Multipurpose bar code scanner

• US 20020023959A1
• Filed: 02/14/2001
• Published: 02/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: NeoMedia Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Michael R., Miller, Gregory P., Carpenter, William H. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US09/783,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023959A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/462.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0271 Personalized advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0625 Directed, with specific intent or strategy
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A bar code scanner is provided according to the present invention. The scanner includes a housing. A scanning portion is coupled to the housing and is operable to scan a bar code for generating an electronic representation of the bar code. A communications portion is coupled to the housing and is operable to upload the representation of the bar code to a client device of a user. A transmitting portion is coupled to the housing and is operable to transmit the representation of the bar code to a remote device, either wirelessly or through physical medium.

Claims

1. A bar code scanner, comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) a scanning portion coupled to the housing and operable to scan a bar code for generating an electronic representation of the bar code;

(c) a communications portion coupled to the housing and operable to upload the representation of the bar code to a client device of a user; and

(d) a transmitting portion coupled to the housing and operable to transmit the representation of the bar code to a remote device.

2. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote device is a garage door opening mechanism.

3. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote device is an automobile door lock system.

4. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, further comprising a telephony portion operable for acquiring, sending and receiving of voice data.

5. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote device is a wireless telephone.

6. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote device is a wireless telephony receiving station.

7. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote device is a pager signal receiving station.

8. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, further comprising a display portion operable to display a representation of the bar code.

9. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, further comprising a display portion operable to display information about an item associated with the bar code.

10. A bar code scanner as recited in claim 1, wherein the transmitting portion is operable to wirelessly transmit the representation of the bar code to the remote device.