Abstract:
A method for accessing product database includes: storing a number of images of different products and information corresponding to each product; capturing an image of a product; comparing the image captured by the camera with the stored images to determine whether the image is the same as one of the stored images; and reading information of one product corresponding to the image when the image is the same as one of the stored images.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a system and method for accessing a database and in particular a database containing information about products for sale. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    In stores, products offered for sale are often shrink-wrapped to protect them when handled by potential customers making it difficult for the customers to learn more about the product. Additionally, customers may want to know more information about a product than that shown on the packaging and no sales clerk is available to provide assistance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system for accessing product database. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for accessing product database. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         [0009]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a system  2  for accessing a product database is shown. The system  2  includes a camera  10 , a processing unit  100  connected to the camera  10 , a storage unit  110  connected to the processing unit  100 , and an information storing module  15  which may include computer code to be executed by the processing unit  100 . In the embodiment, the information storing module  15  is set in the server  5 . The storage unit  110  includes a comparison module  16 , a reading module  18 , and a network module  12 , which may include computer code to be executed by the processing unit  100 . In the embodiment, the camera  10 , the comparison module  16 , the reading module  18 , and the network module  12  are set in a handheld device, such as a mobile phone. The mobile phone communicates with the information storing module  15  through the network module  12 . 
         [0010]    For describing how the system  2  works, in this embodiment, the product is a book. 
         [0011]    The information storing module  15  stores a plurality of images of covers of different books and information corresponding to each book. The information corresponding to each book includes a name, an author, a publisher, a summary, and a web link of the book. 
         [0012]    The camera  10  can be used to capture an image of a cover of a book. The processing unit  100  processes the image captured by the camera  10  such that the image is in a format to be compared to other images. The comparison module  16  compares the image processed by the processing unit  100  with the images stored in the information storing module  15  through the network module  12 . If the image is the same as one of the images stored in the information storing module  15 , the reading module  18  reads the information corresponding to the image. The information is displayed on a screen of the mobile phone. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, if the handheld device has enough space to store the images and the information, the information storing module  15  can be set in the handheld device, in which case the network module  12  can be omitted. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a method for accessing product database includes the following steps. 
         [0015]    In step S 1 , a plurality of images of covers of different books and information corresponding to each book are stored in the information storing module  15 . The information corresponding to each book includes a name, an author, a publisher, a summary, and a web link of the book. 
         [0016]    In step S 2 , the camera  10  is used to capture an image of a cover of a book. Then the processing unit  100  processes the image captured by the camera  10  such that the image is in a format to be compared to other images. 
         [0017]    In step S 3 , the comparison module  16  compares the image processed by the processing unit  100  with the images stored in the information storing module  15  through the network module  12 , to determine whether the image is the same as one of the images stored in the information storing module  15 . If the image is the same as one of the images stored in the information storing module  15 , step S 4  is next. If the image is not the same as any image stored in the information storing module  15 , return to step S 2 . In other words, a user needs to capture the cover of a next book. 
         [0018]    In step S 4 , the reading module  18  reads information corresponding to the image. The information is displayed on a screen of the mobile phone. 
         [0019]    The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of everything above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skills in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.