Apparatus and method for reading and decoding information contained in a barcode

• US 7,410,099 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2004
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Inventors: Kamiya, Dai, Wakabayashi, Tatsuaki, Kimura, Rika, Fukasawa, Mika
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Seung H
• Application Number:
  US10/862,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20050011958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.25, 235/375, 235/462.01, 235/462.08, 235/462.09, 235/462.1, 235/462.46, 235/472.01, 235/494, 705/64
• US Class Current: 235/462.09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1095 the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2755 by optical scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32133 on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping

Abstract

An image output device inputs content information, generates a barcode by encoding input content information, and outputs print data so that a sign visually indicating a property of the content information is printed adjacent to the generated barcode or by superimposing the sign on the generated barcode.

Claims

1. A mobile station comprising:

a detector for sensing information contained within a two-dimensional barcode;

a decoder for decoding said sensed information;

a screen for displaying said sensed and decoded information;

said sensed information including the same information in a plurality of different forms;

a selector for preferentially determining which of said plurality of different forms will be displayed on said screen; and

wherein

said mobile station includes a trigger programmed therein for prompting said selector to preferentially determine which of said plurality of different forms will be displayed on said screen.

2. A mobile station as defined by claim 1 wherein said mobile station includes at least one user attribute information programmed therein.

3. A mobile station as defined by claim 1 wherein said selector employs said at least one user attribute information to aid in preferentially determining which of said plurality of different forms will be displayed on said screen.

4. A mobile station as defined by claim 1 further including a telephone function.

5. A mobile station as defined by claim 1 further including a web browsing function.

6. A mobile station as defined by claim 1 further including a data exchange function.

7. A method for producing a display containing a two-dimensional barcode comprising the steps of:

determining information to be contained within said two-dimensional barcode;

generating said two-dimensional barcode having said information defined thereby;

generating an indicator identifying an attribute of said two-dimensional barcode; and

producing a display containing said two-dimensional barcode and said indicator positioned adjacent to said two-dimensional barcode.

8. A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said step of producing a display includes producing a documentary display.

9. A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said step of producing a display includes producing an electronic display.

10. A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said step of producing a display includes producing a display such that said two-dimensional barcode is readable by a mobile station.

11. A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said step of generating said two-dimensional barcode includes providing the same information in at least two different formats.

12. A method for using a mobile station to read and display information related to a two-dimensional barcode, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile station having a detector for sensing information contained within a two-dimensional barcode;

decoder for decoding said sensed information; and

a screen for displaying said sensed and decoded information;

presenting a display that contains said two-dimensional barcode and an indicator located adjacent to said barcode that identifies an attribute thereof;

reviewing said indicator to determine whether or not said mobile station is compatible with said two-dimensional barcode;

detecting said two-dimensional barcode;

decoding information defined by said two-dimensional barcode; and

displaying said detected and decoded information.

13. A method as defined by claim 12 wherein said step of presenting a display includes providing a trigger embedded in said two-dimensional barcode for prompting said mobile station to decode information detected thereby.

14. A method as defined by claim 12 wherein said mobile station further includes a trigger programmed therein for prompting said mobile station to decode information detected thereby.

15. A method as defined by claim 12 wherein said two dimensional barcode includes the same information in at least two different formats;

and said step of decoding further includes selecting one of said at least two different formats.

16. A method as defined by claim 12 comprising the additional step of causing said mobile station to communicate with a server having stored therein a plurality of URL'"'"'s matchable with URL'"'"'s contained within said two-dimensional barcode and also matchable with user preferences stored in said mobile station.

17. A mobile station comprising:

detector means for sensing information contained within a two-dimensional barcode;

decoder means for interpreting said sensed information;

a screen means for displaying said sensed and decoded information;

said sensed information including the same information in a plurality of different forms;

selector means for preferentially determining which of said plurality of different forms will be displayed on said screen;

trigger means for prompting said selector means to preferentially determine which of said plurality of different forms will be displayed on said screen.

18. A method for using a mobile station to read and display information related to a two-dimensional barcode, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile station having detecting means for sensing information contained within a two-dimensional barcode;

decoder means for interpreting said sensed information; and

screen means for displaying said sensed and decoded information;

presenting a display that contains said two-dimensional barcode and indicator means located adjacent to said barcode for identifying an attribute thereof;

reviewing said indicator means to determine whether or not said mobile station is compatible with said two-dimensional barcode;

detecting said two-dimensional barcode;

decoding information defined by said two-dimensional barcode; and

displaying said detected and decoded information.

19. A system for obtaining content information from a barcode, said system comprising:

a display having at least one two-dimensional barcode shown thereon; and

at least one indicator identifying an attribute of said two dimensional barcode also shown on said display adjacent to said two-dimensional barcode, a mobile station having a detector for reading and decoding script data embodied in said two-dimensional barcode, and at least two descriptors one of which is displayed by said mobile station.

20. A system as defined by claim 19 wherein one of said barcode and said mobile station includes a trigger for prompting said mobile station to attempt to display one of said at least two descriptors.

21. A system as defined by claim 19 wherein said at least two descriptors are URL'"'"'s.

22. A system as defined by claim 19 wherein said at least two descriptors each contain the same information but in different languages.