Personal inventory manager

A device retrieves information associated with personal inventory from a personal inventory database, and provides for display of an input personal inventory option, a search personal inventory option, and a search loaned personal inventory option based on the retrieved personal inventory information. The device further receives selection of one of the input personal inventory option, the search personal inventory option, or the search loaned personal inventory option, and receives information associated with a new personal inventory item when the input personal inventory option is selected. The device also provides for display of search personal inventory information when the search personal inventory option is selection, and provides for display of search loaned personal inventory information when the search loaned personal inventory option is selected.

BACKGROUND

Today, there are desktop-based databases that store information associated with digital video discs (DVDs), compact discs (CDs), books, video games, etc. For example, one desktop application permits users to create visual on-screen representations of their personal collections of books, CDs, movies and video games. The desktop application also displays images of the items on virtual shelves and pulls information from online databases to display detailed product descriptions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Implementations described herein may permit input of, manage, and track personal inventory items (e.g., DVDs, books, CDs, etc.) using a user device (e.g., a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), other handheld electronic devices, etc.). The personal inventory may be recorded in a personal inventory database that may include user-definable information associated with the personal inventory (e.g., media type, title, creator, date, duration, etc.). The user or customer may search the user-definable information using a display of the user device, and may input information associated with new personal inventory items to be recorded in the personal inventory database. The customer may use the personal inventory information contained in the personal inventory database to prevent duplicate purchases at point-of-purchase locations (e.g., a customer at a movie store may determine if they already purchased a DVD by searching the personal inventory database). The personal inventory manager and/or database may also be used to track loaned personal inventory (e.g., a CD loaned to a friend, a family member, etc.) to determine who has what personal inventory and for how long. The personal inventory manager and/or database may provide a user with “at-a-glance” information about their personal inventory from the convenience of a hand-held device, such as a cellular phone.

As used herein, the terms “customer” and/or “user” may be used interchangeably. Also, the terms “customer” and/or “user” are intended to be broadly interpreted to include a user device or a user of a user device.

The term “personal inventory,” as used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include any product (e.g., any thing that may be marketed or sold as a commodity or a good) that may be tracked, managed, etc. by a user. For example, personal inventory may include DVDs, CDs, books, video tapes, video games, magazines, periodicals, etc.

FIG. 1is an exemplary diagram of a network100in which systems and methods described herein may be implemented. As illustrated, network100may include a user device110and/or a personal inventory server120interconnected by a network130. User device110and/or personal inventory server120may connect to network130via wired and/or wireless connections. A single user device, personal inventory server, and network have been illustrated inFIG. 1for simplicity. In practice, there may be more or less user devices, personal inventory servers, and/or networks. Also, in some instances, one or more of user device110and/or personal inventory server120may perform one or more functions described as being performed by another one or more of user device110and/or personal inventory server120.

User device110may include any device capable of receiving and/or capturing information associated with personal inventory items. For example, user device110may include a mobile communication device (e.g., a radiotelephone, a personal communications system (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, a facsimile, and data communications capabilities, a PDA that can include a radiotelephone, pager, Internet/intranet access, web browser, organizer, camera, a Doppler receiver, and/or global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a GPS device, a telephone, a cellular telephone, etc.); a laptop; a personal computer; a pager; a camera (e.g., a conventional film camera or a digital camera); a video camera (e.g., a camcorder); a calculator; binoculars with a camera function; a telescope with a camera function; a gaming unit; any other device capable of utilizing a camera; a thread or process running on one of these devices; and/or an object executable by one of these devices. In one exemplary implementation, user device110may include a mobile payment service that permits a user to use user device110(e.g., a cellular phone) as a credit card (e.g., which may be referred to as “cell phone as credit card”). Further details of user device110are provided below in connection withFIGS. 2 and 3.

As used herein, a “camera” may include a device that may receive, capture, and store images and/or video. For example, a digital camera may be an electronic device that may capture and store images and/or video electronically instead of using photographic film. A digital camera may be multifunctional, with some devices capable of recording sound and/or video, as well as images.

Personal inventory server120may include one or more server entities, or other types of computation or communication devices, that gather, process, search, and/or provide information in a manner described herein. In one implementation, personal inventory server120may include a server (e.g., a computer system or an application) that stores a personal inventory database that may include user-definable information associated with personal inventory items (e.g., media type, title, creator, date, duration, etc.).

Network130may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), an intranet, the Internet, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a telephone network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a cellular telephone network (e.g., wireless Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), wireless Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), etc.), a VoIP network with mobile and/or fixed locations, a wireline network, or a combination of networks.

As further shown inFIG. 1, user device110may receive personal inventory information140associated with personal inventory150(e.g., personal inventory to be tracked by a user of user device110). For example, in one implementation, user device110may receive personal inventory information140by capturing a barcode associated with personal inventory150. Further details of capturing a barcode with user device110are provided below in connection withFIG. 8. In another implementation, a user of user device110may manually input personal inventory information140. For example, the user may input personal inventory information140, such as a type of personal inventory150, a title of personal inventory150, a creator of personal inventory150, a date of personal inventory150, a duration of personal inventory150, etc. Personal inventory information140may be stored in a personal inventory database provided in user device110, and/or may be forwarded by user device110(e.g., via network130) to a personal inventory database provided in personal inventory server120. Further details of the personal inventory database are provided below in connection withFIGS. 4 and 5.

In one implementation, the information contained in the personal inventory database may be synchronized across multiple user devices110. For example, a user or group of users may own multiple user devices110(e.g., a husband may own a PDA, a wife may own a cellular phone, etc.), and may want to synchronize the personal inventory information from the personal inventory database across the multiple user devices110. Alternatively, a user may purchase a new or replacement user device110, and may wish to retain the personal inventory information. In such scenarios, the multiple user devices110may access the information contained in the personal inventory database from personal inventory server120, and/or may store the information locally in the user devices110. Thus, the multiple user devices110(e.g., regardless of their configurations) may have concurrent access to the information contained in the personal inventory database. Alternatively, and/or additionally, personal inventory server120may provide a query to the multiple user devices110to determine if the multiple user devices include the personal inventory information (e.g., the most recent or updated information contained in the personal inventory database). If one or more user devices110need updated personal inventory information, personal inventory server120may provide the updated information to user devices110.

The user of user device110may access personal inventory information140from the personal inventory database, and user device110may display selectable options associated with the personal inventory database. For example, user device110may display an input personal inventory option, a search personal inventory option, a search loaned personal inventory option, etc. If the user selects the input personal inventory option, user device110may display information requesting manual entry of a new personal inventory item (or scanning of a barcode), may receive information associated with the new personal inventory item, and may store the new personal inventory item information in the personal inventory database. If the user selects the search personal inventory option, user device110may display selectable options for searching the personal inventory information (e.g., searching the personal inventory based on media type, title, genre, personal rating, industry rating, etc.). For example, user device110may enable the user to search the personal inventory information based on a media type (e.g., a CD), and user device110may display a list of CDs and associated information. If the user selects the search loaned personal inventory option, user device110may display selectable options for searching the loaned personal inventory information (e.g., searching the loaned personal inventory based on media type, person who borrowed the personal inventory, title, longest outstanding loan, etc.).

FIG. 2is an exemplary diagram of a device200that may correspond to user device110and/or personal inventory server120. As illustrated, device200may include a bus210, processing logic220, a main memory230, a read-only memory (ROM)240, a storage device250, an input device260, an output device270, and/or a communication interface280. Bus210may include a path that permits communication among the components of device200.

Processing logic220may include a processor, microprocessor, or other type of processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. Main memory230may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that may store information and instructions for execution by processing logic220. ROM240may include a ROM device or another type of static storage device that may store static information and/or instructions for use by processing logic220. Storage device250may include a magnetic and/or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive.

Input device260may include a mechanism that permits an operator to input information to device200, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a microphone, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, etc. Output device270may include a mechanism that outputs information to the operator, including a display, a printer, a speaker, etc. Communication interface280may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables device200to communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example, communication interface280may include mechanisms for communicating with another device or system via a network, such as network130.

As described herein, device200may perform certain operations in response to processing logic220executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as main memory230. A computer-readable medium may be defined as a physical or logical memory device. The software instructions may be read into main memory230from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device250, or from another device via communication interface280. The software instructions contained in main memory230may cause processing logic220to perform processes described herein. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes described herein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

AlthoughFIG. 2shows exemplary components of device200, in other implementations, device200may contain fewer, different, or additional components than depicted inFIG. 2. In still other implementations, one or more components of device200may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of device200.

FIG. 3is an exemplary diagram of user device110. As illustrated, user device110may include a housing300, a speaker310, a display320, control buttons330, a keypad340, a microphone350, and/or a camera360. Housing300may protect the components of user device110from outside elements. Speaker310may provide audible information to a user of user device110.

Display320may provide visual information to the user. For example, display320may display text input into user device110, text, images, video, and/or graphics received from another device, and/or information regarding incoming or outgoing calls or text messages, emails, media, games, phone books, address books, the current time, etc. In one exemplary implementation, display320may act as a viewfinder that may aid user device110in capturing and/or storing videos and/or images. Control buttons330may permit the user to interact with user device110to cause user device110to perform one or more operations. For example, control buttons330may be used to cause user device110to transmit information. Keypad340may include a standard telephone keypad. Microphone350may receive audible information from the user. Camera360may be provided on a front or back side of user device110, and may enable user device110to capture and/or store video and/or images (e.g., pictures).

AlthoughFIG. 3shows exemplary components of user device110, in other implementations, user device110may contain fewer, different, or additional components than depicted inFIG. 3. In still other implementations, one or more components of user device110may perform one or more other tasks described as being performed by one or more other components of user device110.

FIG. 4depicts a portion400of an exemplary personal inventory database capable of being provided in and/or managed by user device110and/or personal inventory server120. In one implementation, the information provided in database portion400may be manually provided by a user of user device110. In another implementation, the information provided in database portion400may be automatically provided by personal inventory150(e.g., via a barcode, a product code associated with purchase150, a stock keeping unit (SKU) associated with product150, and/or other product identification mechanisms). In one exemplary implementation, the personal inventory database may include a relational and/or a structured query language (SQL) based database.

As illustrated, database portion400may include a variety of personal inventory information. For example, database portion400may include a type field410, a title field420, a creator field430, a date information field440, a company field450, a duration field460, a miscellaneous field470, an images field480, and/or a variety of records or entries490associated with fields410-480.

Type field410may include types of personal inventory owned, tracked, managed, etc. by a user of user device110. For example, type field710may include entries490for a DVD, a book, a CD, a video game, etc. Title field420may include a title or name associated with the personal inventory types provided in type field410. For example, title field420may include titles for the DVD (e.g., a movie title), the book (e.g., a book title), the CD (e.g., an album title), the video game (e.g., a video game title), etc. provided in type field410.

Creator field430may include information associated with a creator of the personal inventory types provided in type field410. For example, creator field430may indicate that the DVD provided in type field410was created by a particular director, that the book provided in type field410was created by a particular author, that the CD provided in type field410was created by a particular artist, and that the video game provided in type field410was created by a particular game publisher or company. Date information field440may include information associated with dates when the personal inventory types provided in type field410were made available for purchase. For example, date information field440may provide release dates for the DVD, the CD, and the video game provided in type field410, and may provide a publication date for the book provided in type field410.

Company field450may include information associated with a company that offers the personal inventory types provided in type field410. For example, company field450may indicate that a movie studio offers the DVD provided in type field410, a publisher offers the book provided in type field410, a record label offers the CD provided in type field410, and a game company offers the video game provided in type field410. Duration field460may include information associated with a length of time (or other unit of measure) of the personal inventory types provided in type field410. For example, duration field460may indicate that the DVD provided in type field410lasts a specified number of minutes, that the book provided in type field410has a specified number of pages, that the CD provided in type field410lasts a specified number of minutes, and that the video game provided in type field410has a certain file size.

Miscellaneous field470may include miscellaneous information associated with the personal inventory types provided in type field410. For example, miscellaneous field470may indicate that certain actors appear in the DVD provided in type field410, that certain characters appear in the book and/or the video game provided in type field410, and that a song list appears in the CD provided in type field410. Images field480may include image information associated with the personal inventory types provided in type field410. For example, images field480may include a cover image of the DVD, the book, and/or the CD provided in type field410, and box art of the video game provided in type field410. In one implementation, the images provided in images field480may be retrieved from online databases (e.g., the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Amazon.com, etc.) accessible via network130.

AlthoughFIG. 4shows exemplary information that may be provided in database portion400, in other implementations, database portion400may contain fewer, different, or additional information than depicted inFIG. 4. For example, database portion400may include additional fields, such as a synopsis field, a personal rating field, an industry rating field, a genre field, etc. In one implementation, based on the content of database portion400, the personal inventory manager described herein may cross-reference libraries (e.g., between users of the personal inventory manager and their personal ratings of various personal inventory items) to make suggestions relating to possible future purchases. By integrating this “recommendation” feature on user device110, the provider of the personal inventory manager may become involved in point-of-purchase sales and may derive referral fees or other benefits from participating retailers, publishers, etc.

FIG. 5depicts a portion500of an exemplary personal inventory database capable of being provided in and/or managed by user device110and/or personal inventory server120. In one implementation, the information provided in database portion500may be manually provided by a user of user device110. In another implementation, the information provided in database portion500may be automatically provided by personal inventory150(e.g., via a barcode, a product code associated with purchase150, a stock keeping unit (SKU) associated with product150, and/or other product identification mechanisms). In one exemplary implementation, the personal inventory database may include a relational and/or a structured query language (SQL) based database (e.g., of personal inventory that has been loaned to someone).

