Authorized usage boundary notification system for customers using mobile computers in retail establishments

A method for employing an information system for use by customers in a retail shopping environment, comprising:

• transmitting a first request to a host computer from a portable terminal within the retail shopping environment;
• receiving product information based on the first request from a database in the host computer;
• receiving additional query information associated with the requested product information;
• and
• displaying the requested product information and the additional query information to a customer.

An information system for use by customers in a retail shopping environment, comprising:

• a host computer including means for storing product information and means for retrieving the product information;
• and
• a portable terminal for use by a customer that interacts with the host computer, the portable terminal comprising:
• input means for the customer to input a first customer request for the product information;
• display means for displaying the product information to the customer;
• and
• query means for generating a second customer request or query for additional product information from the host computer based on the product information displayed.