Patent US6871780B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6871780B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Scalable distributed database system and method for linking codes to internet information
Assignee: Descartes Systems Group Inc
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Filing: 2001-11-27
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Granted: 2005-03-29
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Expires: 2021-11-27
Abstract
Abstract An end-user is directed to a location on the Internet based on machine-readable codes scanned by the end user. The end-user is associated with at least one of the following: an end-user country selection, and end-user language selection, a service category, an access media type, and the presence of an access certificate. A database with a plurality of entries is provided. Each of the entries is associated with a machine-readable code and includes one or more different network addresses. Code information associated with the scans of machine readable codes made by the end-user is received at a network site. In response to the scan information, entries associated with the machine-readable codes scanned by the end-user are retrieved from the database. At least some of the entries include information irrelevant to the information associated with the end user. Only relevant entries are selected. The end user is connected with the network addresses selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaj Nygren
- 👤 Thomas Stephanson
- 👤 Roger Skagerwall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06F16/9554; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
267 words
A method for directing an end-user to a location on a network, the end-user being associated with at least one of an end-user country selection, an end-user language selection, a service category, an access media type, the access media type comprising at least two types of access media at least one of which comprises a bar code scanner, and presence of an access certificate, the method comprising: A. providing a database comprising a plurality of entries each of which is associated with a machine-readable code, wherein the entries comprise one or more different network addresses, the different network addresses being associated with different providers; B. receiving at a network site code information associated with one or more scans of machine readable codes made by the end-user with a remote scanning device; C. retrieving from the database, in response to the scan information, entries associated with the machine-readable codes scanned by the end-user, at least some of the entries comprising information irrelevant to at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate; D. based on at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category, the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate, selecting one or more network addresses from the retrieved entries; and E. connecting the end user with the selected one or more network addresses, wherein the entries further comprise one or more services, each service comprising a collection of network addresses grouped in accordance with at least one shared characteristic.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
267 words
A method for directing an end-user to a location on a network, the end-user being associated with at least one of an end-user country selection, an end-user language selection, a service category, an access media type, the access media type comprising at least two types of access media at least one of which comprises a bar code scanner, and presence of an access certificate, the method comprising: A. providing a database comprising a plurality of entries each of which is associated with a machine-readable code, wherein the entries comprise one or more different network addresses, the different network addresses being associated with different providers; B. receiving at a network site code information associated with one or more scans of machine readable codes made by the end-user with a remote scanning device; C. retrieving from the database, in response to the scan information, entries associated with the machine-readable codes scanned by the end-user, at least some of the entries comprising information irrelevant to at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate; D. based on at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category, the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate, selecting one or more network addresses from the retrieved entries; and E. connecting the end user with the selected one or more network addresses, wherein the entries further comprise one or more services, each service comprising a collection of network addresses grouped in accordance with at least one shared characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: F. sorting the one or more network addresses based on a provider indicated priority.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the shared characteristic comprises an identified profession.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the shared characteristic comprises a country of origin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the shared characteristic comprises a language.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the shared characteristic comprises an access media device type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the service category is indicated by the end user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the service category comprises a product-specific category.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the service category comprises a service-specific category.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the service category comprises a third party service provider category.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for directing an end-user to a location on a network, the end-user being associated with at least one of an end-user country selection, an end-user language selection, a service category, an access media type, the access media type comprising at least two types of access media at least one of which comprises a bar code scanner, and presence of an access certificate, comprising: a database comprising a plurality of entries each of which is associated with a machine-readable code, wherein the entries comprise one or more different network addresses, the different network addresses being associated with different providers; a network site that receives code information associated with one or more scans of machine readable codes made by the end-user with a remote scanning device; one or more processors that, in response to the code information, retrieve from the database entries associated with the machine-readable codes scanned by the end-user, at least some of the entries comprising information irrelevant to at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category, the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate; and that, based on at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category, the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate, select from the retrieved entries one or more network addresses: and that connect the end user with the selected one or more network addresses, wherein the entries further comprise one or more services, each service comprising a collection of network addresses grouped in accordance with at least one shared characteristic.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
267 words
A system for directing an end-user to a location on a network, the end-user being associated with at least one of an end-user country selection, an end-user language selection, a service category, an access media type, the access media type comprising at least two types of access media at least one of which comprises a bar code scanner, and presence of an access certificate, comprising: a database comprising a plurality of entries each of which is associated with a machine-readable code, wherein the entries comprise one or more different network addresses, the different network addresses being associated with different providers; a network site that receives code information associated with one or more scans of machine readable codes made by the end-user with a remote scanning device; one or more processors that, in response to the code information, retrieve from the database entries associated with the machine-readable codes scanned by the end-user, at least some of the entries comprising information irrelevant to at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category, the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate; and that, based on at least one of the end-user country selection, the end-user language selection, the service category, the access media type, and the presence of an access certificate, select from the retrieved entries one or more network addresses: and that connect the end user with the selected one or more network addresses, wherein the entries further comprise one or more services, each service comprising a collection of network addresses grouped in accordance with at least one shared characteristic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the processors further sort the one or more network addresses based on a provider indicated priority.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the shared characteristic comprises an identified profession.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the shared characteristic comprises a country of origin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the shared characteristic comprises a language.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the shared characteristic comprises an access media device type.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the service category is indicated by the end user.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the service category comprises a product-specific category.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the service category comprises a service-specific category.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the service category comprises a third party service provider category.
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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) | 2008-03-28 | 2008-09-27 | 2009-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-28 | 2012-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-28 | 2016-09-27 | 2017-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |