US 6199048

A comprehensive analysis of U.S. Patent 6,199,048 reveals a foundational system for linking physical products to the digital world, a concept that has become ubiquitous in today's interconnected economy. As of April 28, 2026, a search for ongoing litigation in the dockets of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) for the year 2026 reveals no pending cases specifically citing this patent.

Summary of U.S. Patent 6,199,048

• Title: System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network
• Assignee: The patent's ownership has a detailed history, originally assigned to Neomedia Technologies Inc. According to available records, the current assignee is listed as NM LLC. However, given the complex history of assignments and security agreements, a thorough check of the USPTO's assignment database is recommended for the most current legal status.
• Inventors: Frank C. Hudetz, Peter R. Hudetz
• Filing Date: January 15, 1999
• Issue Date: March 6, 2001
• Abstract: The patent details a system where identification codes on commercial items, such as UPC barcodes, are used to access remote computers over a network. A user can input the code, for example by scanning a product's barcode. A database then links this code to a specific network address, like a URL, and directs the user's computer to the corresponding online resource.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent 6,199,048 has three independent claims (claims 1, 36, and 71), which are the broadest statements of the invention.

• Claim 1: This claim outlines a method for connecting a user's device to a remote computer. It involves reading an "index" from a data carrier (like a barcode), using that index to look up a "pointer" (such as a URL) in a database that links indexes to pointers, and then using that pointer to connect to the remote computer.

• Claim 36: This claim describes the system that performs the method of the first claim. It includes a user's computing device, an input device to read the index from the data carrier, and a means for storing the database that links the index to the pointer. The user's device has the capability to access this database and use the retrieved pointer to establish a connection with the remote computer.

• Claim 71: This claim focuses on the user's computing device itself. It specifies a device with an input for reading the index and a processor running software. This software is designed to use the index to access the database, retrieve the corresponding pointer, and then initiate communication with the remote computer identified by that pointer.

While a search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 did not yield any specific litigation for U.S. Patent 6,199,048, it's important to note that this does not preclude the existence of litigation in other courts or potential future filings. The patent has been asserted in district court litigations in the past, as indicated by historical data.

Known Litigation Involving U.S. Patent 6,199,048

As a foundational patent for linking physical product barcodes to online resources, U.S. Patent 6,199,048 has been the subject of multiple infringement lawsuits initiated by its assignees, primarily Neomedia Technologies, Inc. and later NM LLC. The majority of this litigation occurred in the District of Colorado and targeted companies employing QR codes and other barcode technologies for mobile marketing.

It is important to note that this patent was also the subject of a successful ex parte reexamination request filed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in 2007. In July 2008, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) issued a final rejection of all 95 claims of the patent. While this did not immediately terminate ongoing litigation, it significantly influenced subsequent proceedings.

Below is a list of known litigation involving this patent. The outcomes often involved dismissals or settlements, likely influenced by the PTO's reexamination decision.

Plaintiff(s)	Defendant(s)	Jurisdiction	Case Number	Filing Date	Outcome/Status
Neomedia Technologies, Inc.	SpyderLynk, LLC	District of Colorado	1:12-cv-00939	April 9, 2012	Details on the specific outcome are not readily available but followed a pattern of litigation by Neomedia.
Neomedia Technologies, Inc.	Various (including many major retailers and brands)	District of Colorado	Multiple cases filed throughout 2013-2014	April-September 2013, April 2014	Many of these cases were filed in waves. For example, cases were filed against companies like Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohl's, Macy's, Target, and Walmart. Most appear to have been dismissed or settled, particularly following the earlier PTO reexamination decision invalidating the patent's claims.
Neomedia Technologies, Inc.	Costco Wholesale Corporation	District of Colorado	1:14-cv-01189	April 28, 2014	Closed on November 21, 2014.
Neomedia Technologies, Inc.	Scanbuy, Inc.	Eastern District of Pennsylvania	2:04-cv-02307	Details on the filing date are not immediately available.	This case was put on hold pending the PTO's reexamination of the patent.

The extensive litigation history, primarily between 2012 and 2014, underscores the patent holder's efforts to enforce its claims against the burgeoning use of QR codes in mobile marketing. However, the successful reexamination and invalidation of the patent's claims by the PTO proved to be a critical turning point, likely leading to the eventual cessation of these legal challenges. As of April 28, 2026, there is no known active litigation involving U.S. Patent 6,199,048.

Proceedings overview

There is no PTAB activity on file for US Patent 6,199,048.

Strategic summary

There are no PTAB proceedings on file for US Patent 6,199,048. This means that all 95 claims of the patent remain untested by the AIA trial process.

Given the patent's expiration on October 3, 2015, and the successful ex parte reexamination in 2008 where the USPTO issued a final rejection of all 95 claims, the absence of AIA trial proceedings (which became available in 2012) is expected. The reexamination decision likely made further PTAB challenges unnecessary or redundant for potential defendants, as the patent was effectively invalidated.

Recommended next steps

If facing an assertion of US Patent 6,199,048 today, a defendant should primarily rely on the outcome of the ex parte reexamination, which resulted in the final rejection of all claims in July 2008. This reexamination decision, rather than an AIA trial, is the most critical event impacting the patent's validity.

