Interactive barcodes

Abstract

A centralized barcode system is described. The centralized barcode system includes a barcode generation system configured to create a customized barcode by creating a new barcode or enhancing an existing barcode.

1 . A method comprising:
 identifying, by a barcode scanner executed by a computing device, a barcode, wherein the barcode is associated with an item of interest;   decoding, by the computing device, the barcode to obtain first information regarding the item of interest, wherein the first information is encoded in the barcode or is retrieved from data that is encoded in the barcode;   matching the barcode with a database record;   presenting, via a graphical interface on the computing device, a user interface tool to receive supplemental information regarding the item of interest that is not encoded in the barcode;   receiving the supplemental information of the item of interest from a source whereby the supplemental information comprises a social component; and   storing the supplemental information in the database record whereby the supplemental information, the social component, and an identifier associated with the source are associated with the item of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface tool comprises at least one of a button, a scroll bar, a picture, or a spin dial. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the barcode scanner is part of a mobile application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental information further comprises at least one of a setting flag, a group, a photo, a video, audio, a location, a comment, or a security setting. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the item of interest is at least one of a product, a person, an entity, a group, or an organization associated with a social network account. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, over a network, the supplemental information, the social component, and the identifier associated with the source to a centralized database at a server device. 
     
     
         7 . A computing system comprising:
 a memory; and   a processor coupled to the memory, the processor to:   identify, by a barcode scanner executed by the processor, a barcode, wherein the barcode is associated with an item of interest;   decode the barcode to obtain first information regarding the item of interest, wherein the first information is encoded in the barcode or is retrieved from data that is encoded in the barcode;   match the barcode with a database record;   present, via a graphical interface, a user interface tool to receive supplemental information regarding the item of interest that is not encoded in the barcode;   receive the supplemental information of the item of interest from a source whereby the supplemental information comprises a social component; and   store the supplemental information in the database record whereby the supplemental information, the social component, and an identifier associated with the source are associated with the item of interest.   
     
     
         8 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the user interface tool comprises at least one of a button, a scroll bar, a picture, or a spin dial. 
     
     
         9 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the barcode scanner is part of a mobile application. 
     
     
         10 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the supplemental information further comprises at least one of a setting flag, a group, a photo, a video, audio, a location, a comment, or a security setting. 
     
     
         11 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the item of interest is at least one of a product, a person, an entity, a group, or an organization associated with a social network account. 
     
     
         12 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the computing system comprises two or more computing devices. 
     
     
         13 . The computing system of  claim 12 , comprising transmitting, by a first computing device of the two or more computing devices over a network, the supplemental information, the social component, and the identifier associated with the source to a centralized database at a second computing device of the two or more computing devices. 
     
     
         14 . The computing system of  claim 12 , further comprising receiving, by a second computing device of the two or more computing devices, the supplemental information, the social component, and the identifier associated with the source. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 identifying, by a barcode scanner executed by a computing device, a barcode, wherein the barcode is associated with an item of interest;   decoding, by the computing device, the barcode to obtain first information regarding the item of interest, wherein the first information is encoded in the barcode or is retrieved from data that is encoded in the barcode;   matching the barcode with a database record;   
       presenting, via a graphical interface on the computing device, a selectable notification associated with the item of interest;
 receiving, from a user, selection of the notification; and 
 directing the user to a second application on the computing device whereby the user is prompted to take action within the second application based on the selection of the notification, the action comprising a social interaction. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the barcode scanner is part of a mobile camera application. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second application is at least one of a contact application, a social network application, or a mobile telephone application. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the user is associated with a database account and the social interaction is stored in the database account.