Method and system for comparing medical products
First Claim
1. A method for comparing medical products, each product having a product code, comprising the steps of:
- receiving textual information from a first seller as to medical products, such information comprising the first seller'"'"'s prices for the respective medical products;
placing the information from the first seller onto a database;
receiving textual information from a plurality of additional sellers as to respective medical products, such information comprising each additional seller'"'"'s prices for the respective medical products;
placing the information from the plurality of additional sellers onto the database;
assigning categories to the medical products of the first seller and the plurality of additional sellers based upon features of the respective medical products;
correlating comparable products as between the first seller and the plurality of additional sellers;
providing software that permits a user to selectively compare information for either the first seller'"'"'s medical products to the plurality of additional sellers'"'"' comparable products by assigned category and product code, or the plurality of additional sellers'"'"' products to the first seller'"'"'s comparable medical products by assigned category and product code.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for comparing comparable products such as medical products is provided. It is anticipated that each product will have a corresponding product code. In one aspect, the method includes the steps of receiving textual information from a first seller as to medical products, and receiving textual information from a plurality of additional sellers as to their respective medical products. The information may include the first seller'"'"'s and each additional seller'"'"'s prices for their respective medical products. The information may also include the product code assigned by the respective first seller and the plurality of additional sellers for the products. The method may also include the steps of placing the information from the sellers onto a database, assigning categories to the medical products of the sellers based upon features of the respective medical products, correlating comparable products as between the sellers, and providing software that permits a user to selectively compare information for either the first seller'"'"'s medical products to the plurality of additional sellers'"'"' comparable products, or the plurality of additional sellers'"'"' products to the first seller'"'"'s comparable medical products.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for comparing medical products, each product having a product code, comprising the steps of:
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receiving textual information from a first seller as to medical products, such information comprising the first seller'"'"'s prices for the respective medical products;
placing the information from the first seller onto a database;
receiving textual information from a plurality of additional sellers as to respective medical products, such information comprising each additional seller'"'"'s prices for the respective medical products;
placing the information from the plurality of additional sellers onto the database;
assigning categories to the medical products of the first seller and the plurality of additional sellers based upon features of the respective medical products;
correlating comparable products as between the first seller and the plurality of additional sellers;
providing software that permits a user to selectively compare information for either the first seller'"'"'s medical products to the plurality of additional sellers'"'"' comparable products by assigned category and product code, or the plurality of additional sellers'"'"' products to the first seller'"'"'s comparable medical products by assigned category and product code. - 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 comparing information concerning medical products, each product having a product code, comprising:
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a user interface for a server operator;
a network interface comprising a web browser and a data link;
a server defining a web-based platform having a processor, memory and software for enabling the server operator to communicate with a plurality of users through a global data network, the server enabling the users to;
select a product category;
select a method for comparing products within the selected product category, the methods being either a comparison of a seller'"'"'s product to a comparable product of a competitor, or comparing a competitor'"'"'s product to a comparable product of the seller;
select the competitor; and
enter the product code of the medical product to implement the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for comparing medical products as between sellers, each medical product having a product code, the method comprising the steps of:
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accessing a computer program through a user interface, the computer program having information concerning the medical products from the sellers, such sellers comprising a manufacturer, and a plurality of additional sellers;
selecting a category of medical products from a menu on the program;
making an election as to whether to (a) compare information concerning a medical product of the manufacturer with information concerning the comparable medical product of one of the sellers, or (b) compare information concerning a medical product of one of the sellers with information concerning a comparable medical product of the manufacturer;
selecting which of the plurality of additional sellers with which to make the product comparison;
entering the product code of the first medical product; and
viewing comparative information of the first medical product. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification