WO2016131057A1

WO2016131057A1 - Computer implemented method and system and computer program product for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product

Info

Publication number: WO2016131057A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/018108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matthew COLBERT
Original assignee: Spend Consciously, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-02-13
Filing date: 2016-02-16
Publication date: 2016-08-18

Abstract

A computer implemented system and method, and a computer program product, for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product. For example, a method may include receiving bar code information for a product and identifying the product using the bar code information. The method may further include identifying an organization associated with supplying the identified product and identifying individuals associated with the organization. The method also may include accessing political contribution information for the identified individuals and organization. The political contribution information identifies a contribution of money by the identified individuals and organization to political organizations, and determines how much money was contributed by the identified individuals and organization the political organizations. The method may further include displaying information indicating the amount of money contributed by the identified individuals and organization to each of the political organizations.

Description

COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND SYSTEM AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR GENERATING AND DISPLAYING POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A PRODUCT

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/116,252, filed February 13, 2105, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD

[0002] Aspects of the disclosure relate to a computer implemented method and system and computer program product for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product.

SUMMARY

[0003] A computer implemented system and method, and a computer program product, for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product. For example, a method may include receiving bar code information for a product and identifying the product using the bar code information. The method may further include identifying an organization associated with supplying the identified product and identifying individuals associated with the organization. The method also may include accessing political contribution information for the identified individuals and organization. The political contribution information identifies a contribution of money by the identified individuals and organization to political organizations, and determines how much money was contributed by the identified individuals and organization the political organizations. The method may further include displaying information indicating the amount of money contributed by the identified individuals and organization to each of the political organizations.

[0004] It will be appreciated that the above Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are merely examples of some embodiments and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential embodiments, some of which will be further described below, in addition to those here summarized. Further, other aspects and advantages of embodiments disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

BACKGROUND

[0005] Consumers increasingly desire to spend consciously, that is, align their spending with their political, social and other values. However, the information needed to do so is generally not available at the time it is needed, i.e., at or near the point of sale. What is needed, therefore, is a software application, preferably, a mobile software application, that provides a consumer with relevant political contribution information about the organization that supplies a product or service, and individuals associated with the supplier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The described embodiments and the advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the described embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a system and method for generating political contribution information for a product, in accordance with some example embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with other example embodiments. [0011] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a mobile computing device used for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the disclosed embodiments of the inventions. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following descriptions are provided as illustrative of the principles of the inventions and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of each of the inventions is defined by the claims.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system 100 for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with some example embodiments. As can be seen from FIG. 1 , in one exemplary embodiment, system 100 includes a mobile computing device 110, such as a smart phone. Other computing devices, however, may be used to implement embodiments of the invention, including tablet computers, laptop computers and personal computers. Details regarding an exemplary mobile computing device that may be used to implement embodiments of the present invention are discussed below.

[0014] In one aspect of the disclosure, a software application (sometimes referred to as an "app") may be downloaded to mobile computing device 110. When the app is launched, a user may select a scan function 112. The scan function allows a user to scan or capture barcode information 120 for a product using the mobile computing device's camera. In some exemplary embodiments, the barcode scanning functionality may be implemented using the RedLaserTM software development kit ("SDK") available from eBay Inc. of San Jose, CA. As may be appreciated, however, the present invention is not limited to use of the

RedLaserTM SDK for providing the barcode scanning functionality. As also may be appreciated, barcode information may be received by mobile computing device by direct user input via a user input device, such as keypad, touchpad, microphone, etc.

[0015] Continuing with FIG. 1, system 100 also may include a product identification service 130. In some exemplary embodiments, the product identification service is provided by an EAN Data application programming interface (API), which is accessible at

http://EANdata.com. EAN Data provides a collection of EAN- 13, UPC-A, UPC-E, and ISBN- 10 codes for data on products. EAN Data provides product descriptions, categories, company information, and price information. The EAN Data API allows developers to access and integrate the data from EAN Data with other applications and to create new applications. The main API method returns a data feed of products and product information. Product identification information may be directly accessed via the API data feed or the product identification information may be download and stored in a separate computer memory, which may be memory on mobile computing device 1 10 or memory on a separate computing device, such as a database server. As may be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the EAN Data API and other API's may be used to identify a product using barcode information, such as, the Digit EyesTM API, which is available from Digital Miracles, L.L.C. of

Colleyville, TX.

[0016] Still referring to FIG. 1 , mobile computing device 110 may transmit the barcode information to the product identification service 130 via a communications link 122, which may be a cellular signal, a WiFi signal, or other wireless communication signal. In response to receiving the barcode information, product identification service may return information identifying the product associated with the barcode. The product identification information may include company identification information, which information that identifies the company that supplies the product, product name information and product brand information, etc. Product identification information may be received from product identification service 130 by mobile computing device 110 via communications link 122.

[0017] In response to receiving the product identification information, which includes company identification information, the app identifies all individuals that are associated with the identified company that may have made political contributions to a political organization. A political contributor may be the identified company itself, a political action committee (PAC) associated with the identified company, or an employee, chief executive officer (CEO) or a member of the board of directors (BOD) of the identified company The political contributor information may be stored memory on the mobile computing device 1 10 or may be stored in a separate political contribution information database 150, which is accessible by the mobile computing device 110 via communications link 126. Alternatively, the political contribution information database 150 may be accessed via a political contribution information service 140, which is accessible by the mobile computing device 1 10 via communications link 124.

[0018] Responsive to receiving the information identifying political contributors, the app transmits that information to a political contribution information service 140 via

communication link 124. Upon receiving the information identifying political contributors, political contribution information service 140 determines the amount of money contributed by each contributor to a political organization. A political organization may be a political party, a committee associated with a candidate for political office or an issue advocacy organization, i some exemplary embodiments, the information identifying each political contribution made by each contributor to each political organization may be stored in political contribution information database 150.

[0019] Upon receipt of the political contribution information from the political contribution information database 150, the political contribution information service 140 may determine a total amount and any average amount of money contributed to each political organization by all individuals, all employees, the CEO and/or all members of the BOD associated with the identified company. The political contribution information service 140 then transmit the determined political contribution information to the mobile computing device 110 for display via the political contribution information application. Thus, a user may use the political confirmation information to assess whether the company that supplies the identified product shares the same political values as the user.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method 200 of generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with some example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, in operation 201, method 200 receives barcode information for a product. As discussed above, in some exemplary embodiments, barcode information may be received by capturing or scanning a barcode associated with a product. Processing continues with operation 202.

[0021] In operation 202, method 200 transmits the barcode information to the EAN API, which provides a product identification service. Processing continues with operation 204.

[0022] In operation 204, method 200 determines whether a product can be identified from the transmitted barcode information. If a product is identified from the transmitted barcode information, processing continues with operation 206. If a product is not identified from the transmitted barcode information, processing continues with operation 208.

[0023] In operation 208, method 200 transmits the barcode information to the Digit Eyes™ API, which also provides product identification information. Processing then continues with operation 210. In operation 210, method 200 determines if a product was identified from the transmitted barcode information. If process 200 determines that a product was not identified, processing continues with process 212. In process 212, method 200 causes information to be displayed indicating that no product was identified from the transmitted barcode information. If, in operation 210, process 200 determines that a product was identified from the transmitted barcode information, processing continues with operation 206.

[0024] In operation 206, process 200 attempts to identify a company that is associated with the identified product. Processing then continues with operation 214.

[0025] In operation 214, process 200 determines if a company was identified that is associated with the identified product. If process 200 determines that a company was not identified in operation 206, processing continues with operation 212. As discussed above, in operation 212, method 200 displays information indicating that no company was found that is associated with the identified product.

[0026] Returning to operation 214, if process 200 determines that a company was identified in operation 206, process continues with operation 216. i operation 216, process 200 transmits information identifying a company associated with the identified product to a political contribution information service. Process continues with operation 218. [0027] In operation 218, method 200 determines whether the political contribution information service identified information indicating that a political contribution was made by the identified company or any individuals associated with the identified company, such as, an employee, a CEO or a member of the identified company's board of directors. If in operation 218 method 200 determines that no political contributions were made by the identified company or individuals associated therewith, processing continues with operation 220.

[0028] In operation 220, method 200 displays information indicating that no political contributions were made by the identified company or any individuals associated therewith.

[0029] Returning to operation 218, if method 200 determines that political contributions were made by the identified company or individuals associated therewith, processing continues with operation 222.

[0030] In operation 222, method 200 displays the political contribution information for the identified company and the individuals associated therewith.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating a system for generating political contribution information for a product, in accordance with some example embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the system includes a plurality of software components, including, a political contribution information application, a scanning application, a product identification service, a political contribution information service, political contribution information database and a Federal Election Commission (FEC) database. As may be appreciated, the functions performed by the various components illustrated in FIG. 3 that are discussed below are exemplary, and each of the functions described below may be performed by any of the one or more components.

[0032] The operation of the system may begin with the political contribution information application sending a "Get Barcode" message to the scanning application. As discussed above, the scanning application may be implemented using the RedLaser™ SDK. In response to receiving the "Get Barcode" message, the scanning application returns a

"Barcode" message to the political contribution information application. The "Barcode" message may include information identifying the barcode of the product scanned by the political contribution information application. [0033] Responsive to receiving the "Barcode" message from the scanning application, the political contribution information application may send a "Get product ID" message to the product identification service. The "Get product ID" message is a request for information identifying the product associated with the barcode scanned by the scanning application. As discussed above, the product information service may be implemented using the EAN API or the Digit Eyes API, or both, i response to receiving the "Get product ID" message, the product identification service may return a "Product ID message" to the political contribution information application. The "Product ID" message may include information identifying the product for which the scanning application scanned the barcode.

[0034] In response to receiving the "Product ID" message, the political contribution information application sends a "Get company ID" message to the political contribution information database. The political contribution information database may be comprised of information associating product identifiers with company identifiers. Responsive to receiving the "Get company ID" message, the political contribution information database returns a "Company ID" message to the political contribution information application. The "Company ID" message includes information identifying a company that supplies the product identified by the product identification service.

[0035] In response to receiving the "Company ID" message, the political contribution information application sends a "Get contribution summary" message to the political contribution information service. The "Get contribution summary" message includes information identifying the company associated with the product identified by the product identification service. In response to receiving the "Get contribution summary" message, the political contribution information service sends a "Get contribution details" message to the political contribution information database for each individual associated with the company identified in the "Company ID" message. Responsive to receiving the "Get contribution details" message, the political contribution information database returns a "Contributions details" message for each individual associated with the company identified in the "Company ID" message. For each individual, the "Contributions details" message includes information identifying each political contribution made to each political organization that reports political contributions. [0036] After receiving a "Contributions details" message for each individual, the political contribution information service aggregates the political contribution information and returns a "Contribution summary" message to the political contribution information application. The "Contribution summary" message includes information identifying each political contribution made to each political organization that reports political contributions. Although not shown, in response to receiving the "Contributions summary" message, the political contribution information application may display the political contribution information included in the "Contributions summary" message.

[0037] As also shown in FIG. 3, for each election cycle, the political contribution information database sends a "Get contribution info" message to a Federal Elections Commission (FEC) database. The "Get contribution info" message may include information for an election cycle for which political contribution information is being requested. In response to receiving the "Get contribution info" message, the FEC database returns a "Contribution info" message to the political contribution information database. The "Contribution info" message may include information identifying all political contributions made to all political organizations that report political contributions as well as the information identifying the person or organization making each political contribution. In some exemplary embodiments, the political contribution information may be obtained from the FEC database via the Real-Time Federal Campaign Finance API, which is available from the Sunlight Foundation of

Washington DC.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method 400 of generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with other example embodiments. One or more operations of method 400 may be performed by a computer processor.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, processing may begin in operation 410, whereby barcode information is received for a product for which political contribution information may be generated and displayed. Processing then continues with operation 420.

[0040] In operation 420, method 400 may identify the product using the received bar code information. In some exemplary embodiments method 400 may identify the product by transmitting the received bar code information to a product identification information service, and receiving from the product identification information service, information identifying the product and an organization associated with supplying the identified product. Processing continues with operation 430.

[0041] In operation 430, method 400 may identify an organization associated with supplying the identified product. In some exemplary embodiments, method 400 may identify the organization by transmitting information identifying a) the one or more individuals associated with the identified organization and/or b) the identified organization to a political contribution information service. The method 400 may receive from the political contribution information service, information identifying an amount of money contributed by a) the one or more identified individuals and/or b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations. In some exemplary embodiments, the organization associated with supplying the identified product is comprised of all entities that control or are controlled by, directly or indirectly, the identified organization. Processing then continues with operation 440.

