# US 2012/0173320 A1 · Method and system for facilitating commerce, social interaction and charitable activities > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0173320 A1 - Document ID: US20120173320A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/374,648 - Filed: 2012-01-05 - Published: 2012-07-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-01-05 - Assignees: epcSolutions, Inc. - Inventors: Kevin J. Kail; Jason Kummeri; David M. Russell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120173320A1 ## CPC - G06Q 30/0241: Advertisements - G06Q 30/0601: Electronic shopping [e-shopping] - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A method for automating commerce, including the work of selling, shopping for, and/or selling goods and services; by facilitating communications between any combination of buyers and sellers to facilitate opportunities for commercial activities. The method also includes facilitating opportunities for related activities, for example, charitable activities, in a manner that maximizes efficiencies including reducing intermediaries between consumers and manufacturers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers comprising the steps of interacting with a product using a handheld device; accessing a manufacturer's product information database from a Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN); and, retrieving product information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 1 wherein interacting with a product using a handheld device further comprises scanning a product barcode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handheld device is a mobile telephonic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of: retrieving an item selected from the group consisting of a coupon, an electronic coupon, a printable coupon, a discount code, and discount voucher. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of: formatting said product information for display on said handheld device. ### Claim 6 A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers comprising the steps of interacting with a product using a handheld device provided with a camera to scan a barcode; accessing the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN); retrieving product information; and, interacting with other consumers via social media. ### Claim 7 A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers comprising the steps of: interacting with a product using a handheld device to scan a barcode or RFID tag of said product; accessing a product information database; retrieving product information; and, interacting with other consumers via social media. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 7 wherein said consumers are previously affiliated. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 7 wherein said consumers are not previously affiliated but share an affinity with a product. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 7 wherein said handheld device is a mobile telephonic device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 7 wherein said product information database is the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 7 further comprising the step of: retrieving an item selected from the group consisting of a coupon, an electronic coupon, a printable coupon, a discount code, and discount voucher. ### Claim 13 A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers comprising the steps of: interacting with a product using a handheld device by scanning a barcode placed on said product; accessing a product information database; retrieving product information; and, facilitating charitable activities. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 13 wherein said charitable activities further comprise facilitating charitable donations in lieu of receiving a discount. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: interacting with other consumers via social media. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 15 wherein said consumers are previously affiliated. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 15 wherein said consumers are not previously affiliated but share an affinity with a product. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 15 wherein said handheld device is a mobile telephonic device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 16 wherein said product information database is the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN). ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) A method for facilitating synergistic interaction between consumers, manufacturers and retailers as claimed in claim 14 including the step of, after retrieving product information, interacting with other consumers via social media.