User access to item information

• US 8,219,584 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Starr, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Kimberly
• Assistant Examiner(s): Uddin, Mohammed R
• Application Number:
  US11/304,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20070143256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,399 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/812, 707/781, 707/999.002
• US Class Current: 707/781
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Included is a user device for communicating product information. The user device might include a data storage device and a product identifier input device configured to receive a product identifier. Also included in the user device is logic configured to retrieve at least one user preference, logic configured to retrieve information regarding a product related to the product identifier from a data network, and logic configured to compare the at least one user preference with at least a portion of the information related to the product.

Claims

1. A user device for communicating product information, comprising:

a product identifier input device configured to receive a product identifier for a selected product;

a data storage device that stores;

first logic that causes a processor of the user device to retrieve a previously determined user preference, the previously determined user preference being determined prior to receiving the product identifier for the selected product;

second logic that causes the processor of the user device to retrieve product information associated with the product identifier from a data network servicing a plurality of retail stores, the data network being accessed from a local product server hosted within a first retail location, the data network also being accessible from a second local product server hosted within a second retail location, wherein the plurality of retail stores comprise different retail stores from different retail store chains and product information is allowed or denied amongst the different retail stores;

third logic that causes the processor of the user device to compare the previously determined user preference with the product information; and

fourth logic that causes the processor of the user device to, in response to a determination that the product information includes an element not allowed by the predetermined user preference, suggest an alternative product to the selected product,

wherein the alternative product is verified to be sold at the first retail location when the data network is being accessed from the local product server hosted within the first retail location,

wherein access to product information for products not sold at the first retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the first retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network,

wherein access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device over the data network while the second local product server hosted within the second retail location is used by the user device to access the data network.

2. The user device of claim 1, further comprising fifth logic that causes the processor of the user device to provide a notification regarding whether the previously determined user preference relates to the at least a portion of the product information.

3. The user device of claim 1, wherein the product identifier input device includes at least one of the following:

a keyboard, a mouse, a one-dimensional Universal Product Code reader, a two-dimensional Universal Product Code reader, a Radio Frequency Identification tag reader, European Article Numbering reader, an Electronic Program Code reader, and an image scanner.

4. The user device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless interface for the user device communicating wirelessly with the data network.

5. The user device of claim 1, wherein the user device includes at least one of the following:

a personal computer, a telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant, a television, and a set-top box.

6. The user device of claim 1, further comprising a communications interface for the user device configured to communicate with the data network via the Internet.

7. The user device of claim 1, further comprising fifth logic that causes the processor of the user device to receive data associated with the location of the product related to the product identifier.

8. The user device of claim 1, further comprising fifth logic that causes the processor of the user device to provide an option to determine the previously determined user preference.

9. The user device of claim 1, wherein the previously determined user preference includes a list of allergies of the subscriber.

10. The user device of claim 1, wherein the previously determined user preference includes a previous purchase of the subscriber.

11. A method of providing product information, comprising:

receiving a product identifier via a user device, the product identifier associated with a product;

retrieving a previously determined user preference, the previously determined user preference being determined prior to receiving the product identifier for the product;

utilizing the product identifier to retrieve product information related to the product from a data network servicing a plurality of retail stores, the data network being accessed from a local product server hosted within a first retail location, the data network also being accessible from a second local product server hosted within a second retail location, wherein the plurality of retail stores comprise different retail stores from different retail store chains and product information is allowed or denied amongst the different retail stores;

comparing the previously determined user preference with the product information; and

in response to a determination that the product information includes an element not allowed by the previously determined user preference, suggesting an alternative product to the product, wherein the alternative product is verified to be sold at the first retail location when the data network is being accessed from the local product server hosted within the first retail location,

wherein access to product information for products not sold at the first retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the first retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network,

wherein, access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device while the second local product server hosted within the second retail location is used by the user device to access the data network.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing the previously determined user preference.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a user option to edit the previously determined user preference.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the product information includes at least one of the following:

product name, product price, product ingredients, product components, nutritional value, product instructions, product preparation directions, related products, sales data, and product retailer.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a notification regarding whether the previously determined user preference relates to the at least a portion of the product information.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the previously determined user preference includes a spending habit of the subscriber.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium, configured for providing product information, the computer readable medium storing a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform at least the following:

receive a product identifier via a user device, the product identifier related to a product;

retrieve a previously determined user preference, the previously determined user preference being determined prior to receiving the product identifier for the product;

utilize the product identifier to retrieve product information associated with the product from a data network servicing a plurality of retail stores, the data network being accessed from a local product server hosted within a first retail location, the data network also being accessible from a second local product server hosted within a second retail location, wherein the plurality of retail stores comprise different retail stores from different retail store chains and product information is allowed or denied amongst the different retail stores;

compare the previously determined user preference with at the product information; and

in response to a determination that the product information includes an element not allowed by the previously determined user preference, suggest an alternative product to the product, wherein the alternative product is verified to be sold at the first retail location when the data network is being accessed from the local product server hosted within the first retail location,

wherein access to product information for products not sold at the first retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the first retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network,

wherein, access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device while the second local product server hosted within the second retail location is used by the user device to access the data network.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, the program further causing the computer to provide an option for a user to edit the previously determined user preference.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, the program further causing the computer to store the previously determined user preference.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, the program further causing the computer to receive data associated with the location of the product related to the product identifier.

21. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, the program further causing the computer to send a notification to a user regarding whether the previously determined user preference relates to the at least a portion of the product information.

22. The non-transitory The computer readable medium of claim 17, the program further causing the computer to communicate with the data network.

23. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the previously determined user preference includes a medication purchased by the subscriber.