Inventors

• Frank C. Hudetz: Employer at time of filing not determinable from the patent document.
• Peter R. Hudetz: Employer at time of filing not determinable from the patent document.

No unusual patterns regarding inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing are determinable from the provided information.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent is Neomedia Technologies Inc.

Neomedia Technologies Inc. was involved in mobile marketing and barcode technologies, specifically developing systems for linking physical products to digital content via scanning (e.g., QR codes). While the patent itself describes a system, the company did ship products and services embodying the claims, primarily through its mobile barcode scanning and resolution platform.

According to Google Patents, the current assignee is listed as Nm LLC. Neomedia Technologies Inc. itself has a complex history, including litigation and various corporate actions. Its current operating status as a standalone entity primarily engaged in product shipping embodying these specific claims is unclear from public records, especially given the patent's expiration and the reassignments. The litigation summary indicates they were the primary plaintiff in enforcement actions.

Assignment timeline

The USPTO Assignment Center (https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/) was searched for patent number 6199048. The following records were found:

• 1999-09-09 (executed) / recorded 1999-10-18 — Reel 010419/0675

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Assignee: SOLAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  • Correspondent: STEPHEN J. WEINGARTEN, STEPHEN J. WEINGARTEN, ESQ., 1709 LAURELWOOD RD. #7, SANTA CLARA, CA 95054. This correspondent does not recur in this chain.
  • Context: Securitization of assets.

• 2000-05-30 (executed) / recorded 2000-07-06 — Reel 010996/0778

  • Conveyance: Release by Secured Party
  • Assignor: SOLAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  • Assignee: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: STEPHEN J. WEINGARTEN, STEPHEN J. WEINGARTEN, ESQ., 1709 LAURELWOOD RD. #7, SANTA CLARA, CA 95054. This correspondent does not recur in this chain.
  • Context: Release of security interest, reverting rights to original assignee.

• 2001-07-31 (executed) / recorded 2001-08-16 — Reel 012586/0712

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Assignee: AIRCLIC, INC.
  • Correspondent: LORNA H. SCHOEN, AIRCLIC, INC., 1700 S. BELL ST., ARLINGTON, VA 22202. This correspondent does not recur in this chain.
  • Context: Securitization of assets.

• 2001-10-26 (executed) / recorded 2001-11-20 — Reel 012782/0268

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: CHARLES W. FRITZ, JAMES J. KEIL, JOHN A. LOPIANO, NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Assignee: WILLIAM E. GOINS
  • Correspondent: WILLIAM E. GOINS, 13739 OSPREY POINT DRIVE, SOUTH, SARASOTA, FL 34238. This correspondent does not recur in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer due to lawsuit against patent owner (Goins vs. Neomedia Technologies, Inc.).

• 2007-03-27 (executed) / recorded 2007-05-07 — Reel 019448/0223

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Assignee: CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1801 CALIFORNIA ST., STE. 2200, DENVER, CO 80202. This correspondent appears on multiple NPE-related recordings.
  • Context: Securitization of assets.

• 2007-10-04 (executed) / recorded 2007-10-31 — Reel 020257/0270

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC., NEOMEDIA MICRO PAINT REPAIR, INC., NEOMEDIA MIGRATION, INC., NEOMEDIA TELECOM SERVICES, INC.
  • Assignee: YA GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LP
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1801 CALIFORNIA ST., STE. 2200, DENVER, CO 80202. This correspondent also filed the prior security agreement.
  • Context: Securitization of assets for multiple Neomedia entities.

• 2008-11-04 (executed) / recorded 2008-12-08 — Reel 022137/0861

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
  • Assignee: YA GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, L.P.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1801 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 2200, DENVER, CO 80202. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Further securitization of assets.

• 2009-05-13 (executed) / recorded 2009-06-05 — Reel 022797/0615

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: SOLAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  • Assignee: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1801 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 2200, DENVER, CO 80202. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Assignment back to Neomedia Technologies, Inc. (possibly related to the earlier release).

• 2009-05-13 (executed) / recorded 2009-06-05 — Reel 022797/0616

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: FRANK C HUDETZ, PETER R HUDETZ
  • Assignee: SOLAR COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1801 CALIFORNIA STREET, SUITE 2200, DENVER, CO 80202. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Assignment from inventors to Solar Communications, Inc., likely part of a broader re-consolidation.

• 2010-11-02 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-09 — Reel 026027/0504

  • Conveyance: Release by Secured Party
  • Assignor: AIRCLIC, INC.
  • Assignee: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: ROTHGERBER JOHNSON & LYONS LLP, ONE TABOR CENTER, SUITE 3000, 1200 SEVENTEENTH STREET, DENVER, CO 80202. This correspondent firm also appears in the chain.
  • Context: Release of security interest, reverting rights to Neomedia Technologies, Inc.

• 2016-01-29 (executed) / recorded 2016-02-18 — Reel 036730/0814

  • Conveyance: Notice of Security Interest
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Assignee: YA GLOBALINVESTMENTS, L.P.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1100 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Renewal or reaffirmation of security interest.

• 2016-09-02 (executed) / recorded 2016-09-12 — Reel 038171/0805

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Assignee: NM, LLC
  • Correspondent: LORNA H. SCHOEN, 6634 PARK HALL CT, SARASOTA, FL 34241. This correspondent also filed an earlier security agreement for Airclic.
  • Context: Transfer of ownership from Neomedia to NM, LLC.

• 2017-01-24 (executed) / recorded 2017-02-09 — Reel 038753/0748

  • Conveyance: Release by Secured Party
  • Assignor: CORNELL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LP
  • Assignee: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1100 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Release of security interest.

• 2017-01-24 (executed) / recorded 2017-02-09 — Reel 038753/0750

  • Conveyance: Release by Secured Party
  • Assignor: YA GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LP
  • Assignee: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1100 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Release of security interest.

• 2017-01-24 (executed) / recorded 2017-02-09 — Reel 038753/0752

  • Conveyance: Release by Secured Party
  • Assignor: YA GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, LP
  • Assignee: NEOMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Correspondent: KUTAK ROCK LLP, 1100 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GA 30309. This correspondent consistently handles recordings for these assignees.
  • Context: Release of security interest.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 6199048
    1999 : Filed by Neomedia Technologies Inc
         : Security for Solar Comm Inc
    2000 : Release from Solar Comm
    2001 : Issued
         : Security for Airclic Inc
         : Assigned to William E Goins
    2007 : Security for Cornell Capital
         : Security for YA Global Inv
    2008 : Security for YA Global Inv
    2009 : Assigned from Solar to Neomedia
         : Assigned inventors to Solar
    2010 : Release from Airclic Inc
    2015 : Patent expired
    2016 : Security for YA Global Inv
         : Assigned to NM LLC
    2017 : Release from Cornell Capital
         : Release from YA Global Inv
         : Release from YA Global Inv
         : Release from YA Global Inv

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present.
   • The transfer to NM, LLC (Assignee on Reel 038171/0805) from Neomedia Technologies, Inc. is a strong signal. NM, LLC is a common naming convention for shell entities used in patent assertion. The litigation summary also explicitly states "later NM LLC" as a plaintiff.
2. Known asserter in the chain — present.
   • Neomedia Technologies, Inc. (Original Assignee, Assignor in Reel 038171/0805) and NM, LLC (Assignee in Reel 038171/0805) are both explicitly named as plaintiffs in extensive litigation detailed in the "Litigation summary" section of the prompt. Neomedia was the primary plaintiff in many cases, and NM, LLC is noted as a later plaintiff.
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present.
   • Kutak Rock LLP (1801 CALIFORNIA ST., STE. 2200, DENVER, CO 80202 and 1100 PEACHTREE STREET NE, SUITE 2800, ATLANTA, GA 30309) appears as the correspondent for multiple security agreements and releases involving Neomedia Technologies, Inc. and YA Global Investments, LP, and Cornell Capital Partners, L.P. (Reel 019448/0223, Reel 020257/0270, Reel 022137/0861, Reel 022797/0615, Reel 022797/0616, Reel 036730/0814, Reel 038753/0748, Reel 038753/0750, Reel 038753/0752). This firm's recurring presence across various financial transactions for the patent owner, particularly when combined with the noted litigation activity, is a strong signal.
4. Cascading transfers — unclear.
   • While there are many security agreements and releases, the direct assignments of the patent's ownership are less frequent. The transfer from Neomedia to NM, LLC is a single step (Reel 038171/0805) rather than a cascade of transfers through chained LLCs within a short period.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — present.
   • The transfer from Neomedia Technologies, Inc. to NM, LLC (Reel 038171/0805) was executed on 2016-09-02. The "Litigation summary" mentions litigation primarily between 2012-2014, and specifically lists a case from April 2014 (1:14-cv-01189, Neomedia Technologies, Inc. vs. Costco). However, the "Summary of U.S. Patent 6,199,048" also states the "current assignee is listed as NM LLC," and the "Litigation summary" notes that the patent was "the subject of multiple infringement lawsuits initiated by its assignees, primarily Neomedia Technologies, Inc. and later NM LLC." This implies that NM LLC also asserted the patent. If NM, LLC filed any lawsuits after its acquisition in September 2016, this would be a pre-litigation transfer relative to those specific lawsuits. Given the patent expired in October 2015, any litigation post-expiration would be highly unusual without specific circumstances. However, the timing of this transfer suggests it was intended for assertion or portfolio management related to ongoing litigation efforts, even if the primary assertion period was earlier.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — unclear.
   • There is no direct evidence in the assignment records or provided context indicating Neomedia Technologies, Inc. underwent a formal bankruptcy proceeding that resulted in a fire-sale of its patent assets. The security agreements suggest financial distress or financing arrangements, but not necessarily a Chapter 7 or 11 bankruptcy sale of this specific patent.
7. Privateering — unclear.
   • No information explicitly details an operating company transferring the patent to an NPE to assert on its behalf against competitors as part of a privateering strategy, though the overall pattern is consistent with NPE assertion.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present.
   • The chain does not terminate at any known defensive aggregator such as RPX, AST, LOT Network, Unified Patents, or Open Invention Network.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The extensive litigation history by the original assignee (Neomedia Technologies, Inc.) and the subsequent transfer to a shell entity (NM, LLC) strongly indicate an NPE assertion model. The repeated use of Kutak Rock LLP as correspondent across numerous securitization and assignment records (e.g., Reel 019448/0223, Reel 020257/0270, Reel 022137/0861, Reel 022797/0615, Reel 022797/0616, Reel 036730/0814, Reel 038753/0748, Reel 038753/0750, Reel 038753/0752), coupled with the explicit mention of Neomedia and NM LLC as plaintiffs in prior infringement lawsuits, solidifies this conclusion. The patent expired on October 3, 2015, further underscoring that any value derived from it would be through assertion, not product sales.

USPTO Assignment Center Search for US6199048

Prior Art Analysis for U.S. Patent 6,199,048

As a senior patent analyst, this report details the most relevant prior art cited against U.S. Patent 6,199,048, "System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network." The analysis is based on the patent's own citations and examines the potential for anticipation of its claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

The core invention of patent 6,199,048 is a system and method that uses a product's identification code (like a UPC barcode) as an "index" to look up a network address (a "pointer," such as a URL) in a database, and then uses that address to connect a user's computer to a remote computer on a network. The independent claims (1, 36, and 71) broadly cover this method, the system for implementing it, and the user's computing device, respectively.

Below is an examination of the key prior art references cited by the patent examiner during the prosecution of the 6,199,048 patent.

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U.S. Patent 5,727,155: "Remote retrieval and loading of network addresses"

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 5,727,155, Dawson, et al.
• Publication Date: March 10, 1998
• Filing Date: January 24, 1996
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system for retrieving network addresses, such as URLs, from a remote server and automatically loading them into a user's web browser. It details a method where a user can select a description of a network resource, and the system then retrieves the corresponding address and directs the browser to that location.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • This reference is highly relevant to the general concept of remotely looking up network addresses. It describes a system that performs a function similar to the database lookup in patent 6,199,048. However, it does not explicitly disclose the use of a product identification code, such as a UPC, read from a physical object as the "index" for this lookup. Therefore, while it teaches the database and pointer retrieval concept, it may not anticipate the specific embodiment of using a barcode from an "article of commerce" as claimed in 6,199,048. Its relevance would be primarily against the broader interpretation of the claims.

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U.S. Patent 5,761,606: "System for computer-implemented ordering of items"

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 5,761,606, Wolzien.
• Publication Date: June 2, 1998
• Filing Date: December 8, 1995
• Brief Description: This patent details a system for ordering items, such as from a catalog, using a computer. A key feature is the use of an item's unique identification code, which can be scanned from a barcode, to retrieve information about that item from a database for the purpose of placing an order.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • This patent is particularly relevant as it discloses the use of a scanned barcode from a physical item to look up information in a database. This directly relates to the "reading a data carrier modulated with an index" and "accessing a database with the index" steps of claim 1. The primary distinction from patent 6,199,048 is the purpose of the database lookup. In '606, the goal is to facilitate an order, retrieving product information. In 6,199,048, the goal is to retrieve a network address to connect to a remote computer. An argument for anticipation would depend on whether retrieving product information for an order is sufficiently similar to retrieving a network address for informational access.

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U.S. Patent 5,774,664: "System and method for remote-controlling a computer"

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 5,774,664, Tsubaki, et al.
• Publication Date: June 30, 1998
• Filing Date: June 7, 1995
• Brief Description: This patent describes a system where a user can control a computer, such as a web browser, using codes that can be transmitted from a remote device. These codes can represent URLs or other commands. The patent mentions the possibility of inputting these codes via a barcode scanner.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • This reference teaches the concept of using a barcode to input a network address (URL) into a computer to navigate to a website. This aligns closely with the overall concept of the 6,199,048 patent. A key difference, however, is that '664 appears to describe a system where the URL itself is directly encoded in the barcode, rather than using an "index" to look up the URL in a separate database. The 6,199,048 patent specifically claims the use of an intermediate index (like a UPC) and a database lookup. Therefore, '664 may not directly anticipate the claims of 6,199,048, although it is very close in overall functionality.

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U.S. Patent 5,845,265: "Consignment nodes"

• Full Citation: U.S. Patent 5,845,265, Woolston.
• Publication Date: December 1, 1998
• Filing Date: April 26, 1995
• Brief Description: This patent discloses an electronic market for used and collectible goods where consignment stores can create a database of their inventory. It describes a system for presenting these goods for sale on an electronic network.
• Potential Anticipation of Claims:
  • While this patent deals with online marketplaces and databases of goods, its primary focus is on the transaction and market-making aspects of e-commerce. It does not appear to describe a system for using a product's standard identification code, read from the physical product itself, to link to a general network resource. The '265 patent is more concerned with creating a "virtual presentment of goods" for sale online. Therefore, its relevance as prior art that would anticipate the specific claims of 6,199,048 seems limited.

Based on this analysis, the prior art cited during the prosecution of U.S. Patent 6,199,048 addressed several key elements of the invention, such as remote URL retrieval and the use of barcodes to look up product information. However, none of the references appear to explicitly disclose the complete claimed invention of using a standard product identifier (like a UPC) scanned from a physical "article of commerce" as an index to a database that in turn provides a network address for accessing a remote computer. The novelty of the 6,199,048 patent, therefore, seems to lie in the specific combination of these elements.

Based on the provided prior art references, a strong argument can be made that the independent claims of U.S. Patent 6,199,048 would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 103. The priority date of the patent is June 20, 1995, a time when the World Wide Web was rapidly expanding and the use of barcodes in commerce was ubiquitous.

An analysis of obviousness requires showing that a PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine the teachings of existing prior art references and would have had a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. The most compelling combination of the provided prior art involves U.S. Patent 5,761,606 (Wolzien) and U.S. Patent 5,727,155 (Dawson).

Obviousness Based on the Combination of Wolzien ('606) and Dawson ('155)

A PHOSITA in mid-1995 would have been familiar with database management, computer networking (specifically the client-server model of the World Wide Web), and the function of common input devices like barcode scanners.

1. Elements Taught by the Prior Art:

   • Wolzien ('606) explicitly teaches core elements of the '048 invention. It discloses a system where a unique identification code, which can be scanned from a barcode on an item, is used to retrieve information about that item from a database. This directly corresponds to the steps in claim 1 of "reading a data carrier modulated with an index" (the barcode) and "accessing a database with the index." The key difference is that Wolzien's system uses this lookup to facilitate ordering the item.
   • Dawson ('155) teaches the remaining conceptual piece. It describes a system for retrieving network addresses (i.e., "pointers" like URLs) from a remote server or database and using them to automatically load a resource in a user's web browser. This covers the steps of linking an identifier to a "pointer which identifies a remote computer," "extracting a pointer," and "using the pointer to establish communication."

2. Motivation to Combine:
   By 1995, companies were rapidly establishing presences on the World Wide Web to provide marketing materials, product information, and customer support. A PHOSITA, observing this trend, would have been motivated to enhance the utility of the product lookup system described by Wolzien.

   • Market Need: There was a clear and emerging need to bridge the gap between physical products and the new wealth of online information about them. A manufacturer with a new website for its products would want a simple way to direct consumers to it.
   • Predictable Improvement: The motivation would be to extend Wolzien's system beyond simple order-entry. Instead of the database merely returning static product data (like price and description), a PHOSITA would find it an obvious and logical improvement to have the database also return a network address pointing to richer, more dynamic online content, as taught by Dawson. This would transform a simple ordering tool into a comprehensive information-retrieval system, leveraging the new capabilities of the web. Combining the convenience of barcode scanning for product identification (from Wolzien) with the concept of remote address lookup for web navigation (from Dawson) is a commonsense solution to a clear market opportunity.

3. Reasonable Expectation of Success:
   The combination of these two systems would have been entirely predictable and achievable for a PHOSITA in 1995. The underlying technologies—barcode readers, database systems, and network communication protocols like HTTP—were well-established. Integrating them would involve straightforward software development, such as adding a "URL" field to the product database in Wolzien's system and programming the client application to launch a web browser with the retrieved URL, a function explicitly contemplated by Dawson. There were no technical hurdles that would have taught away from this combination.

Conclusion

The combination of Wolzien ('606) and Dawson ('155) teaches all the elements of the independent claims of U.S. Patent 6,199,048. Wolzien provides the front-end mechanism of using a standard product barcode to query a database, and Dawson provides the back-end function of having that database supply a network address for automated access to a remote resource. The motivation to combine them—to leverage the burgeoning World Wide Web to provide consumers with easy access to product information—would have been apparent. Therefore, the invention claimed in U.S. Patent 6,199,048 would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made.

Term, Adjustments, and Application History for U.S. Patent 6,199,048

As of April 28, 2026, an analysis of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) records for U.S. Patent 6,199,048 provides the following details regarding its term, related applications, and expiration.

Patent Term and Adjustments:

• Patent Term Adjustments (PTA) / Patent Term Extensions (PTE): A review of the patent's prosecution history indicates no awarded Patent Term Adjustments or Extensions. The application was filed before the effective date of the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999, which introduced the modern PTA system to compensate for certain USPTO processing delays. Therefore, the patent's term is not extended beyond the standard period.
• Projected Expiration Date: The patent has a priority date of June 20, 1995, based on a provisional application. Utility patents filed on or after June 8, 1995, have a term of 20 years from the earliest non-provisional filing date. The non-provisional application that led to this patent family (application Ser. No. 08/538,365) was filed on October 3, 1995. Therefore, the 20-year term expired on October 3, 2015. The patent is now in the public domain.

Application and Family History:

• Divisional Application: U.S. Patent 6,199,048 is a divisional application. Its direct parent is U.S. Patent 5,978,773 (issued from application Ser. No. 08/538,365). A divisional application is a separate application carved out from a parent application that originally contained more than one distinct invention. This allowed the inventors to pursue claims to a different invention that was disclosed in the original application. The application for patent 6,199,048 (Ser. No. 09/232,908) was filed on January 15, 1999.
• Continuation Applications: There are no direct continuation applications of U.S. Patent 6,199,048 itself. However, the patent is part of a larger family of applications that continued from the original 1995 filing.
• Patent Family Members: This patent is part of a family of related patents and applications that all claim priority to the original 1995 provisional and non-provisional applications. A patent family consists of a collection of patent applications filed in various countries that cover the same or similar inventions and are linked through priority claims. Key members of this patent's family include:
  • U.S. Patent 5,978,773: The direct parent application.
  • U.S. Patent 7,383,209: A continuation.
  • U.S. Patent 7,765,126: A continuation.
  • U.S. Patent 8,131,597: A continuation.
  • U.S. Patent 8,805,728: A continuation.
  • U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0361071: A continuation.

All patents within this family share the same priority date and, therefore, the same 20-year term, which concluded on October 3, 2015.

Defensive Disclosure and Prior Art Generation

Pertaining to the Art Disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,199,048

Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Subject Matter: Derivatives, extensions, and combinations related to systems and methods for linking physical objects to network resources via an indexed database lookup, thereby rendering obvious incremental or future improvements in the art.

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Axis 1: Material & Component Substitution

1.1. Derivative: Spectroscopic Signature as a Data Carrier

• Enabling Description: A system wherein the data carrier is a chemical composition or a set of molecular markers embedded within or applied to an article of commerce. The index is not visually encoded but is a function of the material's inherent spectroscopic signature. An input device, such as a handheld Raman spectrometer or a miniaturized Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, irradiates the material with a laser or infrared source. The backscattered light is analyzed to generate a unique spectral fingerprint (e.g., a set of Raman shifts and their intensities). This spectral data is processed through a hashing algorithm (e.g., SHA-256) to produce a unique alphanumeric index. This index is then used to query a database to retrieve a pointer to a remote computer, in accordance with the core method. This is particularly useful for authenticating products where a visible barcode is undesirable or susceptible to replication, such as luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, or mission-critical components.

• Mermaid Diagram: Data Flow

  flowchart TD
      A[Handheld Spectrometer] -- Emits Laser --> B{Product Material with Chemical Markers};
      B -- Backscatters Light --> A;
      A -- Generates Spectral Data --> C[Processor];
      C -- Applies Hashing Algorithm (SHA-256) --> D[Generated Index];
      D -- Transmits to Network --> E[Remote Database];
      E -- Index Lookup --> F[Pointer / URL Retrieved];
      F -- Returns to User Device --> G[Establish Communication];
      G -- Connects to --> H[Remote Computer];
  

1.2. Derivative: Embedded NFC with Volatile Index Storage

• Enabling Description: A system where the data carrier is a passive Near Field Communication (NFC) tag (compliant with ISO/IEC 14443) embedded within a product. The tag contains a volatile memory module (e.g., SRAM) that is only powered when in the presence of an RF field from an NFC reader. The "index" is written to this volatile memory. An authorized device can update this index at various points in the supply chain. For example, a product's index can point to a logistics manifest while in transit, and be updated at the point of sale to point to a consumer-facing warranty registration page. The user's computing device (e.g., a smartphone) acts as the NFC reader, providing power to the tag, reading the current index, and using it to access the corresponding network resource via the database. This allows for a single physical product to have a dynamically changing network link throughout its lifecycle.

• Mermaid Diagram: State Transition

  stateDiagram-v2
      [*] --> In_Transit
      In_Transit: Index points to Logistics DB
      In_Transit --> For_Sale : POS Device Update
      For_Sale: Index points to Warranty Page
      For_Sale --> In_Use : User Registration
      In_Use: Index points to User Manual
      In_Use --> End_of_Life : Time/Usage Trigger
      End_of_Life: Index points to Recycling Info
  

1.3. Derivative: Acoustic Resonance as Index

• Enabling Description: A system where the unique physical structure of an object serves as its own data carrier. An input device, comprising a piezoelectric transducer and a sensitive acoustic receiver, makes contact with or is placed in close proximity to the object. The transducer excites the object with an ultrasonic chirp signal across a predefined frequency range. The receiver captures the object's resonant response. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is performed on the received signal to identify the dominant resonant frequencies and their amplitudes. A feature vector is extracted from this spectral data and hashed to create a unique index. This method is effective for objects with a consistent and complex internal structure, such as ceramic components or metallic castings, allowing for identification without any external markings.

• Mermaid Diagram: Process Flow

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Reader
      participant Object
      participant Processor
      participant Database
      Reader->>Object: Excite with Ultrasonic Chirp
      Object-->>Reader: Return Acoustic Response
      Reader->>Processor: Forward Raw Response Signal
      Processor->>Processor: Perform FFT on Signal
      Processor->>Processor: Extract Feature Vector & Hash
      Processor->>Database: Query with Hashed Index
      Database-->>Processor: Return Pointer (URL)
      Processor->>Reader: Initiate Connection
  

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Axis 2: Operational Parameter Expansion

2.1. Derivative: Nanoscale Quantum Dot Array as Data Carrier

• Enabling Description: A system operating at the nanoscale, where the data carrier is an array of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) deposited on a substrate using inkjet or lithographic techniques. Each QD is engineered to emit light at a specific, narrow wavelength when excited by a UV or blue light source. The "index" is encoded by the spatial arrangement (x,y coordinates) and the specific emission wavelength (color) of the QDs in the array. A confocal fluorescence microscope coupled with a CCD sensor acts as the reader. It excites the array and decodes the index from the pattern of multi-wavelength emissions. This allows for extremely high-density data storage in a covert manner, suitable for anti-counterfeiting applications on pharmaceuticals, currency, or microelectronic chips.

• Mermaid Diagram: Component Architecture

  graph TD
      subgraph Reader_Device
          A[UV Excitation Source] --> B(QD_Array_on_Product);
          B --> C{Confocal Microscope};
          C --> D[Dichroic Mirror];
          D -- Reflected Light --> E[Waste];
          D -- Emitted Fluorescence --> F[Filter_Array];
          F --> G[CCD Sensor];
          G --> H[Image Processor];
      end
      H -- Decodes Position & Wavelength --> I[Index];
      I --> J[Database Lookup];
      J --> K[Retrieve Pointer];
  

2.2. Derivative: High-Pressure Subsea Indexing

• Enabling Description: An application of the system in extreme high-pressure, deep-sea environments. The data carrier is a transponder affixed to a subsea asset (e.g., a wellhead, pipeline section, or remotely operated vehicle). The "index" is the unique acoustic signature of the transponder. A sonar interrogation system on a surface vessel or autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) sends a coded acoustic signal. The transponder replies with its unique ID (the index). This index is relayed via satellite link to a terrestrial database. The database returns a pointer to the asset's real-time operational dashboard, including pressure readings, temperature, and structural integrity data, accessible by engineers onshore.

• Mermaid Diagram: Sequence Diagram

  sequenceDiagram
      participant Onshore_Engineer
      participant AUV
      participant Subsea_Asset
      participant Terrestrial_DB
      Onshore_Engineer->>AUV: Command: 'Query Asset X'
      AUV->>Subsea_Asset: Acoustic Interrogation
      Subsea_Asset-->>AUV: Reply with Unique ID (Index)
      AUV->>Terrestrial_DB: Transmit Index via Satellite Link
      Terrestrial_DB-->>AUV: Return Pointer to Control Dashboard
      AUV->>Onshore_Engineer: Relay Pointer
      Onshore_Engineer->>Terrestrial_DB: Access Dashboard via Pointer
  

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Axis 3: Cross-Domain Application

3.1. Derivative: Aerospace Digital Twin Linkage

• Enabling Description: In aerospace maintenance, a component such as a turbine blade is marked with a laser-etched Data Matrix code capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. This code contains the component's serial number (the index). A maintenance technician uses a ruggedized tablet with a high-resolution camera to scan the index. The tablet's software accesses a secure database that links the index to a specific pointer. This pointer does not lead to a static webpage, but rather to a live, interactive digital twin of the specific component, rendered in an augmented reality overlay on the tablet's screen. The AR view displays real-time data such as accumulated stress cycles, thermal exposure history, and maintenance records, pulled from the aircraft's flight data recorder and maintenance logs.

• Mermaid Diagram: Entity Relationship

  erDiagram
      COMPONENT ||--o{ "DATA MATRIX" : contains
      "DATA MATRIX" ||--|{ INDEX : encodes
      INDEX }|--|| DATABASE : queries
      DATABASE ||--|{ POINTER : provides
      POINTER }|--|| "DIGITAL TWIN" : links_to
      "DIGITAL TWIN" }o--|| "MAINTENANCE LOG" : displays
      "DIGITAL TWIN" }o--|| "SENSOR DATA" : displays
  

3.2. Derivative: AgTech Precision Irrigation

• Enabling Description: In precision agriculture, an in-field soil sensor (e.g., a TDR probe for moisture) is the data carrier. It has a unique identifier broadcast via LoRaWAN. A gateway receiver collects these identifiers (indices) from hundreds of sensors across a field. Each index is sent to a cloud-based agricultural platform (the database). The database correlates the index with the sensor's known GPS coordinates and its latest soil moisture reading. The platform's logic then retrieves a pointer corresponding to a specific command for an irrigation control system. This pointer might be an API endpoint call that instructs a specific valve in a drip irrigation system to open for a calculated duration, delivering a precise amount of water only to the area that needs it.

• Mermaid Diagram: Flowchart

  flowchart TD
      A((Soil Sensor)) -- LoRaWAN --> B[Gateway];
      B -- Sensor ID (Index) --> C[Cloud Platform];
      C -- Correlates Index with GPS & Moisture Data --> D{Decision Logic};
      D -- Moisture Low --> E[Retrieve Pointer for 'Irrigate' API Call];
      D -- Moisture OK --> F[Retrieve Pointer for 'Standby' Command];
      E --> G[Irrigation Control System];
      F --> G;
      G -- Actuates Valve --> H((Specific Field Zone));
  

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Axis 4: Integration with Emerging Tech

4.1. Derivative: AI-Driven Predictive Pointer Generation

• Enabling Description: A system where the database is replaced by a predictive machine learning model. A user scans a standard UPC barcode (the index) on a food product. This index, along with contextual data streams (time of day, user's location from device GPS, user's saved dietary preferences, recent purchase history), is fed as input to a trained neural network. The model does not perform a simple lookup. Instead, it generates a pointer on-the-fly to a resource it predicts will be most useful. For example, scanning a carton of eggs at 8 AM might generate a pointer to a breakfast recipe. Scanning the same product after visiting a gym (inferred from location data) might generate a pointer to a high-protein meal plan. The "database" becomes a dynamic, context-aware inference engine.

• Mermaid Diagram: Architecture

  graph TD
      subgraph User_Device
          A[Barcode Scanner] --> B(Index: UPC);
          C[GPS] --> D(Context: Location);
          E[Clock] --> F(Context: Time);
      end
      B & D & F --> G[Feature Vector];
      G --> H{ML Inference Engine};
      H -- Generates --> I(Predicted Pointer / URL);
      I --> J[Web Browser];
  

4.2. Derivative: Blockchain-Verified Provenance

• Enabling Description: For supply chain verification, a product is labeled with a QR code containing a unique identifier (the index). This index corresponds to a specific asset on a permissioned blockchain (e.g., Hyperledger Fabric). A user's device scans the code and submits the index to a web service. This service (the "database") is an oracle that queries the blockchain. It retrieves the full transaction history for the asset associated with that index. The service then returns a pointer to a web-based dApp that visualizes this immutable history, showing every step from origin to retail, complete with timestamps and cryptographic verification. This allows a consumer to instantly verify the authenticity and ethical sourcing of a product.

• Mermaid Diagram: Sequence Diagram

  sequenceDiagram
      participant User
      participant Product_QR_Code
      participant Oracle_Service
      participant Blockchain
      User->>Product_QR_Code: Scan Index
      User->>Oracle_Service: Query with Index
      Oracle_Service->>Blockchain: GetTransactionHistory(Index)
      Blockchain-->>Oracle_Service: Return Provenance Data
      Oracle_Service-->>User: Return Pointer to dApp
      User->>User: Access dApp via Pointer
      Note right of User: View Immutable Supply Chain History
  

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Axis 5: The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

5.1. Derivative: Graceful Degradation with Embedded Fallback

• Enabling Description: A system designed for high-reliability or offline environments. The data carrier on an industrial chemical drum consists of two parts: a high-density Data Matrix code (primary index) and a larger, lower-density QR code (secondary index). In normal operation, a scanner reads the primary index and connects to an online database to retrieve the full, up-to-date Safety Data Sheet (SDS). If the device has no network connectivity, the application automatically fails over. It then scans the secondary QR code. This code does not contain an index for a database, but instead directly encodes a vCard-like data structure containing critical offline information: the chemical name, primary hazards, emergency contact number, and basic first-aid instructions. This ensures that essential safety information is always accessible, even upon failure of the primary network-based system.

• Mermaid Diagram: State Diagram

  stateDiagram-v2
      state "Online Mode" as Online
      state "Offline Mode" as Offline
  
      [*] --> Initializing
      Initializing --> Online: Network Detected
      Initializing --> Offline: No Network
  
      Online --> Offline: Network Lost
      Online: Scan Primary Index -> Access Remote DB -> Display Full SDS
      Offline --> Online: Network Regained
      Offline: Scan Secondary Index -> Decode Embedded Data -> Display Basic Safety Info
  

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Combination Prior Art Scenarios

• 1. Combination with IETF RFC 8141 (URNs): The method is implemented where the index read from the data carrier is used to query a database that returns not a direct URL, but a Uniform Resource Name (URN). The user's computing device then uses a Resolution Discovery System (RDS) client to resolve this persistent, location-independent URN into a currently accessible URL based on context such as user language preference, geographic location, or available content formats. This decouples the product's identity from a specific server address, making the link more robust over time.

• 2. Combination with W3C Verifiable Credentials: The system is used for authentication. A QR code on a certificate or ID card contains a Decentralized Identifier (DID) as the index. A verifier's device scans the DID and uses it to discover a DID-controlled service endpoint (the "database"). The device engages in a cryptographic challenge-response protocol with the endpoint to prove control of the associated private key. Upon successful verification, the service returns a "pointer" which is a temporary URL to a W3C-compliant Verifiable Credential, proving the authenticity of the physical document.

• 3. Combination with GS1 Digital Link Standard: The system is a direct implementation of the open GS1 Digital Link standard. The data carrier is a QR code encoding a URL that contains a GS1 identifier (e.g., GTIN, SSCC). This URL itself acts as the "index." When scanned, the device's browser is pointed to this URL, which leads to a resolver (the "database"). This resolver, following the GS1 standard, redirects the user's browser to different final URLs ("pointers") based on link types requested or inferred, allowing a single barcode to link to nutritional facts, assembly instructions, or promotional offers. The core method of index-to-pointer lookup is performed by a standardized, interoperable web protocol rather than a proprietary database.