System and method for tracking a product

• US 7,991,652 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2002
• Issued: 08/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: United States Postal Service (Government of the United States of America)
• Inventors: Chamberlain, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gart; Matthew S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Goyea; Olusegun
• Application Number:
  US10/311,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,410 Days
• Field of Search: 705/38, 705/22, 705/1, 705/104.1, 705/26, 705/28, 705/27, 705/31, 705/307, 707/6, 235/375, 235/385, 235/492, 235/462.01
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

Herein is described systems and methods for tracking a product. To track a product, product identification information that identifies the product and product ownership information is received. The product ownership information is updated when the product is transferred to another. The product identification information and product ownership information is stored in a database.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for tracking a product, comprising:

receiving at a processor, from a manufacturer, product identification information that identifies a product, wherein the product is leased to a consumer by a third-party non-consumer after the manufacturer has sold the product to the third-party non-consumer;

receiving, at the processor, product possession information from the leasing consumer;

receiving recall information;

storing the product identification information, product possession information, and recall information in a database connected to the processor;

when the product is subleased, updating the product possession information;

determining whether instructions on how to use to the product are available in the database;

providing instructions on how to use the product based on the product possession information wherein the instructions are based on the product identification information or providing information on how or where to receive instructions; and

outputting information, including an email address, on a previous owner based on the product possession information and based on one or more of the product identification information or product identification number.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

assigning a product identification number to the product; and

cross-referencing the product identification number with the product identification information and product possession information in the database.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a leasor that owns the product.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a lessee who is renting the product.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein updating the

product possession information comprises:

receiving the product identification number;

searching the database based on the product identification number;

receiving new product possession information; and

updating the database with the new product possession information.

6. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving, from a manufacturer, product identification information that identifies a product, wherein the product is leased to the consumer by a third-party non-consumer after the manufacturer has sold the product to the third-party non-consumer;

receiving product possession information from the leasing consumer;

receiving recall information;

storing the recall information and product possession information in a database in relationship to the product identification information;

when the product is subleased, updating the possession information;

determining whether instructions on how to use to a product are available in the database;

providing instructions on how to use the product based on the product possession information wherein the instructions are based on the product identification information or providing information on how or where to receive instructions; and

outputting information, including an email address, on previous owners based on the product possession information and based on one or more of the product identification information or product identification number.

7. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 6, the method further comprising:

assigning a product identification number to the product; and

cross-referencing the product identification number with the product identification information and product possession information in the database.

8. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a leasor who owns the product.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 6, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a lessee who leases the product.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 7, wherein updating the product possession information comprises:

receiving the product identification number;

searching the database based on the product identification number;

receiving new product possession information; and

updating the database with the new product possession information.

11. A system for tracking a product, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device storing instructions that are executed by the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving, from a manufacturer, product identification information that identifies a product, wherein the product is leased to a consumer by a third-party non-consumer after the manufacturer has sold the product to the third-party non-consumer;

receiving product possession information from the leasing consumer;

receiving recall information after receiving the product identification information;

updating the product possession information each time the product is subleased to another;

storing the product identification information, recall information, and product possession information in a database;

determining whether instructions on how to use to the product are available in the database;

providing instructions on how to use the product based on the product possession information wherein the instructions are based on the product identification information or providing information on how or where to receive instructions; and

outputting information, including an email address, on previous owners based on the product possession information and based on one or more of the product identification information or product identification number.

12. The system according to claim 11, the operations further comprising:

assigning a product identification number to the product; and

cross-referencing the product identification number with the product identification information and product possession information in the database.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a leasor who owns the product.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a lessee who leases the product.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the operation that updates the product possession information comprises:

receiving the product identification number;

searching the database based on the product identification number;

receiving new product possession information; and

updating the database with the new product possession information.

16. A system for tracking a product, comprising:

a first receiving component configured to receive, from a manufacturer, product identification information that identifies a product, wherein the product is leased to the consumer by a third-party non-consumer after the manufacturer has sold the product to the third-party non-consumer, the first receiving component further configured to receive product possession information from the leasing consumer;

a second receiving component for receiving recall information after receiving the product identification information;

an update component configured to update the product possession information when the product is subleased to another;

a storing component configured to store the product identification information, recall information, and product possession information in a database;

a determining component configured to determine whether instructions on how to use to the product are available in the database;

a first providing component configured to provide instructions on how to use the product based on the product possession information wherein the instructions are based on the product identification information or providing information on how or where to receive instructions; and

a second providing component configured to provide information, including an email address, on previous owners based on the product possession information and based on one or more of the product identification information or product identification number.

17. The system according to claim 16, further comprising:

an assigning component configured to assign a product identification number to the product; and

a cross-referencing component configured to cross-reference the product identification number with the product identification information and product possession information in the database.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a leasor who owns the product.

19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the product identification information and the product possession information is received from a lessee who leases the product.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the update component is configured to:

receive the product identification number;

search the database based on the product identification number;

receive new product possession information; and

update the database with the new product possession information