[0042] In operation 440, method 400 may identify one or more individuals associated with the identified organization, i some exemplary embodiments, the one or more identified individuals is a) a member of a board of directors, b) an officer, c) an employee, d) a family member of one of the member of the board of directors, the officer and the employee, or e) a political action committee, each of which is associated with the identified organization.

Processing then continues with operation 450.

[0043] In operation 450, method 400 may access political contribution information for at least a) the one or more identified individuals and/or b) the identified organization. The political contribution information may be comprised of information identifying a contribution of an amount of money by a) the one or more identified individuals, and/or b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations. Each of the one or more political organizations may be a) political organization associated with a candidate for political office, b) a political party, c) a political action committee, or d) an issue advocacy organization, which is an organization is an organization that advocates with respect to one of a political issue, a social issue and an economic issue Processing then continues with operation 460. [0044] In operation 460, responsive to accessing the political contribution information, method 400 may determine an amount of money contributed a) the one or more identified individuals, and/or b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations. In some exemplary embodiments, method 400 also may determine a total amount of money or an average amount of money contributed by a) each member of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) the employee, d) the family member, and e) the PAC associated with the identified organization to each of the plurality of political organizations. Processing then continues with operation 470.

[0045] In operation 470, method 400 may display information indicating the amount of money contributed by a) the one or more identified individuals, and/or b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations. In some exemplary embodiments, method 400 may display information indicating the total amount of money or an average amount of money contributed by a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members, and/or e) all of the a political action committees, to each of the political organizations.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a mobile computing device 500 used for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, in accordance with some example embodiments. The mobile computing device 500 includes a housing 518 and a processor 520 located within the housing 518 and in operative communication with several mobile computing device components during operation of the mobile computing device 500. As will be described in more detail below, the mobile computing device components generally include a memory 522, a camera 526, user output devices 528, user input devices 530, positioning system 532, barcode decoder 536, clock/timer 538, power source 540, and network interface 542.

[0047] The memory 522 may include a political contribution information application 501 to allow the mobile computing device 500 to generate and display political contribution information. As discussed above, the political contribution information application 501 may include scanning functionality for capturing barcode information associated with a product [0048] The camera 526 may be a conventional mobile computing device camera and operative to capture images for display and/or storage on the mobile computing device 500. The camera 526 also may be used is used to capture a barcode associated with a product.

[0049] User output devices 528 may include a display 554 and a speaker 556 for visually or audibly outputting information to the user. The user input devices 530 may include a microphone, a key pad, a touch pad, or other input devices integral to the mobile computing device 500 or externally connectable to the mobile computing device 500.

[0050] A positioning system 532 may employ conventional Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to provide position information during use of the mobile computing device 500.

[0051] A barcode decoder 536 may be used to decode a barcode associated with a product.

[0052] A clock/timer 538 is a conventional mobile computing device clock/timer, and power source 540 is preferably a rechargeable power source, i.e., a battery to power the various mobile computing device components, or other components connected to the mobile computing device 500.

[0053] Network interface 542 may include a transmitter 558, a receiver 560, and application interface 562, which is in communication with the transmitter 558, receiver 560, and processor 520.

[0054] Although exemplary embodiments show a system and method for generating and displaying political contribution information, which are adapted for use with a mobile computing device 500, it is also contemplated that other portable hand held electronic communication devices may also be employed, such as, tablet computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or other handheld electronic communication devices known by those skilled in the art.

[0055] As set forth above, the present invention may be implemented in several different embodiments, wherein the functions performed by mobile computing device and the remote database, the product identification service, the political contribution information service and the political contribution information database may vary from one embodiment to the next. [0001] It will be understood that each block of the flowchart in FIGS. 2-4, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware and/or a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable mediums having computer readable program instructions stored thereon. For example, one or more of the procedures described herein may be embodied by computer program instructions of a computer program product. In this regard, the computer program product(s) which may embody the procedures described herein may be stored by one or more memory devices of a computing device and executed by a processor in the computing device. In some

