Systems and methods for obtaining health and financial information with a handheld device

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for obtaining real time financial information utilizing a bar code or RF ID reader on a handheld device. A bar code or RF ID reader is used to obtain the product identity of a particular product in a retail environment. The product identity is correlated with the particular retailer's product price. This information can then be analyzed versus current financial budgets or recorded as part of a financial plan. In addition, real time financial advice and information can be given on the product including whether a competitor offers a lower price on a similar product, consumer reviews of the product, value rating, etc. The bar code or RF ID reader may be incorporated into any existing handheld device including a PDA, media player, cell phone, calculator, watch, or shopping device.

1 . A method for obtaining financial information about a product prior to purchase comprising the acts of:
 using a computing device, scanning a product bar code and obtaining a product identity;   using the computing device, obtaining a product price corresponding to the product identity;   using the computing device, recording the product price and product identity; and   using the computing device, assigning the recorded product price and the record product identity to a particular financial category including:
 matching the product identity with at least one corresponding alternative product identity and alternative product price from alternative retailers; 
 recording the at least one alternative product identity and alternative product price; 
   using the computing device, displaying a financial record including the recorded product price, product identity, alternative product identity, and alternative product price; and   wherein the acts are performed in the order listed above.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of assigning the recorded price and the recorded product identify to a particular financial category includes matching the product identity with alternative retailer product identities and prices corresponding to a plurality of product quantity packages. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of assigning the recorded price and the recorded product identify to a particular financial category further includes matching the product identity with alternative retailer product identities and prices corresponding to both single and plural packaging configurations. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of assigning the recorded price and the recorded product identify to a particular financial category includes matching the product identity with financial information including alternative brand price, available coupons, generic price, product reviews, and value rating. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product identity is a single product and wherein the financial category includes single and multiple packages of the single product. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of matching the product identity with at least one alternative product identity and alternative product price from alternative retailers includes matching multiple packages of the product identity within the financial category from alternative retailers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of matching the product identity with at least one alternative product identity and alternative product price from alternative retailers includes matching alternative product packaging schemes within the financial category from alternative retailers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the act of displaying a financial record including the recorded product price, product identity, alternative product identity, and alternative product price includes displaying a two column list including a first column with one of the product identity and alternative product identity and a second column with one of the product price and the alternative product price. 
     
     
         9 . A method for obtaining financial information about a product prior to purchase comprising the acts of:
 using a computing device, scanning a product bar code and obtaining a product identity;   using the computing device, obtaining a product price corresponding to the product identity;   using the computing device, recording the product price and product identity; and   using the computing device, assigning the recorded product price and the record product identity to a particular financial category including:
 matching the product identity with at least one corresponding alternative product identity and alternative product price from alternative retailers; 
 recording the at least one alternative product identity and alternative product price; 
   using the computing device, displaying a financial record including the recorded product price, product identity, alternative product identity, and alternative product price; and   wherein the acts are performed in the order listed above, and wherein the product identity is a single product and wherein the financial category includes single and multiple packages of the single product.   
     
     
         10 . A handheld computing device comprising:
 a scanning device configured to obtain a product identity from a bar code;   a correlation module that is configured to correlate the product identity obtained by the scanning device with financial information including product price, alternative retailer product identity, and alternative retailer product price;   wherein the correlation module is configured to assign the product identity obtained by the scanning device and the financial information about the product correlated by the correlation module to a particular financial category;   a memory module configured to store the financial information about the product correlated by the correlation module; and   a display that is configured to visually display the financial information about the product stored by the memory module.   
     
     
         11 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the correlation module includes an Internet access module configured to identify the alternative retailer product identities and product prices within the assigned financial category. 
     
     
         12 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the product identity is a single product and wherein the financial category includes single and multiple packages of the single product. 
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the financial information includes alternative price, competitor price, other brand price, generic price, bulk price, price with tax, internet price, alternative brand price, available coupons, generic price, product reviews, and value rating. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the display is further configured to display a two column list including a first column with one of the product identity and alternative product identity and a second column with one of the product price and the alternative product price. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the correlation module is configured to match the product identity with at least one alternative product identity and alternative product price from alternative retailers; 
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the correlation module is further configured such that matching the product identity with at least one alternative product identity and alternative product price from alternative retailers includes matching alternative product packaging schemes within the financial category. 
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the correlation module is configured to assign the product identity to a financial category that includes both single and multiple packaging schemes. 
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the correlation module is configured to access the Internet to obtain all financial information within the category including alternative retailer product identity and product price. 
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the correlation module includes an algorithm configured to identify alternative retailer product identity and alternative retailer product price via the Internet. 
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the correlation module includes an algorithm configured to identify financial information within a category including single and multiple packaging configurations of product identities corresponding to alternative retailers.