111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007070 1 03B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Melick et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,070,103 B2
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BAR CODE
`DATA INTERCHANGE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Bruce D. Melick, Cedar Rapids, IA
`(US); David M. Snyder, Cedar Rapids,
`IA (US); Leslie D. Baych, Cedar
`Rapids, IA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Tripletail Ventures, Inc., Cedar Rapids,
`IA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`JP
`
`5,579,537 A *
`5,682,030 A
`5,805,152 A *
`5,872,589 A *
`5,933,829 A *
`5,939,699 A *
`6,015,088 A *
`6,024,289 A
`6,036,094 A
`
`1111996 Takahisa ...................... 455/66
`10/1997 Kubon
`9/1998 Furusawa ................... 345/302
`2/1999 Morales ....................... 348/13
`8/1999 Durst eta!. ................... 707/10
`8/1999 Perttunen et al ....... 235/462.01
`112000 Parker eta!. .......... 235/462.01
`212000 Ackley
`3/2000 Goldman et a!.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`* 3/1994
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`40-6089362
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/753,863
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 3, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0195495 Al
`
`Dec. 26, 2002
`
`Product Profile: Hand Held Bar Code Scanner; Scan Plus
`1800 by Intermec Technologies Corporation.
`WelchAllyn Scanteam 3400 Series User's Guide, 1998.
`
`Primary Examiner-Thien M. Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McKee, Voorhees & Sease,
`P.L.C.
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/232,825, filed on Sep.
`15, 2000, provisional application No. 60/213,843,
`filed on Jun. 23, 2000, provisional application No.
`60/174,220, filed on Jan. 3, 2000.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06K 7110
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 235/462.01; 235/472.01
`(58) Field of Classification Search .............................. .
`235/462.01-462.45, 472.01, 472.02, 472.03,
`235/454,455,375,383,381,494,380
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,379,345 A *
`5,420,943 A
`
`111995 Greenberg
`5/1995 Mak
`
`380/23
`
`A new method and system for bar code data interchange
`includes a bar code scanner, such as a high scan rate LED
`scanner, and reads bar coded information from a video
`display. This bar coded information is scanned from the
`video display into a host device. The bar coded information
`may be sent to a user in a variety of ways, including over the
`Internet, any intranet, or any type of telephony network. The
`bar coded information may be viewed by the user on the
`video display as part of an e-mail message, as displayed on
`a web-page, or as displayed on television programming. The
`scanned bar coded information is decoded and may then be
`used. A first software program may have been used to create
`the bar coded information, and a second and distinct soft(cid:173)
`ware application may be used with the now decoded bar
`coded information.
`
`5 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`100-
`Video Displayed
`BarCode
`
`101-
`Off Screen
`Media
`Bar Code
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`102
`High Scan Rate LED Scanner
`
`103
`Decoder
`
`104-
`Output
`
`/
`
`108
`
`High Sea nRate,
`LEDBarC
`ode Reader
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 1
`
`IV Exhibit 2001
`FedEx v. IV
`Case IPR2017-00859
`
`

`

`US 7,070,103 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,039,252 A
`3/2000 Maltsev
`3/2000 Postman et a!.
`6,041,374 A
`6,082,620 A * 7/2000 Bone, Jr ................ 235/462.16
`
`6,149,059 A
`6,389,182 B1 *
`2002/0023027 A1
`* cited by examiner
`
`1112000 Ackley
`5/2002 Ihara et a!.
`212002 Simonds
`
`................. 382/309
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`100--1
`Video Displayed
`Bar Code
`
`101-
`0ffScreen
`Media
`Bar Code
`
`102
`High Scan Rate LED Scanner
`
`108/
`
`High Scan Rate,
`LED Bar Code Reader
`
`103
`Decoder
`
`104-
`0utput
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`100---1
`Video Displayed
`Bar Code
`
`101-
`0ffScreen
`Media
`Bar Code
`
`r
`
`102
`High Scan Rate LED Scanner
`
`201
`l\1icroprocessor
`
`202
`RAM
`
`200/
`Device
`
`203-
`1/0 Port ,,.
