Obtaining product item assistance

• US 20040245332A1
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10554 Moving beam scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10623 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10693 for omnidirectional scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10772 Moved readers, e.g. pen, wand
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0236 Incentive or reward received by requiring registration or ID from user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0259 based on store location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/59 by controlling the amount of charge storable in the pixel, e.g. modification of the charge conversion ratio of the floating node capacitance
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/671 for non-uniformity detection or correction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/745 : Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/75 : Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/767 : Horizontal readout lines, multiplexers or registers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/778 : comprising amplifiers shared between a plurality of pixels, i.e. at least one part of the amplifier must be on the sensor array itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 3/1568 : for disturbance correction or prevention within the image-sensor, e.g. biasing, blooming, smearing correction circuits H04N25/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 : Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20

Abstract

A method of requesting assistance relating to a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, the method including, in a sensing device:

(a) sensing at least some of the coded data;

(b) generating, using the sensed coded data, indicating data indicative of the product item identity; and,

(c) transferring the indicating data to a computer system, the computer system being responsive to the indicating data to cause provision of assistance.

Claims

1. ) A method of requesting assistance relating to a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, the method including, in a sensing device:

(a) sensing at least some of the coded data;

(b) generating, using the sensed coded data, indicating data indicative of the product item identity; and

,

(c) transferring the indicating data to a computer system, the computer system being responsive to the indicating data to cause provision of assistance.

2. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the coded data is indicative of an assistance request, and wherein the method includes, generating in the sensing device, indicating data indicative of the assistance request.

3. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions provided at respective positions on the interface surface, wherein each coded data portion is indicative of the identity of the product item, and wherein the method includes, in the sensing device:

(a) sensing at least one coded data portion; and

,

(b) generating the indicating data using the sensed coded data portion.

4. ) The method of claim 3, wherein each coded data portion is indicative of the respective position, and wherein the method includes, generating in the sensing device and using the sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of at least one of:

(a) a position of the sensed coded data portion on the interface surface; and

,

(b) a position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface.

5. ) The method of claim 4, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data;

(i) position data indicative of at least one of;

(1) the position of the sensed coded data portion on the interface surface; and

,

(2) the position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and

,

(ii) identity data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(c) determining, using the identity data and the position data, an assistance request; and

,

(d) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

6. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the interface surface includes at least one region, including coded data indicative of an identity of the at least one region, and wherein the method includes, in the sensing device:

(a) sensing the coded data disposed within the at least one region; and

,

(b) generating, using the sensed coded data, indicating data indicative of the region identity.

7. ) The method of claim 6, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data, region identity data indicative of the identity of the at least one region;

(c) determining, using the region identity data, an assistance request; and

,

(d) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

8. ) The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one region represents a user interactive element.

9. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes, in the sensing device:

(a) selecting a registration mode; and

,

(b) generating indicating data indicative of the selected registration mode.

10. ) The method of claim 9, wherein the method includes, selecting the registration mode by at least one of:

(a) using an input provided on the sensing device; and

,

(b) sensing an interface surface, the interface surface including coded data disposed thereon or therein, the sensing device being responsive to the coded data to select the registration mode.

11. ) The method of claim 9, the method including, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data;

(i) identity data indicative of the identity of the product item; and

,

(ii) mode data indicative of the registration mode;

(c) determining, using the identity data and the mode data, an assistance request; and

,

(d) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

12. ) The method of claim 1, the method including, in the computer system:

(a) selecting a registration mode;

(b) receiving the indicating data;

(c) generating, using the received indicating data, identity data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(d) determining, using the identity data and the selected registration mode, an assistance request; and

,

(e) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

13. ) The method of claim 12, wherein the method includes selecting the registration mode by at least one of:

(a) using an input provided on the computer system; and

,

(b) in the computer system;

(i) receiving mode indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device being responsive to sensing of coded data provided on a respective mode interface surface to generate indicating data indicative of the registration mode;

(ii) generating, using the received indicating data, mode data indicative of the registration mode; and

,

(iii) using the mode data to select the registration mode.

14. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data, request data indicative of an assistance request; and

,

(c) transferring the request data to a second computer system, the second computer system being responsive to the request data to provide the assistance.

15. ) The method of claim 1, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) providing a details request; and

,

(b) receiving details of the assistance required.

16. ) The method of claim 15, wherein the details request is provided on a details interface surface, the details interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data which includes, at a plurality of locations on the interface surface, a corresponding plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the details interface surface and the position of the coded data portion, the method including, in the sensing device:

(a) sensing at least some of the coded data portions;

(b) generating, using the sensed interface surface, details indicating data indicative of;

(i) the identity of the details interface surface; and

,

(ii) movement of the sensing device relative to the coded data portions;

(c) transferring the details indicating data to the computer system, the computer system being responsive to the details indicating data to cause provision of the assistance.

17. ) The method of claim 16, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the details indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received details indicating data;

(i) movement data indicative of the movement of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and

,

(ii) details identity data indicative of the identity of the details interface surface;

(c) determining, using the details identity data and the movement data, details data indicative of the details of the assistance required; and

,

(d) causing, using the details data, provision of the assistance.

27. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the assistance includes:

(a) product servicing;

(b) product registration;

(c) provision of a product access code for allowing the product to be used; and

,

(d) provision of product information;

(e) provision of product help services.

28. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the assistance is provided by at least one of:

(a) the computer system;

(b) a second computer system; and

,

(c) an entity associated with the product item.

29. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the coded data is substantially invisible to the unaided eye.

30. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the coded data is printed using infrared ink.

31. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the coded data is provided on the interface surface coincident with visible markings representing at least one of:

(a) product information;

(b) the identity of the product item; and

,

(c) an assistance request.

32. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the interface surface is at least a portion of at least one of:

(a) product item packaging;

(b) product item labelling;

(c) product manuals;

(d) product instructions; and

,

(e) a surface of the product item.

33. ) The method of any one of claims 1, 18 and 26, wherein the coded data is disposed over at least one of:

(a) substantially all of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(b) more than 25% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(c) more than 50% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

(d) more than 75% of any one of;

(i) an entire product surface;

(ii) packaging; and

,

(iii) a product label;

35. ) The sensing device of claim 34, wherein the sensing device is adapted for use in the method of claim 1.

18. ) A method of providing assistance relating to a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, wherein the method includes, in a computer system:

(a) receiving indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device being responsive to sensing of the coded data to generate indicating data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data, identity data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(c) causing, using the identity data, provision of the assistance.

19. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions provided at respective positions on the interface surface, wherein each coded data portion is indicative of the identity of the product item and the respective position, wherein the sensing device generates, using a sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of at least one of a position of the sensed coded data portion on the interface surface and a position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data;

(i) position data indicative of at least one of;

(1) the position of the sensed coded data portion on the interface surface; and

,

(2) the position of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and

,

(ii) identity data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(c) determining, using the identity data and the position data, an assistance request; and

,

(d) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

20. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the interface surface includes at least one region, including coded data indicative of an identity of the at least one region, wherein the sensing device, in response to sensing coded data disposed within the at least one region, generates indicating data indicative of the region identity, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data, region identity data indicative of the identity of the at least one region; and

,

(c) determining, using the region identity data, an assistance request; and

,

(d) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

21. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the sensing device, when operating in a registration mode and in response to sensing coded data, generates indicating data indicative of the registration mode, and wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data;

(i) identity data indicative of the identity of the product item; and

,

(ii) mode data indicative of the registration mode;

(c) determining, using the identity data and the mode data, an assistance request; and

,

(d) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

22. ) The method of claim 18, the method including, in the computer system:

(a) selecting a registration mode;

(b) receiving the indicating data;

(c) generating, using the received indicating data, identity data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(d) determining, using the identity data and the selected registration mode, an assistance request; and

,

(e) causing, using the assistance request, provision of the assistance.

23. ) The method of claim 22, wherein the method includes selecting the registration mode by at least one of:

(a) using an input provided on the computer system; and

,

(b) in the computer system;

(i) receiving mode indicating data from a sensing device, the sensing device being responsive to sensing of coded data provided on a respective mode interface surface to generate mode indicating data indicative of the registration mode;

(ii) generating, using the received indicating data, mode data indicative of the registration mode; and

,

(iii) using the mode data to select the registration mode.

24. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving the indicating data;

(b) generating, using the received indicating data, request data indicative of an assistance request; and

,

(c) transferring the request data to a second computer system, the second computer system being responsive to the request data to provide the assistance.

25. ) The method of claim 18, wherein the method includes, in the computer system:

(a) receiving details indicating data generated by a sensing device in response to sensing a plurality of coded data portions disposed on a details interface surface, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the details interface surface and the position of the coded data portion, and the details indicating data being indicative of;

(i) the identity of the details interface surface; and

,

(ii) movement of the sensing device relative to the coded data portions;

(b) generating, using the received details indicating data;

(i) movement data indicative of the movement of the sensing device relative to the interface surface; and

,

(ii) details identity data indicative of the identity of the details interface surface;

(c) determining, using the details identity data and the movement data, details data indicative of the details of the assistance required; and

,

(d) causing, using the details data, provision of the assistance.

37. ) The computer system of claim 36, wherein the computer system is adapted for use in the method of claim 18.

26. ) A method of providing assistance relating to a product item, wherein the method includes providing the product item with an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item such that when the coded data portion is sensed by a sensing device, the sensing device generates indicating data indicative of the product item identity, the indicating data being transferred to a computer system which is responsive to the indicating data to cause provision of product assistance.

34. ) A sensing device for use in requesting assistance relating to a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, the sensing device including:

(a) a sensor for sensing the coded data;

(b) a processor for generating indicating data indicative of the product item identity; and

,

(c) a communication means for transferring the indicating data to a computer system, the computer system being responsive to the indicating data to cause provision of product assistance.

36. ) A computer system for providing assistance relating to a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item, wherein the computer system:

(a) receives indicating data generated by a sensing device in response to sensing of the coded data, the indicating data being indicative of the product item identity;

(b) generates, using the received indicating data, identity data indicative of the identity of the product item;

(c) causes, using the identity data, provision of the assistance.

38. ) A product item, the product item having an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data indicative of an identity of the product item such that when the coded data portion is sensed by a sensing device, the sensing device generates indicating data indicative of the product item identity, the indicating data being transferred to a computer system which is responsive to the indicating data to cause provide product related assistance.