Polychromatic encoding system, method and device

• US 8,670,168 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2012
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Search and Social Media Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Search and Social Media Partners LLC
• Inventors: Harrison, Shelton E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burleson, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/441,577
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/2.1, 358/518, 380/280
• US Class Current: 358/518
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06028 using bar codes

Abstract

Disclosed is a polychromatic barcode or portable data file symbology, image, system, method, and apparatus enabling virtually unlimited information density. In a preferred embodiment, ASCII characters are assigned to unique identifiers, which identifiers are in turn assigned to unique colors. Color blots are sequentially arranged in a symbol so as to match the sequence of corresponding identifiers to be encoded, and then the symbol is applied to a surface. To decode, the symbol is scanned, colors translated into identifiers, and identifiers translated into content. Also disclosed are blots dedicated to calibration. Information density is further enhanced through an external reference function achieved through commands included in the barcode itself, by which function infinitely high information density is achieved. Licensing information is available through www.inventerprise.com.

Claims

1. A method for communicating information, comprising:

scanning, by a first scanner, a first symbol, wherein;

the first symbol comprises first information and second information;

the first information includes a location for third information; and

the third information indicates a meaning of the second information;

obtaining, via a first computer network, the third information; and

interpreting, by a processor, the second information using the third information, wherein;

the third information is modifiable by a user through a user interface communicatively coupled, via said first computer network, to the location.

2. The method in claim 1 additionally comprising:

receiving a fee.

3. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising:

granting access to the third information only when a fee has been received.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location includes a uniform resource locator (URL) identifying a web page address for the third information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the third information includes a vocabulary.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location is hosted by a server operated by an entity which charges a fee to a user in order to allow the user to access the third information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface requires a password in order to allow the user to modify the third information.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a password; and

granting access to the third information only when the password has been received.

9. A method for communicating information, comprising:

scanning, by a data capture device, a first symbol, wherein the first symbol contains first information and second information;

processing, by a computer, the first information to determine where to find third information, wherein the third information indicates a meaning of the second information;

obtaining, by way of a computer network, the third information;

interpreting, by a computer, the second information using the third information; and

allowing a user to modify, by way of said computer network, the third information and thereby alter the meaning of the second information without altering the first symbol, wherein;

the first information includes a location for the third information.

10. The method in claim 9 wherein said first symbol is affixed to a first surface of a first parcel.

11. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising:

calibrating according to a second symbol.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the third information includes a vocabulary.

13. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising:

hosting a first web submission form.

14. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising:

receiving a first fee payment.

15. The method of claim 9 additionally comprising:

receiving a first password.

16. A system comprising:

a first computer system;

a first database coupled to the first computer system;

a first scanner capable of scanning a first symbol that represents first information and second information, the first information including a location controlled by the first computer system;

wherein the first computer system is designed to retrieve third information from the first database, wherein the third information contains information used to understand the meaning of the second information; and

a first user interface configured to allow a user to modify the third information in the first database.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first computer system and the first database are controlled by a product manufacturer, wherein the product manufacturer produces products having the first symbol visible on the packaging of the products.

18. A method for communicating information, comprising:

receiving a request from a first automatic data capture device, wherein the request includes first information captured by said first automatic data capture device, the first information comprising a resource location;

allowing modification, by way of a first computer network, of second information through a user interface, wherein the second information includes a meaning for use in interpreting captured data;

using the first information to retrieve, by way of said first computer network, the second information; and

sending the second information, by way of said first computer network, wherein the second information is usable for interpreting third information captured by said first automatic data capture device.

19. The method in claim 18 wherein the first said first automatic data capture device is a barcode scanner.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving a password or fee; and

granting access to the second information after the password or fee has been received.

21. A system comprising:

a first representation, said first representation comprising a first part and a second part,

said first part of said first representation being different from said second part of said first representation, said first part of said first representation representing first data, said second part of said first representation representing second data, said second data comprising a first URL;

a first automatic identification device configured to access said first representation;

a first computer system communicatively coupled to a first computer network, said first computer system configured to retrieve third data by way of said first computer network from said first URL, as comprised in said second data, and to interpret said first data according to said third data, wherein;

said third data comprises a first assignment, said first assignment comprising at least one of the group consisting of;

(i) a color assignment comprising a relationship between (a) a first value or identifier and (b) a first color; and

(ii) a vocabulary assignment comprising a relationship between (a) a second value or identifier and (b) a first character string.

22. The system in claim 21 wherein said first automatic identification device is a first optical scanner or a first RFID reader.

23. The system of claim 21 additionally comprising:

a database mechanism configured to allow a first user to establish and modify said first assignment by way of said first computer network.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein said first computer system is further configured to modify a first resource according to a first command, said third data comprising said first command, said first command being selected from the group consisting of (i) a delete command and (ii) an insert command.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein said first representation comprises a third part of said first representation, said third part of said first representation comprises a calibration symbol;

and wherein said first representation comprises said first command.

26. The system of claim 21 wherein said first representation additionally comprises a first command and a second URL, said second URL being different from said first URL, and wherein said first computer system is further configured to retrieve fourth data by way of said second URL and to modify said fourth data according to said first command.

27. The system of claim 21 wherein said third data additionally comprises a first definition of a first variable, said first definition comprising a second URL, and wherein said system further comprises a first reference document, said first reference document being accessible by way of said second URL.

28. The system of claim 21 additionally comprising:

a first vocabulary; and

a second vocabulary, said first vocabulary being different from said second vocabulary, wherein;

said first vocabulary is a first standard vocabulary; and

said second vocabulary is a first non-standard vocabulary.

29. The system of claim 21 additionally comprising a second representation, wherein

said second representation is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a six-color, two-blot symbol;

(ii) a three-color, three-blot symbol;

(iii) a five-color, two-blot symbol; and

(iv) a four-color, three-blot symbol; and

wherein;

said third data comprises markup language, said markup language comprising said first assignment.