US5661284A — Commercial transaction system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 130 words

A commercial transaction system comprising: a commercial transaction device including a fixed graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to a device holder, said graphic figurecode having no discernable relationship to said device holder, said graphic figurecode being at least substantially non-alphanumeric; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic figurecode for said device holder and identification information for said device holder; and a data link operably coupling the commercial transaction device and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader for the commercial transaction device adapted to access the graphic figurecode and transform said graphic figurecode into a read electronic version for comparison with the stored electronic version in said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 130 words

A commercial transaction system comprising: a commercial transaction device including a fixed graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to a device holder, said graphic figurecode having no discernable relationship to said device holder, said graphic figurecode being at least substantially non-alphanumeric; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic figurecode for said device holder and identification information for said device holder; and a data link operably coupling the commercial transaction device and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader for the commercial transaction device adapted to access the graphic figurecode and transform said graphic figurecode into a read electronic version for comparison with the stored electronic version in said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the commercial transaction device is a commercial transaction card.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system according to claim 2 wherein the commercial transaction card serves as one or more credit, debit, identification and bank automatic teller machine cards.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the graphic figurecode is a two-dimensional, visually discernable graphic figurecode.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the graphic figurecode includes no alphanumeric characters.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the computer system is adapted to store and manipulate transactional information associated with the commercial transaction device.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 43 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the computer system includes an identification verification computer system, which stores the stored electronic version of the graphic figurecodes, and a transactional computer system, which stores and manipulates transactional information associated with the commercial transaction device.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein said data link includes commercial telephone system lines.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein said reader is an optical reader.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system according to claim 9 wherein said graphic figurecode is a visually discernable graphic figurecode and said optical reader uses light in the visible light spectrum to read the graphic figurecode.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for selectively visually obscuring the graphic figurecode.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system according to claim 11 wherein the obscuring means includes means for forming the graphic figurecode so to be detectable using infrared light only.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system according to claim 1 wherein the information terminal is also adapted to transmit information to the computer system.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 156 words

A method for authenticating a commercial transaction device provided by a user in a commercial transaction comprising the following steps: creating a chosen fixed graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to the user while: ensuring that the chosen graphic figurecode has no discernable relationship to the user; and using substantially no alphanumeric characters; reading the chosen graphic figurecode; creating a read electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode; transmitting the read electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode to a computer system; comparing the read electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode to a plurality of stored electronic versions of a plurality of graphic figurecodes to determine if the stored electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode matches one of the stored electronic versions of the plurality of graphic figurecodes; and providing either a match/no match signal by the computer system according to whether there is or is not a match as a result of the comparing step.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 156 words

A method for authenticating a commercial transaction device provided by a user in a commercial transaction comprising the following steps: creating a chosen fixed graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to the user while: ensuring that the chosen graphic figurecode has no discernable relationship to the user; and using substantially no alphanumeric characters; reading the chosen graphic figurecode; creating a read electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode; transmitting the read electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode to a computer system; comparing the read electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode to a plurality of stored electronic versions of a plurality of graphic figurecodes to determine if the stored electronic version of the chosen graphic figurecode matches one of the stored electronic versions of the plurality of graphic figurecodes; and providing either a match/no match signal by the computer system according to whether there is or is not a match as a result of the comparing step.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 14 wherein the creating step creates a two-dimensional, visually discernable chosen graphic figurecode.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method according to claim 14 wherein the reading step is carried out at a point of a purchase.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method according to claim 14 wherein the transmitting step is carried out over commercial telephone system lines.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method according to claim 14 wherein the reading step is carried out using visible light.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method according to claim 14 wherein the match/no match signal is provided to an information terminal.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method according to claim 14 wherein: the transmitting step is carried out using a computer system with an identification computer system, which conducts the comparing step, and a transactional computer system; and the match or no match signal is provided to at least the transactional computer system.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 112 words

A product information system compromising: a product identifier region for a chosen product, said region including a product trademark; a graphic product I.D. figurecode, unique to and identifying the chosen product, incorporated into the product identifier region; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic product I.D. figurecode; and a data link operably coupling the chosen product and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader adapted to access the graphic product I.D. figurecode and transform said graphic product I.D. figurecode into a read electronic version for use by said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 112 words

A product information system compromising: a product identifier region for a chosen product, said region including a product trademark; a graphic product I.D. figurecode, unique to and identifying the chosen product, incorporated into the product identifier region; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic product I.D. figurecode; and a data link operably coupling the chosen product and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader adapted to access the graphic product I.D. figurecode and transform said graphic product I.D. figurecode into a read electronic version for use by said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

The product information system according to claim 21 wherein the product I.D. figurecode is other than a barcode.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 33 words

The product information system according to claim 21 further comprising a graphic trigger figurecode incorporated into the product identifier for providing an information-gathering instruction to the computer system relative to said chosen product.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 19 words

The product information system according to claim 21 wherein said information gathering instruction includes instructions to record transactional information.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 19 words

