Systems and methods used for publishing and aggregating real world and online purchases via standardized product information

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to enabling users to publishing product information associated with their previous purchases via a social network. In one example of the present disclosure, user data associated with a user having an account on a social network is obtained. Product information associated with an identified product from a product database is then obtained, the identified product having been previously purchased by the user and the identified product being selected by the user from a user device. An application programming interface of the social network is then invoked to publish the product information associated with the identified product to the account.

1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 obtaining, by the computer, user data associated with a user having an account on a social network;   obtaining, by the computer, product information associated with an identified product from a product database, the identified product having been previously purchased by the user and the identified product being selected by the user from a user device; and   invoking, by the computer, an application programming interface (API) of the social network to publish the product information associated with the identified product to the account.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the product information further comprises transmitting, by the computer, a request for the product information to a product information service. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising obtaining, by the computer, purchase information associated with a user purchase, and wherein obtaining the user data, obtaining the purchase information, and obtaining the product information comprises electronically receiving, by the computer, the user data and product information from a retailer from which the user purchased the identified product. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining, by the computer, purchase information associated with a user purchase, and further comprising storing, by the computer, the user data, purchase information, and product information in a database; and   storing, by the computer, user data for a plurality of users, purchase information for a plurality of purchases, and product information for a plurality of products in the database.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining product information further comprises:
 receiving, by the computer, a request from the user device regarding the identified product; and   retrieving, by the computer, the product information from a web server associated with a product information service.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by the computer, the product information via a communication network using an API to a web server associated with a third party web service, the third party web service being configured to receive product information from a plurality of sources, tabulate product information for a plurality of products, and enable a plurality of users to access the product information for the plurality of products. 
     
     
         7 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing resource, cause the processing resource to perform the steps comprising:
 obtaining user data associated with a user having an account on a social network;   enabling a user to select an identified product from a user device, the identified product having been previously purchased by the user;   obtaining product information associated with the identified product; and   invoking, in response to the selection of the identified product by the user, an API of the social network to publish the product information associated with the identified product to the account.   
     
     
         8 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processing resource to further perform the steps comprising:
 storing user information, wherein the storing user information is further comprised of storing information related to a plurality of users, a plurality of products, and a plurality of purchase information.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processing resource to further perform the steps comprising:
 communicating with a web server associated with a retailer, wherein the user data is obtained through a financial institution card used to purchase the product via a point-of-sale device associated with the retailer, the point-of-sale device being in communication with the web server.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processing resource to further perform the steps comprising:
 receiving a request from a user device regarding the identification of the product; and   obtaining the product information from a web server associated with a product information service.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the processing resource to further perform the steps comprising:
 enabling the user to rate the product.   
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein enabling the user to rate the product is further comprised enabling a user rating interface having a value scale and a desirability scale, wherein the user rating interface includes a two-dimensional rating screen incorporating the value scale and the desirability scales and a target controllably positioned on the two-dimensional rating screen representing the user's rating with respect to the value scale and the desirability scale. 
     
     
         13 . A computer-implemented system comprising:
 a controller; and   a computer-readable medium containing computer-executable instructions configured to cause the controller to
 receive from a user device user data associated with a user having an account on a social network, 
 receive from the user device a selection of an identified product, the identified product having been previously purchased by the user, 
 obtain product information associated with the identified product from a product database, and 
 invoke an API of the social network to publish the product information associated with the identified product to the account. 
   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer-implemented system is configured as a web server. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , wherein receiving the user data further comprises storing information related to a plurality of users, a plurality of products, and a plurality of purchase information. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , wherein invoking the API of the social network to publish the product information comprises communicating via a communication network using a web-based interface. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , wherein:
 obtaining the product information further comprises obtaining the product information and user data from a web server associated with a retailer;   the user data is obtained from a financial institution card used to purchase the product via a point-of-sale device associated with the retailer; and   the point-of-sale device is in communication with the web server.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer-executable instruction to obtain product information are coupled with an electronic device comprising a code obtaining device configured to obtain a code that identifies the product, wherein the code comprises one of a Universal Product Code (UPC), QR code, Electronic Product Code (EPC), radio frequency identification (RFID) signal, or a barcode. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , further comprising a user interface configured to enable the user to publish the product data on the social network. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented system of  claim 13 , wherein the computer-readable medium further contains computer-executable instructions to electronically distribute advertising information and coupons regarding the product.