METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTION OF BARCODE INFORMATION FOR PERFORMING A TRANSACTION VIA A NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to barcodes, and more particularly relates to a method and system for distribution of decoded barcode information to perform transactions across a network.

BACKGROUND

Barcodes are machine readable descriptions of information using bars and space patterns. There are many types of barcodes, each barcode has unique characteristics and features designed to meet a specific industry or application. Traditionally, barcodes store data in the widths and spacings of printed parallel lines. More recently, barcodes also have stored data in other configurations such as patterns of dots, concentric circles and text codes hidden within images.

Conventional barcode encoding typically represents number characters. In response to the needs of the industry, more sophisticated barcodes represent characters other than numbers. For example, two dimensional (2D) barcodes do not consist of bars but rather a grid of square cells. The 2D barcode is a two dimensional way of representing information that is similar to a linear (one dimensional) barcode, but has more data representation capability.

Barcode encoding is implemented conveniently in networks and onto mobile platforms. For example, barcode readers are supported commonly in mobile platforms on a variety of portable mobile devices such as mobile phones having cameras to capture the image of the barcode. Two popular and well-supported codes on existing mobile platforms are quick response (QR) code and DataMatrix because of their ability to encode large data

in a small sized code. QR Code is a registered trademark in Japan and other countries of Denso Wave Incorporated of Tokyo, Japan. DataMatrix is a standard of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) covered by ISO/IEC16022. Through these two common barcode coding, the portable camera phone captures the digital image of the 2D barcode and decodes the encoded barcode in accordance with the respective barcode coding. Once decoded, the decoded information is usually presented in a particular format of the user's choice which is typically based on the type content of the decoded information. Although mobile applications to decode and distribute the contents are widely available in the market, the methods currently available to distribute the decoded information have limited capabilities. The format delivery services - commonly used are uniform resource locator (URL), short message service (SMS), dialing a telephone number, e-mail, streaming of media content, v-card information, and the like.

However, the current conventional methods and systems are limited to barcodes with encoded barcode information that initiate a desired automatic distribution approach once the barcode information is decoded. There is a need for a system and method that extends the functionality of the conventional barcodes to provide additional functionality in the distribution of encoded barcode information to perform transactions via networks.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the invention is a method of distributing barcode information encoded in a barcode to perform a transaction via a network, the method comprising providing a media having the barcode thereon; capturing a digital image of the barcode and storing the digital image in a memory; decoding the barcode information from the digital image, the decoded barcode information having a request for additional information for performing the transaction; supplying the additional information to a device in response to the request; transmitting the additional information from the device to a server via the network; and performing the transaction in response to the additional information at the

server.

An aspect of the invention is a system for distributing barcode information encoded in a barcode on a media to perform a transaction via a network, the system comprising a camera for capturing a digital image of the barcode; a memory for storing the digital image; a decoder for decoding the barcode information from the digital image, the decoded barcode information having a request for additional information for performing the transaction; a display for displaying the request; a device for supplying the additional information in response to the request; a device transmitter for transmitting the additional information from the device to a server via the network; and a processor in the server for causing the transaction in response to the additional information.

An aspect of the invention is a barcode for use in a system for distributing barcode information encoded in the barcode on a media to perform a transaction via a network, the system comprising a camera for capturing a digital image of the barcode; memory for storing the digital image; decoder for decoding the barcode information from the digital image, the decoded barcode information having a request for additional information for performing the transaction; display for displaying the request; device for supplying the additional information in response to the request; a device transmitter for transmitting the additional information from the device to a server via the network; and a processor in the server for causing the transaction in response to the additional information.

In an embodiment the barcode is a two dimensional barcode. An embodiment may further comprise decoding the barcode information in the device. An embodiment may further comprise transmitting the digital image to the server via the network, decoding the barcode information in the server, and transmitting the decoded barcode information from the server to the device via the network. An embodiment may further comprise displaying a form with the request on the device and supplying the additional information in response to the displayed form, generating the form from the decoded barcode information, and supplying the additional information with payment details for the transaction. An embodiment may further comprise supplying the additional information

by a user through an input of the device. The barcode may be generated by the server. An embodiment may further comprise transmitting the form from the server to the device via the network, and processing the transaction in the server in response to the additional information. The media may be a poster, display, voucher, coupon, certificate, passport, or book. An embodiment may further comprise capturing the digital image with a camera within the device. The barcode information may be encoded on the barcode in QR code or DataMatrix code. The network may be the Internet or a mobile communications network. An embodiment may further comprise transmitting the additional information from the server to a merchant via the network, and performing the transaction at the merchant in response to the additional information. The device may be a mobile telephone that captures the digital image. Where the device is a mobile telephone, a user may capture the digital image using the mobile telephone; the mobile telephone provides the request to the user; the user supplies the additional information to the mobile telephone in response to the request; the mobile telephone sends the additional information to the server via the network; the server sends the additional information to a merchant; and the merchant performs the transaction for the user in response to the additional information from the server if the additional information satisfies the merchant's requirements. The server may send an acknowledgement message to the mobile telephone via the network in response to the additional information, and the acknowledgement message may include a transaction number associated with the transaction. The merchant may provide the media to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that embodiments of the invention may be fully and more clearly understood by way of non-limitative examples, the following description is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate similar or corresponding elements, regions and portions, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a user flow (FIG. 2A) and a processor of a server (FIG. 2B) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a user profile entry graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a table of headers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a table of a format in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FlG. 7 shows a table representation of a form and translation on a portable camera device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a system process of an auto update of forms in case the mobile device stores an old form in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a shopping cart application screen shot in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a server 190 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a process flow of offline submission including a desktop application that acts as a bridge to communicate to the server in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a process flow of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a diagram of a method of the process within the server is shown in detail in accordance with an embodiment of the invention where; and

FIG. 14 shows a block diagram representation of meta-data relationship between merchant information, form information and mapping tables in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method and system are disclosed for distributing information encoded in a barcode to perform a transaction via a network. Such an application is described in detail below to illustrate an embodiment of the invention; however, it will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other applications. For example, the barcode information may be encoded with QR code, DataMatrix code or the like. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It is apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalent arrangements. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

The method and system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention extends the application of the distribution of encoded barcode information beyond the above mentioned delivery services of URL, SMS, dialing a telephone number, e-mail, streaming of media content, v-card information, and the like. The format delivery services commonly used are uniform resource locator (URL), short message service (SMS), dialing a telephone number, e-mail, streaming of media content, v-card information, and the like.

In conventional systems, with URL distribution, for example, the 2D barcode is embedded with a URL, which, when captured by the barcode reader and decoded,

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opens up the mobile phone native browser to access URL of the website. However, a limitation of URL is that there is no support for reading forms and translating the decoded data on the mobile phone. With SMS distribution, information like the message and the recipient's number are embedded in the 2D barcode, which is decoded by the barcode reader and sends the relevant information to a specific SMS access code. This is widely used in voting and poll contests. However, a limitation of SMS is that there is no support for the user to change the mode of transmission from SMS to general packet radio service (GPRS) and vice-versa. With dialing a telephone number, the telephone number is embedded in the 2D barcode, which when decoded, displays the telephone number which gives the user an option to call. This is widely used in taxi bookings, customer services, etc. However, a limitation of dialing a telephone number is that there are no standard headers commonly used for identifying the data embedded in the barcode such as a telephone number. With e-mail distribution, the recipient's e-mail address along with the necessary information is embedded in the 2D barcode, and the barcode reader decodes the barcode information and allows the user to send an e-mail to the recipient. With streaming of media content distribution, the 2D barcode is embedded with a URL, which when decoded by the barcode reader, opens up a media player to play the content. The media content distribution approach is widely used in entertainment advertisements. With v-card information distribution, the 2D barcode is embedded with the v-card information, which when decoded by the barcode reader, the user has the option to save the contact information to a phonebook. However, a limitation of v-card information is that even though a number of applications may support the v-card data format, the v-card tags are unstructured and do not adhere to v-card standards and v-card versions that are universally accepted in the market. These current conventional methods discussed are limited to barcodes with encoded barcode information that initiate a desired automatic distribution approach once the barcode information is decoded. The conventional systems do not extend the functionality of the conventional barcodes to provide additional functionality in the distribution of encoded barcode information to perform transactions via networks.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The system 100 comprises a barcode 10, the digital

image of which is captured by a camera 12. The digital image is stored in a memory 14. A user device 20 such as a mobile phone has the camera 12, memory 14, an interface 16 and a processor 18. The user device 20 may have an input 24 for information to be input by the user and a display 26 for information to be displayed to the user. The interface 16 communicates with a network 30, which may be a public network, private network, the Internet, a mobile communications network or the like. A server 40 receives information from the device 20 via the network 30. The server 40 processes the information received from the device 20 with a processor 44.

In an embodiment, the encoded barcode information is decoded in the device 20 at a decoder 22. In another embodiment, the barcode information is not decoded at the device 20, and instead, the barcode information is decoded in the server 40 at a decoder 46, and the decoded barcode information is returned from the server 40 to the device 20 via the network 30. The device 20 shown by dashed box may be configured as separate components for example the camera 12 may be separate from the other components shown.

The decoded barcode information contains a request for additional information that is displayed on the display 26. The request is presented in a form that is generated from the processor 18. The format of the form is contained in the decoded barcode information. An application installed on the device may comprise of modules such as form translator module 72, user profile manager module 74, form fill module 76, and the like. The form requests additional information of the user 8 (see FIG. 2A) to provide and transmit from the device 20 to the server 40 via the network 30 for completing a transaction. The server 40 stores the additional information in a database 50, and transmits the additional information via the network 30 to a merchant 54 or other destination such as a payment gateway 52 to complete the transaction.

An embodiment of the invention provides interaction between a user 8 and an entity, such as the merchant 54 providing a service. The interaction is performed automatically via a communication channel such as a mobile platform. An encoded barcode is embodied on a media accessible to the user. The media may be a poster, display,

voucher, coupon, certificate, passport, book and the like. The user captures the barcode on the media, and decodes the barcode information. The decoded barcode information contains a request for additional information required by the merchant before the service is provided to the user. The user provides the requested additional information, and the merchant provides the service (such as a product purchase and shipment) to the user upon receipt of the additional information if the additional information is complete or satisfies the merchant's requirements.

The system of an embodiment of the invention has a number of options for users and merchants. The system decodes content in a variety of formats, for example, URL, SMS, e-mail, text and v-card formats, and the like. The system is capable of performing additional features such as rendering the form in the portable camera phone to provide a graphical interface for the public user to interact and perform certain actions easily. Another feature is the flexibility to switch the mode of transmission for public users and merchants. The user selects the preferred mode of transmission to either SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like connection. Similarly, the merchant decides the preferred mode of transmission in receiving the data gathered by the server from the user such as SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like.

The system is well-suited for a number of applications, for example, lucky draw, magazine/newspaper subscriptions, purchase of items from mobile devices, distribution of vouchers/gift certificates, mobile bidding, and the like, and enables users to participate in any of the above instances by using their mobile devices 20, such as a mobile cellular telephone, equipped with a camera 12 that is supported by the mobile client application of the system.

The over-all process flow of a user 8 in the system 100 is shown in the method 80 of FIG. 2A of a user's interaction with the system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A user 8 captures a digital image of the 2D barcode 10 from any print media, such as a poster in the merchant's store branch, using the device 20 and waits for the 2D barcode to be decoded and translated into a form 62 by the device 20 or the server 40. For example the user 8 shoots with a camera 12 at the barcode 10 such as a 2D

barcode from any print media and the user waits for the system (Xtended Barcode Application (XBA)) to decode and translate the form. The user completes the form, i.e. fills up the form with the necessary details, with the requested additional information using the device 20 and transmits the additional information to the server 40 using the device 20. In an embodiment, the user 8 may send the information by a number of communication channels, such as by SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like.

The server 40 and its processor 44 are shown in FIG. 2B. The server 40 receives the transaction details in the additional information and processes the transaction details using the database 50. In the case of payments, a proper secured channel may be implemented and addressed to communicate with the payment gateway 52. The server also sends an acknowledgment message 70 to the device 20 via the network 30 in response to receiving the additional information from the device 20. The acknowledgement message 70 includes a reference number associated with the transaction. Further information customized by the merchant may also be added to the acknowledgment message 70.

FlG. 4 shows a method 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention where the barcode 10 is captured 112 by the device and decoded 114. The data may be numeric number, alphanumeric, binary etc. The contents are parsed based on the headers like FORM, SMS, TEL, and the like to be identified 116. The information is processed 118, for example, for form, the meta-data is collated to render the graphical user interface (GUI) components. The form is displayed 120 on the screen with the components. The action 122 of the user is sent 124 to server for required processing. The submission of the additional information from the user upon action, for example the meta-data and value may be grouped and sent to the server.

The system 100 comprises two main components, server 40 and user device 20. The server 40 performs the administration tasks, barcode generation, data communication, data storage, interface channel functions, report generation, and the like. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the server 40 includes an administration module 90, central

data repository module 92, barcode generator module 94, data communication module 96, interface channels module 98, and reports generator module 99.

The administration module 90 is a web based utility program that has three user privileges. Each privilege has duties and functionalities and may be categorized as administrator privilege, merchant privilege, and media privilege. The administrator privilege has access to all modules of the application. Other functions include management of the entire system to ensure 99.99% uptime and availability 24 x 7, administration on the registration of the merchant's and media's profile, determination on the type of report templates available to be customized for the individual merchants and the media, management of the billing system, and generation of reports upon request of the merchants or media.

The merchant privilege allows users to manage and generate the 2D barcode and has access to the barcode generator module 94. Once generated, this image is downloadable and can be sent to the media for printing purposes. The merchant privilege allows a user to choose the preferred mode of transmission that will be made available for the user to choose and submit the data through different interface channels (SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP, etc.). The merchant privilege allows the user to access and collect the data based on their existing customers, and have access to customize and generate reports to keep track of their transactions by choosing their preferred reading format (e.g. PDF, Excel or CSV format). The frequency of the report generation can also be set by the user.

The media privilege allows the user to be responsible for delivering the 2D barcodes to the public users. The media downloads the generated 2D barcode image and place it with advertisements of the merchants. The media can also act on behalf of the merchants.

Barcode generator module 94 is a web tool used by the merchants to generate 2D barcodes. Information to be generated in the 2D barcodes can be a URL, text message, phone number, e-mail address or v-card information. The barcode generator module 94

generates barcodes based on the form designer by showing a what you see is what you get (WYSIWYG) interface that aids the users to design the look and feel of the form. Based on the design, meta-data information is also embedded on the 2D barcode.

The interface channels module 98 provides data communication to and from the system 100. The different channels available for the transmission clients to connect to are classified by the different transmission modes. For example, an SMS channel handles incoming and outgoing Short Message Service (SMS) requests. This mode can also be handled by a GSM modem or SMPP client. A GPRS channel connection passing through the telecommunications GPRS gateway is responsible for this channel. An Internet channel, by default, is the medium to access the administration console 90, barcode generator module 94 and reports generator module 99. A web server is installed for proper communication to the Internet gateway. Mobile data transmission can be accessed through Wi-fi, 2.5G/3G/xG connections and thru this channel. In a payment channel, the payments pass through validation and authorization. This communicates seamlessly with the payment gateway for real time processing of payment transactions. An e-mail channel via an SMTP server delivers e-mail messages to the merchants and media.

The central data repository module 92 stores data in a reliable database to avoid data loss and ensure security. The reports generator module 99 generates reports for the administrator, merchant and media. Reports may be viewed in HTML format. Reports can also be generated in PDF, Excel or CSV file format and delivered as e-mails automatically to the addressed merchant or media. Sample reports may be consolidated sales revenue of merchants or media, total number of active responses from the public users on a daily, monthly, quarterly or yearly basis, total number of barcodes generated, list of customer information and particulars, consumer feedback, customized reports upon request of the merchant or media, and the like.

The user device 20 is a thick-client application that is installed on the portable camera phone of the user. The device 20 may capture the 2D symbology barcode image, decode the data and perform the appropriate action. The client application may have

modules such as a user profile manager module, 2D barcode decoder and translator module, intelligent auto fill manager, and the like. The user profile manager has the capability to safe keep user profiles that are confidential and frequently used information (name, email address, date of birth, contact number, credit card details, etc.). This data pre-fills fields on the form for the convenience of the users. A sample screenshot form 60 on the user's profile is shown in FIG. 3, where the form has different fields 62(a), 62(b), 62(c) and 62(d) and function buttons 64, 66 and 68.

The barcode decoder and translator module decodes the captured 2D harcode. Common contents decoded and then shown to the users are URL, text message, phone number, e-mail address, v-card information, and the like. In addition, this module translates and shows the forms to be presented to the user.

The intelligent auto-fill manager module allows automatic fill-in of the details of the user based on the user profile stored by the user profile manager. Once the barcode translates into a form, this module has the intelligence to automatically fill-in details of the user base on the user's profile stored by the user profile manager. The user has the option to change the appropriate information.

The mobile application of an embodiment of the invention decodes the data embedded in the 2D barcode that is captured by the portable camera phone. The captured 2D barcode may be decoded by QR code, DataMatrix code, or the like. The data decoded is then translated into various formats such as binary, numeric, alphanumeric, kanji, and the like. Once the data is decoded, to identify the decoded information the application detects the header for further processing. The header may take a variety of forms such as TEL, TLK, and the like. The headers that may be used are shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Once a header is detected of a particular type, for example a form, the application displays the contents of the form which can be messages or labels, information of controls for accepting entries from the user like textboxes, list boxes, choice and other fields. Meta-data are pieces of hidden information that binds to a form, which uniquely

identifies the specific characteristic attached to a particular form. Meta-data is used for controls and used for sending the values back to the server. This allows the server to save the correct information to a particular merchant's database. The format 140 is for example shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a table representation 150 of the form and the translation on the portable camera phone. The display shows the rendered graphical user interface (GUI) with the components and appropriate message for the user to make entries. The user may fill in the necessary fields and submit them to the server.

FIG. 13 shows a method 230 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention where the process within the server 40 is shown in detail. The data is sent from the client to the server, and data received 232 can be of a type such as SMS with form-data or Form- data submitted using other medium like GPRS/WAP or the like. The server side processes 236 the data received by parsing the received data whether it is in the form of SMS, generic form-data or the like, and authentication is performed to check whether the form and other related submitted information are genuine or not. If the data submitted is for making a payment, the XBA server connects to the payment gateway for making the transaction. On successful processing of data, an acknowledgement (ACK) is sent to the user to inform the user using the same medium of transmission used by the mobile application.

The server may be integrated with various payment gateways and may have a payment gateway interface 234 to carry out transactions made using credit-cards and other available medium or else it can use the payment gateway used by merchants. The data once processed is stored 238 at store. Once the data is processed, the meta-data information is identified, a look-up table is carried out to fetch the mapping fields in the data-base for safe-keeping of the data submitted, i.e. mapping tables to store and retrieve <attribute-id> and values. Data mining is performed 240 in the server which is a core-engine that helps to differentiate between the meta-data, the name given to it and the value being stored. The meta-data information is not exposed to the end-user as the user can only see the meaningful name provided. Such relationship between merchant

information 252, form information 254, metadata information 256 and mapping table 258 is shown in the block diagram representation of FIG. 14.

Report generation 242 is performed by a report generation engine that helps the user to customize and generate reports. The merchant can opt for different medium 244 of communication such as email, web, SMS, facsimile (fax) and the like. The merchant console 246 such as thin clients allows for merchant to select different medium of communication to receive the requests from the user which may be placing of an order request, deliver request, etc. Also, the merchant can avail the same medium to get consolidated reports to process order or update to server.

It will be appreciated that the system may be configured for different applications. Potential applications where the system may be implemented include: online purchase of tickets; product catalog viewing; dial to customer service numbers; participate in contests such as lucky draw; subscribe to newsletters, magazines, product news, or the like; request for download of ringtones, games, or the like; storing of contacts in the phonebook; purchase of commodities; advertising; feedback/polling; customer loyalty program/merchant points; provision for information retrieval transactions, for example bus stop service information, news/information kiosk for newspaper daily headlines, or the like; identification mode, for example personal particulars on NRIC/credit cards; or the like. Thus, the system performs the transaction based on any of these or other applications.

In an embodiment the application allows the public users to submit one entry to the system for a chance to win prizes. Users must have the XB application installed on the portable camera phone. Customers need to capture the 2D Barcode from any print media at the merchant's branch stores. It will automatically decode the 2D barcode and load the form for the customers to fill in the details. After completion, the customers can either send the information via SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like. Default mode of transmission depends on the merchant's settings. An acknowledgement message with the reference number will be sent back to the user for every entry submitted. Benefits to the merchant include data collection on customer's information and especially mobile

numbers which can be used to generate advertising; view the total number of entries per branch; gather estimated number of customers visiting per branch per day; and show reports through the website. Alternative options of delivery include e-mail in PDF, Excel or CSV format. Information to be filled-in by the customer includes for example: name; e-mail; NRIC; contact number; branch of purchase; and the like.

In an embodiment the application informs the public user to subscribe to their favorite magazines, newspapers or any print media. Users install the application on the portable camera phone. Customers capture the 2D Barcode from the print media. It automatically decodes the 2D Barcode and loads the application form with the subscription details. Customers fill-up the necessary additional information and send it via SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like to the server. The default mode of transmission depends on the merchant's settings. An acknowledgement message with the reference number is sent back to the user for every subscription submitted. Benefits to merchant includes data collection on customer's information and especially mobile numbers which can be used for advertising; added value to attract more subscribers on the go; view the total number of subscribers per day; report products commonly subscribed by the public users; automatic processing of credit card details via our payment gateway; consolidated daily, weekly, monthly or yearly profit; and subscription reports seen thru the website. Alternative options of delivery include e-mail in PDF, Excel or CSV format. Information filled-in by the user may include: name; NRIC; address; contact number; mode of payment; by cheque - cheque number and amount; by card - card type, name of cardholder, card number, expiry date.

In an embodiment the application allows the user to purchase hot items on their portable camera phone anytime. Users or customers have the application installed on the portable camera phone. Users capture the 2D barcode from the print media. The application automatically decodes the 2D barcode and loads the form with the user's details. Users complete and fill-in the necessary additional information and send it to the server via SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like to the server. The default mode of transmission depends on the merchant's settings. An acknowledgement message with the reference number and the estimated time of delivery is sent back to the user for

every purchased item submitted. Benefits to the merchants include: data collection on customer's information and especially mobile numbers used to generate advertising; added value to attract more customers on the go; view the total number of items purchased per day; report hot items most purchased by the public users; automatic processing of credit card details via our payment gateway; consolidated daily, weekly, monthly or yearly profit; and reports seen through the website. Alternative options of delivery include e-mail in PDF, Excel or CSV format. Information to be filled-in by the user may include: name; NRIC; address; contact number; mode of mode of payment; by cheque .- cheque number and amount; by card - card type, name of cardholder, card number, expiry date.

In an embodiment the application informs the public users to capture codes on their portable camera phone to receive vouchers or gift certificates from their patronized merchants. This can also serve as a gift item to friends/employees by keying in the mobile number of the recipient. Users have the application installed on the portable camera phone. Users capture the 2D Barcode from the print media. It automatically decodes the 2D Barcode and loads the form with the user's details. Users fill-up the necessary additional information and send it to the server via SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like. The default mode of transmission depends on the merchant's settings. Vouchers or gift certificates are then sent back to the user as an SMS reply. Users show the message to the cashier/store manager of the store to avail the discount. Benefits to merchants include: data collection on customer's information and especially mobile numbers which can be used for advertising; added value to attract more customers on the go; view the most requested voucher / gift certificate; view the total number of vouchers / gift certificates requested per day; view the total number of vouchers / gift certificates that were claimed per day; and show reports through the website. Alternative options of delivery include e-mail in PDF, Excel or CSV format. Information filled-in by the user includes: name; NRIC; address; recipient's mobile telephone number; message to recipient.

In an embodiment the application allows the public users to bid an item based on the 2D Barcode captured on their portable camera phone. The bidding period is from 9:00 am to

6:00 pm, everyday. Users have the application installed on the portable camera phone. Users capture the 2D Barcode from the print media. It automatically decodes the 2D Barcode and loads the form with the user's details. Users fill-up the necessary additional information including their bid amount and send it to the server via SMS, GPRS, HTTP, WAP or the like. The default mode of transmission depends on the merchant's settings. An acknowledgement message with the reference number is sent back to the user for every bid submitted. At the end of the day, the user with the winning bid is notified via SMS on how to claim the item and the mode of payment. Benefits to the merchant include: data collection on customer's information and especially mobile numbers which can be used for advertising; added value to attract more customers on the go; view the items which have the most bid; view the total number of bidders per day; and reports shown through the website. Alternative options of delivery include e-mail in PDF, Excel or CSV format. Information fιlled-in by the user may be: name, NRIC, address, contact no., bid amount and the like.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may be applications that can be extended to support location based services. For example, if a user captures the barcode from a bus stop, the information embedded on the 2D barcode can be sent to the server along with the location of the user/mobile device.

An embodiment of the invention may be an application that is code agnostic such that the format of the code embedded in the bar-code or used in form rendering may vary, as it doesn't need to be a proprietary form language and can adhere to available standards.

In an embodiment, the media have the option to embed additional information for media identifier purposes, such as poster ID, magazine ID, catalogue ID, location ID or the like, which may vary depending on the application.

An embodiment of the invention is an application that has the capability to save the form on the mobile device storage. Along with this, it also has the option to save the data wherein the user can submit it at a later time.

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In an embodiment the invention, the application also performs an auto update of forms in case the mobile device stores an old form as shown in FIG. 8. The system 160 shown is for form updating process where the user retrieves a form from the mobile device 20 storage, fills 162 the necessary data and submits 166 it to the server 40 wherein form- version information is included in the meta-data. The user submits a form and metadata of form, for example form (v1.0). The server 40 then verifies and checks 168 the version on the form meta-data received. The form is verified with existing versions of forms in the server 40. During validation, if there is no change in the form version 172, the data is processed 170 by the server. . In the case where the version does not match with the server 40, for example a new version of the form exists, then the current version is retrieved 176 from form storage, for example form (v1.1). The data submitted by the user along with the old form is mapped 174 in the newer version and sent back 164 with data and meta-data to the mobile device 20 for further data capturing. Once a new version of a form is received by the mobile device, the old version is updated or replaced with the newer version.

Additionally, there are additional potential applications of embodiments of the invention. For example, an embodiment is a queue-less menu order. In an illustrative application, the queue-less menu order application can be used for ordering foods or beverages in any food chains, coffee shops or restaurants. For example, in a sample product illustration of ordering food, a user with the help of application installed on the mobile device captures the barcode on menu. Once the barcode is decoded, the user can add the items to the shopping cart provided in the application. The application will help the user to add/delete the item as per user requirement. Once the user finalizes on the items, user can make necessary payment. Upon approval of payment, the items are displayed on outlets computer and the outlet can serve the items ordered. As for the meta-data information, the following information may be embedded in the bar-code like the id of item, price and description on the item, discounts, etc. User can also specify the table to which the food needs to be served. This application not only eliminates the long queue for customers but helps the outlet for serving the customers faster as outlet doesn't have to spend time on collecting payment and processing credit cards and the like.

94

20

Another illustrative application is for express checkouts. The application can also be used for ordering commodities instantly without the need of standing in a long queue. The application is also suitable for outlets that provide home-delivery. Another example of an application of an embodiment of the invention is a sample product illustration of order and purchase of furniture items where a user with the help of application installed on the mobile devices captures the barcode on items he wants to purchase. Once the barcode is decoded, the user can add the item to the shopping cart provided in the application. The application will help the user to add/delete the item as per user requirement. Once the user finalizes on the items the user can checkout making necessary payment. Once the payment is approved, a notification from the server is sent to the merchant for further processing, thus the items can be delivered to the user. The above application is not only limited to buying furniture and can be used in super markets, food chains, etc. A prototype shopping cart application screen 180 is shown in FIG. 9. With such an application, the user can eliminate long queues and does not need to carry the item to the check-out for billing.

An embodiment of the invention may be a mobile sourcecode. In addition to Q-less and express checkout, the mobile application can be used for shopping in the same way as mentioned in the express checkout application with a difference such as after adding the required commodities in cart, the user can either make the payment or can pay in the cash-counter. Such a system may be configured to ask a user once the user clicks the "Checkout" whether the user wants to make the payment of items added in the cart. If the user opts to pay online and after successful payment, the user receives an acknowledgement of a barcode with secure data. SecureCode is a barcode that contains certain or secure information or data. Here, the user needs to get the acknowledged barcode with secure data scanned in the cash counter for generation of the bill and for packaging of items purchased. The cashier has a fixed liquid crystal display barcode scanner to scan the barcode displayed in user's mobile. The barcode may have all the information of products purchased and the information of payment made by the user. Once the barcode is scanned, the shop's system will be updated with

necessary information. This will reduce the time spent for scanning and entering the quantity against each items purchased.

Once the user adds the item to the shopping cart and prefers to pay by cash, when the user clicks on "Checkout", the application based on the merchant settings checks whether the shop has provision of Barcode with secure data scan. If the specified provision is available, the user can opt for generation of barcode with secure data. After the generation of a barcode with secure data, the user needs to get the barcode with secure data scanned in the cash counter for generation of bill, packaging of items purchased and for making payment. The cashier will have a fixed liquid crystal display barcode scanner to scan the barcode displayed in user's mobile. The barcode will have all the information of products purchased and the information of payment made by the user. Once the barcode is scanned, the shops system will be updated with necessary information.

The arrangement of an embodiment of the invention allows for user profile management. The user's need to register online before downloading or using the mobile client application may be required. When a user registers to the web-portal, some user information is captured within the system, such as: mobile number, i.e. the number used to communicate with the server; name; address; and/or Email-id. The user's profile is then stored in the database. With this feature, when a user requests for a form, the user's profile can be mapped and pre-filled in the form leaving the blank fields to be filled up by the user. The mapping of user-profile is carried out with the help of registered mobile number and the number from which the user submits a form. In cases where the user changes the mobile number, the user can make use of the service without updating the user-profile using the login services in the mobile device, where the user needs to specify the user-id and password used while registering to the web portal. Once the server validates the user-id and password, the server updates the user-profile with the new mobile number from which the user submitted or requested a form.

An embodiment of the invention may be arranged for transactional data management. Transactional data management corresponds to the confidential data that needs to be

kept safe for payment purposes. A user can store the sensitive data like credit card details and like on the secured server. The user can use the following stored data to make online purchase of items in mobile phones that do not support encrypted transmission of data. The user may, for each registered credit card, be provided with an identifier, where the identifier is entered by the user thus helping the user to identify the type of credit card and other related information stored in the server. When the user receives a form and if the mode of payment is by credit-card, the identifiers that mapped to registered credit cards are also sent along with the form, hence facilitating the user's transaction and purchase. This helps the user to transact in a safe way without entering the credit card details that can be hacked in a non encrypted/non-secure medium. For the devices that support encryption, the transactions of SMS/form data may be encrypted for security.

Embodiments of the invention may provide merchants a means of acquiring business intelligence. For example, the server provides various kinds of reports to the users and merchants. The following are example reports and are not limited to: user data mapping where the merchant can have a statistics on the number of users availed of a particular service or products; merchants can promote products based on user interests; users can store and generate reports on products purchased; users can check the status of their order; and/or users can check the history of their past transactions.

Merchant information is also captured in the server, such that merchant is provided with customized pages to login and available various services provided. Some of the services are for example a merchant can design new forms for different services, an online thin client utility is provided with templates for the merchants to design the form. A merchant can generate bar-codes and can make use of the barcodes in a publication. A merchant can access to various business intelligence functionalities provided. A merchant can also specify the mode of transaction, in case for SMEs the merchant can configure to receive notifications on mobile, email and like. A merchant can also configure to receive alerts for particular items not in stock, items not delivered within a particular time, etc.

A block diagram of a server 190 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 10. The server comprises a transactional data management module 192, a user profile management module 194, a business intelligence/analysis module 198, and a controller 196. The controller 196 helps in the coordination between various management controls.

Other features of the mobile application in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes supporting SMS push technology where as the server can push a form and encrypted information to the application. SMS push technology helps the user to be informed always even if the application is not running. Using the SMS push technology, when an SMS is pushed to the mobile device the device activates the application and shows relevant message/form.

In addition to SHOOT-FILL-SEND process mentioned in FIG 2A, users can submit the form offline. The process 200 of offline submission is shown in FIG. 11 and is carried with the help of a desktop application that acts as a bridge to communicate to server 40. Users can connect their mobile device 20 to a bridge-application running in a personal computer or laptop 202 connected to the internet 30 as shown in FIG. 11. The connection can be made with a data cable that comes with the mobile device, IR, Bluetooth, or the like. Once connected to the application, user can submit all the forms to the bridge application and can perform a delayed or batch submission of data from the application. The pairing and synching 204,206 of the mobile device with the desktop running bridge application 202 is shown in FIG. 11.

In an embodiment, delayed submission corresponds to the process of submitting the form at a particular time, in cases where forms need to be submitted after a particular date. The system may be arranged for batch submissions. Users can submit a group of forms to the server, thus avoiding costs occurred due to heavy processing, GPRS and SMS on the mobile device. An advantage of using a bridge application is that a user does not need to have GPRS to participate and can cut on SMS, GPRS costs.

In secure code generation, the application can generate a barcode or can retrieve a barcode from the server. The codes may be generated in the case of merchant outlets having the facility to scan the barcode. The barcodes can be scanned using a fixed LCD barcode scanner and the embedded information can be updated to outlet system. The process flow of such a system is shown in FIG. 12. A user scans 220 the barcode in the required or desired products using the barcode application, and the mobile application 202 adds the products 204 to the cart with necessary quantity. The user opts to "Checkout" 206 and the barcode application 202 checks for the merchant information and identifies whether the outlet has a fixed LCD scanner or not based on the embedded information and merchant settings. If the outlet has or supports a fixed scanner, the user is asked whether to make payment or generate barcode 208. If the user opts to make payment 210, the necessary information is sent to the server 40 for the transaction and an acknowledgement is sent back to the application to generate barcode using mobile application 214. The acknowledgement can be a barcode or information to generate barcode and saved on the application 202. If the user opts to pay at the counter 212 the application generates a barcode with all the product information in the cart. The barcode is saved and shown on the user mobile screen 218. The user presents the barcode generated for scanning at an outlet's cash counter. The fixed LCD barcode scanner at the outlet scans the barcode 226 and decodes the information. The outlet system updates 228 the outlet system with purchased details for bill generation. Once the outlet system is updated the cashier can generate the bill and can verify the items purchased against the information displayed (such as quantity, etc.) for preventing fraud.

It will be appreciated that different modes may be implemented on how to download the mobile application. For example one mode is over the air, where users are provided with a link to download from the server such that WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) page with necessary instructions are provided on how to download and install the application. Another mode is by downloading and installing using bluetooth, infrared, data cable, and the like. Users can visit the web site on their personal computer or laptops, connected to the internet, and download the installation file compatible to their mobile device. Once downloaded, the users can transfer the JAR file to their mobile device using various means. It will be appreciated that there may also be different

modes of communication for each mobile device classification that must be enabled in order to communicate with each other.

As mentioned earlier, current conventional market applications are not suitable for performing transactions. For example, when the data in the barcode is decoded it performs the following based on the specific header. For example with a URL, the system opens up a native browser and fires up the GPRS connection to access the URL of the website. In one way the decoding of URL from barcode only helps the user to eliminate the process of typing long URL on native web-browsers. With an SMS, the system sends relevant information to a specific SMS access code. If additional information is needed, user has to key-in all the details in the native SMS application. When a number is identified, a number is dialed and a phone number is displayed which gives the user and option to call. With an email address, an e-mail is sent to the corresponding recipient, this requires network and additional configuration to setup the mail servers. For media contents, the system opens up a media player to play the content. For vcard information, the option to save the contact information to the phonebook is presented. Vcard information and headers differs in most of the phones available in the market and not part of standards.

As discussed and listed above, the current conventional market applications are limited to the above functionalities. Conventional applications do not have the ability to generate forms, render forms, pre-fill the forms, save forms, submission of forms at the user convenience, or the like. Interaction is uni-directional wherein after the data has been shown, only one step is done (for example open browser, save to phonebook, make a call, etc.) and afterwards, nothing can be done. If the user wants to revisit or wants to perform the operation, the user may have to look for the same barcode.

Additionally, in telecommunication systems in many different countries, GPRS charges are very expensive. Accessing some applications above, e.g. URL and media contents, users have the burden to spend more money since they are forced to use the GPRS connection. Similarly, URL is only applicable for transactions if merchant has internet presence which is too costly for small and medium enterprises. In order to view the

transaction history like orders placed, they need to access the merchant's site via internet as there is no option for the users to save the transaction performed (placing an order, acknowledgement) data on the phone memory. There is no ability in conventional systems to have payment options. The payment options are tied to merchants with internet presence, hence limited business and majority of vendors cannot participate.

Embodiments of the invention posses all the functionality that is currently available in the market and provide extended functionality not achievable by the conventional systems. For example, embodiments of the invention can decode a form, save form meta-data, store user-profile and pre-fill as and when necessary, and manage transaction data.

Additionally, users do not depend solely on GPRS connection of the network. With embodiments of the invention, users have a lot of alternatives to choose from in order to access the merchant's site. The system can be accessed either through SMS, GPRS, HTTP or the like. This overcomes the problem faced in most of the countries where GPRS usage is expensive.

In embodiments, transactions completed by the user are consolidated and saved locally on the phone memory thereby having the convenience to send the data on a later part or whenever a preferred connection is available. Once a transaction is performed like placing an order, the user cannot only access history but can track the status, get to know of acknowledgment from merchant etc. This helps user to perform transaction with number of merchants, also eliminating the need of merchant to have a website.

An embodiment provides an intelligent way to handle users profile such that they don't need to fill in the common data every time. It's just only on the first time use wherein they have to fill up the common details. User can also save the transaction data (confidential and critical data like credit card details etc) on the server, and when user performs an transaction related to payment, user only need to select the assigned name (identifier to a credit card, for e.g. if the user has entered credit card details of his VISA card with number XXXX, he can assign a name like 'My VISA') to the credit card details entered in the server, the server will map the credit card details when user performs a

transaction. Merchants have the opportunity to retrieve the data mining through fax, email, SMS, and the like. Merchants can opt for different communication modes like SMS, Email, Fax, Web and the like to receive the consolidated reports and information related to placement of orders by the mobile application user. Even the same mode of communication can be used to acknowledge the mobile application user. This helps any merchant to participate and generate revenue.

The system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention allows a barcode to be generated with the necessary information related to any transaction performed by the user. The outlet doesn't have to scan each item bought by user as it only requires scanning of the barcode using an LCD scanner that can read barcode from mobile phones. The system allows an alternative option for the merchants to have payment transaction in case money is involved in the business. Also, there are additional potential applications that can be developed from queue less menu ordering to express check-out functionality.

Thus, embodiments of the invention include a method and system for distributing information encoded in a barcode to perform a transaction via a network. A user and a merchant interact automatically via a communication channel such as a mobile platform. An encoded barcode is embodied on a media accessible to the user. The user captures the encoded barcode and decodes the barcode information. The decoded barcode information contains a request for additional information required by the merchant before a service is provided to the user. The user provides the requested additional information to a device such as a mobile telephone, the device provides the additional information to a server, the server provides the additional information to the merchant, and the merchant completes the transaction upon receipt of the additional information.

While embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.