Printer Systems and Methods for Global Tracking of Products in Supply Chains, Authentication of Products, and Connecting with Customers Both Before, During, and After a Product Sale
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- providing a plurality of unique identification codes;
allowing a plurality of assignment devices to print said plurality of unique identification codes on a plurality of tag-like items, andwherein each said unique identification code corresponds to a single item of commerce.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Printer systems and methods provide a plurality of unique identification codes to assignment devices in various geographical locations in order to assign a unique code to a single item of commerce through affixing tags or the like thereon or by direct printing. Information regarding which code is associated with which item of commerce may be captured and stored in database(s) along with other advertising, authenticity, distribution, manufacturing, note, quality control, and retail information. Inquires may be made regarding the codes by users with handheld devices including cellular phones, PDAs, notebook computers, barcode scanners, RFID readers, etc. through carrier networks, LANs, and WANs in order to obtain information about the item of commerce or related products. Stored information from the database may be provided to the users in response to their inquiries. Information may also be uploaded by the handheld devices for counterfeiting, diversion, and other tracking purposes.
62 Citations
35 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
providing a plurality of unique identification codes; allowing a plurality of assignment devices to print said plurality of unique identification codes on a plurality of tag-like items, and wherein each said unique identification code corresponds to a single item of commerce. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A computer-readable medium for executing computer-executable instructions comprising:
-
allocating unique identification codes; storing the unique identification codes in a database; transmitting the unique identification codes for use in a plurality of printers located in a plurality of geographical locations that print the unique identification codes on tag-like items; receiving information regarding which said unique identification codes were printed on which said tag-like items; storing said information in the database; receiving an inquiry regarding one of said unique identification codes; accessing a portion of the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes; and transmitting at least a portion of the information stored in the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes in response to the inquiry.
-
-
35. A system comprising:
-
a server including; a first processor for executing first computer-executable instructions; a first memory that stores the first computer-executable instructions and a database; server communication means to communicate information stored in the database; wherein the first computer-executable instructions cause the apparatus to; allocate unique identification codes; store the unique identification codes in the database; transmit the unique identification codes for use on tag-like items; receive information regarding which said unique identification codes were used with which said tag-like items; store said information in the database; receive an inquiry regarding one of said unique identification codes; access a portion of the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes; and transmit at least a portion of the information stored in the database that corresponds to the one of said unique identification codes in response to the inquiry; a plurality of printers including; printer communication means to receive said unique identification codes; printer means to print said unique identification codes on said tag-like items, wherein said tag-like items are selected from the group consisting of;
a tag, a label, a ticket, a sticker, a hang tag, a price ticket, a woven label, a heat transfer label, a woven neck label, a care label, and a security label; anda plurality of computers including; second processors for executing second computer-executable instructions; second memories that store the second computer-executable instructions; second communication means to transmit tag-like items information to the server, said tag-like items information selected from the group consisting of;
authenticity information, checkpoint information, contract number, country of origin, creation date, customs information, consumer identification information, drawings, EPC number, geographical location, invoice number, item size, item type, location in supply chain, manufacturing date, manufacturing location, notes, photographs, purchase order number, quality control information, retailer information, SKU number, and videos.
-
Specification