US6533168B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for computer-readable purchase receipts using multi-dimensional bar codes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-05-26
•
Granted: 2003-03-18
•
Expires: 2020-05-26
Abstract
Abstract An information entry and reporting system and method for tracking data associated with retail transactions at the point of sale. Transaction data is converted into a machine readable dataform pattern and printed onto a sales receipt provided to the purchaser. Subsequently, the purchaser uses a suitably configured scanning device to read the dataform pattern into his or her computer. Software algorithms decode the scanned dataform pattern, extract the transaction data and store it for subsequent analysis and reporting. The system includes a computer, software adapted to retrieve selected data, assemble the retrieved data in a format suitable for encoding and encode the data in a dataform pattern, a printer to print the encoded transaction data, a scanning device to capture the encoded data, software to decode the transaction data and software to display the data in human readable form.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter N. Ching
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:31
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06046; G06K19/06056; G06K17/00; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1439; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/047; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/20; G06Q20/209; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/06; G07; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/12; G07G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for encoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device capable of receiving transaction data from a data source; a data storage device in data communication with said processing device for storing data; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, said computer program being adapted to encode said transaction data into a predetermined pattern for subsequent use by an end user; and a device capable of generating said predetermined pattern on a substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
A system for encoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device capable of receiving transaction data from a data source; a data storage device in data communication with said processing device for storing data; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, said computer program being adapted to encode said transaction data into a predetermined pattern for subsequent use by an end user; and a device capable of generating said predetermined pattern on a substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined pattern comprises a dataform pattern, said dataform pattern being recognizable by a scanning device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein said data source comprises a cash register.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the act of generating said predetermined pattern comprises printing said dataform onto a paper receipt.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for encoding and decoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device in data communication with a transaction data source, said data processing device being capable of receiving transaction data from said source; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, and further adapted to categorize said transaction data received from said source into at least one category, and encode said data into a predetermined pattern; a device capable of generating said pattern onto a substrate; a scanning device capable of reading at least a portion of said pattern from said substrate; and a decoding device operatively coupled to the scanning device adapted to derive the encoded and categorized transaction data from said pattern.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
118 words
A system for encoding and decoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device in data communication with a transaction data source, said data processing device being capable of receiving transaction data from said source; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, and further adapted to categorize said transaction data received from said source into at least one category, and encode said data into a predetermined pattern; a device capable of generating said pattern onto a substrate; a scanning device capable of reading at least a portion of said pattern from said substrate; and a decoding device operatively coupled to the scanning device adapted to derive the encoded and categorized transaction data from said pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein said device capable of generating comprises a printer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein said scanning device comprises an electro-optic scanning device including a light source and detector array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 6 , wherein said decoding device comprises a second computer program, said second computer program being adapted to identify data within said predetermined pattern, and separate individual ones of said data based on said at least one category.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 8 , further comprising a database, wherein said individual ones of said data are stored within said database based at least in part on said at least one category.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 9 , wherein said decoding device is further adapted to recognize and decode annotations made on said substrate by a user, said annotations being used by said decoding device to further categorize said transaction data.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of encoding transaction data, comprising: entering said transaction data into one or more data fields adapted to receive such data; categorizing at least a portion of said transaction data according to at least one predetermined classification; encoding said transaction data into one or more predetermined patterns, said pattern adapted to be recognized by a scanning device; and affixing said pattern to a substrate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of encoding transaction data, comprising: entering said transaction data into one or more data fields adapted to receive such data; categorizing at least a portion of said transaction data according to at least one predetermined classification; encoding said transaction data into one or more predetermined patterns, said pattern adapted to be recognized by a scanning device; and affixing said pattern to a substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the act of entering comprises: receiving transaction data from a source; and entering portions of said data into respective ones of said data fields based at least in part on information contained within said transaction data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the act of categorizing comprises: examining two or more of said data fields; and assigning said transaction data to one or more categories based on which data fields said data is stored within.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of communicating transaction data, comprising: receiving said transaction data from a data source; categorizing said transaction data based on one or more predetermined classifications; encoding the transaction data into a dataform pattern; printing the dataform pattern onto a receipt; reading the dataform pattern from the receipt using a scanning device; decoding the dataform pattern to derive the categorized transaction data; and storing the decoded transaction data in a computer database.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of communicating transaction data, comprising: receiving said transaction data from a data source; categorizing said transaction data based on one or more predetermined classifications; encoding the transaction data into a dataform pattern; printing the dataform pattern onto a receipt; reading the dataform pattern from the receipt using a scanning device; decoding the dataform pattern to derive the categorized transaction data; and storing the decoded transaction data in a computer database.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the act of storing comprises storing at least one portion of said decoded transaction data in a different location than other portions of said data based at least in part on said one or more predetermined classifications.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: reading annotations made by a user from said receipt using said scanning device; and decoding said annotations to produce decoded annotations; wherein the locations within said database wherein individual ones of said transaction data are stored is based at least in part on said decoded annotations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein said annotations are decoded at least in part using an optical character recognition (OCR) computer program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
132 words
A scanning device useful for obtaining transaction data from a tangible medium having a dataform disposed thereon, said transaction data being adapted for use by an end user, comprising: a light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength; a positioning device for positioning said tangible medium with respect to said light source as a function of time; a light detector for detecting light generated by said source and reflected from said tangible medium, said dataform causing modulation of said reflection as said medium is positioned as a function of time by said positioning device, said light detector generating a signal related to modulation of said reflection; and a decoder operatively connected to said light detector, said decoder being adapted to decode said signal and extract transaction data therefrom.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
132 words
A scanning device useful for obtaining transaction data from a tangible medium having a dataform disposed thereon, said transaction data being adapted for use by an end user, comprising: a light source capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength; a positioning device for positioning said tangible medium with respect to said light source as a function of time; a light detector for detecting light generated by said source and reflected from said tangible medium, said dataform causing modulation of said reflection as said medium is positioned as a function of time by said positioning device, said light detector generating a signal related to modulation of said reflection; and a decoder operatively connected to said light detector, said decoder being adapted to decode said signal and extract transaction data therefrom.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
The scanning device of claim 18 , further comprising a data interface to a data processing device, said interface adapted to transfer said extracted transaction data from said scanning device to said data processing device for subsequent use by said customer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The scanning device of claim 19 , wherein said interface comprises a wireless interface, and said data processing device comprises a mobile device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for encoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device capable of receiving transaction data from a data source; a data storage device in data communication with said processing device for storing data; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, said computer program being adapted to encode said transaction data into a data format; and a data transfer device adapted to transfer said transaction data in said data format to a mobile device adapted to receive and store said transaction data.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for encoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device capable of receiving transaction data from a data source; a data storage device in data communication with said processing device for storing data; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, said computer program being adapted to encode said transaction data into a data format; and a data transfer device adapted to transfer said transaction data in said data format to a mobile device adapted to receive and store said transaction data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein said data transfer device comprises a wireless transceiver.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein said wireless transceiver comprises a transceiver compliant with the Bluetooth Standard.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein said wireless transceiver comprises a direct sequence spread spectrum transceiver.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 23 , wherein said transaction data includes data identifying at least one category associated with a given transaction.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for encoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device capable of receiving transaction data from a data source; a data storage device in data communication with said processing device for storing data; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, said computer program being adapted to encode said transaction data into a data format; and a data transfer device adapted to transfer said transaction data in said data format to a remotely located data processing device adapted to receive and store said transaction data.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
89 words
A system for encoding transaction data, comprising: a data processing device capable of receiving transaction data from a data source; a data storage device in data communication with said processing device for storing data; a computer program adapted to run on said data processing device, said computer program being adapted to encode said transaction data into a data format; and a data transfer device adapted to transfer said transaction data in said data format to a remotely located data processing device adapted to receive and store said transaction data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus adapted for transmitting transaction data from a first device to a second device, said first device being configured to generate said transaction data, the apparatus comprising: a data interface coupled to said first device, said data interface being adapted to receive said transaction data; a data encoder adapted to encode said transaction data according to a predetermined format; and a wireless transceiver in data communication with said encoder, said transceiver being adapted to at least transmit at least portions of said encoded transaction data in the form of radio frequency energy to