Computer-readable medium product label apparatus and method

US 20010042009A1
Filed: 01/20/2000
Published: 11/15/2001
Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1999
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An apparatus comprising:

a label configured to be affixed to a product;

the product having a surface associated therewith;

the label configured to directly communicate first information corresponding to at least one of the product and a source of the product; and

a computer-readable medium coupled to the product by the label.

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Abstract

A user-computer-readable medium provides all or part of a product labeling system for engaging purchasers. Executables, data, or both are recorded in the medium embodied in a tag or other product labeling structure, in order to deliver to a consumer or purchaser engaging presentations of products, information, or registration templates. As a result, purchasers may receive launchers, browsers, viewers, e-mail systems, facsimile centers, players, or interface brokers for the foregoing, if organically installed already on a workstation of a purchaser. Software may provide catalog presentations, user registration templates, communications, linkers, or engines, and the like. Operation modules and profile builders may provide information over ready links implemented by software on the medium. In certain embodiments, entertainment, games, skill tests, and the like, recorded in the medium as a tag or label may execute to engage a purchaser and provide purchaser profiling information, product purchasing information, and the like to a vendor, while providing additional product information, warranty registrations, applications, entertainment, or the like, to a purchaser.

143 Citations

26 Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:
- a label configured to be affixed to a product;
  
  the product having a surface associated therewith;
  
  the label configured to directly communicate first information corresponding to at least one of the product and a source of the product; and
  
  a computer-readable medium coupled to the product by the label.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- - 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first information is printed on the label.
  - 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first information is contained in a selection of color on the label.
  - 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the label is shaped to provide the first information through a shape.
  - 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable medium contains second information comprising at least one of product facts, source facts, new product facts, service facts, a game, a data gathering interface, a test, a browser, a launcher, and a network identifier corresponding to a location of additional information.
  - 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the product includes at least one of a garment, footwear, headgear, a toy, a foodstuff, furniture, an appliance, sporting goods, dry goods, a tool, and a plant.
  - 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the product is placed with respect to the label to protect the label prior to purchase.
  - 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the label includes at least one of a hang tag and a hanging tag, substantially enclosing the computer-readable medium.
  - 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer-readable medium includes at least one of a printed medium, an electromagnetic medium, an optical medium, and a firmware medium.
  - 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computer-readable medium is formatted in at least one of the formats including compact disk, floppy disk, digital video disk, magnetic strip, bar code, symbolic code, and an embedded chip.

11. An apparatus comprising:
- a label configured to be affixed to packaging substantially enclosing a product, and the packaging having an exterior;
  
  the label configured to directly communicate first information corresponding to at least one of the product and a source of the product; and
  
  the packaging substantially enclosing the product; and
  
  a computer-readable medium coupled to the packaging by the label.
- View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- - 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first information is printed on the label.
  - 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first information is contained in a selection of color on the label.
  - 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the label is shaped to provide the first information through a shape.
  - 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computer-readable medium contains second information comprising at least one of product facts, source facts, new product facts, service facts, a game, a data gathering interface, a test, a browser, a launcher, and a network identifier corresponding to a location of additional information.
  - 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the label includes at least one of a hang tag and a hanging tag, substantially enclosing the computer-readable medium.
  - 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the computer-readable medium includes at least one of a printed medium, an electromagnetic medium, an optical medium, and a firmware medium.

18. An apparatus comprising:
- a label configured to be affixed to a product, the product having an exterior;
  
  the label configured to be attached to a tether having a first end and a second end;
  
  the first end configured to be coupled to the label;
  
  the second end configured to be coupled to the exterior of the product, such that the tether couples the label to the exterior of the product;
  
  the label configured to directly communicate first information corresponding to at least one of the product and a source of the product; and
  
  a computer-readable medium coupled to the label.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- - 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first information is printed on the label.
  - 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first information is contained in a selection of color on the label.
  - 21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the label is shaped to provide the first information through a shape.
  - 22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the computer-readable medium contains second information comprising at least one of product facts, source facts, new product facts, service facts, a game, a data gathering interface, a test, a browser, a launcher, and a network identifier corresponding to a location of additional information.
  - 23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the product defines an opening into an interior of the product and at least part of the label is positioned in the interior of the product.

24. A method comprising:
- configuring a label to directly communicate first information corresponding to at least one of a product and a source of the product;
  
  coupling a computer-readable medium to the label; and
  
  coupling the label to an exterior of the product.
- View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
- - 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the product is packaged.
  - 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the label is coupled to the exterior of the product by a flexible member.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Etagz
Original Assignee
Etagz
Inventors
Montague, David R.

Granted Patent

US 8,050,964 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

705/14
CPC Class Codes

G06Q 30/0207   Discounts or incentives, e....

G06Q 30/0239   Online discounts or incentives

G06Q 30/0241   Advertisements

G06Q 30/0251   Targeted advertisements

G06Q 30/0601   Electronic shopping [e-shop...

G06Q 30/0641   Shopping interfaces

G09F 3/02   Forms or constructions laye...

Computer-readable medium product label apparatus and method

First Claim

4 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

143 Citations

26 Claims

Specification

Solutions

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Computer-readable medium product label apparatus and method

First Claim

4 Assignments

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

143 Citations

26 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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