HK1027882B

HK1027882B - System and method for carrying out information-related transactions

Info

Publication number: HK1027882B
Application number: HK00107083.3A
Authority: HK
Inventors: G‧拉塞尔; 大D‧M‧维尔茨; C‧H‧诺尔斯
Original assignee: 计量仪器股份有限公司
Priority date: 1996-11-25
Filing date: 1997-11-24
Publication date: 2005-05-20

Description

Method for a system for conducting information-related transactions

Background

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a novel system and method for conducting information-related transactions, such as electronic commerce, using a Web document (i.e., Web page) containing an Applet that allows the transaction to be automatically issued and executed based on a code symbol containing a URL (uniform resource address identifier) that is read to the Web document.

Brief description of the background

Currently, most information-related transactions, including financial transactions, item purchases, business facilitation, insurance claim reporting, information access, and the like, are enabled using a telephone and information (e.g., personal identification number, etc.) pre-printed on a credit card sized card (functioning as a transaction card). Some financial transactions (e.g., cash depositors and/or withdrawals) require the use of specialized machines known as Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). While advances in telephony and voice technology have made telephone-based transactions more economical in recent years, there are some practical limitations to the types of transactions that can be conveniently conducted on the telephone.

To overcome the deficiencies and drawbacks associated with telephone-based transactions, many product vendors and service providers have released the world Wide Web (W)An internet Web site (i.e., "Web site") on the orld-Wide Web) to enable their customers to utilize browser programs, such as Navigator (r) of Netscape communications corporation^Or Microsoft's Internet Exporer^To conduct various types of transactions. While the development of hypertext markup language (THML) and GUI-based Web browser programs has made it relatively simple to access Web sites, many users in fact find it uncomfortable to use traditional Web browsers and therefore rather transact with a telephone. Thus, these consumers cannot enjoy the benefits associated with internet-based information transactions, while product vendors and service providers cannot enjoy the savings and benefits associated with internet-based transactions.

Accordingly, there is a significant need in the art for an improved system and method for conducting information-related transactions (and electronic commerce) over the internet that avoids the disadvantages and drawbacks of prior systems and methods.

Disclosure of Invention

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for conducting information-related transactions (and electronic commerce) over the internet that avoids the disadvantages and drawbacks of prior systems and methods.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system wherein a Web page containing a transaction-enabling Applet can automatically service a client system in response to reading a DN/PN code (domain name and pathname code) or URL code (uniform resource address identification code) symbol (i.e., bar code symbol or magnetic strip) that points to a Web page containing a transaction-enabling Applet.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system wherein each internet-enabled client computer is provided with a code symbol reader for reading URL-encoded symbols printed on transaction cards and other forms of printed media for automated access to Web pages from an internet information server containing an Applet specially designed for execution.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an internet transaction system wherein the bar code symbol reader may be a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD type bar code symbol, a wand type bar code symbol reader or a magnetic stripe reader.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an internet transaction system in the form of a desktop, laptop or palmtop computer system which is connected to the internet by an Internet Service Provider (ISP), where the computer system has a GUI-based Web browser program and a program controlled bar code symbol scanner interfaced therewith for automatically accessing Web pages containing applets which permit transactions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an internet transaction system in the form of a desktop, laptop, palmtop or body-mountable computer system connected to the internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), where the computer system has a GUI-based Web browser program and a program-controlled bar code symbol scanner interfaced therewith for automatically accessing transaction-enabled Web pages located in information servers connected to the internet.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such an internet-based transaction enabling system in which Java is paired in an HTML-encoded document (i.e., "Web page") structure^TMThe Applet encodes the HTML code document stored in the internet-based information server and is automatically launched and displayed by a Java-enabled browser, which receives the URL of the HTML-encoded document by reading the URL-encoding symbol on a credit card or other transaction-enabled card.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method in which the internet client system is automatically connected to the internet information resource specified by the scanned Applet encoding bar code symbols for partial processing and display in accordance with the Applet permitting the transaction.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent in the following description.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a more complete understanding of how these objects of the present invention are achieved, the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments should be read in light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention in which an Internet-based transaction enabling system is implemented in the form of a desktop computer system, which shows a computer connected to the Internet through an ISP, having a GUI-based Web browser program and a bar code symbol scanner, automatically accessing a transaction-enabling Web page containing an Applet that enables transactions by simply scanning a bar code symbol encoded in a corresponding URL;

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of one or more Internet transaction catalogs of the present invention showing several URL encoded (truncated) bar code symbols printed thereon and corresponding directly readable URL and content descriptions;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of a bar code driven Internet-based transaction enabling system according to a first broad method of the present invention, showing reading a bar code symbol encoded with (i) a program command to write a URL into an information resource "Goto" window (i.e., a "Goto" buffer) of an Internet browser program, (ii) the entire URL of a Web page containing an Applet to be accessed, and (iii) an Internet browser program command to execute a HyperText transfer protocol (HTTP) request on the URL entering the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram of a bar code driven Internet-based transaction enabling system in accordance with a second broad method of the present invention for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbol that has been encoded with the entire URL of a Web page containing an Applet to be accessed, and (ii) appending thereto a prefix code string representing a program command to write the URL into the information resource "Goto" window of an Internet browser program, and a suffix code string representing a program command to execute an HTTP request on the URL entering the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram of a bar code driven Internet based transaction enabling system according to a third broad method of the present invention for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbol that has been encoded with only the domain name ((DN) or basic IP address) and server pathname portions of the URL of the Web page containing the Appl et to be accessed: (ii) appending thereto a prefix code string representing (1) a program command to write a URL into an information resource "Goto" window of an internet browser program and (2) an internet protocol identifier (e.g., "HTTP://"), and (iii) appending a suffix code string representing a program command to execute an HTTP request on a URL into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1E is a schematic diagram of a bar code driven Internet-based transaction enabling system in accordance with a fourth broad method of the present invention for automatically (i) reading a bar code symbol, the bar code having been encoded with the entire URL of a Web page containing an Applet to be accessed, (ii) writing the URL into the information resource "Goto" window of an Internet browser program, and (iii) executing an HTTP request over the URL into the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1F is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D (linear) URL encoded barcode symbol of the present invention, containing ASCII symbols representing the entire URL of a Web page containing an Applet to be accessed (e.g., HTTP:// www.panam.com/reservations) and program commands to write the URL into the information resource "Goto" window of an Internet browser program (e.g., CTL (L)) and program commands to perform HTTP requests on the URL entering the "Goto" window (e.g., RTN);

FIG. 1G is a graphical representation of an exemplary 2-D URL encoded barcode symbol of a PDF 417 symbol encoded in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 1H is a graphical representation of an exemplary "multiple 1-D" URL-encoded barcode symbol structure, according to the present invention, comprising a pair of discrete 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbols, where a first barcode symbol contains ASCII code elements representing program commands (e.g., CTL (L)) to write a URL into a "Goto" window of a program, the entire URL of a Web page containing an Applet to be accessed, and program commands (e.g., RTN) to perform HTTP requests on the URL entering the "Goto" window, and a second barcode symbol contains ASCII code elements representing Internet browser program commands (e.g., (CTL L)) to write a URL into an information resource "Goto" window of an Internet browser program, the entire URL containing an AppletWeb page to be accessed, and program commands (e.g., RTN) to perform HTTP requests on the URL entering the "Goto" window;

FIG. 1I is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D URL encoded bar code symbol of the present invention, including ASCII symbols representing program commands (e.g., CTL (L)) to write a URL into the "Goto" window of an Internet browser program, the entire URL of the Web page of an Applet to be accessed including its pathname portion, and program commands (e.g., RTN) to perform an HTTP request on the entered URL when the bar code symbol is read;

FIG. 1J is a graphical representation of an exemplary 1-D URL encoded barcode symbol of the present invention, including ASCII symbols representing an Internet browser program command (e.g., CTL (L)) to write a URL into a "Goto" window of an Internet browser program, the entire URL of a Web page to access an Applet containing its domain name and pathname portions, and an Internet browser program command (e.g., RTN) to perform an HTTP request on the incoming URL when the barcode symbol is read;

FIG. 1K is a graphical representation of a hexadecimal series corresponding to the exemplary 1-D URL encoded bar code symbol of FIG. 1J transmitted from a bar code symbol reader to an Internet browser program of the Internet-based transaction enabling system of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the internet-based transaction-permitting system is implemented in the form of an interactive Web-based television system including a terminal unit connected to the internet via an ISP, having a portable internet navigation (i.e., roaming) device with an IR link to the terminal unit and a bar code symbol scanner integrated therewith, for automatically accessing Applet-encoded Web pages by simply scanning corresponding URL-encoded bar code symbols printed on various types of media;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the Internet-based transaction enabling system is implemented in the form of a hand-held scanner terminal, shown connected to the Internet by a wireless link to an ISP, with an integrated GUI-based Web browser program, display panel, key pad and program-controlled bar code symbol scanner, automatically accessing Web pages containing Applets listed in the transaction guide by simply scanning URL-encoded bar code symbols printed on their pages;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a body-worn bar code symbol driven Internet-based transaction enabling system having a hand-mounted bar code symbol reader and an arm-mounted remote unit containing a microprocessor system supporting Internet access to an embedded Applet Web page by reading URL-encoded symbols;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the body-worn system of FIG. 4 being used to access information resources (e.g., audio and video information) from an Internet-enabled database during system or device inspection and/or repair in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention in the form of a kiosk-type Internet-based transaction enablement system, wherein to automatically run a Web document (from a Web server) containing a transaction enablement Java-Allpet, a magnetic stripe reader is provided for reading a URL encoded magnetic stripe transaction card, and a 2-D bar code symbol reader is provided for reading a URL encoded bar code symbol;

fig. 7 is a flow chart setting the steps of a method of running a transaction implementing the present invention on the internet.

Best mode for carrying out the invention

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements and structures are designated by like reference numerals.

Overview of an Internet-based transaction enabling System

Generally, the system and method of the present invention are connected to a global digital packet switched telecommunications network, referred to as the internet. The function of the internet is to provide an infrastructure that supports both wired and wireless digital telecommunications throughout the world using the well-known TCP/IP network protocols. Typically, the internet infrastructure includes Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Network Service Providers (NSPs), routers, telecommunication lines and channels, etc., all of which are well known to those skilled in the art.

As shown in fig. 1, a number of internet Web site servers (i.e., information service computer systems) 2 distributed throughout the world are connected to the internet 1 via internet infrastructure (i.e., ISPs and NSPs). As the name implies, the function of the Internet server 2 is to provide information resources to Internet users as they make requests through client computer systems. The respective locations on the information servers connected to the internet infrastructure and each information resource are specified by a uniform resource address identifier (URL), the syntax of which is well known to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an HTML-encoded document (i.e., Web page) for a transaction service and a transaction-enabled Java are created^TM-an Applet. The Java-Applet is designed to perform a specific transaction using one of the internet-based transaction enabled systems of the present invention. Then, embedding Java-Applet in the Java-AppletIn an HTML document for transaction service, an information file related to the HTML document embedded in the Applet is then stored in an HTTP server (i.e., Web server) together with a compiled code related to the Java-Applet. The location of the transaction-enabled HTML document (i.e., Web page) is determined by the URL which specifies the location of the information file in the HTTP server, after which any client computer system which provides access to such Web page by scanning one or more URL-encoded symbols will be referred to as a "transaction-enabled system" or "internet-based transaction-enabled terminal," generally indicated by reference numeral 3 in the drawings.

In general, each Internet information server 2 and client system 3 may be connected to the Internet infrastructure by way of an ISP4 (or NSP) using either a tangible communications medium or a wireless (radio frequency based) digital communications link 5 as is well known to those skilled in the art. It is noted that while each of the exemplary embodiments of the internet-based transaction enabling system herein is embodied in a form in which the client system is operatively connected to the internet infrastructure by way of an ISP, it should be understood that the internet connection may be accomplished through an NSP or other access point in the internet infrastructure. In the illustrated embodiment, each Internet Web site server 2 is implemented as a computer system. The computer system runs generic Web site server software (e.g., WebStar from StarNine corporation)^FASTRAK of Netscape communication Inc^TMServer, or Microsoft corporation's Microsoft^Internet information server) and interfaces with the ISP in a conventional manner. Each internet Web site server assigns a unique TCP/IP address (and domain name) on the internet and provides internet networking software that supports the TCP/IP protocol. In addition, each Internet Web site server provides one or more application software programs for creating and maintaining hypermedia documents, including textual, graphical and audio information in an information file structure represented in HTML. Each HTML document on the WWW is physically served by the HTTP server 2 at the location specified by its URL.

Generally, there are several different ways of accessing the internet to run a transaction Web document in accordance with the present invention by scanning the code symbols for the URL code or DN code. Four generalized methods of accessing information resources on the internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols are shown in fig. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E. Each of these broad methods can be performed in the specific exemplary embodiments of the internet-based transaction enabled system shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, described in more detail below.

First generalized method for accessing Web pages on the internet using URL-encoded code symbols

In FIG. 1B, a first generalized method for accessing Web pages on the Internet using bar code symbols encoded by URLs is shown. As shown, this access method is enabled using an internet-based transaction-enabled system 3 that is comprised of two major subsystems, namely (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an internet terminal 3B. The primary function of the program-controlled bar code symbol reader 3A is to read bar code symbols that have been encoded with: (i) an internet browser program command capable of writing a URL into an information resource "Goto" window (i.e., "Goto" buffer) of the internet browser program, (ii) the entire URL of the HTML document to be accessed, (iii) an internet browser program command to perform a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request on the URL entering the "Goto" window. The function of the internet terminal 3B is to (1) provide interconnection to the internet infrastructure through the ISP4 (or NSP) using the communication medium or link 5; (2) a client side that accesses and displays the internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) specified by the URL encoding in the bar code symbol that is specifically allowed to trade HTML documents (i.e., Web page documents).

Generally, the programmed bar code symbol reader 3A includes a plurality of subsystem sections, namely: an optical scanning device and scan data processor means 3a1 (e.g., bar code laser scanner, CCD based bar code scanner, etc.); a programmable decoder module 3a2 (e.g., a programmed microprocessor employing control and decoding algorithms); and a data transfer module 3a 3. The function of the optical scanning device and the scan data processor means 3a1 is to optically scan a bar code symbol and to generate words of digital scan data (representing the length of the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for further decoding processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3a2 is to process these words of the digital scan data to produce ASCII code based symbolic character data representing a decoded bar code symbol. The function of the data transfer module circuit 3A3 is to transfer ASCII formatted data from the decoder module 3a2 to the internet terminal 3B for accessing and displaying the specific transaction-enabled Web page specified by the URL code in the decoded bar code symbol.

In FIG. 1B, an Internet-based transaction enabling system of a first broad embodiment is shown, reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this broad embodiment, the URL encoded bar code symbol contains ASCII code elements representing the following items of information: (1) an internet browser program command (e.g., ctl (l)) to write the URL into an information resource window "Goto" of the internet browser program; (2) the entire URL of the Web page to be accessed (e.g., http:// www.metrologic.com); (3) the internet browser program command of the HTTP request (e.g., RTN) is executed on the URL entering the "Goto" window. It should be understood, however, that this information may be encoded as one 2-D bar code symbol as shown in FIG. 1F, or alternatively as two or more 1-D URL-encoded bar code symbols as shown in FIG. 1H.

In fig. 1H, information contained in the bar code encoded by the bar URL of fig. 1F is encoded using a pair of bar code symbols. In such an embodiment, the first bar code symbol comprises ASCII symbols representing: (1) an internet browser program command (e.g., ctl (l)) to write the URL into an information resource window "Goto" of the internet browser program; (2) the entire URL of a trade-enabled HTML document to be accessed (e.g., http:// www.metrologic.com/info/trans. HTML); (3) the internet browser program command of the HTTP request (e.g., RTN) is executed on the URL entering the "Goto" window. The second bar code symbol comprises ASCII symbols representing: (1) an internet browser program command (e.g., ctl (l)) to write the URL into an information resource window "Goto" of the internet browser program; (2) the URL pathname portion of the Web page to be accessed (e.g.,/Products/ms6720. html); (3) the internet browser program command of the HTTP request (e.g., RTN) is executed on the URL entering the "Goto" window. Either of the two embodiments exemplified above will be common to the bar code symbol encoded by the URL, including its pathname portion (e.g.,/Mfg/carboxiaton), as shown in fig. 1I, which may have a comparable character length if desired.

These alternative encoding techniques are advantageous where the character length of the URL becomes quite long, as in the case of Web pages to be accessed that are deep in several sub-directories or sub-folders of the information server or in a back-end database connected to the information server through CGI or similar mechanisms.

At this point, the format of the information and bar code symbology are briefly discussed in order. Typically, the information that must be encoded into the bar code symbol structure in accordance with the present invention is represented in ASCII data format. This fact is based on the URL specifications, browser design and the natural nature of the characters used in the keyboard structure. Thus, any bar code symbology capable of representing characters in the ASCII character set may be used to practice the information encoding techniques of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, any of the following bar code symbologies may be used as the URL code: code 128; the entire ASCII character set of code 39; and a code 93. Although the ASCII formatted character string has been encoded in the bar code symbol of fig. 1J, the information string actually transmitted from the bar code symbol reader 3A to the internet browser program (of the internet terminal 3B) is typically represented in hexadecimal number format as shown in fig. 1K. However, it should be understood that the format of the information communicated is different for the individual embodiments of the present invention.

Second generalized method for accessing Web pages on the internet using URL-encoded code symbols

In FIG. 1C, a second generalized method for accessing Web pages on the Internet using URL-encoded bar code symbols is shown. As shown, this access method is enabled using an internet-based transaction-enabled system 3 that is comprised of two major subsystems, namely (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an internet terminal 3B. The functions of the program-controlled bar code symbol reader 3A are: (i) reading a bar code symbol, which has been encoded with the entire URL of the transaction-enabling Web page to be accessed: (ii) to which a prefix string (e.g., ctr (l)) representing an internet browser program command to write a URL into an information resource "Goto" window of an internet browser program is attached, and a suffix string (e.g., RTN) representing an internet browser program command to execute an HTTP request on a URL entering the "Goto" window is attached. The functions of the internet terminal 3B are: (1) interconnection to the internet infrastructure is provided through ISP4 (or NSP) using communication medium or link 5; (2) a client side that accesses and displays the internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required to specifically allow the transaction of the Web page specified by the URL code in the scanned bar code symbol is implemented.

Generally, the programmed bar code symbol reader 3A includes a plurality of subsystem sections, namely: an optical scanning device and a scanning data processor apparatus 3a1 (e.g., a barcode laser scanner, a CCD-based barcode scanner, etc.); a programmable decoder module 3a2 (e.g., a programmed microprocessor employing control and decoding algorithms); the data transfer module 3a 3; an ASCII code generator module 3a 4; and a code string synthesizer module 3a 5. The function of the optical scanning device and the scan data processor means 3a1 is to optically scan a bar code symbol and to generate words of digital scan data (representing the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for further decoding processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3a2 is to process these words of the digital scan data to produce ASCII code based symbolic character data representing a decoded bar code symbol. The function of the ASCII code generator module 3a3 is to generate: (1) an ASCII-based prefix code string (i.e., ctr (l)) representing an internet browser program command to write a URL into an information resource window "Goto" of an internet browser program, and (2) a suffix code string (i.e., RTN) representing an internet browser program command to execute an HTTP request on a URL into the "Goto" window. The code string synthesizer block 3a5 functions to synthesize the prefix and suffix code strings generated by the ASCII code generator 3a4 with the URL character string of the programmable decoder block 3a2 to form a complete code string which is transmitted to the internet browser program via the data transmission circuit 3 A3. The function of the data transfer circuit 3A3 is to send ASCII formatted data from the code string synthesizer module 3a5 to the internet terminal 3B for accessing and displaying the specific transaction-enabled Web page specified by the URL code in the decoded bar code symbol.

In 1C, the Internet-based transaction enabling system of the second broad embodiment is shown, reading a single 1-D URL-encoded barcode symbol. In this broad embodiment, the URL encoded bar code symbol contains an ASCII symbol representing the entire URL accessing a Web page from the Internet that allows a transaction. It should be understood, however, that the information encoded by the 1-D barcode symbol structure of FIG. 1C may be encoded as a 2-D barcode symbol structure or a pair of 1-D barcode symbols, as described above.

Third generalized method for accessing Web pages on the internet using URL-encoded code symbols

In FIG. 1D, a third generalized method for accessing information on the Internet using a URL encoded bar code symbol is shown. As shown, this access method is enabled using an internet-based transaction-enabled system 3 that is comprised of two major subsystems, namely (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an internet terminal 3B. The functions of the program-controlled bar code symbol reader 3A are: (i) reading a bar code symbol, which has been encoded with the entire URL of the transaction-enabled HTML document to be accessed: (ii) to which is appended a prefix code string representing (1) an internet browser program command to write a URL into an information resource "Goto" window of an internet browser program and (2) an internet protocol identifier (e.g., "HTTP://"), and (iii) a suffix code string representing an internet browser program command to execute an HTTP request on a URL into the "Goto" window. The functions of the internet terminal 3B are: (1) interconnection to the internet infrastructure is provided through ISP4 (or NSP) using communication medium or link 5; (2) a client side that accesses and displays the internet protocol (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) required for the particular permissible transaction Web page specified by the URL code in the bar code symbol is implemented.

Generally, the program-controlled bar code symbol reader 3A of the present exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of subsystem sections, namely: an optical scanning device and a scanning data processor apparatus 3a1 (e.g., a barcode laser scanner, a CCD-based barcode scanner, etc.); a programmable decoder module 3a2 (e.g., a programmed microprocessor employing control and decoding algorithms); the data transfer module 3a 3; an ASCII code generator module 3a 4; and a code string synthesizer module 3a 5. The function of the optical scanning device and the scan data processor means 3a1 is to optically scan a bar code symbol and to generate words of digital scan data (representing the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for further decoding processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3a2 is to process these words of the digital scan data to produce ASCII code based symbolic character data representing a decoded bar code symbol. The function of the ASCII code generator module 3a 4' is to generate: (1) an ASCII-based prefix code string (i.e., ctr (l)) representing an internet browser program command to write a URL into an information resource window "Goto" of the internet browser program; (2) an appropriate Internet protocol identifier (e.g., "http://"); and (3) a suffix code string (i.e., RTN) representing an Internet browser program command that executes an HTTP request on a URL that enters the "Goto" window. The code string synthesizer block 3a5 functions to synthesize the URL character code generated by the decoder block 3a2 with the code string generated by the ASCII code generator 3a4 to form a complete code string, which is transmitted to the internet browser program via the data transmission circuit 3 A3. The function of the data transfer circuit 3A3 is to send ASCII formatted data from the code string synthesizer module 3a5 to the internet terminal 3B for accessing and displaying the specific transaction-enabled Web page specified by the URL code in the decoded bar code symbol.

In 1D, a third broad embodiment of an Internet-based transaction enabling system is shown, reading a single 1-D URL-encoded bar code symbol. In this broad embodiment, the URL encoded bar code symbol contains an ASCII symbol representing the entire URL of the transaction-enabled Web page to be accessed. It should be understood, however, that the information encoded in the 1-D bar code symbol structure of FIG. 1D may be encoded as a 2-D bar code symbol structure or a pair of 1-D bar code symbols, as described above.

Fourth generalized method for accessing Web pages on the internet using URL-encoded code symbols

In FIG. 1E, a fourth generalized method for accessing Web pages on the Internet using bar code symbols encoded by URLs is shown. As shown, this access method is enabled using an internet-based transaction-enabled system 3 that is comprised of two major subsystems, namely (1) a programmed bar code symbol reader 3A; and (2) an internet terminal 3B. The function of the program-controlled bar code symbol reader 3A is to read out a bar code symbol that has been encoded with the entire URL of the transaction-enabled Web page to be accessed. The functions of the internet terminal 3B are: (1) interconnection to the internet infrastructure is provided through ISP4 (or NSP) using communication medium or link 5; (2) on the client side, which implements internet protocols (e.g., HTTP, FTP, etc.) with an internet browser program (e.g., using a plug-in module), the internet browser program automatically writes its URL into the information resource window "Goto" of the internet browser program as the bar code symbol is scanned and executes HTTP requests on the URL into the "Goto" window.

Generally, the programmed bar code symbol reader 3A includes a plurality of subsystem sections, namely: an optical scanning device and a scanning data processor apparatus 3a1 (e.g., a barcode laser scanner, a CCD-based barcode scanner, etc.); a programmable decoder module 3a2 (e.g., a programmed microprocessor employing control and decoding algorithms); and a data transfer module 3a 3. The function of the optical scanning device and the scan data processor means 3a1 is to optically scan a bar code symbol and to generate words of digital scan data (representing the bars and spaces of the code symbol) for further decoding processing. The function of the programmable decoder module 3a2 is to process these words of the digital scan data to produce ASCII code based symbolic character data representing a decoded bar code symbol. The function of the data transfer circuit 3A3 is to send ASCII formatted data from the programmable decoder module 3a2 to the internet terminal 3B for accessing and displaying the HTML documents specified by the URL encoding in the decoded bar code symbol for the particular transaction enabled.

In 1E, the Internet-based transaction enabling system of the fourth broad embodiment is shown, reading a single 1-D URL-encoded bar code symbol. In this broad embodiment, the URL encoded bar code symbol contains an ASCII symbol representing the entire URL of the transaction-enabled Web page to be accessed. It should be understood, however, that the information encoded in the bar code symbol structure of FIG. 1E may be encoded as a 2-D bar code symbol structure or a pair of 1-D bar code symbols, as described above.

The broad embodiments of the Internet-based transaction enabling system of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1B through 1E and described above can be implemented in a wide variety of ways using different types of technologies and system architectures that can be customized for a particular application. Three different specific embodiments of the internet-based transaction enabling system will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 1, 2 and 3.

First preferred embodiment of the Internet-based transaction-enabling System

As shown in FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of the Internet-based transaction enabling system 3 is implemented in the form of a desktop computer system 6. As shown, the desktop computer system is comprised of a video monitor 6A, a processor 6B, a keyboard 6C, a mouse 6D, and Postscript^And a laser printer 35 connected to the internet through the ISP 4. The computer system 6 has a GUI-based Web browser program and a hand-held wireless laser scanning bar code symbol reading system 7 whichConnected to the communication port of this host system in the usual manner. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless bar code symbol reading system 7 includes a hand-held laser scanning bar code symbol reading device 7A and a base unit 7B that receives the radio frequency signal transmitted from the device 7A in response to each bar code symbol successfully read; the base unit 7B generates an audible confirmation signal in response to each such successful read. The system may be implemented by either of (i) the wireless bar code symbol reading system disclosed in EPO publication No. EO 0715273 a 2; (ii) a tethered bar code symbol reading system as disclosed in PCT publication No. WO 93/06565, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The operation of the program-controlled bar code symbol reader 7 varies slightly depending on the generalized Internet access method employed, and the functions it performs are generally the same, namely: reading bar code symbols 8 encoded with either a URL or DN/PN using a Web page accessed through an internet-based transaction-enabled system; and generating symbolic character data representative of a URL or DN/PN string used by an internet browser program of the internet terminal associated therewith.

As used hereinafter, these particular types of encoded bar code symbols are often referred to as "URL encoded bar code symbols," regardless of whether the entire URL or only a portion thereof (e.g., DN or DN/PN) is encoded in the bar code symbol structure. Likewise, a magnetic stripe structure encoded with a URL or DN/PN string, as described below, is commonly referred to as a "URL encoded magnetic stripe," regardless of whether the entire URL or only a portion thereof (e.g., DN or DN/PN) is encoded in the magnetic stripe symbol structure. These structures are commonly referred to as "URL-encoded symbols," regardless of whether the entire URL or only a portion thereof (e.g., DN or DN/PN) is encoded in the symbol structure.

In the case of using any of the first, second or third generalized internet access methods described above, the terminal of the internet transaction (implemented by a desktop computer system) operates by running any common G-basedInternet browser program for UI, e.g. Navigator from Netscape^Or Internet Exporer from Microsoft corporation^Internet access support can be provided.

In the case of the fourth generalized internet access method of fig. 1E, a common browser program of the type described above must be provided with an insertion module (e.g., a browser subroutine) that can be easily written and loaded into the browser program. The function of this plug-in module is: (i) automatically reading out the scanned URL information stored in the address data buffer on the I/O port of the client computer platform 6 (Internet enabled terminal); (ii) automatically writing the URL information (in an appropriate format) into a data buffer allocated to a "Goto" window 40A of the internet browser display screen 40 (as shown in fig. 4); (iii) automatically initiates HTTP over the internet, connects to the relevant internet server and accesses and displays the Web page allowing the transaction located at the input URL. In these embodiments, it is proposed that each internet-based transaction-enabling system have a pre-loaded internet browser program that is provided with the plug-in module described above, or that provides such functionality thereto. It should be understood, however, that in some instances it may be desirable to distribute or download the browser order and plug-in module to the client computer systems over the world wide web from an internet-based information server using the well-known File Transfer Protocol (FTP). In this way, a typical client computer system can be easily converted into the Internet-based transaction enabling system of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, bar code symbol reading system 7 is a laser scanning bar code symbol reader (e.g., a metrological scanner MS951-48 with a keyboard wedge) that is connected to a data input port of client computer system 6. When used to read the URL-encoded barcode symbol, the URL is automatically entered as an input into the "Goto" window of the internet browser program, and the internet-based transaction-enabled system automatically accesses the particular transaction-enabled HTML document (i.e., Web page) corresponding to the URL via HTTP for display on the video display terminal 6A in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

As described above, the bar code symbol encoded by each URL of the present invention may be any physical symbology, either a linear (one-dimensional) or two-dimensional bar code symbol structure, which allows for the encoding of information contained in a URL-type information structure (ASCII-type), the syntax of which is well known to those skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the URL encoded bar code symbol 8 is a truncated bar code symbol formed using any of the following bar code symbologies: code 128; the complete ASCII character set of code 39; code 93. While the URL-encoded bar code symbol may be of any length, practical considerations are generally limited by the encoding technique employed in each particular application. It is worth mentioning that the advantage of using a truncated bar code symbol structure is that the height of the bar code and spaces is shorter relative to the length of the bar code, thus making the truncated symbol 8 encoded by the URL easy to print on a transaction card or on a page of a transaction guide and catalogue of a Web site, as shown in fig. 1A.

As shown in fig. 1 and 1A, the internet-based program-controlled bar code symbol scanner 7 of the first preferred embodiment of the transaction-enabling system is specifically designed to read closely-placed URL-encoded bar code symbols printed on a single page without inadvertently reading unwanted URL-encoded bar code symbols. This added scan control feature is implemented in the bar code symbol reader of fig. 1 by providing an automatic laser scanning bar code symbol reader 7A with an optically transparent scanning plate 9A supported by an optically transparent extension 9B from the reader 7A. A window (i.e. aperture) 10 has been formed in the scanning plate 9A, through which the URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 can be automatically scanned and read when (on the underside) the printed symbol is aligned with the window aperture. In this particular embodiment, the infrared target detection field 11 of bar code symbol reader 7A is just slightly larger than window 10, so that laser scanning of laser beam 12 is automatically initiated only when target (e.g., Web site guide) 13 is positioned upwardly against window 10, since the scan plate is now placed in contact with URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 associated with a particular Web page that permits transactions, as shown in FIG. 1A. Details of the design and construction associated with the automatic bar code symbol reader 7A can be seen in the applicant's EPO publication No. EP 0715273 a2, which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in fig. 1, the scanning device can be provided with a key pad 15 for manually entering the characters of the URL when necessary or desired, in a manner known in the art.

As discussed above in connection with fig. 1H, it may be desirable to encode two or more medium length barcode symbols, rather than the URL of a particular information resource in a single longer length barcode symbol. This would allow the use of shorter length bar code symbols printed on menus or checklists. In this case, the primary (i.e., base) portion of the URL identifying the location of the Web server (e.g., "http:// www.metrologic.com") can be encoded in a first bar code symbol, while the secondary (i.e., extension) portion of the URL (e.g., "/products/MS6720. html") representing the location of the information resource (i.e., Web page that allows transactions) associated with the identified Web server is encoded with a second bar code symbol. With this technique, access to a Web page that allows a transaction can be achieved in a two-step process, namely (1) scanning the first bar code symbol, access being given by "http: // www.metrologic.com "home page of located Web server; (2) the second barcode symbol is scanned and the transaction-enabled HTML document located by "/products/MS 6720/. HTML" is accessed. Preferably, the primary (i.e., main) and secondary portions of the URL are printed under the first and second barcode symbols, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1H. This combined bar code symbol structure can be used during the menu composition process of the present invention, as described in detail below.

Second preferred embodiment of the Internet-based transaction-enabling System

As shown in fig. 2, a second preferred embodiment of the internet-based transaction enabling system is implemented in the form of a webbased interactive television system 16. Any of the broad access methods described above can be used to carry out this embodiment of the invention.

As shown, Web-based interactive television system 16 includes an internet terminal unit 17, a remote control scanner 18, and a standard (NTSC or PAL) color television set 19. As shown, the internet terminal unit 17 is connected to the internet through the ISP4, including the support: (i) GUI-based Internet browser program, such as Navigator from Netscape^Or Microsoft's Internet Exporer^(ii) a And (ii) means for TCP/IP networking protocol over the Internet. In a preferred embodiment, the internet terminal unit 17 is capable of utilizing a number of commercially available internet terminal devices, such as the Mediamaster 9500 of Nokia corporation^TMNetStation of Internet terminal, Acorn computer corporation^TMAn internet terminal, or "internet digital application" by Diba corporation.

As shown in fig. 2, the remote control scanner 18 of the second preferred embodiment may be implemented by integrating a miniature automatic bar code symbol reading module 20 into a wireless remote control device provided by a commercially available terminal unit for implementing this embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the automatic bar code symbol reading module 20 is similar to the apparatus described in greater detail in the above-mentioned EPO publication EP 0715273A 2. Such laser scanners, as they are called, are available from metrological instruments of Blackwood, nj under the trade name ScsnQuest^Commercially available. The manner in which such a laser scanner can be integrated into any of the remote control devices of the above-described internet terminals and thus the remote control of the scanning device 18 is provided will be described below.

Mediamaster 9500 of Nokia corporation^TMNetStation of Internet terminal, Acorn computer corporation^TMAn Internet terminal, or "Internet Digital application" from dba, provides a wireless remote control device that includes a programmable microcontroller (i.e., microprocessor) operatively connected to one type or the other of the system bus. System subcomponents connected to this system bus structure include, for example: program memory realized in EPROM 21 formA reservoir; a data storage memory implemented in the form of RAM 22; a key base 23, a data storage register and an interface circuit; infrared-based communication circuitry and interface circuitry 24; and a power supply and power distribution circuit 25. In such commercial products, no visual display means (e.g., LCD panel) is provided, as all display functions are provided on the television screen using a screen display format well known to those skilled in the art. The automatic ScsnQuest can be implemented by adding additional data registers to the system bus and connecting the data outputs of the scanner to these registers in a conventional manner^A laser scanning module (model IS 4120) IS integrated into the system architecture of these wireless remote controls. Additional control logic must be provided by the microcontroller, with scan data provided from the scanner in preference to data manually entered into the system. All such modifications are within the purview of one of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in fig. 2, the remote scanning device 18 has an optically transparent scanning plate 9A supported by an optically transparent extension 9B. The scan plate 9A has a window (i.e., aperture) 10 formed therein through which the URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 can be automatically scanned and read when such printed symbol (on the bottom surface) is aligned with the window aperture. The infrared-based object detection field 11 is just slightly larger than the window 10 so that the laser scanning beam is automatically turned on only when an object (e.g., a transaction card or guide) 13 is placed up against the window 10, because the scan plate 10 is then moved into contact with the URL-encoded bar code symbol 8 associated with the particular Web page running the transaction, as shown in fig. 2. During operation, the bar code symbol 8 encoded by the URL printed on the internet transaction guide 13 is read using the remote control scanner 18 to connect to a corresponding Web page allowing a transaction.

While any standard (NTSC or PAL) color television can be used in connection with internet terminal 17 to display graphics and audio information content associated with any particular Web site accessed by the system, it is preferred that a higher resolution (VGA or SVGA) computer monitor be used in connection therewith to display high resolution graphics.

Third preferred embodiment of the Internet-based transaction-enabling System

As shown in fig. 3, a third preferred embodiment of the internet-based transaction enabling system is implemented in the form of a hand-held integrated scanning terminal 26. Any of the generalized internet access methods described herein can be used to carry out this particular embodiment of the invention. The internet scanner terminal 26 is shown connected to the ISP4 via a radio base station 27 and a wireless link 5. The hand-held internet scanning terminal 26 has an integrated GUI-based Web browser program, a display panel 28, a touch screen type keypad 29 and a programmed bar code symbol scanner 20. The function of the bar code symbol scanner 20 is to read the bar code symbol 8 encoded with the URL of a transaction-enabled Web page accessed by the internet-based transaction-enabled system and to generate symbol character data representative thereof.

In the illustrated embodiment, the Internet scanner terminal 26 is implemented as a mobile computer, such as Newton, Inc. of Apple computer, Calif^Type 130 Messagepad 30. NetHopper for the device^TMThe brand Internet Access Software provides that it supports TCP/IP networking protocols in the Newton MessagePad operating system. The Newton MessagePad is also equipped with a Motorola based PCMICA modem card 31 having a radio frequency transceiver for establishing a wireless digital communication link with either (i) a cellular base station or (ii) one or more satellite base stations (27) connected to the Internet through the ISP4 in a manner well known in the world of Global information networks. It should be appreciated that an automatic laser scanner 20 (e.g., a metrological ScanQuest) is employed, although in some instances it may be desirable to connect an optical pen or wand assembly to the serial port of a Newton MessagePad to provide bar code symbol reading capability^Type IS 4120) to interface with the serial communication port of the Newton message pad, so that it IS preferable to implement the internet-based transaction enabling system of the third preferred embodiment.

As can be seen from the schematic view of figure 3,the entire Newton MessagePad, ScanQuest^The laser scanning module 20 and the auxiliary battery power supply (not shown) are all enclosed in a robust shock resistant housing 32 to provide a single unit that can be hand held. Once an object 13, such as a transaction card, is detected by the object detection field 11, a laser beam 12 is automatically emitted and swept across the URL encoded symbol 13.

Optionally, in each of the three embodiments of the Internet-based transaction enabling system described above, the bar code symbol scanner may be replaced by a programmed optical character reader implemented using, for example, the automated holographic laser scanning technology disclosed in detail in Applicant's EPO publication No. EP 0715273A 2, which is incorporated herein by reference. The function of the program controlled optical character reader is to allow the internet access terminal to access any Web page that allows transactions by optical scanning of the alphanumeric string including its URL and to also provide its output as a "Goto" window of the GUI based internet browser program. In these various embodiments, the function of the optical character reader (i.e., character reading module) is to read ASCII characters, including URLs (and other encoded information) printed on a target (e.g., transaction card, keychain, pen, pencil, bookmark, guide, etc.), avoiding the need for manual typing operations.

Fourth preferred embodiment of the Internet-based transaction-enabling System

In the above illustrated embodiments, the bar code symbol reading device is either held in the operator's hand or placed on a countertop. It should be noted, however, that the bar code symbol reader and other customer components of the internet-based transaction enabling system can be worn on the operator's body, as shown in fig. 4 and 5.

As shown in fig. 4, the wearable internet-based transaction-enabling system of the present invention includes: a bar code symbol scanning unit 70 designed to be worn on the back of the hand; and a remote unit 72 designed to be worn on the arm of the operator (i.e., a body-mountable infrared-based internet access terminal), which may be secured using flexible tape or similar technology.

In the illustrated embodiment, the hand-mounted scanner unit 70 includes: a light transmissive window 71 for the entrance and exit of light scanned by the bar code symbol; a glove 70A worn by the operator for releasably mounting the housing 70 to the back of the operator's hand; and a laser scanning bar code symbol reader 20, as described above with respect to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In other embodiments, other optical scanning devices may be used in place of the unit 20, as long as they provide a scanning depth that is sufficient for the intended application.

In the illustrated embodiment, the remote unit 72 includes: LCD touch screen panel 73; an audio speaker 74; a RISC-based micro-computing system or platform 75A to support a variety of different computing functions, including: such as TCP/IP, HTTP and other internet protocols (e.g., email, FTP, etc.) that are associated with the use of an internet browser or Communication program (e.g., Netscape Navigator or Communication, or MicroSoft expander programs) provided by the remote control unit; a telecommunications modem 75B that interfaces with the micro-computing system; an infrared transceiver 75C (e.g., using DFSK or spread spectrum modulation techniques) also interfaces with a telecommunications modem for supporting a two-way telecommunications protocol (e.g., PPP) (described below) between a microcomputer system as is known in the art and a remote transceiver 7B that interfaces with an ISP connected to the internet; a (rechargeable) battery power supply 75D above the remote control housing, supplying electrical power to the components thereof and to the bar code symbol reader 20; a flexible cable 76 for supporting communication between the bar code symbol reader 20 and the microcomputer platform and for passing electrical power from the power source to the bar code symbol reader. Notably, the remote unit 72 will incorporate one of the Internet access methods described above. The remote unit 72 (i.e., internet access terminal) will rely on the information encoded in the URL-encoded bar code symbol scanned by the bar code symbol reader 20.

Optionally, the laser scanning bar code symbol scanner (without a digitizer or decoder) 20 may be contained in a hand-mounted unit 70, and the necessary digitizing and scan data processing may be performed by a micro-computing system in the remote unit 72 using techniques well known to those skilled in the art or by a dedicated ASCII type device contained in the remote unit 72 also known to those skilled in the art. These construction techniques will allow the bar code scanning unit to be miniaturized enough to be worn on the operator's finger in a manner well known in the art. Preferably, the bar code symbol scanning/reading unit is automatically controlled as described in applicant's prior U.S. application incorporated herein by reference, but may be manually actuated, where appropriate, by a trigger switch or the like mounted on the hand held unit 70 or elsewhere in the system structure.

Preferably, the remote unit 72 is worn on the arm of the operator so that the touch-sensitive LCD panel 73 integrated therewith can be conveniently viewed when using the body-worn system of the present invention. Thus, when the bar code symbol encoded by the URL is read by the bar code symbol reader 20 mounted on the hand (or on the finger), the Web page for allowing the transaction, which is associated with the scanned bar code symbol and displayed on the LCD panel, can be conveniently viewed and interacted with by the operator. Further, in response to the read URL encoding a bar code symbol (i.e., thereby enabling a transaction), the operator may be required to manually enter information into the Web page being displayed using the touch screen display panel 73 and pen-based computing software as is well known to those skilled in the art.

In a different embodiment of the present invention, a large vocabulary speech recognition subsystem may be integrated into the remote control housing 42 to enable a user to enter information into an Internet browser by speaking rather than by manual keystrokes or pen-based computing techniques known to those skilled in the art and supported by a microcomputer platform contained within the remote control housing.

In some applications, it may also be desirable to mount the bar code symbol reader 20 on the operator's finger or head and/or to mount the remote control unit 72 on a different part of the operator's body (e.g., the legs or waist). It may also be desirable to integrate all of the components of the system into a single housing to be worn on a specific part of the operator's body.

In some applications it may be desirable to provide a lightweight headset with a miniature LCD display 77, microphone 78 and ear set 79, while providing the remote unit 72 with audio and video input/output ports 80, providing audio input to and audio and video output from the microcomputer platform (in the remote control unit), and using a flexible communications cable 81 to drive the headset worn by the operator during on-site use of the system, as shown in fig. 4 and 5. The function of the head-supported microphone 78 is to provide speech input to the microcomputer system for processing by the speech recognition subsystem, which is here implemented using commercially available speech recognition software (e.g., from Dragon Systems, Inc., Newton Massachusetts). The function of the head mounted video panel 77 is to provide a convenient way of displaying pages of HTML-encoded information accessed from the internet in response to a URL-encoded bar code symbol being read by the bar code symbol reader 20. The function of the headset 79 is then to provide a convenient way of accessing audio information encoded in HTML-encoded information pages from the internet in response to the URL-encoded bar code symbol being read by the bar code symbol reader 20. These auxiliary devices 77, 78 and 79 interface with the arm-supported internet terminal 72, providing the operator with additional freedom to perform his or her operations.

Fifth preferred embodiment of the Internet-based transaction Enabling System

In fig. 6, a fifth preferred embodiment of an internet-based transaction enabling system is shown. As shown, this system is implemented in the form of an Internet-based kiosk 82 that includes: a console 83 installed in a public place (e.g., retail store, business center or avenue, bus stop, airport, hotel lobby, restaurant, beach tent, sports center, etc.) 84; a thin client computing platform 85 (e.g., a thin client network computer from Sun Microsystems, Inc.) in the operator console 83 runs a Java-enabled Internet browser program (e.g., HotJava)^TMBrowser programSequential or netscape3.0 browser program); a touch screen type color LCD panel 86 for displaying Web pages and manually inputting information to a browser program by means of touch screen operation; an audio speaker 87 that produces audio output from a Java browser-enabled program; magnetic stripe card scanner 88 mounted on the outside of the console (e.g., Mag-Tek by Magtek)^A magnetic stripe reader) and a magnetic stripe decoder 89 (e.g., OMNILINK from Symbol Technologies) mounted within the console and interfaced with a data input port of the computing platform^A decoder, or a programmed microprocessor); and a 2-D bar code symbol reader 90 that interfaces with a data input port of the computing platform.

The function of the magnetic stripe reader 89 is to read a URL-encoded magnetic stripe 91 formed on a credit card or other type of transaction card 92, as shown in fig. 6A. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a specific URL or DN/PN code string that allows the trading of an HTML-encoded document (i.e., a Web page) is encoded along the "first" (alphanumeric) data track of the ANSI/ISO standard magnetic stripe shown in FIG. 6A using the ANSI/ISO ALPHA data format standard known in the magnetic stripe art. At the bit level, the actual data encoding will be done using hexadecimal codes as is well known in the art, and therefore, the ANSI/ISO ALPHA data format will be represented in hexadecimal codes and thus can be interpreted in a straightforward manner at the time of the decoding operation. It is noted that although the ANSI/ISO ALPHA data format is preferred because it enables encoding of alphanumeric characters that actually include all URLs or DN/PN subcomponents, it should be appreciated that other suitable encoding/decoding schemes can be employed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Optionally, other types of information can be encoded in the transaction enabled magnetic stripe card of the present invention for transaction access authorization and other security functions known in the art (e.g., expiration date control, etc.). For example, expiration data control may be enabled by encoding specific bits along specific data tracks of the magnetic stripe to indicate that expiration dates for transaction cards are allowed. Restricted user control is enabled by (1) encoding specific bits along specific data tracks of the magnetic stripe, encoding the personal identification code of access by the HTTP server hosting the permit transaction HTML document, and (2) requiring the user to manually enter a pre-assigned access code when the transaction "master" Web page is displayed, thereby completing the security protocol established by the transaction service provider. Notably, this security technique is performed using URL encoded (1-D and 2-D) bar code symbols in a manner similar to that described above.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the magnetic stripe decoder 89 (e.g., OMNILINK)^Decoder) to decode ANSI/ISO ALPHA data formats. Furthermore, in those applications that will employ typical Web browser programs (plug-in modules that do not process the input URL string provided from the code symbol reader), the magnetic stripe decoder 89 must be programmed to automatically insert a prefix program command (RTN) into the character data output string produced by the program control decoder, as disclosed in detail above. The output from the program control decoder 89 can be provided directly to a data input (e.g., RS232) of the thin client computer system 85. On the other hand, replacing the touch-sensitive display screen 86 with a keyboard, the output of the program control decoder 89 can be first encoded into a keyboard data format and then supplied to the computer system through its keyboard data input.

With this system architecture, the URL of the trade-enabled Web page is encoded along the first (alphanumeric) data track of ANSI/ISO magnetic stripe card 92, and the trade-enabled Web page is embedded with a Java-Applet designed to enable a specific type of information-related transaction (e.g., financial transaction, ticket purchase, information purchase, product purchase, service acquisition, stock trade, etc.) over the internet. The transaction enabled Web page located on the decoded URL then automatically services the requested Web browser and is displayed on the LCD panel 86 when the magnetic stripe encoded by the URL is read with the transaction enabled Web page that enables the internet kiosk 82. In one embodiment, an icon is displayed on the Web page indicating that the customer or consumer presses or touches the displayed icon, automatically running the Java-Applet inside, and starting the requested transaction. In a conventional manner, the client simply follows the display screen and the instructions provided thereby as specified by the Java-Applet embedded in the running Web page (i.e., HTML-encoded document). The type of transaction supported on the Web browser depends only on the needs and requirements of the transaction service provider. Although the common types of transactions that can be conducted using the methods and systems of the present invention are generally related to topics such as finance, accounting, product procurement, service procurement, ticket procurement, information acquisition, it should be understood that many other areas of topic not mentioned herein will benefit from the present invention.

Improvements to exemplary embodiments of the internet-based transaction-enabling system of the present invention

Instead of using a laser scanning module to construct the internet access terminal of the present invention shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, one can use a CCD type bar code scanner (or module) that scans bar code symbols in the field of view with LED illumination and a CCD type linear or array device that captures its image for further decoding processing. Examples of CCD scan modules that can be used to construct the CCD-based internet access terminal of the present invention can be found in the following U.S. patents 5,550,366, 5,354,977, 5,291,009, 5,484,994, 5,349,172 and 5,532,467, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As described above, the present invention contemplates the use of URL (or DN/PN) information encoded in a 2-D bar code symbol as illustrated in FIG. 1F. In these cases, a 2-D bar code symbol reading machine (or device) is provided in each of the Internet-based transaction enabling systems of the present invention such that the URL information encoded in the 2-D bar code symbol can be optically scanned and decoded using a suitable 2-D bar code decoding algorithm. Examples of 2-D (laser scanning) bar code symbol reading devices that can be used to construct "2-D type" Internet-based transaction enabling systems in accordance with the principles of the present invention are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,232, 5,523,552, 5,504,316, 5,414,250, 5,373,148, 5,319,181, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In other embodiments of the present invention, one may employ a symbol scanning module that is capable of reading both 1-D and 2-D types of bar codes.

The invention's universal method of allowing transactions

Having described various exemplary embodiments of the Internet-based transaction enabling system of the present invention, it will now be described how information-related transactions can be conducted over the Internet using such systems commonly using URL-encoded symbols and HTML-encoded documents (i.e., Web pages) embedded with transaction enabling Java-applets.

In this regard, reference will be made to FIG. 7, wherein a flow chart is shown establishing the steps associated with implementing the method of enabling transactions over the Internet.

As shown in block A of FIG. 7, the method involves creating a "transaction service" Web document (i.e., an HTML-encoded document) that functions as a "server" on the Internet to enable transactions. The Web document can be created using commercially available HTML editing and/or Web Page development tools known in the art (e.g., Page Mill 2.0 from Adode). Preferably, the Web document is designed to target the marketing of information-related services to customers, consumers, or clients that access the Web page.

In the preferred embodiment, the Web document of the transaction service can be represented as a Netscape style "display frame" having several display frames designed specifically to deliver sales objects carrying information-related services to customers, consumers or clients accessing the Web page. Optionally, this Web page may also include hotlines to other Web pages of how information-related transactions can be conducted or how services are provided. In a two-box HTML document, the upper (originator) display box of the frame-type interface can be used to identify the originator that is allowed to do information-based services on the internet and to provide the consumer with a description of the rendered services and their advantages. The lower (information) display box can be used to display HTML-encoded documents (pages) designed for the convenience of conducting a particular transaction. Typically, such an HTML document will be dictated by the type of transaction that is allowed to be conducted. In general, an HTML document displayed in an information display box includes: requesting specific kinds of information by a user, and then sending back a conventional HTML document to the originating HTTP server, to be transmitted to a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) for searching a relational database, etc.; HTML (output) documents containing information obtained from database searches are transmitted to the requesting internet access terminal, where they are displayed in a display box for viewing by the user; and so on. In still other embodiments, additional boxes may be provided for displaying different types of buttons regarding the information services aspects being enabled.

As indicated by block B in fig. 7, then Java, which is well known in the programming arts, is utilized^TMApplet Application Programming Interface (API) and development tools (e.g. JavaScript)^TMProgramming tool, Jamba^TMSoftware programming tools, and/or Java Beans^TMSoftware programming tools) create one or a set of Java-applets that allow transactions. Each transaction-enabled Java-Applet functions to enable a specific information-related transaction (e.g., financial transaction, ticket purchase, information acquisition, product purchase, acquisition service, etc.). Preferably, each transaction-enabled Applet will be designed to facilitate tracking of the information display screen on the client side of the system, which users with little, if any, computing or internet browsing skills can track. The flow of information display, interrogation and selection, decision loop structure, etc. presented herein should be considered during the transaction design process.

Each transaction-enabled Java-Applet is then compiled into bytecode and then embedded in a previously created HTML document, in the form of a new HTML APPLET, as indicated in block C of figure 7. The Applet element is pasted into the following general syntax (note [ ] identifies optional parameters):

<APPLET

[CODEBASE＝codebaseURL]

CODE-appletFile

[ALT＝alternateText]

[NAME＝appletInstanceName]

WIDTH＝pixels HEIGHT＝pixels

[ALIGN＝alignment]

[VSPACE＝pixels][HSPACE＝pixels]

>

[<PARAM NAME＝Attribute1 VALUE＝value>]

[<PARAM NAME＝Attribute3 VALUE＝value>]

…

[alternateHTML]

</APPLET>

the optional < PARAM > tag allows you to specify Applet specific attributes, and your Applet can be retrieved as a string. These strings can be used in HTML documents to customize Applet properties and provide their corresponding values under command line variables.

CODEBASE, CODE, WIDTH, and HEIGHT are parameters specified by the first part of the Applet tag. These parameters are used by the Java-enabled Web browser to locate Applet code on the main HTTP server and to reserve space in the HTML document display. CODEBASE directs a Java-enabled Web browser to look for code in a taxonomy directory associated with the URL of an HTML document. CODE provides the name of the Java CODE file loaded by the primary HTTP server. Any other type of file used by the Applet may also be loaded from the Codebase directory. CODEBASE is an optional parameter, and if it is not specified, the Java-enabled Web browser looks for type files in the directory of the HTML document. It is essential that the upper/lower boxes are used the same in both the type name and the file name.

WIDTH and HEIGHT are methods that tell Java-enabled Web browsers to reserve space in the display of a document before downloading Java code ("x" pixel WIDTH x "pixel HEIGHT), and similar to the way browsers process images, reserve space before the entire image can be rendered. To place a non-visible Applet on a page, a height and width of 0 is specified.

Current Java-enabled Web browsers ignore the Java language change size () method of applets. Although JDK provides Applet windows that offer a resize () method, one must specify the width and height correctly for Applet tags in a typical Web browser.

Vsace and HSPACE are optional parameters that specify the amount of space (number of pixels) surrounding the top and bottom (vertical boundary VSPACE) and both sides (horizontal boundary HSPACE) of an Applet area. Notably, netscape2.0 can apparently ignore these parameters.

ALIGN is another optional parameter that relates to other design elements for specifying where to place Applet areas in a Java-enabled Web browser. ALIGN may have the possible values like IMG label: left, right, top, text top, center, deviation center, baseline, bottom, and deviation bottom. The Netscape2.0 browser does not support these parameters correctly, so it may attempt to remove the ALIGN parameter if the desired result of the Applet allowing the transaction is not obtained.

If the browser understands the < APPLET > tag but does not have Java capabilities, then the ALT parameter specifies a string to be displayed. Netscape2.0 allows the Java interpreter to be opened or closed via a checkbox within the options of the Security preference menu. The ALT parameter is a method for the user to remember to open Java after it has been closed, to avoid wasting time on the slow applet (since it can often appear on a Web page).

The Applet that is present with the Web page that allows the transaction communicates via the NAME parameter. The AppletContext method getApplet (String name) returns a reference to a named Applet if it can be found on a Web page, and then communicates between applets.

Using the getParameter (String PARAM _ name) applet method, a PARAM tag is used to transfer text information to your applet code. Since the parameter matching code is not case sensitive, parsing the reference tag with syntax, the following labels are equivalent:

<PARAM name＝EMAIL

<param NAME＝EMAIL

<param name＝“email”

between the last < PARAM > tag and the </APPLET > tag, text and HTML code can be designated for display if the < APPLET > tag is not recognized by the Web browser of a particular client system. This is a good area to direct users to messages on the "vanilla" version of the Web page that allow trading.

The final element of the Applet tag must be the Applet in order to tell the Web browser that the Applet has ended.

For further details regarding Applet construction and embedding techniques, reference may be made to "JAVA" (1997) published by IDG BooksWorldwide, incorporated by reference herein.

As indicated in block D of fig. 7, information files associated with the HTML document and each embedded Java-Applet are then loaded onto the HTTP server and stored in its file management system in a conventional manner (e.g., codes in a class directory associated with the URL of the HTML document, Java code files, class files employed by the Applet, etc.). The location of the HTML-encoded document that allows for trading is uniquely specified by the URL (e.g., http:// www.mastercard.com/actlnfo/request. HTML). This URL will be used in the next step of the method of the invention.

As shown in block E of fig. 7, the URL of the HTML document (i.e., the Web page allowing the transaction) in which the Applet is embedded is then encoded in a symbol structure such as a magnetic stripe structure, a 1-D barcode symbol, or a 2-D barcode symbol, as described in detail above. In another less preferred embodiment of the invention, the URL can be printed on the transaction card and read by an OCR device interfaced to a Java browser of an internet enabled transaction terminal (i.e., client system). Once the URL is encoded in the symbol structure (i.e., magnetic strip or bar code), then the location of the transaction-enabled Web document should not be moved in its designated HTTP server to ensure that the transaction-enabled Web document is automatically launched upon reading the URL-encoded symbol.

As shown in block F of fig. 7, the internet-based service that allows the transaction system to now prepare for the transmission of information related to Java-applets embedded in Web documents at the URL encoded in the symbol structure (applied to the transaction card or printed in the transaction guide or manifest). In order to be able to carry out the required transaction, all customers, consumers or clients must utilize the present invention as shown in fig. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 to allow a symbol reader provided on the transaction terminal to read the URL encoded symbol on his or her transaction card. Depending on how the URL is encoded, this operation may involve, for example, either swiping a magnetic strip encoded by the URL or optically scanning a bar code symbol encoded by the URL. In response to this automatic symbol reading operation, the Java browser enabled on the transaction enabled terminal will automatically request the transaction enabled Web document specified by the decoded URL and automatically display the corresponding Web page. Preferably, an icon representing the embedded transaction-enabled Java-Applet will be prominently displayed on the display screen of the transaction-enabled terminal, requesting the customer to initiate transaction services by touching the touch screen (or a single key-in operation as the case may be). The selection is made and the Java-Applet will automatically run, thus initiating the transaction associated therewith.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Applet programmer can embed the transaction-enabling Java-Applet in the HTML code document such that the Java-Applet is self-executing (i.e., execution is automatically initiated by the Java browser when its transaction master Web document is displayed). This improvement, which may be realized through HTML coding and/or Java-Applet coding, enables the initiation of the transaction process represented by the embedded Java-Applet, but still allows the customer to conduct the transaction at a pace and speed appropriate to his or her personal needs.

