System and method for accessing network resources from encoded source data
First Claim
1. A method for supplying information to consumers on request, comprising the steps of:
- (a) composing an optically readable indicia;
(b) applying said optically readable indicia to an object;
(c) optically scanning said indicia to generate an electronic representation of said indicia;
(d) storing said electronic representation of said indicia, said storing being done by a device used to perform said optical scanning;
(e) downloading said electronic representation of said indicia to a computing device;
(f) causing said computing device to communicate a signal to a central server, said signal including information to identify said optically readable indicia;
(g) programming said central server to associate said optically readable indicia with a plurality of addresses in response to selected criteria, whereby said optically readable indicia is associated with different addresses in response to differences in said selected criteria;
(h) said central server being responsive to said signal i) to contact a server at an address associated with said signal and said optically readable indicia, and ii) obtain information from said server associated with said address and communicate said information received from said server associated with said address to said computing device for display or other use at said computing device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for supplying information from a network, such as the Internet, through, for example, a computing device to consumers on request. An optically readable indicia on an object is optically scanned to create an electronic representation of the indicia. The indicia can be visible or invisible, including invisible ink barcoding and digital watermarking. The electronic representation is used by a computing device to communicate with a central server. The central server selects a network address from a plurality of addresses that are or may come to be associated with the indicia. Selection is made in response to selected criteria so that the indicia is associated with different addresses based upon differences in the selected criteria. The central server contacts a server at the selected network address and obtains information from the server associated with the address. The central server communicates the information received from the server back to the computing device for display or other use at the computing device.
107 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for supplying information to consumers on request, comprising the steps of:
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(a) composing an optically readable indicia;
(b) applying said optically readable indicia to an object;
(c) optically scanning said indicia to generate an electronic representation of said indicia;
(d) storing said electronic representation of said indicia, said storing being done by a device used to perform said optical scanning;
(e) downloading said electronic representation of said indicia to a computing device;
(f) causing said computing device to communicate a signal to a central server, said signal including information to identify said optically readable indicia;
(g) programming said central server to associate said optically readable indicia with a plurality of addresses in response to selected criteria, whereby said optically readable indicia is associated with different addresses in response to differences in said selected criteria;
(h) said central server being responsive to said signal i) to contact a server at an address associated with said signal and said optically readable indicia, and ii) obtain information from said server associated with said address and communicate said information received from said server associated with said address to said computing device for display or other use at said computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 28, 29)
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9. A method for supplying information to consumers on request, comprising the steps of:
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(a) composing an optically readable indicia containing information respecting a plurality of different elements;
(b) applying said optically readable indicia to an object;
(c) using a scanning device to optically scan said indicia and generate an electronic representation of said indicia;
(d) storing said electronic representation of said indicia, said storing being done by said device used to perform said optical scanning;
(e) downloading said electronic representation of said indicia to a computing device;
(f) causing said computing device to communicate a signal to a central server, said signal including information to identify said optically readable indicia;
(g) programming said central server to associate said optically readable indicia with a plurality of addresses in response to selected criteria selected from said information respecting a plurality of different elements, whereby said optically readable indicia is associated with different addresses in response to differences in said selected criteria;
(h) said central server being responsive to said signal i) to contact a server at an address associated with said signal and said optically readable indicia at the time of said contacting of said server, and ii) obtain information from said server associated with said address and communicate said information received from said server associated with said address to said computing device for display or other use at said computing device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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18. A method for supplying information to consumers on request, comprising the steps of:
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(a) composing an indicia containing information respecting a plurality of different elements;
(b) incorporating said indicia into an audiovisual production;
(c) using a device capable of detecting said indicia to generate an electronic representation of said indicia;
(d) storing said electronic representation of said indicia, said storing being done by said device used to perform said optical scanning;
(e) downloading said electronic representation of said indicia to a computing device;
(f) causing said computing device to communicate a signal to a central server, said signal including information to identify said indicia;
(g) said central server being responsive to said signal i) to contact a server at an address associated with said signal and said indicia, and ii) obtain information from said server associated with said address and communicate said information received from said server associated with said address to said computing device for display or other use at said computing device.
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Specification