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 7,070,103 B2
`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`300
`
`1,1
`
`1:
`,,
`
`'f 12
`
`W12
`\‘
`I
`305 306
`306
`305
`
`It ~ 112 ·~II
`my 1‘2 I’ll
`302 303 304
`302 303 304
`
`
`
`I:!'
`
`~301
`\301
`
`~307
`
`D
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 5
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`400
`AM,FMRadio
`or TV Station
`
`401
`Logic Trunked
`Radio
`
`402
`
`Radio
`
`J
`
`403
`
`TV
`
`404
`
`Separate
`Display
`Module
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 4, 2006
`Jul. 4, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 0f 5
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 7,070,103 B2
`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`FIG.5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/530
`
`
`
`
`510
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`00
`0
`
`~
`
`510
`
`520
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 7
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 7
`
`

`

`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BAR CODE
`DATA INTERCHANGE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Appli(cid:173)
`cations, Ser. No. 60/174,220 filed Jan. 3, 2000, 60/213,843
`filed Jun. 23, 2000, and 60/232,825 filed Sep. 15, 2000, all
`of which are entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`BAR CODE DATA INTERCHANGE and all of which are
`herein incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to bar code technology,
`and more particularly to a method and apparatus for cap(cid:173)
`turing bar code information from a variety of video displays
`as well as other media, and using this bar code information
`in a variety of applications.
`2. Problems in the Art
`The use of bar code technology has proliferated as a
`means for efficient data collection. Generally, bar code
`technology allows for numbers, characters, or other symbols
`to be coded into a series of one-dimensional (1D) or two(cid:173)
`dimensional (2D) spaced bars, as those terms are commonly
`known in the art. These bars are currently printed on the
`surface of particular objects. A good description of various
`bar code symbologies can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,
`059 to Ackley, herein incorporated by reference. Currently a
`bar code scanner is used to capture the pattern on the object,
`associated software decodes the bar code pattern, and the
`information from the decoded bar code pattern may be used
`as data and acted upon accordingly. One current method of
`reading bar codes is given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,252 to
`Maltsev, and is herein incorporated by reference.
`However, there are currently no known easy means for
`capturing bar code patterns from a wide variety of video
`displays. Current methods for capturing bar code data from 40
`a composite video signal requires specialized and sophisti(cid:173)
`cated camera and computer equipment. The use of such
`specialized and sophisticated camera and computer equip(cid:173)
`ment is both cumbersome and expensive. It is therefore
`desirable to provide a means for capturing bar code patterns 45
`from a wide variety of video displays which is easy to use
`and relatively inexpensive.
`Current bar code scanners have been incorporated into a
`wide variety of devices. Bar code scanners can now be found
`incorporated into other devices, such as a computer mouse 50
`or a personal digital assistant. However, none of these
`current devices are capable of reading bar codes from a
`video display. It is therefore desirable to provide a variety of
`devices with a bar code scanner capable of reading bar codes
`from a video display.
`Currently, there are several problems associated with
`reading and decoding video displayed bar codes. First, a
`video displayed bar code to the human eye appears to be
`static. In reality, the video displayed bar code is flickering on
`and off many times per second. Second, a typical bar code 60
`reader has a low scan rate of 30 to 100 scans per second,
`which is not synchronized with the flickering video dis(cid:173)
`played bar code. Third, each type of video display has its
`own flicker, or refresh rate. Computer cathode ray tubes
`(CRT) commonly refresh from 72 Hz to 85 Hz. Computer 65
`liquid crystal displays (LCD) commonly refresh at 60 Hz.
`Around the world there are different standards for television
`
`2
`CRTs which commonly refresh at 50 Hz to 60 Hz. It would
`be expensive to create a device to synchronize the flicker, or
`refresh, rates of multiple types of video displays with the
`scan rates of bar code readers.
`Most current bar code scanners simply do not scan fast
`enough to ensure that a pixelized bar code image can be
`captured from a wide variety of video displays currently in
`use. It is therefore desirable to have a bar code scauner
`which is capable of capturing a pixilated bar code image
`10 from a wide variety of video displays.
`The limiting nature of current bar code scanners also
`makes it difficult to interchange data across different com(cid:173)
`puter operating systems and/or computer software applica(cid:173)
`tions. Currently, sophisticated computer software such as
`15 IBM DBT, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, or other pro(cid:173)
`grams, commonly referred to as middleware, are required in
`computer to computer data interchange applications. This
`middleware is expensive and requires a trained computer
`programmer to establish and maintain the data transfer links.
`2° Furthermore, middleware is not flexible. As business trading
`partners and suppliers change, and/or the format of data
`storage is modified in a host computer, the service of a
`trained computer programmer are required to maintain the
`data interchange capabilities. It is therefore desirable to
`25 minimize the amount of middleware software required.
`Bar codes are currently one type of middleware. Current
`technology allows off screen media or printed bar codes to
`be used as "switches" to launch Internet web pages, com(cid:173)
`plete complex machinery initialization and setup, dial a
`30 telephone number, etc. As the world moves toward a paper(cid:173)
`less society, it is desirable to provide a method for reading
`bar code switches which may be viewed on a video display.
`There is therefore an unfilled need for a method and
`35 apparatus which solves these and other problems. This
`invention has as its primary objective fulfillment of this
`need.
`
`FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
`
`The general feature of the present invention is the provi(cid:173)
`sion of a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange
`which overcomes the problems found in the prior art.
`A further feature of the present invention is the provision
`of an improved method and apparatus for bar code data
`interchange which is capable of reading video displayed bar
`code information.
`A further feature of the present invention is the provision
`of a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange
`capable of reading video displayed standardized bar code
`symbology.
`Another feature of the present invention is the provision
`of an improved method and apparatus for bar code data
`interchange which is capable of reading video displayed
`55 proprietary bar code symbologies.
`A still further feature of the present invention is the
`provision of a method and apparatus for bar code data
`interchange that includes a high scan rate LED reader as a
`stand alone device.
`A further feature of the present invention is the provision
`of a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange that
`includes a high scan rate LED reader which is incorporated
`into a wide variety of devices.
`A still further feature of the present invention is the
`provision of a method of bar code data interchange which
`minimizes the need for middleware.
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 8
`
`

`

`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`4
`FIG. 3 represents an example of a bar coded document on
`a video display in a universal data interchange application.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing video displayed bar
`codes synchronized with public radio and TV broadcasts.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the equipment
`used and data flow in a universal data interchange applica(cid:173)
`tion of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`3
`Another feature of the present invention is the provision
`a method of bar code data interchange which allows for data
`to be exchanged between computers using different operat(cid:173)
`ing systems.
`A further feature of the present invention is the provision
`of a method of bar code data interchange in which data may
`be exchanged between different computer software applica(cid:173)
`tions.
`A further feature of the present invention is the provision
`of a method for bar code data interchange in which bar codes 10
`may be used as a "switch" to activate devices or links to
`other electronic documents such as, but not limited to,
`e-mail, Internet web pages, word processor documents,
`spreadsheets, databases, drawings, graphics, etc.
`Another feature of the present invention is a method of bar
`code data interchange in which computer software is used to 15
`create bar codes within a video displayed document.
`Another feature of the present invention is the provision
`of a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange
`which allows business-consumer transactions via video dis(cid:173)
`played bar codes.
`Another feature of the present invention is the provision
`of a method and apparatus for bar code data interchange
`which allows business-business transactions via video dis(cid:173)
`played bar codes.
`These, as well as other features and advantages of the 25
`present invention, will become apparent from the following
`specification and claims.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram that depicts the general con-
`figuration of one embodiment of the present invention. A
`general operating diagram of a typical stand alone bar code
`reader 108 which is capable of reading bar code information
`from a video display screen is shown. This type of bar code
`reader may be referred to as a video displayed bar code
`reader. Preferably the bar code reader 108 is a stand alone,
`high scan rate LED bar code reader 108. Preferably it is also
`20 hand manipulatable. This type of bar code reader 108 has
`two basic components, a high scan rate LED scarmer 102
`and decoder 103. The high scan rate LED scarmer 102
`captures video displayed 100 and/or off screen media
`(printed) 101 bar coded data. These video displayed bar
`codes 100 and/or off screen media bar codes 101 may be
`either standardized or proprietary bar code formats. Com-
`mon standardized 1D and 2D bar code formats include Code
`39, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, PDF 417, etc.
`The present invention captures video displayed bar codes
`30 100 from sources such as, but not limited to, a digital TV
`screen, a CRT computer monitor, a liquid crystal display
`(LCD), a CRT TV screen, or off screen media bar codes 101.
`High scan rate LED scanner 102 supplies output to
`decoder 103. The decoder 103 transforms the scarmed bar
`code into useable electronic data as is commonly known in
`the art. The output of decoder 103 is supplied to another
`device, such as a computer for further processing via output
`104. Output 104 may be transmitted to a universal serial bus
`(USB) connection, PCMCIA card connection, radio inter(cid:173)
`face, or an infrared interface, etc.
`Using a high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 allows a
`wide variety of video displayed bar codes to be read and
`decoded by increasing the number of bar code scans per
`second. A high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 can be a
`stand alone device as described in FIG. 1, or integrated into
`another device 200 as described in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram that depicts a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention which integrates a high scan
`rate LED bar code scarmer 102 into device 200 using
`microprocessor 201 and random access memory (RAM)
`202.
`It will be readily understood by one skilled in the art that
`the present invention may be integrated into a device 200,
`55 such as a cell phone, a land line phone, PDA, computer
`mouse, GPS receiver, pager, a two-way communication
`device, a personal bar code reader known as a fob, etc.
`A high scan rate LED bar code scanner 102 captures video
`displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen media bar codes
`60 101. These video displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen
`media bar codes 101 may be either standardized or propri(cid:173)
`etary bar code formats. Common standardized 1D and 2D
`bar code formats include Code 39, Code 128, Interleaved 2
`of 5, PDF 417, etc.
`The preferred embodiment of the present invention cap(cid:173)
`tures and decodes video displayed bar codes 100 from
`sources such as, but not limited to, a digital TV screen, a
`
`40
`
`The present invention is directed to a method and appa(cid:173)
`ratus for bar code data interchange. This apparatus is gen(cid:173)
`erally comprised of a bar code reader which is capable of
`scanning bar codes displayed on a variety of video displays,
`a decoder which transforms the scarmed bar code into data 35
`which may then be manipulated in a variety of ways by a
`host device, such as a computer, personal digital assistant
`(PDA) or any other device in which bar code data input may
`be desirable.
`In a preferred embodiment, a consumer will scan in bar
`code information from a video display, such as a television
`screen, through the use of a high scan rate LED scarmer and
`obtain information on a desired product, a link to the
`product's web site, or other useful information. Businesses
`too, will scan in bar code information directly from video
`displays into their desired host device. This scanned infor(cid:173)
`mation is not formatted specifically for any business soft(cid:173)
`ware and therefore is easily transferable between businesses
`which may use different software applications to manipulate
`the same data to suit their needs. This minimizes the need for
`many of the conversion programs or interpretation pro- 50
`grams, commonly known as middleware, and provides data
`interchange across a wide variety of settings for a myriad of
`purposes.
`Amore complete understanding of the method and appa(cid:173)
`ratus for bar code data interchange will be afforded to those
`skilled in the art, as well as a realization of the additional
`features and advantages thereof, by a consideration of the
`following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
`Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings
`which will first be described briefly.
`
`45
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a stand alone bar code
`reader.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an integrated bar code
`reader.
`
`65
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 9
`
`

`

`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`5
`CRT computer monitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a
`CRT TV screen, or off screen media bar codes 101.
`The high scan rate LED bar code scanner 102 transmits
`signals to microprocessor 201. Microprocessor 201 in con(cid:173)
`junction with random access memory (RAM) 202 can
`perform computing functions of device 200, and also trans(cid:173)
`forms these signals into data. This data may be used for
`display by device 200, or may be transmitted to I/0 port 203
`to interface with another device such as a PC, PDA, GPS
`receiver, pager, a two-way communication device, a per- 10
`sonal bar code reader known as a fob, etc. I/0 port 203 may
`be a RS-232, PCMCIA slot, USB, infrared, proprietary, etc.
`These video displayed bar codes 100 and/or off screen
`media bar codes 101 can also be used as switches to launch
`Internet web pages, dial a telephone number, complete
`complex machinery initialization and set-up, etc.
`As an example, Motorola, Inc., Symbol Technologies,
`Inc., Connect Things, Inc. an affiliate of LM Ericsson AB,
`and AirClic, Inc. have created a unique registry of web
`codes, which are bar codes containing instructions for
`executing exact tasks. This enables wireless phones, cable
`TV set-top terminals, and other Internet-enabled appliances
`to access the Internet via current bar code scarming tech(cid:173)
`nology.
`Bar codes, and web codes are printed on products, in
`publications including newspapers, brochures, and company
`advertisements, etc. By scanning a web code with a bar
`code-enabled Internet device, people will be connected
`directly to web sites to order products, find information, and
`manage everyday tasks and transactions. As people scan
`web codes with these new Internet devices information will
`be sent instantly to a web code registry, which interprets the
`nature of the inquiry and delivers corresponding information
`to users. The information will include product-ordering
`links, promotional offers, downloads for music, product
`usage and service data, as well as links to other applicable
`Internet sites. Users will get transparent, universal access to
`products and services. The system supports "Internet-en(cid:173)
`hanced" standard UPC and EAN bar codes already posi(cid:173)
`tioned on millions of products worldwide.
`The ability to display and read video displayed bar codes
`100, which can be web codes, will greatly enhance the
`dynamic capabilities of the previously described system.
`FIG. 3 represents an electronic bar coded document on a
`computer window video display ready for data capture and
`interchange to an active computer window on the same
`computer screen.
`Element 300 is a personal computer monitor. A personal
`computer monitor is shown, but this video display may be a
`laptop LCD screen, a personal digital assistant LCD screen,
`etc. Element 301 is an open window on personal computer
`monitor 300 displaying an electronic bar coded document.
`Element 307 is an active window on personal computer
`monitor 300 representing a software application in use on a
`business information system.
`Element 302 is human readable information, such as
`"Qty" (the word "Quantity" abbreviated) shown. Element
`303 is human readable information, the number "12". Ele(cid:173)
`ment 304 is video displayed bar coded information repre(cid:173)
`senting the number "12".
`Element 304 is captured and decoded from the computer
`monitor 300 using a high scan rate LED bar code reader 108
`(shown in FIG. 1). This captured information is then output
`from the bar code reader 108 and input into the user's
`computer (not shown). The user's computer software 65
`accepts this input through a variety of commonly available
`software applications and the input is entered as the number
`
`6
`"12" into element 306 which is a highlighted field in a
`business system information software application.
`To illustrate one method of the bar code data interchange
`application of the present invention, Company A uses soft(cid:173)
`ware such as MICROSOFT EXCEL on their PC to create an
`electronic document (i.e. a Purchase Order). This software
`creates documents that contain electronic representations of
`bar coded information through the use of bar code fonts
`which reside on the local computer and are commonly
`available today. The electronic Purchase Order is e-mailed to
`Company B, using MICROSOFT OUTLOOK software, as
`an example, in Standard Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
`format across any variety of networks, such as the internet
`or an intranet. Optionally, the electronic bar coded document
`15 could reside on an Internet web page on a web server.
`Company B opens their e-mail, which is in SMTP format
`using NETSCAPE MAIL software, as an example, to
`receive Company A's Purchase Order. Company B wishes to
`enter information from Company A's electronic Purchase
`20 Order into their own business information system. Company
`B will capture the video displayed bar codes directly from
`the e-mail displayed on their PC screen with a high scan rate,
`LED bar code reader, then exchanges that data into their own
`business system, using COREL PARADOX software, run-
`25 ning in MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system, as
`examples.
`Referring again to FIG. 3, the field in the business
`information system, the "Qty" 302 in this example is high(cid:173)
`lighted. A bar code reader is pointed at the electronic bar
`30 coded "Qty" shown as 304 in the e-mail window, and inputs
`that data into the highlighted field 306 in the window
`running the business information system as the trigger on the
`bar code reader is squeezed.
`If both Company A and B are using software on their PCs
`to create electronic documents that contain video displayed
`bar coded information, such as Code 39, Code 128, EAN, or
`UPC, they can do two-way data interchange without any
`sophisticated middleware. This system as it is designed is
`40 very flexible and allows any company, or person, with this
`software and high scan rate LED bar code reader to capture,
`decode, store, use, and interchange data with any other
`company, or person, operating this software. This system is
`easy to use, easy to install, and inexpensive to own and
`operate.
`Another embodiment of the present invention allows the
`user to successively scan multiple bar codes identified with
`a field tag into a software application residing on the user's
`computer. In this embodiment, the field tags would be
`50 identified using the "function keys" F1, F2, F3, etc., on
`standard computer keyboards. This
`inputs the cached
`scanned data elements into the integrated software applica(cid:173)
`tion one-at-a-time or as a group. The data tags are used as
`identification for inputting data into the correct fields in the
`55 integrated software applications. The integrated software
`strips the data tag from the data element so only the relevant
`data is input into the appropriate field.
`As an example, two companies might agree to exchange
`data for various customers contained in their respective
`60 databases: first name, last name, and age. Using the appro(cid:173)
`priate "function key" to identify particular data elements, the
`two companies would agree the "function key" for first
`name data is F 1, the "function key" for last name data is F2,
`and the "function key" tag for age data is F3. The software
`would be programmable on-the-fly to tag data fields with the
`appropriate "function key". The software would automati-
`cally tag the data elements from the database with the
`
`35
`
`45
`
`Exhibit 2001 Page 10
`
`

`

`US 7,070,103 B2
`
`7
`appropriate "function key" tag. The following chart is an
`example of this "function key" tagging.
`
`"Fnnction
`key" Tag
`
`F1
`
`F2
`
`F3
`
`(Data Field)
`Actual Data
`Element
`
`(First Name)
`JACK
`
`(Last Name)
`SMITH
`
`(Age)
`45
`
`Tagged Data Element
`(tagged data element in
`bar code forrn ~
`"function key" + actual
`data element)
`
`F1JACK
`
`1111111111111111111111111111
`
`F2SMITH
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111
`
`F345
`
`1111111111111111111
`
`This embodiment of the present invention greatly reduces
`the number of transaction errors and greatly increase the
`speed of data interchange.
`Data elements not identified by the same "function keys"
`could be used by multiple users, but this adds another step
`in the transaction process, and introduces the possibility of
`more input errors.
`To illustrate another method of bar code data interchange,
`the present invention can use a variety of new standard
`e-mail interfaces and formats which include an expanded list
`of fields for data input, of which some fields may be
`available for video displayed bar codes. This expanded list
`of pre-defined data fields would allow easy transfer of data 35
`into integrated programs.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the basic elements needed to
`synchronize video displayed bar codes with AM or FM radio
`station broadcasts, or TV station broadcasts.
`Item 400 is an AM or FM radio station, or TV station 40
`broadcasting a variety of programs, music, and commer(cid:173)
`cials. Radio or TV stations 400 have the ability to broadcast
`synchronized digital information simultaneously over logic
`trunked radio (LTR) 401, as an example. This digital infor(cid:173)
`mation is then continuously converted to a video displayed 45
`bar code during the duration of the relevant program, music,
`or commercial by commonly available software. This video
`displayed bar code is displayed on a radio display 402, a TV
`403, or a separate display module 404. As an example,
`during a commercial the video displayed bar code might 50
`represent a web address or phone number corresponding
`with the advertisement being broadcast. A user would cap(cid:173)
`ture, decode, and store video displayed bar coded data with
`a high scan rate LED bar code reader integrated into a cell
`phone, pager, key fob, etc., which may be used to dial a 55
`phone number, launch a web page, etc. now or at any desired
`time.
`FIG. 5 represents the basic elements required in the
`present invention as part of a universal, business-to-busi(cid:173)
`ness, data interchange system using video displayed bar 60
`codes 100 and/or off screen media bar codes 101 as shown
`in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
`Laptop computer 500, may also be a personal computer,
`a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. Laptop computer 500
`is equipped with a high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 65
`and the appropriate software commonly used with non-video
`display reading bar code readers. This software may be used
`
`8
`and only requires that the high scan rate LED bar code
`reader 108 be appropriately set up by initializing it with a
`video displayed bar code rather than a printed bar code.
`Personal computer 530, may also be a laptop computer, a
`personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. Personal computer 530
`is equipped with a high scan rate LED bar code reader 108.
`A high scan rate LED bar code reader 108, such as an
`Intermec ScanPlus 1800 series CCD reader or a Welch Allyn
`Model 3400HD, is shown connected to laptop computer 500
`10 and another high scan rate LED bar code reader 108 is
`shown connected to personal computer 530. The bar code
`readers 108 are shown hardwired to the respective comput(cid:173)
`ers, but may be connected wirelessly via radio or infrared. A
`high scan rate LED bar code seamier 102 as shown in FIG.
`15 2, may also be integrated into a device 200 as shown in FIG.
`2 which may then either take the place of one of the
`computers 500 or 530 shown in FIG. 5 or operatively link
`thereto.
`Laptop computer 500, is shown connected via a telephony
`20 network 510 to a computer server 520, which can be either
`an e-mail or web server. The telephony network 510 is
`shown as traditional, copper-based, hard-wire telephony
`medium, but also may be a combination of fiber-optic, or
`radio based telephony medium. The computer server 520
`25 can be on the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), met(cid:173)
`ropolitan area network (MAN), or a local area network
`(LAN).
`Computer server 520, either an e-mail or web server is
`shown connected via a telephony network 510 to a personal
`30 computer 530.
`Laptop computer 500 and personal computer 530 are
`loaded with software that creates electronic bar coded docu(cid:173)
`ments, using readily available, easy-to-use software such as,
`but not limited to, MICROSOFT WORD, MICROSOFT
`FRONTPAGE, MICROSOFT EXCEL, and ADOBE
`PAGEMILL, or customized integrated software applica-
`tions. This greatly reduces, or eliminates the need for
`experienced progrmers and expensive
`specialized
`middleware. This software is designed to automatically
`create bar coded data using either fonts (which may cur(cid:173)
`rently be installed or are included in some software appli-
`cations) or graphics in electronic or printed documents.
`Laptop computer 500 and personal computer 530 are
`loaded with software, such as any of the software previously
`mentioned, that creates an electronic bar coded document
`ready for transmission using an e-mail application such as,
`but not limited to, MICROSOFT OUTLOOK.
`Since both laptop computer 500 and personal computer
`530 are equipped with high scan rate LED bar code readers
`108, and software that creates and transmits an electronic bar
`coded document, the system shown in FIG. 5 can capture,
`transmit, and interchange video displayed bar coded data
`across differing computer operating systems and/or software
`applications at point of data transaction.
`In another embodiment of FIG. 5, in a personal-to(cid:173)
`business transaction, laptop computer 500 can be equipped
`with a TV card. As an example, in a home shopping
`application, bar coded data is captured and decoded directly
`from the television CRT using a h