WO2006065250A1 - Method for data interchange - Google Patents

Method for data interchange Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006065250A1
WO2006065250A1 PCT/US2004/042777 US2004042777W WO2006065250A1 WO 2006065250 A1 WO2006065250 A1 WO 2006065250A1 US 2004042777 W US2004042777 W US 2004042777W WO 2006065250 A1 WO2006065250 A1 WO 2006065250A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
document
tagged
bar code
bar
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/042777
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Bruce D. Melick
David M. Snyder
Leslie D. Baych
Original Assignee
Tripletail Ventures, 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 Tripletail Ventures, Inc. filed Critical Tripletail Ventures, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2004/042777 priority Critical patent/WO2006065250A1/en
Priority to EP04814909.0A priority patent/EP1866831A4/de
Publication of WO2006065250A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006065250A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management

Definitions

  • TITLE METHOD FOR DATA INTERCHANGE
  • the present invention relates generally to data interchange technology, and more particularly, though not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for inputting tagged or un- tagged data into electronic documents (e-forms), summing up data in the electronic document as one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes ready for interchange using data tags, and outputting tagged data.
  • EDI Electronic data interchange
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • EDI reduces lead times and inventory levels, improves bidirectional information accuracy, reduces management costs and improves the quality of products and services.
  • Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between different software applications running on disparate computer operating systems is not easy to accomplish.
  • EDI has a relatively low adoption level, and is limited mainly to large companies. Standards for EDI are still under discussion and are expected to evolve slowly.
  • middleware In computer to computer data interchange applications.
  • This middleware is expensive and requires a trained computer programmer to establish and maintain the data transfer links.
  • middleware is not flexible. As business trading partners and suppliers change, and/or the format of data storage is modified in a host computer, the service of a trained computer programmer is required to maintain the data interchange capabilities. It is therefore desirable to minimize the amount of middleware software required.
  • Bar codes were first introduced in the United States in the late 1960s. Bar code technology allows almost any data to be collected rapidly and with almost perfect accuracy. Bar code technology provides a simple and easy method of data collection by encoding text information that is easily read by many different stationary, and/or inexpensive hand held electronic devices. Bar codes have become the standard method of identification, processing, and management used universally throughout the manufacturing, retail, and distribution industries. While the utilization of this technology has been limited to printed media, similar needs exist for capturing, storing, and interchanging data using a digital medium. The age of the Internet, along with an increasing dependence on external business partners for sales and marketing, distribution and processing have given rise to complex issues surrounding information storage, retrieval, and exchange. These issues are compounded by the lack of an efficient, universal means by which to exchange data across disparate platforms and operating systems used in business today.
  • OCR Optical Character Recognition
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • OCR is typically used to read selected areas of text (as opposed to text recognition software that process full pages of text). OCR is both human- and machine-readable and suited for use with account numbers or short data strings. OCR readers scan the data in much the same way bar code scanners do: either by moving the document past the scanner or moving the scanner over the document. The scan produces a "picture" of the text that is then analyzed for characteristic features. Features are then matched to specific letters or numbers for output.
  • OCR readers do not work the same way as vision systems do.
  • the equipment for text string scanning is much simpler and less expensive that vision systems or text scanners.
  • MICR magnetic ink character recognition
  • ICR intelligent character recognition
  • XML XML
  • SGML Standardized General Markup Language
  • HTML Hypertext Markup Language
  • HTML Hypertext Markup Language
  • One of the shortcomings of XML is both ends of the EDI transaction must support the import and export of XML documents.
  • XML is neither easy nor cheap to implement. To use XML efficiently, it is not simply a matter of adding XML to existing software processes, but instead will require re-engineering. The most difficult problem which restricts easy and widespread XML implementations is the ability to easily interface data into a legacy system via an Internet web browser.
  • a general feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for tagged bar code data interchange which overcomes the problems found in the prior art.
  • a further feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data interchange between computers using different computer software applications using tagged printed and/or video bar codes.
  • Another feature of the present invention is a method for data interchange using tagged video bar codes generated by a software application running within, or in conjunction with an electronic document, to represent data contained therein.
  • Another feature of the present invention is a method for data interchange using tagged printed bar codes generated by a software application running within, or in conjunction with an electronic document, to represent data contained therein.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for data interchange using tagged video bar codes for business-consumer transactions.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for data interchange using tagged printed bar codes for business-consumer transactions.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for data interchange using tagged video bar codes for business-business transactions.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for data interchange using tagged printed bar codes for business-business transactions.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for data interchange using tagged video and/or tagged printed bar codes via a remote web, security, or phone camera and transmitted to a remote video display for data capture.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged printed and/or tagged video bar codes to provide data in multiple languages.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the use of tagged printed and/or tagged video bar codes in conjunction with XML network routing equipment.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using a keyboard.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using voice recognition technology.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged 2 -D bar code data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged 3D bumpy bar code data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged OCR data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged MICR data. Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged RFID data. Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged magnetic stripe data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using tagged ICR data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged 1-D bar code data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged 2-D bar code data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged 3D bumpy bar code data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged OCR data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged MICR data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged RFID data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged magnetic stripe data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data input into an electronic document using un-tagged ICR data.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data interchange between computers using different operating systems using tagged video bar codes in an e-mail.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data interchange between computers using different operating systems using tagged video bar codes in an Instant Message.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for data interchange between computers using different operating systems using tagged video bar codes in a web-page. Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a cell phone device. Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a PDA device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a television set-top device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a communication network router device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a communication network switch device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a communication network hub device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) device.
  • ATM Automatic Teller Machine
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a laptop computer device. Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a personal computer (PC) device.
  • PC personal computer
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a pager device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for tagged data output into a text messaging device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into a cell phone device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into a communication network router device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into a communication network switch device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into a communication network hub device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) device.
  • ATM Automatic Teller Machine
  • PC personal computer
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into a pager device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a method for un-tagged data output into a text messaging device.
  • Another feature of the present invention is the provision of an efficient method for bar coding UNICODE characters.
  • the present invention is directed towards means and methods for the interchange of data.
  • This includes the interchange of data from one electronic system to another electronic system either directly or through an intermediary physical form such as a printed bar code, a video displayed bar code, an RFID tag, or other physical mechanism.
  • the interchange of data is performed in a meaningful way so that it is readily usable.
  • embedded tags can be used to facilitate the proper identification of the data.
  • a 3-step method and apparatus provides for 1) inputting tagged or un-tagged data into electronic documents (e-forms), 2) summing up data in the electronic document as one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes ready for interchange using data tags, and 3) outputting tagged data.
  • tagged or un-tagged input data can come from a variety of data sources, including, but not limited to, ID and/or 2D bar codes displayed on driver's licenses, national identification cards, social security cards, military identification cards, company identification cards, business cards, financial transaction cards including, but not limited to, credit cards, check cards, and ATM cards, health plan identification cards, purchase receipts, warranties, bills of lading, purchase orders, invoices, sales orders, insurance cards, statements of account, work orders, drawings, photographs, blueprints, packing lists, UCC forms, contracts, redemption coupons, newspapers, magazines, products, product packaging, vehicles, shipping containers, pallets, etc.
  • tagged or un-tagged sources for data input into an electronic document can come from sources, such as, but not limited to, 3D bumpy bar codes, RFID tags, magnetic stripes, optically recognizable characters (OCR), characters recognizable via magnetic ink technology (MICR), intelligently recognized characters (ICR), voice, voice recognition technology, computer-telephone interfaces, keyboards, touch screens, PC, laptop, PDA, mouse, pager, text messaging device, etc.
  • Tagged input data is automatically input into an electronic document.
  • Input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input to an electronic document, and subsequently re- tagged by the electronic document in order to facilitate interchange into an information system.
  • input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input into an electronic document, and subsequently remain with the input data without alteration in order to facilitate interchange into an information system.
  • Un-tagged input data is semi-automatically input into an electronic document.
  • source data and/or electronic form fields contained in the electronic document are summed up as one or more ID and/or 2D tagged bar code(s), which is the means for data interchange via bar code scanning technology in the present invention.
  • the data may be summed up by the remote server and returned to the original electronic document, or other electronic documents as one or more ID and/or 2D tagged bar codes for data interchange via bar code scanning technology.
  • the electronic document may use the data tags contained in the source data, and/or strip the source data tags and/or re-tag the source data in order to facilitate data interchange. Additionally, the electronic document can add data tags to un-tagged input source data in order to facilitate interchange into an information system.
  • step three tagged information summed up on an electronic document in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes are captured from either a printed version of the electronic document, or a video displayed version of the electronic document.
  • the video bar code may come from either a local, or remotely viewed source.
  • the captured tagged data string is parsed; the data tags are used to route and/or input and/or exchange data into a variety of software applications, such as but not limited to, a database, a spreadsheet, a web page, a word processor, another electronic document, etc.
  • the tags may remain with the output data, or alternatively may be stripped from the data.
  • the tagged data captured from one or more ID and/or 2D bar code(s) in an electronic document can be output to a data target that is capable of receiving and/or use tagged data, such as but not limited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch, telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA, pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
  • a data target that is capable of receiving and/or use tagged data, such as but not limited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch, telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA, pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
  • a business user or consumer uses an integrated software system to create electronic generated documents which include tagged bar coded information, create specific style sheets to define bar coded data tags, publish documents with tagged bar coded information, scan video displayed documents using a high scan rate CCD or linear imager, or scan printed documents using any type of applicable bar code reader to capture tagged bar coded information, cache tagged bar coded information, parse the tagged bar coded information and applicable software applications, strip the bar coded data tags, input stripped bar coded data into the applicable software application.
  • a method for data interchange includes providing a first document having at least one data field. Then inputted information is received into the at least one data field. A bar code is generated based on the at least one data field and the information inputted into the at least one data field. The at least one data field and the information inputted into the at least one data field is stored within the first document or otherwise.
  • a method for data interchange includes opening a document having tagged bar coded information including data tags and data. Then the data is updated. A bar code defined by the tagged bar code information is also updated. The tagged bar coded information is then transmitted. The transmitting can occur in electronic or paper form.
  • a method for data interchange includes opening a document having embedded bar coded information, updating data within data field of the document, updating the embedded bar coded information based on the data, and generating a bar code based on the embedded bar coded information.
  • the embedded bar coded information can then be transmitted in either electronic or paper form.
  • FIG. 1 is a flowchart representation of the preferred method of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a pictorial representation of a document containing tagged bar codes.
  • Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of a style sheet used by the "sending company" to identify the fields and tags for the bar codes shown in Figure 2.
  • Figure 4 is a pictorial representation of a style sheet used by the "receiving company" to identify the fields and tags to receive the bar codes shown in Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 is pictorial representation of a style sheet used to identify the fields and tags for the tagged two-dimensional bar coded data shown in Figure 8.
  • Figure 6 is a pictorial representation of a data cache.
  • Figure 7 is a pictorial representation of the "receiving company's" software application which receives data from the data cache depicted in Figure 6.
  • Figure 8 is an example of data and data tags contained in a two-dimensional bar code.
  • Figure 9 is a pictorial representation of a data cache which has received the two- dimensional, tagged bar coded data represented in Figure 8.
  • FIG. 10 is a general block diagram of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • One aspect of the present invention includes a 3-step method and apparatus for 1) inputting tagged or un-tagged data into electronic documents (e-forms), 2) summing up data in the electronic document as one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes ready for interchange using data tags, and 3) outputting tagged data.
  • tagged or un-tagged input data can come from a variety of data sources, including, but not limited to, ID and/or 2D bar codes displayed on driver's licenses, national identification cards, social security cards, military identification cards, company identification cards, business cards, financial transaction cards including, but not limited to, credit cards, check cards, and ATM cards, health plan identification cards, purchase receipts, warranties, bills of lading, purchase orders, invoices, sales orders, insurance cards, statements of account, work orders, drawings, photographs, blueprints, packing lists, UCC forms, contracts, redemption coupons, newspapers, magazines, products, product packaging, vehicles, shipping containers, pallets, etc.
  • tagged or un-tagged sources for data input into an electronic document can come from sources, such as, but not limited to, 3D bumpy bar codes, RFID tags, magnetic stripes, optically recognizable characters (OCR), characters recognizable via magnetic ink technology (MICR), intelligently recognized characters (ICR), voice, voice recognition technology, computer-telephone interfaces, keyboards, touch screens, PC, laptop, PDA, mouse, pager, text messaging device, etc.
  • sources such as, but not limited to, 3D bumpy bar codes, RFID tags, magnetic stripes, optically recognizable characters (OCR), characters recognizable via magnetic ink technology (MICR), intelligently recognized characters (ICR), voice, voice recognition technology, computer-telephone interfaces, keyboards, touch screens, PC, laptop, PDA, mouse, pager, text messaging device, etc.
  • Tagged input data is automatically input into an electronic document.
  • Input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input to an electronic document, and subsequently re- tagged by the electronic document in order to facilitate interchange into an information system.
  • input data tags may be useful to facilitate data input into an electronic document, and subsequently remain with the input data without alteration in order to facilitate interchange into an information system.
  • Un-tagged input data is semi-automatically input into an electronic document.
  • source data and/or electronic form fields contained in the electronic document are summed up as one or more ID and/or 2D tagged bar code(s), which is the means for data interchange via bar code scanning technology in the present invention.
  • the data may be summed up by the remote server and returned to the original electronic document or other electronic documents as one or more ID and/or 2D tagged bar codes for data interchange via bar code scanning technology.
  • the electronic document may use the data tags contained in the source data, and/or strip the source data tags and/or re-tag the source data in order to facilitate data interchange. Additionally, the electronic document can add data tags to un-tagged input source data in order to facilitate interchange into an information system.
  • tagged information summed up on an electronic document in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes can be captured from either a printed version of the electronic document, or a video displayed version of the electronic document.
  • the video bar code may come from either a local, or remotely viewed source.
  • the captured tagged data string is parsed; the data tags are used to route and/or input and/or exchange data into a variety of software applications, such as but not limited to, a database, a spreadsheet, a web page, a word processor, another electronic document, etc.
  • the tags may remain with the output data, or alternatively may be stripped from the data.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present invention describes a scenario in which the electronic document has the intelligence necessary to sum up, and tag data for interchange, hi the following example, data designated for interchange is summed up by software, firmware, or hardware and not the electronic document itself.
  • the tagged data in the following example may be sent to a remote compute device such as, but not limited to a server running a software application that sums up the data, tags it for interchange as one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes, and returns it to the originating electronic document for display and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video display or printed as a hard-copy.
  • a remote compute device such as, but not limited to a server running a software application that sums up the data, tags it for interchange as one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes, and returns it to the originating electronic document for display and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video display or printed as a hard-copy.
  • the tagged data in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes may be returned to another software window open on the same compute device where the originating electronic document is resident, or may be returned to a different hardware device for display and data capture via a bar code scan from a video display or printed as a hard-copy.
  • a purchasing agent would use an Internet browser, such as but not limited to, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc. to perform an Internet search for a product using an Internet search engine such as, but not limited to, Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Acoona, Lycos, Alta Vista, Teoma, Excite, Northern Light, NBC i/Snap, Go / mfoseek, Overture, Kanoodle, InfoSpace, Switchboard, Who Where?, Orbitz, etc.
  • the purchasing agent would go to a relevant web-page, and use a button on their Internet browser to request tagged data in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes be returned to them.
  • the Internet search engine or an Application Service Provider (ASP) would process the request to sum up relevant demographic data, product data, etc., in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D tagged data bar codes ready for data interchange into the purchasing agent's business system software as a purchase order, purchase order request, etc.
  • ASP Application Service Provider
  • the purchasing agent could use their Internet browser to contact Thomas Register to perform an Internet search for a product using their search engine.
  • the purchasing agent would go to a relevant web-page, use a button on the Thomas Register web-page to request tagged data in the form of one of more ID and/or 2D bar codes be returned to them.
  • Thomas Register would process the request to sum up relevant demographic data, product data, etc. in the form of one or more ID and/ or 2D tagged data bar codes that would be used to facilitate data interchange into the purchasing agent's business system software as a purchase order, purchase order request, etc.
  • XML is very powerful when industry-specific XML standards are used.
  • the following chart details some industry-specific XML standards that are designed to facilitate data interchange.
  • Industry-specific XML standards can be applied in the present invention as tags for input data, tags for data summed up in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes, or tags for output data
  • the information encoded in printed bar codes can be captured using a variety of scanning equipment that can configured as either hand-held devices or bulk scanning equipment.
  • Printed bar code readers can be Charge Coupled Device (CCD) scanners with short or long depths of field.
  • CCD Scanners with longer "laser-like" depths of field are called Linear Imagers.
  • CCD Scanners have no moving parts and use an LED array with hundreds or thousands of CCD light detectors to measure the ambient light from an illuminated bar code image.
  • CCD Scanners capture the entire bar code image and form a signal pattern that can be decoded.
  • the decoder may be integrated into the scanner, or operate on a separate device.
  • Laser Scanners have a very precise beam of light which can be reflected accurately in a range of several inches to several feet to dozens of feet. Laser Scanners capture data encoded in a bar code by measuring reflected light of a specific frequency originating from the scanner itself. Typically, Laser Scanners have a moving beam which sweeps back and forth; some older Laser Scanners required the user to move the beam across the bar code.
  • Printed bar codes can also be read with a Pen Wand, which is the simplest barcode reader. It contains no moving parts and is a durable and low cost. However, a Pen Wand can present a challenge to the user, because it has to remain in direct contact with the bar code, must be held at a certain angle, and has to be moved over the bar code at a certain speed.
  • a printed bar code can also be read with a Slot Scanner, which remains stationary and the item with the bar code on it is pulled by hand through the slot.
  • Slot Scanners are typically used to scan bar codes on identification cards.
  • a printed bar code can also be read with a Camera Reader that uses a small video camera to capture an image of a bar code.
  • the reader uses a sophisticated digital image processing technique to decode the bar code.
  • Camera Readers use the same CCD technology as in a CCD bar code reader except that instead of having a single row of sensors, a video camera has hundreds of rows of sensors arranged in a two dimensional array so4feat they can generate an image of a bar code suitable for decoding.
  • Video displayed bar codes can only be captured successfully for decoding using CCD Scanners, Linear Imagers, or Camera Readers.
  • Any type of bar code scanner can be connected to a device such as a computer, or cash register, etc. via a hard- wire or RF connection.
  • the tagged data captured from one or more ID and/or 2D bar code(s) in an electronic document can be output to a data target that is capable of receiving and/or use tagged data, such as but not limited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch, telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA, pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
  • a data target that is capable of receiving and/or use tagged data, such as but not limited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch, telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA, pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
  • Fig. 10 is a general block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • E- form 1010 is capable of receiving input from a variety of tagged or un-tagged data sources, including but not limited to, an un-tagged bar code 1000, bar code 1000 can be a IDimension (ID), 2Dimension (2D), or 3D bar code bumpy bar code.
  • ID IDimension
  • 2Dimension 2Dimension
  • E-form 1010 is capable of receiving input form tagged bar codes 1001, bar code 1001 can be a ID, 2D, or 3D bar code. These tagged or un-tagged ID or 2D input bar codes can be displayed as printed and/or local or remote video bar codes.
  • E-form 1010 can receive input from tagged or un-tagged data contained in the form of MICR 1012, ICR 1003, OCR 1004, or contained in magnetic stripes 1005 or RFID tags 1006.
  • E-form 1010 is capable of receiving tagged or un-tagged data from sources such as, but not limited to, voice input 1007, computer-telephone interfaces 1008, keyboards 1009, etc.
  • E-Form 1010 sums up information ready for interchange as one or more tagged ID bar codes 1012 and/or tagged 2D bar codes 1011.
  • the data contained in the ID 1012 and/or 2D bar codes 1011 is tagged to facilitate data interchange with various data targets.
  • E-form 1010 can be displayed as a video document 1021 and/or as a printed document 1022 in order for the tagged data summed up as one or more tagged ID bar codes 1012 and/or tagged 2D bar codes 1011 to be captured by bar code scanner 1030.
  • Video document 1021 can be a local document or remote viewed document,
  • Bar code scanner 1030 is capable of outputting tagged and/or un-tagged data captured represented as ID bar codes 1012 and/or 2D bar codes 1011 to software applications such as, but not limited to, other E-forms 1010', a database 1041, etc.
  • the data being output by scanner 1030 captured from E-form 1010 represented in either a video document 1021 and/or printed document 1022 may be output to devices such as, but not limited to, a set-top box 1042, cell phone 1043, compute device 1044 such as, but not limited to a PC, laptop, server, micro-processor, PDA, etc., telecom equipment 1045 such as but not limited to a router, hub, switch, etc., Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) 1046, or a pager or text messenger 1046, etc.
  • Bar code scanner 1030 is also capable of outputting un-tagged bar codes 1000 and/or tagged bar codes 1001. Un-tagged bar codes 1000 and tagged bar codes 1001 may be ID, and/or 2D, and or 3D.
  • bar codes are used for summing up data which is tagged to facilitate data interchange.
  • the bar codes used the present invention to facilitate data interchange can be displayed in a printed and/or video format. Additionally bar codes can serve as sources of data for input into an electronic document, and can also be the form of target data output by the present invention.
  • a bar code is a coded image of bars and spaces, which can be used to represent numbers and other symbols.
  • a printed bar code can be IDimension (ID), or 2Dimension (2D).
  • ID bar code formats include, but are not limited to, Code 39, Code 128, and Interleaved 2 of 5.
  • a common standardized 2D bar code format includes, but is not limited to, PDF 417.
  • a bar code reader is used to read the code, and translates the image of the bar code into digital data. Following is a more complete list of various ID and 2D printed bar codes used in the world today.
  • This list includes, but is not limited to, Code 39, Code 39 extended, Danish PTT 39 Bar code, French Postal 39 A/R, German Postal Bar code Identcode 11, German Postal Bar code Leitcode 13, 2 of 5 Interleaved, 2 of 5 Industrial, 2 of 5 Matrix Plessey, Codabar, MSI Plessey, MSI Plessey+CHKIO, MSI Plessey+CHKIO+CHKIO, MSI Plessey+CHKll+CHKlO, 2 of 5 IATA, 2 of 5 Datalogic, Code 39 Reduced, USPS tray label, USPS sack label, Code32, Codabar Rationalised, MSI Plessey+CHKl 1, OMR, Code 93, Code 93 extended, 128 A, 128 B, 128 C, UCC-128, EAN/JAN-8, EAN/JAN-8 +2, EAN/JAN-8 +5, EAN/JAN-13, EAN/JAN-13 +2, EAN/JAN-13 +5, UPC-
  • Singapore Post 4-State Postal Code Australia Post 4-State Postal Code, Japan Post 4-State Postal Code, Australia Post 4-State Postal Code 37,52,67, Australia 4-state postal 37- CUST (HP Mode), Australia 4-state postal 52-FF-MET (HP Mode), Australia 4-state postal 67-FF-MET (HP Mode), Australia 4-state postal FCC-45 REPLY (HP Mode), Singapore Post 4-State Postal Code (HP Mode), DataMatrix, MaxiCode, MaxiCode (HP Mode), USPS FIM, POSTNET 5 ZIP+4, POSTNET 9 ZIP+4, POSTNET 11 DPC, PLANET, Aztec, Aztec Mesas, QR Code, Code 49, Channel Code, Code One, SuperCode, RSS, EAN/UCC Composite Symbology, Codablock F, Dot Code A, Codel 6K.
  • a tagged bar code that is readable by a bar code scanner can typically be printed using a wide variety of standard inks on a wide variety of label materials and/or paper types.
  • One method to prevent fraudulent photocopying of a tagged printed bar code that is to be applied to an asset is to print the tagged bar code on self-destructing material that comes apart if an attempt is made to peel it off the asset that has been affixed to.
  • a tagged printed bar code can be made more secure if it is printed with a thermochromic ink, available from companies such as, but not limited to, Standard Register. Thermochromic ink changes color or disappears when warmed and returns back to the original color upon cooling, thus making it impossible to copy using photocopiers. They are also difficult to counterfeit.
  • a tagged printed bar code can be printed using a standard ink and a disappearing thermochromic ink in order to cause the tagged printed bar code to morph into another image.
  • the morphed bar code would translate into a different identification number and would alert a back-end database of a fraudulently tagged printed bar code.
  • Thermochromic inks are an effective deterrent to fraud.
  • Another kind of tagged printed bar code can be presented using the aforementioned 3D bumpy bar code technology.
  • One advantage of using a 3D tagged bumpy bar code to represent tagged data is that it cannot be fraudulently photocopied.
  • 3D bumpy bar code readers are currently not as ubiquitous as standard bar code readers designed to read tagged printed and/or tagged video bar codes.
  • a further security measure for tagged printed bar codes is the printing of the tagged bar code using invisible inks.
  • PhotoSecure, Inc. manufactures photoluminescent inks (SmartDYETM) and related scanners. Fluorescing inks are invisible to the naked eye and provide a moderate amount of protection against copying. By mixing SmartDYETM components, PhotoSecure can customize each ink batch, if necessary, to have unique fluorescing characteristics. These include the specific frequency of light needed to activate them, the manner in which their fluorescence fades when the photo stimulus is removed, the exact color of the fluorescence, and other properties which can be detected and measured by their scanners.
  • PhotoSecure' s scanners are equipped with a strobe light source, a CCD image sensor, and solid-state memory for recording both the response profile of each authentic secure tagged bar code.
  • a tagged bar code may also include a digital watermark.
  • Digimarc Corporation's digital watermark technology embeds a special message in an image by making subtle, imperceptible changes to the original data content of an image.
  • a digital watermark that has been fraudulently copied can be detected using a proprietary scanner.
  • Another form of security for a tagged bar code is the intentional visual encryption of the tagged bar code by applying an algorithm to the tagged data to scramble the position of the characters being displayed.
  • the visual encryption algorithm could use a PIN or other unique identifier as a variable to drive the encryption algorithm. Any combination or all of these technologies may be employed to add security to a tagged bar code of the present invention and insure authenticity.
  • Tagged video bar codes give rise to a tremendous opportunity to introduce new applications for bar codes, such as in prepackaged software, custom software, television, digital radio, the Internet, and ATM machines. Tagged video bar codes are an efficient means for data collection and can be
  • IDimension or 2Dimension (2D).
  • ID bar code formats that have been successfully read off a video display include, but are not limited to, Code 39, Code 128, and Interleaved 2 of 5.
  • a common standardized 2D bar code format that has been successfully read off a video display includes, but is not limited to, PDF 417.
  • a high scan rate CCD or linear imager bar code reader is used to read the tagged video bar code, and translates the image of the bar code into digital data.
  • Tagged video bar codes possess several inherent qualities that offer significant advancements in this digital age. First, the use of tagged video bar codes can allow for a two-way interchange of data.
  • tagged video bar codes are not constrained by operating systems, software, hardware, or the compatibility of such systems. Any data represented by a tagged video bar code may be universally interchanged across disparate systems without expensive and rigid middle-ware requirements. By simply scanning a video- displayed bar code in a similar manner as performed at the grocery store, data is instantaneously transferred.
  • Tagged ID or 2D bar codes are a unique and simple way for two or more parties to exchange information, using HTML, SGML, XML, proprietary data tags, etc.
  • Tagged bar codes allow for an ad-hoc or standardized medium to exchange data between parties, applications, businesses, and industries. As information is captured and decoded, data tags are used to delineate and identify data for input into a standardized form, database, application, etc.
  • Tagged bar codes greatly expand the application for bar codes.
  • Tagged bar codes can be one or two-dimensional bar codes, which can be presented for scanning in either printed or video formats.
  • Tagged video bar coded data is then captured and interchanged with any software application running on any operating system without using middle-ware. This is an easy-to-implement, inexpensive system.
  • small vendors currently cannot afford the extensive monetary investment required for special middle-ware to do business with companies such as Wal- Mart, Sears, Dayton-Hudson, General Motors, etc.
  • Tagged video bar coded electronic documents such as, purchase orders, advance ship notices, invoices, medical prescriptions, insurance applications, etc. create a new, easy-to-implement form of EDI in order to interact with a business information system.
  • Tagged video bar codes have broad application and may be transmitted over any video medium. Televisions, PDA's, cell phones, and/or computer monitors displaying a tagged video bar code may be scanned to exchange data into another format or application. This will prove beneficial in B2B and B2C transactions where the style, format, and content of data transmission needs to be re-formatted for processing or proprietary purposes. In this application, medium to small size companies will be empowered to exchange data across disparate systems and fulfill transactions immediately, without middle-ware or third-party administrators typically required to execute an electronic transaction.
  • Tagged video bar codes provide a new format of presenting bar codes, which extends their application to general business environments and provide the following benefits: 1) universal data interchange across any operating system and software platform at point of use without middle- ware, 2) enhances the functionality of B2B and B2C transactions without the need to re-key data, 3) reduces the need for complex integration in management information systems, 4) an easy-to-use, interactive two-way electronic data interchange.
  • Tagged video bar codes may be available locally on a device, such as a computer, or may be obtained remotely and viewed as described in United States Patent Application, Serial No. 09/753,863 to Melick, et al, herein incorporated in its entirety by referenced.
  • enhanced electronic documents can display and transmit tagged video bar codes on-line using an Internet web page, or email.
  • the bar code reader Once the bar code reader has captured the bar coded data from a computer monitor, laptop, television, cell phone, PDA, etc. it can be input into any software application on any operating system without the use of middle-ware.
  • these enhanced electronic documents with tagged video bar codes may be accessed anywhere.
  • Data tags can be used to facilitate data interchange.
  • Data tags may be an integral part of the source data, which can be used to facilitate the input of data into an electronic document.
  • data tags are an integral part of the data that has been summed up as one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes by an electronic document or related software, firmware, or hardware application, in order to facilitate data interchange to target software applications and/or devices.
  • data tags may be used by the target software application and/or target device to facilitate various activities by target software application and/or target device.
  • Chart 1 contains the actual tagged demographic information contained in a 2D bar code displayed on the back of an Iowa driver's license.
  • the proprietary tags in the above table provide the key to decoding the tagged data contained in a string.
  • XML Exensible Markup Language
  • SGML Standardized General Ma ⁇ rkup Language
  • XML has come to mean a whole family of related standards.
  • HTML Hypertext Markup Language
  • HTML Hypertext Markup Language
  • XML allows people to chop data into smaller pieces, label them, and make them available on the network. That way, an intelligent software program can reach over the Internet and retrieve just the information wanted ⁇ say, movie times or item numbers ⁇ without having to load an entire Web page. That should also make data more accessible from devices such as handheld computers and cell phones, which tend to have slower Internet connections and smaller screens.
  • the elements of an XML document can be formally specified using a DTD (Document Type definition) just as SGML documents are specified. If a DTD exists for an XML document, XML parsers with the appropriate extensions can test the XML document against the DTD. A document that passes such a consistency and validation test is said to be valid. The Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 parser will validate an XML document. Unlike SGML, an XML document does not have to have a companion DTD document. An XML document that does not have a DTD can be tested for conformance with the general requirements of XML. A document that passes this lesser standard is said to be "well formed”. All XML parsers test to see that an XML document is well formed.
  • DTD Document Type definition
  • XML is a hierarchical set of entities.
  • An entity is one or more elements.
  • Elements can contain one or more attributes and text.
  • XML provides a formal syntax that defines elements, attributes and text. At the syntax description level XML is deceptively simple when compared with a tag language like HTML. XML simply provides the container used to create a language like HTML. In and of itself it really does very little. For that reason it is easy to define and specify.
  • Electronic forms can receive tagged or untagged data input from sources, including, but not limited to keyboards, touch screens, voice, voice recognition technology, computer- telephone interfaces, magnetic stripe, RFID tags, Smart Cards, electronic sensors, 3D bumpy bar codes, remotely viewed or local ID and/or 2D bar codes displayed on driver's licenses, national identification cards, social security cards, military identification cards, company identification cards, business cards, financial transaction cards including, but not limited to, credit cards, check cards, and ATM cards, health plan identification cards, purchase receipts, warranties, bills of lading, purchase orders, invoices, sales orders, insurance cards, statements of account, work orders, drawings, photographs, blueprints, packing lists, UCC forms, contracts, redemption coupons, newspapers, magazines, products, product packaging, vehicles, shipping containers, pallets, etc.
  • sources including, but not limited to keyboards, touch screens, voice, voice recognition technology, computer- telephone interfaces, magnetic stripe, RFID tags, Smart Cards, electronic sensors, 3D bumpy bar codes, remotely viewed or local ID and/or 2D bar codes displayed on
  • a source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic form may be radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
  • RFID is well known in the art and is an automatic data capture (ADC) technology comprised of tags, which are microprocessors, and fixed or mobile scanners known as readers, or interrogators.
  • RFID chips consist of three basic types; read-only, write-only, or read- write. Interrogators read and/or write data from RFID chips via low power radio frequency (RF) signals. The data captured by an interrogator can be transferred to a host computer via wire or wireless communication links.
  • An RFID tag may be either an active or passive type. Active type RFID chips are powered by a battery, whereas passive type RFID chips are powered by RF energy generated by an interrogator.
  • RFID systems may operate on one of several frequencies, which include, but are not limited to 125-134 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 420-450 MHz, 868-915 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz.
  • RFID tags which include tagged data, used in the present invention can be of an open standard type, or a proprietary standard.
  • an RFID circuit may be printed directly on a tag using technology developed by a company, such as Cypak. Such an RFID tag printed on a self- destructing material would destroy the RFDD circuitry and render the tag useless.
  • Magnetic Stripe Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic form may be via a magnetic stripe.
  • a magnetic stripe Currently, most financial transaction cards use magnetic stripes to capture, store, and access information relevant to a particular financial transaction card.
  • the American National Standards Institute standard, ANSI X4.16, "American National Standard for Financial Services-Financial Transaction Cards-Magnetic Stripe Encoding" defines the physical, chemical, and magnetic characteristics of the magnetic stripe on the card. The standard defines a minimum and maximum size for the stripe, and the location of the three defined encoding tracks. (Some cards have a fourth, proprietary track.)
  • Track 1 is encoded at 210 bits per inch, and uses a 6-bit coding of a 64-element character set of numerics, alphabet (one case only), and some special characters.
  • Track 1 can hold up to 79 characters, six of which are reserved control characters. Included in these six characters is a Longitudinal Redundancy Check (LRC) character, in order that a card reader can detect most read failures.
  • Data encoded on track 1 includes personal account number (PAN), country code, full name, expiration date, and "discretionary data". Of course, the discretionary data is anything the issuer wants it to be and can be tagged for use with the present invention. Track 1 was originally intended for use by airlines, but many Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are now using it to personalize prompts with a user's name and a user's language of choice. Some credit authorization applications are starting to use track 1 as well.
  • ATMs Automatic Teller Machines
  • Track 2 is encoded at 75 bits per inch, and uses a 4-bit coding of the ten digits. Three of the remaining characters are reserved as delimiters, two are reserved for device control, and one is left undefined. In practice, the device control characters are seldom used. Track 2 can hold up to 40 characters, including an LRC. Data encoded on track 2 includes personal account number (PAN), country code (optional), expiration date, and discretionary data. Again, on this track the discretionary data could be tagged for use with the present invention. In practice, the country code is seldom used by United States issuers. Later revisions of this standard added a qualification code that defines the type of the card (debit, credit, etc.) and limitations on its use.
  • AMEX American Express
  • Track 2 was originally intended for credit authorization applications.
  • track 2 is commonly used by ATMs and has a personal identification number (PIN) offset encoded in the discretionary data.
  • PIN personal identification number
  • the PIN offset is usually derived by running the PIN through an encryption algorithm with a secret key. This allows ATMs to verify a PIN when the host is offline, generally allowing restricted account access.
  • Track 3 uses the same density and coding scheme as track 1.
  • the contents of track 3 are defined in ANSI X9.1, "American National Standard - Magnetic Stripe Data Content for Track 3".
  • ANSI X9.1 "American National Standard - Magnetic Stripe Data Content for Track 3”.
  • X4.16 only gives enough physical room for 105 characters.
  • track 3 there is over a quarter of an inch on each end of the magnetic stripe that is unused, so therefore there is sufficient room for the data. In practice, that many characters are seldom used.
  • the original intent was for track 3 to be a read/write track (tracks 1 and 2 are intended to be read-only) for use by ATMs. It contains information needed to maintain account balances on the card itself.
  • Track 3 is rarely used for this purpose, because it is easy to defraud. Track 3 could be used to contain tagged data which could be used by the present invention.
  • Other standards for magnetic stripe include, but are not limited to, ISO Magnetic Stripe Card Standards 7810, 7811-1, 7811-2, 7811-3, 78-11-4, 7811-5, 7811-6, and 7813.
  • MICR Magnetic ink character recognition
  • MICR Magnetic ink character recognition
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • OCR optical character recognition
  • OCR is typically used to read selected areas of text (as opposed to text recognition software that process full pages of text). OCR is both human- and machine-readable and suited for use with account numbers or short data strings.
  • OCR readers scan the data in much the same way bar code scanners do: either by moving the document past the scanner or moving the scanner over the document. The scan produces a "picture" of the text that is then analyzed for characteristic features. Features are then matched to specific letters or numbers for output. ICR
  • Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic form may be via intelligent character recognition (ICR) technology.
  • ICR intelligent character recognition
  • ICR has been employed to speed the collection of human readable data, in the form of handwriting and machine printed or typed characters, from scanned paper forms. Even though ICR speeds the data collection process, it is still an expensive method due to the error-checking required to insure that correct data has been captured and input.
  • 3D Bumpy Bar Codes The present invention previously described the use of ID and 2D tagged printed or video bar codes as a means for interchanging data efficiently.
  • Another source of tagged or un-tagged data input to an electronic form may be via what is commonly known as a bumpy bar code.
  • Bumpy bar code technology uses 3D marks, which can be placed on virtually any metal, plastic, rubber, or composite surface. These marks are expressed by highs and lows in surface height, rather than variations in black and white, as is the case with traditional bar coding.
  • a bumpy bar code reader illuminates the bar code with a laser, captures the reflected image in a two-dimensional Charge-coupled Device (CCD).
  • a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) is used to analyze the angular displacement between the laser and CCD array, and allows detection of the differences in height across the bumpy bar code.
  • DSP Digital Signal Processor
  • Tagged voice data may be input via XML tagged voice recognition technology known as XVR, or XML Voice Response.
  • XVR applications use recorded audio prompts and voice recognition to convey and gather information.
  • XVR is the integration of traditional voice phone calls, automated Interactive " Voice Response applications, voice recognition, with XML technology, which include specific languages for this application, which include, but are not limited to, Voice XML and CCXML.
  • XVR provides comfortable, anytime, anywhere access to information from any telephone.
  • Data targets that can receive the tagged information summed up on an electronic document in the form of one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes can be captured from either a printed version of the electronic document, or a video displayed version of the electronic document.
  • the video bar code may come from either a local, or remotely viewed source.
  • the captured tagged data string is parsed; the data tags are used to route and/or input and/or exchange data into a variety of data targets including software applications, such as, but not limited to, a database, a spreadsheet, a web page, a word processor, another electronic document, etc.
  • the tags may remain with the output data, or alternatively may be stripped from the data by the target application.
  • the tagged data captured from one or more ID and/or 2D bar code(s) in an electronic document can be output to a data target device that is capable of receiving and/or using tagged data, such as but not limited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch, telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA, pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
  • a data target device that is capable of receiving and/or using tagged data, such as but not limited to, an RFID tag, Smart Card, magnetic stripe, bar code printer, OCR encoder, MICR encoder, ICR encoder, cell phone, television set-top box, telecommunication network router, telecommunication network switch, telecommunication network hub, ATM machine, laptop computer, PC, PDA, pager, text messaging device, touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.
  • a business user or consumer will create electronic generated documents which include one-dimensional, tagged bar coded information, create specific style sheets to define bar coded data tags, publish documents with tagged bar coded information, scan video displayed documents using a high scan rate CCD or linear imager, or scan printed documents using any type of applicable bar code reader to capture tagged bar coded information, cache tagged bar coded information, parse the tagged bar coded information and applicable software applications, strip the bar coded data tags, and input stripped bar coded data into the applicable software application as shown in Figure 1.
  • a user of the present invention will make a decision 101 to tag or not tag bar codes in an electronic document. If the tagged bar codes are required, the user will create a style sheet file 102. An example of a style sheet used by a sender is shown in
  • the style sheet will be capable of automatically generating an identifier, such as the number 12345 as shown in Figure 3, or the sender may choose to manually assign a specific identifier.
  • the style sheet identifier is a hyperlink to the style sheet file 102, which is used by electronic document "A" 103, to decode tagged bar coded data.
  • Style sheet file 102 is stored in a library 110.
  • Library 110 may use a local hard drive 111, or network hard drive 113 to store this file.
  • style sheet file 102 may be e-mailed to a selected user 112.
  • a style sheet file 102 is used to create an electronic document "A" 103 with tagged bar codes.
  • An example of document “A” 103 is depicted in Figure 2 using software such as MICROSOFT EXCEL or WORD on a PC to create an electronic document.
  • software such as MICROSOFT EXCEL or WORD on a PC to create an electronic document.
  • such software creates documents that contain electronic representations of bar coded information through the use of bar code fonts which reside on the local computer and are commonly available today from companies such as Azalea, TAL Technologies and Wasp Bar Code.
  • an electronic document "A" 103 is created with un-tagged bar codes.
