Product information management system
First Claim
1. A method of processing product related information, comprising:
- creating a product information tag using a computer programmed with at least one product information tag preparation rule that specifies an action based on a customer order, the product information tag including identification information,associating the product information tag with a product received from a manufacturer,storing, using the computer, original information relating to the product in a database record of a database prior to distribution of the product by a product distributor, the database record associated with the identification information in the product information tag that accompanies the product, the identification information uniquely identifying the product in the database,receiving shipment information including an identity of a shipper and an environmental condition experienced by the product while in possession of the shipper, the shipment information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag,storing, using the computer, the shipment information in association with the original information in the database,receiving usage information relating to use of the product, the usage information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag,storing, using the computer, the usage information in association with the original information in the database,receiving exception information relating to an abnormal event associated with the product after the product has been distributed by the product distributor, the exception information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag,storing, using the computer, the exception information in association with the original information in the database, andanalyzing, using the computer, the exception information, and at least one of (a) the shipment information and (b) the usage information, to understand the cause of the abnormal event.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A product information tag, typically for a medical product such as a drug or device, is prepared in accordance with various rules. The product information tag is associated with the product as it travels from a product distributor to a shipper, to a customer such as a doctor and possibly even to a patient. When the product information tag is created, a database record for the product is also created. As the product passes into the possession of different parties, the database record is updated with information regarding the location and usage of the product. Different field devices, possessed by different parties such as the shipper or the doctor, are able to read the product information tag to obtain additional information relating to the product from the database and/or to provide supplemental information about the product to the database.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of processing product related information, comprising:
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creating a product information tag using a computer programmed with at least one product information tag preparation rule that specifies an action based on a customer order, the product information tag including identification information, associating the product information tag with a product received from a manufacturer, storing, using the computer, original information relating to the product in a database record of a database prior to distribution of the product by a product distributor, the database record associated with the identification information in the product information tag that accompanies the product, the identification information uniquely identifying the product in the database, receiving shipment information including an identity of a shipper and an environmental condition experienced by the product while in possession of the shipper, the shipment information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the shipment information in association with the original information in the database, receiving usage information relating to use of the product, the usage information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the usage information in association with the original information in the database, receiving exception information relating to an abnormal event associated with the product after the product has been distributed by the product distributor, the exception information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the exception information in association with the original information in the database, and analyzing, using the computer, the exception information, and at least one of (a) the shipment information and (b) the usage information, to understand the cause of the abnormal event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of processing product related information, comprising:
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associating a product information tag with a product received from a manufacturer, the product information tag having been created using at least one product information tag preparation rule that specifies an action based on a customer order, the product information tag including identification information, storing, using a computer, original information relating to the product in a database record of a database prior to distribution of the product by a product distributor, the database record associated with the identification information in the product information tag that accompanies the product, the identification information uniquely identifying the product in the database, receiving shipment information including an identity of a shipper and an environmental condition experienced by the product while in possession of the shipper, the shipment information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the shipment information in association with the original information in the database, receiving usage information relating to use of the product, the usage information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the usage information in association with the original information in the database, receiving exception information relating to an abnormal event associated with the product after the product has been distributed by the product distributor, the exception information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the exception information in association with the original information in the database, and analyzing, using the computer, the exception information, and at least one of (a) the shipment information and (b) the usage information to understand the cause of the abnormal event, wherein at least one of the environmental condition information and the usage information is generated by a sensor embedded in the product. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A machine for processing product related information, comprising:
a computer coupled to a memory, wherein the computer is programmed to process the product related information by creating a product information tag using at least one product information tag preparation rule that specifies an action based on a customer order, the product information tag including identification information, associating the product information tag with a product received from a manufacturer, storing original information relating to the product in a database record of a database prior to distribution of the product by a product distributor, the database record associated with the identification information in the product information tag that accompanies the product, the identification information uniquely identifying the product in the database, receiving shipment information including an identity of a shipper and an environmental condition experienced by the product while in possession of the shipper, the shipment information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing the shipment information in association with the original information in the database, receiving usage information relating to use of the product, the usage information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing the usage information in association with the original information in the database, receiving exception information relating to an abnormal event associated with the product after the product has been distributed by the product distributor, the exception information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing the additional exception information in association with the original information in the database, and analyzing the exception information, and at least one of (a) the shipment information and (b) the usage information, to understand the cause of the abnormal event. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
Specification