Auto-registration of scanner

• US 20010003178A1
• Filed: 01/04/2001
• Published: 06/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Netimage Corp.
• Original Assignee: Netimage Corp.
• Inventors: Chen, Chi-Yuan, Lan, Chih-Shin, Yang, Chang-Hwa
• Granted Patent: US 6,668,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase

Abstract

An auto-registration method for scanners. The method includes implanting a serial number into a scanner. When the scanner operates, the serial number is automatically retrieved. If the scanner is linked to a network, the serial number is transmitted to a documentary file inside a registration center through the net. On the other hand, if the scanner is not connected to a network, other data transmission means can be used to carry out the registration. According to the registered information, various post-registration services are executed.

Claims

1. An auto-registration method for scanners, comprising the steps of:

implanting a serial number into the scanner system;

automatically retrieving the serial number from the scanner system as soon as the scanner operates; and

transmitting the serial number to a documentary file in a registration center for registration as soon as the scanner is networked.

2. The method of

claim 1

, wherein besides the serial number of the scanner, other information such as model number, place of origin and batch number is also included.

3. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the step of implanting a serial number into the scanner includes attaching a bar code representing the serial number onto the scanner.

4. The method of

claim 3

, wherein the barcode is one-dimension barcode, two-dimension barcode or barcode-like image which can be recognized by the scanner.

5. The method of

claim 4

, wherein the bar code is attached to a location within an image-scanning area of the scanner.

6. The method of

claim 1

, wherein the step of implanting a serial number into the scanner includes hardwiring the serial number within an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

7. The method of

claim 1

, wherein after the step of registering the serial number in the registration center, further includes performing some post-registration services.

8. The method of

claim 7

, wherein one of the post-registration services includes a return material authorization (RMA).

9. The method of

claim 7

, wherein one of the post-registration services includes a rebate.

10. The method of

claim 7

, wherein one of the post-registration services includes establishing a user data file.

11. An auto-registration method for scanners, comprising the steps of:

implanting a serial number into a scanner; and

automatically retrieving the serial number when the scanner operates.

12. The method of

claim 11

, wherein besides the serial number of the scanner, other information such as model number, place of origin and batch number is also included.

13. The method of

claim 11

, wherein the step of implanting a serial number into the scanner includes attaching a bar code representing the serial number onto the scanner.

14. The method of

claim 13

, wherein the bar code is attached in a location within an image-scanning area of the scanner.

15. The method of

claim 11

, wherein the step of implanting a serial number into the scanner includes hardwiring the serial number within an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).