System and method for communicating product recall information, product warnings or other product-related information to users of products

A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer, comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at the centralized computer, user identification information including biometric data and currently used products from a user;
• storing the user identification information in a database;
• associating the stored user identification information with a username for said user;
• receiving, at the centralized computer, product information pertaining to a product;
• reviewing, by the centralized computer, the database for product identification information correlating with said product information;
• comparing any product identification information located with the stored user identification information for said user to identify any association between the user identification information, including biometric data and currently used products, and said product information;
• transmitting a message to said user regarding said product.

A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer, comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at the centralized computer, product information and user identification information from a user;
• linking and storing the product information and user identification information in a product database;
• receiving, at the centralized computer, user biometric information;
• linking and storing the user biometric information in a user information database;
• comparing, by the centralized computer, the user biometric information with normal values and notifying the user of a comparison result;
• reviewing, by the centralized computer, the product database for product identification information indicating a conflict with said user biometric information;
• transmitting, in response to a correlation between said product identification information, said user biometric information and a stored health condition, an automated message to said user.

A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a centralized computer having a product information database and an interaction database, comprising the steps of:

• receiving, at the centralized computer, product identification information identifying a first product from a user;
• storing the product identification information in said product information database and establishing a link between said first product and said user;
• receiving, at the centralized computer, product identification information identifying a second product from said user;
• searching, by the centralized computer, said interaction database for any stored information identifying a relationship between said first product and said second product;
• and
• transmitting, on an automated basis, an electronic message containing any relationship information to said user.

A computer-implemented method of transferring information between a user and a third party through a communications network, comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a plurality of databases with a central server, said plurality of databases including a product database, a user database, and an interaction database;
• receiving product purchase information from a plurality of users over the communications network, each product purchased being entered into said product database and linked with a user;
• receiving user biometric information from said plurality of users, each user's biometric information being linked with said each user, respectively, and stored in said user database;
• receiving, by said central server, a product recall notification for a defective product from a third party computer over the communications network;
• reviewing, by said central server, said product database for product identification information on said defective product;
• identifying users linked with said defective product through product purchase information;
• generating, on an automated basis, electronic messages with said product recall notification;
• and
• transmitting over said communications network, on an automated basis, said electronic messages to all users identified as linked with said defective product.

A computerized information distribution system comprising:

• a remote terminal for receiving user identification information and for registering a user;
• a central server for storing product identifiers corresponding to the user;
• a communications network for receiving product information from a plurality of third party computers;
• means for storing said product information at said central server;
• a search engine for matching the product identifiers with the product information;
• means for generating a messages corresponding to said product identifiers and information matching;
• and
• means for transmitting said message to the user over said communications network.

A computer-implemented method of transferring product information between a user and a centralized computer, comprising the steps of:

• inputting, at a point of transaction terminal, product information for products being acquired through said point of transaction terminal;
• inputting, at said point of transaction terminal, user information from an acquiring user;
• transmitting said user information to the centralized computer over a communications channel;
• verifying, at the centralized computer, that the user is a registered user authorizing data transfer;
• requesting, by said centralized computer in response to positive verification of said user, data transfer from said point of transaction terminal;
• transmitting, from said point of transaction terminal to said centralized computer, said product information for said products being acquired;
• storing said product information at said centralized computer and establishing a link between said product information and said user.

An apparatus for facilitating identification and location of a harmful or recalled product, comprising:

• a storage device;
• a communication device;
• and
• a processor connected to the communication device and said storage device;
• said storage device storing a database including data on a plurality of products and on users of said products, and a program for controlling said processor, said processor operative with said program to receive recall or warning information from a third party about a product, to receive product identification information linked to a particular user, to generate a message to at least one of the users linked to a product according to the recall or warning information about said product received from said third party, and to transmit the message to at least one of the users linked to said product using the communication device.

An article of manufacture including a computer readable medium having code for a computer readable program embodied therein, said computer readable program comprising:

• means for storing at least one user identification and a product used by said user;
• means for storing at least one product and information about said product;
• means for receiving indicia that identifies said product being stored;
• means for receiving updated recall and warning information about said product;
• means for matching said updated recall or warning information to at least one of a plurality of products being stored;
• means for creating a message based upon said matching between updated recall or warning information and products being stored;
• means for initiating a connection with said user of a product based upon said matching;
• and
• means for transmitting said message to said user of the product.

A computer program tool comprising:

• a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for establishing a match between recall or warning information about a product or biometric data and a of said product, the computer readable code comprising:
• code module for receiving information from a third party computer, including at least one of the user, recall and information sources, point of sale, and providers of health care;
• code module for sending a message to a third party computer including at least one of the user, provider of health care, and recall and information sources;
• code module for security including at least one of user ID, password, and encryption/decryption;
• and
• code module for general administration including configuration of other code modules and database management.

A device for acquiring data comprising:

• means for acquiring data;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory connected to the processor and storing a program for controlling operation of the processor;
• said processor operative with the program in the memory to receive user data, the data being at least one of product identification and biometric data, determine if the data received interacts with products being stored in the memory, and display the interaction information.

In a system to monitor products purchased by a user in which an identification card having a code recorded thereon is applied as linking the products purchased to the user identified by the card to enable identification of the user as participating in a recall and waning notification program, the system comprising:

• a checkout station;
• an identification card having recorded thereon an identification code indicating the user as participating in the recall and warning notification program;
• a card reader at said checkout station and operated for reading the identification code indicating the user as participating in the recall and notification program;
• a data input device at said checkout station for inputting data representing the products being purchased by said user;
• a storage device for storing the data acquired at said checkout station;
• a communication device for transmitting the acquired data;
• and
• a display device for displaying the acquired data.

In a system to monitor products purchased by a user in which an identification card having a code recorded thereon is applied as linking the products purchased to the user identified by the card to enable identification of the user as participating in a recall and warning notification program, the system comprising:

• a checkout station;
• an identification card having recorded thereon an identification code indicating the user as participating in a recall and warning notification program;
• a data input device at said checkout station for inputting data representing the products being purchased by said user;
• and
• a card writer at said checkout station and operated for writing indicia onto the card representing the products purchased by said user.

An apparatus comprising:

• a hand-held device for entering and storing product information data and biometric data;
• a data entering device for entry of data into said hand-held device;
• a processor for identifying an interaction between product information and biometric data;
• and
• a display device.