US 6,330,976 B1 · Marking medium area with encoded identifier for producing action through network

Abstract

Automatic actions can be obtained through a network using an area of marking medium with machine-readable markings that encode an action/medium identifier. The action/medium identifier identifies an action that can be produced through the network, and also identifies the area of marking medium. For example, it may include a globally unique or network-wide page identifier as well as an action identifier that can be used to produce an action described by data associated with a counterpart digital page. Or it can include both a page identifier and a location identifier, with the location identifier also identifying an action that relates to the page's digital counterpart. Or it can include a document identifier and an action identifier. Or it can be a globally unique or network-wide sticker identifier that can be used to identify a document, a peripheral device, or another object to which the sticker is attached, and that also produces an action through the network.

Claims31

Dependent claims

An article of manufacture for obtaining automatic actions through a network using processing circuitry for connecting to the network and detection circuitry for providing input signals to the processing circuitry, the automatic actions being provided by action devices connected to the network;

the article comprising:
an area of a marking medium;
and
machine-readable markings within the area of the marking medium that encode an action/medium identifier;
the machine-readable markings being decodable to obtain the action/medium identifier by the processing circuitry using input signals from the detection circuitry, the input signals including information defining the machine-readable markings;
the action/medium identifier specifying (a) an action device using a globally unique identifier that identifies the, marking medium and (b) an action using a location identifier that identifies a zone of the area of the marking medium;
the processing circuitry being adapted to provide the location identifier through the network to the action device to produce the action;
the action relating to the zone of the area of the marking medium;
the action device providing the action automatically in response to the location identifier.

6 more elements

A method of providing automatic actions through a network, the automatic actions being provided by action devices connected to the network;

the method comprising:
receiving input signals from a detection device, the input signals including information defining machine-readable markings in an area of a marking medium;
the area of the marking medium including machine-readable markings that encode an action/medium identifier;
using the input signals, decoding the machine-readable markings to obtain the action/medium identifier;
using the action/medium identifier to specify:
(a) an action device using a globally unique identifier that identifies the marking medium and (b) an action using a location identifier that identifies a zone of the area of the marking medium;
and
providing the location identifier through the network to the action device for producing the action;
the action relating to the zone of the area of the marking medium;
the action device providing the action automatically in response to the location identifier.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Marking medium area with encoded identifier for producing action through network

Life of this patent

Marking medium area with encoded identifier for producing action through network

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims31