System and method for managing and serving consumer product related information over the internet

• US 20030158792A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Perkowski
• Original Assignee: IPF Incorporated
• Inventors: Perkowski, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,959,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A system and method for finding and serving consumer product-related information over the Internet (10) to consumers. The system includes Internet Information servers (33) which store information pertaining to Universal Product Number (e.g. UPC number) preassigned to each consumer product registered with the system, along with a list of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) that point to the location of one or more information resources on the Internet, e.g. World Wide Web-sites, which are related to such registered consumer products. Upon entering the UPC number into the system using a conventional Internet browser program (13), the menu of URLs associated with the entered UPC number is automatically displayed for user selection. The displayed menu of URLs are categorically arranged according to specific types of product information.

Claims

1. A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising:

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the internet related to a particular one of said products;

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client subsystem, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product;

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client subsystem, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client subsystem.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

3. The system of claim 1, which further comprises said client subsystem, wherein said client subsystem includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen product finder button which, when selected, results in a dialogue box requesting that the UPN associated with said request be entered into said client subsystem.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

5. A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting a request from a client subsystem, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

(d) responding to said transmitted request and serving to said client subsystem, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client subsystem.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein step (c) comprises:

selecting a on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client subsystem, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the UPN associated with the requested product be entered; and

entering said UPN into said dialogue box.

8. A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising:

URL/trademark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client subsystem, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client subsystem, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark included in said request made by said client subsystem.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein each said trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with said product.

10. A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting from a client subsystem, a request for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and

(d) responding to said transmitted request, and serving to said client subsystem, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark and included in said request made by said client subsystem.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each said trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with said product.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein step (c) comprises:

selecting an on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client subsystem, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the trademark and/or company name associated with the requested product be entered; and

entering said trademark and/or company name into said dialogue box.

13. An Internet-based consumer product information delivery system comprising:

means for enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (or EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and

means for enabling consumers, in retail shopping environments, at home, in the office and on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (or EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.

14. A consumer product information finding system comprising:

at least one kiosk installed within a retail shopping environment and each said kiosk includes

a bar code symbol reader for reading the UPC (or UPC/EAN) numbers on consumer products being offered for sale in the store, and

a LCD touch-type display screen for displaying product-related information accessed from hyper-linked Web-sites on the Internet.

15. The consumer product information finding system of claim 14, wherein said bar code symbol reader projects a 3-D laser scanning pattern over said LCD touch-screen panel.

16. The consumer product information finding system of claim 14, wherein said kiosk further comprises a telephone handset for carrying out telephone calls.

17. The consumer product information finding system of claim 14, wherein said kiosk further comprises a credit card transaction terminal for conducting consumer purchase transactions and other forms of electronic commerce while using said consumer product information finding system.

18. The consumer product information finding system of claim 14, wherein said bar code symbol reader has a cordless interface with said kiosk so that it may be moved about within said retail environment in a portable manner.

19. A method of providing consumer product information to consumers in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and

(b) enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.

20. A consumer producing information finding and serving system comprising:

a Manufacturer/Product Registration Mode, wherein manufacturers can register their companies and UPNs and URLs related to consumer products within the system;

an UPN-Directed Information Access Mode, wherein consumers can access and display information menus containing UPC numbers linked to URLs pointing Web pages containing consumer product related information by scanning the UPC label on the consumer product or by entering the UPC number thereof into a data-entry screen displayed by the system in this mode;

a Manufacturer Website Search Mode, wherein the home page of a manufacturer'"'"'s Web-site can be automatically accessed and displayed by scanning the UPC label on any consumer product of the manufacturer or by entering the UPC number thereof into a data-entry screen displayed by the system in this mode;

a Trademark-Directed Search Mode enabling consumers to use trademarks and/or tradenames associated with consumer products to search for consumer-product related information registered within the system; and

a Product-Description Directed Search Mode enabling consumers to use product descriptors associated with particular consumer products to search for consumer-product related information registered within the system.

21. A consumer producing information finding and serving system comprising:

a first subsystem, wherein manufacturers can register their companies and consumer products (e.g. UPC numbers and URLs) with the system; and

a second subsytem, wherein consumers can access and display information menus containing UPC numbers linked to URLs pointing Web pages containing consumer product related information by scanning the UPC label on the consumer product or by entering the UPC number thereof into a data-entry screen displayed by the system in this mode.

22. The consumer producing information finding and serving system of claim 21, which further comprises:

a third subsystem, wherein the home page of a manufacturer'"'"'s Web-site can be automatically accessed and displayed by scanning the UPC label on any consumer product of the manufacturer or by entering the UPC number thereof into a data-entry screen displayed by the system in this mode.

23. The consumer producing information finding and serving system of claim 22, which further comprises:

a fourth subsystem enabling consumers to use trademarks and/or tradenames associated with consumer products to search for consumer-product related information registered within the system.

24. The consumer producing information finding and serving system of claim 23, which further comprises:

a fifth subsystem enabling consumers to use product descriptors associated with particular consumer products to search for consumer-product related information registered within the system.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein a predesignated information resource (e.g. advertisement, product information, etc.) pertaining to any commercial product registered with the system can be automatically accessed from the Internet and displayed from the Internet browser by simply entering the registered product'"'"'s UPN into the Internet browser manually or by bar code symbol scanning.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein, a predesignated information resource (e.g. advertisement, product information, etc.) pertaining to any commercial product registered with the system can be automatically accessed from the Internet and displayed from the Internet browser by simply entering the registered product'"'"'s trademark(s) and/or associated company name into the Internet browser.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein a predesignated information resource (e.g. advertisement, product information, etc.) pertaining to any commercial product registered with the system can be automatically accessed from the Internet and displayed from the Internet browser by simply entering the registered product'"'"'s product description into the Internet browser.

28. A consumer information management system enabling access to a predesignated information resource linked to a product assigned a Universal Product Number (UPN) by entering said UPN into an Internet enabled browser.

29. A system of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising:

a database server connected to the Internet and including

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

a plurality of product-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

31. The system of claim 29, which further comprises said client system, wherein said client system includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen product finder button which, when depressed, results in a dialogue box requesting that the UPN associated with said request be entered into said client system.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

33. A method of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a database server connected to the Internet, information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing in a plurality of product-information servers, information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting to said database server from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

(d) at least one said product information server responding to said request transmitted to said database server, and delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client system.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein step (c) comprises:

depressing a on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the UPN associated with the requested product be entered; and

entering said UPN into said dialogue box.

36. A system of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising:

a database server connected to the Internet and including

URL/trademark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and

a plurality of product-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark included in said request made by said client system.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein each said trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with said product.

38. A method of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a database server connected to the Internet, information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing in a plurality of product-information servers, information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting to said database server from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and

(d) at least one said product information server responding to said request transmitted to said database server, and delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the trademark and included in said request made by said client system.

39. The method of claim 40, wherein each said trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in conjunction with said product.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein step (c) comprises:

depressing a on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the trademark and/or company name associated with the requested product be entered; and

entering said trademark and/or company name into said dialogue box.

41. A database server connected to the Internet comprising:

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product.

42. The database server of claim 41, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

43. The database server of claim 41, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

44. A database server connected to the Internet comprising:

URL/trademark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product.

45. The database server of claim 44, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

46. A system of finding information pertaining to a particular service on the Internet, comprising:

a database server connected to the Internet and including

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal service numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of services, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said services, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of services located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said service; and

a plurality of service-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

service-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of services, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of services specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said UPN assigned to each said service is a unique Uniform Service Code (UPC) number assigned to said service.

48. The system of claim 46, which further comprises said client system, wherein said client system includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen service finder button which, when depressed, results in a dialogue box requesting that the UPN associated with said request be entered into said client system.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein said service related information is of a multi-media nature.

50. A method of finding information pertaining to a particular service on the Internet, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a database server connected to the Internet, information representative of (i) a plurality of universal service numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of services, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said services;

(b) storing in a plurality of service-information servers, information related to said plurality of services;

(c) transmitting to said database server from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of services located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said service; and

(d) at least one said service information server responding to said request transmitted to said database server, and delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of services specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client system.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said UPN assigned to each said service is a unique uniform service number assigned to said service.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein step (c) comprises:

depressing a on-screen service finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the UPN associated with the requested service be entered; and

entering said UPN into said dialogue box.

53. A system of finding information pertaining to a particular service on the Internet, comprising:

a database server connected to the Internet and including

URL/servicemark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of servicemarks used in connection with a plurality of services, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of servicemarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said services, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of services located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the servicemark used in connection with said service; and

a plurality of service-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

service-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of services, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of services specified by the URL symbolically linked to the servicemark included in said request made by said client system.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein each said servicemark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or its foreign equivalent in conjunction with said service.

55. A method of finding information pertaining to a particular service on the Internet, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a database server connected to the Internet, information representative of (i) a plurality of servicemarks used in connection with a plurality of services, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of servicemarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said services;

(b) storing in a plurality of service-information servers, information related to said plurality of services;

(c) transmitting to said database server from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of services located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the servicemark used in connection with said service; and

(d) at least one said service information server responding to said request transmitted to said database server, and delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of services specified by the URL symbolically linked to the servicemark and included in said request made by said client system.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein each said servicemark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or its foreign equivalent in conjunction with said service.

57. The method of claim 55, wherein step (c) comprises:

depressing a on-screen service finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a dialogue box is displayed requesting that the servicemark and/or company name associated with the requested service be entered; and

entering said servicemark and/or company name into said dialogue box.

58. A database server connected to the Internet comprising:

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal service numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of services, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said services, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of services located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said service.

59. The database server of claim 58, wherein said UPN assigned to each said service is a unique uniform service number assigned to said service.

60. The database server of claim 58, wherein said service related information is of a multi-media nature.

61. A database server connected to the Internet comprising:

URL/servicemark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of servicemarks used in connection with a plurality of services, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of servicemarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said services, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of services located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the servicemark used in connection with said service.

62. The database server of claim 61, wherein said service related information is of a multi-media nature.

63. A system of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising:

a database server connected to the Internet and including

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of manufacturer identification numbers (MINs) assigned to a plurality of products made by a plurality of manufacturers, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of MINs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the MIN assigned to said product; and

a plurality of product-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the MIN included in said request made by said client system.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein said MIN assigned to each said product is associated with an unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

65. The system of claim 63, which further comprises said client system, wherein said client system includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen product finder button which, when selected, results in a Input Box requesting that the MIN associated with said request be entered into said client system.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

67. A method of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a database server connected to the Internet, information representative of (i) a plurality of manufacturer identification numbers (MINs) assigned to a plurality of manufacturers of a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of MINs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing in a plurality of product-information servers, information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting to said database server from a client system, a request for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the MIN assigned to said manufacturer of said product; and

(d) at least one said product information server responding to said request transmitted to said database server, and delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the MIN and included in said request made by said client system.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said MIN assigned to each said manufacturer of a product is part of a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein step (c) comprises:

selecting an on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon a Input Box is displayed requesting that the MIN associated with the requested product be entered; and

entering said MIN into said Input Box.

70. A service-related information material which comprises:

printed matter bearing information related to a particular service; and

a UPC (or EAN) number assigned to said particular service and printed on said printed matter.

71. The service-related information material of claim 70, wherein said printed matter comprises an admission ticket to a particular educational or entertainment event.

72. A product-related information brochure which comprises:

printed matter bearing information related to a product; and

a UPC (or EAN) number assigned to said particular product and printed on said printed matter.

73. A system installable within a store, comprising:

an optical scanner for reading the UPC symbols on products being offered for sale in the store;

means for accessing product-related information from Internet Web-sites hyper-linked to scanned UPC symbols; and

a display screen for visually displaying said product-related information accessed from said hyper-linked Web-sites.

74. A system of finding information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, comprising:

a database server connected to the Internet and including

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products, and

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

a plurality of product-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

76. The system of claim 74, which further comprises said client system, wherein said client system includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen product finder button which, when selected, results in an Input Box requesting that the UPN associated with said request be entered into said client system.

77. A consumer product information accessing system installable within a store, comprising:

an optical scanner for reading UPC (EAN or like) symbols on products being offered for sale in the store;

accessing means for accessing product-related information from HTML documents whose location is specified by URLs and which are hyper-linked to said read UPC (EAN or like) symbols; and

a display screen for visually displaying said product-related information accessed from said hyper-linked HTML documents.

78. A system for collecting and transmitting product related information on the Internet, said system comprising:

a database management subsystem including

URL/UPN information storage means for storing product-related information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; and

a database server connected to the Internet and said database management subsystem and including

product-related information receiving and storage means for receiving and storing said product-related information transitted from said database management subsystem.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein said database server further comprises:

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product.

80. The system of claim 78, which further comprises:

a plurality of product-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.

81. The system of claim 78, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

82. A database server connected to the Internet, comprising:

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

information serving means for serving to the client system making said request, said information representative of the UPN assigned to said product.

83. The database server of claim 82, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

84. The database server of claim 82, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

85. A database server connected to the Internet comprising:

URL/trademark information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of trademarks used in connection with a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of trademarks, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product; and

information serving means for serving to the client system making said request, said information representative of the trademark used in connection with said product.

86. The database server of claim 85, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

87. An Internet-supported kiosk for use by consumers within a retail shopping environment, said Internet-supported kiosk comprising:

an optical scanner for reading UPC symbols on consumer products being offered for sale in said retail shopping environment;

Internet access means for accessing a plurality of Internet-based information servers containing product-related information resources that are hyper-linked to UPC symbols on said consumer products; and

a display screen for visually automatically displaying said product-related information accessed from said Internet-based information servers in response to the reading of said UPC symbols by said optical scanner.

88. The Internet-supported kiosk of claim 87, wherein said optical scanner has a 3-D scanning volume which projects upon and intersects at least a portion of said display screen during bar code symbol reading operations.

89. A system for collecting and transmitting product related information on the Internet, said system comprising:

a database management subsystem including

URL/UPN information storage means for storing product-related information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products; and

a database server connected to the Internet and said database management subsystem and including

product-related information receiving and storage means for receiving and storing said product-related information transitted from said database management subsystem.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein said database server further comprises:

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product.

91. The system of claim 89, which further comprises:

a plurality of product-information servers, each connected to the Internet and including

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products, and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for delivering to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.

92. The system of claim 89, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

93. An information collection system for collecting consumer product related information from manufacturers over the Internet and transmitting said consumer product related information to an Internet-based consumer product information finding and serving system, said information collection system comprising:

an information collecting server connected to the Internet and including

(1) message transmitting means for transmitting a message over the Internet to a client system associated with a manufacturer, requesting that consumer product related information associated with each product of a manufacturer to be registered with said Internet-based consumer product information finding and serving system, be transmitted over the Internet to said information collecting server, said consumer product related information being representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of consumer products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said consumer products, and

(2) information storage means for storing said consumer product related information; and

(3) information transmission means for transmitting said consumer product related information to said Internet-based consumer product information finding and serving system for subsequent storage therein.

94. The information collection system of claim 93, which further comprises a computer system interconnected to said information collecting server, for administrating the registration of consumer products of manufacturers with said Internet-based consumer product information finding and serving system.

95. A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting a request from a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

(d) responding to said transmitted request and serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client system.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

97. A system of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said system comprising:

URL/UPN information storage means for storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

request servicing means for servicing a request made by a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request is transmitted to said Internet database server and includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product;

product-related information storage means for storing information related to said plurality of products; and

information delivery means, responsive to said request servicing means, for serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN included in said request made by said client system.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

99. The system of claim 97, which further comprises said client system, wherein said client system includes a Internet browser program having an on-screen product finder button which, when selected, results in an Input Box requesting that the UPN associated with said request be entered into said client system.

100. The system of claim 97, wherein said product related information is of a multi-media nature.

101. A method of finding and serving information pertaining to a particular product on the Internet, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing information representative of (i) a plurality of universal product numbers (UPNs) assigned to a plurality of products, and (ii) a plurality of URLs symbolically linked to said plurality of UPNs, each said URL specifying the location of an information resource located on the Internet related to a particular one of said products;

(b) storing information related to said plurality of products;

(c) transmitting a request from a client system, for information about one of said plurality of products located on the Internet, wherein said request includes information representative of the UPN assigned to said product; and

(d) responding to said transmitted request and serving to said client system, information related to one of said plurality of products specified by the URL symbolically linked to the UPN and included in said request made by said client system.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein said UPN assigned to each said product is a unique Uniform Product Code (UPC) number assigned to said product.

103. The method of claim 101, wherein step (c) comprises:

selecting a on-screen product finder button displayed by an Internet browser program running on said client system, whereupon an Input Box is displayed requesting that the UPN associated with the requested product be entered; and

entering said UPN into said Input Box.

104. An Internet-based consumer product information delivery system comprising:

means for enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and

means for enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office and on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.

105. A consumer product information finding system comprising:

at least one kiosk installed within a retail shopping environment and each said kiosk includes

a bar code symbol reader for reading the UPC (or UPC/EAN) numbers on consumer products being offered for sale in the store, and

a LCD touch-type display screen for displaying product-related information accessed from hyper-linked Web-sites on the Internet.

106. The consumer product information finding system of claim 105, wherein said bar code symbol reader projects a 3-D laser scanning pattern over said LCD touch-screen panel.

107. The consumer product information finding system of claim 105, wherein said kiosk further comprises a telephone handset for carrying out telephone calls.

108. The consumer product information finding system of claim 105, wherein said kiosk further comprises a credit card transaction terminal for conducting consumer purchase transactions and other forms of electronic commerce while using said consumer product information finding system.

109. The consumer product information finding system of claim 105, wherein said bar code symbol reader has a cordless interface with said kiosk so that it may be moved about within said retail environment in a portable manner.

110. A method of providing consumer product information to consumers in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling manufacturers and their agents to link (i.e. relate), manage and update within a database, the UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers on their products and the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of HTTP-encoded documents containing particular kinds of consumer product-related information published on the Internet by said manufacturers, their agents and/or third parties; and

(b) enabling consumers, in retail stores, at home, in the office or on the road, to access said consumer product-related information from said database, using said UPC (and/or UPC/EAN) numbers and/or by scanning UPC (or UPC/EAN) bar code symbols encoded with said numbers.

111. An Internet-based product information database subsystem which, for each commercially available consumer-product, stores number of information elements comprising:

the name of the manufacturer;

the Universal Product Code (UPC) assigned to the product by the manufacturer; and

one or more URLs specifying the location of information resources (e.g. Web-pages) on the Internet relating to the UPC-labelled consumer-product.

112. The Internet-based product information database subsystem of claim 111, wherein the stored URLs are categorically arranged and displayed according to specific types of product information (e.g., product specifications and operation manuals;

product wholesalers and retailers;

product advertisements and promotions;

product endorsements;

product updates and reviews;

product warranty/servicing;

related or complementary products;

product incentives including rebates, discounts and/or coupons;

etc.) that relates to the kind of information required, desired or otherwise sought by consumers, wholesalers, retailers and/or trading partners; and

product price at which the product is being offered for sale by a particular retailer.

113. An Internet-based product information database management subsystem which comprises:

a manufacturer-defined consumer-product directory that can be used by various persons along the retail supply and demand chain.

114. The Internet-based product information database management subsystem of claim 113, wherein the manufacturers of consumer-products are linked to the retailers thereof in the middle of the supply and demand chain by allowing either trading partner to access consumer-product information from the Internet-based product information database virtually 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

115. The Internet-based product information database management subsystem of claim 113, wherein consumer-product manufacturers, their advertisers, distributors and retailers are linked to the consumers of such products at the end of the supply and demand chain, by allowing such parties access consumer-product information from the Internet-based product information database subsystem virtually 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

116. A system wherein any type of consumer product can be registered with the system by symbolically linking or relating (i) its preassigned Universal Product Number (e.g. UPC or EAN number) or at least the Manufacture Identification Number (MIN) portion thereof with (ii) the Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) of one or more information resources on the Internet (e.g. the home page of the manufacturer'"'"'s Web-site) related to such products.

117. A Web-based document transport subsystem wherein manufacturers as well as their advertisers and agents can register, within an Internet-based database, the UPNs (e.g. UPC numbers) of their products and the URLs of the information resources related to such products.

118. A consumer product information finding and sserving system comprising:

a Manufacturer/Product Registration Mode, wherein manufacturers can register their companies and consumer products (e.g. UPC numbers and URLs) with the system;

an UPN-Directed Information Access Mode, wherein consumers can access and display information menus containing UPC numbers linked to URLs pointing Web pages containing consumer product related information by scanning the UPC label on the consumer product or by entering the UPC number thereof into a data-entry screen displayed by the system in this mode;

a Manufacturer Website Search Mode, wherein the home page of a manufacturer'"'"'s Web-site can be automatically accessed and displayed by scanning the UPC label on any consumer product of the manufacturer or by entering the UPC number thereof into a data-entry screen displayed by the system in this mode;

a Trademark-Directed Search Mode enabling consumers to use trademarks and/or tradenames associated with consumer products to search for consumer-product related information registered within the system; and

a Product-Description Directed Search Mode enabling consumers to use product descriptors associated with particular consumer products to search for consumer-product related information registered within the system.

