Barcode Device

Abstract

Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers.

1 . A method, comprising:
 using a portable communication device with a camera and a display unit therein, to obtain a single image of a bar code, wherein the single image of the bar code has both of a first portion with first information, and a second portion with second information, said first portion and said second portion integrated together into a single barcode, said first portion being in a defined location within said bar code, and where said first portion and said second portion are sufficiently close together that they are imaged by a single imaging device at one time;   decoding, by the portable communications device, using a processor of the portable communication device to obtain the information from said first and second portions;   addressing a remote server, by the portable communications device, using information from said decoding to form an address to access said remote server;   receiving return information from said remote server, in said portable communication device, based on using said address;   receiving and displaying, on said display unit of said portable communication device, said return information, wherein said return information comprises different information from the information in said first portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is a two-dimensional barcode. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 1 , wherein said information from said second portion includes a pointer to a database. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein said pointer to the database is in ASCII format. 
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 3 , wherein said pointer to the database includes information indicative of a source from which the barcode was obtained. 
     
     
         6 . The method as in  claim 2 , wherein said first portion and said second portion are indicated together into a single barcode. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 1 , further comprising: using said portable communication device to make a telephone call at a different time than said using to obtain an image; and at a different time than said telephone call or said using to obtain an image, using said camera to obtain a video. 
     
     
         8 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said first portion is a linear bar code and said second portion is a non-linear bar code. 
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said barcode is portion of an advertisement, and said information obtained from said remote server represents more information about the advertisement. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 using a portable communication device with a camera and a display unit therein, operating to obtain an image of a bar code;   decoding, by the portable communications device, using a processor of the portable communication device to obtain decoded information from said image of said bar code;   automatically accessing a remote server using information from said decoding, said automatically accessing carried out automatically in response to said decoding, using said decoded information to access said remote server;   receiving return information from said remote server, in said portable communication device, based on using said decoded information; and   receiving and displaying, on said display unit of said portable communication device, said return information, wherein said return information comprises different information than said decoded information.   
     
     
         11 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein said information includes a pointer to a database, and said receiving return information is from a website that is different than said database. 
     
     
         12 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein said information includes a pointer to a database, wherein said pointer to the database is in ASCII format. 
     
     
         13 . The method as in  claim 10 , wherein said information includes a pointer to a database, wherein said pointer to the database includes information indicative of a source from which the bar code was obtained. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising: using said portable communication device to make a telephone call at a different time than said using to obtain an image; and at a different time than said telephone call or said using to obtain an image, using said camera to obtain a video. 
     
     
         15 . A portable communication apparatus, comprising:
 a portable communication device with a camera and a display unit therein, having a processor therein, running a routine to obtain an image of a bar code using said camera;   said processor operating for decoding the image of the barcode to obtain decoded information from said image of said bar code;   said processor automatically accessing a remote server using the portable communication device, using said decoded information to access said remote server, said automatically accessing carried out automatically in response to said decoding, and receiving return information from said remote server, in said portable communication device, based on said automatically addressing and said processor controlling displaying, on said display unit of said portable communication device, said return information, wherein said return information comprises different information than said decoded information.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein said decoded information includes a pointer to a database, and said remote server is a website that is different than said database. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein said decoded information includes a pointer to a database, wherein said pointer to the database is in ASCII format. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein said decoded information includes a pointer to a database, wherein said pointer to the database includes information indicative of a source from which the bar code was obtained. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein said image of the bar code is a single image of a bar code that has both of a first portion with first information, and a second portion with second information, said first portion and said second portion integrated together into a single barcode, said first portion being in a defined location within said bar code, and where said first portion and said second portion are sufficiently close together that they are imaged by a single imaging device at one time; and said decoding obtains information from said first and second portions.