Mobile Product Information Retrieval via Barcode Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems do not allow consumers to access product information in real-time without making a purchase, limiting their ability to discover related items proactively.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a unique identifier on consumer goods, read by a personal data collection device, to connect to a database and provide customized product information through a user interface on a mobile device, including details, advertisements, and purchasing opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a consumer uses a barcode scanner to access product information, then product information can be retrieved, but the system requires a purchase to be made first to access related items
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and stores product information, related items, and promotional content in a database before the consumer needs it. When a barcode is scanned, the system immediately retrieves pre-prepared information including related products and promotions without requiring the consumer to make a purchase first, enabling proactive discovery of related items
2Adaptability or versatility
If a real-time proactive system is implemented to allow consumers to experience potential products without purchase, then consumer ability to discover items is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile computing device as an intermediary between the product barcode and the comprehensive product information system. The mobile device captures the barcode, communicates with a database through a network, and presents customized information to the consumer. This intermediary approach enables real-time proactive information delivery without requiring complex integration into existing point-of-sale systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the information delivery function into separate components: a database storing product information and related items, a mobile device for capturing barcodes and presenting information, and a network for communication. This segmentation allows the system to provide real-time proactive information without requiring complex integration into existing retail infrastructure
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A system and method is provided for delivering customized information related to a specific product of interest to consumer. In practice, the consumer uses a suitably enabled portable, mobile and/or wireless device (e.g., such as a mobile camera phone) to scan or otherwise read a marker associated with a product, retail item or other article of interest. From the marker, a unique ID is obtained (i.e., the marker ID). The marker ID is then used to cross-reference a URL or other like address in a database that relates marker IDs to corresponding URLs. The target URL is returned to the consumer's device and an http session is established with a content management server at the target URL. In one suitable embodiment, the content management server obtains a SKU and/or template web page ID that are associated with the marker ID in a database. Suitably, the SKU relates to the specific product with which the marker was associated. Having in this way determined the actual specific product of interest to the consumer, customized information related thereto can be delivered to the consumer's device, e.g., via a web page optimized for the identified device. Optionally, the web page content and/or template is obtained from a database that associates the same with the template web page ID received by the content management server.