WO2002021794A2 - Procede et systeme de connexion de support imprime a une information electronique en tant que reponse a une requete, utilisant un glyphe optique et un chercheur electronique - Google Patents

Procede et systeme de connexion de support imprime a une information electronique en tant que reponse a une requete, utilisant un glyphe optique et un chercheur electronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002021794A2
WO2002021794A2 PCT/US2001/028192 US0128192W WO0221794A2 WO 2002021794 A2 WO2002021794 A2 WO 2002021794A2 US 0128192 W US0128192 W US 0128192W WO 0221794 A2 WO0221794 A2 WO 0221794A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
content
request
service
information
customer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/028192
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2002021794A3 (fr
WO2002021794A9 (fr
Inventor
Kim T. Rubin
Keith Blei
Original Assignee
Findthedot,Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Findthedot,Inc. filed Critical Findthedot,Inc.
Priority to JP2002526084A priority Critical patent/JP2004509393A/ja
Priority to AU2001288944A priority patent/AU2001288944A1/en
Priority to EP01968714A priority patent/EP1360832A2/fr
Priority to CA002421742A priority patent/CA2421742A1/fr
Publication of WO2002021794A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002021794A2/fr
Publication of WO2002021794A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002021794A3/fr
Publication of WO2002021794A9 publication Critical patent/WO2002021794A9/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
    • G06F16/955—Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
    • G06F16/9554—Retrieval from the web using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL] by using bar codes

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to methods and systems of soliciting and delivering requested information over a computer network. More specifically, the present invention is related to providing a method and system for directing requests for information to providers of information.
  • Customer-driven WWW Surfing A computer savvy customer seeks out desired information without knowing exactly where to look, relying on many of the tools available to her. Customer's actions include but are not limited to: using a search engine; following links, including banner ads, from one found WWW site to another; guessing the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a web site; or using other computer or networked-based sources of information. Examples of the many tools available to the customer include browsing the WWW using a web browser, such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, and searching the WWW using a web browser through search engines provided by Yahoo! ® or Google sm .
  • a customers is made aware of the existence of a WWW site or e-mail address by non-computer-based sources of information, such as an advertisement or announcement in a newspaper or magazine, on television or the radio.
  • Customers are presenting with a URL or e-mail address that can be used when a customer has access to a computer or other device that can be connected to the WWW.
  • This method is relatively easy for providers to implement, particularly if there are existing channels through which they communicate to potential customers.
  • this method relies on the action of customers to write or remember an address, or to carry media containing the address, such as a newspaper advertisement, to their computer or other electronic device for requesting information.
  • a customer is presented with the option of obtaining more information while interacting over a computer network.
  • Information is delivered by one of several means, such as on a WWW site or through unsolicited e-mail.
  • a customer is directed to information of the provider's choice. Examples of this method include presenting and tracking the use of banner ads on WWW pages and methods of advertising over e-mail systems, and the submitting of unsolicited e-mail to the customer. While some of these examples provide advantages, they each have disadvantages as well. From a provider's perspective these methods can provide links to individuals who are already obtaining information through a network, and the method can be cost effective.
  • Unsolicited e-mail is a popular technique for presenting information that, for those that do not respond, is an annoyance that is ignored or possibly a waste of time and resources.
  • the amount of unsolicited email is quite large and is growing. America Online, for example, estimates that about 30% out of the total 30 million emails message a day on the system are unsolicited messages (for further discussion of the burden of unsolicited e-mail, see http://www.cauce.org/).
  • requesting information includes acquiring a machine-readable code incorporated onto an object, and where the codes are individually capable of representing one of a vast number of requests, h another embodiment the machine readable-codes are optically readable two dimensional codes, or glyphs, that contain the equivalent of 64 bits of data, which are in turn, in whole or in part, pointers to addresses or pieces of information to be delivered.
  • Information and data is exchanged between services and the customer through computer networks, such as the Internet.
  • the method provides for the location of machine-readable codes that are optically distinguished and readable, and wherein the data provided by acquiring the code is associated with the object on which it is located.
  • Embodiments include but are not limited to: having the machine- readable code associated with a business card, and having the fulfilled request include a program that installs the business card information into the customer's electronic address book; having the machine-readable code located on an advertisement in a magazine, newspaper, billboard, yellow pages, or the like and acompanying either text or a representative picture, and having the fulfilled information contain a web site for more information; having the machine-readable code printed on the border or back side of a photograph, where the information service maintains digital images of the photograph, and where the information is an order for reprints or electronic copies of the photograph; or having the machine-readable code associated with a software product and having the the fulfilled request include a demonstration program that the customer can run.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides for a method to assign codes for use by information providers, forwarding requests from customers to information providers, and collecting fees from the information providers for the use of the machine-readable codes, h one embodiment, fees are based on the number of codes read, in another embodiment fees are based on the amount of time for which the codes are valid.
  • the finder is a remote finder, and in another embodiment the finder has a memory that can retain a number of acquired codes, and then wirelessly transmit the codes and a return address as information requests to a service that determines a second service for fulfilling the request to the return address.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is the aggregation of requests to provide a bundled response that includes an organized response to each individual request. Such aggregation may be implemented at any point in the process that stores or forwards requests.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention is the delivery of the information through a web site of a service provider, such that the information may be accessed conveniently by the customer from anywhere on an electronic network, without the need for information to be sent to a particular computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant, or Internet appliance in the possession of the customer.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention provides methods and systems of providing for the privacy of customers.
  • the information service does not keep records of customer addresses or other protected information as a result of the use of the code.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides for control of the amount of information received as the result of acquiring a code, h one embodiment, the code and a return electronic address are forwarded from a decoding service, which interprets the code, to an information service that supplies information back to the customer at an electronic address, hi that embodiment the information provider supplies an agreed amount of information to the customer.
  • Another embodiment provides for the tracking of requests to ensure that each request is sent and filled exactly once or a prescribed number of times.
  • a method is provided to fulfill requests by generating requests, where the requests are generated through the acquisition of a machine-readable code, submitting the codes to a decoding service, where the code is interpreted and associated with an information service, submitting the request to the information service, and having the information service provide the content to the customer though a computer network, h one embodiment the request is sent over the Internet and the content is provided over e-mail.
  • Another aspect of the present invention provides for authorizing the distribution of machine-readable codes by content providers.
  • This aspect of the present invention further provides for a decoding service to receive requests, determine an information service corresponding to the machine-readable code, and providing the request to the appropriate information service.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method for regulating the user of machine-readable codes by authorizing the providers of content to use the codes for a fee, and providing a service to direct requests to the appropriate provider.
  • FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the acquisition of a machine readable code (a "DOT") by a customer results in the customer receiving information over a computer network;
  • DOT machine readable code
  • FIG. IB is a block diagram illustrating the customer controlled electronic devices of FIG. 1 A.
  • FIG. 2 A is a block diagram of the first embodiment detailing the interactions between issuing authority, one client, and customers;
  • FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment detailing the interactions between issuing authority and one client;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic of the customer's perspective of the first embodiment showing the acquisition and transmitting and communication of a request, in which a DOT code, a portable finder, and communications to the various services is shown;
  • FIG. 4 is one embodiment of a machine-readable code incorporated into printed matter according to several of the embodiments of the present invention, in which the machine-readable code is placed to facilitate the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of a portable finder that can be used for reading machine-readable codes and generating requests for information according to the present invention
  • FIG. 6 A is a detailed view of DOT machine-readable code of the first embodiment, where the DOT is capable of storing 64 bits of data, and which is particularly suited for use with the present invention;
  • FIG. 6B is a detailed view of a DOT code corresponding to a 64-bit number in the DOT of FIG. 6 A, in which the various indices of the DOT code are illustrated;
  • FIG. 6C is a detailed view of a signal from the fmder incorporating the DOT code of FIG. 6A, in which the various indices of the signal are illustrated;
  • FIG. 6D is a detailed view of a request incorporating the DOT code of FIG. 6A, in which the various indices of the request are illustrated;
  • FIG. 6E is a detailed view of a forwarded request incorporating the DOT code of FIG. 6 A, in which the various indices of the forwarded request are illustrated;
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the various steps in fulfilling a request for content;
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention illustrating the range of data that can be transferred and delivered between customer, DOT service and content service within the scope of the present invention
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the flow of data through the DOT service corresponding to the block diagram of FIG. 8;
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of data and information through the content service corresponding to the block diagram of FIG. 8.
  • Customer Refers in general to one or more computer or other electric device end users that are seeking information, are having information presented to them, or are presented with details on how to obtain more or other information.
  • Information Also referred to as "content,” can be a textual, visual, or audible presentation of information, such as knowledge, news, directions, or definitions, or can be information related to goods or services, such as details about, ordering or reordering information on, or receipt of goods or services, addition, information on computers can include but is not limited to: a self-contained message; a message having an attachment or a link to direct the recipient to another site on a computer network to obtain further information; a program to execute; information used to reconfigure a computer program; a program that when executed installs or places information in one of the customer's computer databases; or any of the many other ways that information supplied though a computer network can be read or used by either a person, a computer, or another electronic device that is either connected to the network or otherwise able to receive the information, such as through a
  • Provider Also referred to as “content provider” or “information provider,” is a person, group, business, organization or other disseminator of information, h the context of providing information over a network, the provider may directly provide information from a provider's computer system, or may supply information to a service that is authorized by the provider to distribute said information. In some of the business models presented herein, the provider is considered to be a "client” of the those that interpret and forward requests between customer and provider. Service An entity that performs actions required for the providing of information. For computer-based methods a service is performed by one or more computers or servers.
  • Message Service Any of various protocols, programs or hardware that provides an interface for a customer to handle messages delivered over a network.
  • the handling of messages includes but is not limited to one or all of the following actions: receiving, sending, forwarding, storing, editing, and downloading messages, as well as composing and sending new or reply messages.
  • message services that provide the advantages as described herein.
  • Message services within the scope of the present invention include, but are not limited to: e-mail, instant-messaging, and a "portal web site" offering e-mail services.
  • a message service can be a combination of methods or systems for delivering messages, thus providing redundancy or the flexibility to provide messages through one or more of the several methods.
  • requests are generated by a customer reading one or more machine-readable codes (or "DOTs") that are each transmitted over a computer network to a "DOT service.”
  • the DOT service interprets the code to determine where the requested information is to be found or where it is to be generated and forwards the request to the appropriate "content service.”
  • the content service determines the content corresponding to the request and send the content to the customer's address on the network.
  • the customer can either check a network location, such as an e-mail address or a portal web site, for the requested content, or is notified directly through a protocol such as instant-messaging.
  • customer information includes, but is not limited to general demographic or personal information such as name, electronic or mailing address, phone number, income, identification numbers, credit card numbers, gender, geographic location, zip code, or statistically derived customer information.
  • the methods and systems of the present invention lend themselves to guarding the privacy of customers by restricting the customer information between various services.
  • Several of the embodiments include various privacy levels, controllable by the customer in some embodiments, that control divulging customer information. The strictest privacy level does not allow the content service to retain any customer information, including the electronic address to which the requested content is sent.
  • the addressing data for directing and fulfilling requests is partially contained within the numerical code that is encoded within each machine-readable code.
  • the machine-readable code contains an encoded representation of data such as an alphanumeric string or a number, and can in general be considered to be a "numerical code.” It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that many types of machine- readable codes can be used to achieve the advantages of the present invention including but not limited to optical codes, and other non-optical codes, such as magnetic codes that are distinctive or that can be associated with or incorporated into distinctive printed marks.
  • the machine-readable code and fmder as described herein and in Rubin et al. are exemplary in that they provide a distinct and compact machine-readable code that is readable with electronic devices that are inexpensive, easy to use and which transmit requests obtained at remote locations without the further action of the customer.
  • the code of Rubin et al. is particularly useful in promoting the advantages of the present invention in that the code can be used within current printing technologies and techniques. Thus information necessary for printing the code can be made available over a computer network to a printer in a standard file format to be incorporated into standard printed media using conventional inks and papers, much as the incorporation of other objects into printed media. The code can thus be printed with a minimal impact on the work flow of the print industry. It will be appreciated that some or all of these attributes aid in the promotion and acceptance of the present invention.
  • An important advantage of the present invention is achieved through the association of the machine-readable code with information to be obtained by generating a request using the machine-readable code.
  • the methods and systems of the present invention thus add value to the print media, be it of a commercial, educational, or informational nature.
  • General areas of use of the present invention include, but are not limited to identification of people, objects or information and automation of software or hardware actions.
  • information be provided as a result of generating requests by acquiring machine-readable codes according to the following associations: more information about the items within or associated with an advertisement or other information print media from a machine-readable code on that media; information on goods or services, such as pricing, availability, options or choices from a machine- readable code on an article for sale or in a catalog; for use as a sales, marketing or promotional device by incorporating a machine-readable code onto such devices; receiving event-related information from a machine-readable code on an events listing in a newspaper, magazine, or flyer; electronic listings of or more information about organizations having machine-readable codes on a business card or directory listing; more or electronic versions of information associated with machine-readable codes on a map or in a dictionary, thesaurus, almanac, encyclopedia, cookbook, reference or text book; aiding commerce though machine-readable codes on coupons, bills, envelopes, or to facilitate purchasing of goods or services; and obtaining directions to a place according to the location of
  • FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the acquisition of a machine readable code (a "DOT") by a customer results in the customer receiving information over a computer network.
  • customer 101 generates a request for information through the acquisition of a machine-readable code, or DOT 109 using electronic devices 113 and a finder 117.
  • finder 117 is capable of reading DOT 109 and generating the corresponding DOT code 127. Also shown in FIG.
  • 1A are: one or more content services 107 (individually 107-i where i varies from 1 to N) which are individually associated with fulfilling a given DOT code 109; an issuing authority 105 which creates, controls, governs, regulates, or oversees the DOT codes and the forwarding of requests from customer 101 to an associated content service 107-i through a DOT service 103; and a computer network 115 through which customer 101 communicates with DOT service 103 and content services 107-i.
  • signals A through G are also noted on FIG. 1A as signals A through G.
  • finder 117 regenerates DOT code 127 associated with DOT code 109, and sends signal A to electronic devices 113.
  • Signal A includes a representation of DOT code 127 which includes data that is used to request information.
  • Finder 117 of the first embodiment is used to gather multiple requests, and thus signal A may contain data about some or all of the multiple requests.
  • signal A can include some or all of the following data: data specific to finder 117, discussed subsequently, such as an identification number or the state of various buttons or switches the fmder to indicate specifics regarding how or when requests are to be handled by electronic devices 113, computer network 115, DOT service 103 or one of content services 107; data used to determine a time stamp of the acquisition of a particular DOT; and quality control data.
  • FIG. IB Additional details of electronic devices 113 are shown in FIG. IB. h particular, electronic devices 113 are shown to be in communication with finder 117 for acquiring a machine-readable code 109 and include a transceiver 119 for communicating with finder 117, a portal device 121 adapted to communicate over computer network 115, and a display 123. Also shown in FIG. IB are additional communications pathways A', G', and H to be described subsequently.
  • Electronic devices 113 process signal A to form request B.
  • Request B can either be multiple individual request signals or one signal having multiple requests.
  • customer 101 is associated with an electronic return address, or customer address 125.
  • Customer address 125 is added to or associated with signal B for the fulfilling of the request over network 115.
  • Electronic devices 113 then forward request B, through computer network 115, to DOT service 103.
  • DOT service 103 has a look-up table or other devices for associating each DOT code 127 with a particular one of content services 107. h particular, DOT service 103 associates request B with a particular content service 107 for responding to the request, and forwards at least a portion of request B to an associated content service 107-i as forwarded request C-i.
  • DOT service 103 incorporates customer address 125 into forwarded request C-i through an association based on finder specific data, communicated according to methods and systems described subsequently, or by other forms of customer address identification provided by electronic devices 113 or through computers associated with computer network 115.
  • Content service 107-i determines an appropriate response based on the request and sends a content message D to computer network 115, specifically delivering the content message to customer address 125.
  • Customer 101 can then perform a content check E to receive the requested information.
  • Customer address 125 is a customer accessible network or computer address assigned to or chosen by customer 101, and can include but is not limited to an e-mail address, instant-messaging, a portal web site on the Internet, a customer code, telephone number, or any other electronic technique for making information available to a targeted customer.
  • customer 101 may have multiple customer addresses which one of the content services or another computer on network 115 can use to direct content messages D.
  • customer 101 has only one customer address 125, that is one message service, that corresponds to an e-mail address, such as is provided by a POP server or a web site configured to provide e-mail services.
  • customer 101 has two customer addresses - the first being an instant-messaging message service address, and the second an e-mail message service address, as in the first example.
  • An exemplary message delivery system would attempt to use the instant-messaging address, and failing that delivery would deliver to the e-mail address.
  • the delivery attempts can be managed either by one of the message services, which can forward messages automatically or based on a failure to deliver, or through another service, such as a DOT message service (not shown) that receives all requests and forwards them accordingly.
  • Another embodiment of message delivery of the present invention allows customer 101 to change or modify the various aspects of mail delivery, such as addresses, allowing aggregation so that many messages are delivered at the same time, forwarding instructions, and many other functions performed by message services.
  • Signal F is an optional confirmation signal used for electronic devices 113 to keep track of received requests.
  • finder 117 retains acquired DOT codes 127 within a memory, described subsequently.
  • Signal F contains data that can be used to identify individual DOT codes, such as the original code with a time stamp, indicating that a particular DOT code has been received by DOT service 103, and should be deleted from memory.
  • Network 115 can be any computer connection between electronic services 113, DOT service 103, and content services 107, such as the Internet or other computer networks.
  • a - F could each be through different channels of communication, including open networks (such as the Internet), closed networks, or within a single computer, and achieve the advantages of the present invention.
  • B and F could be through direct wireless communication to DOT service 103, while D and E are a direct wireless communication back to customer 101.
  • DOT service 103 and content services 107 could be on one computer.
  • Signal C would thus be a signal internal to the DOT service/content service computer.
  • portal device 121 transceiver
  • finder 117 is a portable device having a memory that can accumulate multiple requests to be transmitted A back to transceiver 119 when convenient or when finder and transceiver are within range of one another.
  • finder 117 is adapted to only send signal A and not receive signal G, and transceiver 119 is a receiver.
  • portal device 121 transceiver 119, and display 123 could be incorporated into a laptop computer
  • portal device 121 and transceiver 119 could be incorporated into a personal digital assistant
  • customer 101 could have more than one electronic device 113, one for submitting requests and a second for receiving information.
  • Other portal devices 121 include but are not limited to web-connectable devices including an Internet appliance, a global positioning system, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a pager, a set-top box, a network hub, a modem and a networked device on an Internet- connected network.
  • a variety of displays 123 that can be connected to the web are appropriate for use with the present invention.
  • Examples of displays 123 include but are not limited to a personal computer, a laptop computer, an Internet appliance, a global positioning system, a personal digital assistant, a telephone, a pager, a set-top box, a television, a videocassette recorder, a television server, a pair of goggles, a pair of glasses, a helmet, or a display with a few indicator to represent a limited amount of information.
  • machine-readable code can be any machine-readable code, preferably one that has devices for easy reading by the general public.
  • Each machine- readable code symbolically encodes a number, which can be decoded using an electronic reader, or finder. More specifically, a number is used to generate a machine-readable code, and the finder reads the machine-readable code to generate a number.
  • the machine-readable code should either be an optical code that is easily recognizable, or if the machine-readable code is not optical, it should have an optical component that allows for easy identification and acquisition.
  • the machine-readable code and finder of Rubin et al. is used here as example, albeit exemplary, of devices that will achieve the advantages of the present invention. Rubin et al.
  • DOT or machine-readable code
  • DOT code or numerical code
  • finder or reader
  • FIGs. 3 and 4 present more detailed views of one embodiment of the DOT and associated apparatus for reading and transmitting the DOT code
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic of the customer's perspective of the first embodiment showing the acquisition and transmitting and communication of a request, in which a DOT code, a portable finder, and communications to the various services is shown
  • FIG. 4 is one embodiment of a machine-readable code incorporated into printed matter according to several of the embodiments of the present invention, in which the machine-readable code is placed to facilitate the present invention.
  • DOT 109 is affixed or otherwise associated with a physical object as arranged by one of many clients 107.
  • DOTs 109 there is a plurality of DOTs 109 available for acquisition and there may be multiple copies of the same code for acquisition, fn FIG. 3, DOT 109, shown on a print media 207, is being acquired by finder 117.
  • DOT 109 shown on print media 207.
  • FIG. 4 One possible placement of DOT 109 on print media 207 is shown in FIG. 4.
  • Many placements of DOT 109 are possible for association with various types of information to be requested, as discussed previously.
  • FIG. 6A is a detailed view of DOT machine-readable code of the first embodiment, where the DOT is capable of storing 64 bits of data, and which is particularly suited for use with the present invention.
  • DOT 109 includes propellers 601 and reserved white areas 605 to assist finder 117 in locating the DOT, and hexagonal cells 603 which contain binary data according to the state (black or white) of the individual cells, additional targeting data and cells reserved for quality control purposes.
  • FIG. 6B is a detailed view of a DOT code corresponding to a 64-bit number in the DOT of FIG. 6 A, in which the various indices of the DOT code are illustrated. In particular, FIG.
  • FIG. 6B shows a 64-bit DOT code 127 consisting of a content service index 607 and a content index 609.
  • content service index 607 is used by DOT service 103 to direct the request, including data related to content index 609 to one of the particular content services 107, and data related to content index 609 is used by the particular content service to generate the requested information.
  • DOT code 127 may have more or fewer bits, or may be comprised of different types of data, hi a first alternative embodiment, the two indices, namely said content service index 607 and said content index 609 are one index that is interpreted by DOT service 103. hi a second alternative embodiment, there is more than one DOT service, and DOT code includes a DOT index to direct the request from a receiving DOT service to a DOT service that directs the request to a content service, hi a third alternative embodiment, DOT code includes an aggregation index that is used by a DOT service, a content service or a network computer to aggregate request responses.
  • finder 117 is used in conjunction with a computer game where the finder communicates with other finders, and the DOT code includes game related information h a fifth alternative embodiment, the DOT code contains commands that are interpreted directly by either finder 117 or electronic devices 113, allowing for local operation of DOT and finder.
  • the DOT code contains one or more bits that govern the dissemination of code information according to multiple DOT services
  • a code can be considered to be public or private, for example.
  • a private code may be readable only by specific DOT service, while a public code may be readable by any DOT service 103 that acquires the code.
  • the implementation of this embodiment is dependent on finder 107 establishing communications with DOT service 103, scrutinizing the DOT code and sending the code based on the level of code privacy.
  • Public codes are useful in public settings, such as markets or trade shows, where customer 101 understands that information is to be exchanged. Customer 101 may wish for the codes obtained within the public setting to be transmitted, while wishing that other codes obtained outside of the public setting are not to be transmitted. Finders for Machine-readable Codes
  • FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of a portable finder that can be used for reading machine-readable codes and generating requests for information according to the present invention.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 5 is a portable, personal, electronic device that reads codes and holds the data until it can transmit the DOT code to an external computer.
  • the apparatus and operation of some aspects of finder 117 are discussed in Rubin et al.
  • fmder 117 For the purposes of the present invention important features of fmder 117 include: a battery 517, an optics assembly 501 having a two-dimensional image sensor 505, an LED illuminator 507, a processor 509 in communication with sensor 505, a memory 511 for storing images, and wireless electronics 515 for transmitting data to external devices that is connected to an antenna 307, which may be partially external to case 301, and a feedback LED and/or audio PZT 513 to communicate back to the user of finder 117.
  • Wireless electronics 515 can include any of the various communications technologies well known in the art of wireless communications for transmitting signals, including but not limited to infrared (using protocols such as hDA) or other optical technologies, acoustical, and radio frequency technologies.
  • finder tip 303 External to or on case 301 of finder 117 is a finder tip 303 which includes a front surface of transparent nosepiece 519, a tip switch 305.
  • Nosepiece 519 may be visually clear and is used for illuminating and imaging DOT 109, and also allows for aligning and assurance of proper working of finder 117 by the user of the finder.
  • Other additional buttons, switches, dials or other settable electronic components that are not shown may also be incorporated into finder 117 for transmitting customer selectable information from the finder.
  • Processor 509 controls the electronics of finder 117, including sensor 505, image processing and communications.
  • memory 511 In communication with processor 509 is memory 511, which is used to perform many important functions in finder 117.
  • memory 511 is used to hold operating instructions for finder 117 and to hold code data for later transmittal.
  • Memory 511 may consist of read-only or erasable, programmable memory to hold the firmware, read/write memory to hold the code image during processing and for other uses, non-volatile memory to hold code data, finder serial numbers, time stamps and other data stored during power-down or power-off, and any combination thereof.
  • Finder 117 of this embodiment can be adapted to read a variety of optical codes for use with the present invention, including bar codes, such as U.P.C., stacked codes, and matrix codes, including the DOT code of Rubin et al. as shown in FIG. 6A- E.
  • bar codes such as U.P.C.
  • stacked codes such as stacked codes
  • matrix codes including the DOT code of Rubin et al. as shown in FIG. 6A- E.
  • space is reserved for quality control purposes.
  • the finder works in cooperation with the DOT, and in addition to the DOT code, the fmder may transmit an image of quality control cells and/or the entire image as a monitor of the quality of DOT printing and reading.
  • quality-related performance parameters including but not limited to: paper quality, paper whiteness, ink uniformity, ink color, ink bleed, image orientation, illumination uniformity within said finder, temporal illumination variations, alignment between said code and said finder, image size, image aspect ratio, image focus, optical quality, source of reading errors, and alignment of said fmder by said customer. Operation of the Finder
  • DOT 109 To acquire DOT 109 as shown in FIG. 3 customer 101 places finder body 301 approximately perpendicular to media 207, bringing finder tip 303 in contact with DOT 109 through tapping motion 111, activating tip switch 305. Customer 101 is aided in the correct positioning of finder 117 over DOT 109 by transparent nosepiece 519, which allows the customer to view the DOT as the finder is placed for DOT acquisition.
  • Switch 305 increases power to fmder 117 and indicates to processor 509 that the DOT is to be read, h addition, power is supplied to LED illuminator 507 for illuminating DOT 109 for a period of time through nosepiece 519.
  • DOT 109 is imaged through nosepiece 519 by optics assembly 501, which produces an image of the DOT onto sensor 505.
  • finder 117 includes a switch on the side of body 301 for activation of the reading of DOT 109. The finder is placed over, and preferably on top of DOT 109, and the tapping motion 111 is the pressing of the button.
  • finder 117 is incorporated into electronic devices 113 such that the communications A and G are wired communications.
  • finder 117 When finder 117 is within wireless range of personal computer 309, which includes the other electronic devices 113, namely transceiver 119, portal device 121 and display 123, wireless communications A and G can be established and data can be transmitted between the finder and the other electronic devices.
  • fmder 117 retains previously acquired DOT codes 127 for a period of time, and does not generate a request if the DOT code has been recently acquired. This feature, which can be turned on or off through settings of finder 117, prevents the customer from receiving multiple responses in the event of inadvertent multiple acquisitions.
  • an important aspect of the present invention is to provide feedback to the user by a signaling of the correct reading of the code.
  • Feedback 513 is provided by audio, visual, vibration or by combinations thereof indicating a successful reading of the code. Additionally, signaling to the user may take place through other means. Confirmation of an attempted read can take place either through the tactile sensation of switch 305 being toggled, while visual cues can be communicated through a variation in the illumination from LED illuminator 507 or by other signaling LEDs (not shown) included in finder 117.
  • Another aspect of finder 117 and electronic devices 113 is keeping track of which requests have been fulfilled.
  • This optional confirmation signal F which alerts electronics under the control of customer 101 that a DOT service 103 has received request A, can perform various monitoring functions, h one embodiment, memory 511 may be instructed to hold copies of acquired DOTs until a corresponding confirmation F is received, at which time the copy of the particular DOT is erased. In another embodiment, memory 511 is instructed to resend DOTs that are not confirmed within a given time frame.
  • wireless electronics 515 is capable of receiving signals.
  • finder 107 can perform additional functions which are advantageous, such as: providing feedback 515 and erasing received codes from memory 511, as previously discussed; downloading software updates or additional software for execution by processor 509 for new or improved operation of the finder; notification that battery 517 may be in need of replacement; or notification; or feedback for the playing of a finder-based game.
  • Finder 107 may also contain an alphanumeric or other display device (not shown) for communication or notification to the user.
  • finder 107 may also contain buttons, switches or other input devices (not shown) for either modifying the function or action of the fmder, such as selection of a particular feedback 513, or for altering the retention of codes in memory 511.
  • input devices can also transmit data that modifies the interpretation, modification or activities performed in conjunction with finder 107 operation or interpretation of the code 109 by other electronic devices (not shown).
  • a button may indicate that the user wishes to be responded to at one location or another, may want to transmit limited amount of data, such as finder data that can be traced b ack to a particular user.
  • DOT code 127 can be interpreted by electronics (not shown) within finder 117 and acted on by the finder or by other network devices, computers or appliances.
  • finder 127 can be provided with software or hardware setting, or the requested information can be transmitted to one or more other electronic devices that perform tasks based on the transmission.
  • the methods and systems of the present invention can be used to request information from or program, run or otherwise control or interact with household electronics, utility meters, or other computer systems.
  • an additional finder embodiment reads a code through a sliding motion, possibly coupled with a tap, for acquiring a code.
  • a finder having the functions and components described herein require miscellaneous electronic, electric and mechanical components to support the above major elements, and thus a finder of the present invention may contain equivalent structures to achieve the various aspects of the invention.
