A novel method for using product identifiers includes capturing a
product identifier identifying a product, selecting one of a plurality of queries, transmitting the
product identifier and the selected query to a
data provider, and receiving a response to the selected query from the
data provider. The method is performed on a personal data device (e.g., a
camera phone, PDA,
tablet PC et.), which includes a
network interface, a
scanner operative to capture the
product identifier, a
user interface operative to receive the query selection, and an application program interface operative to associate the product identifier and the selected query, transmit the product identifier and the selected query to the
data provider via the
network interface, and to receive the response to the identifier and query from the data provider via the
network interface. A method for the data providers to use the product identifiers is also disclosed, and includes receiving a request from a
consumer including a unique product identifier and data indicative of the type of information requested, retrieving the type of requested information associated with the particular product from a
database, and transmitting the retrieved information to the
consumer. The data provider includes a
database associating the product identifiers with information corresponding thereto, and means for the providing the associated information to the requesting
consumer.