said second device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus adapted for transmitting transaction data from a first device to a second device, said first device being configured to generate said transaction data, the apparatus comprising: a data interface coupled to said first device, said data interface being adapted to receive said transaction data; a data encoder adapted to encode said transaction data according to a predetermined format; and a wireless transceiver in data communication with said encoder, said transceiver being adapted to at least transmit at least portions of said encoded transaction data in the form of radio frequency energy to said second device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The Apparatus of claim 27 , wherein said transaction data comprises user annotations, and said data encoder is further adapted to encode said annotations in a form recognizable by said second device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The Apparatus of claim 27 , wherein said transaction data encoder is further adapted to encode said data according to one or more transaction classifications.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of transferring encoded transaction data, comprising: encoding data relating to at least one vendor/customer transaction at a first location; transmitting said transaction data to a server device; and transmitting said transaction data to a second location, said second location having data processing apparatus in communication with said server device and adapted for at least reading of said encoded transaction data by said customer.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of transferring encoded transaction data, comprising: encoding data relating to at least one vendor/customer transaction at a first location; transmitting said transaction data to a server device; and transmitting said transaction data to a second location, said second location having data processing apparatus in communication with said server device and adapted for at least reading of said encoded transaction data by said customer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein said act of transmitting said transaction data to a second location comprises: requiring said customer to authenticate to said server device; and allowing said customer to access said transaction data and transmit same to said second location only after said authentication is completed.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein said transaction data is accessible to both said vendor and customer after said act of transmitting to said server device is completed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein said act of encoding comprises classifying at least portions of said transaction data according to one or more predetermined categories.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of transferring and processing encoded transaction data, comprising: encoding data relating to at least one vendor/customer transaction at a first location, said act of encoding including encoding one or more customer annotations; and transmitting said encoded transaction data to a second location, said second location having data processing apparatus in communication with said first location and adapted for storing of at least portions of said encoded data based at least in part on said encoded annotations.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of transferring and processing encoded transaction data, comprising: encoding data relating to at least one vendor/customer transaction at a first location, said act of encoding including encoding one or more customer annotations; and transmitting said encoded transaction data to a second location, said second location having data processing apparatus in communication with said first location and adapted for storing of at least portions of said encoded data based at least in part on said encoded annotations.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of communicating transaction data, comprising: receiving said transaction data from a data source; categorizing said transaction data based on one or more predetermined classifications; encoding the transaction data into a dataform pattern; printing the dataform pattern onto a receipt; reading the dataform pattern from the receipt using a scanning device; decoding the dataform pattern to derive the categorized transaction data; and storing at least one portion of said decoded transaction data in a different location than other portions of said data based at least in part on said one or more predetermined classifications.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of communicating transaction data, comprising: receiving said transaction data from a data source; categorizing said transaction data based on one or more predetermined classifications; encoding the transaction data into a dataform pattern; printing the dataform pattern onto a receipt; reading the dataform pattern from the receipt using a scanning device; decoding the dataform pattern to derive the categorized transaction data; and storing at least one portion of said decoded transaction data in a different location than other portions of said data based at least in part on said one or more predetermined classifications.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of communicating transaction data, comprising: receiving said transaction data from a data source; categorizing said transaction data based on one or more predetermined classifications; encoding the transaction data into a dataform pattern; printing the dataform pattern onto a receipt; adding at least one user annotation; reading the dataform pattern and at least one annotation from the receipt using a scanning device; decoding the dataform pattern to derive the categorized transaction data; decoding said annotations to produce decoded annotations; and storing the decoded transaction data in a computer database based at least in part on said decoded annotations.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of communicating transaction data, comprising: receiving said transaction data from a data source; categorizing said transaction data based on one or more predetermined classifications; encoding the transaction data into a dataform pattern; printing the dataform pattern onto a receipt; adding at least one user annotation; reading the dataform pattern and at least one annotation from the receipt using a scanning device; decoding the dataform pattern to derive the categorized transaction data; decoding said annotations to produce decoded annotations; and storing the decoded transaction data in a computer database based at least in part on said decoded annotations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4114027A
Cited
US4251798A
Cited
US4360798A
Cited
US4387297B1
Cited
US4387297A
Cited
US4369361A
Cited
US4409470A
Cited
US4460120A
Cited
US4970655A
Cited
US5304786A
Cited
US5202552A
Cited
US5319181A
Cited
US5331176A
Cited
US5581630A
Cited
US5613783A
Cited
US5591956A
Cited
US5773806A
Cited
US5739512A
Cited
US6073118A
Cited
WO1998056589A1
Cited
US6305604B1
Cited
US6247645B1
Cited
US20010025341A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-03-17 | 2006-09-16 | 2007-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-17 | 2010-09-16 | 2011-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-17 | 2014-09-16 | 2015-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |