System and method to store and retrieve identifier associated information content

A system for storing and retrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item, the system comprising:

• a reader capable of reading an identifier on the identifier bearing item to generate identifier data;
• a data storage device containing a plurality of information content files;
• a terminal configured to store general file access information and database connection information, the general file access information including at least data storage device connection information;
• and
• a database containing a plurality of identifier data entries and a plurality of file data entries, each of the plurality of identifier data entries associated with at least one of the file data entries,
• wherein an information content file request transmitted by the terminal to the data storage device is based on at least the general file access information and on one of the file data entries, the one of the file data entries being received in response to a file data entry request transmitted by the terminal to the database.

A system for storing and retrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item, the system comprising:

• a reader capable of reading an identifier on the identifier bearing item to generate identifier data, the identifier data specifying at least a source of the identifier bearing item;
• a database containing a plurality of identifier data entries, each of the identifier data entries associated with a redirection entry;
• a terminal in communication with the reader, the terminal configured with database connection information;
• a data storage device containing a plurality of information content files, at least one of the plurality of information content files related to the identifier bearing item;
• a communications network in communication with the terminal, the database and the data storage device;
• and
• an entity separate from the source of the identifier bearing item, the entity maintaining some control over the at least one of the plurality of information content files related to the identifier bearing item,
• wherein the terminal establishes communication with the data storage device and requests at least one of the plurality of information content files related to the identifier bearing item based on the redirection entry associated with the identifier bearing item, the redirection entry being received in response to a request transmitted by the terminal to the database.

A method for storing and retrieving information content related to an identifier bearing item, the method comprising:

• configuring a terminal with database connection information, the database containing a plurality of identifier data entries, each of the identifier data entries associated with a redirection entry;
• reading an identifier on the identifier bearing item to generate identifier data, the identifier data specifying at least a source of the identifier bearing item;
• transmitting a redirection request to the database from the terminal, the redirection request being transmitted based on at least the stored database location information and including at least the identifier data;
• receiving by the terminal from the database a redirection entry;
• transmitting an information content file request by the terminal to one of a plurality of data storage devices based on at least the redirection entry, the information content file request identifying at least one of a plurality of information content files stored on the one of the plurality of data storage devices, the at least one of the plurality of information content files related to the identifier bearing item;
• and
• receiving by the terminal from the one of the plurality of data storage devices the at least one of the plurality of information content files,
• wherein an entity separate from the source of the identifier bearing item maintains some control over the at least one of the plurality of information content files related to the identifier bearing item.