Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will ink the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

Abstract: Machine-readable codes are read, decoded and resolved by a messaging system in order to perform a desired function. If the code is not native to that (home) messaging system, then a resolution request is made to a central messaging interchange system to determine which other (destination) messaging system is native to and can resolve that code. The messaging interchange system then either returns the appropriate routing information back to the home messaging system (in which case the home messaging system sends the resolution request directly to the destination messaging system) or forwards the resolution request to the destination messaging system itself. The destination messaging system transmits a resolution response message to the home messaging system, either directly or via the messaging interchange system.

Abstract: A method of and system for scanning a bar code associated with a product with a mobile device to obtain (i) a list of online auctions for the product or a similar product; (ii) a list of commercial web sites in which the product or a similar product is being offered for sale; and/or (iii) a list of resellers of the product or a similar product where the product or similar product is located in a geographic region in predetermined proximity to the location. In addition, a seller may scan a bar code associated with a product that the seller would like to sell via an online auction service in order to obtain a predetermined product listing that the seller may modify prior to listing on the online auction service.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

Abstract: Machine-readable codes are read, decoded and resolved by a messaging system in order to perform a desired function. If the code is not native to that (home) messaging system, then a resolution request is made to a central messaging interchange system to determine which other (destination) messaging system is native to and can resolve that code. The messaging interchange system then either returns the appropriate routing information back to the home messaging system (in which case the home messaging system sends the resolution request directly to the destination messaging system) or forwards the resolution request to the destination messaging system itself.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

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 product'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 is then used to access the desired resource.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging information amongst a plurality of peers. A first peer collects environment data related to an environment proximate to the first peer, which may for example be associated with a traffic or weather condition proximate to the first peer. The first peer transmits the environment data into a first region associated with the first peer, and a second peer receives the environment data transmitted by the first peer. The second peer then processes the received environment data. This process would likely occur in an iterative manner; i.e. the second peer retransmits the information to other peers in its operating range, and may add its own collected environment data as well.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will link the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code.

Abstract: A method of and system for accessing a primary content file with a client device that is browser-based; i.e. that does not require a plug-in type program to be executed on the client device in addition to the browser. URLs based on linkage codes entered into the client device are assembled by a network-based URL-assembly server rather than at the client device. This invention is especially suited for use with web-enabled cell phones or an internet kiosks.

Abstract: The present invention operates by inputting into the client computer a linkage code (a machine readable code such as a bar code symbol or a human-readable alphanumeric text string) that includes a server identification code and an item identification code. The client computer then extracts the server identification code, and obtains from local cache or from the routing server a URL template associated with the server identification code. The URL template includes the name of an information server and at least one parameter field to be completed by the client computer. The URL template is completed by the client computer by filling in at least the item identification code, and the completed URL template is then sent to the information server named therein as a primary content URL request.

Abstract: A method of accessing electronic resources via machine readable data embedded on a document which comprises compressing input data with a transmitter adapted to save a first bandwidth using a compression method adapted to minimize utilization of bandwidth by the compressed input data while retaining substantially all information content of the input data and appending a compression flag to the compressed input data indicative of the compression method enabling a receiver to decompress the compressed input data. The compression step further comprises utilizing a compression dictionary adapted to map the elements and strings of the input data to minimized representations having redundancies deleted. The compression dictionary may be appended to the compressed input data (as cleartext or cyphertext) under circumstances where a bandwidth occupied by the appended compression dictionary is less than the bandwidth saved by the step of compressing the input data.

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.