The product information system according to claim 21 wherein the product I.D. figurecode is incorporated into the product trademark.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 95 words

A method for obtaining point-of-sale information about a product comprising the following steps: providing a unique graphic I.D. figurecode at a product identifier region of a chosen product; providing a graphic trigger figurecode at the product identifier region of the chosen product, paid trigger figurecode corresponding to selected point-of-sale information to be recorded for the chosen product; reading the I.D. and trigger figurecodes from a chosen product using a data input device; and recording point-of-sale information about the chosen product according to trigger figurecode using a computer system operably coupled to the data input device.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 95 words

A method for obtaining point-of-sale information about a product comprising the following steps: providing a unique graphic I.D. figurecode at a product identifier region of a chosen product; providing a graphic trigger figurecode at the product identifier region of the chosen product, paid trigger figurecode corresponding to selected point-of-sale information to be recorded for the chosen product; reading the I.D. and trigger figurecodes from a chosen product using a data input device; and recording point-of-sale information about the chosen product according to trigger figurecode using a computer system operably coupled to the data input device.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 26 wherein the I.D. figurecode-providing step is carried out using a region encompassed by the product trademark as the product identifier region.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 27 wherein the I.D. figurecode-providing step is carried out by incorporating the I.D. figurecode into the design of the product trademark.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 26 wherein the trigger figurecode-providing step is carried out using a trigger figurecode corresponding to at least one of the following: date and time of sale, cost, form of payment, zip code of store.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method according to claim 26 wherein the I.D. figurecode is other than a bar figurecode.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 173 words

A commercial transaction system comprising: a commercial transaction device comprising: a graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to a device holder, said graphic figurecode having no discernable relationship to said device holder, said graphic figurecode being at least substantially non-alphanumeric; and a graphic trigger figurecode corresponding to a chosen start search location of a plurality of start search locations in the computer system to aid the search by the computer system for the stored electronic version of the graphic figurecode thus saving search time; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic figurecode for said device holder and identification information for said device holder; and a data link operably coupling the commercial transaction device and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader for the commercial transaction device adapted to access the graphic figurecode and transform said graphic figurecode into a read electronic version for comparison with the stored electronic version in said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 173 words

A commercial transaction system comprising: a commercial transaction device comprising: a graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to a device holder, said graphic figurecode having no discernable relationship to said device holder, said graphic figurecode being at least substantially non-alphanumeric; and a graphic trigger figurecode corresponding to a chosen start search location of a plurality of start search locations in the computer system to aid the search by the computer system for the stored electronic version of the graphic figurecode thus saving search time; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic figurecode for said device holder and identification information for said device holder; and a data link operably coupling the commercial transaction device and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader for the commercial transaction device adapted to access the graphic figurecode and transform said graphic figurecode into a read electronic version for comparison with the stored electronic version in said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system according to claim 31 wherein the graphic trigger figurecode is a 2-dimensional, visually discernable graphic trigger figurecode with an alphanumeric character.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 198 words

A commercial transaction system comprising: a commercial transaction device including a graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to a device holder, said graphic figurecode having no discernable relationship to said device holder, said graphic figurecode being at least substantially non-alphanumeric; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic figurecode for said device holder and identification information for said device holder; a data link operably coupling the commercial transaction device and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader for the commercial transaction device adapted to access the graphic figurecode and transform said graphic figurecode into a read electronic version for comparison with the stored electronic version in said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system; and a selective light blocking/transmitting layer overlying the graphic figurecode, said layer including an electric terminal so that when said electric terminal is coupled to a chosen source of electricity, said layer transmits light therethrough so to permit light access to the graphic figurecode and, when the electric terminal is disconnected from the chosen source of electricity, said layer effectively blocks light transmission therethrough to visually obscure the graphic figurecode.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 198 words

A commercial transaction system comprising: a commercial transaction device including a graphic figurecode uniquely corresponding to a device holder, said graphic figurecode having no discernable relationship to said device holder, said graphic figurecode being at least substantially non-alphanumeric; a computer system configured to store a stored electronic version of said graphic figurecode for said device holder and identification information for said device holder; a data link operably coupling the commercial transaction device and the computer system, said data link comprising: a reader for the commercial transaction device adapted to access the graphic figurecode and transform said graphic figurecode into a read electronic version for comparison with the stored electronic version in said computer system; and an information terminal adapted for at least receiving information from the computer system; and a selective light blocking/transmitting layer overlying the graphic figurecode, said layer including an electric terminal so that when said electric terminal is coupled to a chosen source of electricity, said layer transmits light therethrough so to permit light access to the graphic figurecode and, when the electric terminal is disconnected from the chosen source of electricity, said layer effectively blocks light transmission therethrough to visually obscure the graphic figurecode.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-08-25	2001-02-24	2001-08-26	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-08-25	2005-02-24	2005-08-26	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-08-25	2009-02-24	2009-08-26	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Commercial transaction system

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