Product information systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing product information, comprising:
- generating a digital characterization of a product identifier image with a handheld device, the product identifier image being associated with a product;
determining a product identifier of the product with the handheld device based on the digital characterization of the product identifier image;
retrieving product information for the product from a product database stored in a computer-readable storage medium using the product identifier;
displaying at least part of the product information with the handheld device; and
restricting access to the product information until after generating the digital characterization of the product identifier image and determining the product identifier with the handheld device.
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Abstract
Embodiments provide product information to a person viewing a product by capturing a product identifier image associated with the product, determining a product identifier from the image, and retrieving product information from a product database using the product identifier. In some cases the product information is filtered prior to display using a profile that includes criteria set by the user. Embodiments provide product information via a handheld computing device, which in some cases can be a mobile phone or other such device that also includes a camera for capturing product identifier images.
51 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for providing product information, comprising:
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generating a digital characterization of a product identifier image with a handheld device, the product identifier image being associated with a product; determining a product identifier of the product with the handheld device based on the digital characterization of the product identifier image; retrieving product information for the product from a product database stored in a computer-readable storage medium using the product identifier; displaying at least part of the product information with the handheld device; and restricting access to the product information until after generating the digital characterization of the product identifier image and determining the product identifier with the handheld device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A handheld device for providing product information, the device comprising:
a processor;
a display; and
a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by the processor for providing product information, comprisinggenerating a digital characterization of a product identifier image with the handheld device, the product identifier image being associated with a product, determining a product identifier of the product with the handheld device based on the digital characterization of the product identifier image, retrieving product information for the product from a product database using the product identifier, displaying at least part of the product information with the display of the handheld device, and restricting access to the product information until after generating the digital characterization of the product identifier image and determining the product identifier with the handheld device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for providing product information, comprising:
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providing packaging for a product with a product identifier image; providing access to a product information application for a handheld device through a product information web server; and receiving through the product information web server a request from a user to use the product information application on the handheld device, wherein the product information application comprises instructions executable by a processor of the handheld device to generate a digital characterization of the product identifier image, determine a product identifier of the product based on the digital characterization of the product identifier image, retrieve product information for the product from a product database stored in a computer-readable storage medium using the product identifier, cause at least part of the product information to be displayed with the handheld device, and restricting access to the product information until after generating the digital characterization of the product identifier image and determining the product identifier with the handheld device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification