Systems and methods for information content delivery relating to an object

• US 20070086668A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Dubin, Jason, Ackley, Jonathan, Aviv, Oren, Wieland, Alexis, Williams, Jay, Van Gilder, Amy, Romero, Nuria
• Granted Patent: US 7,480,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/243
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence

Abstract

A method is provided for delivering information content relating to an object. A first image of a pattern on the object is received. An outer border of the first image is detected, and a second image framed by the outer border is located. The second image is decoded to determine a digital identifier. Information content relating to the digital identifier is delivered.

Claims

1. A method of information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a first image of a pattern on the object;

(b) detecting an outer border of the first image;

(c) locating a second image framed by the outer border;

(d) decoding the second image to determine a digital identifier; and

(e) delivering information content relating to the digital identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein (e) comprises transmitting the information content to a portable imaging apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein (e) comprises transmitting the information content to a third-party apparatus.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein (c) comprises detecting a sub-frame of the first image to locate the second image, the second image being framed by the sub-frame.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the second image to a remote server.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein transmitting the second image comprises transmitting the digital identifier in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

7. The method of claim 5, wherein transmitting the second image comprises transmitting the second image in the protocol of one or more of an e-mail protocol, FTP, HTTP, TCP, IP, and UDP.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the digital identifier to a remote server.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein (b) comprises detecting the outer border at a first resolution, and wherein (d) comprises decoding the second image at a second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information content comprises a telephone call.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the information content comprises streaming video or streaming audio.

12. A portable imaging apparatus for information content delivery relating to an object, the portable imaging apparatus comprising:

a digital camera to generate a first image of a pattern on the object;

an image processor to;

(i) detect an outer border of the first image, and

(ii) locate a second image framed by the outer border;

a decoder to decode the second image to determine a digital identifier; and

a content supplier to deliver information content relating to the digital identifier.

13. The portable imaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the image processor detects a sub-frame of the first image to locate the second image, the second image being framed by the sub-frame.

14. The portable imaging apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a computer-readable medium to store the information content.

15. The portable imaging apparatus of claim 12, wherein the image processor detects the outer border at a first resolution, and the decoder decodes the second image at a second resolution, the second resolution being lower than the first resolution.

16. A server for information content delivery relating to an object, the server comprising:

a receiver to receive a first image of a pattern on the object;

an image processor to;

(i) detect an outer border of the first image, and

(ii) locate a second image framed by the outer border;

a decoder to decode the second image to determine a digital identifier;

a content supplier to deliver information content relating to the digital identifier.

17. The server of claim 16, wherein the image processor detects a sub-frame of the first image to locate the second image, the second image being framed by the sub-frame.

18. The server of claim 16, wherein the content supplier comprises a transmitter to transmit information content to a portable imaging apparatus, the information content relating to the digital identifier.

19. The server of claim 16, wherein the receiver receives the first image in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

20. The server of claim 16, wherein receiver receives the first image in the protocol of one or more of an e-mail protocol, FTP, HTTP, TCP, IP, and UDP.

21. The server of claim 16, wherein the information content comprises a telephone call.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the information content comprises streaming video or streaming audio.

23. A method of information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a first image of a pattern on the object;

(b) detecting an outer border of the first image at a first resolution;

(c) locating a second image framed by the outer border;

(d) decoding the second image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier; and

(e) delivering information content relating to the digital identifier.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein (e) comprises transmitting the information content to a portable imaging apparatus.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein (e) comprises transmitting the information content to a third-party apparatus.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein (c) comprises detecting a sub-frame of the first image to locate the second image, the second image being framed by the sub-frame.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising transmitting the second image to a remote server.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising transmitting the digital identifier to a remote server.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein transmitting the digital identifier comprises transmitting the digital identifier in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

30. The method of claim 23, wherein (b) comprises detecting the outer border at the first resolution, the first resolution being from about 80×

80 to about 4,000×

4,000, and wherein (d) comprises decoding the second image at the second resolution, the second resolution being from about 3×

3 to about 200×

200.

31. A portable imaging apparatus for information content delivery relating to an object, the portable imaging apparatus comprising:

a digital camera to generate a first image of a pattern on the object;

an image processor to;

(i) detect an outer border of the first image at a first resolution, and

(ii) locate a second image framed by the outer border;

a decoder to decode the second image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier; and

a content supplier to deliver information content relating to the digital identifier.

32. The portable imaging apparatus of claim 31, wherein the image processor detects a sub-frame of the first image to locate the second image, the second image being framed by the sub-frame.

33. The portable imaging apparatus of claim 31, further comprising a computer-readable medium to store the information content.

34. The portable imaging apparatus of claim 31, wherein the image processor detects the outer border at the first resolution, the first resolution being from about 80×

80 to about 4,000×

4,000, and the decoder decodes the second image at the second resolution, the second resolution being from about 3×

3 to about 200×

200.

35. A server for information content delivery relating to an object, the server comprising:

a receiver to receive a first image of a pattern on the object;

an image processor to;

(i) detect an outer border of the first image at a first resolution, and

(ii) locate a second image framed by the outer border;

a decoder to decode the second image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier; and

a content supplier to deliver information content relating to the digital identifier.

36. The server of claim 35, wherein the image processor detects a sub-frame of the first image to locate the second image, the second image being framed by the sub-frame.

37. The server of claim 35, wherein the content supplier comprises a transmitter to transmit information content to a portable imaging apparatus, the information content relating to the digital identifier.

38. The server of claim 35, wherein the receiver receives the first image in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

39. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for configuring a microprocessor to perform a method for information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a first image of a pattern on the object;

(b) detecting an outer border of the first image at a first resolution;

(c) locating a second image framed by the outer border;

(d) decoding the second image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier; and

(e) delivering information content relating to the digital identifier.

40. A method of information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) generating a first image of a pattern on the object;

(b) transmitting the first image to a remote server that;

(i) detects an outer border of the first image at a first resolution,

(ii) locates a second image framed by the outer border, and

(iii) decodes the second image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier;

(c) receiving, from the remote server, information content relating to the digital identifier; and

(d) presenting the information content.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein (b) comprises transmitting the first image in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

42. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for configuring a microprocessor to perform a method for information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) generating a first image of a pattern on an object;

(b) transmitting the first image to a remote server that;

(i) detects an outer border of the first image at a first resolution,

(ii) locates a second image framed by the outer border, and

(iii) decodes the second image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier;

(c) receiving, from the remote server, information content relating to the digital identifier; and

(d) presenting the information content.

43. The computer-readable medium of claim 42, wherein (b) comprises transmitting the first image in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

44. A method of information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) generating a super-image of a pattern on an object;

(b) detecting an outer border of the super-image at a first resolution;

(c) locating a sub-image framed by the outer border;

(d) transmitting the sub-image to a remote server that decodes the sub-image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier;

(e) receiving, from the remote server, information content relating to the digital identifier; and

(f) presenting the information content.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein (c) comprises detecting a sub-frame of the super-image to locate the sub-image, the sub-image being framed by the sub-frame.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein transmitting the sub-image comprises transmitting the sub-image in the format of one or more of a short messaging service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), or multimedia messaging service (MMS).

47. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for configuring a microprocessor to perform a method for information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) generating a super-image of a pattern on the object;

(b) detecting an outer border of the super-image at a first resolution;

(c) locating a sub-image framed by the outer border;

(d) transmitting the sub-image to a remote server that decodes the sub-image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier;

(e) receiving, from the remote server, information content relating to the digital identifier; and

(f) presenting the information content.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 47, wherein (c) comprises detecting a sub-frame of the super-image to locate the sub-image, the sub-image being framed by the sub-frame.

49. A method of information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a sub-image from a portable imaging apparatus that;

(i) generates a super-image of a pattern on the object,

(ii) detects an outer border of the super-image at a first resolution, and

(iii) locates the sub-image, the sub-image being framed by the outer border;

(b) decoding the sub-image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier; and

(c) delivering information content relating to the digital identifier.

50. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for configuring a microprocessor to perform a method for information content delivery relating to an object, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a sub-image from a portable imaging apparatus that;

(i) generates a super-image of a pattern on the object,

(ii) detects an outer border of the super-image at a first resolution, and

(iii) locates the sub-image, the sub-image being framed by the outer border;

(b) decoding the sub-image at a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution to determine a digital identifier; and

(c) delivering information content relating to the digital identifier.

51. A content delivery system for delivering information content relating to an object, the content delivery system comprising a portable imaging apparatus and a remote server,

the portable imaging apparatus comprising:

a digital camera to generate a first image of a pattern on the object,

a transmitter to transmit the first image to the remote server, and

a receiver to receive information content relating to the object from the remote server; and

the remote server comprising;

a receiver to receive the first image from the portable imaging apparatus,

an image processor to;

(i) detect an outer border of the first image at a first resolution, and

(ii) locate a second image framed by the outer border,

a decoder to decode the second image at a second resolution to determine a digital identifier, and

a transmitter to transmit the information content to the portable imaging apparatus, the information content relating to the digital identifier.

52. The content delivery system of claim 51, wherein the transmitters of the portable imaging apparatus and the remote server are wireless, and wherein the receivers of the portable imaging apparatus and the remote server are wireless.

53. A content delivery system for delivering information content relating to an object, the content delivery system comprising a portable imaging apparatus and a remote server,

the portable imaging apparatus comprising:

a digital camera to a first image of a pattern on the object,

an image processor to;

(i) detect an outer border of the first image at a first resolution, and

(ii) locate a second image framed by the outer border,

a decoder to decode the second image at a second resolution to determine a digital identifier,

a transmitter to transmit the digital identifier to the remote server, and

a receiver to receive information content relating to the object from the remote server; and

the remote server comprising;

a receiver to receive the digital identifier from the portable imaging apparatus,

a transmitter to transmit the information content to the portable imaging apparatus, the information content relating to the digital identifier.

54. The content delivery system of claim 53, wherein the transmitters of the portable imaging apparatus and the remote server are wireless, and wherein the receivers of the portable imaging apparatus and the remote server are wireless.