Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises a system and method for launching a web browser on a network comprising a computer having an all new input interface and a communication interface coupled to a computer network; said audio input coupled to the audio output of a source for receiving an audio signal having encoded therein a unique code that is associated with a predetermined destination on the network; and a program operable on said computer responsive to receipt and decoding of the audio signal received from the source for interacting with connections of the computer to a web site available on the computer network wherein the location of the predetermined destination is not stored in a computer.

Abstract: A system for accessing a remote processor on a network The system includes a data set relating to a commercial event, embedded in a broadcast. A receiving device responsive to a non-video portion of said broadcast is operable to detect the data set and extracting received data therefrom. A local processor, having an input for receiving the received data, a first memory for storing the received data and an output is operable for accessing a program stored in a second memory for processing the received data. A communication device is coupled to the output and responsive to the program and the received data for facilitating connection of the local processor with the remote processor via said network.

Abstract: A browser configuration architecture where input of a unique user ID automatically configures those browser applications preselected for auto-configuration from entries of a user preferences sheet. The user preferences sheet (2500) is part of the browser control software (2502) used for storing user preferences associated with one or more browser applications (2506, 2508, and 2510) loaded on a computer of the user. Upon completing the entry of preference information into the user preferences sheet (2500), the browser control software generates a unique user ID (2504) which is used to automatically configure the desired browser application according to the user preferences entered into the user preference sheet (2500). Each user of the browser control program (2502) of a computer is issued a unique user ID (2504) from which the respective user can auto-configure the desired browser application.

Abstract: A method for interfacing scanned product information with a source for the product over a global network. A method is provided for obtaining information regarding the source of a product from a remote information source location on a global communication network utilizing a product code associated with the product and unique thereto. The product code associated with the product is scanned with a scanner at a user location on the global communication network to extract the information contained in the unique product code therefrom. A unique scan ID code is associated with the scanning operation and a packet of information assembled that is comprised of the extracted product code and the unique scan ID code to provide a routing packet.

Abstract: A method for conducting a contest using a network is provided. A plurality of pick spaces, a virtual display fixture, and a plurality of virtual articles of commerce are displayed on the screen of a user computer. The user computer is disposed at a user site and operably connected to the network. Initially, the virtual articles of commerce are arrayed on the virtual display fixture. At least one of the plurality of virtual articles moves across the screen from an initial position on the virtual display fixture. Each of such moving virtual articles has a virtual target region defined thereon. Each of the virtual target regions is at least periodically visible on the associated virtual article.

Abstract: An architecture for automatically configuring equipment interfaced to a computer. A computer which is in communication with a network, is provided having the piece of equipment interfaced to the computer and having associated therewith one or more machine-resolvable codes (MRCs). The computer connects to a remote location disposed on the network in response to a select one of the one or more MRCs being read with a reader. Configuration information associated with the select one of the one or more MRCs is then transmitted from the remote location to the computer. The piece of equipment is then configured via the computer according to the configuration information.

Abstract: An optical reader is provided for reading a bar code having ultraviolet-wavelength-responsive properties. The optical reader includes an ultraviolet light source, a photodetector, an optical system and a decoder. The ultraviolet light source generates ultraviolet light having a wavelength shorter than visible light and longer than X-rays for illuminating a target region. The photodetector generates output electrical signals indicative of light incident thereon having a wavelength within a predetermined range of wavelengths. The optical system includes a projection portion and a collection portion. The projection portion directs the ultraviolet light along a projection path extending from the ultraviolet light source to the target region. The collection portion collects the light from a bar code when the bar code occupies the target region and directs the collected light along a collection path extending from the target region to the photodetector.

Abstract: An interlocking architecture for a software interface and a bar code scanner. Upon power-up, a handshaking operation is performed between a scanner (1600) having a scanner processor (2600) and a computer processor (2612) of a computer (302) based upon the code stored in the NV memory (2602) of the scanner (1600) and a unique code associated with the software interface running on the computer (302). A wedge (1608) is provided as an interface mechanism for the scanner (1600) and a keyboard (1610) to a keyboard port (2500) of the computer (302). The handshaking occurs through the wedge (1608) via a keyboard interface (2610) to the processor (2600) such that a successful handshake directs the processor (2600) to engage a switch (2604) which enables power to a sensing head (2606) for read optically encoded information.

