Network Linking Methods and Apparatus

• US 20080126359A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,805,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams

Abstract

The presenting invention relates generally to indirect linking methods and apparatus. One claim recites a method including: a) reading an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index; b) accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer on a network; c) extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) reading an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index;

b) accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer on a network;

c) extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and

d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the color imagery comprises video.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the color imagery is steganographically modulated with the index via digital watermarking.

4. A system comprising:

a. a user computing device;

b. an input device associated with the user computing device, configured to read an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index;

c. means for storing a database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer;

wherein the user computing device comprises;

means for accessing the database to extract a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and

means for using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the color imagery comprises video.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the color imagery is steganographically modulated with the index via digital watermarking.

7. A user computing device comprising:

a. an input device configured to read an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index; and

b. computer processor to execute a software program or instructions adapted to;

utilize the index to access a database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer;

retrieve from the database a pointer as a function of the index; and

use the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the color imagery comprises video.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the color imagery is steganographically modulated with the index via digital watermarking.

10. A method comprising:

a) reading an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index;

b) accessing a database with the index to retrieve a pointer which identifies a remote computer on a network;

c) extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and

d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the color imagery comprises video.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the color imagery is steganographically modulated with the index via digital watermarking.

13. A system comprising:

a. a user computing device;

b. an input device associated with the user computing device, configured to read an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index;

c. a database for linking the index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer;

wherein the user computing device comprises;

means for accessing the database to extract a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and

means for using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the color imagery comprises video.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the color imagery is steganographically modulated with the index via digital watermarking.

16. A method comprising:

a) analyzing an audio signal to obtain data encoded therein, the data comprising at least an index or message;

b) providing the index or message to a remote data repository, the data repository including a plurality of records that associates indexes or messages to pointers, a pointer being associated with a remote computer or resource on a network;

c) receiving a pointer from the remote data repository that is associated with the index or message; and

d) communicating with the remote computer or resource using at least the pointer.

17. The method of claim 16 where the data is steganographically encoded in the audio signal.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the steganographically encoding alters at least some data representing the audio signal.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the pointer comprises at least one of a uniform resource locator (URL), IP address or network address.

21. The method of claim 19 where the message is steganographically encoded in the audio signal.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the steganographically encoding alters at least some of the data representing the audio signal.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the pointer comprises at least one of a uniform resource locator (URL), IP address or network address.

20. A method of operating a network resource or website comprising:

receiving a plural-bit message from a remote device over a network, the message having been obtained from an analysis of data representing an audio signal, the message to be used by the network resource or website as an index;

identifying a pointer from among a plurality of pointers with reference to the index, the plurality of pointers each identifying at least one remote computer or resource on the network;

providing a pointer identified by the index to the remote device over a network.