Computer system for managing and generating unique information content for products

Abstract

Described is a computer system (1) for generating and managing unique information content which can be associated with products (P), characterised in that it comprises: - a graphical management module (M1), configured to allow the entering and storing at least of information alphanumeric strings (S1) common to a batch of products (P); - a module (M2) for generating unique information, configured for generating, for each product of a batch of products (P), a unique alphanumeric string (S2); - a module (M3) for generating unique information content, configured for associating, for each product (P) of a batch of products (P), the alphanumeric string (S1) common to the batch to which the product belongs generated by the module (M2) for generating unique information, with the unique alphanumeric string, and generating, as a result of said association, a unique information content (CU), said unique information content (CU) comprising, optionally, a QR type code.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR MANAGING AND GENERATING UNIQUE INFORMATION CONTENT FOR PRODUCTS.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] This invention relates to a computer system for managing and generating unique information content for products, in particular for caps, closures or labels of containers.

[0005] Background art

[0006] The use is known, in caps for containers, for example caps of bottles, of unique information content.

[0007] This content can, for example, consist of codes of the QR type, or of unique information (for example serial numbers) which can be used for a plurality of various purposes, such as, for example, participation in prize competitions, or for checking the authenticity of the product.

[0008] There is therefore the need to be able to provide a computer system which can advantageously facilitate the generation of unique codes, and can facilitate the exchange of information between various actors in the production chain (for example, the manufacturer of caps and the manufacturer of the liquid product packaged in a container and capped) to allow the production of products with unique information content.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] The aim of this invention is to provide a computer system which advantageously allows the above-mentioned need to be met, that is to say, advantageously allow the generation of products with unique information content, and which also allows information to be exchanged, in an extremely simple and fast manner, between the various actors of the production chain, that is, to manage the exchange of information. According to the invention, these aims are achieved using a computer system according to this invention comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

[0011] Brief description of drawings

[0012] The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment of the invention and in which:

[0013] - Figure 1A schematically illustrates the computer system according to the invention;

[0014] - Figures 1 B-1 D schematically illustrate a cap to which has been applied a unique information content, of different types, generated by the computer system of the previous drawing;

[0015] - Figures 2 to 8 are equally schematic views of some screen shots of the graphics module for managing the computer system according to the invention, illustrated in Figure 1.

[0016] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0017] For simplicity and convenience of description, reference is made below to generic products P.

[0018] Preferably, the products P consist of caps or closures for containers or labels applicable to containers.

[0019] Preferably, the caps are of the crown type or caps of the pull-off type.

[0020] Preferably, the containers to which caps, closures or labels are applied consist of bottles, in particular for beverages, but it is understood that the invention may also be applied for caps, closures or labels applicable to containers of a type other than bottles, for example cans, etc.

[0021] With reference to the above-mentioned drawings, in particular to Figure 1A, the Applicant has devised a computer system 1 for generating and managing unique information content which can be associated with the products P.

[0022] The system 1 can advantageously be used for a plurality of purposes such as, by way of a non-limiting example:

[0023] - participation in prize competitions;

[0024] - the possibility of tracking and identifying the product P, also for anticounterfeiting purposes.

[0025] These functions are described in more detail below with regard to the various elements of the system 1 .

[0026] According to an aspect, the computer system 1 for generating and managing unique information content which can be associated with products P comprises, in combination:

[0027] - a graphical management module M1 , configured to allow the entering and storing at least of alphanumeric strings S1 common to a batch of products P;

[0028] - a module M2 for generating unique information, configured for generating, for each product of a batch of products P, a unique alphanumeric string S2;

[0029] - a module M3 for generating unique information content, configured to associate, for each product P of a batch of products P, the alphanumeric string S1 common to the batch to which the product P belongs generated by the module M2 for generating unique information, with the unique alphanumeric string S2, and generating, as a result of said association, a unique information content CU.

[0030] It should also be noted that, advantageously, the unique information content CU is given by the combination of a unique alphanumeric string S2 and an alphanumeric string S1 common to the batch.

[0031] Preferably, the unique information content CU is generated in the form of an alphanumeric string; alternatively, the unique information content may be generated in the form of a one-dimensional or two-dimensional content, for example a QR code. According to another aspect, the graphical management module M1 is configured to allow the entering and storing of user identification information.

[0032] Preferably, the graphical module M1 comprises one or more graphical screens.

[0033] More specifically, the graphical management module M1 is configured to allow the entering and storing identification information of an order.

[0034] The term “order” used herein means the order of a specified quantity of products P to a supplier.

[0035] According to an aspect, preferably the graphical management module M1 is configured to generate a display of an order management table T1 comprising, in rows or columns, at least one of the following information items:

[0036] - an order identifier (11 );

[0037] - a date the order was created ( I2) ;

[0038] - information relating to a brand of the product P (I3);

[0039] - information relating to a product trademark P (I4);

[0040] - information relating to a quantity of products P ordered (I5) ;

[0041] - information relating to a state of generation of the unique information content (I6);

[0042] - information relating to a status of printing of the product (P) (I7);

[0043] - information relating to the campaign name (I8).

[0044] According to another aspect, the graphical management module M1 comprises a command P2 configured to generate a list comprising the unique information content CU associated with a predetermined batch of products P, that is to say, an order.

[0045] The command P2 preferably allows generation of an information content (i.e. files) containing a list comprising the unique information content CU associated with a predetermined batch of products P, that is to say, an order.

[0046] This information content may be, advantageously, an Excel file, a Word file, a graphical image or any type of file.

[0047] According to another aspect, for a product P, the unique information content CU is defined at least by an information alphanumeric string comprising:

[0048] - a first portion consisting of the alphanumeric string S1 common to the batch P to which the product belongs;

[0049] - a second portion consisting of the unique alphanumeric string S2 of the product P.

[0050] According to another aspect, the first portion is an initial portion and the second portion is a final portion of the information alphanumeric string defining the unique information content CU.

[0051] Preferably, the unique information content CU is defined by an information alphanumeric string designed to code a WEB address.

[0052] In other words, the information alphanumeric string, if used in the browser of mobile devices or computers or tablets, allows access to a remote information content made available in a remote server.

[0053] It should be noted that, preferably, the unique information content CU is printed on the product P (i.e. cap or closure or label), preferably inside the product P.

[0054] In this way, a user who purchases the product P (i.e. cap, closure or label) or an object (bottle or container) to which the container is associated can use the unique information content to access a website to which the unique information content (if used in browsers or similar IT products) allows access.

[0055] It should therefore be noted that the unique information content CU defines, preferably, a means of access to a website.

[0056] According to this aspect, preferably, the first portion of the information alphanumeric string comprises a protocol (preferably initial) of the “http:” or “https:” type.

[0057] According to another aspect, the graphical management module M1 comprises a command P1 , which can be activated to allow the modification of alphanumeric strings S1 common to a batch of products P. According to another aspect, the graphical management module M1 is configured for generating, following a modification of alphanumeric strings S1 common to a batch of products P, software information for redirecting URLs.

[0058] Moreover, the graphical management module M1 is configured said transmitting the software information to a Web server.

[0059] According to this aspect, if the alphanumeric string S1 common for a certain batch of products P is modified at a time after the creation of the order, it is possible to ensure that if the user uses the information alphanumeric string, that is to say, the unique information content CU for access to a website printed on the product P, there is a redirection without this causing any service problems.

[0060] In short, the final consumer who is in possession of the product P and uses the information alphanumeric string to access the website will be, due to the effect of the information transmitted to the remote server by the computer system 1 , redirected to a website corresponding to the modified information alphanumeric string.

[0061] This therefore allows, advantageously, modification of the web address to which the information alphanumeric string is associated in an extremely fast and simple manner, allowing a user of the computer system to upgrade or change even after the placing on the market of the product P with the unique information content associated with it without causing any service problems.

[0062] According to another aspect, the graphical management module M1 comprises a statistical module M4, configured for displaying statistical analyses associated with the use on the Internet, of the access string, for the purposes of access to the website.

[0063] In short, each time a consumer on the Internet uses the unique information content CU, that is to say, the corresponding information alphanumeric string to access a website (e.g. by scanning the information alphanumeric string present on the product P or by keying in the information alphanumeric string present on the product P in a browser), access information is stored (in a remote server), for example increasing a counter of the number of accesses made available by the remote server hosting the website.

[0064] According to an aspect, each time a consumer on the Internet uses the unique information content CU, that is, the corresponding information alphanumeric string to access a website, the remote server which houses the website sends information to the computer system 1 .

[0065] The computer system 1 is configured to collect this access information and generate statistics for displaying the unique information content CU.

[0066] According to an aspect, these statistical analyses comprise at least a first graph GF1 , representing the number of Internet uses over time, of the access string (that is to say, the unique information content CU) for the purposes of accessing the website.

[0067] In short, the graph GF1 provides, over time, the number of accesses to the Internet by means of the access string, divided by predetermined time periods (months, weeks, days, etc.).

[0068] According to another aspect, these statistical analyses comprise at least a second GF2 graph, representing the number of Internet uses over time, on a hourly basis, of the string of access to websites for the purposes of access to the website.

[0069] According to another aspect, these statistical analyses comprise at least a third graph GF3, representing the geographical location of the use on the Internet of the access string.

[0070] In short, the third graph GF3 represents, preferably, on a map, the accesses to the access string by access locations.

[0071] According to another aspect, these statistical analyses comprise a parameter PR1 representing the number of Internet uses of the string for access to websites.

[0072] The parameter PR1 represents the total number of accesses on the Internet by using the string for access to websites.

[0073] According to another aspect, these statistical analyses comprise a fourth graph GF4, representing the type of electronic device which has used the access string on the Internet to access the corresponding website.

[0074] It should be noted in particular that the statistical analyses mentioned above are preferably aggregated by batch of products P I campaign (set of batches), that is to say, the statistical analyses do not refer to the accesses to the single unique information content CU but refer, on the other hand, to a batch or campaign, that is to say, aggregated by groups of products P.

[0075] The term “campaign” in this description means a set of batches, which correspond to a predetermined aggregation criterion.

[0076] The computer system 1 may be advantageously used to be able to generate prize competitions or, more generally, to associate specific information content dedicated to products.

[0077] In effect, as mentioned above, the unique information content may be printed on the product P, and, subsequently, used by the final consumer who purchased the product P to access a website associated with the unique information content.

[0078] In this way, for example, it is possible to implement a prize competition, since it is possible to establish, with predetermined logics, what will be the unique information content to be the subject of the win and to allow a user to view whether or not the relative unique information content CU is the winner.

[0079] Moreover, the computer system 1 may advantageously be used to guarantee anti-counterfeiting functions.

[0080] According to this use, the unique information content may be printed on the product P, and, subsequently, used by the final consumer who purchased the product P to access a website associated with the unique information content and check the authenticity of the product purchased.

[0081] According to another aspect, the computer system is defined by an information technology product, comprising instructions configured to define the above-mentioned graphical management module M1 , the module M2 for generating unique information, the module M3 for generating unique information content.

[0082] These instructions can be prepared in any language.

[0083] According to another aspect, the computer system 1 comprises a remote server, configured to run the above-mentioned graphical management module M1 , the module M2 for generating unique information, the module M3 for generating unique information content.

[0084] According to an aspect, the information technology product is loaded, that is to say, stored, in the remote server.

[0085] According to this aspect, the remote server runs the information technology product.

[0086] It should be noted that, advantageously, the computer system 1 makes it possible to manage the orders between a group of customers or users of the system and a supplier of products P, which will provide, after activating the orders, the products P with printed the unique information content CU.

[0087] It should be noted that the system 1 comprises a command for sending a signal for printing a batch of products P.

[0088] With reference to Figures 3, 7 and 8, it should be noted that these displays can be accessed by means of a supplier login, issued only to the supplier of the products P, that is to say, to the physical entity (i.e. company) responsible for receiving orders and printing the unique information content UC on the products P.

[0089] On the other hand, with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, it should be noted that these displays can be accessed by means of a customer login, issued only to the customer of the supplier of the products P, that is to say, to the physical entity (i.e. company) that needs to send orders to receive the products P with the unique UC information content printed on the products.

[0090] It should be noted that, by way of a non-limiting example, the graphical management module M1 is configured for generating views of the screens shown in Figures 3 to 8.

[0091] According to another aspect, the unique information content CU is defined by a QR type code.

[0092] In other words, the graphical management module M1 generates a QR code which allows, when scanned, for example, by a mobile device, access to a website.

[0093] It should be noted that the graphical management module M1 may therefore be configured to generate a QR code which comprises the unique information content CU and, optionally, further information.

[0094] As is known, in effect, the QR type codes may comprise a plurality of information, suitably coded (according to the rules of the QR type codes).

[0095] It should be noted that the unique information content CU may be reproduced in any position of the product P.

[0096] If the product P consists of a cap, the unique information content CU may be reproduced inside or outside the cap.

[0097] According to another aspect, the graphical management module M1 is configured to transmit the unique information content CU generated to a printing device, to allow the printing of the unique information content CU on a product P.

[0098] According to yet another aspect, the graphical management module M1 is configured to group together, in a group, a plurality of unique information contents CU generated, and to transmit said group of unique information contents CU generated to a printing device, to allow the printing of the unique information contents CU on products P, associating in a bi-unique manner unique information contents CU to the products P.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A computer system (1 ) for generating and managing unique information content which can be associated with products (P), characterised in that it comprises:- a graphical management module (M1 ), configured to allow the entering and / or storing at least of alphanumeric strings (S1) common to a batch of products (P);- a module (M2) for generating unique information, configured for generating, for each product of a batch of products (P), a unique alphanumeric string (S2);- a module (M3) for generating unique information content, configured to associate, for each product (P) of a batch of products (P), the alphanumeric string (S1) common to the batch to which the product (P) belongs generated by the module (M2) for generating unique information, with the unique alphanumeric string (S2), and generating, as a result of said association, a unique information content (CU).

2. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured to allow the entering and storing of user identification information.

3. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured to allow the entering and / or storing of identification information of an order.

4. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured for generating a display of an order management table (T1 ) comprising, in rows or columns, at least one of the following information items:- an order identifier;- -a date the order was created;- information relating to a product brand (P);- information relating to a product trademark (P);- information relating to a quantity of products (P) ordered;- information relating to a state of generation of the unique information content;- information relating to a status of printing of the product (P);- information relating to a campaign name.

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) comprises a command (P2) configured to generate a list comprising the unique information content (CU) associated with a predetermined batch of products (P), that is to say, order.

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said products (P) consist of caps or closures of containers.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, for a product (P), the unique information content is defined at least by a string comprising:- a first portion consisting of the alphanumeric string common to the batch of products (P) to which the product belongs;- a second portion consisting of the unique alphanumeric string of the product (P).

8. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the first portion is an initial portion and the second portion is a final portion of the string defining the unique information content (CU).

9. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) comprises a command (P1),which can be activated to allow the modification of alphanumeric strings (S1) common to a batch of products (P).

10. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured for generating, following a modification of alphanumeric strings (S1) common to a batch of products (P), software information for redirecting URLs, and for transmitting said information to a web server.

11. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured to make available a alphanumeric string (S1) common to a preset batch of products (P).

12. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unique information content (CU) comprises a string for access to websites.

13. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) comprises a statistical module (M4), configured for displaying statistical analyses associated with the use on the Internet, of the access string, for the purposes of access to the website.

14. The system according to the preceding claim, wherein these statistical analyses comprise at least a first graph (GF1), representing the number of Internet uses over time, of the access string, for the purposes of accessing the website.

15. The system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein these statistical analyses comprise at least a second graph (GF2), representing the number of Internet uses over time, on a hourly basis, of the string of access to websites for the purposes of access to the website.

16. The system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein these statistical analyses comprise at least a third graph (GF3), representing the geographical location of the use on the Internet of the access string.

17. The system according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein these statistical analyses comprise a parameter (PR1) representing the number of Internet uses of the string for access to websites.

18. The system according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein these statistical analyses comprise a fourth graph (GF4), representing the type of electronic device which has used the access string on the Internet.

19. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the computer system (1) comprises a information technology product, comprising software instructions configured to define the above-mentioned graphical management module (M1 ), the module (M2) for generating unique information, the module (M3) for generating unique information content.

20. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a remote server, configured to run the above-mentioned graphical management module (M1 ), the module (M2) for generating unique information, the module (M3) for generating unique information content.

21. The system according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the information technology product is loaded in the remote server.

22. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a command for sending a signal for printing the unique information content (CLI) on the products (P) of a batch of products (P).

23. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unique information content (CU) is defined by a QR type code.

24. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured to generate a QR type code, comprising a unique information content (CU) and, optionally, further information.

25. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured to transmit the unique information content (CU) generated to a printing device, to allow the printing of the unique information content (CU) on a product (P).

26. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphical management module (M1 ) is configured to group together, in a group, a plurality of unique information contents (CU) generated, and to transmit said group of unique information contents (CU) generated to a printing device, to allow the printing of the unique information contents (CU) on products (P), associating in a bi-unique manner unique information contents (CU) to the products (P).

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