초록 ▼

An interactive search system for use primarily with a global computer network, e.g., the Internet, using a search identifying barcode, such as a UPC code, to rapidly and effectively obtain a supply of related information for presentation to a user. A computer may be used to input a UPC code, taken f

An interactive search system for use primarily with a global computer network, e.g., the Internet, using a search identifying barcode, such as a UPC code, to rapidly and effectively obtain a supply of related information for presentation to a user. A computer may be used to input a UPC code, taken from a package or advertisement or pre-stored in the computer, to an implementing server on the network. The server contains a database of product and manufacturer identifying UPC codes and uses the input UPC code and the database to identify the manufacturer and is programmed to then perform a search of the network to locate sites relating to or operated by the manufacturer. Also, the server may search the network on a product basis to locate other sites containing the UPC under search. To reduce search time, the user can identify the optional category of the product when the UPC is entered and the server may be programmed to initially search sites where a greater likelihood of uncovering a particular UPC exists. Using "parsing" technology, the server "pulls out" the product description, transmits it to and places it in a random access memory (RAM) or storage of the computer, and proceeds to perform further searching relying on the product description to uncover relevant information. Accordingly, using a single input, a collection of product-related and manufacturer information is quickly assembled in the computer available for a user's consideration all at once at any time. To purchase the particular product, the server can automatically link the computer with the manufacturer's site on the network or the server, to permit direct ordering.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An interactive search system for obtaining a supply of information relating to the object of the search from a global computer network for presentation to a user, said system comprising:an implementing server coupled to the global computer network and comprising database means for storing search-

1. An interactive search system for obtaining a supply of information relating to the object of the search from a global computer network for presentation to a user, said system comprising:an implementing server coupled to the global computer network and comprising database means for storing search-object-related information and associated information on where further search-object-related information can be located on the global computer network; a computer input terminal coupled to said implementing server and operable by a user to send a coded input for accessing said implementing server, said coded input addressing said stored search-object-related information; means, responsive to said coded input, for activating said implementing server to use said associated information to access said further search-object-related information on the global computer network; and means for collecting and storing at said computer input terminal said further search-object-related information accessed by said implementing server to provide a supply of search-object-related information from the global computer network ready for presentation to the user in accordance with the coded input.