WO2006131877A2

WO2006131877A2 - Method and device for readily obtaining diverse source product information via portable wireless device

Info

Publication number: WO2006131877A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/051787
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Regienczuk; Anders Smith; Edward I. Stamm Jr.; Wa Chu
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
Priority date: 2005-06-08
Filing date: 2006-06-05
Publication date: 2006-12-14
Also published as: WO2006131877A8

Abstract

A method for obtaining product information via a portable wireless device is provided. The method has the steps of a consumer (15) initiating a request for information regarding a product (10) by contacting a product information communications center (25) using the portable wireless device (30), the product information communications center (25) forwarding the request for information regarding the product (10) to the manufacturer (35) of the product (10), the product information communications center (25) receiving the information regarding the product (10) from the manufacturer (35), the product information communications center (25) packaging the information regarding the product (10) received from the manufacturer (35) with information available from the product information communications center (25) regarding the product (10), and the product information communications center (25) forwarding the information regarding the product (10) received from the manufacturer (35) with information available from the product information communications center (25) to the consumer (15). The portable wireless device (30) further has means for limiting access to personal information stored thereon.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR READILY OBTAINING DIVERSE SOURCE PRODUCT INFORMATION VIA PORTABLE WIRELESS DEVICE

The present invention relates generally to a method for obtaining diverse source product information. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for a consumer to request via a portable wireless device and obtain product information from retail and manufacturer information centers.

The introduction of cellular phones and other mobile, handheld wireless devices such as portable handheld devices (PDA's) has extended the variety and scope of remote communication. Many portable wireless devices that can be used to store data and information or access information remotely are commercially available to the consumer.

Such devices have also broadened the scope of transactions from those broadly defined as electronic commerce (E-commerce) transactions using PCs and the Internet, to mobile commerce (M-commerce) transactions. Portable wireless devices have been employed not only to enable the purchase of products, but also to obtain product information prior to completion of a sale.

Despite the development of wireless technology as a communication and purchasing device, product information available to the consumer while in a store or other retail or service outlet has remained somewhat limited. Presently, a consumer can use a portable wireless device to access the internet for product information. An item for sale is typically identified by a brief description and a digital image or a retailer's Internet web page. However, if a consumer requires more detailed information he must contact several diverse sources, including by way of example, the manufacturer, retailer, seller, retail outlet, store, service provider or other commercial venue directly to obtain other or more detailed product information. A careful consumer collects and analyzes product information prior to purchasing.

Benefits to providing a consumer with ready in-store access to product information include resolving the issue of retail display as well as reducing the need for voluminous printed matter such as catalogs. Additionally, ready access to product information provides both the retailer and the manufacturer the opportunity to promote products in the final critical stages of a retail purchasing decision by a consumer.

Systems for promoting and conducting computerized E-commerce transactions operated via a wireless network are known. U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0093334 is directed to a method for promoting E-commerce transactions using a mobile, cellular telecommunications device operated over a wireless network. U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0093334 fails to suggest a means for a consumer to use an existing portable wireless device to obtain product information by readily communicating directly with a product information communications center (RIS).

U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0230497 is directed to a method for accessing and displaying data through a portable wireless device by creating a wireless link that is configured at a location for a product or service of interest. U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0230497 fails to suggest a means for initiating a query for information through a product information communications center.

Accordingly, a need exists for a method for a consumer to readily obtain diverse source product information using an existing portable wireless device, wherein the portable wireless device is used to locate or identify product IDs and to query a product information communications center about that particular product. A need also exists for a means for enabling a consumer to readily obtain diverse source product information directly from a retailer and/or a manufacturer.

A need further exists for a means by which a consumer can employ a portable wireless device to obtain diverse product information.

The method of the present invention addresses and resolves the aforesaid art desired needs.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for readily obtaining diverse source product specific information via portable wireless device as aforesaid wherein the consumer can readily send a request for information to a product information communications center and readily return that information.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via portable wireless device, as aforesaid, wherein the consumer can send a request for information to a product information communications center and wherein the retailer information system contacts a manufacturer for the solicited information, which solicited information is, in turn, forwarded to the consumer in essentially real-time. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via portable wireless device, as aforesaid, having means for enabling a user to control the extent to which communication with the portable wireless device is enabled or blocked by a structurally integrated means. These and other objects and advantages are achieved by a method for obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless communications device. The present method, in one aspect, has the steps of (a) providing a product ID to the portable wireless communications device, (b) transmitting the product ID and the user ID to a product information communications center, (c) collecting product related information for a plurality of sources at the product information communications center, and transmitting the collected diverse source information to the user's portable wireless communications device or another user communications device.

These and other objects and advantages are further achieved by the method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device, the method having the steps of employing a portable wireless device, contacting a product information communications center with a request for information, prompting the retailer to contact a manufacturer for the requested information, enabling contact between the consumer and the manufacturer through the product information communications center and limiting access by the product information communications center to the portable wireless device.

The foregoing and still other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed explanation of the preferred embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of exemplary uses for the method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the device and method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device according to the present invention.

Definitions. The term "portable wireless device", as used herein in connection with the description of the invention and the claims means any handheld wireless device such as portable handheld devices (PDA's), cellular phones and other mobile communication device that is capable of remote communication. "Information" includes any information relating to a product including product specifications, performance reports, endorsements, history, warranty information, rebate information, instructions for use and the like. The term, "retailer" includes any product or service provider such as a store, outlet, mall and the like. The term "portable wireless device" is not to be construed narrowly and means any portable device communication capability through, for example, telephony, wireless communication, WiFi, Bluetooth and Near Field Communication (NFC).

Portable wireless mobile devices, such as Blackberry™ or Trio™ email terminals, 2-way/Internet enabled text paging devices, Internet/Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) enabled mobile phones, wireless PocketPC/Palm Pilot Internet enabled Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) using a wireless data network modem, or wireless LAN PocketPC/Palm Pilot device, that are equipped with tags are, without limitation, within this definition. Portable wireless devices, within the contemplation of the invention, preferably have a means for making available a user/customer ID.

The terms "diverse source information" or "source information" or "product information" mean information relating to a product including, without limitation, price, retailer information, product specifications, endorsements, advertising, promotions and loyalty rewards. Product information is obtained from diverse sources including, by way of example, the retailer, manufacturer, advertising agency, loyalty rewards manager, promotions agency, Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping and the like.

Referring to the Figs, and, in particular, to Fig. 1, the present invention is directed to a method for a user or consumer or prospective consumer 15 to readily obtain diverse source product information via a handheld computing device such as, by way of non- limiting example, a portable wireless device 30. According to the method of the present invention, information can be obtained at any retail or service outlet having an accessible product information communications center 25. Portable wireless device 30 is preferably a mobile phone or some other personal communication device, for example a pager-type device or a Blackberry email terminal. Portable wireless device 30 will be recognized by a user ID. A user ID will generally be a phone number or IMSI number but may be an email address or an IP address, either as a numerical address or a host name.

Portable wireless device 30 preferably provides consumer 15 with means to connect with product information communications center 25 in order to solicit information about a product 10, means to receive diverse information from product information communications center 25 and means to limit access by retailer 5 to personal information that may be stored on portable wireless device 30.

Specifically, according to the method of the present invention, consumer 15 employs portable wireless device 30 to request information regarding product 10 from a product information communications center 25. Product information communications center 25 is a central product information database maintained by retailer 15. Retailer 15, in turn, communicates directly with a manufacturer 35 of product 10 information.

Alternately, manufacturer 35 provides a snapshot of information regarding product 10 to be delivered to consumer 15 together with information from product information communications center 25.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, a number is assigned to product 10 by a retailer 5. The assigned number can be manually entered into portable wireless device 30 together with a store code identifier. The assigned number is preferably an abbreviated telephone number designed for use in a cellular network. Alternatively, consumer 15 may key in a formal PSTN number, when using a standard telephone line, such as from standard telephone. The assigned product number together with the store code identifier enables portable wireless device 30 to connect with product information communications center 25 and to send a request for information thereto. Alternatively, the assigned product number together with the store code identifier enables portable wireless device 30 to automatically send a request to retailer 5 to solicit information for product 10 from manufacturer 35. The information gathered from manufacturer 35 is then communicated to portable wireless device 30 together with the information provided by retailer 5.