  • the two-dimensional sensor 505 converts the image of DOT 109 into a two-dimensional digital image that, in one embodiment, stores the image as a monochrome, 352 x 288 pixel image, using one byte per pixel.
  • Electronics and software, as described in Rubin et al. convert the image of DOT 109 into DOT code 127, which, for example, could be a 64-bit number encoded through a series of steps including but not limited to a (19,11) Reed-Solomon Forward Error Correction Algorithm and cryptographic encoding, into a 114-bit number for storing in a DOT.
  • the DOT is capable of holding more data (114 bits) than the 64-bit number associated with the DOT, allowing for error correction and other features that provide robustness to the DOT as an optical glyph.
  • electronic finder 107 In addition to acquiring DOT 109 and generating DOT code 127, electronic finder 107 also gathers or otherwise associates other data into signal A. Details of the signal A are shown in FIG. 6C, which is a detailed view of a signal from the finder incorporating the DOT code of FIG. 6A.
  • the signals and requests of FIG. 6 are schematic and are used to represent the content of the respective signals and requests. Alternative embodiments may include encoding or scrambling of communications, and thus the placement or arrangement of data within the schematics are not to be taken as actual locations of the indicated data.
  • finder 117 images one or more quality control cells, which are one or more of hexagonal cells 603.
  • the images of these cells are used by the DOT service 103 or associated computer to determine among other properties the quality of print, paper, finder, and customer operation of the finder.
  • the quality control cell image is converted to a digital representation in fmder 117, which is included into signal A as quality control data 611.
  • a finder ID 613 is also included into signal A, as are a digital representation of one or more finder settings 615.
  • Finder settings 615 configured by customer 101 using switches, knobs, buttons, or other input devices (not shown) on finder 117.
  • Finder settings 615 may communicate various preferences from fmder 117 to electronic devices 113, computer network 115, DOT service 103, content services 107, or to a computer at customer address 125. Other finder settings may set the response or action of the finder 177, such as turning a notification signal on or off, and may or may not be communicated in signal A. Finder settings 615 include but are not limited to: controlling the amount of customer information, such as personal information or demographic data, that electronic devices 113 or DOT service 103 can pass on with a request or forwarded request; specifying one of a few possible customer addresses 125; and specifying the range or use of requests. Also included in signal A is a time stamp 617 which is used to determine the time at which DOT code 127 was acquired. Time stamp 617 can either be an absolute signal giving the time, or can be a relative signal that is calibrated by electronic devices 113 to determine the actual time of acquisition.
  • Finder 117 can be used to acquire one or more DOTs 109 which may accumulate in memory 511.
  • the acquired DOTs, as well other data either acquired or indicated by settings on fmder 117 are communicated to transceiver 119.
  • electronic devices 113 are a personal computer having a transceiver 119 that is programmed to either periodically or continuously seek out signals from finder 117.
  • Electronic devices 113 include a computer program that runs in the "background" and executes a series of commands when finder 117 is within range without user intervention.
  • Finder 117 transmits, when in range of transceiver 119, some or all of the acquired DOT codes 127 to electronic devices 113, where a request B is prepared.
  • FIG. 6D is a detailed view of a request incorporating the DOT code of FIG. 6A, in which the various indices of the request are illustrated.
  • request B includes DOT code 127, quality control data 611, and finder 613 from signal A.
  • request B includes customer settings 619, which may include all, part or none of fmder settings 615 from signal A, as well as additional data added by electronic devices 113, an acquisition time stamp 621, which time stamp 617 from signal A in a standard format, a portal time stamp 623 indicating when the request was sent, and customer address 125.
  • the request of the first embodiment can be generated using techniques or signals that give equivalent results.
  • customer address 125 not included in request A but includes, as an example, the return address of an e-mail request.
  • data and instructions may flow from DOT service to electronic devices 113 or the finder.
  • feedback 513 is provided to indicate the successful reception, acceptance or actions performed by the reception of the DOT 109 electronic devices 113, computer network 115 or DOT service 103.
  • This indication can be in the form of a received signal F having the same DOT code and/or time stamp of a DOT 109 in memory 511 or in the memory of electronic devices 113. The reception of this indication can be used to trigger feedback 513 and erase from memory 511 stored DOT 109.
  • the requests B are sent through computer network 115 to a DOT service 103.
  • Dot service 103 determines the content service 107-i that is capable of responding to request B and directs a forwarded request C-i to content service 107-i.
  • DOT service 103 uses content service index 607, which is part of DOT code 127 to redirect the request, h one implementation, DOT service 103 uses a look-up table to determine the address of content service 107 to which the forwarded request C is to be sent.
  • FIG. 6E is a detailed view of a forwarded request C incorporating the DOT code of FIG. 6A, in which the various indices of the forwarded request are illustrated. Included in forwarded request C is content index 609, acquisition time stamp 621, portal time stamp 623, customer address 125, and customer information 625, if any.
  • an alternative DOT code that directs requests to one of the DOT services.
  • an alternative DOT code contains a DOT service index that is interpreted either by electronic devices 113 or a primary DOT service to direct the balance of the request to a secondary DOT service, h yet another embodiment, the DOT services are determined based on which particular fmder is used or a determined location of the customer.
  • customer address 125 has been incorporated into or associated with request A. It is important that content service 107-i is informed of return address 125, and there are many equivalent methods for accomplishing this.
  • portal device 121 incorporate the customer address 125.
  • inventions of the present invention can achieve the advantage of supplying information in this manner. These include, but are not limited to: sending the request as an e-mail with customer address 125 as a return address; including the customer address along with request B in an e-mail message; or sending the request B in one e-mail message and the customer address in a second e-mail message, where both the first and second e-mail messages have a common identification number for later association of request B with the return address.
  • return address 125 of customer 101 is associated with a unique identification number of finder 117 in DOT service 103. Transmission A includes the finder identification number, which is forwarded along with the code as request B.
  • Dot service 103 looks up customer address 125 associated with a particular finder 117 and includes the customer address with forwarded request C-i.
  • Forwarded request C-i may contain customer information, as described previously, in addition to the data of request B. It is one aspect of the present invention that the customer is provided with some degree of control over the customer information divulged to content services 107. There are many embodiments within the scope of the present invention that are directed towards providing customer control of her customer information.
  • an input device on finder 117 within electronic devices 113, or within DOT service 103 there is an indication of a degree of privacy. Under the highest degree of privacy, customer address 125 is used by content service 107, the customer is only sent one response for each request, and no record of the customer address is retained by the content service.
  • customer information such as phone numbers, gender, income, etc. has been agreed to be included with forwarded requests, and the content service 107 can use the customer information as it sees fit. Additionally, purchasing data, such as credit card numbers, may be sent with proper authorization.
  • the forwarded request C-i contains at least enough data for content service
  • Content service 107-i to fulfill the request for information, namely an indication of what information is requested and an address to which the information is returned.
  • Content service 107- i can work in various ways that are within the scope of the methods and systems of the present invention.
  • Content service may have only one DOT code assigned to it, and respond to all customer's addresses 125 with the same message.
  • content service 107-i might send, for example a standard e-mail address to the customer address 125.
  • content service 107-i may use various data to customize the response.
  • Content service 107-i may have multiple DOTs which are geographically distributed, or have certain DOTs appearing in certain predictable locations, such as in particular magazines, or may be allowed to obtain a time-stamp on the acquisition of the DOT. In this way content service 107-i could customize the information content without acquiring any customer information directly.
  • content services 107-i could use other data to personalize or customize content D.
  • the agreement could be a blanket agreement on all DOTs, could be based on customer information supplied to DOT service 103 on a DOT-by- DOT basis, such as through a switch on finder 117, for example, or could be a pre- agreed upon method of providing the information.
  • DOT service 103 adds customer information request B in formulating forwarded request C-i.
  • Customer information includes but is not limited to general demographic type information (gender, geographic location), may be more personal (name, income, mailing address, phone number), and an authorization to charge a credit card account.
  • the ability of the customer to control the amount and nature of personal information divulged to content providers is one way to build trust in the methods and system described herein and thereby promote use of the system.
  • Information provided is selected to respond to the request that generated it.
  • types of content D include: DOTs on advertisements resulting in further information, such as an e-mail or web page, containing information about a product; DOTs on business cards resulting in content that is a program that adds the contact information into a personal database; DOTs on maps being associated with geographic information such as giving directions, travel information, or information on a place depending on the context in which the map appears; DOTs for branding giving biographical, historical, financial, or other personal interest information; DOTs the instruct the execution of a software program that performs a described action such as faxing a document; and DOTs on personal photographs resulting in the e-mailing of a partially pre-filled out reorder form for reprints of the photograph.
  • customer 101 can use electronic devices 113 at her disposal to connect to computer network 115 and access an account at address 125. h the case of an e-mail account, this may involve executing an e-mail program to check for messages. For systems having instant-messaging, this may involve customer 101 receiving an instant message if he is network connected, otherwise having an e-mail sent to an e-mail account.
  • a portal web site having a personal space for customer 101 to receive content at message 125.
  • the portal web site could be maintained by the customer's Internet Service Provider, by or in conjunction with the DOT service 103, or by another party.
  • DOT service 103 provides a portal web site that incorporates personalized ads according to the DOT codes which the customer has acquired. Operation of the Present Invention and Cooperation between the Issuing Authority Clients and Customers
  • customer 101 receives information from one of clients 107 through intermediary DOT service 103 that is controlled by issuing authority 105.
  • An alternate and equally valid view of the method of the present invention is that it allows clients 107 to present information to customer 101, with issuing authority 105 controlling, overseeing or otherwise monitoring or manipulating a plurality of DOT codes 109.
  • FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the first embodiment detailing the interactions between issuing authority, one client, and customers, the first embodiment, issuing authority 105 controls, supervises, delegates or otherwise deals with the control of machine-readable codes, the interpretation of requests, and the forwarding of requests to the proper content service, h addition to the components, data, and information of FIG. 1, FIG.
  • 2 A includes an organization findtheDOT 201 that coordinates some of the issuing authority 105 processes, a request database 203 used by findtheDOT 201, a client or content provider 205 that has information to be provided by the methods and systems of the present invention, a print media with DOT 207 that is issued under the authority of the client to distribute individual machine-readable codes, and a service at customer address 209 that the customer 101 can access over computer network 115 to obtain the requested information.
  • Content service 107 is a content service that provides the electronic services necessary to participate in the methods and systems of the present invention, namely a networked computer or computers what are adapted to receive requests, are able to process the requests, and are able to fill the requests as described herein.
  • Content service 107 may be related to or controlled by several embodiments that each achieve the advantages of the present invention.
  • content service 107 could be owned and controlled by content provider 205.
  • the content service 107 could be provided by the issuing authority 105 as an added service to content provider 205.
  • content provider 205 may be an organization wishing to distribute information directly, or it may be a service organization, such as an advertising agency, that provides for information to be distributed.
  • FIG. 2A shows several additional communications labeled J through U.
  • Content provider 205 approaches findtheDOT 201 for arranging to use the many aspects of the present invention to deliver information over a computer network, h one embodiment, content provider 205 is provided with several options for distributing DOTs that allow for the generation of requests for information corresponding to a customer's reading of the DOTs. Thus for some uses, content provider 205 may be given unlimited use of the DOT for cost. Alternatively, content provider could be allowed unlimited use of DOTs for a set period of time, for a given purpose, or even a per DOT use over a fixed or limited period of time.
  • content provider 205 in J, presents a computer network address for content service 107, which will be supplying content over computer network 115.
  • h preparation for distributing DOTs 109, in K findtheDOT 201 provides content provider 205 with data necessary to print the DOT and a content index 609, and supplies, in L, DOT service 103, with DOT code 127, or at least content service index 607 for redirecting requests, and address of content service 107.
  • the data necessary to print the DOT is in N supplied to a printer for inclusion with print media, and in M the content D and content index 609 are supplied to content service 107.
  • hi P print media with DOT 207 is supplied to or come in contact with customer 101, allowing the customer to acquire DOT 109, as discussed previously with regard to FIGs. 1A and IB.
  • DOTs have been distributed to customers, who can use finders to generate requests for information.
  • requests B and the associated responses C through F may occur, as previously described.
  • issuing authority 105 executes an accounting program to determine the cost of permitting the use of DOTs 109 by content provider 205.
  • DOT service 103 acquires R, request data in request database 203.
  • Request data includes at least a table or other accounting of at least some portion of the DOT codes for which a charge is made.
  • This accounting is provided to findtheDOT 201.
  • the data S is used by findtheDOT 201 to generate bills T to content provider 205, who then reciprocates, on a timely basis, with payment U.
  • FIG. 2B An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2B.
  • code usage is monitored by findtheDOT to create a proprietary database including but not limited to code acquisition time, frequency, locale, media on which code appeared, zip code, and other recent codes processed. Access to the database is provided, sometimes for a fee, to improve the usefulness of the codes or other metrology applications.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 2B illustrates findtheDOT 201 providing DOT usage information V in return for payment W from the client 205.
  • communication K provides data that is passed through unaltered to two other services, and thus the data in K could be passed directly through to content service 107 (M) and to a printing service to produce print media with DOT 207 (N).
  • the various aspects of the present invention allow the embodiment of FIGs. 1 and 2 to be extended to a great number various services and customers.
  • the DOT code as described herein and in Rubin et al. is capable of representing more than 10 19 unique codes, and the code has been designed for easy replication on a variety of print media. These features of the DOT code allow for suitability of being a market standard and of being ubiquitous. The large number of unique codes, when used in conjunction with the present invention, allows for codes that used once (re-use in not necessary).
  • the embodiment of FIGs. 1 and 2 are easily extensible to multiple customers 101 and multiple clients 205.
  • DOT service 103 may comprise many different DOT services that each handle a subset of all DOTs.
  • findtheDOT 201 may promote the use of DOTs by issuing to individuals acting as clients the free and non-expiring use of a DOT on business cards. These DOTs may have a code embedded within that transfers requests corresponding to those DOTs to a second DOT service.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention showing the various steps in fulfilling a request for content;. FIG. 7 serially presents some of the previous methods.
  • a customer 101 taps a DOT 109, acquiring DOT code 127.
  • customer 101 sends request B including DOT code 127 and customer address 125 to DOT service 103.
  • request B not shown, is customer settings that control privacy and other features of the invention.
  • box 707 indicates that customer 101 stores DOT code 127 for confirmation.
  • the stored data can be used to restrict or control the number of times a request is sent, or to allow the various electronics, such as electronic devices 113 or finder 117 to store data used for confirming that requested information has been sent.
  • the DOT service 103 sends at least a portion of the DOT code and customer address 125 to the appropriate content service 107.
  • DOT service 103 sends confirmation, F, to customer 101.
  • DOT service 103 stores at least the DOT code for later use.
  • DOT service or another associated service retains some data for billing, quality control and client and customer relation purposes.
  • content service 107 generates content and sends D content to customer 101.
  • content service 107 stores DOT code and customer information for later use, if allowed.
  • a second embodiment will now be presented that shows a fuller range of data being passed between customer 101, DOT service 103 and content services 107, all of which fall within the scope of the claimed invention.
  • the second embodiment illustrates some of the range of data that may be exchanged between the customer and the various services.
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention illustrating the range of data that can be transferred and delivered between customer, DOT service and content service within the scope of the present invention.
  • Request B' includes the DOT data of FIG. 6D, such as DOT code 127, quality control data 611, finder ID 613, customer settings 619, acquisition time stamp 621, portal time stamp 623, and customer address 125.
  • the second embodiment request B' includes other data that is obtained from the finder, such as but not limited to: software and hardware versions, privacy override setting to control privacy levels, allowing the public reception of requests, and battery power reserves.
  • Request B' also includes specific customer information, such as: demographic information, privacy level, and the authorization of purchases.
  • Forwarded request C is seen to include information from the first embodiment, such as content index 609, acquisition time stamp 621, portal time stamp 623, customer address 125, and customer information 625.
  • forwarded request C can include any information supplied in B' that meets the requirements of the privacy level.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the flow of data through the DOT service corresponding to the block diagram of FIG. 8.
  • DOT service 103' receives request B', and the data contained there follows several paths.
  • Path 9-1 prepares confirmation F' with communications program 907 by combining customer address 125 and DOT code 127.
  • Path 9-2 determines the location to which forwarded request C will be sent.
  • look-up table 901 is provided to determine the address of content service 107 corresponding to the content service index 607 portion of DOT code 127.
  • the address of content service 107 is combined with the appropriate request B' data in communications program 909 for transmission to content service 107 as forwarded request C.
  • a DOT Database 903 and Quality Control Database 905 retain information for on the spot or post-processing.
  • DOT Database 903 is similar in purpose to Request Database 203, while Quality Control Database 905 is used to determine the functioning of various components of the invention. Additional data from FIGs. 8 and 9 that can be used to benefit the operation of the present invention is a notification of customer 101 that finder 117 is low on batteries or needs updated software according to the battery power level or software revision portion of B', or determining from the quality control data that the fmder is not operating properly and needs replacement, or that customer 101 is having problems making the finder operate properly and provide guidance on its proper use.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the flow of data and information through the content service corresponding to the block diagram of FIG. 8.
  • the primary activity of content service 107 is to determine, within a content generator 1001, an appropriate content for returning through communications program 1003 to customer 101.
  • There is a range of appropriate content a few of which will be outlined herein.
  • a simple response to a request C is to provide the same content D' to each customer 101. This requires little action on the part of content generator 1001 other that forwarding a set content D' to a supplied address 125. Beyond this response, there is an ever increasing level of complexity of content generator 1001 using the information supplied from request C. Thus content D' could depend on the location of the request, the demographics of the customer, or the time of day.
  • customer 101 may have allowed content service 107 to store information about the customer in content service/DOT database 1005, or the customer may have provided information to the content service directly or through third parties, which the content service can then use to formulate new responses based on past requests.
  • a few of these alternative embodiments can be viewed through the type of information provided, and include but are not limited to text, such as an e-mail, web page or file for a word processing program; a link to a web page; or database information such as a contact, an appointment, or an image filter for use by programs such as a computer aided design program, a word processor, a dictionary, a thesaurus, a simulator, a game, a design program, or an editing program.
  • Information that is capable of changing the operation of a computer or other electronic device includes but is not limited to: an executable program, configuration specification, preferences specification, and a script.
  • the information may be related to the object on which the machine- readable code appears to facilitate commerce, such as supplying ordering, reordering or purchasing information, either by acknowledging that the request has generated a. purchase or by supplying the customer with a print or electronic form to be returned to complete or in the chain of events leading to the completion of the transaction.
  • DOT code of FIG. 6A could be modified in appearance to more clearly show the associated use of the code by changing the generally circular appearance of the code to.
  • modifications of the code appearance include but are not limited to: a dollar sign to indicate purchasing an object; a question mark to indicate obtaining information; and a book to indicate learning about an object.
  • inventions of present invention can also be used in a variety of other settings, such as: with mail for addressing and affixing postage; with packaged goods for determining contents, determining expiration dates, or inventory control, with software for validations coding, security coding, or encrypting files; in commerce for purchasing items; with electronic equipment for controlling an audio device; and in various data gathering operations for specifying test answers, voting, polling, census taking, inventory taking, or surveying a market.
  • DOTs are assigned for use on business cards. Acquisition of the DOT requests information specific to the card, such as contact information or further business information to be sent.
  • the content can include a program works with software on the customer's computer and installs contact information into the customer's contact database.
  • portable finders are used to acquire DOTs, and thus request information similar to a reader-response card system.
  • Content service pay for the use of DOTs, as described previously, and agree to limit the number of responses and use of the information. There will usually be one content per request, though multiple contents are possible if the associated markings clearly indicate that one request will produce multiple contents being delivered.
  • Customers can acquire DOTs and generate requests using electronic devices as described in the first and second embodiments. Either DOT services or content services may respond within a short period of time after the forwarded request is received, or may produce an aggregated response to many requests at the same time. In another embodiment, a portion of DOT code specifies that the request is to produce an aggregated response, and the responses are aggregated accordingly.
  • customer 101 specifies that no information is to be retained by content service 107'. By agreement with issuing authority 105, content service 107' retains no customer information.
  • finder 117 has a privacy setting that customer 101 can activate to prevent otherwise allowable customer information from being retained, h a third alternative embodiment, fmder 117 has a privacy setting that allows a credit card number to be passed along to content service 107'. The credit card number and privacy setting can be interpreted either in DOT service 103 or in electronic devices 113.
  • Another embodiment uses a hosting portal, configured as a web site, for accumulating requested information.
  • the customer can then reach the hosting portal from any Internet connection to view, edit and respond to the requested information.
  • This embodiment has the advantages that it is very private, since the actual whereabouts of the customer are unknown, it is convenient since it can be accessed from any Internet connection, and the customer does not have to maintain the content on his own machine.
  • An additional advantage for the hosting portal service is that targeted information can be provided to the customer based on the content provided. Catalog
  • DOTs located on objects for sale, and the acquisition of DOTs is used to assemble a catalog of items that the customer or a sale associate can use as an aid in shopping
  • a customer 101 acquires multiple DOTs, and the multiple filled requests are collected on a web site in the form of a catalog.
  • the web site is accessible to the sales associate, who along with the customer, can view the catalog. Multiple viewing of the catalog allows for more efficient shopping, as both the sale associate and customer have access to availability and accessorizing information that provides for more efficient shopping.
  • contact service 107 is associated with a developer of photographs.
  • DOTs are placed on the edge or back of photographs, or alongside individual photographs on a contact sheet, and a database of digitized photographs is maintained for a period of time, such as a year.
  • customer 101 acquired DOT 109 associated with the particular photograph.
  • Content service 107 responds with content D having an e-mail, web-based or instant-messaging based reordering information.
  • a thumbnail version of the photograph may be included so that customer 101 can be sure of what is being ordered.
  • the customer may submit the order form with payment information, or may have an account . arranged so that payment is made on submission of the order form.
  • GPS global positioning system
  • Customer 101 is supplied with codes that are associated with physical addresses.
  • DOTs 109 can be presented on a map or other printed media, and can be organized by any of various methods, including but not limited to a map, list, or directory.
  • the GPS can have built in (wired) finder, or can communicate with a wireless finder. Acquisition of the code by the fmder instructs the GPS to provide the appropriate instructions.
  • the GPS can form a stand-alone system that accepts code input, and network connections to computers other than the GPS may not be necessary. Infrared-based Cellular Phone Communication
  • a finder 117 is equipped with infrared communications capabilities (such as communication A and G in FIG. 1A) for communications with a cellular telephone acting as electronic device 113. Communications B, E and F then proceed as cellular telephone communications.
  • the present invention has many other applications for identification of object or persons, particularly for use in compiling inventories or catalogs and in conducting a census or poll, hi one specific embodiment, the reading of a code is paid for by an indexer who wishes to compile a database. The acquired code results in a message being sent to the indexer, which is used to update an indexer database of item count, type, time of acquisition, etc.
  • Additional embodiments include the use of codes to automate documentation.
  • acquisition of the code results in the action described in the documentation to take place on a computer, PDA, cellular phone, or other network connected electronic appliances.
  • reading of the code causes a document on an electronic device to be sent as a fax after entering a phone number.
  • reading of the code causes all phone and name records from a phone to be sent to a computer for storage in a database
  • the code causes a macro to be sent to the customer which the customer then uses with a word processing program to format documents.
  • the methods and apparatus of the present invention can be used in a variety of other embodiments.

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  • Information Transfer Between Computers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des procédés et des systèmes de présentation d'information demandée sur un réseau informatique. L'invention utilise des codes exploitables sur machine et des chercheurs électroniques afin de produire des demandes d'information, dirigées vers un premier service interprétant la demande, puis vers un second service qui remplit la demande. L'information est fournie à un client via des services de message tels que courrier électronique, messagerie instantanée ou d'autres systèmes de courrier qui fonctionnent sur des réseaux informatiques, de préférence sur l'Internet. Des glyphes optiques et des chercheurs électroniques confèrent une flexibilité au système en autorisant l'incorporation des glyphes sur un support imprimé commun et en autorisant l'acquisition facile et l'émission automatique de la demande vers le second service. L'invention permet d'apporter flexibilité et expansion par l'utilisation d'un glyphe pouvant être utilisé pour stocker un très grand nombre de codes différents ainsi que par la mise en oeuvre d'un procédé de paiement pour des services. On présente plusieurs réalisation de l'invention, dont une réalisation de réponse lecteur, une réalisation de carte d'affaires et une réalisation de catalogue personnalisé.
PCT/US2001/028192 2000-09-08 2001-09-07 Procede et systeme de connexion de support imprime a une information electronique en tant que reponse a une requete, utilisant un glyphe optique et un chercheur electronique WO2002021794A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2002526084A JP2004509393A (ja) 2000-09-08 2001-09-07 光学標識および光学ファインダを用い、電子情報を印刷媒体につなげてリクエストに対する応答とする方法およびシステム
AU2001288944A AU2001288944A1 (en) 2000-09-08 2001-09-07 A method and system of connecting printed media to electronic information as a response to a request
EP01968714A EP1360832A2 (fr) 2000-09-08 2001-09-07 Procede et systeme de connexion de support imprime a une information electronique en tant que reponse a une requete, utilisant un glyphe optique et un chercheur electronique
CA002421742A CA2421742A1 (fr) 2000-09-08 2001-09-07 Procede et systeme de connexion de support imprime a une information electronique en tant que reponse a une requete

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US65867400A 2000-09-08 2000-09-08
US09/658,674 2000-09-08

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WO2002021794A2 true WO2002021794A2 (fr) 2002-03-14
WO2002021794A3 WO2002021794A3 (fr) 2002-05-16
WO2002021794A9 WO2002021794A9 (fr) 2003-11-20

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PCT/US2001/028192 WO2002021794A2 (fr) 2000-09-08 2001-09-07 Procede et systeme de connexion de support imprime a une information electronique en tant que reponse a une requete, utilisant un glyphe optique et un chercheur electronique

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EP (1) EP1360832A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2004509393A (fr)
AU (1) AU2001288944A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2421742A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002021794A2 (fr)

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FR2863378A1 (fr) * 2003-12-04 2005-06-10 Alexandre Francois Lavergne Procede, systeme et dispositif d'hypermediatisation de supports materiels a l'aide d'ancres pictographiques activant des liens hypermedias de mise en relation dynamique avec des contenus multimedias
US7344079B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2008-03-18 Intellidot Corporation Wireless terminal
US7830556B2 (en) 2004-09-17 2010-11-09 Fujitsu Limited Information providing system
EP2482239A1 (fr) * 2010-02-10 2012-08-01 Bowe Bell + Howell Company Procédé et système pour solution de courrier à support fractionné pour communications clientes
US8255211B2 (en) 2004-08-25 2012-08-28 Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Temporal envelope shaping for spatial audio coding using frequency domain wiener filtering

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JP5255006B2 (ja) * 2010-02-19 2013-08-07 ヤフー株式会社 Ｗｅｂシステム、方法及びプログラム
US11030655B2 (en) 2018-11-02 2021-06-08 International Business Machines Corporation Presenting targeted content to vehicle occupants on electronic billboards

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US5444779A (en) * 1993-10-18 1995-08-22 Xerox Corporation Electronic copyright royalty accounting system using glyphs
EP0984390A2 (fr) * 1998-08-31 2000-03-08 Xerox Corporation Dispositif pour fournir des information de position dans une espace d'adresse multidimensionelle
EP1001605A2 (fr) * 1998-11-13 2000-05-17 Xerox Corporation Traitement de document

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US5444779A (en) * 1993-10-18 1995-08-22 Xerox Corporation Electronic copyright royalty accounting system using glyphs
EP0984390A2 (fr) * 1998-08-31 2000-03-08 Xerox Corporation Dispositif pour fournir des information de position dans une espace d'adresse multidimensionelle
EP1001605A2 (fr) * 1998-11-13 2000-05-17 Xerox Corporation Traitement de document

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7344079B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2008-03-18 Intellidot Corporation Wireless terminal
US7364067B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2008-04-29 Intellidot Corporation Method for controlling processes in a medical workflow system
US7607571B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2009-10-27 Intellidot Corporation Medical work flow system
US8240550B2 (en) 2003-05-30 2012-08-14 Patientsafe Solutions, Inc. Hospital display terminal
FR2863378A1 (fr) * 2003-12-04 2005-06-10 Alexandre Francois Lavergne Procede, systeme et dispositif d'hypermediatisation de supports materiels a l'aide d'ancres pictographiques activant des liens hypermedias de mise en relation dynamique avec des contenus multimedias
US8255211B2 (en) 2004-08-25 2012-08-28 Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation Temporal envelope shaping for spatial audio coding using frequency domain wiener filtering
TWI393120B (zh) * 2004-08-25 2013-04-11 Dolby Lab Licensing Corp 用於音訊信號編碼及解碼之方法和系統、音訊信號編碼器、音訊信號解碼器、攜帶有位元流之電腦可讀取媒體、及儲存於電腦可讀取媒體上的電腦程式
US7830556B2 (en) 2004-09-17 2010-11-09 Fujitsu Limited Information providing system
EP2482239A1 (fr) * 2010-02-10 2012-08-01 Bowe Bell + Howell Company Procédé et système pour solution de courrier à support fractionné pour communications clientes

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001288944A1 (en) 2002-03-22
CA2421742A1 (fr) 2002-03-14
WO2002021794A3 (fr) 2002-05-16
JP2004509393A (ja) 2004-03-25
WO2002021794A9 (fr) 2003-11-20
EP1360832A2 (fr) 2003-11-12

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