US US7383209

Summary of U.S. Patent US7383209

Title: System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network

Assignee: Neomedia Technologies, Inc.

Inventors: Frank C. Hudetz, Peter R. Hudetz

Filing Date: January 29, 2004

Issue Date: June 3, 2008

Abstract: A system and method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (“UPC”) numbers to Internet network addresses (or “URLs”). To access an Internet resource relating to a particular product, a user enters the product's UPC symbol manually, by swiping a bar code reader over the UPC symbol, or via other suitable input means. The database retrieves the URL corresponding to the UPC code. This location information is then used to access the desired resource.

Independent Claims Overview

This patent contains two independent claims: claim 1 (a method) and claim 23 (a system).

Claim 1 (Method): This claim outlines a method for connecting computers over a network. In simple terms, it describes a process where a user can automatically scan a data carrier, such as a barcode on a product, which contains an index (like a UPC code). This scanned index is then sent to one or more "routing computers" on the network. These routing computers have tables that associate the index with a "pointer" (such as a website URL) that identifies another computer on the network where information is stored. The user's computer then uses this pointer to connect to the information computer and request data. Finally, the information computer sends the requested information back to the user's computer.

Claim 23 (System): This claim describes a networked computer system that puts the method of claim 1 into practice. The system is composed of:

• A "requesting computer" equipped with a device to automatically read a data carrier with an index (e.g., a barcode scanner).
• Multiple "routing computers," each storing a table that links indexes to pointers identifying an "information computer."
• An "information computer" that can send information to the requesting computer.

Essentially, the system allows a user to scan a code, have their computer look up the corresponding web address or network location via a series of routing computers, and then automatically connect to that location to retrieve information.

Litigation and CAFC Docket Search

A search of the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) 2026 dockets for US7383209 did not yield any specific results for this patent. However, the assignee, Neomedia Technologies, Inc., has been involved in patent litigation concerning other related patents. For instance, in 2012, Neomedia filed a lawsuit against SpyderLynk, LLC, asserting infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,199,048 and 8,131,597, which relate to similar mobile barcode resolution technology. Additionally, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) previously requested a reexamination of Neomedia's patent #6,199,048 as part of its "Patent Busting Project." While this does not directly impact US7383209, it provides context regarding the enforcement of Neomedia's broader patent portfolio in the mobile marketing space.