Method and apparatus for computer-readable purchase receipts using multi-dimensional bar codes
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Abstract
An information entry and reporting system and method for tracking data associated with retail transactions at the point of sale. Transaction data is converted into a machine readable dataform pattern and printed onto a sales receipt provided to the purchaser. Subsequently, the purchaser uses a suitably configured scanning device to read the dataform pattern into his or her computer. Software algorithms decode the scanned dataform pattern, extract the transaction data and store it for subsequent analysis and reporting. The system includes a computer, software adapted to retrieve selected data, assemble the retrieved data in a format suitable for encoding and encode the data in a dataform pattern, a printer to print the encoded transaction data, a scanning device to capture the encoded data, software to decode the transaction data and software to display the data in human readable form.
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Citations
52 Claims
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1-18. -18. (canceled)
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19. A method of processing a return transaction, the method comprising:
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reading a pre-existing receipt having a first symbol associated therewith;
wherein said first symbol is encoded with all transaction data needed to process said return transaction. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of processing a return transaction, comprising:
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reading a pre-existing first symbol, wherein said first symbol is encoded with a first portion of data needed to process said return transaction;
accessing a second portion of data needed to complete said processing; and
completing said processing of said return transaction using at least said first and second portions. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of correlating annotations to database entities, comprising:
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providing at least one annotation;
reading said at least one annotation using at least an algorithm, said algorithm converting said at least one annotation to computer-readable form; and
analyzing the computer-readable converted annotation for correlation to at least one database entity. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of transaction data transfer, comprising:
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providing a magnetically encodable medium;
encoding at a first location said medium with data relating to at least one transaction to produce first encodings, said data including at least one user-supplied annotation;
disposing the medium at a second location;
reading at least a portion of said first encodings at said second location to obtain at least portions of said data; and
processing said at least portions of data.
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36. A data format used for encoding transaction data, comprising:
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a first symbol;
a second symbol; and
a data element disposed at least partly between said first and second symbols, at least said data element adapted to encode said transaction data. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of determining the orientation of a data element used to encode transaction data, comprising:
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providing a first symbol proximate to said data element;
providing a second symbol proximate to said data element, said second symbol being heterogeneous to said first symbol;
determining the sequence of said first and second symbols with respect to said data element; and
determining said orientation of said data element based at least in part on said sequence. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method of efficiently processing encoded transaction data, comprising:
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providing a first symbol proximate to said encoded transaction data;
providing a second symbol proximate to said encoded transaction data;
determining the sequence of said first and second symbols with respect to said data element; and
selectively controlling the processing of said encoded transaction data based at least in part on said first and second symbols. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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50. A simplified transaction data processing system, comprising:
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a data processor;
a reader operatively coupled to said processor; and
a dataform comprising a plurality of symbols disposed in a predetermined order, at least one of said symbols comprising encoded transaction data;
wherein said processor and reader are configured to read and interpret said symbols in only said predetermined order, said configuration reducing the complexity thereof. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52)
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Specification