embodiments, the computer program instructions comprising the computer program product(s) which embody the procedures described above may be stored by memory devices of a plurality of computing devices. As will be appreciated, any such computer program product may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer program product including the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus creates means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). Further, the computer program product may comprise one or more computer readable memories on which the computer program instructions may be stored such that the one or more computer readable memories can cause a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the computer program product comprises an article of manufacture which implements the function specified in the flowchart block(s). The computer program instructions of one or more computer program products may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block(s). Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer program product(s). [0002] Moreover, it will be appreciated that the ordering of blocks and corresponding method operations within the flowchart is provided by way of non-limiting example in order to describe operations that may be performed in accordance with some example

embodiments. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the ordering of blocks and corresponding method operations illustrated in the flowchart is non-limiting, such that the ordering of two or more block illustrated in and described with respect to the flowchart may be changed and/or method operations associated with two or more blocks may be at least partially performed in parallel in accordance with some example embodiments. Further, in some embodiments, one or more blocks and corresponding method operations illustrated in and described with respect to the flowchart may be optional, and may be omitted.

[0003] Functions in accordance with the above described embodiments may be carried out in many ways. In this regard, any suitable means for carrying out each of the functions described above may be employed to carry out various embodiments. In some embodiments, a suitably configured processor may provide all or a portion of the elements. In other embodiments, all or a portion of the elements may be configured by and operate under control of a computer program product. The computer program product for performing the methods of various embodiments of includes at least one computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code stored thereon. The computer readable medium (or media) may, for example, be embodied as and/or otherwise include memory and/or mass storage. However, it will be appreciated that a computer program product in accordance with various example embodiments may include any data storage device (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable storage medium) that can store data, which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable storage media include hard drives, network attached storage (NAS), read-only memory, random-access memory, one or more digital versatile disc (DVDs), one or more compact disc read only memories (CD-ROMs), one or more compact disc-recordable discs (CD-Rs), one or more compact disc-rewritable discs (CD-RWs), one or more Blu-Ray discs, magnetic tapes, flash memory, some combination thereof, and/or other optical and non-optical data storage devices. Some example embodiments may additionally or alternatively use computer readable storage media distributed over a network coupled computer system such that the computer readable code may be stored and executed in a distributed fashion. [0004] Embodiments utilizing a computer program product and/or otherwise employing various computer-implemented operations may employ operations involving data stored in computer systems. These operations include those requiring physical manipulation of physical quantities. In some instances, though not all, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. Further, the manipulations performed are often referred to in terms, such as producing, identifying, determining, or comparing. Any of the operations described herein that form part of the embodiments are useful machine operations. Moreover, it will be appreciated that a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instructions configured to carry out operations in accordance with one or more embodiments constitutes an article of manufacture.

[0005] The disclosed embodiments also relate to a device or an apparatus for performing these operations. The apparatus may be specially constructed to perform a particular embodiment(s), or the apparatus can be a general-purpose computer selectively activated or configured by a computer program stored in and/or otherwise accessible by the computer such that the general-purpose computer is configured to perform operations in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0006] Embodiments described herein may be practiced with various computer system configurations including blade devices, cloud systems, converged infrastructure systems, rack mounted servers, switches, storage environments, hand-held devices, tablets, microprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers and the like. Some embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through one or more networks, such as one or more wireline networks and/or one or more wireless networks.

[0007] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosed embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0008] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one operation or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation may be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step may be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" and the "/" symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0009] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", and/or "including", when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, the method comprising:

receiving bar code information for a product;

identifying the product using the received bar code information; identifying an organization associated with supplying the identified product; identifying one or more individuals associated with the identified organization;

accessing political contribution information for at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization, wherein the political contribution information is comprised of information identifying a contribution of an amount of money by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations;

responsive to accessing the political contribution information, determining an amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations;

displaying information indicating the amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations; and

wherein at least one operation of the method is performed by a processor.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of identifying the product is further comprised of: transmitting the received bar code information to a product identification information service; and

receiving from the product identification information service, information identifying the product and an organization associated with supplying the identified product.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of accessing political contribution information is further comprised of:

transmitting information identifying at least one of a) the one or more individuals associated with the identified organization and b) the identified organization to a political contribution information service; and

receiving from the political contribution information service, information identifying an amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the organization associated with supplying the identified product is comprised of all entities that control or are controlled by, directly or indirectly, the organization.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more political