119. The system of claim 118, wherein when the system is in its UPN-Directed Information Menu Access Mode, a predesignated information resource (e.g. advertisement, product information, etc.) pertaining to any commercial product registered with the system can be automatically accessed from the Internet and displayed from the Internet browser by simply entering the registered product'"'"'s UPN into the Internet browser manually or by bar code symbol scanning.

120. The system of claim 118, wherein when the system is in its Trademark-Directed Search Mode, a predesignated information resource (e.g. advertisement, product information, etc.) pertaining to any commercial product registered with the system can be automatically accessed from the Internet and displayed from the Internet browser by simply entering the registered product'"'"'s trademark(s) and/or associated company name into the Internet browser.

121. The system of claim 118, wherein, wherein when the system is in its Product-Description-Directed Search Mode, a predesignated information resource (e.g. advertisement, product information, etc.) pertaining to any commercial product registered with the system can be automatically accessed from the Internet and displayed from the Internet browser by simply entering the registered product'"'"'s product description into the Internet browser.

122. A consumer product information finding and sserving system comprising:

a relational database realized on one or more data-synchronized IPD Servers for the purpose of registering product related information, namely;

(i) information representative of commercial product descriptions, the trademarks used in connection therewith, the company names providing and/or promoting such products, and the corresponding URLs on the Internet specifying current Internet Web-site locations providing product-related information relating to such products.

123. The system of claim 122, wherein the URLs symbolically linked to each registered product in sid IPD Servers thereof are categorized as relating primarily to types of information selected from the grooup consisting of Product Advertisements, Product Specifications, Product Updates, Product Distributors, Product Warranty/Servicing, and/or Product Incentives (e.g. rebates, discounts and/or coupons).

124. A consumer product information access terminal located at a point-of-sale (POS) station, wherein the bar code symbol reader integrated with the POS station can be used to read the UPC numbers on consumer products being offered for sale in the store in order to access consumer product related information from hyper-linked Websites on the Internet, for display on a display screen located at the POS station.

125. The consumer product information access terminal of claim 124, wherein said display screen is viewable from various viewing positions by the sales clerk as well as consumer shoppers.

126. A consumer product information access terminal located installed within retail shopping environments comprising:

a bar code symbol reader for reading the UPC numbers on consumer products being offered for sale in the store, and

a touch-type display screen for displaying product-related information accessed from hyper-linked Web-sites on the Internet.

127. The consumer product information access terminal of claim 126, wherein the bar code symbol reader can be easily removed from its support stand to scan large consumer products that might difficult to present within the scanning field while the bar code symbol reader is supported above the LCD display panel.

128. The consumer product information access terminal of claim 126, wherein the laser scanning bar code symbol reader has a cordless interface with the terminal so that it may be moved about within a retail store in a portable manner to scan UPC (or EAN) labels and access consumer product related information from an Internet database.

129. A relational database for use within the product information finding and serving subsystem, wherein said relational database is initially “

seeded”

with;

(i) the Manufacturer Base UPC Numbers based on the six digit UPC Manufacturer Identification Numbers (MIN) assigned to the manufacturers by the UCC and incorporated into the first six characters of each UPC number applied to the products thereof; and

(ii) the URLs of the Web-site home pages of such manufacturers.

130. The relational database of claim 129, wherein said “

seeded”

relational database is then subsequently extended and refined with the participation of each registered manufacturer (and/or agents thereof) by adding to the “

seeded”

database (iii) the 12 digit UPC numbers assigned to each product sold thereby and the menu of URLs symbolically linked to each such corresponding product.

131. A system for finding and serving consumer-product related information on the Internet, wherein consumer product related information links contained within a limited-version of the UPN/URL Database of each registered manufacturer (or retailer) can accessed from the manufacturer'"'"'s (or retailer'"'"'s) company Website and served to consumers requesting such information by way of UPC (or EAN) number entry.

132. A system for finding and serving consumer-product related information on the Internet, wherein at the time of registering each manufacturer (or retailer) with the system, an Internet-based registration server automatically transmits a computer program to the manufacturer'"'"'s (or retailer'"'"'s) computer system for use in constructing and maintaining a limited-version UPN/URL database related to the manufacturer'"'"'s (or retailer'"'"'s) products.