US 6,108,656 A · Automatic access of electronic information through machine-readable codes on printed documents

Abstract

The present invention is a system and method for providing automated access to electronic information stored in a database in either a local or remote location. The system utilizes a machine-readable code printed on a document, referred to herein as an intelligent document since it stores information used to automatically access the information. The machine-readable symbol comprises encoded source data, wherein the source data comprises application launch information as well as file location information. The source data is encoded and printed, and then distributed by the vendor by any logical means to the end user. The end user then scans the code via appropriate code scanning (e.g. bar code scanning) equipment, decodes the raw decoded data, and the file location information is then used to access the appropriate file. In a preferred embodiment, a Web browser program is launched, and the URL of the vendor's Web site is accessed through the Internet. Local file retrieval may also be implemented on the client computer itself, as well as over an intranet or LAN environment. Additional user-specific demographic data such as the user's name and address may also be encoded in the machine-readable code when the document is specifically tailored for individual targeting, such as mailing labels. This demographic information is uploaded to the WWW site for use by the vendor. In addition, the present invention encodes security data, such as an encryption key, for use in secure data transmissions such as electronic commerce over the Internet.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A method for a client computer to retrieve a computer file comprising the steps of:

a) encoding a symbol data string comprising a file location pointer into a machine readable symbol;
b) rendering said machine readable symbol within a data carrier;
c) transposing an input data string from said machine readable symbol with a computer input device coupled to said client computer;
d) parsing said input data string to determine said file location pointer;
and
e) utilizing said file location pointer to request the computer file designated thereby, by
assembling a computer file transfer request word comprising said file location pointer, and
transmitting said computer file transfer request word to a target server computer via a computer network system;
f) said target server computer receiving said computer file transfer request word and
g) said target server computer transmitting a computer file to said client computer in response thereto;
wherein said machine readable symbol also has encoded therein a source identifier data string, said source identifier data string comprising data correlated to an expected user of said data carrier, and wherein said source identifier data string is transposed by said computer input device.

8 more elements

A computer system comprising:

a) a client computer interconnected to a computer network comprising a target server computer associated therewith, and
b) a computer input device coupled to said client computer, adapted to read a machine readable symbol from a data carrier and transmit to said client computer an input data string;
wherein said client computer comprises
processing means for transposing said input data string to a plurality of constituent fields, said fields comprising at least a file location pointer;
means for utilizing said file location pointer to request the computer file designated thereby;
comprising
means for passing said file location pointer to an application program on said client computer suitable for processing the corresponding computer file;
means for the application program to retrieve the computer file from the specified file location;
means for assembling a computer file transfer request word comprising said file location pointer, and
means for transmitting said computer file transfer request word to said target server computer via said network;
wherein said target server computer comprises:
means for receiving said computer file transfer request word;
and
means for transmitting a computer file to said client computer in response to said computer file transfer request word;
wherein said input data string fields also comprise a source identifier data string, said source identifier data string comprising data correlated to an expected user of said data carrier.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic access of electronic information through machine-readable codes on printed documents

Life of this patent

Automatic access of electronic information through machine-readable codes on printed documents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31