As illustrated, database portion500may include a variety of information associated with personal inventory that has been loaned, could be loaned, etc. to others (e.g., friends, family, etc.). For example, database portion500may include a media field510, a checkout date field520, a checkin date field530, a length field540, a borrower name field550, an images field560, a title field570, a loan status field580, and/or a variety of entries590associated with fields510-580.

Media field510may include a description of personal inventory loaned by a user of user device110to another person (e.g., a friend). For example, media field510may include entries590for a DVD, a book, a CD, a video game, etc. Checkout date field520may include information associated with dates when the personal inventory provided in media field510was loaned. For example, checkout date field520may provide checkout dates (e.g., Nov. 1, 2007, Oct. 1, 2007, etc.) for the DVD, the book, the CD, and the video game provided in media field510.

Checkin date field530may include information associated with dates when the loaned personal inventory provided in media field510was returned to the user of user device110. For example, checkin date field530may provide checkin dates (e.g., Nov. 15, 2007, Nov. 30, 2007, and Oct. 30, 2007) for the DVD, the CD, and the video game provided in media field510, and may indicate that the book provided in media field510was not returned to the user of user device110. Length field540may include information associated with a length of time (or other unit of measure) of the loaned personal inventory provided in media field510. For example, length field540may indicate that the DVD provided in media field510is two hours long, that the book provided in media field510is fifty pages, that the CD provided in media field510is one hour long, and that the video game provided in media field510does not have a length associated with it (e.g., as indicated by a “N/A” or not applicable designation).

Borrower name field550may include information associated with friends, family, etc. that borrowed the personal inventory provided in media field510. For example, borrower name field550may indicate that the DVD provided in media field510was borrowed by Joe, that the book provided in media field510was borrowed by Amy, that the CD provided in media field510was borrowed by Tom, and that the video game provided in media field510was borrowed by Fred. Images field560may include image information associated with the loaned personal inventory provided in media field510. For example, images field560may include a cover image of the DVD, the book, and/or the CD provided in media field510, and box art of the video game provided in media field510. In one implementation, the images provided in images field560may be retrieved from online databases (e.g., the IMDb) accessible via network130.

Title field570may include a title or name associated with the loaned personal inventory provided in media field510. For example, title field570may include titles for the DVD (e.g., a movie title), the book (e.g., a book title), the CD (e.g., an album title), the video game (e.g., a video game title), etc. provided in media field510. Loan status field580may include loan status information associated with the loaned personal inventory provided in media field510. For example, loan status field580may indicate that the DVD, the CD, and the video game provided in media field510have been returned (e.g., as indicated by a “N/A” designation), and that the book provided in media field510has not been returned (e.g., as indicated by a “Problem” designation). In one implementation, loan status field580may be used to provide alarms to the user of user device110if loaned personal inventory has not been returned.

AlthoughFIG. 5shows exemplary information that may be provided in database portion500, in other implementations, database portion500may contain fewer, different, or additional information than depicted inFIG. 5. In one implementation, based on the content of database portion500, the personal inventory manager described herein may permit users to track their loaned personal inventory.

FIGS. 6,7, and9-14illustrate exemplary user interfaces capable of being displayed by user device110(e.g., via the personal inventory manager described herein). The user interfaces depicted inFIGS. 6,7, and9-14(collectively referred to as “the user interfaces”), may enable a user to interact with the personal inventory manager, and may include a graphical user interface (GUI) or a non-graphical user interface, such as a text-based interface. The user interfaces may provide information to users via a customized interface (e.g., a proprietary interface) and/or other types of interfaces (e.g., a browser-based interface). The user interfaces may receive user inputs via one or more input devices (e.g., input device260), may be user configurable (e.g., a user may change the size of the user interfaces, information displayed in the user interfaces, color schemes used by the user interfaces, positions of text, images, icons, windows, etc., in the user interfaces, etc.), and/or may not be user configurable. The user interfaces may be displayed to a user via one or more output devices (e.g., output device270).

FIG. 6depicts an exemplary user interface600that displays a main screen for the personal inventory manager. As illustrated, user interface600may include two personal inventory input options (e.g., a manually enter new personal inventory item option610and a scan a new personal inventory item option620), a search personal inventory option630, and/or a searched loaned personal inventory option640. Options610-640may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320(e.g., a touch screen display), control buttons330, and/or keypad340).

If the user selects manually enter new personal inventory item option610, user device110may display an exemplary user interface700, as depicted inFIG. 7. As illustrated inFIG. 7, user interface700may instruct the user to input information for a new personal inventory item, and may include a type input mechanism710, a title input mechanism720, a creator input mechanism730, a data input mechanism740, a company input mechanism750, a duration input mechanism760, a miscellaneous input mechanism770, an images input mechanism780, and/or a storage selection mechanism790.

In one implementation, input mechanisms710-780may include input fields for inputting descriptive information (e.g., type, title, creator, date, company, duration, miscellaneous, images, etc.) associated with a new personal inventory item. In another implementation, input mechanisms710-780may include drop-down menus for selecting descriptive information (e.g., type, title, creator, date, company, duration, miscellaneous, images, etc.) associated with a new personal inventory item from a list of personal inventory information.

Alternatively and/or additionally, a user may manually input the information associated with the new personal inventory item via a desktop or web-based application (e.g., provided on a laptop, a personal computer, personal inventory server120, etc.), a data service, online databases, etc. User device110may retrieve the manually entered information via a network (e.g., network130).

Storage selection mechanism790may include a mechanism (e.g., a button, an icon, a link, etc.) that, if selected (e.g., with a selection mechanism), may enable user device110to store information provided by user interface700in a personal inventory database (e.g., provided in user device110and/or personal inventory server120).

Returning toFIG. 6, if the user selects scan new personal inventory item option620, user device110may instruct the user to capture (e.g., with camera360of user device110) a barcode associated with the new personal inventory item.FIG. 8illustrates a diagram of exemplary interactions between user device110and personal inventory150during a barcode capturing operation. As illustrated, personal inventory150may include a barcode810that is capable of being captured within a captured area820generated by camera360of user device110.

Barcode810may include a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode (e.g. a barcode that may fit twelve digits into a compact space), a European Article Number (EAN) barcode (e.g., a barcode that may be used worldwide for marking retail goods), a “code 39” barcode (e.g., a barcode that may include letters and numbers, and may be used for identification, inventory, and/or tracking purposes in various industries), a “code 128” barcode (e.g., a barcode that may provide a wider selection of characters, may be compact, and may include a dense symbol), an “interleaved 2 of 5” symbology (e.g., a compact symbology which may be used for shipping boxes), a “postnet” barcode (e.g., a symbology that may encode zip codes for processing mail), a “PDF417” barcode (e.g., a two-dimensional barcode that may be a portable data file (PDF)), etc. In one implementation, barcode810may encode information associated with personal inventory150(e.g., personal inventory information140).

User device110may include a barcode reader application that interacts with camera360of user device110to capture images of barcodes (e.g., barcode810). The barcode reader application may analyze an image of a barcode and may interpret the barcode image into an actual value (e.g., a UPC value). The barcode reader application may analyze a skew of a barcode to provide an indication of accuracy of the captured image. User device110may also use an optical character recognition (OCR) application to check digits provided in a captured barcode image and to verify the accuracy of the interpreted barcode image. The OCR application may act as redundant accuracy check for the barcode reader application. As further shown inFIG. 8, camera360may capture an image associated with captured area820(e.g., which may include barcode810), and user device110may analyze the captured image with the barcode reader application and/or the OCR application. User device110may also display the captured image of barcode810(e.g., on display320).

User device110(e.g., using the barcode reader application and/or the OCR application) may extract information associated with barcode810. In one implementation, user device110may extract personal inventory information140from the captured image of barcode810. For example, user device110may extract information, such as a type of personal inventory150, a title of personal inventory150, a creator of personal inventory150, a date of personal inventory150, a duration of personal inventory150, etc.

FIG. 9depicts an exemplary user interface900capable of being displayed by user device110(e.g., on display320) if a barcode image is captured. As illustrated, user interface900may display the captured image of barcode810associated with personal inventory150, and may further display bars910and digits920of barcode810, barcode centering guides930, and an indicator940of whether barcode810is centered.

Bars910and spaces between bars910may encode a sequence (e.g., a seven-bit sequence in UPC barcodes) that may be interpreted by the barcode reader application provided in user device110. The barcode reader application provided in user device110may analyze bars910(and spaces between bars910) and a skew of the captured image of barcode810. The barcode reader application may interpret bars910(and spaces between bars910) into information associated with personal inventory150(e.g., personal inventory information140). If personal inventory information140is extracted from the captured image of barcode810, the image may be discarded to avoid a need for storage space for archiving barcode images.

Bars910and spaces between bars910may provide a visual representation of digits920of barcode810. The OCR application provided in user device110may interpret digits920into information associated with personal inventory150(e.g., personal inventory information140). User device110may compare the results obtained by the barcode reader application and the OCR application to ensure that accurate personal inventory information140is retrieved.

