System and method for encoding and decoding data and references to data in machine-readable graphical codes

• US 7,428,981 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2005
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Code Corporation (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Hepworth, Paul J., Yatsenko, Dimitri V.
• Primary Examiner(s): CAPUTO, LISA M
• Application Number:
  US11/209,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20060032920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.25, 235/375, 235/462.01, 235/494, 235/487, 705/23
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06 characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence

Abstract

A system for decoding machine-readable graphical codes is provided. The system includes a graphical code reading device configured to read a graphical code and generate reference encoded source data. The reference encoded source data includes a first reference identifier and a second portion. The system also includes a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device. The computing device also includes a reference decoder configured to effect conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data. The source data includes first affiliated data in place of the first reference identifier. The first affiliated data may be longer in length than the first reference identifier. The source data also includes the second portion. The computing device also includes a software application configured to use the source data.

Claims

1. A method for decoding machine-readable graphical codes, comprising:

receiving reference encoded source data, the reference encoded source data comprising a first reference identifier and a second portion;

effecting conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data, the source data comprising first affiliated data in place of the first reference identifier, the source data further comprising the second portion, wherein the first reference identifier is shorter in length than the first affiliated data; and

making the source data available to a software application.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein effecting conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data comprises:

locating a reference database that contains the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data; and

retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data are associated with a cache period.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein locating the reference database comprises:

looking for the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data in a first reference database; and

locating the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data in a second reference database.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first affiliated data is dynamically changeable.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the reference database is stored on a server, and wherein locating the reference database comprises establishing communication with the server over a network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data are stored in a first record in the reference database, and wherein retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database comprises downloading the first record from the server.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising associating an expiration date with the first record.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the reference database further comprises a second record, the second record comprising a second reference identifier and second affiliated data, the second affiliated data being associated with the second reference identifier, and wherein retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database further comprises downloading the second record from the server.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the reference database is stored on a first server and on a second server, and wherein locating the reference database comprises:

attempting to establish communication with the first server over a network; and

establishing communication with the second server over the network.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first reference identifier does not include a terminating symbol.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference encoded source data comprises a reference encoded URL, wherein the source data comprises a URL, wherein the software application comprises a web browser, and wherein effecting conversion of the reference encoded URL into the URL comprises:

sending the reference encoded URL to a dynamic web server as part of a file request; and

receiving a web file from the dynamic web server, the web file comprising the URL, the web file further comprising a refresh tag which causes the web browser to access a web page corresponding to the URL.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the reference encoded source data further comprises a substitution tag, and further comprising substituting dynamic data for the substitution tag.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the dynamic data comprises a user identifier.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the dynamic data comprises a serial number of a graphical code reading device.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the dynamic data comprises a resolution of a display screen.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the dynamic data comprises an operating system identifier.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the dynamic data comprises a CD drive designation.

19. A system for decoding machine-readable graphical codes, comprising:

a graphical code reading device configured to read a graphical code and generate reference encoded source data, the reference encoded source data comprising a first reference identifier and a second portion; and

a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device, the computing device comprising;

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor;

a communications port in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the graphical code reading device;

a reference decoder configured to effect conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data, the source data comprising first affiliated data in place of the first reference identifier, the source data further comprising the second portion, wherein the first reference identifier is shorter in length than the first affiliated data; and

a software application configured to use the source data.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the reference decoder effects conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data by:

locating a reference database that contains the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data; and

retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data are associated with a cache period.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein locating the reference database comprises:

looking for the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data in a first reference database; and

locating the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data in a second reference database.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the first affiliated data is dynamically changeable.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the reference database is stored on a server, and wherein locating the reference database comprises establishing communication with the server over a network.

25. The system of claim 20, wherein the reference database is stored on a first server and on a second server, and wherein locating the reference database comprises:

attempting to establish communication with the first server over a network; and

establishing communication with the second server over the network.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data are stored in a first record in the reference database, and wherein retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database comprises downloading the first record from the server.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the reference decoder is further configured to associate an expiration date with the first record.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the computing device further comprises a cache in electronic communication with the reference decoder, wherein the first reference identifier and the first affiliated data are stored in a first record in the reference database, and wherein retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database comprises downloading the first record from the server and storing the first record in the cache.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the reference database further comprises a second record, the second record comprising a second reference identifier and second affiliated data, the second affiliated data being associated with the second reference identifier, and wherein retrieving the first affiliated data from the reference database further comprises downloading the second record from the server and storing the second record in the cache.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the reference database is stored on a first server and on a second server, and wherein locating the reference database comprises:

attempting to establish communication with the first server over a network; and

establishing communication with the second server over the network.

31. The system of claim 19, wherein the first reference identifier does not include a terminating symbol.

32. The system of claim 19, wherein the reference encoded source data comprises a reference encoded URL, wherein the source data comprises a URL, wherein the software application comprises a web browser, and wherein the reference decoder effects conversion of the reference encoded URL into the URL by sending the reference encoded URL to the web browser, the web browser being configured to:

send the reference encoded URL to a dynamic web server as part of a file request; and

receive a web file from the dynamic web server, the web file comprising the URL, the web file further comprising a refresh tag which causes the web browser to access a web page corresponding to the URL.

33. The system of claim 19, wherein the reference decoder is contained within the graphical code reading device.

34. The system of claim 19, wherein the reference encoded source data further comprises a substitution tag, and wherein the computing device is configured to substitute dynamic data for the substitution tag.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the dynamic data comprises a user identifier.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the dynamic data comprises a serial number of a graphical code reading device.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the dynamic data comprises a resolution of a display screen.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the dynamic data comprises an operating system identifier.

39. The system of claim 34, wherein the dynamic data comprises a CD drive designation.

40. A method for decoding a machine-readable graphical code, comprising:

scanning a machine-readable graphical code to create reference encoded source data, the reference encoded source data comprising a reference identifier and an encoded second portion;

converting the reference encoded source data into source data by;

replacing the reference identifier with first affiliated data;

replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion, the unrecognizable second portion being unrecognizable to a graphical code generator used to create the machine-readable graphical code, wherein the encoded second portion comprises a plurality of encoded symbols from a symbol set that may be recognized by the graphical code generator, and wherein replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion comprises;

locating a first reserved symbol in the reference encoded source data, the first reserved symbol indicating a beginning of the encoded second portion; and

decoding each encoded symbol in the encoded second portion; and

providing the source data to the software application.

41. A method for decoding a machine-readable graphical code, comprising:

scanning a machine-readable graphical code to create reference encoded source data, the reference encoded source data comprising a reference identifier and an encoded second portion;

converting the reference encoded source data into source data by;

replacing the reference identifier with first affiliated data;

replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion, the unrecognizable second portion being unrecognizable to a graphical code generator used to create the machine-readable graphical code, wherein the encoded second portion comprises a plurality of encoded symbols from a symbol set that may be recognized by the graphical code generator, and wherein replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion comprises;

locating a first reserved symbol in the reference encoded source data, the first reserved symbol indicating a beginning of the encoded second portion;

locating a first width identifier in the reference encoded source data, the first width identifier indicating the number of encoded symbols in the encoded second portion; and

decoding a number of encoded symbols in the encoded second portion, the number being equal to the first width identifier; and

providing the source data to the software application.

42. A system for decoding a machine-readable graphical code, comprising:

a graphical code reading device configured to scan a machine-readable graphical code to create reference encoded source data, the reference encoded source data comprising a reference identifier and an encoded second portion; and

a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device, the computing device comprising;

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor;

a communications port in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the graphical code reading device;

a reference decoder configured to convert the reference encoded source data into source data by replacing the reference identifier with first affiliated data and replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion, the unrecognizable second portion being unrecognizable to a graphical code generator used to create the machine-readable graphical code, wherein the encoded second portion comprises a plurality of encoded symbols from a symbol set that may be recognized by the graphical code generator, and wherein replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion comprises;

locating a first reserved symbol of the plurality of reserved symbols in the reference encoded source data, the first reserved symbol indicating a beginning of the encoded second portion; and

decoding each encoded symbol in the encoded second portion; and

a software application configured to receive the source data from the reference decoder.

43. A system for decoding a machine-readable graphical code, comprising:

a graphical code reading device configured to scan a machine-readable graphical code to create reference encoded source data, the reference encoded source data comprising a reference identifier and an encoded second portion; and

a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device, the computing device comprising;

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor;

a communications port in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the graphical code reading device;

a reference decoder configured to convert the reference encoded source data into source data by replacing the reference identifier with first affiliated data and replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion, the unrecognizable second portion being unrecognizable to a graphical code generator used to create the machine-readable graphical code, wherein the encoded second portion comprises a plurality of encoded symbols from a symbol set that may be recognized by the graphical code generator, and wherein replacing the encoded second portion with an unrecognizable second portion comprises;

locating a first reserved symbol of the plurality of reserved symbols in the reference encoded source data, the first reserved symbol indicating a beginning of the encoded second portion;

locating a first width identifier in the reference encoded source data, the first width identifier indicating the number of encoded symbols in the encoded second portion; and

decoding a number of encoded symbols in the encoded second portion, the number being equal to the first width identifier; and

a software application configured to receive the source data from the reference decoder.

44. A method for decoding a machine-readable graphical code into source data that may be used by a software application, comprising:

scanning the machine-readable graphical code to create generic source data, the generic source data comprising a substitution tag;

converting the generic source data into the source data by substituting dynamic data for the substitution tag, wherein the dynamic data is selected from the group consisting of a user identifier, a serial number of a graphical code reading device, a resolution of a display screen, an operating system identifier, and a CD drive designation; and

making the source data available to the software application.

45. A method for decoding a machine-readable graphical code, comprising:

scanning a machine-readable graphical code to create alternate encoded source data, the alternate encoded source data comprising an alternate encoded portion;

converting the alternate encoded source data into source data by replacing the alternate encoded portion with an unrecognizable portion, the unrecognizable portion being unrecognizable to a graphical code generator used to create the machine-readable graphical code, wherein the alternate encoded portion comprises a plurality of encoded symbols from a symbol set that may be recognized by the graphical code generator, and wherein replacing the alternate encoded portion with an unrecognizable portion comprises;

locating a first reserved symbol in the alternate encoded source data, the first reserved symbol indicating a beginning of the alternate encoded portion; and

decoding each encoded symbol in the alternate encoded portion; and

providing the source data to the software application.