System and method for accessing electronic data via an image search engine

• US 20060227992A1
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydra Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Hanna Bondarik, Spencer A. Rathus
• Inventors: Rathus, Spencer A., Bondarik, Hanna
• Granted Patent: US 7,765,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/532 Query formulation, e.g. graphical querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/583 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/915 Image

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for accessing electronic data through entry of images as queries in search engine. The system uses various image capturing devices and communication devices to capture images and enter them into image database. Image recognition techniques encode images in a computer readable format. The processed image is then entered for comparison into at least one database populated with images and associated information. Once the newly captured image is matched with an image in the database, the information linked with that image is returned to the user.

Claims

1. A system for accessing electronic data by providing an image, the system comprising:

a means for capturing an image;

a means for transmitting said image to a database wherein the database comprises;

a means to receive said image;

a means to access electronic data associated with said image; and

a means to transmit said data to a display unit.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said image is captured from at least one selected from the group consisting of visual entity, printed material, electronic display unit, and projected visual information.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for capturing an image comprise a camera.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for capturing an image comprise a scanner.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein said means for capturing an image and means for transmitting said image to a database comprise a CI device.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said CI device comprises said display unit.

7. A system according to claim 5 wherein said CI device comprises processing means which perform image recognition functions to process said captured image.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said database comprises processing means which perform image recognition functions to process said captured image.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said database is accessed through a network.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said database comprise a registry of stored images.

11. A system according to claim 10 wherein said stored images are linked to said electronic data.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said captured image is matched to said stored images in said database to find a match.

13. A system according to claim 12 wherein said captured image is linked to said matched stored image and said linked electronic data.

15. A method according to claim 13 wherein electronic data comprises an alphanumeric identifier used to search the Internet for information associated with said alphanumeric identifier.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein said alphanumeric identifier is at least one selected from the group consisting of description, name, and title of said image.

17. A method according to claim 15 wherein said information is displayed on said display unit.

19. A method according to claim 15 wherein said narrowing parameters are at least one selected from the group consisting of search category, textual description, time, and location.

14. A method of extracting electronic data from a database by providing an image captured by capturing means, wherein said method comprises:

providing computer coded images stored on the database and further linked to electronic data;

entering captured image;

performing image recognition functions to computer code said captured image;

matching said computer coded image to said computer coded images stored on the database;

linking said captured image to said matched linked electronic data; and

presenting said electronic data on a display unit.

18. A method according to claim 14 wherein Boolean expressions are used with narrowing parameters to narrow said matching process.