ENCODING AND DECODING DATA IN AN IMAGE

• US 20070189579A1
• Filed: 01/27/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thryv, Inc. (Mudrick Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: SpyderLynk LLC
• Inventors: Crookham, David, Skogg, Nicole
• Granted Patent: US 8,094,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06009 with optically detectable marking G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06103 the marking being embedded in a human recognizable image, e.g. a company logo with an embedded two-dimensional code
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1448 based on markings or identifiers characterising the document or the area
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/18143 Extracting features based on salient regional features, e.g. scale invariant feature transform [SIFT] keypoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32309 in colour image data

Abstract

A graphically based encoded image, symbol or icon that can serve as a link from physical material or visual displays to electronic data to retrieve specific or general information. In one example, a graphic image is encoded with a value that is linked to a reference lookup table. For example, a numeric value may be encoded to form an encoded image by providing a primary image, such as a logo, and by positioning one or more secondary images or shapes in reference to the primary image, wherein the position of the secondary image relative to the primary image corresponds or relates to the numeric value. Generally, the encoded image may be in the form of any shape, figure or logo, and may be associated with, for example, an advertisement, web site, marketing program, corporate promotion, product promotion, sweepstakes, business cards, personal information, and other mediums for the exchange of information.

Claims

1. An encoded image having a value encoded therein, comprising:

a primary image; and

one or more secondary images selectively positioned relative to the primary image, wherein the position of the one or more secondary images is based on the value.

2. The encoded image of claim 1, wherein the primary image includes a logo.

3. The encoded image of claim 1, wherein the primary image includes an image related to a product.

4. The encoded image of claim 1, wherein the primary image includes an astrological sign.

5. The encoded image of claim 1, wherein the primary image includes a person'"'"'s initials.

6. An encoded image having value encoded therein, comprising:

a primary image; and

one or more secondary images positioned about the primary image, the secondary images having a color related to the value.

7. The encoded image of claim 6, wherein the primary image includes a logo.

8. The encoded image of claim 6, wherein the primary image includes an image related to a product.

9. The encoded image of claim 6, wherein the primary image includes an astrological sign.

10. The encoded image of claim 6, wherein the primary image includes a person'"'"'s initials.

11. A method for encoding data into an encoded image, comprising:

obtaining a value to be encoded, the value comprising one or more digits or alphanumeric characters;

forming a reference image comprising one or more shapes positioned in reference to an origin; and

encoding the value in the encoded image by positioning the one or more shapes in reference to the origin based on the value.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the reference graph comprises polar coordinates comprising a radial coordinate and an angle theta.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more shapes are circles.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the one or more shapes line segments.

15. A method for encoding an encoded image with a value, comprising:

providing a primary image; and

selectively positioning one or more secondary images in reference to primary image, wherein the position of the one or more secondary images is based on the value.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the primary image includes a logo.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the primary image includes an image related to a product.

18. A method of using a graphic image as a link to electronic information, comprising:

encoding a graphic image with a data value;

providing a database with a link to additional information, the link corresponding to the data value; and

affixing the encoded graphic image to a medium, the graphic image adapted to be digitally captured.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

receiving the graphic image;

decoding the graphic image to extract the data value stored therein; and

based on the data value, providing the link to the additional information.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the graphic image includes a logo.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the graphic image includes an icon.