Bar code dataform scanning and labeling apparatus and method

Claim 3

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the additional data is retrieved from a database remote from a location of the product.

Claim 4

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 1 including the additional step of providing a visual representation of the selected data comprising the two dimensional bar code dataform prior to producing the two dimensional bar code dataform.

Claim 5

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the additional data includes data related to a sales transaction involving the product.

Claim 6

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the sales transaction data includes the sales price of the product in the sales transaction.

Claim 7

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 1 including the additional step of modifying the selected data and using the modified selected data to produce the two dimensional bar code dataform.

Claim 8

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 6 wherein the step of modifying the selected data includes using a mathematical formula to modify at least a portion of the selected data.

Claim 11

The method of generating a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 8 wherein the selected additional data is stored Ina database remote from a location of the product and the step of obtaining the selected additional data includes retrieving the selected additional data from the database.

Claim 12

The method of generating a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product as set forth in claim 8 wherein the selected additional data includes a sales price of the product.

Claim 15

The method of generating a two dimensional bar code dataform label for a product using a scanning and labeling device as set forth in claim 11 wherein at least some of the sales transaction data is input to the device memory front a point of sale terminal.

Claim 16

The method of generating a two dimensional bar code dataform label for a product using a scanning and labeling device as set forth in claim 11 wherein the sales transaction data is input to the device memory from a remote database.

Claim 17

A bar code scanning and labeling apparatus for generating a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product incorporating selected data, the selected data including decoded product-related data from a bar code of the product scanned and decoded by the apparatus and additional data related to the product, the apparatus comprising: a) a microprocessor including data selection circuitry adapted to retrieve the selected data from a data storage means of the apparatus and to assemble the retrieved selected data into a format suitable for encoding by encoding/decoding circuitry into the two dimensional bar code; b) a scan engine electrically coupled to the microprocessor and, upon actuation, adapted to scan the bar code dataform; c) the encoding/decoding circuitry electrically coupled to the microprocessor and including: i) decoding circuitry for decoding the scanned bar code dataform into machine readable decoded data representing the scanned bar code; and ii) encoding circuitry for generating the two dimensional bar code dataform by encoding the selected data including the additional data; d) interface means coupled to the microprocessor or actuating the scan engine and for specifying the selected data; e) communication means electrically coupled to the microprocessor for transmitting data to and receiving data from a remote device at least a portion of the additional data being data received from the remote device; f) the data storage means electrically coupled to the microprocessor for storing the decoded data from the scanned bar code and data received from the remote device; and g) printing means for printing the two dimensional bar code dataform on a label.

Claim 18

A bar code scanning and labeling apparatus for generating a two dimensional bar code dataform for a product incorporating selected data, the selected data including decoded product-related data from a bar code of the product scanned and decoded by the apparatus and additional data related to the product, the apparatus comprising: a) a microprocessor including data selection circuitry adapted to retrieve the selected data from a data storage means of the apparatus and to assemble the retrieved selected data into a format suitable for encoding by encoding/decoding circuitry into the two dimensional bar code; b) a scan engine electrically coupled to the microprocessor and, upon actuation, adapted to scan the bar code dataform; c) the encoding/decoding circuitry electrically coupled to the microprocessor and including: i) decoding circuitry for decoding the scanned bar code dataform into machine readable decoded data representing the scanned bar code; and ii) encoding circuitry for generating the two dimensional bar code dataform by encoding the selected data including the additional data; d) interface means coupled to the microprocessor or actuating the scan engine and for specifying the selected data; e) communication means electrically coupled to the microprocessor for transmitting data to and receiving data from a remote device at least a portion of the additional data being data received from the remote device; f) the data storage means electrically coupled to the microprocessor for storing the decoded data from the scanned bar code and data received from the remote device; and g) printing means for printing the two dimensional bar code dataform on a label.

Claim 19

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus of claim 14 wherein the printing means includes structure coupled to the housing for supporting a roll of pressure sensitive labels releasably adhered to a carrier web.

Claim 20

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus of claim 14 wherein the communication means includes a transceiver for transmitting data to and from the remote device via RF data signals.

Claim 21

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus includes a display means for displaying human recognizable data representing the decoded data from the scanned bar code dataform and the selected data.

Claim 22

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus of claim 17 wherein the interface means includes circuitry for confirming the displayed selected data prior generation of the two dimensional bar code dataform.

Claim 23

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus of claim 14 wherein the scanning means is adapted to scan a one dimensional and a two dimensional bar code dataform.

Claim 24

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the microprocessor data selection circuitry retrieves selected data which is stored in the data storage means and utilizes the communications means to retrieve selected data stored in or accessible through the remote device.

Claim 25

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein the microprocessor includes processing means responsive to commands input through the interface means for modifying at least a portion of the selected data and wherein the modified selected data is incorporated into the two dimensional bar code dataform.

Claim 26

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein the interface means comprises a keypad.

Claim 27

The bar code scanning and labeling apparatus set forth in claim 14 wherein the interface means comprises an application program.

Claim 30

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for an item as set forth in claim 24, wherein at least a portion of the additional data is retrieved from a database at a location remote from the item.

Claim 31

The method of providing a two dimensional bar code dataform for an item as set forth in claim 24 wherein the additional data includes data representative of processing modifications made to the item.