Internet access of goods and services using graphical codes

• US 6,758,391 B1
• Filed: 11/18/1997
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Pickens, Thomas Boone III
• Primary Examiner(s): TREMBLAY, MARK STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US08/972,313
• Time in Patent Office: 2,422 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

An optical scanning system and method for scanning graphical codes on an object or media to obtain the Internet address that is represented by the graphical code. An Internet address is graphically encoded and is displayed on an object. The codes are then disseminated to the public, where users see the codes graphically encoded on objects or in media purchased or viewed by the public. Once the user determines that more information is desired, the user elects which option for code scanning is desired: automatic access to the Internet address represented by the graphical code, automatic storage of the Internet address represented by the graphical code into memory or automatic insertion of the Internet address represented by the graphical code into a query of a Web browser. The graphical code is then scanned by an optical scanner. The scanned graphical code is then transmitted to a computer where the graphical code is processed and the encoded Internet address is obtained. Once the encoded Internet address is identified, the elected option is then automatically executed and the Internet site is accessed.

Claims

1. An optical scanning system, comprising:

an object;

a two dimensional graphical code displayed on the object, wherein the graphical code comprises an encoded Internet address and additional information that is separate from the Internet address and that comprises a unique characteristic of the object;

scanning means for optically scanning the graphical code; and

a computer connected to the scanning means, the computer being configured to decode the scanned encoded Internet address and additional information and automatically send the decoded additional information to the Internet address.

2. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, further comprising communications means for connecting the computer to the identified Internet address.

3. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, where the communications means is a modem.

4. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, where the computer further comprises memory for storing the identified Internet address into the memory of the computer.

5. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, where the scanner further comprises memory for storing the encoded Internet address into the memory of the scanner.

6. The optical scanning system as in claim 5, where the scanner is detachably connected to the computer.

7. The optical scanning system as in claim 5, where the scanner is a wireless infrared scanner.

8. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, further comprising a Web browser having a query, where the identified Internet address is inserted into the query of the Web browser.

9. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, wherein the graphical code is displayed on an object, and wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of the item and a representation of the item.

10. The optical scanning system as in claim 1, where the graphical code is in the range about 2.12 to 7.06 millimeters in size.

11. An optical scanning system, comprising:

an object;

a two dimensional graphical code displayed on the object, the graphical code comprising an encoded Internet address and additional information that is separate from the Internet address and that comprises a unique characteristic of the object;

scanning means for optically scanning the graphical code;

processing means for decoding the scanned encoded Internet address and additional information; and

memory for storing the decoded Internet address and additional information.

12. A process for optically scanning graphical codes, comprising:

providing a two dimensional graphical code displayed on an object, wherein the graphical code comprises an encoded Internet address and additional information that is separate from the Internet address and that comprises a unique characteristic of the object;

an individual optically scanning the graphical code to generate optically scanned data;

decoding the scanned encoded Internet address and additional information; and

automatically sending the decoded additional information to the Internet address.

13. The process for optically scanning graphical codes as in claim 12, further comprising automatically storing the identified Internet address in the memory of the computer.

14. The process for optically scanning graphical codes as in claim 12, further comprising automatically inserting the identified Internet address into a query of a Web browser in the computer.

15. The process for optically scanning graphical codes as in claim 12, wherein the graphical code is displayed on an object, wherein the object comprises text having a text height, and wherein the graphical code is limited in height to the text height.

16. The process for optically scanning graphical codes as in claim 12, where the graphical code is in the range about 2.12 to 7.06 millimeters in size.