Abstract: A method for offering a promotion to a user. A stimulus is received from a broadcast directed to a user location, the stimulus having unique coded information encoded therein. The unique coded information is extracted from the stimulus by decoding this information. From the decoded information, there is determined routing information for routing over a network to a promotion location on the network, which promotion location is operable to offer a promotion. The promotion location on the network is then interconnected in accordance with the determined routing information. A promotion is then offered over the network in response to the interconnection thereof by the step of interconnecting.

Abstract: A method for controlling a computer with recorded information of a recorded media includes embedding a unique code, which unique code does not contain routing information, in recorded information of the recorded media. The unique code is in close association with vendor information, such that the unique code will be output during normal playback of the information on the recorded media. The unique code is embedded within the video/audio bandwidth of the recorded information such that, when playing back the recorded information, the unique code will be output within the video/audio bandwidth of the recorded media. The unique code is extracted with an extractor during output of the recorded information to a user at a user location disposed on a network during normal playback of the recorded media.

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: An optical reader for accessing a remote location on a network includes an optical scanning system, a memory system, an output circuit for interfacing to a first computer disposed on the network, and a switching device for switching between a scan mode, a record mode and a playback mode. The optical reader further includes a transmitter for transmitting code information representative of a code to the first computer. In the scan mode, the code information is indicative of information representative of an encoded indicia scanned by the optical scanning system. In the playback mode the code information is indicative of information retrieved from a user-selectable memory in the memory system. The code information is configured to cause the first computer to determine routing information to the remote location, and access the remote location on the network in accordance with the determined routing information.

Abstract: An input device for allowing interface to a web site in association with a unique input code. A method for interconnecting a first location on a global communication network with a second location thereon is disclosed. An input device is provided at the first location on the global communication network having associated therewith a unique input device ID. A product code disposed on a product is scanned with the input device, which product code is representative of the product in commercial transactions, the operation of scanning operable to extract the information contained in the product code to provide a unique value as an output. The unique value is then associated with the unique input device ID. In response to the operation of scanning and associating, the first location is connected to the second location.

Abstract: A method of displaying a web page to a user. A triggering device (2502) having a unique code stored therein is provided to the user. The unique code is extracted from the triggering device (2502) with an activation system (302), the activation system (302) disposed on a network (306). Location information associated with the unique code is retrieved from a database (1614 or 310), the location information corresponding to a location of the web page on a remote location (312) disposed on the network (306). In response to retrieving the location information, the activation system (302) is connected to the remote location (312). The web page corresponding to the location information of the remote location (312) is then presented to the user via the activation system (302).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a coded audio/video signal to conduct commerce over the Internet. Broadcast information is broadcast from a remote location on a secondary network containing video over the secondary network to a location thereon proximate the location of the user PC. Unique information is encoded in the broadcast information representative of a location on the primary network of the remote node. The broadcast information is received and displayed on a video display at the location on the secondary network proximate the user PC. The user PC is connected to the remote node utilizing the unique information, and in accordance thereto, in response to receiving the unique information encoded within the broadcast information broadcast over the secondary network.

Abstract: A software distribution architecture having a television broadcast system as its infrastructure. Software from a software repository (1600) is mixed into a television broadcast system and transmitted into one or more selected channels at prescribed dates and times. An at-home subscriber, capable of receiving with a receiver (1608) the one or more select channels, switches to the one or more channels carrying the software distribution with a channel selector (1611). The subscriber, having programmed a controller (1616) with a programmer (1620) for the date, time, software ID, and channel of the software broadcast, then downloads the software package to a storage device (1622) for ultimate transfer to a PC (1624). A validation and accounting system (1628) then records the software download transaction and transmits this information over a PSTN (1632) to a provider accounting system (1630) such that the subscriber is billed for the software package which was downloaded.

Abstract: A method for interconnecting a user's location to a destination location on a network. The unique information is received at the user's location, which unique information has no associated routing information embedded therein. Network routing information is associated with the received unique information in response to receipt thereof. The user's location is then interconnected to the destination location across the network in accordance with the routing associated therewith in the step of associating.

Abstract: A method of displaying a web page to a user. A triggering device having a unique code stored therein is provided to the user. The unique code is extracted from the triggering device with an activation system, the activation system disposed on a network. Location information associated with the unique code is retrieved from a database, the location information corresponding to a location of the web page on a remote location disposed on the network. In response to retrieving the location information, the activation system is connected to the remote location. The web page corresponding to the location information of the remote location is then presented to the user via the activation system.

Abstract: A method of conducting and on-line transaction. A user at a PC (302) of a first location completes a profile information sheet and transmits it across a secure network (2708) to a central registration server (2704) at a second location also disposed on the network (306). The central registration server (2704) transmits a unique bar code and associated unique ID back to the user PC (302) at the first location, in response to the user sending the completed profile information sheet to the registration server (2704). When the user accesses a vendor server (2700) disposed on the network (306) for the purchase of products and/or services, the user transmits the bar code to the vendor server (2700) when prompted to complete a vendor payment form. The vendor server (2700) sends the bar code to the central registration server (2704) where the bar code is matched to the user profile information. The profile information is returned to the vendor server (2700) and automatically inserted into the vendor payment form.

Abstract: A method for connecting a wireless device to a remote location on a computer network. A beacon signal is transmitted from a beacon unit to a beacon signal receiver circuit disposed with a wireless device. The beacon signal includes components indicative of a first code associated with a remote location and of a second code associated with an attribute of the beacon unit. A first message packet indicative of the first and second codes is transmitted to an intermediate location. A computer database including a plurality of routing information for remote locations on the computer network and a plurality of first codes is accessed. Routing information associated with the first code is retrieved, and a reply packet including the routing information is transmitted to the wireless device. A second message packet is transmitted from the wireless device to a remote location using the routing information.

Abstract: A method for completing an electronic commerce transaction over a global communication network initiated between a vendor and a potential consumer. The method includes the steps of associating a unique transaction code with the initiated transaction between the vendor and the potential consumer for use by the consumer in completing a specific electronic commerce transaction; associating user information with the unique transaction code to provide a transaction packet; communicating the transaction packet to a remote vendor location from a user location; and completing the specific electronic commerce transaction upon receipt at the remote vendor location the transaction packet containing the user information in association with the unique transaction code.

Abstract: A method for controlling a computer is disclosed wherein one or more remote locations disposed on a network are accessed in response to scanning an optical code. A first computer disposed on the network connects to a scanner for scanning the optical code of a product by a user. The scanner is uniquely identified with a scanner distributor by a scanner identification number. A second computer disposed on the network is accessed in response to the user scanning the optical code with the scanner, wherein a lookup operation is performed at the second computer to match the scanner identification number with the scanner distributor to obtain remote routing information of the one or remote locations. The remote routing information is returned from the second computer to the first computer in order to access the one or more remote locations disposed on the network. The one or more remote locations are accessed to return remote information to the first computer for presentation.

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 of accessing a vendor web site (3422) over a global communication packet-switched network (306) using personal account information of a credit card (3400) retrieved from a credit card company server (3300) on the network (306). At a user location disposed on the network, a machine-resolvable code (MRC) (3402) of the credit card (3400) of a user is read with a reading device (3410). Coded information is extracted from the MRC (3402). Routing information associated with the coded information is obtained, which routing information corresponds to the personal account information of the user stored on a credit card company server (3300) disposed on the network (306). The user location connects to the credit card company server (3300) across the network (306) in accordance with the routing information. The personal account information is returned from the credit card company server (3300) to the user location. The personal account information is then presented to the user at the user location.

Abstract: A method for delivering advertising to a consumer over a broadcast media/global communication network combination. An advertisement broadcast is generated comprised of a general program and associated advertising dispersed therethrough for broadcast over a broadcast media which is directed to a general class of consumers. Unique information is embedded in the broadcast for inducing a consumer to access a desired advertiser's location on the global network system over a personal computer-based system. The advertisement broadcast is then broadcast to the potential class of consumers with the embedded unique information therein.

Abstract: A method for controlling a computer is disclosed wherein one or more remote locations disposed on a network are accessed in response to accessing a product code. A first computer disposed on the network connects to a device for accessing the product code of a product by a user. The device is uniquely identified with a device distributor by a device identification number. A second computer disposed on the network is accessed in response to the user accessing the product code with the device, wherein a lookup operation is performed at the second computer to match the device identification number with the device distributor to obtain remote routing information of the one or remote locations. The remote routing information is returned from the second computer to the first computer in order to access the one or more remote locations disposed on the network. The one or more remote locations are accessed to return remote information to the first computer for presentation.

Abstract: A multi-purpose input device (2500) for providing conventional positional tracking, and one or more read capabilities for automatically connecting a user PC (302) to remote node. In one embodiment, a user reads optically encoded indicia (1606) of a product by passing the input device (2500) thereover. A software interface (2505) processes the read information, assembles a message packet, and appends routing information thereto to connect the user PC (302) to an ARS (308) disposed on a common network (306). The ARS (308) performs a matching operation with the received product information to obtain an associated network address of a vendor server (314) having the desired product information. The ARS (308) returns the vendor server address to the user PC (302) whereby the vendor advertiser server (312) is automatically accessed by the user PC (302). The respective product information is then returned from the vendor server (312) to the user PC (302) for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A method for initiating and completing a commercial transaction is disclosed that allows a user to acquire and own an article of commerce having associated therewith a machine resolvable code (MRC), the MRC having encoded therein information relating to the article of commerce, the user having unique identification information associated with the user. The MRC is first recognized and a representation of at least a portion of the MRC containing at least a representation of the encoded information from the MRC is stored in a temporary buffer. The unique identification information is then associated with the user that allows a retail processing system to uniquely identify the user. The stored representation of the MRC and the unique identification information is transferred to the retail processing system and then ownership of the article of commerce is transferred from an entity other than the user to the user to complete the transaction.