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.

System and method for using an ordinary article of commerce to access a remote computer

An apparatus and method are provided for displaying product information data related to at least one product. The method includes the steps of transmitting a data request from the remote computer to the main computer, transmitting the variable data and display information from the main computer to tie remote computer, transmitting updated constant data from the main computer to the remote computer, and storing the updated constant data in the memory of the remote computer. The method also includes the steps of integrating constant data stored in the memory of the remote computer with the variable data received from the main computer using the display information received from the main computer to format the constant data and the variable data to generate the product information data related to the at least one product, and displaying the product information data generated by the remote computer during the integrating step on a monitor coupled to the remote computer.

Electronic catalog system and method

An apparatus and method are provided for presenting a plurality of product images for review by a user on a computer including a display, a memory, and an input device. The method includes the steps of displaying a plurality of product images on the display, providing product image review boxes on the display for a side-by-side comparison of selected product images, receiving a user input selecting a product image from the plurality of product images displayed on the display, and displaying the selected product image in one of the review boxes for a side-by-side comparison with at least one other selected product image. The product images include both a product image and a selected background image. The step of displaying the selected product image includes the step of integrating the product image with a selected background image to provide a customized product image on the display.

Virtual catalog and product presentation method and apparatus

A system for communicating with a card distribution center for selecting, ordering, and sending social expression cards using a personal computer. The user can enter names and addresses of card recipients into the system wherein the information is maintained in a database. The system displays digitized images of the cards on a display screen which are retrieved from a card database. From the cards displayed, the user can select cards for designated recipients and enter personalized messages and a digitized signature. The user may then send the order to a card distribution center, which processes the order, retrieves and prints the selected card images, including any user messages or user signature, and mails the cards to designated recipients or customers. The system maintains a database of all recipients, addresses, associated occasions and dates, card preferences, relationships and order history.

Method and apparatus for communicating with a card distribution center for management, selection, and delivery of social expression cards

An architecture for automatically configuring software of a piece of equipment. The piece of equipment is in communication with a network, the piece of equipment having one or more machine-resolvable codes associated therewith. The piece of equipment connects to a remote location disposed on the network in response to reading a select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes with a reader. Software associated with the select one of the one or more machine-resolvable codes is downloaded from the remote location to the piece of equipment, and the piece of equipment is then configured according to the software.

Automatic configuration of equipment software

A manufacturing data creation and distribution system comprises a computer with a graphics-capable display screen. The computer is capable of processing programmable instructions and creating data, and of generating graphic images on the display screen. A video camera is connected to the computer, and the computer includes hardware which can digitize the images transmitted by the video camera into a computer-readable form and display the digitized camera images on the display screen. A plurality of microprocessor-controlled workstations are networked to a microprocessor-controlled networking and file server, which can selectively retrieve data and transmit such data to the workstations for display. Also included within the computer is the capability to selectively manipulate the image-data received from the video camera to generate a manufacturing aid applicable to a product to be produced.

Robert F. Vitek

Papers

Product information network system