  • Electronic document "A” 103 is posted 104, to a library 110.
  • Library 110 may use a local hard drive 111 , or network hard drive 113 to store electronic document "A" 103.
  • electronic document "A" 103 may be e-mailed to a selected user 112.
  • a receiver 121 opens electronic document "A” 103 in a window on their computer.
  • the receiver 121 also opens electronic document "B" (as shown in Figure 7) 122, in a separate window on their computer in order to receive bar coded data contained in electronic document "A" 103.
  • a decision 123 is made to determine if electronic documents "A" 103 and "B" 122 uses a style sheet file 102.
  • Integrated software such as Limit's Quicken, QuickBooks, QuickBooks Pro, etc. would incorporate parsing software, such as SAX commonly available from companies such as Whyt and, according to the present invention, and use style sheets in two ways.
  • a common style sheet is used by both sender and receiver.
  • the style sheet identifier is scanned 124 in document "A" 104 in order to launch the hyperlink to open the style sheet file 102, stored in library 110.
  • two style sheets each using different "function key tags" to represent the same data fields can be used.
  • the parsing and data cache application will allow the user to scan the sender's style sheet identifier and also the receiver's style sheet identifier (as shown in Figure 4) and cross-correlate them as shown in Figure 6.
  • step 125 the style sheet file is loaded into the parsing and data cache application of the integrated software.
  • step 126 the receiver scans tagged bar codes in electronic document "A" 103.
  • the scanned tagged bar coded data is parsed and sent to a data cache, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the parsing and data cache application use logic and computer routines to identify the scanned bar coded data by "function key tag”, match the scanned bar coded data to the appropriate field in electronic document "B” 122, strip the "function key tag”, and input the stripped bar coded data into the appropriate field in electronic document "B” 122.
  • the receiver in step 129, scans the un-tagged bar coded information and manually chooses the appropriate field to input the data into electronic document "B” 122.
  • the receiver makes a decision to scan another document bar coded electronic document, or to end the bar code data interchange.
  • a business user or consumer will create electronic generated documents which include two-dimensional, tagged bar coded information, create specific style sheets to define bar coded data tags, publish documents with tagged bar coded information, scan video displayed or printed documents with a high scan rate LED bar code reader to capture tagged bar coded information, cache tagged bar coded information, parse the tagged bar coded information, strip the bar coded data tags, and input stripped bar coded data into the applicable software application as shown in Figure 1.
  • 2D bar codes may use the General Motors common shipping label format, GM 1724- A, or another industry specific format for tagged information.
  • the sender's field tags can be identified using tags such as XML tags or "function key tags" FOl, F02, F03, etc., which relate to "Fl, F2, F3" respectively on a standard computer keyboard, or proprietary data such as, but not limited to those encoded in the 2D bar code on a state issued drivers license, like the State of Iowa.
  • tags such as XML tags or "function key tags" FOl, F02, F03, etc., which relate to "Fl, F2, F3" respectively on a standard computer keyboard, or proprietary data such as, but not limited to those encoded in the 2D bar code on a state issued drivers license, like the State of Iowa.
  • two companies might agree to exchange data for various customers contained in their respective databases: first name, last name, and age.
  • the two companies would agree the "function key tag” for first name data is FOl
  • the "function key tag” for last name data is F02
  • the "function key tag” for age data is F03.
  • the style sheet would be programm
  • This embodiment of the present invention greatly reduces the number of transaction errors and greatly increases the speed of data interchange.
  • Figure 5 is a pictorial representation of a style sheet with data tags and field names contained in a two-dimensional bar code, such as that commonly found on a driver's license.
  • Figure 8 is an example of two-dimensional bar code data tags from a driver's license in which the last name "Smith” is tagged with the letters "DAB", the data tag for the first name "John” is the letters "DAC”, etc.
  • Figure 9 is a pictorial representation of the parsed and cached data, as shown in Figure 8, ready for input into electronic document "B", step 127.
  • the present invention provides for numerous uses of tagged bar codes, including numerous uses of style sheets used with tagged bar codes.
  • the present invention contemplates that the IRS and state governments can use tagged bar codes and style sheets in exchanging information with taxpayers and each other.
  • An electronic document such as a PDF tax form
  • An electronic document is created with a number of fillable forms to be used by a taxpayer or his or her tax preparer or other user.
  • the user enters information into the fillable form fields and a bar code is generated based on the information contained in the fillable form fields.
  • the bar code is a part of the document so that when the document is printed, the bar code is printed and the bar code can be scanned from the paper document. This is useful because information acquired through scanning a bar code is generally more reliable and less costly than manual data entry or OCR.
  • the present invention allows the bar code to be represented in the electronic document through use of tags.
  • the tags can, for example, be XML tags that specify field names and field values.
  • Software for using the electronic document interprets the tags to display the bar codes, and preferably allows for updating the form fields and then updating the bar codes.
  • the entire electronic document or the form field information can be stored or sent so that the information contained within the form fields can be extracted.
  • the document allows for improved data interchange regardless of whether the document is in an electronic form or paper form.
  • the data in the form fields can be electronically sent when filing electronically.
  • a paper tax form can be submitted.
  • the bar code on the paper tax form is scanned to acquire the data from the form fields.
  • the present invention contemplates numerous variations. For example, a tagged bar code placed on a document does not need to correspond to data fields on the same document.
  • the tagged bar code can correspond to data fields on a separate document.
  • the present invention would allow for a tagged bar code representing data in form fields of one document to be placed on a different document.
  • a 1040 type tax form could include bar codes for each schedule used.
  • information from attached and supporting documents can be consolidated to a single document.
  • Such a practice can be advantageous for a variety of reasons. For example, where the data is extracted from the document by scanning and decoding one or more bar codes, such a practice can reduce the number of pages that must be scanned and alleviate paper handling issues such as lost or mismatched documents which can occur if a number of related documents are submitted together.
  • style sheets also allows for information associated with one form to be easily interchanged with information associated with another type of form. For example, information on a federal tax form can be interchanged with information on a state tax form even though the federal government and the state government choose to use different field names.
  • the process described in Figure 1 illustrates the methodology used. It should be apparent that because information from document A can be placed in document B, that a bar code representing data fields from document A can be placed in document B. Such a bar code may also include additional data fields not present in document A.
  • a system utilizing tagged video bar codes and the present invention's technology may be used to show real-time product inventory, place orders, route the order through an accounting system, make shipping arrangements, and forward the user a report.
  • the process of executing an order online requires a sequence of events to take place.
  • a customer may wish to replenish his/her inventory, without passing through several systems.
  • Retailers may utilize tagged video bar codes in web sites, WebTV, television or over other mediums to index products and services in the form of an online catalog.
  • Suppliers who have traditionally been dependent on middleware and/or third party administrators to access and/or execute orders, will be empowered to access such requests.
  • Tagged video bar codes also allow various enabled devices to execute order placement, processing, and fulfillment simply by using this universal medium.
  • UPS Online document exchange services with various encryption techniques requiring a higher degree of security in transmission will now have a multitude of options available to them.
  • UPS executed over 10 billion online document exchanges at a fraction of the cost associated with paper transactions.
  • Office visits that result in a prescription to be filled are currently phoned to a pharmacy or the patient is given an order form.
  • This entire process may be streamlined electronically with tagged video bar codes containing basic demographic data from order placement to the label that appears on a prescription. In doing so, the error rate associated with fulfilling orders would be eliminated, greater controls would exist in the distribution of drugs, and reorders may be triggered without data entry.
  • Document "A" 103 would be an electronic prescription containing bar coded information.
  • Document "A" 103 would be e-mailed to the pharmacy with bar coded information relating to the patient information and medication required. The pharmacist would use an enabled device to capture applicable bar coded information displayed on the patient's electronic prescription for input into Document "B" 122 on their disparate computer information system.
  • a document management system would use tagged video bar codes as a dynamic hyper-link to access various forms of data.
  • Document "A" 103 would be various evidence or exhibits in graphic form which are bar coded in order to launch the court overhead projection system.
  • Document "B” 122 which are a lawyer's electronic trial notes, operate on a disparate computer system would contain tagged video bar codes which are linked to the appropriate Document "A” 103.
  • Some of these sources include transaction clearing houses, financial exchanges, news services, and research companies.
  • Such systems include The Dow Jones Telequote, Bloomberg, the Associated Press, Value Line, and others electronic systems that transmit data across a video monitor. Investment and financial professionals utilize these services to retrieve, process, and manipulate this data in proprietary applications for analysis. All of these systems utilize a one-way means of data transmission, serving as a reporting service verses an interactive two-way system.
  • Document "A" 103 would be a financial report from a company such as Dow Jones Telequote or Bloomberg, which included tagged video bar codes.
  • Document "B” 122 would be an order placement form running on a disparate information system. An enabled device would capture tagged video bar coded information from Document “A” 103 and input the information into Document “B” 122.
  • Tagged video bar codes offer accounting department managers a new method to streamline the entire accounting process.
  • ABC Company would use electronic document "A" 103, which would be an electronic invoice containing bar coded information. This document could be posted electronically for payment by XYZ Company.
  • XYZ Company would use an enabled device to capture the pertinent bar coded data from Document "A” 103 and input into their Document "B" 122 which is a check writing form on their disparate computer system.
  • One example relates to the property tax assessment and collection division of county governments. Most frequently the assessment and collection divisions rely on the same information for different purposes in disparate information systems. Consequently, this requires information to be entered and re-entered by each division.
  • Tagged video bar codes would allow relevant information to be easily exchanged between divisions without the need for middleware or manual reentry. Also, tagging such documents with bar codes provide a unique tag for management control purposes, and allow various agencies dependent on such data to share these public documents as described in other applications above.
  • legacy systems are increasingly a problem within organizations. Companies have a difficult time getting their mainframe to "talk" with their DOS system, and in turn have trouble getting that data to "talk” with their new WindowsTM systems. Video bar coding information in legacy systems would save a lot of time and expense coding systems to convert legacy data. Tagged video bar codes offer users a multitude of options that are easy-to-use and understand, bring new functionality to existing practices, and offer the first universal means by which to communicate, through a multitude of devices.
  • an image of a printed or video bar code can be captured at a remote location using a web cam, security cam, phone cam, etc.
  • the image is then transmitted over a network, such as, but not limited to, the Internet.
  • the image is received and viewed at a remote location using a device, such as, but not limited to, a PC or TV screen.
  • the bar code being viewed is captured by either printing the bar code for decoding by a bar code scanner, or capturing the bar coded data off the video display using a bar code scanner capable of reading a VBC. This method of viewing a remote bar code combined with the present invention's use of tagged bar codes is useful
  • the electronic document that data is input to may be the same document that displays one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes suitable for facilitating data interchange.
  • another electronic document or hardware device may display one or more ID and/or 2D bar codes suitable for facilitating data interchange.
  • the previous disclosure of the present invention has focused on PCs and back-end servers as the primary target devices that can receive, decode, and use tagged bar coded data.
  • target devices could be configured to receive and use tagged bar coded data, which includes, but is not limited to, tablets, PDAs, cell phones, TV set-top boxes, RFED readers, RFID interrogators, bar code readers, bar code printers, cell phones, touch screens, magnetic stripe readers, OCR readers, MICR readers, bar code readers integrated in devices such as, but not limited to digital cameras, cell phones, a computer mouse, keyboards, ATM machines, etc.
  • a desirable feature of the present invention to support internationalization would be the direct encoding of Unicode data characters and associated data tags in a bar code for either printed or video bar codes.
  • the Unicode Standard is a character coding system designed to support the worldwide interchange, processing, and display of the written texts of the diverse languages and technical disciplines of the modern world no matter what the platform, program, or language. In addition, it supports classical and historical texts of many written languages.
  • UNICODE short for Unification Code
  • UNICODE uses a 16-bit encoding means that code values and is available for more than 65,000 characters. While this number is sufficient for coding the characters used in the major languages of the world, the UNICODE Standard and ISO/IEC 10646 provide the UTF- 16 extension mechanism (called surrogates in the UNICODE Standard), which allows for the encoding of as many as 1 million additional characters without any use of escape codes. This capacity is sufficient for all known character encoding requirements, including full coverage of all historic scripts of the world.
  • Unicode is required by modern standards such as XML, Java,
  • Code 128 could be modified to encode Unicode as a base- 10 number represented by Code 128 numerals.
  • the steps to encode and print a Unicode encoded bar code would include, 1) converting the binary representation of a Unicode character to a base- 10 value, 2) encoding the five digit base- 10 value to five Code 128 numerals, and 3) printing the Unicode encoded bar code using Code 128 numerals.
  • Chart 2 illustrates the Um ' code Latin Alphabet Capital Letters from "A” to "J” and their corresponding Unicode base-10 value with padding to five digits.
  • the basic Unicode UTF-8 alphabet is a sixteen-bit encoding which equates to a maximum base- 10 number of 65,536, which is why the padding is required to aid the decode logic.
  • the Unicode Capital Latin Letter “A” has a padded Unicode value of "00065".
  • This value for the Unicode Capital Latin Letter “A” could be encoded using the standard Code 128 combination of six varying width bars and spaces to represent the digits "00065".
  • a special start bar and space sequence would prequel the Code 128 string to indicate the following information was directly coded in Unicode.
  • a word tag could prequel the front of the Code 128 string encoded to represent Unicode to indicate the following information was directly coded in Unicode.
  • the present invention is suitable for use in numerous applications in a variety of industries where information interchange is used.
  • industries include, without limitation, advertising and media, accounting, architecture, agriculture, apparel, automotive, aviation, chemical, construction, education, electronics, employee benefits, energy, environment, entertainment, events, farming and livestock, food and beverage, furniture, government, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, industrial machinery and equipment, legal, maritime, metals, packaging, paper and timber, plastics, printing, professional services, real estate, sporting goods, textiles, and transportation.

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US11213773B2 (en) 2017-03-06 2022-01-04 Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc. Genuine filter recognition with filter monitoring system
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