Abstract: A method of accessing a remote location on a network using an optical reader. The optical reader has an optical scanning system and a dedicated address memory system. The optical scanning system, in response to the user scanning an encoded indicia therewith, sends to a first computer disposed on the network a scan code indicative of information encoded in the scanned indicia. The dedicated address memory system, in response to the user completing an activation sequence, sends to the first computer a dedicated code indicative of information corresponding to a particular remote location. The information from the dedicated address memory system corresponding to a particular remote location does not originate from the scanning of an encoded indica by the user. One of the scan code and the dedicated code is transmitted from the optical reader to the first computer.

Abstract: An architecture for automatically configuring equipment. A piece of equipment connected externally to a user PC has one or more machine-resolvable codes (MRCs) associated therewith. The piece of equipment receives configuration information from a remote location disposed on the network in response to reading a select one of the one or more MRCs with a reader. Configuration information associated with the select one of the one or more MRCs is transmitted from the remote location to the piece of equipment via the user PC, and the piece of equipment is then configured according to the configuration information.

Abstract: A unique bar code for indicating a link between a product and a remote location on a web network. The present invention dicsclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises system for connecting between a first location at a user's site on a network and a second and remote location on a network. A unique ornamental symbol encoded with a plurality of dark and light areas is provided representing encoded information disposed proximate one end of the scan line, which encoded information is associated with the second location on the network, wherein the plurality of dark and light areas alternate therebetween along a defined scan line. The ornamental nature of the symbol indicates a network routing function. An input device is provided for scanning the encoded information into a user computer at the first location and operable to extract the encoded information therefrom for decoding thereof as decoded information.

Abstract: An architecture for automatically configuring software of a piece of equipment. The piece of equipment is in communication with a network, the piece of equipment having one or more machine-resolvable codes associated therewith. The piece of equipment connects to a remote location disposed on the network in response to reading a select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes with a reader. Software associated with the select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes is downloaded from the remote location to the piece of equipment, and the piece of equipment is then configured according to the software.

Abstract: A method for accessing information over a network. A tool is utilized in conjunction with an operation on a user's processor at a user location on the network. The tool has associated therewith a unique tool ID. In response to utilizing the tool, the user's location is interconnected on the network to a predetermined destination at a remote location on the network, which destination has an association with the unique ID of the tool.

Abstract: A method for controlling a computer wherein one or more remote locations disposed on a network are accessed in response to sensing a machine-resolvable code. A computer disposed on a network is operably connected to an input device for sensing a machine-resolvable code. A software application which includes a software identification code runs on the computer. In response to sensing a machine-resolvable code with the input device, the computer accesses at least one remote location corresponding to the software identification code. The one or more remote locations accessed may then return remote information to the computer for presentation.

Abstract: A method for allowing a consumer to access an advertiser's location over a global communication network. A normal broadcast program is broadcast to a class of consumers having a unique signal embedded therein, which unique signal embedded therein is associated with a particular advertiser and a predetermined location on the network. Additionally, the unique signal has encoded therein a unique code that correlates with the location of this predetermined location on the network. When the unique signal is received at a consumer's location, the unique signal is decoded to extract therefrom the unique code. In response to this decoding, routing information to the predetermined location on the network from a consumer's computer on the network at the consumer's location is determined. This determined routing information is then archived in the consumer's computer.

Abstract: A method for a user to access information on a network (306). A remote control device (3700) is provided operating in a first and control mode with internally generated control commands and in a second and scanning mode. In the control mode, an appliance at a user location is controlled by wirelessly transmitting the control commands to the appliance. In the scanning mode, a machine recognizable code (MRC) information is extracted from an MRC (1606) using the remote control device (3700), the MRC (1606) having associated therewith routing information corresponding to a remote location (312) on the network (306). The extracted MRC information is wirelessly transmitted from the MRC (1606) to a network interface device (302) in response to the step of extracting. The user location is then connected over the network (306) to the remote location (312) associated with the extracted MRC information, and the information downloaded therefrom.

Abstract: A bar code for encoding information in machine-readable form is provided. The bar code comprises a character string including a plurality of characters disposed side-by-side along a longitudinal code axis. Each character is formed by a sequence of code bars and intervening code spaces, the code bars being parallel to one another and to a line defining a bar axis which intersects the code axis. Each character has a definition in accordance with a predefined standard. The definition for each character includes a bar/space pattern associated with the character setting forth the respective widths of the code bars and code spaces making up the character in terms of integer multiples of a minimum unit width. The definition for each character also includes at least one encoded alphanumeric value associated with the character. The definition for each character further included an integer checksum value associated with the character.