When a Java-Applet is being executed in the manner intended by its designer (programmer), the customer simply displays a screen of information as programmed, thereby conducting information-related transactions and receiving related services at a pace or speed consistent with the customer's requirements. During which transactions audio information as well as graphical display information can be sent to the customer.

The internet of the present invention allows the transaction terminal to make a printed receipt for the customer at the end of the transaction as proof of service and related transactions. Optionally, telephone assistance can also be provided on the transaction-enabled terminal of the internet in the event that the customer needs to have a dialogue with the agent for assistance.

One advantage of the method of the present invention described in detail above is that any computer system (e.g., a Web-enabled thin client computer or an internet-enabled kiosk, provided with a bar code or magnetic stripe reader) can be automatically converted into a Universal Transaction Machine (UTM). Thus, the need to manufacture a dedicated transaction machine can now be avoided in many applications.

Having described some illustrative embodiments of the invention, several improvements in mind have been made.

To indicate that a particular printed publication or object is a bar code symbol bearing a URL code of the present invention, rather than a conventional bar code symbol (e.g., a UPC symbol), it may be advantageous to print all or a major portion of the encoded URL (e.g., http:// www.metrologic.com) near the perimeter of the URL-encoded bar code symbol in a manner similar to the number of UPCs printed under a UPC-type bar code symbol. This printing convention, once adopted in comparison to other types of bar code symbols, will help customers determine which bar code symbol provides "internet transaction access".

In the case where the length of the URL string (of the HTML document that allows transactions) becomes long, especially in connection with a Web page stored in a very long Web page based database management system (DBMS), the URL may need to be pre-encoded (to shorten its string length) before it is encoded in the bar code symbology being employed.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention disclosed, the information resources that allow the transaction have been represented as HTML-encoded documents stored in the Web server, so that, according to the URL specifications and the syntactic requirements of HTTP, for each such information resource the URL contains the character sub-string "HTTP: // www ". It should be understood, however, that in some applications of the present invention, a URL-encoded symbol may need to query (i.e., point to) information resources stored on other types of internet information servers available through an internet browser. This enables a person to conduct a transaction related to information in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that the internet-based transaction enabling systems and methods of the illustrative embodiments may be modified in a number of different ways, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the novel techniques disclosed herein. All such modifications and variations to the exemplary embodiments are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An internet-based system for allowing information-related transactions to be conducted over the internet, the system comprising:

an HTTP information server connected to the Internet for storing an HTML-encoded document having a location on the Internet designated by a predetermined URL, said HTTP-encoded document containing an Applet permitting a transaction, which when executed enables a user to conduct a transaction related to information on the Internet;

a transaction-enabled internet terminal for requesting said HTML-encoded document and executing said embedded transaction-enabled Applet, said transaction-enabled internet terminal comprising:

an Internet browser program executing an Applet, including the transaction-enabling Applet embedded in the HTML-encoded document,

a display screen for visually displaying the HTML-encoded document,

data input means for inputting data into said internet browser program,

a programmed code symbol reader operatively connected to said Internet browser program and having a scanning mechanism for scanning URL-encoded symbols encoded with said predetermined URL, a programmable decoder module for decoding said scanned URL-encoded symbols and generating symbol character data representative of said predetermined URL, and a data transmission module for providing said predetermined URL to said Internet browser program for automatically accessing said HTML-encoded document whose location is specified by said predetermined URL,

here, when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the code symbol reader, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Java-enabled browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server to execute the built-in transaction-enabling Applet and thereby enable the user to perform the information-related transaction over the internet using the transaction-enabling internet terminal.

2. The internet-based system of claim 1, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded magnetic stripe encoded with a predetermined URL, and the programmed code symbol reader is a magnetic stripe reader for reading the URL-encoded magnetic stripe.

3. The internet-based system of claim 2, wherein: the URL-encoded magnetic stripe is applied to a transaction card that participates in the transaction to which the information pertains.

4. The internet-based system of claim 1, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded bar code symbol and the programmed code symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader for reading the URL-encoded bar code symbol.

5. The internet-based system of claim 4, wherein: the bar code symbol reader is selected from the group of symbol reading devices consisting of: laser scanning bar code symbol readers, CCD type bar code symbols, and scanning pen type bar code symbol readers.

6. The internet-based system of claim 1, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a hand-held data terminal with an integrated bar code symbol reader.

7. The internet-based system of claim 1, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a kiosk-type device with a bar code symbol reader for reading a bar code symbol encoded by a URL or a magnetic strip reader for reading a magnetic strip encoded by a URL.

8. The internet-based system of claim 1, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a body-worn computer system.

9. The internet-based system of claim 1, wherein: when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the scanning mechanism, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Internet browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server and launches the built-in transaction-enabling Applet, thereby enabling the user to perform the information-related transaction over the internet using the transaction-enabling internet terminal.

10. An internet-based system for allowing information-related transactions to be conducted over the internet, the system comprising:

an HTTP information server connected to the Internet for storing an HTML-encoded document having a location on the Internet designated by a predetermined URL, said HTTP-encoded document containing a Java-Applet that allows transactions, which when executed enables a user to perform information-related transactions on the Internet;

a transaction-enabled internet terminal for requesting said HTML-encoded document and executing said embedded transaction-enabled Java-Applet, said transaction-enabled internet terminal comprising:

a Java browser-enabled program executing a Java-Applet, including the transaction-enabling Java-Applet embedded in the HTML-encoded document,

a display screen for visually displaying the HTML-encoded document,

data input means for inputting data into said Java-enabled browser program,

a programmed code symbol reader operatively connected to said Java browser-enabled program and having a scanning mechanism for scanning URL-encoded symbols encoded with said predetermined URL, a programmable decoder module for decoding said scanned URL-encoded symbols and generating symbol character data representative of said predetermined URL, and a data transmission module for providing said predetermined URL to said Java browser-enabled program for automatically accessing said HTML-encoded document whose location is specified by said predetermined URL,

here, when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the scanning mechanism, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module, and symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Java-enabled browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server to execute the built-in transaction-enabling Java-Applet and thereby enable the user to conduct information-related transactions over the internet using the transaction-enabling internet terminal.

11. The internet-based system of claim 10, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded magnetic stripe encoded with a predetermined URL, and the programmed code symbol reader is a magnetic stripe reader for reading the URL-encoded magnetic stripe.

12. The internet-based system of claim 11, wherein: the URL-encoded magnetic stripe is applied to a transaction card that participates in the transaction to which the information pertains.

13. The internet-based system of claim 10, wherein: the URL code symbol is a URL code bar code symbol and the symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader for reading the URL code bar code symbol.

14. The internet-based system of claim 13, wherein: the bar code symbol reader is selected from the group of symbol reading devices consisting of: laser scanning bar code symbol readers, CCD type bar code symbols, and scanning pen type bar code symbol readers.

15. The internet-based system of claim 10, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a hand-held data terminal with an integrated bar code symbol reader.

16. The internet-based system of claim 10, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a kiosk-type device with a bar code symbol reader for reading a bar code symbol encoded by a URL or a magnetic strip reader for reading a magnetic strip encoded by a URL.

17. The internet-based system of claim 10, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a body-worn computer system.

18. The internet-based system of claim 10, wherein: when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the scanning mechanism, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Internet browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the Internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server and initiates execution of the embedded transaction-enabling Java-Applet, thereby enabling the user to conduct the information-related transaction over the Internet using the transaction-enabling Internet terminal.

19. A method for allowing information-related transactions over the internet, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) an HTML code document stored in an HTTP information server connected to the internet, the document having a location on the internet designated by a predetermined URL, said HTTP code document containing an Applet permitting a transaction, which when executed enables a user to conduct a transaction related to information on the internet;

(b) providing a transaction-enabled internet terminal for accessing said HTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server and executing said embedded transaction-enabled Applet, said transaction-enabled internet terminal comprising:

a display screen for visually displaying the HTML-encoded document,

data input means for inputting data into said internet browser program,

a programmed code symbol reader operatively connected to said internet browser program and having a scanning mechanism for scanning URL-encoded symbols encoded with said predetermined URL, a programmable decoder module for decoding said scanned URL-encoded symbols and generating symbol character data representative of said predetermined URL, and a data transmission module for providing said predetermined URL to said internet browser program for automatically accessing said HTML-encoded document whose location is specified by said predetermined URL;

(c) reading said URL-encoded symbol using said programmed code symbol reader, and then automatically generating and providing symbol character data representing said URL-encoded symbol to said Java-enabled browser program, said Internet browser program automatically accessing said HTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server to execute said built-in transaction-enabled Applet and thereby enable a user to conduct said information-related transaction over the Internet using said transaction-enabled Internet terminal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: said URL encoded symbol is a URL encoded magnetic stripe encoded with a predetermined URL, said programmed code symbol reader is a magnetic stripe reader of a magnetic stripe, and step (c) comprises reading said URL encoded magnetic stripe with said magnetic stripe reader.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein: said URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded barcode symbol, said programmed code symbol reader is a barcode symbol reader, and step (c) comprises reading said URL-encoded barcode symbol with said barcode reader.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein step (c) further comprises:

reading out the URL-encoded symbol, and then, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server and starts the built-in transaction-enabling Applet, thereby enabling the user to perform the information-related transaction on the internet using the transaction-enabling internet terminal.

23. An internet-based system for allowing information-related transactions to be conducted over the internet, the system comprising:

an HTTP information server connected to the internet for storing HTML encoded documents having said HTTP encoded documents containing one or more Applet tags representing one or more allowable transaction applets at a location on the internet designated by a predetermined URL, which when executed enable a user to conduct information related transactions on the internet;

a transaction-enabled internet terminal for requesting said HTML-encoded document and executing said one or more transaction-enabled applets embedded symbolically, said transaction-enabled internet terminal comprising:

an internet browser program for executing an Applet, which includes said one or more transaction-enabled applets,

a display screen for visually displaying the HTML-encoded document,

data input means for inputting data into said internet browser program,

here, when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the scanning mechanism, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Java-enabled browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML code document from the HTTP information server, displays the HTML code document on the display screen, and executes the one or more transaction-enabled applets, thereby enabling the user to perform the information-related transaction on the internet using the transaction-enabled internet terminal.

24. The internet-based system of claim 23, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded magnetic stripe encoded with a predetermined URL, and the programmed code symbol reader is a magnetic stripe reader for reading the URL-encoded magnetic stripe.

25. The internet-based system of claim 24, wherein: the URL-encoded magnetic stripe is applied to a transaction card that participates in the transaction to which the information pertains.

26. The internet-based system of claim 23, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded bar code symbol and the programmed code symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader for reading the URL-encoded bar code symbol.

27. The internet-based system of claim 26, wherein: the bar code symbol reader is selected from the group of symbol reading devices consisting of: laser scanning bar code symbol readers, CCD type bar code symbols, and scanning pen type bar code symbol readers.

28. The internet-based system of claim 23, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a hand-held data terminal with an integrated bar code symbol reader.

29. The internet-based system of claim 23, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a kiosk-type device with a bar code symbol reader for reading a bar code symbol encoded by a URL or a magnetic strip reader for reading a magnetic strip encoded by a URL.

30. The internet-based system of claim 23, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a body-worn computer system.

31. The internet-based system of claim 23, wherein: when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the scanning mechanism, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Internet browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server and launches the embedded one or more transaction-enabling applets, thereby enabling the user to conduct the information-related transaction over the internet using the transaction-enabling internet terminal.

32. An internet-based system for allowing information-related transactions to be conducted over the internet, the system comprising:

an HTTP information server connected to the internet for storing an HTML encoded document having a location on the internet designated by a predetermined URL, said HTTP encoded document including one or more Applet tags representing one or more Java-applets allowing transactions, which when executed enable a user to conduct information related transactions over the internet;

a transaction-enabled internet terminal for requesting said HTML-encoded document and executing said one or more transaction-enabled Java-applets tokenically embedded therein, said transaction-enabled internet terminal comprising:

a Java browser-enabled program for executing a Java-Applet, comprising said one or more transaction-enabling Java-Applets,

a display screen for visually displaying the HTML-encoded document,

data input means for inputting data into said Java-enabled browser program,

where the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded by the programmable decoder module as it is scanned by the scanning mechanism, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated by the programmable decoder module and provided to the Java-enabled browser program by the data transmission module,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML code document of the HTTP information server, displays the HTML code document on the display screen, and executes the one or more transaction-enabled Java-applets, thereby enabling the user to perform information-related transactions on the internet using the transaction-enabled internet terminal.

33. The internet-based system of claim 32, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded magnetic stripe encoded with a predetermined URL, and the programmed code symbol reader is a magnetic stripe reader for reading the URL-encoded magnetic stripe.

34. The internet-based system of claim 33, wherein: the URL-encoded magnetic stripe is applied to a transaction card that participates in the transaction to which the information pertains.

35. The internet-based system of claim 32, wherein: the URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded bar code symbol and the programmed code symbol reader is a bar code symbol reader for reading the URL-encoded bar code symbol.

36. The internet-based system of claim 35, wherein: the bar code symbol reader is selected from the group of symbol reading devices consisting of: laser scanning bar code symbol readers, CCD type bar code symbols, and scanning pen type bar code symbol readers.

37. The internet-based system of claim 32, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a hand-held data terminal with an integrated bar code symbol reader.

38. The internet-based system of claim 32, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a kiosk-type device with a bar code symbol reader for reading a bar code symbol encoded by a URL or a magnetic strip reader for reading a magnetic strip encoded by a URL.

39. The internet-based system of claim 32, wherein: the transaction-enabled internet terminal includes a body-worn computer system.

40. The internet-based system of claim 32, wherein: when the URL-encoded symbol is scanned by the scanning mechanism, the scanned URL-encoded symbol is automatically decoded, symbol character data representing it is automatically generated and provided to the Internet browser program,

subsequently, the internet browser program automatically accesses the HTML-encoded document from the HTTP information server and initiates execution of the one or more transaction-enabled Java-applets, thereby enabling the user to conduct the information-related transaction over the internet using the transaction-enabled internet terminal.

41. A method for allowing information-related transactions over the internet, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) stored in an HTTP message server connected to the internet, an HTML encoded document having a location on the internet designated by a predetermined URL, said HTML encoded document containing one or more Applet tags representing one or more Java-applets enabling transactions, when executed, to be performed by a user on the internet in association with a message;

(b) providing a transaction-enabled internet terminal for accessing said HTML-encoded documents from said HTTP message server and executing said one or more transaction-enabled Java-applets, said transaction-enabled internet terminal comprising:

a Java browser-enabled program that executes a Java-Applet, which includes the one or more transaction-enabled Java-Applets,

a non-display screen for visually displaying the HTML-encoded document,

data input means for inputting data into said internet browser program,

(c) reading said URL encoded symbols with said code symbol reader, then automatically generating symbol character data representing said URL encoded symbols by said programmable decoder module and providing it to said Java enabled browser program by said data transmission module, said Java enabled browser program automatically accessing and displaying said HTML encoded document from said HTTP information server on said display screen, and executing said transaction enabled Java-Applet, thereby enabling a user to conduct said information related transaction over the Internet using said transaction enabled Internet terminal.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein: said URL encoded symbol is a URL encoded magnetic stripe encoded with said predetermined URL, said programmed code symbol reader is a magnetic stripe reader, and step (c) comprises reading said URL encoded magnetic stripe with said magnetic stripe reader.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein: said URL-encoded symbol is a URL-encoded barcode symbol, said programmed code symbol reader is a barcode symbol reader, and step (c) comprises reading said URL-encoded barcode symbol with said barcode reader.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein step (c) further comprises:

reading said URL-encoded symbols, and thereafter, said Java-browser enabled program automatically accesses said HTML-encoded document from said HTTP information server and initiates said one or more transaction-enabled Java-applets, thereby enabling the user to conduct said information-related transaction over the internet using said transaction-enabled internet terminal.

45. A system for conducting information-related transactions over the internet, said system comprising:

an internet information server comprising a Web page containing an Applet tag representing an Applet that allows transactions; and

an internet-enabled client computer system comprising:

(i) a programmed code symbol reader comprising (1) a scanning mechanism for scanning DN/PN codes or URL-coded symbols encoded with a predetermined URL, (2) a programmable decoder module for decoding said DN/PN codes or URL-coded symbols and generating symbol character data representative of said predetermined URL, said predetermined URL being directed to said web page, said web page containing said Applet tag representative of said transaction-enabled Applet, and (3) a data transmission module for providing said predetermined URL to an internet browser-enabled program, and

(ii) the internet browser-enabled program is operative to receive the symbolic character data and to automatically access and display the Web page using the predetermined URL so that the transaction-enabled Applet can be transmitted.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein: the DN/PN code or URL code symbols are printed on transaction cards, and other forms of printed media, which automatically access the Web pages from the internet information server when read by the programmed code symbol reader.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein: the programmed code symbol reader comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD type bar code symbol and a wand type bar code symbol reader and a magnetic stripe reader.

48. The system of claim 45, wherein: the internet-enabled client computer system is a device selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a laptop computer system, a computer-based kiosk, a body-worn computer system, and a palm-top computer system.

49. The system of claim 45, wherein: said internet enabled client computer system being connected to the internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP); here, the Internet-enabled client computer system has a GUI-based Web browser program; here, the programmed code symbol reader is a programmed bar code symbol scanner operatively connected to the GUI-based Web browser program for automatically accessing Web pages containing transaction-enabling applets.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein: the Applet that allows transactions is a Java-Applet.

51. A method for conducting information-related transactions over the internet, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) the Web page contains an Applet tag which represents an Applet allowing transaction; and

(b) reading, at an internet-enabled client computer system having a programmed code symbol reader, a DN/PN code or URL code symbol encoded with a predetermined URL using said programmed code symbol reader, the predetermined URL pointing to said Web page containing said Applet tag representing said transaction-enabled Applet; and

(c) in response to step (b), automatically accessing and displaying the Web page using the predetermined URL on an Internet enabled client computer system interacting with the consumer to enable the specific information related transaction represented by the transaction enabled Applet.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein: step (b) comprises reading said DN/PN code or URL code symbol printed on transaction cards and other forms of printed media, and step (c) comprises automatically accessing said Web page from said internet information server when read with said programmed code symbol reader.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein: step (b) comprises reading said DN/PN code or URL code symbol using a device selected from the group consisting of a laser scanning bar code symbol reader, a CCD type bar code symbol, a wand type bar code symbol reader, and a magnetic stripe reader.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein: step (c) comprises automatically accessing and displaying the Web page with an internet-enabled client computer system in the form of a device selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a laptop computer system, a computer-based kiosk, a body-worn computer system, and a palm-top computer system.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein: step (c) comprises automatically accessing and displaying said Web page using an internet-enabled client computer system connected to the internet by way of an Internet Service Provider (ISP); here, the Internet-enabled client computer system has a GUI-based Web browser program; here, the programmed code symbol reader is a programmed bar code symbol scanner operatively connected to the GUI-based Web browser program for automatically accessing Web pages containing transaction-enabling applets.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein: step (a) further comprises executing the transaction-enabled Applet.