System and method to store and retrieve indentifier associated information content
First Claim
1. A method of storing and retrieving information, comprising:
- configuring a terminal with general file access information comprising data storage device connection information for a data storage device containing information content files;
configuring the terminal with database connection information including identifier data entries and file data entries, wherein (i) each identifier data entry is associated with a file data entry and (ii) a combination of a given file data entry and the general file access information provide access to an information content file;
reading an identifier to generate identifier data;
transmitting, to a database from the terminal, a file data entry request that (i) comprises the generated identifier data and (ii) is based on the database location information;
receiving a file data entry from the database with the terminal; and
formulating, with the terminal, an information content file request based on the general file access information and the received file data entry.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, information content files, such as text files, image files, XML files and the like, that provide information related to an identifier bearing item, such as a consumer item with a barcode, are stored on a data storage device such as network server. Identifier data entries, such as UPC data, are associated with file data entries, such as file names, in a database. General file access information that is used in accessing the information content files is stored on a terminal. In operation an identifier is read by the terminal and is used to extract one of the file data entries from the database based on database communication information stored on the terminal. The file data entry in combination with the general file access information is used to establish communication with the data storage device and to extract one of the information content files.
89 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of storing and retrieving information, comprising:
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configuring a terminal with general file access information comprising data storage device connection information for a data storage device containing information content files; configuring the terminal with database connection information including identifier data entries and file data entries, wherein (i) each identifier data entry is associated with a file data entry and (ii) a combination of a given file data entry and the general file access information provide access to an information content file; reading an identifier to generate identifier data; transmitting, to a database from the terminal, a file data entry request that (i) comprises the generated identifier data and (ii) is based on the database location information; receiving a file data entry from the database with the terminal; and formulating, with the terminal, an information content file request based on the general file access information and the received file data entry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for storing and retrieving information, comprising:
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a reader configured for reading an identifier on an item and generating identifier data from the read identifier, the identifier data comprising the item'"'"'s source; a database containing identifier data entries and redirection entries, each of the identifier data entries associated with a redirection entry; a terminal in communication with the reader, the terminal configured with database connection information; a data storage device containing information content files, wherein an information content file relates to the item; a communications network in communication with the terminal, the database, and the data storage device; and an entity maintaining some control over the information content file related to the item, wherein the entity is not the item'"'"'s source; wherein the terminal is configured for; establishing communication with the data storage device; transmitting, to the database, a request comprising identifier data generated by the reader after reading an identifier on an item; receiving, from the database, a redirection entry associated with an identifier data entry corresponding to the identifier data in the transmitted request; and requesting an information content file related to the item bearing the identifier based on the redirection entry. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for storing and retrieving information, comprising:
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configuring a terminal with database connection information comprising identifier data entries and redirection entries, each of the identifier data entries associated with a redirection entry; reading an identifier on an item and generating identifier data from the read identifier, the identifier data comprising the item'"'"'s source; transmitting, from the terminal to a database, a redirection request that (i) comprises the generated identifier data and (ii) is based on the database connection information; receiving a redirection entry from the database with the terminal; transmitting, from the terminal to a data storage device, an information content file request that (i) is based on the received redirection entry and (ii) identifies an information content file related to the item and stored on the data storage device; and receiving the identified information content file from the data storage device with the terminal; wherein an entity that is not the item'"'"'s source maintains some control over the information content file related to the item. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification