Enhancing Discovery Services in an EPC Network
First Claim
1. A discovery service operable to provide a mapping from an electronic product code to a set of electronic product code information services that include information about an item represented by an electronic product code, the discovery service comprising:
- a database containing a list of custodians for the item, the list including one entry for each custodian, each entry including the electronic product code number, a pointer to an electronic product code information service associated with the custodian, and a trip identifier for the item; and
a service interface through which electronic product code information services and applications can access the entries in the list, the service interface including a plurality of services enabling traceability of the item represented by the electronic product code.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a discovery service that provides a mapping from an electronic product code to electronic product code information services that include information about an item represented by an electronic product code. The discovery service includes a database containing a list of custodians for the item and a service interface through which electronic product code information services and applications can access the entries in the list. The list includes an entry for each custodian. Each entry includes the electronic product code number, a pointer to an electronic product code information service associated with the custodian, and a trip identifier for the item. The service interface includes several services enabling traceability of the item represented by the electronic product code. Methods and apparatus, including computer program products for using a trip identifier in a discovery service are also described.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A discovery service operable to provide a mapping from an electronic product code to a set of electronic product code information services that include information about an item represented by an electronic product code, the discovery service comprising:
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a database containing a list of custodians for the item, the list including one entry for each custodian, each entry including the electronic product code number, a pointer to an electronic product code information service associated with the custodian, and a trip identifier for the item; and a service interface through which electronic product code information services and applications can access the entries in the list, the service interface including a plurality of services enabling traceability of the item represented by the electronic product code. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer-implemented method for using a trip identifier in a discovery service mapping an electronic product code to a set of electronic product code information services that include information about an item represented by an electronic product code, the method comprising:
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providing a database in the discovery service, the database being operable to contain a list of custodians for the item, the list including one entry for each custodian, each entry including the electronic product code number, a pointer to an electronic product code information service associated with the custodian and a trip identifier for the item; and providing a service interface in the discovery service, the service interface being operable to access the entries in the list, the service interface including a plurality of services enabling traceability of the item represented by the electronic product code. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
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provide a database in the discovery service, the database being operable to contain a list of custodians for the item, the list including one entry for each custodian, each entry including the electronic product code number, a pointer to an electronic product code information service associated with the custodian and a trip identifier for the item; and provide a service interface in the discovery service, the service interface being operable to access the entries in the list, the service interface including a plurality of services enabling traceability of the item represented by the electronic product code. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification