US20050283448A1 - Method and system for providing a barcode image over a network - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a barcode image. A client is operable to create a request for a barcode image and send the request to a server. The request comprises data to be converted to a barcode. The server is operable to receive the request from the client via a network, generate a barcode image from the data, and encode the barcode image. Thereafter, the server provides the encoded image to the client.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/581,373, entitled “Method and System for Providing a GIF Image Using Internet Browser,” which was filed on Jun. 22, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates generally to data processing systems and, more particularly, to a method and system for providing a barcode image over a network.
BACKGROUND
• Many businesses use barcode technology to accurately and expediently gather data. For example, a delivery service provider, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), may use barcodes to rapidly identify destinations of delivery items. In another example, a grocery store retailer may use barcodes to identify products that it sells.
• A barcode typically includes a series of parallel adjacent bars and spaces. Predetermined width of spaces may be used to encode data into an image. To decode information contained in a barcode, a scanning device, such as a bar reader, may be moved across the image of a barcode from one side to another. As a scanning device moves across the image, the barcode width pattern may be analyzed by the barcode decoder recovering the original encoded data.
• Barcodes come in many different formats. Exemplary barcode formats include Universal Product Code (UPC), PostNet, Code 39, PLANET™, Code 128, Codabar, etc.
• In order to utilize or facilitate the services provided by a delivery service provider, a user may need to generate and print barcodes at a client computer associated with the delivery service provider. Currently, in order to generate and print barcodes, a client computer may utilize a special font or software such as BarTender, so that when a series of numbers or letters are typed in, they are encoded to a barcode. Such a font or software, however, needs to be resident on the client computer. In the case that a user needs to generate different types of barcodes using the same client computer, multiple fonts or barcode-specific software may need to be resident on the client computer. These additional fonts or software may consume valuable memory on client computers.
• In a situation where the users are employees of a delivery service provider, in order to ensure consistent and uniform performance by all its employees, a delivery service provider may need to install the same barcode-specific software on client computers operated by its employees. Having special barcode printing software such as, for example, BarTender, installed on each of these client computers may require coordination of downloading of software updates in a timely manner. Having barcode printing software installed on each user computer may also present interchangeability problems if a hardware upgrade is required. It is therefore desirable to provide a method and a system for providing a barcode image generated from one centralized location to users for subsequent printing without installing special software or font on a client computer.
SUMMARY
• Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a barcode image. A client is operable to create a request for a barcode image and send the request to a server. The request comprises data to be converted to a barcode. The server is operable to receive the request from the client via a network, generate a barcode image from the data, and encode the barcode image. Thereafter, the server provides the encoded image to the client.
• Other methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a dynamic image. A client is operable to create a request for a dynamic image and send the request to a server. The request comprises data to be converted to the dynamic. The server is operable to receive the request from the client via a network, generate a dynamic image from the data, and encode the dynamic image. Thereafter, the server provides the encoded image to the client, which displays and prints the encoded image using a network browser program.
• Other methods and systems consistent with the present invention also provide a barcode image. A client is operable to receive address information and convert the address information to a delivery code. The client also creates a request for a barcode image, where the request includes the delivery code as data to be converted to a barcode. The server is operable to receive the request from the client via a network, generate a barcode image from the data, and encode the barcode image. Thereafter, the server provides the encoded image to the client.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary barcodes in different formats;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary network environment in which features and aspects consistent with the principles of the present invention may be implemented;
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary client, consistent with the principles of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary delivery service provider, consistent with the principles of the present invention;
• FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary central application server, consistent with the principles of the present invention;
• FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary web server, consistent with the principles of the present invention;
• FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary flowchart of a method for generating a barcode image consistent with the present invention; and
• FIGS. 8A and 8B represent another diagram of an exemplary flowchart of a method for generating a barcode image consistent with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Overview
• There are many different types of barcodes available for use. For example,FIG. 1 depicts exemplary Universal Product Code (UPC) (102), Code 39 barcode (104), PLANET™ barcode (106), and four-state barcode (108). A user may need to request, generate, and print a barcode, encoding information in one or more barcodes formats. For example, a USPS employee may need to request, generate, and print a barcode in the Code 39 format representing a delivery route for subsequent placing in a routing book to be used by a mail delivery person.
• Methods and systems consistent with the present invention facilitate generation of barcodes in one centralized location by enabling a delivery service provider, such as the USPS, to install barcode generating software on a designated server. After a designated server receives a request for generating a barcode from a client, it may generate a barcode. Once a barcode is generated, its image may be forwarded back to the client.
• It is possible for the designated server to contain barcode generating software for more than one type of a barcode. In this situation, a request for generation of a barcode may include a request for one or more specific formats of a barcode.
Network Environment
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of anetwork environment200, in which features and aspects consistent with the present invention may be implemented. The number of components inenvironment200 is not limited to what is shown and other variations in the number of arrangements of components are possible, consistent with embodiments of the invention. The components ofFIG. 2 may be implemented through hardware, software, and/or firmware.Network environment200 may include clients202a-202n, aservice center204, and anetwork206.
• Network206 provides communications between the various entities depicted innetwork environment200, such as a client202 andservice center204.Network206 may be a shared, public, or private network and may encompass a wide area or local area.Network206 may be implemented through any suitable combination of wired and/or wireless communication networks. By way of example,network206 may be implemented through a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), an intranet and/or the Internet.
• Clients202a-202nprovide users with an interface tonetwork206. Clients202a-202nmay be implemented using any computer capable of accessingnetwork206, such as a general purpose computer or personal computer equipped with a modem. A client202 may receive information from a user that is to be encoded into a barcode. In response, a client202 may send a request for a barcode toservice center204. Onceservice center204 has created a barcode image corresponding to the request and has sent the barcode image to the client202, the client may display and print the barcode image.
• Service center204 is operable to receive a request for a barcode from a client202 vianetwork206, and in response create a barcode image. The barcode may be one of many different types of barcodes.Service center204 also sends the barcode image to the client202 that requested the barcode, where the barcode may be displayed and/or printed.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary client consistent with the principles of the present invention. A client, such asclient202a, may include aCPU302, aninput device304, adisplay306, aprinter308, acommunications device310,secondary storage312, and amemory314.Memory314 may includeoperating system316,browser318, and image files320. The number of components inclient202ais not limited to what is shown and other variations in the number of arrangements of components are possible, consistent with embodiments of the invention.
• CPU302 may be one or more known processing devices, such as a Pentium™ microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation.Secondary storage312 may be one or more data storage mediums such as a hard drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, floppy drive, etc. Control ofclient202aas well as data input by a user may be achieved throughinput device304, which may comprise a keyboard, a pointer device, a mouse, etc. Data output may be presented to a user of the web server throughdisplay306 and/or another output device, such asprinter308.
• Memory314 may be one or more storage devices configured to store data used byCPU302 to perform certain functions related to embodiments of the present invention.Memory314 may be a magnetic, semiconductor, tape, or optical type of storage device. Software and other applications may be loaded intosecondary storage312 and/ormemory314 using, for example, a computer readable medium with a software or program application that is read bysecondary storage312. Software may also be installed vianetwork206 andcommunications device310.
• Memory314 may includeoperating system316,browser318, and image files320.Operating system316 may be implemented using any operating system suitable for a desktop or laptop computer, such as Windows 2000 manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.Browser318 may be implemented using any Internet browser suitable for a desktop or laptop computer, such as Internet Explorer manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.
• Image files320 may be barcode images or other images received fromservice center204. For example,service center204, in response to a request from a client202, may create a barcode image or other images and subsequently send these images back to client202. Animage file320, such as a barcode image, may be printed using, for example,printer308.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary service center consistent with the present invention.Service center204 may include at least acentral application server402 andweb server404. The number of components inservice center204 is not limited to what is shown and other variations in the number of arrangements of components are possible, consistent with embodiments of the invention.
• Central application server402 is operable to create a barcode image using information from a request received from a client202. Alternatively or additionally,central application server402 may create images other than barcode images. For example,central application server402 may create any special font, script, or other unique image.
• Web server404 provides functionality for receiving traffic over a network from a client. For example,web server404 may be a standard web server that a user may access at a client using a web browser program, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator.Web server404 is operable to receive requests for barcodes or other images from clients, and pass the data on tocentral application server402 for processing.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplarycentral application server402, consistent with the principles of the present invention. Acentral application server402 may include aCPU502, aninput device504, adisplay506, acommunications device508, asecondary storage510, and amemory512. The number of components incentral application server402 is not limited to what is shown and other variations in the number of arrangements of components are possible, consistent with embodiments of the invention.
• CPU502 may be one or more known processing devices, such as a Pentium™ microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation.Secondary storage510 may be one or more data storage mediums such as a hard drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, floppy drive, etc. Control of thecentral application server402 as well as data input by a user may be achieved throughinput device504, which may comprise a keyboard, a pointer device, a mouse, etc. Data output may be presented to a user of the web server throughdisplay506 and/or another output device (such as a printer—not shown).
• Memory512 may be one or more storage devices configured to store data used byCPU502 to perform certain functions related to embodiments of the present invention.Memory512 may be a magnetic, semiconductor, tape, or optical type of storage device. Software and other applications may be loaded intosecondary storage510 and/ormemory512 using, for example, a computer readable medium with software that is read bysecondary storage510. Software may also be installed vianetwork206 andcommunications device508.
• Memory512 may includeoperating system514,barcode application program516, class files518 (includingbarcode classes520athrough520n), and image files522.Operating system514 may be implemented using any suitable server operating system, such as Windows 2000 Server manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.Barcode application program516 may be operable to initiate the generation of a barcode image or other image upon receiving a request for a barcode or other image.
• Class files518 may includebarcode classes520athrough520n. Each barcode class520 may be, for example, a Java class or other comparable class that accepts a string, encodes the string to a barcode image, and forwards the barcode image to a client202, where the barcode image may be displayed and/or printed. In one embodiment, different barcode classes520 may be used to produce barcodes or other images of different formats. For example, abarcode class520amay convert strings to UPC barcodes, while a barcode class520bmay convert strings to code39 barcodes, etc. Image files522 may be barcode images or other images created by a barcode class520.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram of anexemplary web server404, consistent with the principles of the present invention. Aweb server404 may include aCPU602, aninput device604, adisplay606, acommunications device608, asecondary storage610, and amemory612. The number of components inweb server404 is not limited to what is shown and other variations in the number of arrangements of components are possible, consistent with embodiments of the invention.
• CPU602 may be one or more known processing devices, such as a Pentium™ microprocessor manufactured by Intel Corporation.Secondary storage610 may be one or more data storage mediums such as a hard drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, floppy drive, etc. Control of theweb server404 as well as data input by a user may be achieved throughinput device604, which may comprise a keyboard, a pointer device, a mouse, etc. Data output may be presented to a user of the web server throughdisplay606 and/or another output device (such as a printer—not shown).
• Memory612 may be one or more storage devices configured to store data used byCPU602 to perform certain functions related to embodiments of the present invention.Memory612 may be a magnetic, semiconductor, tape, or optical type of storage device. Software and other applications may be loaded intosecondary storage610 and/ormemory612 using, for example, a computer readable medium with software that is read bysecondary storage610. Software may also be installed vianetwork206 andcommunications device608.
• Memory612 may includeoperating system614,web server software616, and image files618.Operating system614 may be implemented using any suitable server operating system, such as Windows 2000 Server manufactured by Microsoft Corporation.Web server software616 may be operable to send out web pages in response to requests from remote browsers. In one embodiment,web server software616 may be implemented using a program such as Microsoft Internet Information Server available from Microsoft Corporation. Image files618 may be barcode images or other images created by a barcode class520 fromcentral application server402, and subsequently forwarded toweb server404 for temporary storage before sending to a client202.
System Operation
• FIG. 7 is a diagram of an exemplary flowchart of a method for generating a barcode image consistent with the present invention. Although the steps of the flowchart are described in a particular order, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these steps may be performed in a modified or different order. Further, one or more of the steps inFIG. 7 may be performed concurrently or in parallel.
• First, a client202 may request a barcode (step702). For example, a user of a client202 may enter a string of data to be converted to a barcode or other image. In one embodiment, the user may also enter a required format of the barcode or other image. For example, in addition to the information that is to be encoded as a barcode, the user may indicate that the barcode format should be Code 39. Next, via a network connection, the client202 may forward a request to create a barcode image or other image to service center204 (step704).Service center204 may then create a barcode image or other image in a specified format (step706). Greater detail on the creation of a barcode image or other image may be found below with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B. After the image has been created,service center204 may forward it back to the client202 for subsequent display and/or printing (step708).
• FIGS. 8A and 8B comprise an expanded diagram of an exemplary flowchart of a method for generating a barcode image consistent with the present invention. Although the steps of the flowchart are described in a particular order, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these steps may be performed in a modified or different order. Further, one or more of the steps inFIGS. 8A and 8B may be performed concurrently or in parallel.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8B, a client202 may request a barcode (step802). For example, a user of a client202 may enter a string of data to be converted to a barcode or other image. In one embodiment, the user may also enter a required format of the barcode or other image. For example, in addition to the information that is to be encoded as a barcode, the user may indicate that the barcode format should be Code 39. To enter the data to be converted to a barcode, as well as the data identifying a desired format, the user, for example, may access a web page hosted byservice center204 using a browser program, and enter the data upon request. Alternatively or additionally, the user may enter the data while using an application program resident on the user's client202.
• In one embodiment, it is not necessary for a user to enter a string of data to be converted to a barcode or other image. Instead, the string to be converted may be automatically generated by the client202. For example, client202 may load a list of one or more strings of data to be converted. Another example is that client202 may receive street address information as input from a user or retrieve street address information from memory, and thereafter convert the street address to a delivery code. This delivery code may be used as the string of data.
• If the aforementioned street address information does not include a ZIP+4™ code, then the client202 may perform a ZIP+4™ lookup using the address information. When a ZIP+4™ code is found, client202 may perform a delivery point validation to ensure that the street address including the ZIP+4™ code is a delivery that is made. If so, then the street address information including the ZIP+4™ code may be converted to a delivery code to be used as the string of data. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that lookups for delivery codes other than ZIP+4™ codes may be performed.
• Once the user has entered data associated with a request for a barcode image or other image, or such data is otherwise retrieved or looked up, the client202 may forward a request to service center204 (step804). For example, a client202 may send a request for a barcode image toservice center204 vianetwork206. The request may include the data to be encoded as a barcode, as well as an indication of what type of barcode image is to be created. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that images other than barcode images may be requested and created. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that the request need not include an indication of the type of barcode image or other image that is to be created. For example,service center204 may set a default format when non indication is provided.
• The request may be received by aweb server404 associated withservice center204 and subsequently passed tocentral application server402 for further processing. Alternatively,central application server402 may receive the request from the client202 without it first passing throughweb server404. In any case, oncecentral application server402 has received the request, it may proceed to start creating a barcode image or other image in a specified format. More particularly,barcode application program516 may instantiate an appropriate barcode generating object (step806).
• An appropriate barcode generating object is an object from the barcode class520 that handles the specified format of the barcode to be generated. For example, ifbarcode class520ais used to create UPC barcodes, and the format specified in the request is UPC, thenbarcode application program516 may instantiate a barcode generating object frombarcode class520a. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that alternative programming structures may be used. For example, instead of instantiating a barcode generating object, the barcode application program may call a subroutine or otherwise start code that has functionality similar to that of objects from a barcode class, such asbarcode class520a. One of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate that application programs other thanbarcode application program516 may have the ability to instantiate a barcode generating object from a barcode class520. In this manner, multiple application programs can use a specified barcode class520 for multiple purposes.
• After being instantiated, the barcode generating object may then create a blank image (step808). The object also may set an image path (step810). The image path, for example, may represent a location in a local and/or remote memory where the barcode image is to be stored upon completion.Barcode application program516 may send the barcode generating object the text that is to be encoded as a barcode (step812). This text, for example, may be a string of data from the request from the client202.
• Thereafter, the barcode generating object may replace characters in the text with a binary representation of the barcode (step814). The binary representation may vary according to the selected barcode format. The barcode generating object may then draw a barcode onto the blank image created in step808 (step816). This barcode corresponds to the aforementioned binary representation. The barcode generating object, for example, has knowledge of the width, height, separators, and placement of lines for the barcode, and uses that knowledge to convert the string of data into a barcode. The image may then be further encoded into a different format (step818). For example, the barcode generating object may encode the image into a GIF file using a GIF encoder like the one available at the website, acme.com. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the image may be converted into other formats, such as JPEG, TIFF, BMP, etc.
• Once the barcode image has been encoded into a different format, the barcode generating object may proceed to save the encoded image (step820). For example, the encoded image may be saved to a file specified by the path identified instep810 above. This path, for example, may indicate that the encoded image is to be saved as animage file522 incentral application server402, or as animage file618 inweb server404. Thereafter, the saved file may be forwarded back to the client202 that requested a barcode image (step822). For example, the file may be may be downloaded to the client202, where it may be displayed on a display, such asdisplay306, using a browser program such as browser318 (step824). Alternatively or additionally, the file may be saved as animage file320 inmemory314, where it may be later retrieved for display.
• In one embodiment, the file may be downloaded to the client in conjunction with the downloading of a web page fromservice center204 to the client202. For example, a user of client202 may have previously requested that the image file be sent to client202 as part of a template. The requested template may be processed into a web page, for example, by implementing the template in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) with a name of the encoded image and corresponding path of the encoded image included. The web page may then be downloaded to the client202, which processes the HTML of the web page and downloads the image identified in the HTML. The image may then be displayed using a browser program such asbrowser318.
• Once an image of a barcode is displayed, the client202 may print the image with a browser program using a printer, such as printer308 (step826). A printed image of a barcode may be subsequently scanned by any standard barcode scanner. Because the image may be displayed and printed using a browser program, the client requires no additional software or fonts. Only a browser program is needed.
• One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that instead of barcodes, any special font, script, or other dynamic image may be requested, generated, and printed by the user in a manner similar to that described above for barcodes. For example, a user may request, generate, and print confidential proprietary information, such as a Social Security number or password. Having confidential information generated in a GIF file or other image file may allow a user to protect this information from potential hackers and store the information in a secure manner. Another example is that a unique image may be created with specific input that could be used to verify authenticity of a user (e.g., the only way to get this particular image is to input specific information through this class that encoded the string to an image). As used herein a dynamic image refers to an image that is created on-the-fly. In other words, a dynamic image is not an image that is simply retrieved from memory upon request from a client, and does not exist before the request. Instead, the image is generated upon request from a client and may be subsequently stored or provided to the client.
• One skilled in the art will also recognize that many alternative embodiments are possible. For example, a number of organizations and users may form a network and use one centralized location instead of a web server to generate barcodes. Other alternatives are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
• While the present invention has been described in connection with various embodiments, many modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art will also appreciate that all or part of the systems and methods consistent with the present invention may be stored on or read from computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, and CD-ROM; a carrier wave received from a network such as the Internet; or other forms of ROM or RAM. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above described embodiments and examples, but instead is defined by the appended claims in light of their full scope of equivalents.

Claims (76)

1. A method for providing a barcode image, comprising:

receiving, at a server, a request for a barcode image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to a barcode;

generating a barcode image from the data;

encoding the barcode image; and

providing the encoded image to the client.

2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

displaying the encoded image on a display associated with the client.

3. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

printing the encoded image at the client.

4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the printed image is scanned by a barcode scanner.

5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the request further comprises barcode format information.

6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the client receives the data from a user of the client.

7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the client retrieves the data from memory.

8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein generating a barcode image comprises:

instantiating a barcode generating object;

sending the data to the barcode generating object; and

converting the data to the barcode image.

9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on barcode format information from the request.

10. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on default format information.

11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein encoding the barcode image comprises:

converting a format of the barcode image to a second format that facilitates printing by the client.

12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the second format is GIF.

13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein providing the encoded image comprises:

saving the encoded image to a file; and

downloading the file to the client.

14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein providing the encoded image comprises:

saving the encoded image to a file;

downloading a web page to the client, the web page including an indication of a location of the file; and

downloading the file to the client.

15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein generating a barcode image comprises:

selecting a format for the barcode image; and

converting the data to the barcode image, wherein the barcode image has the selected format.

16. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

17. A method for providing a dynamic image, comprising:

receiving, at a server, a request for a dynamic image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to the dynamic image;

generating the dynamic image from the data;

encoding the dynamic image;

providing the encoded image to the client;

displaying the encoded image using a network browser program; and

printing the encoded image using the network browser program.

18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

19. An apparatus for providing a barcode image, comprising:

means for receiving, at a server, a request for a barcode image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to a barcode;

means for generating a barcode image from the data;

means for encoding the barcode image; and

means for providing the encoded image to the client.

20. The apparatus ofclaim 19, further comprising:

means for displaying the encoded image on a display associated with the client.

21. The apparatus ofclaim 19, further comprising:

means for printing the encoded image at the client.

22. The apparatus ofclaim 21, wherein the printed image is scanned by a barcode scanner.

23. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the request further comprises barcode format information.

24. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the client receives the data from a user of the client.

25. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the client retrieves the data from memory.

26. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the means for generating a barcode image comprises:

means for instantiating a barcode generating object;

means for sending the data to the barcode generating object; and

means for converting the data to the barcode image.

27. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on barcode format information from the request.

28. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on default format information.

29. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the means for encoding the barcode image comprises:

means for converting a format of the barcode image to a second format that facilitates printing by the client.

30. The apparatus ofclaim 29, wherein the second format is GIF.

31. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the means for providing the encoded image comprises:

means for saving the encoded image to a file; and

means for downloading the file to the client.

32. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the means for providing the encoded image comprises:

means for saving the encoded image to a file;

means for downloading a web page to the client, the web page including an indication of a location of the file; and

means for downloading the file to the client.

33. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the means for generating a barcode image comprises:

means for selecting a format for the barcode image; and

means for converting the data to the barcode image, wherein the barcode image has the selected format.

34. The apparatus ofclaim 19, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

35. An apparatus for providing a dynamic image, comprising:

means for receiving, at a server, a request for a dynamic image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to the dynamic image;

means for generating the dynamic image from the data;

means for encoding the dynamic image;

means for providing the encoded image to the client;

means for displaying the encoded image using a network browser program; and

means for printing the encoded image using the network browser program.

36. The apparatus ofclaim 35, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

37. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a method for providing a barcode image, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server, a request for a barcode image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to a barcode;

generating a barcode image from the data;

encoding the barcode image; and

providing the encoded image to the client.

38. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, further comprising:

displaying the encoded image on a display associated with the client.

39. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, further comprising:

printing the encoded image at the client.

40. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 39, wherein the printed image is scanned by a barcode scanner.

41. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein the request further comprises barcode format information.

42. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein the client receives the data from a user of the client.

43. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein the client retrieves the data from memory.

44. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein generating a barcode image comprises:

instantiating a barcode generating object;

sending the data to the barcode generating object; and

converting the data to the barcode image.

45. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on barcode format information from the request.

46. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 44, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on default format information.

47. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein encoding the barcode image comprises:

converting a format of the barcode image to a second format that facilitates printing by the client.

48. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 47, wherein the second format is GIF.

49. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein providing the encoded image comprises:

saving the encoded image to a file; and

downloading the file to the client.

50. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein providing the encoded image comprises:

saving the encoded image to a file;

downloading a web page to the client, the web page including an indication of a location of the file; and

downloading the file to the client.

51. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein generating a barcode image comprises:

selecting a format for the barcode image; and

converting the data to the barcode image, wherein the barcode image has the selected format.

52. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 37, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

53. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a method for providing a dynamic image, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server, a request for a dynamic image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to the dynamic image;

generating the dynamic image from the data;

encoding the dynamic image;

providing the encoded image to the client;

displaying the encoded image using a network browser program; and

printing the encoded image using the network browser program.

54. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 53, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

55. A server for providing a barcode image to a client, comprising:

a memory having a program that: receives a request for a barcode image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to a barcode; generates a barcode image from the data; encodes the barcode image; and provides the encoded image to the client; and

a processor that runs the program.

56. The server ofclaim 55, the encoded image is displayed on a display associated with the client.

57. The server ofclaim 55, wherein the encoded image is printed at the client.

58. The server ofclaim 57, wherein the printed image is scanned by a barcode scanner.

59. The server ofclaim 55, wherein the request further comprises barcode format information.

60. The server ofclaim 55, wherein the client receives the data from a user of the client.

61. The server ofclaim 55, wherein the client retrieves the data from memory.

62. The server ofclaim 55, wherein generating a barcode image comprises:

instantiating a barcode generating object;

sending the data to the barcode generating object; and

converting the data to the barcode image.

63. The server ofclaim 62, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on barcode format information from the request.

64. The server ofclaim 62, wherein the barcode generating object is selected based on default format information.

65. The server ofclaim 55, wherein encoding the barcode image comprises:

converting a format of the barcode image to a second format that facilitates printing by the client.

66. The server ofclaim 65, wherein the second format is GIF.

67. The server ofclaim 55, wherein providing the encoded image comprises:

saving the encoded image to a file; and

downloading the file to the client.

68. The server ofclaim 55, wherein providing the encoded image comprises:

saving the encoded image to a file;

downloading a web page to the client, the web page including an indication of a location of the file; and

downloading the file to the client.

69. The server ofclaim 55, wherein generating a barcode image comprises:

selecting a format for the barcode image; and

converting the data to the barcode image, wherein the barcode image has the selected format.

70. The server ofclaim 55, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

71. A server for providing a dynamic image to a client, comprising:

a memory having a program that: receives a request for a dynamic image from a client, the request comprising data to be converted to the dynamic image; generates the dynamic image from the data; encodes the dynamic image; and provides the encoded image to the client; and

a processor that runs the program,

wherein the client displays and prints the encoded image using a network browser program.

72. The server ofclaim 1, wherein the request comprises a string of data.

73. A system for providing a barcode image, comprising:

a network;

a client operable to create a request for a barcode image, the request comprising data to be converted to a barcode; and

a server operable to receive the request from the client via the network, generate a barcode image from the data, encode the barcode image, and provide the encoded image to the client.

74. A system for providing a barcode image, comprising:

a network;

a client operable to receive address information, convert the address information to a delivery code, and create a request for a barcode image, the request including the delivery code as data to be converted to a barcode; and

a server operable to receive the request from the client via the network, generate a barcode image from the data, encode the barcode image, and provide the encoded image to the client.

75. A client for providing a barcode image, comprising:

a memory having a program that: creates a request for a barcode image, the request comprising data to be converted to a barcode; and provides the request to a server; and

a processor that runs the program,

wherein the server receives the request, generates a barcode image from the data, encodes the barcode image, and provides the encoded image to the client.

76. A client for providing a barcode image, comprising:

a memory having a program that: receives address information; converts the address information to a delivery code; creates a request for a barcode image, the request including the delivery code as data to be converted to a barcode; and provides the request to a server; and

a processor that runs the program,

wherein the server receives the request, generates a barcode image from the data, encodes the barcode image, and provides the encoded image to the client.

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