Patent US7383209

Derivative works

Defensive disclosure: derivative variations of each claim designed to render future incremental improvements obvious or non-novel.

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Derivative works

Defensive disclosure: derivative variations of each claim designed to render future incremental improvements obvious or non-novel.

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Defensive Disclosure and Prior Art Generation for US7383209

Publication Date: April 29, 2026
Reference Patent: US7383209, "System and method for automatic access of a remote computer over a network" (the '209 patent)
Purpose: This document discloses a series of technical implementations, variations, and combinations related to the core claims of the '209 patent. The intent is to place these concepts in the public domain, thereby establishing them as prior art to render obvious or anticipate future patent claims in this technological area.

Derivative Variations on Core Claims (Claim 1 & 23)

The following disclosures detail specific embodiments and applications derived from the core method and system of the '209 patent, which describes a system for reading a data carrier with an index, using that index to look up a pointer in a remote database, and using the pointer to access an information computer.

1. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Index Resolution

  • Enabling Description: This embodiment replaces the visual, line-of-sight data carrier (e.g., a barcode) with a passive Near-Field Communication (NFC) or Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID tag. The "requesting computer" is a smartphone, industrial scanner, or fixed portal reader equipped with an RF antenna. The "index" is the Unique Identifier (UID) or an Electronic Product Code (EPC) stored in the tag's memory. When the requesting computer energizes the tag and reads its memory, it transmits the UID/EPC index over a TCP/IP network to a set of routing computers. These routing computers host an Object Name Service (ONS) database that maps the EPC index to a set of pointers, such as URLs for material safety data sheets, maintenance logs, or e-commerce pages. The requesting computer's client software (e.g., a web browser or specialized application) then uses the returned pointer to establish a session with the designated information computer.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    sequenceDiagram
    participant UserDevice as Requesting Computer (NFC Reader)
    participant RFIDTag as Data Carrier
    participant ONS as Routing Computer
    participant ProductServer as Information Computer

    UserDevice->>RFIDTag: Energize and Read EPC (Index)
    RFIDTag-->>UserDevice: Return EPC
    UserDevice->>ONS: Transmit EPC for Resolution
    ONS->>ONS: Lookup EPC in Database Table
    ONS-->>UserDevice: Return Pointer (URL)
    UserDevice->>ProductServer: HTTP GET Request using URL
    ProductServer-->>UserDevice: Return Information (HTML Page)

Derivative 1.2: Biological Marker Indexing System

  • Enabling Description: This variation utilizes a biological sequence as the "index." The data carrier is a biological sample (e.g., tissue, seed, microbial culture). The "requesting computer" is a system comprising a gene sequencer connected to a network interface. A unique, non-coding DNA sequence or a specific protein marker within the sample serves as the index. The sequencer reads this index and transmits it to a set of bioinformatics routing servers. These servers maintain a distributed database (e.g., a BLAST-like database) that associates the specific biological sequence with one or more pointers. These pointers could be URLs to genetic trait databases, records of provenance, or regulatory compliance information hosted on separate information computers. This system allows for the tracking of genetically modified organisms, patented cell lines, or organic produce through the supply chain.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    flowchart TD
    A[Sample Acquisition] --> B{Sequencer (Requesting Computer)};
    B --> C[Extract Biological Index (DNA Sequence)];
    C --> D{Transmit Index to Bioinformatics Routing Servers};
    D --> E[Lookup Index in Distributed Genome DB];
    E --> F{Return Pointer (e.g., URL to Provenance Data)};
    B --> G[Use Pointer to Fetch Data];
    G --> H[Display Information from Information Computer];

2. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 2.1: Nanoscale Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) System

  • Enabling Description: This system operates at the microfluidic and nanoscale. The "data carrier" is a specific molecule or nanoparticle functionalized with a unique synthetic oligonucleotide tag, which acts as the "index." The "requesting computer" is a microfluidic analysis device (Lab-on-a-Chip) with integrated nanosensors capable of detecting and identifying the oligonucleotide tag. Upon detection, the LOC controller transmits the tag's sequence over a network to a routing computer. This computer's database maps the index to a pointer corresponding to a specific chemical reaction protocol or a diagnostic data model hosted on a remote "information computer." The LOC then receives instructions via this pointer to introduce specific reagents or apply electrical fields, automating a complex diagnostic or synthetic process based on the detected nanoscale index.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    stateDiagram-v2
    [*] --> Idle
    Idle --> Detecting: Nanoparticle introduced
    Detecting --> Resolving: Oligonucleotide Index Read
    Resolving --> Executing: Pointer (Protocol) Received
    Executing --> Done: Protocol Complete
    Resolving --> Error: Index not found
    Error --> Idle
    Done --> Idle

    state Resolving {
        direction LR
        [*] --> Transmit_Index
        Transmit_Index --> Receive_Pointer
        Receive_Pointer --> [*]
    }

Derivative 2.2: Deep-Sea Asset Tracking System

  • Enabling Description: This embodiment is designed for high-pressure, low-temperature, and non-RF environments, such as tracking assets on the abyssal plain. The "data carrier" is a transducer on a submersible or subsea installation that emits a unique acoustic signature (a specific frequency-hopping sequence) when pinged, which serves as the "index." The "requesting computer" is a surface vessel or an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with a sonar array. Upon receiving the acoustic index, the requesting computer transmits it via a high-latency satellite link to a land-based "routing computer." This computer maintains a database associating acoustic indices with pointers. The pointer could be an IP address for a remote server ("information computer") containing the asset's last-known maintenance status, operational parameters, or a command-and-control interface. Due to the high latency, the system is designed for asynchronous communication, where the requesting computer sends the index and receives the pointer minutes or hours later.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    flowchart LR
    subgraph "Subsea Environment (High Pressure)"
        A[AUV Sonar] --Pings--> B(Asset Transducer);
        B --Acoustic Index--> A;
    end
    subgraph "Surface/Shore"
        D[Routing Computer] --Lookup--> E(Asset Database);
        E --Pointer--> D;
    end
    A --Satellite Uplink--> C{Satellite Relay};
    C --Transmit Index--> D;
    D --Transmit Pointer--> C;
    C --Satellite Downlink--> A;
    A --Use Pointer--> F(Information Computer);

3. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 3.1: Aerospace Component Lifecycle Management

  • Enabling Description: This system is applied to aerospace manufacturing and maintenance. Every critical aircraft component (e.g., turbine blade, actuator) is laser-etched with a data matrix code containing a unique serial number, which is the "index." During maintenance, a technician uses a handheld scanner (the "requesting computer") to read the index. The scanner's software communicates over a secure network with a federated system of "routing computers" maintained by the manufacturer, the airline, and aviation regulators. The routing system resolves the index to multiple pointers simultaneously: one to the manufacturer's database for original specifications, another to the airline's maintenance log database, and a third to the FAA's airworthiness directive database. This provides the technician with a unified, real-time view of all relevant information for that specific component.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    erDiagram
    COMPONENT ||--o{ LOG_ENTRY : has
    COMPONENT {
        string serial_number "Index (PK)"
        string part_type
    }
    AIRCRAFT ||--|{ COMPONENT : contains
    ROUTING_TABLE {
        string serial_number "FK"
        string pointer_type
        string pointer_url
    }
    COMPONENT ||--|{ ROUTING_TABLE : resolves_to

Derivative 3.2: Agricultural Technology (AgTech) Provenance Tracking

  • Enabling Description: This application tracks the provenance of agricultural products. An RFID tag implanted in livestock or a QR code on a batch of harvested produce contains a unique GS1-compliant identification number (the "index"). A "requesting computer" (e.g., a farm management device, a logistics scanner) reads the index at various points in the supply chain. The index is sent to a "routing computer" that manages a permissions-based database. Depending on the credentials of the requesting entity, the routing computer returns different pointers. For example, a farmer might receive a pointer to a database for updating vaccination records ("information computer"). A logistics provider might get a pointer to shipping manifests. A consumer scanning the final product might get a pointer to a marketing website with the farm's story.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    sequenceDiagram
    actor Consumer
    participant Scanner as Requesting Computer
    participant Router as Routing Computer
    participant FarmerDB as InfoComputer_A
    participant MarketingSite as InfoComputer_B

    Consumer->>Scanner: Scan QR Code (Index)
    Scanner->>Router: Request Resolution for Index + "Consumer" role
    Router->>Router: Lookup: Index + Consumer -> Pointer_B
    Router-->>Scanner: Return Pointer_B (marketing URL)
    Scanner->>MarketingSite: Request marketing URL
    MarketingSite-->>Scanner: Return Webpage
    Scanner->>Consumer: Display Webpage

4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 4.1: AI-Powered Predictive Routing

  • Enabling Description: This embodiment enhances the "routing computer" with an AI/ML predictive engine. When a "requesting computer" sends an "index" (e.g., a scanned UPC), it also sends contextual metadata: GPS coordinates, time of day, device type, and a user's anonymized interaction history. The routing computer feeds this index and context vector into a trained neural network. The model predicts the user's likely intent and generates a dynamic "pointer." For example, scanning a soda can at 10 AM near a gym might return a pointer to a nutritional information page. Scanning the same can at 7 PM at home might return a pointer to a website with cocktail recipes. The "information computer" is not fixed per index but is selected in real-time by the AI router.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    flowchart TD
    A[Requesting Computer Scans Index] --> B(Send Index + Context Metadata);
    subgraph AI Routing Computer
        B --> C{Feature Extraction};
        C --> D[Predictive Model (NN)];
        D --> E{Generate Dynamic Pointer};
    end
    E --> F(Return Pointer to Requesting Computer);
    F --> G[Access Context-Relevant Information Computer];

Derivative 4.2: Blockchain-Verified Supply Chain Provenance

  • Enabling Description: This system uses a blockchain for trust and verification. The "index" read from a QR code on a high-value item (e.g., a pharmaceutical package) is a cryptographic hash of its initial manufacturing data. This index is sent to a "routing computer," which is a node with access to a distributed ledger. The router looks up the index and returns a "pointer" that is the address of a smart contract on the blockchain. The requesting computer must then make a call to a function on this smart contract (e.g., getHistory(index)). The smart contract, acting as the "information computer," executes its code to retrieve the full, immutable transaction history for that index from the blockchain and returns it. This ensures that the provenance data cannot be tampered with.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    sequenceDiagram
    participant Requester
    participant RoutingNode
    participant SmartContract as Information Computer
    participant BlockchainLedger

    Requester->>RoutingNode: Send Index (Product Hash)
    RoutingNode-->>Requester: Return Pointer (Smart Contract Address)
    Requester->>SmartContract: Call getHistory(Index)
    SmartContract->>BlockchainLedger: Read Transaction History for Index
    BlockchainLedger-->>SmartContract: Return History Data
    SmartContract-->>Requester: Return Verified Provenance

5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 5.1: Graceful Degradation via Localized Routing Cache

  • Enabling Description: This system is designed for high-reliability applications where network connectivity may be intermittent (e.g., in a field hospital or remote industrial site). The "requesting computer" maintains a local, encrypted, and regularly updated cache that acts as a partial "routing computer." This cache stores a subset of the global index-to-pointer table, prioritized for critical items (e.g., medical device IDs, hazardous material codes). During normal operation, it queries the primary remote routing computers. If the network connection is lost (failsafe trigger), the client software automatically switches to querying the local cache. The pointers in this cache may point to information stored locally on the device (e.g., PDF manuals) or to IP addresses on a local area network, ensuring core functionality remains available without external network access.

  • Mermaid Diagram:

    stateDiagram-v2
    state "Online Mode" as Online {
        [*] --> QueryRemote
        QueryRemote --> Success: Pointer Received
        QueryRemote --> Failure: Timeout/No Connection
        Failure --> SwitchToOffline
    }
    state "Offline Mode" as Offline {
        [*] --> QueryLocalCache
        QueryLocalCache --> Success: Local Pointer Found
        QueryLocalCache --> NotFound: Index not in Cache
        NotFound --> [*]
        Success --> [*]
    }

    [*] --> Online
    Online: Network Detected
    Offline: Network Lost
    SwitchToOffline --> Offline
    Offline --> Online: Network Re-established

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

The following disclosures describe the combination of the core inventive concept of the '209 patent with established, open-source standards, representing obvious implementations to a person skilled in the art.

Scenario 1: Combination with GS1 Digital Link and DNS

  • Disclosure: A system is disclosed wherein a barcode scanner reads a GS1-standard barcode (e.g., UPC, EAN, GTIN). The client application on the requesting computer is configured to conform to the GS1 Digital Link standard. It automatically translates the GTIN index into a standard URL syntax (e.g., https://id.example.com/01/{GTIN}). This URL acts as the initial query. The established, open, and distributed Domain Name System (DNS) then functions as the "routing computers." The requesting computer's operating system makes a DNS query to resolve the domain (id.example.com). The DNS servers return an IP address, which is the "pointer" to the brand-owner's "information computer." The client then makes an HTTP request to this IP address, passing the full path, to retrieve the product information. This combines the '209 patent's index-to-pointer lookup method with the globally standardized DNS and GS1 frameworks.

Scenario 2: Combination with MQTT and Node-RED

  • Disclosure: A system is disclosed for an Industrial IoT (IIoT) environment. A sensor or machine tool ("requesting computer") reads an internal state or an attached physical tag as its "index." It publishes this index to a topic on an open-source MQTT broker (e.g., iot/device/index). An instance of Node-RED, an open-source flow-based programming tool, acts as the "routing computer." A flow in Node-RED subscribes to the iot/device/index topic. Upon receiving a message, it uses a function node to perform a lookup in a database (e.g., SQLite, MySQL) to find a corresponding "pointer" (such as a command for another device or a URL to a documentation API). Node-RED then publishes this pointer to a different MQTT topic (e.g., iot/device/pointer), which the original device or another system component is subscribed to in order to receive its instructions or data location.

Scenario 3: Combination with W3C Decentralized Identifiers (DID) and DID-COMM

  • Disclosure: A system is disclosed for self-sovereign identity and secure data exchange. An individual's smartphone ("requesting computer") scans a QR code containing a W3C Decentralized Identifier (DID), which serves as the "index." The smartphone uses a standard, open-source DID resolver library to query the DID's associated DID Document from a verifiable data registry (e.g., a blockchain), which functions as the "routing computer." The DID Document contains a service endpoint URL, which is the "pointer." This pointer defines a communication channel compatible with the DIDComm open protocol. The smartphone then uses this pointer to establish a secure, encrypted DIDComm messaging channel with the service endpoint ("information computer") to, for example, request a Verifiable Credential or exchange private data without a centralized intermediary.

Generated 4/29/2026, 6:30:08 PM