Universal identification system for printed and electronic media
First Claim
1. A method for providing a universal identification system for an article, the method comprising creating an identification tag uniquely associated with the article;
- and associating an identification tag with the article, such that the identification tag maintains the association when the article is transferred from a first location to a second location.
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Abstract
A method, system, and software for creating a universal identification system for articles of printed and electronic media. In one embodiment, identification tags are printed, affixed, or otherwise attached to articles of printed media in order to stamp these articles with ID tags that conform to a standard. These media identification tags, or media IDs, are used to definitively identify, catalog, and organize articles of printed media, and are easily scanned or otherwise read by any person or any entity with the aid of a portable and inexpensive electronic device. Once scanned, media IDs can be transferred to software and/or hardware that automatically catalogs and organizes the media ID'"'"'s, and provides numerous services related to management and retrieval of the media ID tags and associated articles of media. In another embodiment, identification tags are located with, or otherwise associated with articles of electronic media in order to stamp these articles with ID tags that conform to a standard. These electronic media identification tags, or media IDs, are used to definitively identify, catalog, and organize articles of electronic media. Software and/or hardware are used to generate and distribute the electronic media IDs. Similarly, software and hardware are used to collect, store, and organize electronic media IDs. In one embodiment of the invention, media ID software provides sophisticated cataloging and management of a user'"'"'s printed and electronic media IDs, and provides powerful search and retrieval capabilities.
135 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A method for providing a universal identification system for an article, the method comprising
creating an identification tag uniquely associated with the article; - and
associating an identification tag with the article, such that the identification tag maintains the association when the article is transferred from a first location to a second location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A media identification tag and media manager, comprising:
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a database configured to store a plurality of media identification tags and associated media, each media identification tag associated with an article of printed or electronic media;
a graphical user interface (GUI) configured to provide a user interface;
a media ID and media viewer configured to display or play any of the plurality of media ID tags and associated articles of media; and
a media search tool configured to select a media identification tag(s) and or media having an attribute(s) specified by a user. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for organizing information about articles of media, the method comprising
associating an identification tag with an article hosted on a web page, wherein the tag uniquely identifies the article, wherein the tag includes a plurality of fields, wherein a field includes information about the article to which the tag is associated; - and
transferring a portion of the fields from a first electronic device to a second electronic device.
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41. A method for organizing information about articles of media, the method comprising
associating an identification tag with an article hosted on a web page, wherein the tag uniquely identifies the article, wherein the tag includes a plurality of fields, wherein a field includes information about the article to which the tag is associated; - and
using the tag to obtain information about user preferences based on download activity of the associated article.
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42. A method for organizing information about articles of media, the method comprising
associating an identification tag with an article hosted on a web page, wherein the tag uniquely identifies the article, wherein the tag includes a plurality of fields, wherein a field includes information about the article to which the tag is associated; - and
using the tag to obtain information about publishing and distribution activity of the associated article.
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43. A method for organizing information about articles of media, the method comprising
using an application program to associate an identification tag with an article of media, wherein the tag uniquely identifies the article.
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45. An apparatus for scanning an identification tag, wherein the tag is associated with a printed or electronic media article, wherein the tag includes information to identify the article, the apparatus comprising
a processor; -
a scanner for obtaining information from the tag;
a memory component;
an interface component including direct and wireless connectivity;
user interface controls coupled to the processor to allow a human user to operate the apparatus; and
a display coupled to the processor for providing the user with a display of at least a portion of the contents of a selected tag.
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46. An apparatus for processing identification tags, wherein a tag is associated with a media article, wherein the tag includes information to identify the article, the tag further including a plurality of fields of information about the article, the apparatus comprising
means for processing the plurality of fields.
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47. A method for displaying information about articles of media, wherein an identification tag associated with an article of media includes a plurality of fields of information about the associated article of media, the method comprising
displaying primary and secondary subject classifications on a display device for presentation to a human user.
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52. A method for performing information searches associated with articles of media that have associated identification tags, wherein a tag associated with an article of media includes a plurality of fields of information about the associated article of media, the method comprising
defining an information layer for a unique subject classification in a database; - and
displaying a relationship of two or more layers on a display device. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54)
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Specification