System and method for providing a comparable branded product based on a current branded product for non-comparison shopped products

• US 6,304,854 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dunhill Holdings, Corp.
• Original Assignee: Dunhill Holdings, Corp.
• Inventors: Harris, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROSEN, NICHOLAS D
• Application Number:
  US09/393,228
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 707/3, 707/5, 707/6
• US Class Current: 705/26.62
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations

Abstract

A method and apparatus for inputting an end-user'"'"'s current brand name and, in return, providing at least one comparable branded product to the end-user where the category of branded products are non-comparison shopped products. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus is utilized in the area of medical devices including such markets as patients with intestinal stomas, incontinence wound care needs and diabetes.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of identifying at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product to an end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the method comprises:

(a) entering product data relating to the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product into an entering device, wherein the product data includes a branded name of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and wherein the entering step comprises generating an output corresponding to the product data;

(b) querying a database using a query based upon the output corresponding to the product data, wherein the database contains a set of data relating to branded non-standardized medical device products and wherein the set of data includes, for each branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the database, information regarding a desired functional result

(c) receiving a query result containing at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the query result is based upon an existence of a substantial equivalence between the desired functional result of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and the desired functional result of at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the query result; and

(d) identifying the at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical. device product contained in the query result to the end-user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computed comparable branded product is composed of a combination of at least two different branded products.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients with intestinal stomas.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the category of products is a group consisting of pouches, ostomy systems, and sealants.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients with incontinence.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the products are urinary catheters.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients with wound care needs.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the products are skin barrier dressings and hydrogel dressings.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients requiring respiratory access and tracheostomy care.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the products are tracheostomy tubes.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

a payment receiving component configured to receive payment for the comparable branded non-standardized medical device product.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of entering survey data in conjunction with the step of entering product data relating to the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product.

13. An automated system for identifying at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product to an end-user'"'"'s, selected branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the system comprises:

(a) entering means for entering the product data relating to the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the product data includes a branded name of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and for generating an output corresponding to the product data;

(b) generating means for receiving said output from said entering means, for querying a database using a query based upon the output corresponding to the product data, wherein the database contains a set of data relating to branded non-standardized medical device products, and for generating a function based on said output and said set of data, wherein the set of data includes, for each branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the database, information regarding a desired functional result;

(c) receiving means for receiving a query result containing at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the query result is based upon an existence of a substantial equivalence between the desired functional result of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and the desired functional result of at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the query result from said generating means; and

(d) transferring means for providing at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product to said user.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the computed comparable branded product is composed of a combination of at least two different branded products.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients with intestinal stomas.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the category of products is a group consisting of pouches, ostomy systems sealants and skin barriers.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients with incontinence.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the products are urinary catheters.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients with wound care needs.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the products are hydrogel dressings.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the non-standardized medical device products are a category of products for patients requiring respiratory access and tracheostomy care.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the products are tracheostomy tubes.

23. A computer implemented method of identifying at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product to an end-user using a selected branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the method comprises:

(a) entering product data relating to the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product into an entering device, wherein the product data includes a branded name of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and wherein the entering step comprises generating an output corresponding to the product data;

(b) querying a database using a query based upon the output corresponding to the product data, wherein the database contains a set of data relating to branded non-standardized medical device products and wherein the set of data includes, for each branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the database, information regarding a desired functional result;

(c) receiving a query result containing at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the query result is based upon an existence of a substantial equivalence between the desired functional result of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and the desired functional result of at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the query result;

(d) computing the price of the comparable branded non-standardized medical device product by comparing a set price of the comparable product with a competitor'"'"'s price for the comparable branded product and re-pricing the comparable branded product; and

(e)identifying the, at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the query result and price to the end-user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the re-priced comparable product is set at a price below the competitor'"'"'s price.

25. A method of identifying at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product to an end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the method comprises:

(a) entering product data relating to the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product into an entering device, wherein the product data includes a branded name of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and wherein the entering step comprises generating an output corresponding to the product data;

(b) querying a database using a query based upon the output corresponding to the product data, wherein the database contains a set of data relating to branded non-standardized medical device products and wherein the set of data includes, for each branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the database, information regarding a desired functional result;

(c) receiving a query result containing at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product, wherein the query result is based upon an existence of a substantial equivalence between the desired functional result of the end-user'"'"'s selected branded non-standardized medical device product and the desired functional result of at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the query result; and

(d) identifying the at least one comparable branded non-standardized medical device product contained in the query result to the end-user.