Methods and apparatus for distributing supplemental information related to printed articles

• US 6,449,616 B1
• Filed: 10/22/1999
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Case, T. Scott, Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): COBY, FRANTZ
• Application Number:
  US09/422,719
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/2, 707/10, 707/104
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A method for readers of standard-length articles in magazines, newspapers, or similar printed media to purchase supplemental information on portions of information in the articles from publishers that print the articles, operators of electronic databases containing the supplemental information, or third party intermediaries handling requests for supplemental information. Embedded in the midst of the printed articles is a code that is physically positioned to identify a limited portion of information in the printed article. A reader may use the code to indicate further interest in supplemental information located in an electronic database, and to select a method of delivery whereby the supplemental information in the database can be delivered the reader.

Claims

1. A method of providing to a user supplemental information associated with a code, the code being placed in a printed article such that the code identifies a limited portion of information in the printed article, comprising:

receiving from the user an indication of the code through a communication network;

arranging for the supplemental information to be provided to the user; and

receiving from the user a selected method of delivery,

wherein said arranging comprises arranging for the supplemental information to be provided to the user through the selected method of delivery.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected method of delivery comprises at least one of:

(i) an electronic mail communication;

(ii) a facsimile communication;

(iii) a telephone communication;

(iv) an Internet protocol network communication; and

(v) a Web site communication.

3. A device for providing to a user supplemental information associated with a code, the code being placed in a printed article such that the code identifies a limited portion of information in the printed article, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device coupled to said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

receive from a user an indication of the code through a communication network;

arrange for the supplemental information to be provided to the user; and

receive from the user a selected method of delivery,

wherein the arranging comprises arranging for the supplemental information to be provided to the user through the selected method of delivery.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the selected method of delivery comprises at least one of:

(i) an electronic mail communication;

(ii) a facsimile communication;

(iii) a telephone communication;

(iv) an Internet protocol network communication; and

(v) a Web site communication.

5. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method for providing to a user supplemental information associated with a code, the code being placed in a printed article such that the code identifies a limited portion of information in the printed article, said method comprising:

receiving from the user an indication of the code through a communication network;

arranging for the supplemental information to be provided to the user; and

receiving from the user a selected method of delivery,

wherein said arranging comprises arranging for the supplemental information to be provided to the user through the selected method of delivery.

6. The medium of claim 5, wherein the selected method of delivery comprises at least one of:

(i) an electronic mail communication;

(ii) a facsimile communication;

(iii) a telephone communication;

(iv) an Internet protocol network communication; and

(v) a Web site communication.