Patent ID: 8219584

Claim:
A user device for communicating product information, comprising: a product identifier input device configured to receive a product identifier for a selected product; a data storage device that stores: first logic that causes a processor of the user device to retrieve a previously determined user preference, the previously determined user preference being determined prior to receiving the product identifier for the selected product; second logic that causes the processor of the user device to retrieve product information associated with the product identifier from a data network servicing a plurality of retail stores, the data network being accessed from a local product server hosted within a first retail location, the data network also being accessible from a second local product server hosted within a second retail location, wherein the plurality of retail stores comprise different retail stores from different retail store chains and product information is allowed or denied amongst the different retail stores; third logic that causes the processor of the user device to compare the previously determined user preference with the product information; and fourth logic that causes the processor of the user device to, in response to a determination that the product information includes an element not allowed by the predetermined user preference, suggest an alternative product to the selected product, wherein the alternative product is verified to be sold at the first retail location when the data network is being accessed from the local product server hosted within the first retail location, wherein access to product information for products not sold at the first retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the first retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is denied from being sent to the user device over the data network while the local product server hosted within the first retail location is used by the user device to access the data network, wherein access to product information for products sold at the second retail location is granted and allowed to be sent to the user device over the data network while the second local product server hosted within the second retail location is used by the user device to access the data network.