Barcode centering guides930(e.g., provided by the barcode reader application) may provide alignment or registration marks at four corners of barcode810to help a user of user device110to center the image of barcode810(e.g., using camera360). Indicator940may provide a visual indication that proper alignment of barcode810is achieved (e.g., a green light may indicate that barcode810is aligned, a red light may indicate that barcode is not aligned, etc.). In other implementations, an audio or an audio/visual indicator may be used for aligning barcode810with user device110.

FIG. 10illustrates an exemplary user interface1000capable of being displayed by user device110after user device110has captured and interpreted information associated with barcode810(e.g., personal inventory information140). As illustrated, user interface1000may include a type field1010, a title field1020, a creator field1030, a date field1040, a company field1050, a duration field1060, a miscellaneous field1070, an images field1080, and/or a storage selection mechanism1090. In one implementation, information associated with barcode810may be used to query and/or retrieve information relating to the personal inventory item that was scanned. For example, user device110may retrieve such information via network130.

Type field1010may include a type associated with the new personal inventory item scanned by user device110. For example, type field1010may indicate that the new personal inventory item is a DVD. Title field1020may include a title or name associated with the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010. For example, title field1020may include a movie title for the DVD provided in type field1010.

Creator field1030may include information associated with the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010. For example, creator field1030may indicate that the DVD provided in type field1010was created by a director. Date information field1040may include information associated with dates when the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010was available for sale. For example, date information field1040may provide a release date for the DVD provided in type field1010.

Company field1050may include information associated with a company that offers the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010. For example, company field1050may indicate that a movie studio offers the DVD provided in type field1010. Duration field1060may include information associated with a length of time of the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010. For example, duration field1060may indicate that the DVD provided in type field1010lasts two hours.

Miscellaneous field1070may include miscellaneous information associated with the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010. For example, miscellaneous field1070may indicate that certain actors appear in the DVD provided in type field1010. Images field1080may include image information associated with the new personal inventory item type provided in type field1010. For example, images field1080may include a cover image of the DVD provided in type field1010.

Storage selection mechanism1090may include a mechanism (e.g., a button, an icon, a link, etc.) that, if selected (e.g., with a selection mechanism), may enable user device110to store information provided by user interface1000in a personal inventory database (e.g., provided in user device110and/or personal inventory server120).

In one exemplary implementation, user device110may display user interfaces700,900, and/or1000in order to receive and/or store updated information associated with personal inventory already provided in the personal inventory database (i.e., rather than inputting new personal inventory items). Such an arrangement may enable the user of user device110to check in a personal inventory item when it is returned, check out a personal inventory item when it is loaned to someone, etc.

Returning toFIG. 6, if the user selects search personal inventory option630, user device110may display an exemplary user interface1100, as depicted inFIG. 11. As illustrated inFIG. 11, user interface1100may instruct the user to select a means by which to search personal inventory, and may include a media type selection1110, a title selection1120, a genre selection1130, a personal rating selection1140, an industry rating selection1150, an author and/or director selection1160, and/or a series selection1170.

Media type selection1110may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on media type (e.g., DVD, book, CD, video game, etc.). Title selection1120may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on title (e.g., movie title, book title, CD title, video game title, etc.).

Genre selection1130may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on genre (e.g., action, adventure, comedy, etc.). Personal rating selection1140may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on personal ratings (e.g., ratings provided by the user of user device110). For example, in one implementation, the user may provide a rating mechanism (e.g., three stars out of five stars, five stars out or five stars, etc.) that rates the personal inventory.

Industry rating selection1150may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on industry ratings (e.g., ratings provided by critics of movies, books, music, etc.). For example, in one implementation, the user may input rating mechanisms (e.g., three stars out of five stars, five stars out or five stars, etc.) provided by the critics.

Author/director selection1160may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on an author/director (e.g., a movie made by a certain director, a book written by a certain author, etc.). Series selection1170may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on a series (e.g., season one of a television series, episode two of movie, etc.).

If the user selects one of selections1110-1170provided by user interface1100(e.g., such as media type selection1110), an exemplary user interface1200, as depicted inFIG. 12, may be displayed by user device110. As illustrated inFIG. 12, user interface1200may include a listing of personal inventory associated with the selected selection (e.g., a media type, such as CDs). User interface1200may include a type field1210, a title field1220, a creator field1230, a date field1240, a company field1250, an images field1260, etc. which may correspond to information provided in type field410, title field420, creator field430, date information field440, company field450, images field480, etc. provided in database portion400(FIG. 4) of the personal inventory database, but sorted based on the selected media type (e.g., based on CDs).

