Patent ID: 7752085

Claim:
A method of processing product related information, comprising: creating a product information tag using a computer programmed with at least one product information tag preparation rule that specifies an action based on a customer order, the product information tag including identification information, associating the product information tag with a product received from a manufacturer, storing, using the computer, original information relating to the product in a database record of a database prior to distribution of the product by a product distributor, the database record associated with the identification information in the product information tag that accompanies the product, the identification information uniquely identifying the product in the database, receiving shipment information including an identity of a shipper and an environmental condition experienced by the product while in possession of the shipper, the shipment information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the shipment information in association with the original information in the database, receiving usage information relating to use of the product, the usage information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the usage information in association with the original information in the database, receiving exception information relating to an abnormal event associated with the product after the product has been distributed by the product distributor, the exception information accompanied by the identification information in the product information tag, storing, using the computer, the exception information in association with the original information in the database, and analyzing, using the computer, the exception information, and at least one of (a) the shipment information and (b) the usage information, to understand the cause of the abnormal event.