Optimizing retrieval of object-associated information

• US 20060149635A1
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bhatti, Nina, Lyons, Nicholas, Schettino, John C. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,266,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing

Abstract

A method of optimizing the retrieval of object-associated information may include identifying data associated with an object identification. At least one optimization parameter for the retrieval of data associated with an object identification is also identified. An amount of the associated data for transmission is determined using the at least one optimization parameter.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing retrieval of object-associated information, comprising:

identifying data associated with an object identification;

identifying at least one optimization parameter;

determining an amount of the associated data to transmit using the at least one optimization parameter; and

transmitting the associated data in the amount determined.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying data associated with an object identification further comprises identifying data associated with a unique identification of an object.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising identifying data associated with a radio frequency identification tag for the object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying data associated with an object identification further comprises identifying data associated with at least one of a UPC symbol and an Electronic Product Code.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying at least one optimization parameter further comprises identifying at least one of bandwidth, available memory capacity of the user device, cost of data transfer, and latency of data transfer.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an amount of the associated data to transmit using the at least one optimization parameter further comprises:

identifying a threshold of the at least one optimization parameter; and

selecting the amount of data such that the threshold is not exceeded.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an amount of the associated data to transmit using the at least one optimization parameter further comprises:

storing the associated data in a tree structure;

identifying a leaf within the tree structure, wherein the leaf represents data associated with the object identification;

determining a point up the tree structure from the leaf based on the at least one optimization parameter; and

retrieving the associated data in the tree structure from the point to the leaf.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein identifying a leaf within the tree structure further comprises:

receiving user input; and

selecting additional associated data from the tree structure based on the user input.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an amount of the associated data to transmit using the at least one optimization parameter further comprises:

determining an amount of the associated data to transmit based on predetermined user preferences.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the associated data further comprises transmitting at least one of a calculated amount, a predetermined amount based on user preferences, an amount determined by a server, an amount determined by a content provider, and a default amount.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying additional data associated with the object identification from at least one menu.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

reading the object identification with a user device; and

transmitting the associated data to the user device.

13. A method of customizing retrieval of object-associated information, comprising:

identifying data associated with an object identification;

identifying at least one customization parameter;

determining content of the associated data using the at least one customization parameter; and

transmitting the associated data.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying data associated with an object identification further comprises identifying data associated with a unique identification of an object.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising retrieving the object identification from a radio frequency identification tag for the object.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying data associated with an object identification further comprises identifying data associated with a UPC symbol and an Electronic Product Code.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein determining content of the associated data using the at least one customization parameter further comprises determining the content based on at least one of predetermined user preferences and observed behavior of a particular user.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

reading the object identification with a user device; and

transmitting the associated data to the user device.

19. A system for optimizing the retrieval of object-associated information, comprising:

means for receiving an object identification;

means for determining at least one optimization parameter;

means for selecting an amount of data associated with the object identification using the at least one optimization parameter; and

means for transmitting the associated data in the amount determined.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one optimization parameter comprises at least one of bandwidth, available memory capacity of the user device, cost of data transfer, and latency of data transfer.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the object identification comprises a unique identification of an object.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the object identification is read from an RFID tag.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the object identification is read from at least one of a UPC symbol and an Electronic Product Code.

24. A method of providing object-associated data to a user device comprising:

storing data associated with a plurality of objects in a tree structure;

identifying a leaf within the tree structure, wherein the leaf represents data associated with an object identification for an object, the object identification being read by a user device;

determining a point up the tree structure from the leaf based on at least one optimization parameter;

retrieving the associated data in the tree structure from the point to the leaf; and

transmitting the retrieved data to the user device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein identifying a leaf within the tree structure further comprises identifying data associated with a unique identification of the object.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising retrieving the object identification from an RFID tag for the object.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein determining a point up the tree structure from the leaf based on at least one optimization parameter further comprises determining a point up the tree structure from the leaf based on at least one of bandwidth, available memory capacity of the user device, cost of data transfer, and latency of data transfer.

28. An apparatus for retrieving object-associated information, comprising:

means for detecting an object identification;

means for transmitting the object identification, wherein the object identification is received by a computer system that provides data associated with the object identification based on at least one optimization parameter;

means for receiving the associated data; and

means for providing at least one menu for a user, wherein the menu provides the user with options for additional data associated with the object identification.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the received data does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the at least one optimization parameter comprises at least one of bandwidth, available memory capacity of the user device, cost of data transfer, and latency of data transfer.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the associated data comprises at least one of location information of a consumer product, manufacture information associated with a consumer product, and cost information associated with a consumer product.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the object identification comprises a unique identification of an object.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the object identification is read from an RFID tag.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the object identification is read from at least one of a UPC symbol and an Electronic Product Code.

35. A method of delivering object-associated information, comprising:

receiving a request for information associated with an object identification;

gathering data associated with an individual submitting the request;

identifying information associated with the object identification, wherein the information identified is at least based on the data associated with the individual; and

transmitting the associated information.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein gathering data associated with an individual further comprises:

observing at least one type of behavior of the individual submitting the request; and

collecting data based on the at least one type of observed behavior.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein gathering data associated with an individual further comprises:

learning information about the individual; and

collecting data based on the information learned.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein identifying information associated with the object identification comprises utilizing at least one customization parameter.

39. A computer readable medium on which is embedded one or more computer programs, said one or more computer programs implementing a method of optimizing retrieval of object-associated information, the method comprising:

identifying data associated with an object identification;

identifying at least one optimization parameter; and

determining an amount of the associated data to transmit using the at least one optimization parameter.

40. The computer readable medium of claim 39, wherein the object identification comprises a unique identification of an object.

41. The computer readable medium of claim 40, wherein the object identification is retrieved from a radio frequency identification tag for the object.

42. The computer readable medium of claim 39, wherein the object identification is read from at least one of a UPC symbol and an Electronic Product Code.