Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing – Accessing a remote server
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-21
2001-11-06
Vu, Viet D. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
Accessing a remote server
C709S224000, C709S227000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314457
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to a method for bridging the gap between the virtual multimedia-based Internet world and the physical world of tangible object media. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for managing a domain name service based on initiating a communication from an object containing provider information using a scanner, a portal server and a receiver connected across a network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Each server connected to the Internet has associated with it at least one unique Internet protocol (IP) address. The IP address is typically represented by a series of four numbers each separated by a period, such as “192.33.44.1” and is translated into a domain name by a Domain Name Server also known as a domain name service (“DNS”). The DNS is a static, hierarchical name service that maintains a database for resolving host names and IP addresses. For example, the numeric IP address “209.224.235.137” is converted by the DNS into the domain name “CLIC-THRU.COM”. This conversion allows users to connect to remote computers by inputting host names as well as IP addresses.
Until recently, only one company, Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI), was charged with allocating and administering DNS. Thus, any entity interested in obtaining a DNS entry had to register with NSI by providing, among other things, a unique alphanumeric sequence (e.g. “CLIC-THRU.COM”) which NSI. would associated with an internet protocol (IP) address (e.g. 209.224.235.137). Recently, businesses other that NSI have been permitted to register DNS entries. The invention described herein provides for an alternative to the present DNS schema by using a system which incorporates scanner technology to manage the DNS.
Scanner technology has been used for many years in many contexts. By way of example, scanners are used in supermarkets, with personal computers, and in inventory, manufacturing, and resource control systems. However, scanner technology has not previously been thought of as a means to bridge the gap between static printed media and the “virtual world” of interactivity, which includes the Internet, advertising, entertainment, and electronic commerce.
Printed media have been the primary source of communicating information, including news and advertising information, for centuries. The advent of the Internet over the past few decades has expanded the concept of printed media by making it available in an electronically readable and searchable form and by introducing interactive multi-media capabilities unparalleled by traditional printed media. Unfortunately, many users of printed media do not possess the requisite technical expertise to use the Internet as an efficient source of information. Thus, although almost everyone in the world has access to printed media on a daily basis, only a small percentage of those people possess the requisite technical expertise to use the Internet.
There exists a need for managing a DNS that can link all users of printed media and tangible object media to the “virtual world” and that can deliver desired information to the user without regard to the user's technical expertise, knowledge of IP addresses or domain names. The present invention provides such a method by using scanner technology to bridge the gap between tangible object media, the virtual world of interactivity and the Internet. Moreover, managing a DNS using a system as described herein enables those controlling the tangible object media, such as print media, to enhance their presentation of information to their customers by providing them with a multimedia experience unavailable in traditional printed media.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a method for managing a domain name service based on initiating a communication from an object containing provider information via a network, such as the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet, which connects a scanner, a portal server, and a receiver. The method involves scanning a machine-readable code containing a link information corresponding to the provider information from the object using the scanner and storing the machine-readable code in a memory. The link information is then extracted from the machine readable code in the memory. A user input information corresponding to the provider information is also obtained and stored in the memory. The link information and the user input information are then sent to the portal server via the network. The portal server receives the link information and user input information and selects a multimedia information sequence corresponding to the link information and the user input information. The multimedia information sequence is then sent to the receiver via the network. The receiver receives and stores the multimedia information sequence plays the sequence automatically or in response to a stimulus, such as a user request.
In one embodiment of a system executing a method of the invention, the scanner and the receiver comprises a single device. In another embodiment, the scanner communicates with the portal server directly, and customer premises equipment (“CPE”), serving as the receiver, plays multimedia sequence information received from the portal server. In a further embodiment, the CPE operates as both a scanner and a receiver. The multimedia sequence information may be advertising or transaction information and may contain one or more of textual, audio, or video information.
In a preferred embodiment of a system executing a method of the invention, the scanner includes a memory, a user interface, and a communications bridge. The scanner may be, for example, a remote control, a mouse, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a pager, or a two-way pager. The scanner detects and reads data, such as machine-readable codes containing link information corresponding to provider information from the printed medium. A plurality of codes may be stored in the scanner, the receiver, and the portal server. The link information corresponding to the provider information may include, for example, a universal resource locator, an Internet address information, trademark information, a source of origin, an organization name, a product name, a service name, benefit redemption information, provider defined information, user personal profile information, user interest information, server command information, and customer premises equipment preference information.
The user interface obtains user input information, such as an advertising authorization, a transaction authorization, user personal profile information, and user interest information corresponding to the provider information. The user input information may be received and stored by either the scanner, the receiver, or the portal server. The scanner routes the link information and the user input information based upon a user request via the user interface. The user interface may be, for example, a voice-activated system, a keypad, or a keyboard. In one embodiment of a system executing a method of the invention, the user interface may reside on any one or more of the scanner, the receiver, such as customer premises equipment for displaying the multimedia sequence information, or the portal server.
The communications bridge sends the link information and the user input information to the receiver and, via the network, to the portal server. An infrared communications system, a mobile radio communications system, or an IP-based communications system are exemplary of the communications bridge.
The portal server is in communication with the scanner or the receiver via the network. In one embodiment of a system executing a method of the invention, the portal server is accessible via the Internet to any Internet user. In another embodiment, the portal server is accessible only by the provider of information.
The portal server is capable of receiving the link information and the user input information, selecting a multimedia information sequence corresponding to the link information an
Anderer Mike
Bernstein Mike
Ritz Peter B.
Schena Robert J.
AirClic, Inc.
Morgan & Lewis & Bockius, LLP
Vu Viet D.
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