organizations is comprised of one of a a) political organization associated with a candidate for political office, b) a political party, c) a political action committee, and d) an issue advocacy organization, wherein an issue advocacy organization is an organization that advocates with respect to one of a political issue, a social issue and an economic issue.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more identified individuals is one of a) a member of a board of directors, b) an officer, c) an employee, d) a family member of one of the member of the board of directors, the officer and the employee, and e) a political action committee, each of which is associated with the identified organization, the method further comprising:

determining an amount of money contributed by one of a) each member of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) the employee, d) the family member, and e) the PAC associated with the identified organization to each of the plurality of political organizations; and

displaying information indicating the amount of money contributed by one of a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members; and e) all of the a political action committees, to each of the plurality of political organizations.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining an average amount of money contributed by one of a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members, and e) all the political action committees, to each of the plurality of political organizations; and

displaying information indicating the average amount of money contributed by one of a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members; and e) all of the a political action committees, to each of the plurality of political organizations.

8. A computer implemented system for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, the system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory storing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the system to at least:

receive bar code information for a product;

identify the product using the received bar code information; identify an organization associated with supplying the identified product; identify one or more individuals associated with the identified organization; access political contribution information for at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization, wherein the political contribution information is comprised of information identifying a contribution of an amount of money by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations;

responsive to accessing the political contribution information, determine an amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations; display information indicating the amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations.

9. The computer implemented system of claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to identify the product by further causing the system to:

transmit the received bar code information to a product identification information service; and

receive from the product identification information service, information identifying the product and an organization associated with supplying the identified product.

10. The computer implemented system of claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to access political contribution information by further causing the system to:

transmit information identifying at least one of a) the one or more individuals associated with the identified organization and b) the identified organization to a political contribution information service; and

receive from the political contribution information service, information identifying an amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations.

11. The computer implemented system of claim 8, wherein the organization associated with supplying the identified product is comprised of all entities that control or are controlled by, directly or indirectly, the organization.

12. The computer implemented system of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more political organizations is comprised of one of a a) political organization associated with a candidate for political office, b) a political party, c) a political action committee, and d) an issue advocacy organization, wherein an issue advocacy organization is an organization that advocates with respect to one of a political issue, a social issue and an economic issue.

13. The computer implemented system of claim 8, wherein the one or more identified individuals is one of a) a member of a board of directors, b) an officer, c) an employee, d) a family member of one of the member of the board of directors, the officer and the employee, and e) a political action committee, each of which is associated with the identified organization, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further cause the system to:

determine an amount of money contributed by one of a) each member of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) the employee, d) the family member, and e) the PAC associated with the identified organization to each of the plurality of political organizations; and

display information indicating the amount of money contributed by one of a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members; and e) all of the a political action committees, to each of the plurality of political organizations.

14. The computer implemented system of claim 13, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to further cause the system to:

determine an average amount of money contributed by one of a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members, and e) all the political action committees, to each of the plurality of political organizations; and

display information indicating the average amount of money contributed by one of a) all of the members of the board of directors, b) the officer, c) all of the employees, d) all of the family members; and e) all of the a political action committees, to each of the plurality of political organizations.

15. A computer program product for generating and displaying political contribution information associated with a product, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, which when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method comprising:

receiving bar code information for a product;

identifying the product using the received bar code information; identifying an organization associated with supplying the identified product; identifying one or more individuals associated with the identified organization; accessing political contribution information for at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization, wherein the political contribution information is comprised of information identifying a contribution of an amount of money by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to one or more political organizations;

displaying information indicating the amount of money contributed by at least one of a) the one or more identified individuals and b) the identified organization to each of the one or more political organizations.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the least one non- transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to identify the product by performing a method further comprising:

transmitting the received bar code information to a product identification information service; and

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the least one non- transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to access political contribution information by performing a method further comprising:

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the organization associated with supplying the identified product is comprised of all entities that control or are controlled by, directly or indirectly, the organization.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein each of the one or more political organizations is comprised of one of a a) political organization associated with a candidate for political office, b) a political party, c) a political action committee, and d) an issue advocacy organization, wherein an issue advocacy organization is an organization that advocates with respect to one of a political issue, a social issue and an economic issue.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the one or more identified individuals is one of a) a member of a board of directors, b) an officer, c) an employee, d) a family member of one of the member of the board of directors, the officer and the employee, and e) a political action committee, each of which is associated with the identified organization, and wherein the least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method further comprising:

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the least one non- transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method further comprising: