Apparatus and method for data collection, tracking and distribution system using an image tag
First Claim
1. A method for data collection, tracking and distribution using an image tag, comprising the steps of:
- providing an image tag having at least one image tag identifier;
linking the image tag identifiers with card data and circumstance data;
activating the image tag;
obtaining card data and circumstance data associated with the image tag identifier at a vendor site;
developing vendor data; and
exchanging the card data, circumstance data and vendor data obtained at the vendor site with a host computer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data collection, tracking and distribution system using an image tag includes a host computer system connected to a user data input terminal via a global computer network, a vendor computer and a retailer computer that can capture, track, and disseminate user and card data via a data exchange bus between the host computer, vendor computer, and retailer computer. The vendor computer includes a card data storage device and a scanner for scanning an image tag. Collections of image tags may have similar data fields, and the information within those data fields may be disseminated to vendors, retailers, and the host computer system. The image tag is formed to have an aesthetically pleasing external shape with an image on the front of the tag, and an image tag identifier on the back of the tag.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for data collection, tracking and distribution using an image tag, comprising the steps of:
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providing an image tag having at least one image tag identifier;
linking the image tag identifiers with card data and circumstance data;
activating the image tag;
obtaining card data and circumstance data associated with the image tag identifier at a vendor site;
developing vendor data; and
exchanging the card data, circumstance data and vendor data obtained at the vendor site with a host computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for data collection, tracking and distribution, comprising:
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an image tag having an image tag identifier;
a host computer having a memory capable of storing and retrieving data corresponding to the image tag identifier;
a vendor computer having a scanning device capable of reading the image tag identifier, the vendor computer in communication with the host computer;
a retailer computer having a scanning device capable of reading the image tag identifier, the retailer computer in communication with the host computer; and
a means for exchanging data between the host computer and the vendor computer, and between the host computer and the retailer computer. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification