiment of the invention, the provider of a product or any other party associated with the distribution of the product, adheres at least one indicia to the product, a receipt, or a statement associated with the product. The indicia may comprise information associated with the product service that is to be purchased. For example, the indicia may comprises warranty information or a pointer (e.g. a URL) that identifies the location where the consumer/user can obtain additional information about the product that was purchased. In one embodiment of the invention, the indicia comprises a 2-dimensional indicia that can be printed directly on the product or on paper associated with the product. The user /consumer may store the indicia in digital form and then utilize the indicia or the information obtained from the indicia to later lookup information associated with the product. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the user may place a digital representation of the indicia in a data repository. The digital representation of the indicia may later be utilized to lookup information associated with the product to which the indicia pertains or to generate a duplicate of a document associated with the product.

The digital representation of the indicia may be stored in a data repository such as a database and/or any other form of data storage. The data repository typically comprises information associated with the buyer's purchases and provides the buyer with a central location from which to retrieve information about the products and/or service the buyer has purchased. Thus, the database provides the buyer with a mechanism for obtaining information about owning, operating, maintaining, and enforcing rights associated with the use of the product. In an embodiment of the invention, for example, a consumer may input purchase information into a database by obtaining a receipt or other such document that comprises the indicia associated with the product. The receipt or document associated with the product may comprise one or more types of indicia. For example, the receipt may contain indicia that comprises barcode data, PDF data (e.g., PDF 417), and/or any other indicia that can represent data. In an embodiment of the invention, the indicium comprises information associated with the product that is easily lost or difficult for users of the product to obtain. An embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of a single indicia. However, multiple indicia or a combination of indicia may be utilized to express the information associated with the product.

The user may insert the indicia and /or the data associated with the product into the data repository by a mechanism configured to obtain data. For example, the indicia may be scanned into the data repository or transmitted to the data repository via a communication mechanism (e.g., a network). Once the indicia or the data associated with the indicia resides in the data repository it provides consumers with a mechanism for cataloging, accessing, and retrieving information about the products the consumer has purchased. In one embodiment of the invention, the data about the product may be transmitted directly to the purchasing party at the time of purchase via a communication network. For example, rather than storing data associated with a product and/or service in an indicia, an embodiment of the invention opts to transmit such data in digital form directly to the user or to the user's data repository at the time of purchase. A merchant may, for example, send such data to a PDA or cell phone via a wireless communication mechanism. In other instances, the data associated with the product and /or service may be provided directly to a smart card and/ or any other type of device capable of storing data. Figure 1 is a flow diagram that illustrates use of the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The flow describes a use of the system in general and begins at step 102 when a user obtains a particular product. The user may for example, purchase a particular product or be otherwise provided with the product. In one embodiment of the invention, the product obtained by the user comprises indicia that is adhered to the product or placed on item associated with the product (e.g., a receipt, tag, invoice or any other document related to the product). The indicia may comprise information associated with the product that was obtained. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the indicia may be provided to the user in digital and/or paper form. The invention also contemplates the use of multiple types of indicia. The indicia may comprise, for example, a bar code, PDF 417, microfiche, text data, and/or any other indicia that can convey information associated with a particular product.

In addition, an embodiment of the invention contemplates transmitting information about the product directly to consumers via a communication network. For example, the seller may send email to each consumer that purchases a particular type of good. The email may contain information about a particular product or a particular series of transactions. The seller may also fax such information or provide it directly to the consumer in digital form. For example, the seller may supply information by wireless transmission to the user's palmtop, laptop, cell-phone, or other appropriate data device. For instance, according to an embodiment of the invention, implementation of the invention may also store data about a product in a secure portable environment such as a smart card.

Another embodiment of the invention allows for the transmission of data associated with a product to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with wireless technology or Infrared Data Association (IRDA) technology. For example, palmtop computers, cell based Internet access, and cell phones may utilize onboard memory to obtain "digital receipts" that comprise information about a particular product and /or service purchased by the user.

At step 104, information associated with the product is provided to the system (e.g., via a digitizing mechanism). For example, the indicia may be scanned into the system via a flatbed scanner, bar code reader, file upload, keyboard input, menu selection by keyboard or mouse, as well as any other mechanism capable of obtaining data about a product from the indicia and inserting such data into a data repository. In other instances the data associated with the product may be transmitted directly to a device configured to plug-into the system via a communication mechanism such as a wireless or wire based network. For example, the product information may be provided to a PDA, cell phone, smart card, or any other type of portable device capable of connecting to a communication network. -

The system then executes step 106 where it incorporates the information associated with the product into a product information repository. Once such data resides in the repository, the user may use the system to generate reports and/or documents using the information associated with the product (e.g., at step 108). In one embodiment of the invention, such information is obtained from the indicia associated with the product. However, the information may also be obtained directly from the seller, distributor, and/ or manufacturer of the product. The repository may comprise any information associated with the product. For example, the invention contemplates a repository comprising a description of the goods /services, purchase receipt, date of purchase, cost of purchase, purchase method (e.g. credit, cash, check, payments, lay away, etc.), and purchase reason. The repository may also contain other types of information such as, warrantee information, ownership and user manuals, maintenance manuals, upgrade manuals, installation instructions, etc.).

At step 107, an embodiment of the invention determines if a triggering event has occurred. A triggering event comprises any event that requires a report. For example, if the user wishes to determine the warranty terms of a particular product, the user may initiate a triggering event that causes a product warranty report to be generated. The product warranty may comprise an authenticated or non-authenticated version of an actual warranty or it may comprise a summary of the warranty terms. In one embodiment of the invention, the system generates an authenticated warranty which is generated by evaluating the indicia to determine if the indicia (or a stored version of the indicia is authentic). In other instances, the request for such a report is verified with the manufacture, supplier, and /or distributor of the item by sending a verification request to the appropriate party. The user may also elect to generate other types of reports. For example, the user may request a report that defines or summarizes information about the product or associated with the product. If a trigger event (e.g., a request for a report) does not occur, the system enters a wait mode in which it waits for the user or some other system to initiate a triggering event.

An embodiment of the invention allows the user to use the information stored in the repository to generate documents and/or reports comprising any type of information associated the product (e.g., step 110). For example, the user may generate a report containing a general description of the products the user obtained (e.g., purchased) within a particular time frame. Further, the user could request a printout of documents associated with a particular product or series of products. For example, copies of the purchase receipt, specifications, ownership and user manuals, maintenance manuals, upgrade manuals, installation instructions, etc. can be printed by the system upon request. Thus, the user may use the information repository to generate and/or regenerate copies of documents associated with the product indicia. In one embodiment of the invention, the indicia may comprise a pointer (e.g., a URL) that identifies the location of documents associated with the product. Information obtained from the document associated with the pointer may be utilized to generate documents for the user. In other instances, such documents are generated from information obtained from the indicia and stored in the repository.

The invention also contemplates using the data obtained from the repository to generate authenticated documents for the user. For example, if the user needs an authenticated copy of a product receipt, the user may use the information residing in the repository to generate such a receipt. The information stored in the repository may be verified by checking it against the information stored by the merchant at a separate location. For example, the pointer associated with the product may identify a computer that can be utilized to verify product information. Thus, the user may present a valid report such a receipt to any kind of entity associated with the user obtaining a particular product.

The system may also provide documents/reports to the user in accordance with a periodic schedule (e.g. weekly, annually, at the end of the month, every certain interval, when a triggering event occurs such as the current date is a maintenance schedule action due date, or the day bills are due). Hence, the user could obtain documents that contain a description of the goods /services, associated warrantees, insurance information, and a list of associated documents (e.g. specifications, ownership and use manuals, maintenance manuals, upgrade manuals, installation instructions, etc.) and present such reports to any entity associated with the product/item the user obtained. Documents may be provided on a display screen, in digital electronic format (e.g. a computer file), as a printout, by automatic telephone messaging, as an automatic update to an electronic calendar or planner, or by any other method that can transmit the requested information to the user.

Note that the data and documents specified above are examples only and that various other appropriate goods/service purchase information may be input into, contained in, and accessed (e.g. by a report or a copy of the information) from the database. The invention contemplates the generation of documents that comprise any type of information associated with a particular product or service.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates the process used to input or enter product information into the system, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In one or more instances the product information is stored in an indicia. To begin, the user obtains a product having an associated indicia and selects a data input method 202. Examples of data input methods comprise a scanner, bar code reader, file upload, infrared upload, keyboard input, menu selection by keyboard or mouse, as well as any other mechanism capable of obtaining data about a product from a product indicia and inserting such data into a data repository. For instance, a store may offer a purchaser a receipt containing a label having product indicia that can be scanned by a barcode, computer, or fax scanner.

Once the user obtains information about the product the system obtains the data and thereby inputs the purchase information into system 204. The system may, for example, obtain the data from an indicia placed on a scanner. After the data is provided, the system stores the purchase information data in a data repository (e.g., a database) for later user. The data repository may hold, for example, a purchase description, date, price, and method (e.g. credit, cash, check, payments, lay away, etc.). However, the data repository may also contain purchase description, date, price, warrantee data, and /or any other type of information likely to be of use to the user of the acquired product.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the system may query the user for vacant field information. For example, if the data repository has empty fields, the system may ask the user to optionally provide the data associated with those fields. In response the system obtains information for the vacant fields (e.g., from the user or another computer) at step 212). The information supplied for the vacant data fields is then incorporated into the data repository at step 216. Although a specific example is illustrated in Figure 2, a variety of appropriate database input systems, fields, inputs, data types and input queries may be used in the invention.

