Electronic Bar Code Device and Methods for Using Same

• US 20090108056A1
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IPocus, LLC
• Original Assignee: IPocus, LLC
• Inventors: Kroha, Michael, Faust, Michael K.
• Application Number:
  US12/245,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20090108056A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3274 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being displayed on the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02

Abstract

Consumers and patrons of service establishments often carry a plurality of plastic cards with bar codes affixed to them. Devices and methods are provided that permit a user to carry one device rather than a plurality of cards, and for business to capitalize on the ease with which these devices may be used.

Claims

1. An electronic device for displaying a tracking code, said device comprising:

a. a display means;

b. a computer program product, wherein said computer program product comprises an executable set of commands that enable a user

i. to select a tracking code, and

ii. to display said tracking code within said display means in a plurality of bar code formats; and

c. an electronic memory module, wherein said electronic memory module is configured to store a plurality of tracking codes, and said electronic memory module is operably coupled to said computer program product.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said display means is capable of displaying said bar code through non-reflective display media.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tracking codes represent numerical codes.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said computer program product is configured to display one bar code at a time.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said computer program product further comprises an executable set of commands that enable said user to review a list of descriptions of said plurality of electronic tracking codes.

6. The device of claim 5 further comprising a first input mechanism, wherein said user may use said first input mechanism to scroll through said list.

7. The device of claim 6 further comprising a second input mechanism, wherein said first input mechanism enables said user to scroll through said list in a first direction and said second input mechanism enables said user to scroll through said list in a second direction.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising a selection mechanism, wherein said selection mechanism enables said user to select from said descriptions of said tracking codes from within said list and thereby cause said device to display a selected tracking code as a bar code.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for connecting said device to a computer and said mechanism for connecting said device to said computer comprises a universal serial bus port.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said computer program product further comprises a time keeping module.

11. A method of accessing a tracking code for display and detection, said method comprising:

a. activating a device, wherein said device comprises

i. a display means,

ii. a computer program product, wherein said computer program product comprises an executable set of commands that enable a user

1. to select a tracking code and

2. to display said tracking code within said display; and

iii. an electronic memory module, wherein said electronic memory module is configured to store a plurality of tracking codes,

b. selecting a tracking code from said plurality of tracking codes thereby causing said tracking code to be displayed as a bar code; and

c. presenting said device to a detection apparatus and displaying said tracking code in a plurality of bar code formats.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein prior to selecting said tracking code, said user scrolls through a list of descriptions of said plurality of tracking codes.

13. A method for providing a user with a tracking code for display on an electronic device, said method comprising saving a tracking code on a device, wherein said device comprises:

a. a display means;

b. a computer program product, wherein said computer program product comprises an executable set of commands that enable a user

i. to select a tracking code, and

ii. to display said tracking code within said display means; and

c. an electronic memory module, wherein said electronic memory module is configured to store a plurality of tracking codes and is operably coupled to said computer program product.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said computer program product is configured to display said tracking code as a bar code.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said device is configured to display one bar code at a time.

16. The method according to claim 13 further comprising receiving said tracking code from said user prior to saving said electronic tracking code on said device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said receiving occurs through transmission over the Internet.

18. A method for facilitating consumer transactions, said method comprising:

a. storing a first tracking code and a first identifier on a device, wherein said device is capable of displaying said first tracking code as a first bar code and capable displaying said first identifier;

b. storing a second tracking code on said device, wherein said device is capable of displaying said second tracking code as a second bar code, wherein said second tracking code comprises or is associated with an expiration code, wherein said expiration code defines a period of time; and

c. selecting said first identifier, thereby causing said device to display said second bar code if said first identifier is selected within said period of time, and if said first identifier is selected not within said period of time, then displaying said first bar code.

19. The method according to claim 19, wherein said device comprises:

a. a display means;

b. a computer program product, wherein said computer program product comprises an executable set of commands that enable a user

i. to select a tracking code, and

ii. to display said electronic tracking code within said display means in a plurality of bar code formats;

c. an electronic memory module, wherein said electronic memory module is configured to store a plurality of tracking codes; and

d. a time module, wherein said time module is capable of tracking the elapsing of time.

20. A device for displaying bar codes, wherein said device comprises:

a. a plurality of bar code elements, wherein each bar code element comprises a first elongated flat face, a second elongated flat face and a third elongated flat face, wherein said first elongated flat face is colored with a first color and said second elongated flat face is colored with a second color, wherein said first color and said second color are not the same color and wherein each of said bar code elements may rotate along an elongated axis; and

b. a mechanism for controlling the position of each of said bar code elements around its axis.