Mobile Device Offline Product Information Lookup via Local UPC Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices take time to connect to the internet and may not provide immediate information about an article of commerce, frustrating users in an era of instant gratification, especially in areas without internet access.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables a mobile device to communicate with a network, store a look-up table with UPCs and information link indicators, allowing offline access to determine if information about an article of commerce is accessible by scanning the UPC and checking the local database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device connects to the Internet to retrieve information about an article of commerce, then the user can obtain comprehensive product information, but the process takes time and may fail without internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by downloading and storing product information and link indicators in a local database before the user needs them. When a product is scanned, the device can immediately check the local database to determine if information is available, eliminating the need to connect to the Internet at the moment of need.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary local database that stores product information and link indicators. This intermediary layer allows the device to check product information availability offline, acting as a mediator between the product scanner and the Internet, providing results without requiring active Internet connection.
2Productivity
If the mobile device scans and connects to the Internet immediately, then information can be retrieved, but the user experiences frustration when information is not available or connection fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback to the user by checking the local database and providing visual or audible indications within seconds of scanning a product. The device feedbacks whether information is available locally or if the product is new, eliminating the uncertainty and frustration of waiting for Internet responses.
Solution Approach 2:
Product information and link indicators are preliminarily downloaded and stored in the local database before use. This preliminary action enables rapid information retrieval and improves both productivity and user experience by providing immediate results without Internet connection delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device stores a local database with product information, then offline access is enabled, but the device requires more storage capacity and initial download time
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential elements needed for offline operation: product UPCs, information link indicators, and basic product details. By taking out only the critical data elements rather than storing complete product databases, the system enables offline access while minimizing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The local database is preliminarily populated with product information and link indicators during idle times or initial setup. This preliminary action prepares the device for offline operation without requiring large storage capacity, as the database grows organically based on user scanning patterns and available download opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for indicating an existence of a link to information pertaining to an article of commerce. The present disclosure provides for downloading a look-up table from a server database to a mobile device via a communication network. The look-up table is configured to store a plurality of UPC numbers associated with a plurality of articles of commerce and a plurality of information link indicators. Each information link indicator is associated with a respective UPC number and article of commerce and indicates the existence of a link via the communication network to information pertaining to the respective article of commerce. The mobile device allows a consumer to immediately determine if product information is available for a particular article of commerce, via a visual or audible indication on the mobile device.