System and method for associating pre-printed machine-readable graphical codes with electronically-accessible data

• US 20020149793A1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Hepworth, Paul, Powell, George
• Granted Patent: US 7,185,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.18
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations

Abstract

A method is disclosed for associating pre-printed machine-readable graphical codes with electronically-accessible data. An arbitrary sequence of reference identifiers is generated. Machine-readable graphical codes for the reference identifiers are generated. Labels are then printed that include the machine-readable graphical codes to provide pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code labels. In using the labels, the user places one of the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code labels on an object and scans the label using a graphical code reading device in electronic communication with a computing device. The computing device receives graphical code data and determines a reference identifier of the graphical code data. A database is then accessed for the reference identifier. If the reference identifier did not already have an associated data specifier in the database, then electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier. If the reference identifier already had an associated data specifier, the electronically-accessible data identified by the data specifier is accessed.

Claims

1. A method for associating pre-printed machine-readable graphical codes with electronically-accessible data, the method comprising:

generating a sequence of reference identifiers;

generating machine-readable graphical codes for the sequence of reference identifiers;

printing labels that include the machine-readable graphical codes to provide pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code labels;

placing one of the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code labels on an object;

scanning the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code label;

receiving graphical code data from a graphical code reading device in electronic communication with a computing device;

determining a reference identifier of the graphical code data;

accessing a database to look up the reference identifier;

associating electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier;

scanning the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code label;

receiving the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device;

determining the reference identifier of the graphical code data;

accessing the database to look up the reference identifier; and

accessing the electronically-accessible data identified by a data specifier associated with the reference identifier in the database.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a file.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program and program arguments.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a field for entering a URL.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by enabling the user to select a record in a database management system.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a drag-and-drop interface.

8. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the data specifier comprises a file.

9. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the data specifier comprises a program.

10. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the data specifier comprises a program and program arguments.

11. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a record in a database system.

12. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a database management system and a record in the database management system.

13. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the data specifier comprises a URL.

14. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising providing a change interface to a user whereby new electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier to change the data specifier.

15. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the reference identifier is unrelated to the electronically-accessible data.

16. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the associating is dynamic.

17. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored on the computing device.

18. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored remotely from the computing device.

19. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising creating the electronically-accessible data when the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier.

20. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is a record in a database management system.

21. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronically-accessible data is an electronic document.

22. A system for dynamically associating pre-printed machine-readable graphical codes with electronically-accessible data, the system comprising:

a graphical code reading device that scans a pre-printed machine-readable graphical code and provides graphical code data; and

a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device that receives the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device, the computing device comprising;

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor;

a communications port in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the graphical code reading device;

a database for storing a plurality of reference identifiers and for storing a plurality of data specifiers; and

a driver implementing a method comprising;

receiving the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device in electronic communication with the computing device;

determining a reference identifier of the graphical code data where the reference identifier is predetermined by a pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code label provider and where the reference identifier is part of an arbitrary sequence of reference identifiers all predetermined by the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code label provider;

accessing the database to look up the reference identifier;

providing a user interface to associate electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier;

receiving the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device;

determining the reference identifier of the graphical code data;

accessing the database to look up the reference identifier;

accessing the electronically-accessible data identified by a data specifier associated with the reference identifier in the database.

23. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a file.

24. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program.

25. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program and program arguments.

26. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a field for entering a URL.

27. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by enabling the user to select a record in a database management system.

28. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a drag-and-drop interface.

29. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the data specifier comprises a file.

30. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the data specifier comprises a program.

31. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the data specifier comprises a program and program arguments.

32. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a record in a database system.

33. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a database management system and a record in the database management system.

34. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the data specifier comprises a URL.

35. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the method implemented by the driver further comprises providing a change interface to a user whereby new electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier to change the data specifier.

36. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the reference identifier is unrelated to the electronically-accessible data.

37. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the user interface is provided to dynamically associate electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier

38. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored on the computing device.

39. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored remotely from the computing device.

40. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is created when the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier.

41. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is a record in a database management system.

42. The system as defined in claim 22 wherein the electronically-accessible data is an electronic document.

43. A driver for dynamically associating pre-printed machine-readable graphical codes with electronically-accessible data, the driver being used in combination with a computing device and a graphical code reading device that scans a pre-printed machine-readable graphical code and provides graphical code data to the computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device, the driver implementing a method comprising:

receiving the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device in electronic communication with the computing device;

determining a reference identifier of the graphical code data where the reference identifier is predetermined by a pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code label provider and where the reference identifier is part of an arbitrary sequence of reference identifiers all predetermined by the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code label provider;

accessing a database to look up the reference identifier, the database storing a plurality of reference identifiers and storing a plurality of data specifiers;

providing a user interface to associate electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier;

receiving the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device;

determining the reference identifier of the graphical code data;

accessing the database to look up the reference identifier; and

accessing the electronically-accessible data identified by a data specifier associated with the reference identifier in the database.

44. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a file.

45. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program.

46. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program and program arguments.

47. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a field for entering a URL.

48. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by enabling the user to select a record in a database management system.

49. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a drag-and-drop interface.

50. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the data specifier comprises a file.

51. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the data specifier comprises a program.

52. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the data specifier comprises a program and program arguments.

53. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a record in a database system.

54. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a database management system and a record in the database management system.

55. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the data specifier comprises a URL.

56. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the method implemented by the driver further comprises providing a change interface to a user whereby new electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier to change the data specifier.

57. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the reference identifier is unrelated to the electronically-accessible data.

58. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the user interface is provided to dynamically associate electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier

59. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored on the computing device.

60. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored remotely from the computing device.

61. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is created when the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier.

62. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is a record in a database management system.

63. The driver as defined in claim 43 wherein the electronically-accessible data is an electronic document.

64. A method for accessing electronically-accessible data through the use of a pre-printed machine-readable graphical code, the method comprising:

providing a pre-printed machine-readable graphical code unrelated to the electronically-accessible data, the pre-printed machine-readable graphical code corresponding to a reference identifier;

dynamically assigning the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code to an object;

scanning the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code;

receiving graphical code data from a graphical code reading device in electronic communication with a computing device;

determining the reference identifier of the graphical code data;

dynamically associating the electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier by assigning a data specifier to the reference identifier and storing the data specifier in the database with the reference identifier;

scanning the pre-printed machine-readable graphical-code after having associated the electronically-accessible data with the reference identifier;

receiving graphical code data from a graphical code reading device in electronic communication with a computing device;

determining the reference identifier of the graphical code data;

retrieving the data specifier from the database using the reference identifier; and

accessing the electronically-accessible data identified by the data specifier associated with the reference identifier in the database.

65. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a file.

66. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program.

67. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a chooser to select a program and program arguments.

68. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a field for entering a URL.

69. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by enabling the user to select a record in a database management system.

70. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier by providing to the user a drag-and-drop interface.

71. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the data specifier comprises a file.

72. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the data specifier comprises a program.

73. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the data specifier comprises a program and program arguments.

74. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a record in a database system.

75. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the data specifier comprises a database record identifier that specifies a database management system and a record in the database management system.

76. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the data specifier comprises a URL.

77. The method as defined in claim 64 further comprising providing a change interface to a user whereby new electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier to change the data specifier.

78. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored on the computing device.

79. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is stored remotely from the computing device.

80. The method as defined in claim 64 further comprising creating the electronically-accessible data when the electronically-accessible data is associated with the reference identifier.

81. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is a record in a database management system.

82. The method as defined in claim 64 wherein the electronically-accessible data is an electronic document.