Patent Description:
The use of labels to describe the contents, utility and benefits of a packaged product and, thereby, to advertise that product to a prospective customer, is as old as the use of containers that hold and display such products.

The typical product label provides only a fixed and unchanging description of the packaged product. We shall call such a label a "static" label. The purpose of the static label is twofold. First, it is an advertisement, whose appearance is meant to attract the eye of a potential customer. Typically, to fulfill this function, the static label displays pictorial content that is recognizable as designating a particular brand in which the customer may or may not have confidence and to which the customer may or may not be loyal.

Second, and perhaps most important, the label conveys information about the contents of the packaged product being considered by the customer for purchase. This information can be in the form of a written description or it can also be pictorial in nature. Additional material may be printed on portions of the label to give the purchaser instructions as to product use and the like. The package itself may contain more detailed information on a separate insert, if the amount of such information exceeds the carrying capacity of the label. In short, the label has met its purpose if it is sufficiently attractive, representative of the product manufacturer and informative of the product contents.

Typically, aside from detailed instructions on product use that may be contained in a package insert, the provider of the labeled package has given no particular consideration to functions the label or package could perform after the purchaser leaves the store and brings the product home. If the customer has purchased the labeled product, it can be assumed that the label has done its job.

Social networking has become an important and ubiquitous activity in the lifestyles of many people, consumers certainly included. The combination of universally available mobile communications devices and the desire of individuals to remain connected with peer groups and groups of other like-minded individuals, has led to the formation of social networks of various sizes and complexity. Individuals who interact through these networks can both provide information to others and avail themselves of information, virtually as soon as it becomes available.

One form of information that is of interest to consumers is real-time product-centric information. This is information relating to the use of specific products and groups of related products that would be difficult to obtain from other venues. Such product-centric information and the groups that disseminate and use it act, in effect, as self-help groups and can become co-creators of new uses for a product, offer chat-room type environments to discuss products and can suggest the development of new products to fill voids in suites of existing products.

To support product-centric networking, it would be exceedingly useful if a product itself, through developments in electronic packaging and labeling, can become an inexpensive communication device for the consumer and form a node in the product-centric network. Such communications devices, if made a part of the product itself, can immediately provide the consumer with embedded information that would register the product with the company producing it and provide identification of that particular product within the network. The company itself will ultimately wish to support such networking, because it serves to build product loyalty. This can be enabled through developments of the company's website to include means by which the consumer can communicate directly using the communications-enabled packaging to be discussed more fully below. Thus the company can become a repository of useful information about the product, which it can download to those consumers who possess the proper communications devices. For example, the manufacturer may wish to enable simple product registrations or inform the consumer about recalls or changes in formulations.

From the point of view of the consumer, this offers two modes of interaction. In one mode, the consumer uses the enabled product as the communications node and both uploads and downloads information from the company and to the company. In another mode, the consumer becomes part of a product-centric social network, which may include pre-existing communications methods and networks that extend beyond the enabled package, but which use the enabled package as an entry-point to the social network.

By partaking in such a product-centric network, the consumer can become a co-creator of new products, find new uses for old products, suggest product improvements and the like. In addition, the manufacturer can engage the consumer, through the network, in dialogues that benefit the manufacturer and for which the manufacturer can offer the consumer rewards, sent directly to the node. In effect, the network becomes a dedicated on-line test group for the manufacturer, for which the manufacturer should be properly appreciative.

Inexpensive communications devices are already widely available in the form of special use cell-phones. The circuitry that enables such mobile communications is small, highly integrated and inexpensive. Indeed, the most expensive parts of such communications devices are the packages that hold the circuitry, the keyboards for inputting phone numbers and the displays themselves. By reducing the complexity of this ancillary equipment and by using circuit fabrication techniques such as described in<CIT>, together with flexible keyboards such as described in <CIT>, and by powering the device with flexible power sources such as described in <CIT>, or as described in<CIT>, a product package can be fabricated that will serve as a communications node in a product-centric network. It is the purpose of the present invention to provide the consumer with such a communication-enabled product package.

The Internet is used in <CIT> for authenticating labelled products as a measure against counterfeiting with a web-based server system.

<CIT> discloses a system for enabling a drug manufacturer to update the labels on drug packages. It comprises an electronic drug label that can comprise an electronic display screen for displaying text and control buttons to scroll through the pages of text on that screen. The electronic label has the capability to be updated and comprises a communication channel between the electronic drug label and a drug manufacturer. The communications network can broadcast an encrypted drug label to the various electronic drug labels and the electronic drug label with the proper address can decrypt the transmission. The electronic drug label can be designed with a small antenna, since it is meant to only receive the data.

<CIT> discloses a multiple function interactive product label, which stores information about the product in a memory. The information may be retrieved through a connector which couples to another connector at a point of service terminal. The label may include a processor, a display, transceiver and a power supply. The display allows the contents of memory to be viewed. At a local checkout counter at a store, the label can communicate with a checkout or remote transceiver for automatic payment. Product data is read from and written to the multiple function interactive product label by moving the product across a designated reading/writing area. In another embodiment, a washing machine with a local transceiver could read the information on a label attached to clothing dropped in the washing machine. It can thereby compare the laundry data on the label to the machine cycle settings and alert the user if necessary. Hence, the label is designed for short-distance communication with specially designed appliances with a terminal or server. Further prior art can be found with <CIT> and <CIT>.

The invention is defined in the appended independent claim. In the present description and drawings, any examples and technical descriptions of apparatuses, products and/or methods which are not covered by the claims should be taken as background art or examples useful for understanding the disclosure.

In one embodiment, a communication-enabled packaged product provides a consumer with the ability store and retrieve various types of product information and to partake of product-centric social networking. The package includes a communication portion that forms a node in such a product-centric network. It also includes a memory (information storage and retrieval) portion in the form of ROM and/or RAM, that both enables the retrieval of fixed product information (ROM) and both storage and retrieval of information (RAM) provided by and to the consumer. This information is of the type that is relevant to the use of the specific product and that may include the consumer's experiences with the use of the product. The memory portion (RAM) can be updated with information such as the amount of the product remaining in the package as well as the amounts of other products associated with that product that the consumer possesses.

Referring first to <FIG> there is shown a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present invention according to the appended claim. The electronically enabled portion of the packaged product is a reactive label (<NUM>) that includes a communications portion to be described below. The label is shown as being affixed to a bottle (<NUM>), but it can be removable and taken by the consumer on subsequent shopping trips. The packaged product need not be in a bottle, it can be in a jar or any container suitable for holding and/or dispensing the product. The electronically enabled portion also includes an imbedded sensor (<NUM>) that detects the product level within the container and automatically communicates that level to an information storage element (to be further described below).

Examining the reactive label (<NUM>) further, there is shown an energy source (<NUM>) which can be a battery, a capacitor, a super capacitor, or a photovoltaic cell, which will be used to power an information processing, storage and retrieval portion (see below) that includes a RAM and a ROM and a means for inputting data to the RAM, such as a flexible keyboard (<NUM>). Information can be input to the RAM through a communications circuit, bypassing the keyboard. Information can be input into the RAM at the point of purchase of the product, through the use of a magnetic data transfer interface (<NUM>) or "card swiping" device or the like.

A similar communication module in another product package already in the consumer's possession can communicate with the present package and convey such information about that other product as identification data and the amount of contents remaining.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic and simplified diagram of the electronics circuitry that, when encapsulated, forms the reactive label of <FIG>. In one aspect of the invention, this element is fabricated on a flexible substrate (<NUM>) by an appropriate fabrication process that would satisfy the objects of the present invention. The substrate and the integrated electronic and electromechanical devices upon it are part of the fabrication and are entirely encapsulated within the reactive label of <FIG>. It is noted that the layout of the individual circuit elements on the substrate is not critical, except that space should be optimally utilized. It is further noted that all individual circuit components are known in the prior art in one form or another. It is also noted that flexible substrates can have circuitry imprinted on them using several methodologies, such as the assembly processes disclosed in the prior art previously cited.

As already shown in <FIG>, the substrate (<NUM>) includes a communications module (<NUM>) for sending and receiving information. The module includes an antenna (<NUM>) and a flexible keyboard for the input of information. The module may be enabled to access a telephone number whereby it becomes connected to a website. The module is powered by an energy source (<NUM>) which can be a battery or a photovoltaic cell, an information processing and storage portion that includes a microprocessor (<NUM>), a RAM (<NUM>) and a ROM (<NUM>) and a means for inputting data to the RAM, such as the flexible keyboard (<NUM>) that is also a part of the communications module (<NUM>). A magnetic stripe may be affixed to the portion for inputting and outputting information at the checkout counter of a store. The use of such a magnetic stripe also allows the inputting of product information at the point of purchase.

The reactive label ( (<NUM>) in <FIG>) can, optionally, be removable from its bottle ((<NUM>) of <FIG>) and carried by the consumer on a shopping trip, where it can be used to download information from other packaged products possessed by the consumer into its information storage (<NUM>) portion.

In one embodiment, the first electronically enabled portion of the package (<NUM>) as shown in <FIG>, is accompanied by a second electronically enabled portion (<NUM>) that is separated from and independent of the container (<NUM>), is portable and can be carried by the consumer, and can communicate with the first portion (<NUM>). This second portion, which is shown in <FIG> and which is not the subject-matter of the appended claim, is in some aspects of its size, portability and certain forms of its use, analogous to a "smart" credit card that is augmented with logic and communications abilities. This smart communications-enabled card (simply, "smart card") can include all of the communications means as in the reactive label of the first embodiment and it can also include, optionally, such an additional communications means as a magnetic stripe (<NUM>) or the like for inputting information electronically at a point of product purchase. For ease of discussion, this second electronically enabled portion will be denoted either a "smart card" or a "communication smart card" if there is a need to emphasize its communications function.

Examining the smart card (<NUM>) in schematic <FIG>, there is shown a communication module (<NUM>) for sending and receiving information. This module includes a flexible keyboard (also termed a keypad) (<NUM>) for the input of data, a small antenna (<NUM>) for wireless transmission of information and associated circuitry (not shown). The circuitry for such a communications module is described in Kugler, <CIT>.

The communications module (<NUM>) is powered by an energy source (<NUM>) which can be a battery, a capacitor, a super capacitor, or a photovoltaic cell. An information processing and storage portion, also powered by the energy source (<NUM>), includes a microprocessor (<NUM>), a RAM (<NUM>) and a ROM (<NUM>). Data can be supplied to the RAM by the flexible keyboard (<NUM>). Information can be input to the RAM through the communications circuit (<NUM>), bypassing the keyboard. Information can be input into the RAM at the point of purchase of the product, through the use of a magnetic stripe (<NUM>) on the card and a card swiping device at the checkout counter. A communication module in another product package in the consumer's possession can communicate with the present package and convey such information about that other product as identification data and the amount of contents remaining.

Since the functionality of the communications portion does not require high power, a small strip of PV cells, typically about <NUM> volts, should be sufficient. <CIT>, discloses a wide variety of flexible and printable power supplies that would be appropriate for this embodiment.

In one aspect, the card (<NUM>) is an encapsulation of a flexible substrate by an appropriate fabrication process. The substrate and the integrated electronic and electromechanical devices upon it are part of the fabrication process used for the fabrication of the reactive label as described in relation to <FIG>. It is noted that the layout of the individual circuit elements on the substrate and the card is not critical, except that space should be optimally utilized. It is further noted that all individual circuit components are known in the prior art in one form or another. It is also noted that flexible substrates can have circuitry imprinted on them using several methodologies, such as the assembly processes disclosed in the prior art previously cited.

In one embodiment which is not the subject-matter of the appended claim, the following steps may be initiated by the consumer to enable connection to a product-centric network or to register a product or a series of purchases with a retailer's or manufacturer's data base.

In one embodiment the packaged product communicates with other similarly enabled products. These communications facilitate interaction between a plurality of enabled products such that products related to a particular selected product may be identified and may be activated such that locating the related products within a retail environment is made easier. As an example, a shopper may select a particular shaving implement, the selected implement, either with or without the input of the shopper, communicates with a compatible pre-shave or after-shave product and induces a change in the visual appearance of the compatible product thereby drawing the product to the attention of the shopper. The secondary product may be in a related market category or may have a complementary use such as a paper towel product identified in association with a hard surface cleaner.

In the market category of cosmetics, an initial selection may trigger a cascade of communications to ease the identification of appropriately compatible products based either on a selected shade or a particular scent such that a combined use of the combination of selected products will yield a harmonious result or prevent a deleterious result through a combination of scents or chemistries.

The label of a package selected by a shopper may be activated. The activated label may subsequently communicate with other packages, a networked device of the shopper or a point of sale device within the retail environment. Communication with the point of sale device may include interaction with the shopper to validate the product or lead to the selection of an alternative product, selected with respect to the desired use or consumer experience. The communication also results in the identification of related or compatible products for selection by the shopper to enhance the use or experience associated with the initial product selection. The communication may be used as at least part of a product authentication or anti-counterfeiting system. The communication may be used to facilitate an authenticating hand-shake protocol between the product and the point of sale element or between the product and the retailer distributor and/or manufacturer to identify the selected product as genuine.

The communications element may enable the consumer to communicate with other consumers, product retailers, distributors, manufacturers, or combinations of these for the purposes of sharing or receiving information relating to instructions for use, optimizing product performance, loyalty programs, synergistic products, discounts/promotions, warrantee programs, new products, participation in consumer research programs, and combinations of these activities.

The package/label electronic communications element enables the retailer, distributor, and/or manufacturer to track product distribution through transportation systems, warehouses , store shelves, and/or check-out systems for purposes including tracking store shelf-life, store promotions, product promotion efficiencies, store display utilization rates, cross-aisle purchasing rates, distribution efficiencies, home usage rates, alone and in combination. The element may communicate with a network of the respective entities and enables these activities via communicating its unique identity with the network and by the capability of the network to determine the location of the package/label at the time of the communication.

Communications occur between multiple packages each package comprising the labels described herein. The packages may each contain the same product or may contain related products, may be from a common manufacturer or may be part of a co-branding effort between multiple manufacturers. This inter-package communication includes activating the label display of another package which is part of a joint promotion, loyalty program, or feature when the packaged product is physically displaced as determined by a motion sensitive sensor.

The package may communicate with an in-store point of sale display either in association with a deliberate activation by the consumer or possibly in association with a movement of the package as detected by a motion sensor or by a change in the interaction of the package and the package shelf display brought about by a physical displacement of the package. The point of sale display may subsequently provide more information about the initiating product, about related products, co-marketed products, loyalty programs or other information pre-determined by the retailer, distributor, manufacturer or combinations of these.

Referring next to <FIG>, there is shown a schematic illustration of a display on which there has been placed a plurality of reactively labeled packages as an array. The different packages in the display contain varieties of the product that are tailored to different physical characteristics of a consumer. These product varieties are positioned at different locations in the display. These locations may be predetermined to allow communicatively coupled visual effects to occur.

The various labels are communicatively coupled by means of the communications module ((<NUM>) in <FIG>) in that data streams can be sent from one label to another to activate displays in each individual label. Activation can consist of causing the pictorial portion of a display unit ((6a) in <FIG>) to light up or generate a movement of a picture. Picture movements and animations can be synchronized so that the display as a whole acts like a giant screen to attract a customer's attention to the display and to focus it on specific products within the display.

One of the labeled packages (<NUM>) is shown as sending a wireless electromagnetic signal to other packages (<NUM>) that are located at different positions in the display. This package (<NUM>) could be the particular package that was picked up by the customer. Upon sensing the customer's interest, the package can respond by activating its own display in a visible manner and by sending out a signal to synchronize the individual display units of the other packages in the large display.

The processing units of different packages can be addressable according to their locations in the display, so that synchronized messaging and display visuals can be achieved. For example, the shelf units of the display can contain circuit elements that activate a label according to its position on the shelf. Thus, the communicatively coupled packages can serve to direct a customer to an appropriate product or they can simply act as a synchronized visually active unit, making the entire display more "eye catching" and attractive to the casual observer.

Claim 1:
A plurality of packaged products, each member of the plurality comprising a reactive label, the reactive label comprising:
a) a display,
b) control logic,
c) an input sensor,
d) an electronic communications element, and
e) a motion sensitive sensor
wherein each member of the plurality of packaged products comprises a product selected from a group consisting of a variations of a common product type, and each label is communicatively coupled to the plurality of labels,
wherein the display of at least one member of the plurality is altered in response to input received by the label of another member of the plurality of packaged products when the another member is physically displaced as determined by its motion sensitive sensor, such that locating the at least one member of the plurality within a retail environment is made easier.