System, method and article of manufacture for presenting product information to an anonymous user

• US 20020022993A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Michael R., Miller, Gregory P., Carpenter, William H. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20020022993A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for providing product information to a user, where the user may remain anonymous. A product identifier is received from a client device of a user. The product identifier is associated with a particular product. A search is made of a data store for matching the product identifier with information about the product. The product information is stored on a network data site. The user is allowed to access the product information on the network data site using a user identifier.

Claims

1. A method for providing product information to a user, wherein the user may remain anonymous, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a product identifier from a client device of a user, wherein the product identifier is associated with a particular product;

(b) searching a data store for matching the product identifier with information about the product;

(c) storing the product information on a network data site; and

(d) allowing the user to access the product information on the network data site using a user identifier that is obtained anonymously.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the product identifier is a representation of a bar code associated with the product.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the client device of the user is selected from a group consisting of:

a personal computer, a scanner, a portable computing device, telephone, and a pager.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the product information is stored on a web page of the network data site, wherein the web page is associated with the user identifier.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the product information includes at least one of a type of product, information about a manufacturer of the product, a link to a manufacturer of the product, information about a vendor of the product, a link to a vendor of the product, a promotional offer for the product, a sale offer for the product, and a discount offer for the product.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of product information, advertising, and content selected based on the product identifier is stored on the network data site for output to the user.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of product information, advertising, and content selected based on a use history associated with the user identifier is stored on the network data site for output to the user.

8. A computer program product for providing product information to a user, wherein the user may remain anonymous, comprising:

(a) computer code for receiving a product identifier from a client device of a user, wherein the product identifier is associated with a particular product;

(b) computer code for searching a data store for matching the product identifier with information about the product;

(c) computer code for storing the product information on a network data site; and

(d) computer code for allowing the user to access the product information on the network data site using a user identifier that is obtained anonymously.

9. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the product identifier is a representation of a bar code associated with the product.

10. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the client device of the user is selected from a group consisting of:

a personal computer, a scanner, a portable computing device, telephone, and a pager.

11. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the product information is stored on a web page of the network data site, wherein the web page is associated with the user identifier.

12. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein the product information includes at least one of a type of product, information about a manufacturer of the product, a link to a manufacturer of the product, information about a vendor of the product, a link to a vendor of the product, a promotional offer for the product, a sale offer for the product, and a discount offer for the product.

13. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of product information, advertising, and content selected based on the product identifier is stored on the network data site for output to the user.

14. A computer program product as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of product information, advertising, and content selected based on a use history associated with the user identifier is stored on the network data site for output to the user.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the product identifier is a representation of a bar code associated with the product.

17. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the client device of the user is selected from a group consisting of:

a personal computer, a scanner, a portable computing device, telephone, and a pager.

18. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the product information is stored on a web page of the network data site, wherein the web page is associated with the user identifier.

19. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the product information includes at least one of a type of product, information about a manufacturer of the product, a link to a manufacturer of the product, information about a vendor of the product, a link to a vendor of the product, a promotional offer for the product, a sale offer for the product, and a discount offer for the product.

20. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of product information, advertising, and content selected based on the product identifier is stored on the network data site for output to the user.

21. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of product information, advertising, and content selected based on a use history associated with the user identifier is stored on the network data site for output to the user.

15. A system for providing product information to a user, wherein the user may remain anonymous, comprising:

(a) logic for receiving a pro duct identifier from a client device of a user, wherein the product identifier is associated with a particular product;

(b) logic for searching a data store for matching the product identifier with information about the product;

(c) logic for storing the product information on a network data site; and

(d) logic for allowing the user to access the product information on the network data site using a user identifier that is obtained anonymously.