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US6012102A
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System using machine-readable printed symbols created from encoded data resource specifiers to establish connection to data resource on data communications network
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
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Filing: 1996-04-02
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Granted: 2000-01-04
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Expires: 2016-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Access to data resources on data communications networks is simplified by encoding data resource identifiers into a machine-readable printed symbol which can be scanned into a computer-based data communications terminal. The machine-readable printed symbol can be a bar code or in the form obtainable with any other printed encoding technology which encodes digital information in printed form so that it can be electronically read. Once the symbolic representation of the data resource specifier is read into the computer, software running on the computer can use a data resource identifier to access internet resources. Various features are directed to compressing the size of the data resource identifier to fit within a short symbol such as a bar code on a business card.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuval Shachar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06F16/9554
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for accessing a network data resource without manual entry of a resource specifier, for use with a machine-readable printed symbol encoded with a data resource specifier identifying a virtual location of a data resource on a data communications network where there is insufficient physical space for encoding the entire data resource specifier on said printed symbol, comprising: means for creating a reduced data resource specifier by replacing character sequences in said resource specifier string with corresponding tokens representing at least one of said character sequences, wherein said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a compressed format; an electronic scanning mechanism for reading and decoding said machine-readable printed symbol to retrieve said reduced data resource specifier encoded therein, and for providing an electronic signal representative of said reduced data resource specifier; a computer connected to said electronic scanning mechanism for receiving said electronic signal, said computer being responsive to application software residing thereupon to operate on said electronic signal under control of said application software; and a network interface connected to said computer for establishing communication with said data communications network for the purpose of accessing said data resource whose virtual location is identified by said reduced data resource specifier.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for accessing a network data resource without manual entry of a resource specifier, for use with a machine-readable printed symbol encoded with a data resource specifier identifying a virtual location of a data resource on a data communications network where there is insufficient physical space for encoding the entire data resource specifier on said printed symbol, comprising: means for creating a reduced data resource specifier by replacing character sequences in said resource specifier string with corresponding tokens representing at least one of said character sequences, wherein said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a compressed format; an electronic scanning mechanism for reading and decoding said machine-readable printed symbol to retrieve said reduced data resource specifier encoded therein, and for providing an electronic signal representative of said reduced data resource specifier; a computer connected to said electronic scanning mechanism for receiving said electronic signal, said computer being responsive to application software residing thereupon to operate on said electronic signal under control of said application software; and a network interface connected to said computer for establishing communication with said data communications network for the purpose of accessing said data resource whose virtual location is identified by said reduced data resource specifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said machine-readable printed symbol is a bar code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said printed symbol is an encoded Internet Universal Resource Locator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said printed symbol is an encoded E-mail address.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a partially takenized format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a format which includes a numerical network site identifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein: said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a format which includes a numerical resource identifier.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of encoding a data resource specifier without manual entry of said resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol where there is insufficient physical space for encoding the entire data resource specifier on said printed symbol, comprising: providing a resource specifier string that identifies a virtual location of a data resource on a data communications network; providing a set of uniquely identifiable tokens for representing specific character sequences, each of said tokens representing a specific character sequence; creating a reduced resource specifier by replacing character sequences in said resource specifier string with corresponding tokens representing those character sequences; and encoding said reduced resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a compressed format.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of encoding a data resource specifier without manual entry of said resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol where there is insufficient physical space for encoding the entire data resource specifier on said printed symbol, comprising: providing a resource specifier string that identifies a virtual location of a data resource on a data communications network; providing a set of uniquely identifiable tokens for representing specific character sequences, each of said tokens representing a specific character sequence; creating a reduced resource specifier by replacing character sequences in said resource specifier string with corresponding tokens representing those character sequences; and encoding said reduced resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a compressed format.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein: one or more of said tokens are provided for representing a protocol-name portion of said resource specifier string.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein: one or more of said tokens are provided for representing commonly-occurring sequences of characters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising: encoding a network site identification into said reduced resource specifier as a numerical host ID.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising: encoding a resource identifier into said reduced resource specifier as a numerical resource ID.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein: said machine-readable printed symbol is a bar code.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of encoding a data resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol without manual entry of said resource specifier, where there is insufficient physical space for encoding the entire data resource specifier on said printed symbol and using the symbol to access a resource on a data communications network, comprising: providing a resource specifier string that identifies a virtual location of said data resource on the data communications network; providing a set of uniquely identifiable tokens for representing specific character sequences, each of said tokens representing a specific character sequence; creating a reduced resource specifier by replacing character sequences in said resource specifier string with corresponding tokens representing those character sequences; encoding said reduced resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a compressed format; scanning said machine-readable printed symbol and decoding said symbol to retrieve said reduced resource specifier encoded therein; establishing a data communications session with said data communications network; and using said reduced resource specifier to access said data resource identified by said reduced resource specifier.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of encoding a data resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol without manual entry of said resource specifier, where there is insufficient physical space for encoding the entire data resource specifier on said printed symbol and using the symbol to access a resource on a data communications network, comprising: providing a resource specifier string that identifies a virtual location of said data resource on the data communications network; providing a set of uniquely identifiable tokens for representing specific character sequences, each of said tokens representing a specific character sequence; creating a reduced resource specifier by replacing character sequences in said resource specifier string with corresponding tokens representing those character sequences; encoding said reduced resource specifier into a machine-readable printed symbol said data resource specifier is encoded into the printed symbol in a compressed format; scanning said machine-readable printed symbol and decoding said symbol to retrieve said reduced resource specifier encoded therein; establishing a data communications session with said data communications network; and using said reduced resource specifier to access said data resource identified by said reduced resource specifier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein: one or more of said tokens are provided for representing a protocol-name portion of said resource specifier string.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein: one or more of said tokens are provided for representing commonly-occurring sequences of characters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising: encoding a network site identification into said reduced resource specifier as a numerical host ID.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising: encoding a resource identifier into said reduced resource specifier as a numerical resource ID.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein: said machine-readable printed symbol is a bar code.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |