Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein comprises 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 in a reference server 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 a user to access information on a network. Information from a machine recognizable code (MRC) (1606) is extracted at a user location, which MRC (1606) has associated therewith routing information to a remote location (312) on the network. The extracted information from the MRC (1606) is wirelessly transmitted to a network interface device (302) in response to the information being extracted. The remote location (312) associated with the extracted information from the MRC (1606) is then connected thereto from the user location and the information downloaded therefrom. The downloaded information is displayed on a display (1612) at the user location, such that when displayed, substantially immediate feedback is provided to the user in response to the MRC (1606) being scanned.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing information over a network (306) from a remote location (312) on the network (306) for delivery to a user PC (302). A cellular telephone (2500) is provided having a functional mode for web access over the network (306). A button (2502) on the phone is associated with the functional mode. The button on the phone (2500) is activated by a user to induce the functional mode when in proximity to the user PC (302). In response to activation of the functional mode, the user PC (302) is controlled to access information from the remote location (312) on the network (306) for delivery to the user PC (302) and display thereof to the user on a display (1612) associated with the user PC (302).

Abstract: A method of conducting an e-commerce transaction on a global communication network (306) by using personal account information of a credit card retrieved from a credit card company server 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: Method and apparatus for allowing a remote site to interact with an intermediate database to facilitate access to the remote site a method for delivering information from a source on a global communication network to destination location thereon. A unique code is associated with an advertising action associated with the source location. The unique code is stored in a database and routing information over the global communication network to a defined location on the global communication network for the source associated with the unique code in the database. The unique code is delivered to the user and then accessed of the database by the user results in retrieval of the routing information associated with the delivered unique code by the user. The destination location is connected to the defined source location associated with the delivered unique code in the database and in accordance with the associated routing information retrieved from the database.

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 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 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 method of displaying a web page to a user. A triggering device (2500) is provided having a unique code associated therewith, the unique code associated with a remote location on a network of the source of the web page. The unique code is transmitted from the triggering device (2500) to an interface system (302), which interface system (302) is disposed on the network (306) at a triggering location. Location information associated with the unique code is then retrieved from a database (1614 or 310), the location information corresponding to the location of the web page at the remote location (312) on the network (306). In response to retrieving the location information, the interface system (302) connects to the remote location (312). The web page corresponding to location information of the remote location (312) is then presented to the user via the interface system (302).

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 connect to the second location.

Abstract: A visual indicia for facilitating computer based access of a network by consumer. A machine readable code is disposed on a surface having encoded therein information as to a product or a surface, which machine readable code has no routing information contained therein to allow a user to access any location on a network. A visual indicia is disposed on the surface indicative of a relationship between the machine readable code and the presence of a location on a network. This allows this location on the network can be accessed by a computer having an appropriate input device for reading the machine readable code, such that reading of the machine readable code by the input device will connect the computer to the location.

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: 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 initiating and completing a commercial transaction to acquire an article of commerce (2502). The article of commerce (2502) has associated therewith a machine resolvable code (MRC) (2504). The MRC (2504) has encoded therein information relating to the article of commerce (2502). The encoded information in the MRC (2504) is extracted therefrom and unique identification information associated with a user is obtained. The encoded information from the MRC (2504) is stored in a temporary buffer. After the encoded information from the MRC (2504) is stored and the unique identification information associated with a user is obtained, it is transferred to a retail processing system (1612). In response to the retail processing system (1612) receiving the encoded information from the MRC (2504) and the transferred unique identification of the user, ownership of the article of commerce (2502) is transferred to the user.

Abstract: The use of a visual indicia or cue facilitates computer based access of a network by a consumer witnessing a presentation. A visual indicia or cue is provided during the presentation indicative of a relationship between the visual indicia or cue in the presence of a location on a network. This allows this location on the network to be accessed by a computer having an appropriate input device for responding to a released control signal associated with the visual indicia or cue wherein such response of the input device will connect the computer to the location.

Abstract: A method for conducting a contest using a network is provided. A plurality of pick spaces and a rolling counter are displayed on a screen of a computer operably connected to the network at a user site. The rolling counter constitutes successive ones of a plurality of available characters, each character being displayed for a preselected duration. Each time the user performs a predefined selection action, the then-displayed character of the rolling counter is assigned to a successive one of the plurality of pick spaces, and thereafter the assigned character is displayed in the corresponding pick space. When each pick space displays an assigned character, an entry data packet is assembled including data indicative of the assigned character in each of the plurality of pick spaces. The entry data packet is transmitted from the user computer across the network to a remote site. The entry data packet is received at the remote site.

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 of displaying a web page to a user. A triggering device (2500) is provided having a unique code associated therewith, the unique code associated with a remote location on a network of the source of the web page. The unique code is transmitted from the triggering device (2500) to an interface system (302), which interface system (302) is disposed on the network (306) at a triggering location. Location information associated with the unique code is then retrieved from a database (1614 or 310), the location information corresponding to the location of the web page at the remote location (312) on the network (306). In response to retrieving the location information, the interface system (302) connects to the remote location (312). The web page corresponding to location information of the remote location (312) is then presented to the user via the interface system (302).