Barcode device

• US 7,578,443 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 08/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reflection Code LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BarTex Research, LLC
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C.
• Primary Examiner(s): WALSH, DANIEL I
• Application Number:
  US11/930,506
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.13, 235/462.15, 235/462.24, 235/462.25
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/23 Updating
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06056 the marking comprising a further embedded marking, e.g. a 1D bar code with the black bars containing a smaller sized coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06112 the marking being simulated using a light source, e.g. a barcode shown on a display or a laser beam with time-varying intensity profile
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10722 Photodetector array or CCD scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10881 constructional details of hand-held scanners
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes

Abstract

Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers.

Claims

1. A barcode reading system comprising:

an electronic communication receiving part receiving a barcode via an electronic communication;

a display screen displaying said barcode to a user on a display screen, wherein said barcode represents an image that was received via said electronic communication,

and where said barcode represents information about an occurrence that will occur in the future, said information including a date and a time, and wherein said barcode contains information from which said barcode can be verified,

and wherein said electronic communication receiving part includes a calendar program stored therein storing appointments indicative of calendar events, and automatically inputs information from said occurrence that will occur in the future, including said date and time, into said calendar program, responsive to scanning said barcode directly from said display screen.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said bar code is a 2 dimensional barcode with information that is indicative of said occurrence.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said barcode includes information that can be used to access a remote database of information to determine more information about the information defined by said barcode, and wherein said device sends said information to said remote database, and receives said more information to said device that has said display screen.

4. A method comprising:

receiving an electronic communication on a user computer, which electronic communication includes an event-defining bar code therein, said event-defining barcode representing information about an event that is to occur at a future time, including a date and a time of said event, wherein said future time is a time subsequent to a time of said receiving; and

using said computer for displaying said event-defining bar code on a displaying screen associated with said user computer,

directly scanning said barcode from said displaying screen;

using said computer for executing a calendar program stored therein that stores appointments indicative of calendar event and wherein execution of the calendar program automatically inputs information about said event at said future time, including said date and time, into said calendar program, responsive to said scanning.

5. A method as in claim 4, further comprising scanning said barcode directly from said displaying screen, to obtain said information about said event.

6. A method as in claim 4, wherein said electronic communication is an email.

7. A method as in claim 4, further comprising using a cellular phone with said bar code.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein said bar code is a 2 dimensional barcode with information that is indicative of said event.

9. A method as in claim 5, further comprising decoding said barcode to provide information indicative of what is represented by said barcode, and wherein said information uses verification by a verifying source of said what was represented by said barcode, and cannot be used without passing said verifying.

10. A method as in claim 4, further comprising using information in the barcode to access a database of information to determine more information about the information defined by said barcode, and wherein said database returns said more information to a device that is carrying out said displaying, and where only said information from said database is used as the content of said barcode.

11. A method comprising

receiving an electronic image of a bar code representing information indicative of an action, wherein said action defined by said barcode is an action that will occur at a future time, and wherein said information further represents a date and time of said action, said receiving said image of said barcode being over an electronic communication medium;

displaying the barcode on a display screen;

scanning the barcode directly from said display screen at the recipient through the use of a computer; and

using information obtained from said scanning directly from said display screen, to provide information indicative of said action, including said date and time on said computer,

wherein said computer includes a calendar program therein storing appointments indicative of calendar events,

and automatically inputting information about said action, including said date and time, into said calendar program, responsive to said scanning.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said electronic communication medium is a medium that can send an email.

13. A method as in claim 11, wherein said bar code is a 2 dimensional barcode with information that is indicative of said action.

14. A method as in claim 11, further comprising verifying said information using a verifying source remote from said recipient.

15. A method as in claim 11, further comprising using information in the barcode to access a database of information to determine more information about the information defined by said barcode, and wherein said database returns said more information to said recipient.