US6199048B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network
Assignee: Nm LLC
•
Filing: 1999-01-15
•
Granted: 2001-03-06
•
Expires: 2019-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (“UPC”) numbers to Internet network addresses (or “URLs”). To access an Internet resource relating to a particular product, a user enters the prodoct's UPC symbol manually, by swiping a bar code reader over the UPC symbol, or via other suitable input means. The database retrieves the URL corresponding to the UPC code. This location information in then used to access the desired resource.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank C. Hudetz
- 👤 Peter R. Hudetz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06F16/9554; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/208; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/342; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/018; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/0601; G06Q30/0603; G06Q30/0623; G06Q30/0633; G06Q30/0641; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; G07F7/025; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 98
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of connecting a user computing device to one of a plurality of remote computers available for communication over a network comprising: a) reading a data carrier modulated with an index; b) accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer on the network; c) extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of connecting a user computing device to one of a plurality of remote computers available for communication over a network comprising: a) reading a data carrier modulated with an index; b) accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer on the network; c) extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reading a data carrier modulated with an index comprises the step of reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index comprises scanning a bar code symbol encoded with the index.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the bar code symbol is encoded in accordance with an extrinsic standard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index comprises using optical character recognition techniques.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the index is at least a portion of a Universal Product Code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the index is at least a portion of a EAN code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the index is at least a portion of an ISBN code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the index is at least a portion of an ISSN code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reading a data carrier modulated with an index comprises receiving a signal emanating from an article of commerce, the signal being modulated with the index.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reading a data carrier modulated with an index comprises inputting into the user computing device an audible signal modulated with information correlated to the index.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of inputting into the user computing device an audible signal modulated with information correlated to the index comprises the use of voice recognition techniques.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reading a data carrier modulated with an index comprises inputting into the user computing device an RF signal modulated with information correlated to the index.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reading a data carrier modulated with an index comprises accessing a magnetic card with a magnetic card reader.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of accessing a database and extracting a pointer therefrom are carried out on the user computing device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of accessing a database and extracting a pointer therefrom are carried out on a server computer located remotely from the user computing device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the database is distributed over more than one computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pointer comprises a network address.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pointer comprises a Uniform Resource Locator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pointer comprises the name of a remote computer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pointer comprises an IP address.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the index is comprised of a first field and a second field.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the step of accessing a database with an index comprises the steps of using only the first field of the index to access the database.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 wherein a plurality of indexes having the same first field and different second fields will result in extraction of the same pointer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 wherein the first field is a manufacturer identification number and the second field is a product identification number.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby is executed automatically by the user computing device without user intervention.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the automatic communication by the user computing device with the remote computer is executed by a web browser program running on the user computing device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby is executed by a user selecting hypertext link returned to the user computing device by the database.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the network over which the user computing device establishes communication with the remote computer is a wide area network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the wide area network is the Internet.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the wide area network is a proprietary online service.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the database is resident on an online service provider computer with which the user computing device has established direct communication.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the online service provider computer additionally provides a gateway to the Internet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein access to the database requires entry of a password.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the database is associated with a search engine.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
90 words
A system comprising: a. a user computing device; b. an input device associated with the user computing device, configured to read a data carrier modulated with an index; c. means for storing a database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer; wherein the user computing device comprises: means for accessing the database to extract a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and means for using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
90 words
A system comprising: a. a user computing device; b. an input device associated with the user computing device, configured to read a data carrier modulated with an index; c. means for storing a database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer; wherein the user computing device comprises: means for accessing the database to extract a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and means for using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the user input device comprises means for reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the means for reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index comprises means for scanning a bar code symbol encoded with the index.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 38 wherein the means for scanning a bar code symbol is adapted to scan a bar code symbol encoded in accordance with an extrinsic standard.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 37 wherein the means for reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index comprises means for using optical character recognition techniques.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of a Universal Product Code.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of a EAN code.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of an ISBN code.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of an ISSN code.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device is adapted to receive a signal emanating from an article of commerce, the signal being modulated with the index.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device comprises means for inputting into the user computing device an audible signal modulated with information correlated to the index.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 46 wherein the means for inputting into the user computing device an audible signal modulated with information correlated to the index is configured to utilize voice recognition techniques.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device comprises means for inputting an RF signal modulated with information correlated to the index.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the input device comprises means for reading a magnetic stripe card.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the means for storing a database is located on the user computing device.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the means for storing a database is located on a server computer located remotely from the user computing device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the means for storing a database is distributed over more than one computer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the pointer comprises a network address.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the pointer comprises a Uniform Resource Locator.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the pointer comprises the name of a remote computer.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the pointer comprises an IP address.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the index is comprised of a first field and a second field.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 57 wherein the means for accessing a database with an index comprises means for using only the first field of the index to access the database.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 58 wherein a plurality of indexes having the same first field and different second fields will result in extraction of the same pointer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 59 wherein the first field is a manufacturer identification number and the second field is a product identification number.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the means for using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby executes automatically by the user computing device without user intervention.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 61 wherein the automatic communication by the user computing device with the remote computer is executed by a web browser program running on the user computing device.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the means for using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby executes by a user selecting hypertext link returned to the user computing device by the database.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the network over which the user computing device establishes communication with the remote computer is a wide area network.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 64 wherein the wide area network is the Internet.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 64 wherein the wide area network is a proprietary online service.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 66 wherein the database is resident on an online service provider computer with which the user computing device has established direct communication.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 67 wherein the online service provider computer additionally provides a gateway to the Internet.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 36 wherein access to the database requires entry of a password.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 36 wherein the database is associated with a search engine.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
80 words
A user computing device comprising: a. an input device configured to read a data carrier modulated with an index; and b. computer processing means for executing a software program adapted to: utilize the index to access a database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer; retrieve from the database a pointer as a function of the index; and use the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
80 words
A user computing device comprising: a. an input device configured to read a data carrier modulated with an index; and b. computer processing means for executing a software program adapted to: utilize the index to access a database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer; retrieve from the database a pointer as a function of the index; and use the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
32 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the user input device comprises means for reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
40 words
The user computing device of claim 72 wherein the means for reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index comprises means for scanning a bar code symbol encoded with the index.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
31 words
The user computing device of claim 73 wherein the means for scanning a bar code symbol is adapted to scan a bar code symbol encoded in accordance with an extrinsic standard.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
36 words
The user computing device of claim 72 wherein the means for reading a light pattern emanating from an object and demodulating the light pattern to obtain the index comprises means for using optical character recognition techniques.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
27 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of a Universal Product Code.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
26 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of a EAN code.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
26 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of an ISBN code.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
26 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device is configured to read an index comprising at least a portion of an ISSN code.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device is adapted to receive a signal emanating from an article of commerce, the signal being modulated with the index.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device comprises means for inputting into the user computing device an audible signal modulated with information correlated to the index.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
34 words
The user computing device of claim 81 wherein the means for inputting into the user computing device an audible signal modulated with information correlated to the index is configured to utilize voice recognition techniques.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
25 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device comprises means for inputting an RF signal modulated with information correlated to the index.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the input device comprises means for reading a magnetic stripe card.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
27 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the software program is adapted to utilize the index to access a database located on the user computing device.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
32 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the software program is adapted to utilize the index to access a database located on a server computer remote from the user computing device.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
27 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the software program is adapted to utilize the index to access a database distributed over more than one computer.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
39 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the index is comprised of a first field and a second field, and wherein the software program is adapted to access a database with only the first field of the index.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
29 words
The user computing device of claim 88 wherein a plurality of indexes having the same first field and different second fields will result in extraction of the same pointer.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
30 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the software program is adapted to use the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby automatically without user intervention.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
33 words
The user computing device of claim 90 wherein the automatic communication by the user computing device with the remote computer is executed by a web browser program running on the user computing device.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
41 words
The user computing device of claim 71 wherein the software program is adapted to use the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby by using a user-selected hypertext link returned to the user computing device by the database.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
22 words
The user computing device of claim 71 , further adapted to establish communication with the remote computer over a wide area network.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
19 words
The user computing device of claim 93 further adapted to establish communication with the remote computer over the Internet.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
21 words
The user computing device of claim 93 further adapted to establish communication with the remote computer over a proprietary online service.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-05 | 2004-09-04 | 2005-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-05 | 2008-09-04 | 2009-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-05 | 2012-09-04 | 2013-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |