System and method for providing a comparable branded product based on a current branded product for non-comparison shopped products

Abstract

A method and apparatus for inputting an end-user's current brand name and, in return, providing at least one comparable branded product to the end-user where the category of branded products are non-comparison shopped products. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus is utilized in the area of medical devices including such markets as patients with intestinal stomas, incontinence wound care needs and diabetes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer implemented method of providing at least one comparable branded product to an end-user, wherein the end-user's current branded product is a non-comparison shopped product, wherein the method comprises: 
 (a) entering product data of the product including branded name into an entering device, wherein the entering step comprises generating an output corresponding to the product data;    (b) accessing a set of data relating to other branded products having comparable attributes from the product data from the output and the set of data;    (c) computing at least one comparable branded product to be provided to the user based upon the generated function and the comparable product; and    (d) providing at least one comparable branded product to the end-user.    
     
     
         2 . An automated system for providing at least one comparable branded product to an end-user, wherein the end-user's current branded product is a non-comparison shopped product, wherein the method comprises: 
 (a) entering means for entering the product data of the product including branded name and for generating an output corresponding to the product data;    (b) generating means for receiving said output from said entering means, for accessing a set of data relating to other branded products, and for generating a function based on said output and said set of data, wherein said function has a branded product comparator;    (c) computing means for receiving said function from said generating means and for computing a comparable branded product based upon said received function; and    (d) transferring means for providing at least one comparable branded product to said user.    
     
     
         3 . A data processing apparatus for determining at least one comparable branded product to an end-user, wherein the end-user's current branded product is a non-comparison shopped product, wherein the method comprises: 
 a central controller including a CPU and a memory operatively connected to said CPU;    at least one terminal, adapted for communicating with said central controller, for transmitting to said central controller brand product information including branded name;    said memory in said central controller containing a program, adapted to be executed by said CPU, for determining at least one comparable product based on the brand name of a product; and    wherein said central controller receives said brand name from said terminal and computes the comparable branded product based upon the brand name criteria.    
     
     
         4 . An automated method of providing at least one comparable branded product, wherein the end-user's current branded product is a non-comparison shopped product, using a central controller including a CPU and a memory operatively connected to said CPU and containing a program adapted to be executed by said CPU for determining at least one comparable branded product based upon a brand name criteria, and a terminal adapted for communicating with said CPU, the method comprising the steps of: 
 inputting brand name product criteria to the controller via the terminal;    inputting survey data criteria to the controller via the terminal;    computing at least one comparable branded product that gives a user the right to purchase the comparable branded product by having the CPU execute a program based on the branded name product and survey data input; and    outputting the comparable branded product to the terminal.    
     
     
         5 . The method of claims  1 ,  2 , or  4 , wherein the computed comparable branded product is composed of a combination of at least two different branded products.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of    claim 3   , wherein the computed comparable branded product is composed of a combination of at least two different branded products.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with intestinal stomas.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7   , wherein the category of products is a group consisting of pouches, ostomy systems, sealants and skin barriers.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with incontinence.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9   , wherein the products are urinary catheters.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with wound care needs.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 11   , wherein the products are skin barrier dressings and hydrogel dressings.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients requiring respiratory access and tracheostomy care.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 13   , wherein the products are tracheostomy tubes.  
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with intestinal stomas.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 15   , wherein the category of products is a group consisting of pouches, ostomy systems sealants and skin barriers.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with incontinence.  
     
     
         18 . The method of    claim 17   , wherein the products are urinary catheters.  
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with wound care needs.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 19   , wherein the products are skin barrier dressings and hydrogel dressings.  
     
     
         21 . The method of    claim 2   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients requiring respiratory access and tracheostomy care.  
     
     
         22 . The method of    claim 21   , wherein the products are tracheostomy tubes.  
     
     
         23 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with intestinal stomas.  
     
     
         24 . The method of    claim 23   , wherein the category of products is a group consisting of pouches, ostomy systems, sealants and skin barriers.  
     
     
         25 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with incontinence.  
     
     
         26 . The method of    claim 25   , wherein the products are urinary catheters.  
     
     
         27 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients with wound care needs.  
     
     
         28 . The method of    claim 27   , wherein the products are skin barrier dressings and hydrogel dressings.  
     
     
         29 . The method of    claim 4   , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of products for patients requiring respiratory access and tracheostomy care.  
     
     
         30 . The method of    claim 29   , wherein the products are tracheostomy tubes.  
     
     
         31 . The method of claims  1 ,  2  or  4 , wherein the non-comparison shopped products are a category of perfumes.  
     
     
         32 . The methods of claims  1 ,  2  and  4 , further comprising: 
 a payment receiving component configured to receive payment for the comparable branded product.  
 
     
     
         33 . A computer implemented method of providing at least one comparable branded product to an end-user, wherein the end-user's current branded product is a non-comparison shopped product, wherein the method comprises: 
 (a) entering product data of the product including branded name into an entering device, wherein the entering step comprises generating an output corresponding to the product data;    (b) accessing a set of data relating to other branded products having comparable attributes and competitor's prices of comparable products, from the product data from the output and the set of data;    (c) computing at least one comparable branded product to be provided to the user based upon the generated function and the comparable product;    (d) computing the price of the comparable branded product by comparing a set price of the comparable product with a competitor's price for the comparable branded product and re-pricing the comparable branded product; and    (e) providing at least one comparable branded product and price to the end-user.    
     
     
         34 . The method of    claim 33   , wherein the re-priced comparable product is set at a price below the competitor's price.