NETWORK-BASED DETECTION AND DISPLAY OF PRODUCT REPLACEMENT INFORMATION

• US 20030041098A1
• Filed: 06/23/1999
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: LORTZ, VICTOR
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A method and system for determining part replacement related information by an end user. A user scans an identifier associated with a part. A scanner interface automatically couples the scanned identifier to a network enabled browser. The browser automatically connects over a network connection to a remote database to retrieve replacement related information for the part, where such database searchable by the associated identifier. The retrieved replacement related information for the part is automatically displayed for the end user. The retrieved information may also contain information related to the part, such as related parts that also need to be replaced, along with instructions, concerns, and warnings related to replacing the part. This information may be processed by an expert-type system, allowing the end user to engage in an interactive session regarding the part replacement. This information may also include expert-system instructions, e.g., a rule-set or the like, allowing the expert system to interactively aid the end user in diagnosing the nature and/or extent of the part defect, and help the end user to effect proper maintenance.

Claims

1. A method for determining part replacement related information by an end user, comprising:

obtaining an associated identifier of a part by the end user;

automatically coupling by a scanner interface the identifier of the part to a network enabled browser;

automatically connecting by the browser over a network connection to a remote database to retrieve replacement related information for the part, such database searchable by the associated identifier; and

automatically displaying by the browser for the end user the retrieved replacement related information for the part.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the identifier of the part is a selected one of a UPC identifier, product-identifier mark, and textual product identifier.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining at least one user preference; and

arranging the retrieved replacement related information according to the at least one user preference.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the user preference is a selected one of limiting price, limiting distance to travel to obtain a replacement part, limiting shipping time for the replacement part, limiting time to effect part replacement, and only displaying a vendor having the replacement part in stock.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising:

categorizing the retrieved replacement related information into plural categories;

wherein such categories are sorted according to the at least one user preference.

6. A method according to claim 3, further comprising:

identifying at least one provider within the retrieved replacement related information having a replacement part in stock; and

prominently displaying the at least one provider;

wherein prominently displaying includes sorting the retrieved replacement related information so that the at least one provider is at the top of such retrieved information.

7. A method according to claim 1, in which the network connection is a link with the Internet, the method further comprising:

providing the associated identifier in a predetermined format, such format being a selected one of a bar-code format, a product-identifier mark, and a verbal identifier;

wherein a portable bar-code scanner is utilized to obtain the associated identifier.

8. A method according to claim 1, the method further comprising:

contacting a cross-reference hub;

searching the cross-reference hub with the associated identifier to obtain at least one additional product identifier; and

automatically searching the remote database with the at least one additional product identifier to retrieve replacement related information for the part.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the associated identifier is a non-unique product category reference, and the at least one additional product identifier is partially unique.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

semantically analyzing the retrieved replacement related information; and

reorganizing the retrieved replacement related information according such analysis.

11. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a computer readable medium;

wherein encoded on the computer readable medium are instructions capable of causing a processor to perform the steps of claim 1.

12. A method according to claim 1, in which the replacement related information includes related part data, where a related part is one that requires replacement along with the part.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining a geographic location for the part;

identifying vendors of a replacement part for the part, each vendor having a geographic location; and

sorting the vendors according to their geographic proximity to the part.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

providing a proximity preference, such preference set to user election if such election has been made, otherwise to a predetermined value; and

culling the retrieved replacement information according to the proximity preference.

15. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

receiving user-specified price terms for a replacement part for the part;

identifying, from the retrieved replacement information, a sales price offered by vendors for the replacement part; and

culling the retrieved replacement information according to the user-specified price terms.

16. An article of manufacture, comprising:

a computer readable medium;

wherein encoded on the computer readable medium are instructions capable of causing a processor to perform the steps of claim 15.

17. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user-specified price terms for a replacement part for the part;

identifying, from the retrieved replacement information, a sales price offered by vendors for the replacement part; and

culling the retrieved replacement information according to the user-specified price terms.

18. A method according to claim 1, the method further comprising:

retrieving from the remote database replacement related concerns, such concerns including warning and suggestions for a user seeking to replace the part;

retrieving from the remote database identification of related parts requiring replacement along with the part;

displaying the replacement related concerns to the user; and

notifying the user of the related parts requiring replacement.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein an expert system interactively displays the replacement related concerns and notification of related parts requiring replacement.

20. A system for determining part replacement related information by an end user, comprising:

a scanner for scanning an associated identifier of a part;

a network-enabled browsing arrangement; and

a scanner interface facilitating communication between the scanner interface and the network-enabled browsing arrangement, such communication including transferring the associated identifier to the browsing arrangement;

wherein the browser automatically connects to a remote database over a network to retrieve replacement related information for the part.

21. A system according to claim 20, further comprising:

a computing device comprising a processor capable of being directed to process commands stored in a program memory, and an input/output port;

wherein

the scanner is in communication with the input/output port,

the browsing arrangement is provided as a first sequence of program commands stored in the program memory for execution by the processor, and

the scanner interface is provided as a second sequence of program commands stored in the program memory for execution by the processor, where the scanner interface receives the scanned associated identifier through the input/output port and provides such identifier to the browsing arrangement.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein the scanner is incorporated into the computing device.

23. A system, comprising:

means for scanning an associated identifier of a part by the end user;

means for automatically coupling by a scanner interface the scanned identifier of the part to a network enabled browser;

means for automatically connecting by the browser over a network connection to a remote database to retrieve replacement related information for the part, such database searchable by the associated identifier; and

means for automatically displaying by the browser for the end user the retrieved replacement related information for the part.

24. A system according to claim 23, further comprising:

means for obtaining at least one user preference; and

means for arranging the retrieved replacement related information according to the at least one user preference.