BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustration of one possible embodiment of the present invention, showing a variation of the linking identification code.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one potential means for using the linking identification code of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of one possible embodiment of the present invention, showing a variation of the linking identification code.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a part number coded into ASCII barcode.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of a complex resource (URL) address coded into ASCII barcode.
FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention, using a simple code correlated to the complex resource code.
FIG. 7 is a example of the present invention utilized in an assembly drawing bill of materials.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a method for use of a linking identification code.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Looking at FIGS. 1 and 2, a linking identification code (18) for a component or a system of components (20) comprising: a linkage code (22), the linkage code (22) comprising at least an encoded URL address for linking the scanned identification to a resource (26) located on a network (28), the resource (26) containing a dataset associated with the component or the system of components (20); and a tag code (23), the tag code (23) indicating that the linking identification code (18) contains the encoded URL address, the tag code (23) launching the software means upon the input of the linking identification code means to a computing means (26), the software means being configured to retrieve data from the resource (26), the software means being directed to the resource (26), the dataset on the resource (26) being communicated via a display means (38).
Looking again at FIG. 1, an example of the linking identification code (18) can be seen, using a UPC-like coding sequence, generated from the alphanumeric coding (32) printed below. In this case, the code can either be scanned by a scanning means (46), which includes any device that permits the reading of the linking identification code (18) and transference of the information to a computing means (36), or the code can be read by a person and manually entered into the computing means (36). The linking identification code (18) can be in the form of optical identifiers such as barcodes, inductive transmitting/receiving devices, or other form of ID memory, alpha-numeric codes, and other identification technologies.
The linkage code (22) and the tag code (23) can be generated in numerous ways, with the tag code (23) appearing in any part of the linking identification code (18), providing that the tag code (23) can be processed and recognized as such by the computing means (36). Upon the entry of the data of the decoded linking identification code (18) into the computing means (36), a software means can be used to execute the instructions related to that tag code (23). The software means can launch a browsing program (such as Internet Explorer, Opera, FireFox, etc.) or any other programs that are designed to retrieve a dataset from a network (28) and display the dataset on the display means (38) of a computing means (36).
The tag code (23) in FIG. 1, is the at-symbol “@”. This is one example of a potential tag code (23), although many other alphanumeric options are available. In a preferred embodiment, the tag code (23) would be in a predetermined location within the linking identification code (18), for instance the first position, so that upon the reading of the sequence, the software means would recognize the inputted code as a URL enable code, being able to direct a connection to a resource (26) on a network (28). The alphanumeric symbol used as a tag code (23) may or may not be used in other locations within the linking identification code (18). If used in another location, other than the programmed tag code (23) location, the symbol will not be treated as a tag code (23).
The linkage code (22) can be generated in many ways, including random generation, sequential generation, intelligent groupings of industries, usages, and the like, or hybrids of the part number and previously mentioned generation techniques. The linkage code in any case represents a data address or URL for a resource (26) on a network (28). This resource (26) can include data stored on servers within an intranet system or internet system, accessible through a web page, ftp site, or similar. The
In FIGS. 5 and 6, a long string resource (26) address on a network (28) is associated with a generated short string series of unique characters (56), comprising the steps of: generating a linkage code (22), the linkage code (22) having at least the short string series of unique characters (56); associating the short string series of unique characters (56) with a long string product resource address (58) on the network (28); creating an index of short string series and long string product resource address associations; storing the association within a portal resource (50) such as a redirecting site server means. When the linking identification code (18) is scanned by a scanning means (46) and is decoded, the short string series of unique characters (56) directs a browsing means on the computing means (36) towards the redirecting site. The redirecting site looks up the identification input in the index and compares the short string series of unique characters (56) with the associated long string product resource address (58). The redirecting site redirects the browsing means towards the associated long string product resource address, the product resource page being displayed on the computer monitor. The tag code (23) can additionally be attached to the generated the short string series of unique characters (56).
The original long string product resource address (58), common to many websites, is much too long to be represented in common coding languages, such as ASCII. For instance, the following internet address contains information for a Textron Camtainer Fastener (part number 395-8150-00):
- http://www.textronfasteningsystems.com/PDFs/catalog/ccamtainr.pdf
The internet address is 65 characters long. If this address were to be directly converted to ASCII barcode, as seen in FIG. 5, the resulting barcode would be far too large to actually fit on many products, particularly, in this case, a fastener. FIG. 4 shows a standard UPC code (60), with just the manufacturers internal part number (61) coded into the barcode format.
Instead, the present invention provides a means for uniquely associating a long string product resource address (58) with a short string series of unique characters (56), as demonstrated in FIG. 6. For example the long string product resource address (58):
- http://www.textronfasteningsystems.com/PDFs/catalog/ccamtainr.pdf
is converted, by either a sequentially, randomly, or intelligently generated a short string series of unique characters (56):
The short string series is embedded into the product identifier, either being the entire identification by itself or being in addition to the existing product identification (as shown in FIG. 6). The resulting much shorter UPC can be easily placed on a product or part. Scanning the part not only reveals the product part number, but also automatically directs the connected browsing means to the specific web resource page that is directly associated with that particular part or product. From that page any necessary electronic resources can be made available to the user.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, The linking identification code (18) wherein the linkage code (22) can further comprise: a portal code (23), the portal code (23) being correlated to a portal resource (50), the portal code (23) directing the software means to the portal resource (50); and an end resource code (42), the portal resource (50) being comprised of at least an index of associations between the end resource code (42) and the end resource (54), the linkage code (22) being received by the portal resource (50), the end resource code (42) being correlated with the end resource (54), the software means being redirected to the end resource (54), the end resource (54) being communicated via the display means (38).
A portal resource (50), such as a gateway site is provided. The gateway site receives decoded linking identification code (18) data from the software means and redirects the software means to the end resource (54) page that is directly associated with that product.
Numerous products from different manufacturers can be indexed within the redirecting portal resource (50) site. Either existing product identifications or generated short string series of unique characters (56) can be associated with their particular manufacturers or resellers web page for that product. Many trillions of combinations of linking identification codes (18) and end resource (54) (product resource pages) associations are possible within this system, depending on the number of characters in a string.
Any participating manufacturer or interested party can participate by registering their product line and associating each linking identification codes (18) with a specific end resource (54) page located on the internet. Numerous manufacturers can have numerous linking identification codes (18) pointing towards the same redirecting gateway portal resource (50). More than one portal resource (50) site can exist if necessary.
FIG. 8 shows a method (66) for use of a linking identification code (18) for a component or a system of components (20) comprising the steps of: inputting into a computing means (36) a linking identification code (18) comprising a linkage code (22) and a tag code (23) (step 70); decoding said linkage code (22) and said tag code (23) (step 72); launching a software means upon the decoding of said tag code (23), said software means being configured to retrieve a dataset from a resource (26) (step 74); correlating said linkage code (22) with said resource (26), said resource (26) containing said dataset associated with said component or said system of components (20) (step 76); retrieving said dataset from said resource (26) (step 78).
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 7, a URL enabled bill of materials is provided. The bill of materials (62) is inserted or associated with a product assembly drawing (64), design, documents, or similar. The URL enabled bill of materials (62) being comprised of a linking identification code (18), the linking identification code (18) being machine readable. Wherein, the linking identification code (18) within the bill of materials (62) can be indicated through a user interface (such as clicking with a mouse or similar) or scanned with a scanning means (in a printed or on-screen version), the linking identification code (18) having information directing the browsing means to a resource (26) page associated with that particular product.
Essentially, if the design drawing is printed on paper, each part indicated on the bill of materials (62) can be scanned by a scanning means (46). The associated resource (26) page is called up within the browsing means. From that page, the part can be automatically ordered based on the quantity indicated on the bill of materials, installation and usage instructions can be conveyed, and any other information or electronic resources necessary in design or assembly can be conveyed to the user.
If the design is displayed within a CAD system or design viewing means a hyperlink can be embedded within the product identification, wherein clicking or otherwise indicating the region of the barcode or product identification will direct the browsing means to the product resource page of that particular product.
If a person using the part desires information regarding the part, for ordering, reordering, specifications, and such, the person needs merely to scan the part identifier to be directed to a website or network resource that contains specific information regarding the part or product. This information can include a product description and details, ordering information (area distributors or retailers), customized features, a CAD drawing (2D or solid model), safety or recall information, optically readable identifiers that can be downloaded and inserted into drawings, documents, part bins, and such, and any other resource or information that is able to be transmitted via a network.
While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.
Patent Application
20070276808