In another example, an embodiment of the invention supports "out of band entry" using 2 dimensional indicia, such as PDF codes printed on products or labels, affixed to products and service paperwork at an appropriate time, such as the time of purchase. Thus, various data input systems and data types may be employed (e.g. as describe above referring to steps 202 - 206). For instance, a consumer may enter purchase information into the tracking database by scanning barcode, Portable Data File (PDF), or other indicia supplying labels on products or service receipts with a barcode, computer, or other appropriate scanner. The 2 dimensional indicia may comprise any type of information associated with the purchase of the product and/or service. For example, the 2 dimensional indicia may contain warranty information, price information, and/or any other type of information related to the purchased product and/or service. Note that the invention contemplates the use of any combination of the types of data and input systems described above and /or various other appropriate data types and input systems.

Barcode Input Embodiment:

For barcode labels, it may be necessary to associate a library containing purchase information with the barcode, because barcode data does not usually contain enough information to give a purchaser sufficient information for goods ownership or services purchases. Thus, it is possible for the system to associate the inputted product barcode with a library of product information in order to create an entry in the database for the product or service.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates the process used by an embodiment of the invention to associate product/ service purchase information input into the system by barcode with additional information contained in a data repository. If the purchased product and/or service comprises barcode information, the user may input the barcode purchase information into the system at step 302. Input systems such as barcode scanners (e.g. those used at commercial registers such as at supermarkets), computer scanners, as well as various others (e.g. those described for step 202-206 above) may be employed.

Once the bar code information is placed into the system, the system compares the bar code information with goods/services library at step 304. The library may be based on a variety of technologies. For instance, the goods /services library may exist on the local system (e.g., on a hard drive, floppy disk, CD, or other local storage device or memory) or be based on another platform linked to the system (e.g., via an Internet server, website, or other network). In addition, various entities may maintain the library. For example, after scanning in a bar code, a library of purchase related information housed at a web site may be accessed by the system through the Internet. Similarly, the system may access information for purchase entries already in the database to obtain related information for a barcode. Also, the library may be part of a manufacture, seller, distributor, store, or other appropriate entity web site or distributed CD. Moreover, the library could be accessed by modem dial up, cable, or other direct link. Any combination of the library systems mentioned above and various other appropriate libraries may be used to provide further purchase information for goods and services purchases.

After, comparing the barcode purchase information with accessible libraries, the system executes step 306 where it determines whether there is a match for the purchase data. If no match is made the system may request the appropriate data from the user at step 301 (e.g., via manual entry). If a match is made, the system executes step 308 where it associates the additional purchase data from the library match with the purchase data from the barcode. Then, the system associates data fields from the input barcode data and library match purchase data with the database fields (e.g., step 310). Note that although the above description pertains to barcode labels, the invention contemplates the user of any type of indicia that is associated with a particular product.

PDF Input Embodiment:

Additionally, in an embodiment of the invention, contemplates the use of

PDF417 or any other type of indicia to present information associated with the purchase of a good and /or service. PDF417 may be used in combination with barcodes, or in combination with other appropriate product/ service identification techniques. PDF417 is a 2 dimensional symbology that can be reduced to a paper service. However, the invention contemplates the use of other such symbologies. For example, holographic images that represent data in multiple dimensions and/or other types of symbologies that can represent the data associated with a product and/or service. A single PDF417 symbol carries up to 1.1 kilobytes of machine-readable data in a space no larger than a standard bar code. PDF417 symbols can themselves contain the product/ service information without the need for data library association. PDF417 symbols may be reduced to a form that can be printed on paper, packages or parts.

Moreover, because PDF417 is a machine-readable method of transporting data, it eliminates time-consuming and error-prone manual data entry. It functions as a paper-based memory that can be written once and read over and over again. And, as a universal format for representing data, PDF417 may be utilized to store data that can then be communicated to multiple host operating systems. While current technology for reading receipts is still error prone using Character Recognition Software, PDF417 encodes full ASCII, numeric or binary data and it uses sophisticated error correction algorithms to keep intact a large portion of the data - even when as much as half the symbol is damaged. PDF417 is self-verifying, so data errors can be detected and data integrity maintained.

PDF417 can be printed in various shapes, hence, custom layouts can be created for the requirements of specific applications. The PDF417 symbols may be affixed directly or by label to paper, packages, goods, parts thereof, service contracts, receipts, or various other locations as appropriate. For example, a contract for auto-mechanic services may contain a PDF417 label in one corner having data identifying accomplished repairs, suggested repairs, warrantee information, and next service due date.

Symbols may also be printed at various densities depending on printing technology, scanner type, and application requirement. 2-D PDF products include hand-held and fixed-mount scanners, portable computers and card readers. A PDF417 symbol contains a complete data record and requires no access to an external database. Data, text, graphics, biometrics and voice records are immediately applied to the application transaction by simply scanning the symbol. Also, encryption is available as an option when additional security is required. Thus, the PDF417 format provides a portable transport system that is computer readable and secure.

Also, according to an embodiment of the invention, the invention provides for purchase information to be supplied to the purchaser using Extensible Markup Language (XML) definitions that product manufacturers, merchants, or purchasers can fill out. These XML tags contain the additional data not typically supplied with purchases of goods /services, such as warranty information, operator's manuals, reason for purchase etc. XML, describes a class of data objects called XML documents and partially describes the behavior of computer programs which process them. XML is an application profile or restricted form of SGML, the Standard Generalized Markup Language [ISO 8879]. By construction, XML documents are conforming SGML documents.

Types of Product Information

An embodiment of the invention contemplates inserting the data obtained from the indicia into a data repository. The data repository will therefore comprise information related to the purchase of a product (e.g., goods and/or services). Such information comprises data associated with purchase terms, title /ownership paperwork, operation and maintenance requirements, and enforcement of legal rights. Thus for example, the system may contain information comprising and /or related to a description of the goods /services, date of purchase, cost of purchase, purchase method (e.g. credit, cash, check, payments, lay away, etc.), purchase reason data fields, purchase receipt, warrantees, insurance, defects, specifications, assistance and help, ownership and use manuals, maintenance manuals, upgrade manuals, installation instructions, budgeting, inventory, automatic procurement, automatic replenishment, and other documents associated with goods /services and /or purchases of goods /services, as well as purchaser rights associated therewith.

Additionally, according to an embodiment of the invention, the sales receipt is digitally signed by the store for purchase verification. Thus, the receipt is a legal document signed by the seller (e.g. a sales contract) from which a copy can be digitally stored and reproduced (e.g. as a computer file or printout) thereby verifying a purchase.

Moreover, according to an embodiment of the invention, the purchase data indicia (e.g. receipt) contains encoded information (e.g. PDF417 data and URL codes) and a legible description of basic purchase data (e.g. purchase description, date, place, and price). In this manner, the consumer can easily identify what purchase the indicia is associated with and read basic purchase information without the system.

A description of the goods /services may comprise, for instance, words describing the purchase as well as a model number, serial number, purchase order number. Also, the purchase method may indicate whether the purchase was/is to be made by credit, cash, check, payments, lay away, etc., and give further associated information (e.g. account number, payment schedule and amount, etc.). Warrantee information may be related to actual product purchase warrantees (e.g. those received at time of purchase and/or upon return of a purchase registration card), extended term warrantees (e.g. 1 year, 2 year, etc.), and implied warrantees (e.g. warrantee of fitness for a particular purpose, etc.). Insurance information may be related to the purchase of goods (e.g. good themselves insured, shipment of goods insured, use of goods insured against liability (security system), insurance for injuries resulting from use of goods (vehicle/airplane), etc.) and services (e.g. insurance services, etc.). Defect information may be related to goods under warrantee, design defects, manufacture defects, etc. Specifications may include those related to goods, services, installation, use, maintenance (e.g. vehicle owner's manual), etc. Assistance and help information may be related to assistance by phone, e-mail, on-line Internet, local representative, local shop, etc.

As a result, embodiments of the invention provide a system where a receipt for purchases of goods /services includes a label having the purchase information discussed herein. For instance, if the original receipt is lost, a digital copy of a sales receipt provides the purchaser with a better copy than a requested fax copy from the seller. Hence, once a receipt is scanned in (e.g. by a text, image, or PDF scanner), the system can regenerate the receipt for the user to review or have a copy of to prove existence of a purchase. Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, the purchase receipt may be digitally signed by store to assure proper purchase verification. Thus, the receipt is a legal document signed by the seller (e.g. a sales contract) and gives other desired purchase information.

Similarly, embodiments of the system allow a user to organize purchase information related to budgeting, inventory, procurement and /or replenishment. Hence, the system may have a network interface that makes automatic replenishment of needed stock available.

Further, as mentioned above, embodiments include a reminder system for forewarning users of approaching due dates, such as dates when replacement, upgrade, repairs, service, and maintenance related to purchases of goods and services are due. Illustrations of such dates are due dates for repainting a house, changing automobile oil, putting in a new water filter, etc. In such a manner, information typically lost by consumers can be stored, accessed, and retrieved by electronic media in an organized time saving system, without fear of loss.

For instance, information may be easily stored and retrieved directly or indirectly by the user. Thus, if a user loses the warrantee to a water heater and it becomes defective, the system can directly access and printout a copy of the warrantee. Alternatively, the system may contain information associated with gaining access to a copy of the warrantee (e.g. from an Internet web-site, thus providing indirect access to a copy of the warrantee for print out).

Moreover, an embodiment of the invention may provide for security conscious users that the data printed on the PDF417 be encrypted with a users password (for instance, using PBE Password Based Encryption). Also, additional PDF bar codes can be put on the receipt that contains digital signatures confirming the purchase.

General-Purpose Computer Environments

Figure 4 is a block diagram of an example of a general purpose computer system for implementing an automated purchase information system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, an embodiment of the invention can be implemented as computer software in the form of computer readable program code executed on a general purpose computer such as the computer 400 illustrated in Figure 4. See Figure 6 for an example of an embodiment comprising a general-purpose computer based purchase information system connected to the Internet.

A keyboard 410 and mouse 411 are coupled to a bi-directional system bus

418. The keyboard and mouse are for introducing user input to the computer system and communicating that user input to central processing unit (CPU) 413. Other suitable input devices may be used in addition to, or in place of, the mouse 411 and keyboard 410. I/O (input/ output) unit 419 coupled to bi-directional system bus 418 represents such I/O elements as a printer, A/ V (audio/video) I/O, etc.

Computer 400 includes a video memory 414, main memory 415 and mass storage 412, all coupled to a bi-directional system bus 418 along with keyboard 410, mouse 411 and processor or CPU 413. The mass storage 412 may include both fixed and removable media, such as magnetic, optical or magnetic optical storage systems or any other available mass storage technology. Bus 418 may contain, for example, thirty-two address lines for addressing video memory 414 or main memory 415. The system bus 418 also includes, for example, a 32-bit data bus for transferring data between and among the components, such as CPU 413, main memory 415, video memory 414 and mass storage 412. Alternatively, multiplex data/address lines may be used instead of separate data and address lines.

In one embodiment of the invention, the CPU 413 is a microprocessor manufactured by Motorola, such as the 680X0 processor or a microprocessor manufactured by Intel, such as the 80X86, or Pentium processor, or a SPARC microprocessor from Sun Microsystems. However, any other suitable microprocessor or microcomputer may be utilized. The main memory 415 is comprised of dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Video memory 414 is a dual-ported video random access memory. One port of the video memory 414 is coupled to video amplifier 416. The video amplifier 416 is used to drive the cathode ray tube (CRT) raster monitor 417. The video amplifier 416 is well known in the art and may be implemented by any suitable apparatus. This circuitry converts pixel data stored in video memory 414 to a raster signal suitable for use by monitor 417. The monitor 417 is a type of monitor suitable for displaying graphic images.

The computer 400 may also include a communication interface 420 coupled to the bus 418. The communication interface 420 provides a two-way data communication coupling via a network link 421 to a local network 422. For example, if the communication interface 420 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem, the communication interface 420 provides a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line, which comprises part of a network link 421. If the commumcation interface 420 is a local area network (LAN) card, communication interface 420 provides a data communication connection via a network link 421 to a compatible LAN. Wireless links are also possible. In any such implementation, communication interface 420 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals which carry digital data streams representing various types of information. The network link 421 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, network link 421 may provide a connection through local network 422 to a host computer 423 or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 424. ISP 424 in turn provides data communication services through the world wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the "Internet" 425. Local network 422 and Internet 425 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals which carry digital data streams to files. The signals through the various networks and the signals on network link 421 and through communication interface 420, which carry the digital data to and from computer 400, are exemplary forms of carrier waves for transporting the digital information.

The computer 400 can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), network link 421, and communication interface 420. In the Internet example, server 426 might transmit a requested code for an application program through Internet 425, ISP 424, local network 422 and communication interface 420. In accord with the invention, one such application is an automated purchase information system.

Such a tracking system may be executed by CPU 413 as it is received, and/or stored in mass storage 412, or other non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, computer 400 may obtain application code in the form of an automated purchase information system.

An embodiment of the invention of a purchase information system comprises, for example, indicia supplying purchase information for input; an input system attached to a general-purpose computer (e.g. steps 202-206); a general-purpose computer having an additional purchase information library (e.g. step 304), an association engine for associating the input data with the library data (e.g. step 308), a purchase information database (e.g. step 106-108), and a system for making database reports or copies of purchase documents (e.g. steps 110-114).

Thus, a consumer may keep a personal database of product and service warrantees, instructions, maintenance manuals, insurance policies, and maintenance schedules on a computer at home. With a PC based system, upon returning home, a purchaser of auto-mechanic services mentioned above may simply scan in the PDF417 label attached in the corner of the service contract, thereby uploading that data to the purchaser's computer based purchase information system.

The computer systems described above are for purposes of example only. An embodiment of the invention may be implemented in any type of computer system or programming or processing environment.

Internet/Client /Server Based and Connected Embodiments

Computers and computer networks are used to store, archive, access, manipulate, and exchange information in many fields such as media, commerce, and telecommunications. During these events, the exchange of data between computers typically occurs between a "server application" that provides information or services, and a "client application" or device that receives the provided information and services. Multiple server applications are sometimes available on a "system server" such as a single computer server that provides services for multiple clients. Alternatively, distributed server systems allow a single client to obtain services from applications residing on multiple servers. For example, referring to figure 5, in current distributed server systems, client applications 503 are able to communicate with server applications 502 executing on the same computer system or on another computer system accessible via a network, for instance via the Internet 500.

The Internet is a worldwide network of interconnected computers. An Internet client computer accesses a computer on the network via an Internet provider. An Internet provider is an organization that provides a client

(computer) with access to the Internet (via analog telephone line or Integrated Services Digital Network line, for example). A client can, for example, read information from, download a file from, or send an electronic mail message to another computer /client using the Internet.

To retrieve a file or service on the Internet, a client must typically search for the file or service, make a connection to the computer on which the file or service is stored, and download the file or access the service. Each of these steps may involve a separate application and access to multiple, dissimilar computer systems (e.g. computer systems having operating different systems). The World Wide Web (WWW) was developed to provide a simpler, more uniform means for accessing information on the Internet.

The components of the WWW include browser software, network links, servers, and WWW protocols. The browser software, or browser, is a tool for displaying a user-friendly interface (i.e., front-end) that simplifies user access to content (information and services) on the WWW. Browsers use standard WWW protocols to access content on remote computers running WWW server processes. A browser allows a user to communicate a request to a WWW server without having to use the more obscure addressing scheme of the underlying Internet. A browser typically provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for displaying information and receiving input. Examples of browsers currently available include Netscape Navigator and Communicator, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

WWW browsers and servers communicate over network links using standardized messages formats called protocols. The most common modern protocol is the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocol suite. The protocols are based on the OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) seven-layered network communication model. WWW messages are primarily encoded using Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP). HTTP instantiates the (top) Application layer of the OSI model. Application layer protocols facilitate remote access and resource sharing and are supported by the reliable communications ensured by the lower layers of the communications model. Therefore HTTP simplifies remote access and resource sharing between clients and servers while providing reliable messaging on the WWW.

Information servers maintain the information on the WWW and are capable of processing client requests. HTTP has communication methods that allow clients to request data from a server and send information to the server.

To submit a request, the client browser contacts the HTTP server and transmits the request to the HTTP server. The request contains the communication method requested for the transaction (e.g., GET an object from the server or POST data to an object on the server). The HTTP server responds to the client by sending a status of the request and the requested information. The connection is then terminated between the client and the HTTP server.

A client request, therefore, consists of establishing a connection between the client and the HTTP server, performing the request, and terminating the connection. The HTTP server typically does not retain any information about the request after the connection has been terminated. That is, a client can make several requests of an HTTP server, but each individual request is treated independent of any other request.

WWW employs an addressing scheme is that uniquely identifies Internet resources (e.g., HTTP server, file, or program) to clients and servers. This addressing scheme is called the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). A URL represents the Internet address of a resource on the WWW. The URL contains information about the protocol, Internet domain name and addressing port of the site on which the server is running. It also identifies the location of the resource in the file structure of the server.

HTTP provides a mechanism of associating a URL address with active text. A browser generally displays active text as underlined and color-coded. When activated (by a mouse click, for example) the active text causes the browser to send a client request for a resource to the server indicated in the text's associated URL address. This mechanism is called a hyperlink. Hyperlinks provides the ability to create links within a document to move directly to other information. A hyperlink can request information stored on the current server or information from a remote server.

If the client requests a file, the HTTP server locates the file and sends it to the client. An HTTP server also has the ability to delegate work to gateway programs. The Common Gateway Interface (CGI) specification defines a mechanism by which HTTP servers communicate with gateway programs. A gateway program is referenced using a URL. The HTTP server activates the program specified in the URL and uses CGI mechanisms to pass program data sent by the client to the gateway program. Data is passed from the server to the gateway program via command-line arguments, standard input, or environment variables. The gateway program processes the data and returns its response to the server using CGI (via standard output, for example). The server forwards the data to the client using the HTTP.

When a browser displays information to a user it is typically as pages or documents (referred to as "web pages"). The document encoding language used to define the format for display of a Web page is called Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). A sever sends a Web page to a client in HTML format. The browser program interprets the HTML and displays the Web page in a format based on the control tag information in the HTML.

Internet Server /Website Based Embodiments

One or more embodiments of the invention implement a system for providing an automated purchase information through the interactive communication of computer terminals connected by a computer network. For instance, a user is able to transfer to and access from a network server (e.g. an Internet repository web site) various forms of product or service information. Thus, the invention allows for the information to be stored to and access from one location (e.g. a network server) that is accessible from various locations (e.g. network clients) via accessing a web site. Such a system defines a process where by all of a user's purchases can be stored in a personal web-site single location that contain say the entire inventory of your house or apartment as well as all of the user manuals for the increasingly complex products we buy each year. To use such a system, the user simply scans in PDF417 barcode purchase labels at home and then connects to the Service Website or local Website on his personal machine that is running various HTTPD handlers that read the PDF47 barcode and transfer the data to the Website creating all the proper entries for each item. Also, accessing the system may incorporate any web browser, such as Mosaic, Netscape Navigator, or Internet Explorer. Although in the above embodiment the system may be accessed through an Internet web site and the computer network is the Internet, various other appropriate bases for the system (e.g. servers) and computer networks may be used with the invention.

For instance, figure 5 shows a general network environment that can be used with the present invention, according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, an automated purchase information system is implemented in an Internet or client/ server environment. In a network environment, an embodiment of the invention can be implemented as computer software in the form of computer readable program code executed on a server computer such as 502 illustrated in Figure 5. Additionally, in an embodiment of the invention, the system can be implemented as a component of a network system such as a computer server 502 connected to the Internet 500 and accessible to client computers 503. Here, the system resides on the server, 502, and is accessed by the purchaser from a remote client 503. The system provides a database of information for goods/service purchases of each user in secure, separately accessible database. The purchaser updates the database by uploading data input locally (e.g. steps 202-206) or accessed by the system from data sent by sellers (e.g. emailed, electronic fax, or simply transmitted to the system by the seller after purchase). As a result, the totally Internet based system (i.e. the system server 502) is accessible by the user from any remote location (i.e. client 503) over the Internet. In further embodiments, the invention can be implemented as or on various other networks or network systems as appropriate.

Internet Server /Website Connected Embodiments

Figure 6 is a block diagram of an example of an automated purchase information system comprising a general-purpose computer linked to the Internet, in which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. The purchaser client 603 is attached to the Internet 500. The purchaser client comprises an input device 604, an association library 606, a purchase information database 608, and an action due date warning engine 614. In turn, the Internet 500 may be connected to a merchant or seller server 616, a manufacturer server 618, a system server 620, a product information library server 622, and/or a credit provider server 624.

Purchase information from product/service purchase documents 600 is input to the purchaser client at the input device 604. Associations between the input data and other purchase information are made by the association library 606. Input and associated information is then entered into appropriate database fields 608. In addition, the client purchaser can use the Internet to access further information via web-sites, modem access, etc... For instance, the purchaser client database can update its association library by downloading new data from an internet based library server 622.

Further, according to an embodiment of the invention, URLs provided on goods /services purchase documents 600 make available resources offering additional purchase information. For example, a label could supply URLs directing the system or purchasers to web-sites containing information associated with product specifications, assistance, warrantees, upgrades, and purchase agreements. Thus, if you buy and IBM PC, the paperwork received contains a coded label that when scanned into your system provides direct Internet access to IBM's web-site locations from which the various types of purchase data described above may be accessed, downloaded, or printed out.

Also, in an embodiment of the invention, a sales receipt directs the purchaser one or more URLs provided by the seller 616, manufacturer 618, credit provider 624, system server 620, system purchase information library 622, or various other appropriate entities that can give information, services, or documents related to a purchase, to the purchaser, as desired. For instance, the receipt for an electric saw purchased at Home Depot™ with and American Express™ card may provide a URL to the web-site of the manufacturer of the saw giving manufacturer's warrantee, specifications, assistance, and operation documents; a URL to the store web-site (Home Depot™) providing pricing, replacement parts, upgrade, and seller's warrantee information; a URL to the credit company used to make the purchase web-site (American Express™) offering a copy if the credit company warrantee and related agreements; and a URL to a purchase information system based web-site having further purchase information associated with the purchase information indicia provided on the purchase receipt for the saw.

Moreover, in an embodiment of the invention, a single URL may be provided for each purchase that corresponds to a web-site (kept by a purchase information based system, store, or other entity) having all the purchase information necessary for that single purchase. Also, data may not contain the actual price of the purchase but may give a URL through which the purchase price may be accessed. Embodiments also comprise store cash registers equipped with PDF417 writers so that users may quickly and easily capture purchase transaction information for a number of purchases on a single label.

Furthermore, in an embodiment of the invention, purchase information based on numeric references, standardized codes, or other reference indicia could be given to purchasers on labels. For instance, any or all of the information described above could be provided on the receipt itself (e.g. using a PDF label) or on a local system (e.g. personal computer) by using codes recognized by the local system (e.g. PC based codes associated with library entries similarly to those described in step 304).

Embodiments also of the invention could also use the Storekeeping unit (SKU) number, Universal Product Number, UPC, and Uniform Resource Locators (URLS) coded onto goods/service labels. An SKU is an identification, usually alphanumeric, of a particular product that allows it to be tracked for inventory purposes. Typically, an SKU is associated with any purchasable item in a store or catalog. The SKU number may or may not be the same as the UPC number for a purchase. SKU numbers can sometimes be seen in online e- commerce <ecommerc.htm> sites. An SKU is not the same as a product model number from a manufacturer and the SKU is established by the merchant. Thus, for example, when a user purchases an item with a credit card it would be relatively easy for the user to look up the products SKU number and put together the require URLS for the user so that the user would have this information safely stored. So, the system could use a SKU and/or URLs to access the information it stores, and /or store the SKU and /or URLs themselves in database fields for future reference and use to lookup goods/service information.

Embodiments also include a system where sellers and stores provide a one page or standardized sized label having typical, standard, or regulated information fields for purchases of goods /services. Using such a system, government, military specification, industry, market driven, or other information requirements can be met efficiently and effectively. Manufacturers and/or sellers simply have to be sure that products are sold with the appropriate label or information resource page. Similarly, consumers may also request such standard purchase information and may be wary of sellers that do not include such information on purchase labels, receipts, or sheets. The parts for assembling at least one embodiment of a purchase information system are readily available. These components are a PDF printer, software for creating the PDF file, a personal PDF handler for the Uniform Protocol Interface (UPI) and some software for automatic storage of the items with their associated information. One of the benefits of these components is that they allow for an abundant choice of equipment, including that needed by the end user.

The systems described above are for purposes of example only. An embodiment of the invention may be implemented in other various applicable environments. Furthermore, any and all of the above mentioned methods, products, and/or embodiments may be used separately or integrated with any and/or all of the others.

Thus, a method, apparatus, and system for providing an automated purchase information system has been described. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to a particular preferred embodiment, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow. Hence, particular embodiments described herein are illustrative only and should not limit the present invention thereby. The invention is defined by the claims and their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method for tracking information comprising:

obtaining at least one indicia, said at least one indicia comprising information about at least one item; associating said at least one indicia with said at least one item; and providing said information into a repository.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said inputting further comprises associating said input information with additional information associated with said at least one item.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a report from said information.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said report comprises warranty information associated with said at least one item.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said report is valid upon presentation to an entity associated with the sale of said at least one item.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said information further comprises data associated with the purchase of said at least one item.

7. A computer program product comprising:

a computer readable medium, said computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, said computer readable program code configured to:

obtain at least one indicia, said at least one indicia comprising information about at least one item; associate said at least one indicia with said at least one item; and provide said information to a repository.

8. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein said inputting further comprises associating said input information with additional information associated with said at least one item.

9. The computer program product of claim 7 further comprising computer readable program code configured to generate a report from said information.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein said report comprises warranty information associated with said at least one item.

11. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein said report is valid upon presentation to an entity associated with the sale of said at least one item.

12. The computer program product of claim 7 wherein said information further comprises data associated with the purchase of said at least one item.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; a memory coupled to said processor; computer readable program code executing in said processor, said computer readable program code configured to:

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said inputting further comprises associating said input information with additional information associated with said at least one item.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising computer readable program code configured to generate a report from said information.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said report comprises warranty information associated with said at least one item.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said report is valid upon presentation to an entity associated with the sale of said at least one item.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said information further comprises data associated with the purchase of said at least one item.

19. A method for tracking information comprising:

a means for obtaining at least one indicia, said at least one indicia comprising information about at least one item; a means for associating said at least one indicia with said at least one item; and a means for providing said information into a repository.