System and method for providing product data collection, monitoring, and tracking

Abstract

A system for providing product data collection, monitoring, and tracking contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: receiving product information and a scannable code; creating and assigning a unique product identifier to the received product information and associated scannable code; receiving customer registration information; creating and assigning a unique customer identifier to the received customer information; associating the unique product identifier with the unique customer identifier; and after receiving the scannable code from a remote device, providing the remote device with access to the received product information.

1 . A system for providing product data collection, monitoring, and tracking, comprising:
 a memory; and   a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of:
 receiving product information and a scannable code; 
 creating and assigning a unique product identifier to the received product information and associated scannable code; 
 receiving customer registration information; 
 creating and assigning a unique customer identifier to the received customer information; 
 associating the unique product identifier with the unique customer identifier; and 
 after receiving the scannable code from a remote device, providing the remote device with access to the received product information. 
   
     
     
         2 . A system for using scannable codes and mobile customer devices for tracking and monitoring product information, the system comprising:
 a database configured and arranged to store information selected from the group consisting of product information, a unique product identification, a scanning code, customer registration information, a unique customer identification, and a customer's unique account identifier;   a computer in communication with the database, wherein the computer reads data from and writes data to the database, the computer being configured to communicate data to a customer mobile device, generate information to the customer mobile device, and present to the customer on their mobile device product data.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computer is further configured to communicate with a retailer computing device to permit the retailer computing device to upload data into the database representative of a unique product identifier and a customer unique account identifier. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computer is further configured to communicate with a manufacturer computing device to permit the manufacturer computing device to upload data into the database representative of a plurality of unique product identifiers and a unique account identifier, the unique account identifier being the manufacturer's or the customer's. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computer is further configured to permit the customer to request materials to be delivered to the customer for the return of the product. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the materials are selected from the group consisting of packing materials, labels, return forms, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computer is further configured to permit the customer to request replacement parts of the product to be delivered to the customer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the computer is further configured to read data from and write data to the database representative of product information, consumer information, or both. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the data is selected from the group consisting of biographic information, demographic information, product name, product UPC, product serial number, retailer ID, product warranty time, description of warranty, product manual, list of parts of the product, pointers to parts of the product, return information, repair instructions, indicator that the product has been returned, indicator that a warranty claim has been made for the product, rebate amount given, and rebate date given. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the computer is further configured to generate mail to the customer including information concerning problems with or benefits from the product. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein data presented to the customer mobile device is transmitted in a manner selected from the group consisting of Short Message Service (SMS) and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).