Abstract:
A method of transferring electronic equivalents ( 32 ) of published items ( 18 ) is provided wherein bar codes ( 116, 118 ) are attached on the items ( 18 ) prior to distribution to subscribers ( 12 ). The bar codes ( 116, 118 ) are scanned by a bar code reader ( 22 ), formatted into a predetermined message format compatible with network protocols and transmitted to the associated publishing authority ( 30 ). Based on the bar code information, the publisher ( 30 ) will either push the requested electronic equivalent ( 32 ) or transfer a pointer to the user ( 12 ) to a network cite containing the requested electronic equivalent ( 32 ). Alternatively, the publisher ( 30 ) can push updates of published items ( 32 ) to users ( 12 ).

Description:
This amendment claims priority under 35 USC §119(e)(1) of provisional application No. 60/074,211, filed Feb. 10, 1998. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates in general to the electronic exchange of information and more particularly to a method and system for obtaining the electronic equivalent of a published item using an identifying tag attached to the item. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The quantity and variety of published materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals and other similar printed articles (collectively “published items”) keep increasing. Often, a subscriber will want to use a published item, or portion thereof, for incorporation into other documents or for storage for future use. Physical storage of the item, however, may be inefficient and/or impractical. With recent advances in small computing systems such as notebook and desktop computers, however, and increased functionality of the application programs that run them, it is now possible to retrieve, store and maintain published items electronically. 
     The electronic equivalent of a published item offers many advantages including reduced paper clutter, easy integration into other electronic documents, portability and easy transfer to others using electronic mail. Moreover, the widespread use of software application programs such as word-processors, spreadsheets and graphics programs, creates an ideal environment for the use of electronic equivalents. For example, an individual subscriber may desire to possess the electronic equivalent of a publication received in the mail. The publication may contain a graphic, listing, table or other similar piece of information of interest to the individual. Copying the item with an ordinary copy machine will not permit the user to alter, shape or size it to fit his or her needs. On the other hand, recreating the item may be time consuming or impossible if the item is a complicated graphic or long data listing. Scanning or Optical Character Recognition (“OCR”) can be cumbersome with the resulting image being of lesser quality than the original. 
     The electronic equivalent of a published item, on the other hand, could be stored for future use, printed, sized and otherwise manipulated with readily available application software programs 
     In addition, a publisher may desire to distribute electronic equivalents of published items to his subscribers on a regular or request basis. Electronic equivalents may allow the publisher to reduce printing costs and provide publication updates quickly and efficiently. The Internet, with its widespread use and ease of access, provides an ideal networking platform for such purposes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention relates to a method and device of push-pulling electronic equivalents of published items such as magazine articles, journals, newspapers or portions thereof and other similar printed materials over a wide area network such as the Internet. 
     In one embodiment, one or more electronic tags (e.g. bar codes) are attached by the publisher directly on the published item or a portion of the published item prior to distribution to subscribers. A subscriber receives the subscription through the mail or other off-network basis and sends a request for an electronic equivalent of the published item on the network by swiping or entering the tag information into a sensing device. Preferably, the sensing device is an electronic bar code reader coupled directly to the subscriber&#39;s computer. A notebook, desktop computer or similar computing means receives the tag information from the sensing device and formats a network compatible request that is transmitted to the publishing authority over the network. 
     The tag information may include the identity of the subscriber on the network (e.g. the subscriber&#39;s e-mail address) and a reference to the particular item being requested by the subscriber. The request is receive and processed by the publisher who, in turn, formats a response message containing the electronic equivalent of the requested item or a pointer to a network cite (e.g. a URL) containing the item. The response is pushed to the user via the network using the address encoded in the requesting message and received at the user&#39;s computer in due course. Alternatively, the publisher can push the address that points the user to a web page on the Internet containing the electronic equivalent requested by the user. 
     In another embodiment, the publisher searches a database of update users and automatically pushes publication updates on a periodic basis using a subscriber&#39;s electronic address. The publisher may also send an electronic message alerting users that an electronic equivalent of an original or updated item is available for download by the user. 
     In still another embodiment, the publisher pushes electronic equivalents of published items to a local server for access by users having log-on privileges to the server. 
     In yet another embodiment, the publisher encodes the electronic equivalents with a video clip, sound clip or other information content not available with the written version. 
     Also disclosed is a method of transferring electronic equivalents of published items over a wide area network. The method comprises the steps of attaching a tag to a published item prior to distribution; distributing the published item to a subscriber on an off-network basis; using the tag to create a request for an electronic equivalent of the published item; transmitting the request on the wide area network; creating a response to the request; and transmitting the response over the wide area network. 
     In another embodiment, a method of transferring an electronic version of a published article over the Internet is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of reading a bar code associated with the published article; encrypting said bar code into an Internet compatible request message; transmitting said request message over the Internet to the publisher of said published article; decoding said message to obtain the bar code; retrieving the electronic version of the published article associated with the bar code; creating a response message containing a pointer to the electronic version; and transmitting the response message to the originator of the request message. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention including its specific implementations are understood by reference to following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of an architecture for transferring electronic equivalents over a network according to one embodiment; 
     FIG. 2 is a high level of a network architecture for pushing user requested electronic equivalents to a local server for access by users according to one embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the bar coding process according to one embodiment; and 
     FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram for transmitting electronic equivalents to users according to one embodiment. 
    
    
     Corresponding numerals in the figures refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In FIG. 1, the architecture for transferring electronic equivalents over a Wide Area Network (“WAN”)  20  according to the invention is shown and denoted generally as  10 . As shown, a plurality of users  12  have access to WAN  20  via links  14 . Links  14  represent the communications pathway between the WAN  20  and the users  12  and, as such, may comprise a wide array of communications equipment and mediums for permitting users  12  to interface with the WAN  20  and other network entities such as publisher  30 . Suitable examples of the links  14  include dial-up lines on the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”), high speed dedicated T 1  lines, a direct connection or an ISDN line among others and includes the switching and routing equipment, service providers and other communications components known to those of ordinary skill. 
     The users  12  include both the individual subscribers as well as the end-user terminal equipment used by the subscribers to gain access to the WAN  20 . Typically, a user workstation such as a desktop and notebook computer, dedicated terminals or other similar computing device is located at the user  12  location. In that regard, each user terminal may be equipped with other standard components such as a keyboard, mouse, hard disk, compact disk drive, floppy disk drive, display, electronic memory (e.g. RAM or ROM), a processor, various peripheral interfaces ports and other standard components. A modem or network interface card may also be installed at the user terminal  12  to provide access to the WAN  20  using the PSTN or other network gateway. 
     Preferably, the WAN  20  supports an industry accepted communications protocol such as TCP/IP. The communications protocol provides electronic access to the WAN  20  by a large number of users  12  and provides the communications infrastructure. In one embodiment, the Internet forms the WAN  20  infrastructure consisting of an unlimited number of computing platforms, service providers and users. Publisher  30  gains access to the WAN  20  via link  16 . 
     As shown, a repository of electronic equivalents  32  is maintained by the publisher  30  corresponding to a plurality of published items  36  which the publisher  30  has decided to make available to users  12 . The type and content of the published items  36  may include portions of published articles, entire stories, abstracts, tables, graphics and other similar printed information. The published items  36  are typically distributed to users  12  on an off-network basis such as through the mail or by courier. A typical example is one where the publisher  30  sends magazine subscription to subscribers on a periodic basis. 
     Thus, a user  12  receives a copy  18  of one of the published items  36  and places a request for an electronic equivalent  32  of the copy  18  through the WAN  20  using link  14 . The publisher  30  receives the request and verifies that an equivalent  32  is available for transmission to the user  12  on the WAN  20  through link  16 . The publisher maintains a collection of all published items  36  and after deciding which one he will make available to users  12  converts  34  them to electronic equivalents  32 . Once in the repository they are available for transmission to users  12  on the WAN  20 . 
     Preferably, each user terminal  12  is equipped with a corresponding sensing device  22  which the subscriber can employ to request electronic equivalents of written copies  18  received from the publisher  30 . Various sensing devices  22  may be utilized although a bar code reader of the type commonly available in industry is suitable. Other possibilities for the sensing device  22  can be a magnetic strip or optical signal reader as is understood by those of ordinary skill. 
     The publisher  30  encodes the published items  36  with an identifying tag such as a bar code or magnetic signature prior to distribution of the copies  18  to users  12 . A user  12 , in turn, reads his copy  18  of the written source and makes a decision about a particular article, graphic or other object appearing on the copy  18  which is of interest to the user  12 . Next, the user  12  swipes across the sensing device  22  which reads the tag and formats a network ready request for transmission to the publisher  30  via the WAN  20  and link  14 . The tag ID, user address and publisher address are contained within the message request. 
     Once the request has been received, the publisher  30  decodes the request. At this point, the publisher  30  may wish to verify  40  the authenticity of the user prior to checking  44  if an electronic equivalent  32  of the requested object is available. In one embodiment, the user  12  has the option of requesting continuous updates  42  from the publisher  30  in which case the publisher  30  may push updates to the user  12  on a periodic basis at the users network address. 
     As can be appreciated, the architecture  10  gives the publishers  30  much flexibility in the methods used to push electronic equivalents  32  to users  12 . For example, the publisher  32  can charge a premium based on the number of equivalents  32  transmitted to a user  12  over a given time interval. In another embodiment, the publisher  30  encodes the electronic equivalents with a video or sound clip not available with the written version  18 . Other options and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill. 
     Once the electronic equivalents  32  are received by users  12 , they can be stored locally on the computer&#39;s hard disk drive or other medium for future use. Users  12  can manipulate the object using application software of the type readily available in industry. Preferably, commonly employed file formats when converting the published items  36  to their electronic equivalents  32  for widespread compatibility with application software and other programs employed by users  12  and the publisher  30 . Alternatively, the publisher  30  can distribute custom software for creating the message request, decoding the message request and opening or otherwise manipulating the electronic equivalents  32 . Other methods of transferring, storing and using the electronic equivalents  32  will be apparent to those of ordinary skill. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, an architectural block diagram of a local network configuration suitable for pushing and retrieving electronic equivalents  32  is shown and denoted generally as  50 . The main distinction is the use of a local network server  60 , which is accessible by users  12  via the Local Area Network (LAN)  62 . As shown, a connection  64  links the server  60  and the LAN  62 . The LAN  62  in turn is communicably coupled to the WAN  20  via link  66 . Typically, a network manager is responsible for the setup and maintenance of the network server  60  and administrates the users  12  on the LAN  62 . Other network features may also be provided. 
     The main advantage of network configuration  50  is that the electronic equivalents  32  are now kept in a central repository (not shown) maintained by the server  60 . Thus, large files received from the publisher  30  can be maintained locally for all users  12  eliminating the need of storing multiple copies of the file for each user  12  while permitting access on an as needed basis. Thus, the server  60  can format requests to the publisher  32  and receive the requested electronic equivalents  32 , which, in turn, are available to all users  12  on the LAN  62 . In another embodiment, continuous updates  42  are automatically pushed from the publisher  30  to the network server  60  where they are available for retrieval by all users  12 . Still other features of network configuration  50  will be apparent. 
     A user  12  places the page  18  in close proximity to the bar code reader sensor  120  so that the tags  116  and  118  are readily identified using known recognition techniques. The sensor  120  and image processor  122  work together to resolve the data on the tags  116 ,  118  and pass the data to the user terminal  12  via the user terminal interface  124 . In this way, the user  12  is able to format a message request to the publisher  30  for an electronic equivalent  32  of the published item. 
     As shown, two distinct bar code tags  116 ,  118  are used on the published item  18  to provide at least two distinct request options. For example, tag  116  could be used to designate a single request for the objects  110 ,  112  or  114  appearing on copy  18  while tag  118  can be used to request an update to the copy  18  when it becomes available from the publisher. It should be understood, however, that other bar code options may be provided by a publisher  30  and that the number and placement of tags may vary according to various embodiments. 
     In FIG. 4, a process flow diagram for the method used to transfer electronic equivalents  32  is shown and denoted generally as  150 . Process  150  begins at step wherein a publisher creates electronic equivalents of designated published items. Next, in step  154 , the publisher attaches a bar code tag to each electronic equivalent or to a bundle of equivalents depending on the publisher&#39;s choice. Prior to transmission, the publisher has the option of searching his update list, step  156 , and automatically pushing any equivalents to update recipients at their network address as shown in step  158 . 
     Process  150  continues with step  160  wherein the publisher receives a request for a specific electronic equivalent or for updates to a published item. The publisher is able to verify the bar code tag encoded within the message, step  162 , and authenticate that the user sending the message is an authorized subscriber, step  164 , prior to transmitting the requested equivalent in step  166 . 
     On the user side of the process  150 , a subscribing user obtains and reads a published item provided to him by a given publisher, step  170 . Next, the user has the option of transmitting a request to the publisher for a specific electronic equivalent, step  172 , or of subscribing to an update list for the published item, step  174 . In either case, the message request is formatted using the sensing device  22  and the user&#39;s terminal  12  and broadcast over the WAN  20  as herein described. 
     Next, in step  176 , the user receives a notification from the publisher which serves to confirm that the user&#39;s request was received by the publisher or that the user was successfully added to the publisher&#39;s update list whichever the case may be. Finally, the user receives an electronic equivalent or an address pointer to an electronic equivalent, step  178 . 
     While this invention has been described in reference to illustrative embodiments, the invention is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.