Returning toFIG. 6, if the user selects search loaned personal inventory option640, user device110may display an exemplary user interface1300, as depicted inFIG. 13. As illustrated inFIG. 13, user interface1300may instruct the user to select a means by which to search loaned personal inventory, and may include a media type selection1310, a borrower selection1320, a title selection1330, and/or a longest outstanding loan selection1340.

Media type selection1310may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search loaned personal inventory based on media type (e.g., DVD, book, CD, video game, etc.). Borrower selection1310may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search loaned personal inventory based on who (e.g., a friend, a family member, a neighbor, etc.) borrowed the personal inventory.

Title selection1330may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search loaned personal inventory based on title (e.g., movie title, book title, CD title, video game title, etc.). Longest outstanding loan selection1340may be selected by a user of user device110e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search loaned personal inventory based on who (e.g., a friend, a family member, a neighbor, etc.) borrowed the personal inventory the longest amount of time. In one implementation, user device110may display a list of loaned personal inventory that may be ranked based on how long the loaned personal inventory has been borrowed (or checked out).

If the user selects one of selections1310-1340provided by user interface1100(e.g., such as media type selection1310), an exemplary user interface1400, as depicted inFIG. 14, may be displayed by user device110. As illustrated inFIG. 14, user interface1400may include a listing of loaned personal inventory associated with the selected selection (e.g., a media type, such as DVDs). User interface1400may include a media field1410, a checkout date field1420, a checkin date field1430, a title field1440, a borrower field1450, etc. which may correspond to information provided in media field510, checkout date field520, checkin date field530, title field570, borrower name field550, etc. provided in database portion500(FIG. 5) of the personal inventory database, but sorted based on the selected media type (e.g., based on DVDs).

FIGS. 15-19depict flow charts of an exemplary process1500for inputting, managing, and tracking personal inventory using user device110according to implementations described herein. In one implementation, process1500may be performed by user device110. In another implementation, some or all of process1500may be performed by another device or group of devices, including or excluding user device110. For example, some or all of process1500may be performed by personal inventory server120.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, process1500may begin with retrieval of personal inventory (PI) information from a personal inventory database (block1510), and providing for display of an input personal inventory option, a search personal inventory option, and a search loaned personal inventory option (block1520). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 1, the user of user device110may access personal inventory information140from the personal inventory database, and user device110may display selectable options associated with the personal inventory database. In one example, user device110may display an input personal inventory option, a search personal inventory option, a search loaned personal inventory option, etc.

Returning toFIG. 15, if a user selects the input personal inventory option, selection of the input personal inventory option may be received (block1530), information associated with a new personal inventory item may be received (block1540), and the new personal inventory item information may stored in the personal inventory database (block1550). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIGS. 1,6, and7, user interface600(e.g., displayed by user device110) may include two personal inventory input options (e.g., manually enter new personal inventory item option610and scan a new personal inventory item option620). If the user selects manually enter new personal inventory item option610, user device110may display user interface700, which may instruct the user to input information for a new personal inventory item. If the user selects scan new personal inventory item option620, user device110may instruct the user to capture (e.g., with camera360of user device110) a barcode associated with the new personal inventory item. User device110may receive the manually entered and/or scanned information associated with the new personal inventory item, and may store the new personal inventory item information in the personal inventory database.

As further shown inFIG. 15, if a user selects the search personal inventory option, selection of the search personal inventory option may be received (block1560), and search personal inventory information may be provided for display (block1570). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIGS. 6 and 11, if the user selects search personal inventory option630, user device110may display user interface1100, which may instruct the user to select a means by which to search personal inventory (e.g., based on media type, title, genre, personal rating, industry rating, author/director selection, series, etc.).

Returning toFIG. 15, if a user selects the search loaned personal inventory option, selection of the search loaned personal inventory option may be received (block1580), and search loaned personal inventory information may be provided for display (block1590). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIGS. 6 and 13, if the user selects search loaned personal inventory option640, user device110may display user interface1300, which may instruct the user to select a means by which to search loaned personal inventory (e.g., based on media type, borrower, title, longest outstanding loan, etc.).

Process block1540may include the process blocks illustrated inFIG. 16. As shown inFIG. 16, process block1540may include receiving selection of manual entry for the new personal inventory item (block1600), and one or more of receiving manual entry of a new personal inventory type (block1610), receiving manual entry of a new personal inventory title (block1620), receiving manual entry of a new personal inventory creator (block1630), receiving manual entry of a new personal inventory date (block1640), receiving manual entry of a new personal inventory company (block1650), and/or receiving manual entry of a new personal inventory duration (block1660). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIGS. 6 and 7, if the user selects manually enter new personal inventory item option610, user device110may display user interface700, which may instruct the user to input information for a new personal inventory item, and may include type input mechanism710, title input mechanism720, creator input mechanism730, data input mechanism740, company input mechanism750, duration input mechanism760, miscellaneous input mechanism770, and/or images input mechanism780. In one example, input mechanisms710-780may include input fields for inputting descriptive information (e.g., type, title, creator, date, company, duration, miscellaneous, images, etc.) associated with a new personal inventory item. In another example, input mechanisms710-780may include drop-down menus for selecting descriptive information associated with a new personal inventory item from a list of personal inventory information.

Alternatively and/or additionally, process block1540may include the process blocks illustrated inFIG. 17. As shown inFIG. 17, process block1540may include capturing an image of a barcode associated with the new personal inventory item using a user device camera (block1700), and determining the new personal inventory item information based on the barcode capture (block1710). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 8, user device110may include a barcode reader application that interacts with camera360of user device110to capture images of barcodes (e.g., barcode810). The barcode reader application may analyze an image of a barcode and may interpret the barcode image into an actual value (e.g., a UPC value). User device110may also use an OCR application to check digits provided in a captured barcode image and to verify the accuracy of the interpreted barcode image. User device110(e.g., using the barcode reader application and/or the OCR application) may extract information associated with barcode810, such as personal inventory information140. As described above, the extracted information associated with barcode810may be used by user device110to query and retrieve personal inventory information, relating to the scanned item, from a remote resource or device, e.g., via network130.

Process block1570may include the process blocks illustrated inFIG. 18. As shown inFIG. 18, process block1570may include one or more of providing for display of search personal inventory based on a media type (block1800), providing for display of search personal inventory based on a title (block1810), providing for display of search personal inventory based on genre (block1820), providing for display of search personal inventory based on personal rating (block1830), providing for display of search personal inventory based on industry rating (block1840), providing for display of search personal inventory based on an author or director (block1850), and/or providing for display of search personal inventory based on a series (block1860). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 11, user interface1100may instruct the user to select a means (e.g., selections1110-1170) by which to search personal inventory. Selections1110-1170may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search personal inventory based on media type (e.g., media type selection1110), title (e.g., title selection1120), genre (e.g., genre selection1130), personal rating (e.g., personal rating selection1140), industry rating (e.g., industry rating selection1150), author or director (e.g., author/director selection1160), and/or series (e.g., series selection1170).

Process block1590may include the process blocks illustrated inFIG. 19. As shown inFIG. 19, process block1590may include one or more of providing for display of search loaned personal inventory based on a media type (block1900), providing for display of search loaned personal inventory based on a borrower (block1910), providing for display of search loaned personal inventory based on title (block1920), and/or providing for display of search loaned personal inventory based on longest outstanding loan (block1930). For example, in implementations described above in connection withFIG. 13, user interface1300may instruct the user to select a means (e.g., selections1310-1340) by which to search loaned personal inventory. Selections1310-1340may be selected by a user of user device110(e.g., via display320, control buttons330, and/or keypad340), and may permit the user to search loaned personal inventory based on media type (e.g., media type selection1310), borrower (e.g., borrower selection1320), title (e.g., title selection1330), and/or longest outstanding loan (e.g., longest outstanding loan selection1340).

Implementations described herein may permit input to, manage, and track personal inventory items using a user device. The personal inventory may be recorded in a personal inventory database that may include user-definable information associated with the personal inventory. The user or customer may search the user-definable information using a display of the user device, and may input information associated with new personal inventory items to be recorded in the personal inventory database. The customer may use the personal inventory information contained in the personal inventory database to prevent duplicate purchases at point-of-purchase locations. The personal inventory manager and/or database may also be used to track loaned personal inventory to determine who has what personal inventory and for how long. The personal inventory manager and/or database may provide a user with “at-a-glance” information about their personal inventory from the convenience of a hand-held device, such as a cellular phone.

For example, while series of blocks have been described with regard toFIGS. 15-19, the order of the blocks may be modified in other implementations. Further, non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.

It will be apparent that embodiments, as described herein, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement embodiments described herein is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the embodiments were described without reference to the specific software code—it being understood that one would be able to design software and control hardware to implement the embodiments based on the description herein.

Further, certain portions of the invention may be implemented as “logic” that performs one or more functions. This logic may include hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit or a field programmable gate array, software, or a combination of hardware and software.