System and method for communicating product recall information, product warnings or other product-related information to users of products
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer having a product information database, comprising the steps of:
- receiving, at the centralized computer, product identification information identifying a product from a user;
storing the product identification information in said product information database and establishing a link between said product and said user;
receiving, at the centralized computer, product update information on said product from a third party;
updating, by the centralized computer, said product information database with said product update information;
reviewing, by the centralized computer, the product information database to identify user-product links associated with said product;
transmitting, on an automated basis, an electronic message containing said product update information to all users identified as having user-product links.
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Abstract
An automated system and method for communicating product information to consumers through a central computer using a distributed computer network. The central computer is connected to a plurality of public health and product recall information sources through a public network such as the Internet. Consumers purchasing or otherwise linked with products submit product information to the central computer. The central computer establishes a link between the user and associated product information and stores the data in a database. User medical information is also submitted to and retained by the central computer. Upon receipt of product update information, which may include recall notification or other product warnings from the public health or product recall information sources, the central computer accesses the database and identifies user-product links impacted by the product update information and automatically initiates electronic or other communications to affected users. Similarly, users purchasing products can access the central computer and search for stored product information which may impact the purchasing decision. Medical treatments may also be verified against information stored in the central computer pertaining to user health conditions, other treatments currently being undertaken, etc. to avoid dangerous interactions. Through the central computer and distributed computer network, consumers may be readily and inexpensively notified of highly pertinent product information, as well as medical data, as it becomes available and before any potentially adverse effects are incurred.
461 Citations
79 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer having a product information database, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at the centralized computer, product identification information identifying a product from a user;
storing the product identification information in said product information database and establishing a link between said product and said user;
receiving, at the centralized computer, product update information on said product from a third party;
updating, by the centralized computer, said product information database with said product update information;
reviewing, by the centralized computer, the product information database to identify user-product links associated with said product;
transmitting, on an automated basis, an electronic message containing said product update information to all users identified as having user-product links. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at the centralized computer, user identification information including biometric data and currently used products from a user;
storing the user identification information in a database;
associating the stored user identification information with a username for said user;
receiving, at the centralized computer, product information pertaining to a product;
reviewing, by the centralized computer, the database for product identification information correlating with said product information;
comparing any product identification information located with the stored user identification information for said user to identify any association between the user identification information, including biometric data and currently used products, and said product information;
transmitting a message to said user regarding said product. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at the centralized computer, product information and user identification information from a user;
linking and storing the product information and user identification information in a product database;
receiving, at the centralized computer, user biometric information;
linking and storing the user biometric information in a user information database;
comparing, by the centralized computer, the user biometric information with normal values and notifying the user of a comparison result;
reviewing, by the centralized computer, the product database for product identification information indicating a conflict with said user biometric information;
transmitting, in response to a correlation between said product identification information, said user biometric information and a stored health condition, an automated message to said user. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer having a product information database and an interaction database, comprising the steps of:
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receiving, at the centralized computer, product identification information identifying a first product from a user;
storing the product identification information in said product information database and establishing a link between said first product and said user;
receiving, at the centralized computer, product identification information identifying a second product from said user;
searching, by the centralized computer, said interaction database for any stored information identifying a relationship between said first product and said second product; and
transmitting, on an automated basis, an electronic message containing any relationship information to said user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a communications network, comprising the steps of:
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maintaining a plurality of databases with a central server, said plurality of databases including a product database, a user database, and an interaction database;
receiving product purchase information from a plurality of users over the communications network, each product purchased being entered into said product database and linked with a user;
receiving user biometric information from said plurality of users, each user'"'"'s biometric information being linked with said each user, respectively, and stored in said user database;
receiving, by said central server, a product recall notification for a defective product from a third party computer over the communications network;
reviewing, by said central server, said product database for product identification information on said defective product;
identifying users linked with said defective product through product purchase information;
generating, on an automated basis, electronic messages with said product recall notification; and
transmitting over said communications network, on an automated basis, said electronic messages to all users identified as linked with said defective product. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A computerized information distribution system comprising:
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a remote terminal for receiving user identification information and for registering a user;
a central server for storing product identifiers corresponding to the user;
a communications network for receiving product information from a plurality of third party computers;
means for storing said product information at said central server;
a search engine for matching the product identifiers with the product information;
means for generating a messages corresponding to said product identifiers and information matching; and
means for transmitting said message to the user over said communications network. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A computer-implemented method of transferring product information between a user and a centralized computer, comprising the steps of:
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inputting, at a point of transaction terminal, product information for products being acquired through said point of transaction terminal;
inputting, at said point of transaction terminal, user information from an acquiring user;
transmitting said user information to the centralized computer over a communications channel;
verifying, at the centralized computer, that the user is a registered user authorizing data transfer;
requesting, by said centralized computer in response to positive verification of said user, data transfer from said point of transaction terminal;
transmitting, from said point of transaction terminal to said centralized computer, said product information for said products being acquired;
storing said product information at said centralized computer and establishing a link between said product information and said user. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. An apparatus for facilitating identification and location of a harmful or recalled product, comprising:
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a storage device;
a communication device; and
a processor connected to the communication device and said storage device;
said storage device storing a database including data on a plurality of products and on users of said products, and a program for controlling said processor, said processor operative with said program to receive recall or warning information from a third party about a product, to receive product identification information linked to a particular user, to generate a message to at least one of the users linked to a product according to the recall or warning information about said product received from said third party, and to transmit the message to at least one of the users linked to said product using the communication device. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. An article of manufacture including a computer readable medium having code for a computer readable program embodied therein, said computer readable program comprising:
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means for storing at least one user identification and a product used by said user;
means for storing at least one product and information about said product;
means for receiving indicia that identifies said product being stored;
means for receiving updated recall and warning information about said product;
means for matching said updated recall or warning information to at least one of a plurality of products being stored;
means for creating a message based upon said matching between updated recall or warning information and products being stored;
means for initiating a connection with said user of a product based upon said matching; and
means for transmitting said message to said user of the product. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64)
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65. A computer program tool comprising:
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a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing a match between recall or warning information about a product or biometric data and a of said product, the computer readable code comprising;
code module for receiving information from a third party computer, including at least one of the user, recall and information sources, point of sale, and providers of health care;
code module for sending a message to a third party computer including at least one of the user, provider of health care, and recall and information sources;
code module for security including at least one of user ID, password, and encryption/decryption; and
code module for general administration including configuration of other code modules and database management.
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66. A device for acquiring data comprising:
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means for acquiring data;
a processor; and
a memory connected to the processor and storing a program for controlling operation of the processor;
said processor operative with the program in the memory to receive user data, the data being at least one of product identification and biometric data, determine if the data received interacts with products being stored in the memory, and display the interaction information. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69)
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70. In a system to monitor products purchased by a user in which an identification card having a code recorded thereon is applied as linking the products purchased to the user identified by the card to enable identification of the user as participating in a recall and waning notification program, the system comprising:
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a checkout station;
an identification card having recorded thereon an identification code indicating the user as participating in the recall and warning notification program;
a card reader at said checkout station and operated for reading the identification code indicating the user as participating in the recall and notification program;
a data input device at said checkout station for inputting data representing the products being purchased by said user;
a storage device for storing the data acquired at said checkout station;
a communication device for transmitting the acquired data; and
a display device for displaying the acquired data. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73)
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71. In a system to monitor products purchased by a user in which an identification card having a code recorded thereon is applied as linking the products purchased to the user identified by the card to enable identification of the user as participating in a recall and warning notification program, the system comprising:
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a checkout station;
an identification card having recorded thereon an identification code indicating the user as participating in a recall and warning notification program;
a data input device at said checkout station for inputting data representing the products being purchased by said user; and
a card writer at said checkout station and operated for writing indicia onto the card representing the products purchased by said user.
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- 74. A system for bi-directional transmission of signals between two wired or wireless, portable devices to allow at least one of product identification data and biometric data to be exchanged between the two devices with said product information data comprising at least one of drugs, food, cosmetics, and medical devices information being stored in a memory of said portable devices, operative with a processor in said portable device.
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77. An apparatus comprising:
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a hand-held device for entering and storing product information data and biometric data;
a data entering device for entry of data into said hand-held device;
a processor for identifying an interaction between product information and biometric data; and
a display device. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79)
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Specification