Referring to the Figures and, in particular, to Fig. 2, there is illustrated a schematic diagram illustrating the device and method for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device according to the present invention. In this embodiment a product 10 is tagged with identification (ID) technology that serves as an information transmitter and is readable by a portable wireless device 30. Retailer 5 (not shown) provides a universal code by which consumer 15 may send a request to product information communications center 25 to solicit information for product 10 from manufacturer 35. The information gathered from manufacturer 35 of product 10 is then communicated to portable wireless device 30 together with the information provided by product information communications center 25.

Specifically, portable wireless device 30 serves as information receiving means for the requested information, and product information communications center 25 serves a means for providing product specific information to portable wireless device 30.

The ID tag is preferably a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag 20 having an antenna coil 50, memory means 60, a power generating part 70 and a controller 80. RFID tag 20 may be installed inside product 10, attached to the packaging for product 10 or attached to the shelving on which product 10 is displayed. As the tags are programmable, retailer 5 could modify the contents of the tag to provide up to date information about product 10.

Portable wireless device 30 preferably has an RFID reader/writer 90 an RF circuit part 100, a display 110, an operating part 120, a RFID reader/writer 130, an antenna coil 140, a controller 150, a memory 95 and communications software (not shown). Controller 150 controls the operation of the above components of the portable wireless device 30. RF circuit part 100 performs the function of bi-directional radio communication between portable wireless device 30 and a means for communication. Display 110 performs the function of displaying data such as characters and images. Operating part 120 comprises buttons and a stick-like pointing device or the like, and receives input by the user. RFID reader/writer 130 as an information-acquiring unit has a function of receiving response signals from RFID 10 via antenna coil 140 and a function of storing information into RFID 20.

It is preferable that RFID reader/writer 90 is built into portable wireless device 30. Alternatively, RFID reader/writer 90 can be made attachable to portable wireless device 30, for example, as a card that is attachable post-purchase of device 30. RFID tag 20 is used to scan product 10 identification into portable wireless device 30. Use of an assigned retailer code enables consumer 15 to connect with product information communications center 25 and readily send a request for information regarding scanned product 10. The retailer code can be a caller identifier such as, by way of non- limiting example, an abbreviated dialing code such as *8.

It should be understood that portable wireless device 30 may, optionally, provide means for limiting access to personal information stored thereon. For example, portable wireless device 30 may provide to product communications information center 25 parameters or data sets which identify portable wireless device 30, as may be defined by consumer 15. For example, portable wireless device 30 may provide a coded key that creates a profile when information is requested, which allows product communication information center 25 access to such information as is relevant for delivery of the requested information.

Referring now to Fig. 3, communication between product 10, portable wireless device 30 and product information communications center 25 for readily obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless device is shown. The process is initiated when consumer 15 obtains a product identification 300 from product 10. Consumer 15 then sends a request for information 310 relating to product 10 to product information communication center 25. The request may be initiated by inputting an assigned number into portable wireless device keypad, as discussed herein. Alternately, consumer 15 may communicate by text message, in which case the mobile phone number of the user can be captured from the text message. If a consumer 15 record does not already exist in the product information communications center 25, a new consumer 15 record is created in the database of product information communications center 25. This process further involves generating a unique id for consumer 15.

In the cases where consumer 15 is currently registered with product information communications center 25, a bar code, corresponding to the new user's unique id, is sent to portable wireless device in an SMS message. The bar code can be stored in a message folder in the portable wireless device 30 or can be displayed on the mobile phone's screen. Product information communications center 25 may run a message-based operating system, such as one of the varieties of Microsoft (RTM) Windows and a POS application program. Among other functions, the POS program receives RFID data, assigned number, bar code data or other product identifying information from portable wireless device 30.

Product information communications center 25 then sends a request for information 320 to e.g. manufacturer 35 or some other designated source for the requested product information including, by way of example, the retailer, manufacturer, advertising agency, loyalty rewards manager, promotions agency, Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping and the like. Portable wireless device 30 preferably has memory means 95 and communication software (not shown) for enabling communication between product information communications center 25 and manufacturer 35. Communication between product information communications center 25 and manufacturer 35 can be achieved by a router/firewall and a wide area network such as the Internet, to enable product information communications center 25 to send SMS (short message service) messages to portable wireless device 30 via a mobile phone network. Alternatively, product information communications center 25 may communicate with a single system (not shown) which provides an interface to a plurality of portable wireless devices 25.

Manufacturer 35 forwards the requested data 350 to product information communications center 25. Product information communications center 25 then compiles available promotional information regarding product 10 together with information received from manufacturer 35. This operation may be carried out by a separate software entity with a software interface to the product information communications center 25 or which shares a data source with product information communications center 25. The compiled information is then forwarded 370 to portable wireless device 30.

Information may be forwarded to consumer 15 in a manner identified by consumer 15 profile, if available. By way of non- limiting example, the compiled requested information may be sent to portable wireless device 30 as an e-mail containing an embedded hot-link to a newly created marketing URL/page. Consumer 15 may then click on the hot-link to navigate to a marketing URL/page to view the compiled information. Alternately, the information may be a wireless net-alert containing an embedded hot-link to the marketing URL/page sent to product information communications center 25. The message may also be a text message using SMS messaging or instant messaging, for example. The message may also be an outbound IVR call sent to portable wireless device 30 containing an audio version of a marketing message. Consumer 15 may then listen to the audio message and respond through speech recognition and/or touch-tone phone digit input. Alternately, the information forwarded to consumer 15 may be downloaded to other devices for display or printing.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, product ID technology such as RFID tag 20 is used on all advertising of product 10 such that consumer 15 can scan the advertising and automatically or enter the product ID into portable wireless device 30 even when consumer 15 is not on-site at retailer 15. Portable wireless device 30 connects consumer 15 to product information communications center 25, which in turn redirects the request to manufacturer 35 or other designated product information source. Manufacturer 35 provides further information and/or content to product information communications center 25. Product information communications center 25 then packages and forwards the requested information to portable wireless device 30.

In a further preferred embodiment, consumer 15 may, after analyzing the requested product information, be presented with an opportunity to purchase product 10 in real time over a live connection, such as the Internet. Purchasing may be accomplished by a single - button on portable wireless device 30 or by an abbreviated dialing scheme.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, retailer 5 may assign a bar code or an assigned number to product 10. The bar code or number is used on all advertising of product 10. Consumer 15 may scan or enter the product identifier into portable wireless device 30. Portable wireless device 30 then connects to product information communications center 25, which redirects the request to manufacturer (35) for additional information/content. The opportunity to purchase product 10 may then be offered to consumer 15.

In all embodiments, portable wireless device 30 includes means for limiting access to personal information stored thereon, while allowing the retailer to send the solicited information.

The present invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments. It should be understood that the foregoing description and examples are only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications thereof can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for obtaining diverse source product information via a portable wireless communications device (30) of a user comprising:

(a) providing product (10) identification to the portable wireless communications device (30) said device (30) having the user identification;

(b) transmitting the product (10) identification and the user ID from device (30) to a product information communications center (25);

(c) collecting diverse product (10) related information from at least one a plurality of sources at the product information communications center (25); and

(d) transmitting the collected diverse information to the user's portable wireless communications device (30) or another user designated communications device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises reading product RFID tag transmitted information.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sources comprise a retailer and a manufacturer of the product (10).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises means for reading and means for displaying information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user ID comprises user contact information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said product (10) information is a product ID.

7. A method for obtaining product information via a portable wireless device comprising the steps of: a consumer (15) initiating a request for information regarding a product (10) by contacting a product information communications center (25) using the portable wireless device (30); the product information communications center (25) forwarding the request for information regarding the product (10) to a manufacturer (35) of the product (10); the product information communications center (25) receiving the information regarding the product (10) from the manufacturer (35); the product information communications center (25) packaging the information regarding the product (10) received from the manufacturer (35) with information available from the product information communications center (25) regarding the product (10); and the product information communications center (25) forwarding the information regarding the product (10) received from the manufacturer (35) with information available from the product information communications center (25) to the consumer (15), wherein the portable wireless device (30) has means for limiting access to personal information stored thereon.

8. A wireless communication device being configured or adapted to carry out the steps of:

(a) receiving product (10) identification at a portable wireless communications device (30) said device (30) having the user identification;