METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INTERACTING WITH PHYSICAL OBJECTS

• US 20110062229A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
• Original Assignee: Geoffrey B. Rhoads
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,256,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/23 Identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/305 Associated digital information record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/333 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/18 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1447 extracting optical codes from image or text carrying said optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 : using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 : using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 : for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 : for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 : by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 : Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 : Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 : relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 : Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 : from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 : embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3216 : using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32203 : Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32208 : involving changing the magnitude of selected pixels, e.g. overlay of information or super-imposition H04N1/32219, H04N1/32224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 : with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32251 : in multilevel data, e.g. greyscale or continuous tone data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32288 : Multiple embedding, e.g. cocktail embedding, or redundant embedding, e.g. repeating the additional information at a plurality of locations in the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32352 : Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information

Abstract

A camera, of a handheld computing device, is used to capture a picture of an object. At least some image data corresponding to the captured picture is provided to a processor, which returns processed information corresponding to the object. By reference to this processed information, the system automatically identifies a particular one of plural different software application programs—a program that is particularly relevant to the object, rather than being generally relevant to all objects. Output information is then produced using the identified software application program, which is then presented to the user, e.g., on a screen of the handheld computing device. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

capturing image data corresponding to an object, using a camera of a computing device, wherein the object does not include visible digital encoding;

providing at least some of the image data to a processor;

receiving, from the processor, processed information corresponding to the object and based on the at least some of the image data;

identifying, by reference to the processed information, a particular one of plural different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application program or routine is particularly relevant to the object, and wherein the identified software application program or routine is not generally relevant to all objects;

producing output information, using the identified software application program or routine; and

presenting the output information using an output component of the computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device has plural different software application programs or routines stored thereon, and wherein the identifying comprises identifying a particular one of said software application programs or routines stored on the computing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises consulting a data structure in a memory of the computing device, wherein the data structure in the memory of the computing device comprises the plural different software application programs or routines.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising operating the camera in a mode wherein the camera is continuously capturing a sequence of image frames, and wherein the at least some of the image data provided to the processor corresponds to an image frame from the sequence.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the at least some of the image data to derive the processed information therefrom.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying plural different processes to the at least some of the image data to try and find a process that yields processed information that is valid.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing the at least some of the image data with a digital watermark decoding process to derive the processed information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing comprises providing the at least some of the image data to a processor remote from the computing device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the object is printed with artwork intended for viewing by a viewer, wherein the artwork comprises steganographically encoded information.

10. A method comprising:

capturing image data corresponding to an object, using a camera of a computing device, wherein the object does not include visible digital encoding;

providing at least some of the image data to a processor;

receiving, from the processor, processed information corresponding to the object and based on the at least some of the image data;

identifying, by reference to the processed information, two or more different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application programs or routines are particularly relevant to the object, and wherein the identified software application programs or routines are not generally relevant to all objects;

presenting information to a user inviting the user to select one of said two or more identified software application programs or routines;

receiving information about a selection from the user;

producing output information using the selected software application program or routine; and

presenting the output information using an output component of the computing device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the computing device has plural different software application programs or routines stored thereon, and wherein the identifying comprises identifying particular ones of said software application programs or routines stored on the computing device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the identifying comprises consulting a data structure in a memory of the computing device, wherein the data structure in the memory of the computing device comprises the plural different software application programs or routines.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising operating the camera in a mode wherein the camera is continuously capturing a sequence of image frames, and wherein the at least some of the image data provided to the processor corresponds to an image frame from the sequence.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising processing the at least some of the image data to derive the processed information therefrom.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising applying plural different processes to the at least some of the image data to try and find a process that yields processed information that is valid.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising processing the provided image data with a digital watermark decoding process to derive the processed information.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the providing comprises providing the at least some of the image data to a processor remote from the computing device.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the object is printed with artwork intended for viewing by a viewer, and wherein the artwork comprises steganographically encoded information.

19. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions comprising:

instructions to capture image data corresponding to an object using a camera;

instructions to provide at least some of the image data to a processor;

instructions to process the at least some of the image data to produce processed information corresponding to the object;

instructions to identify, by reference to the processed information, a particular one of plural different software application programs or routines stored in a data store, wherein the identified software application program or routine is particularly relevant to the object, and wherein the identified software application program or routine is not generally relevant to all objects;

instructions to use the identified software application program or routine to produce output information; and

instructions to present the output information.

20. A method comprising:

operating a camera of a computing device in a mode in which it captures a sequence of image frames in an automated, on-going fashion, wherein at least one of the frames depicts a scene;

providing at least some image data corresponding to the at least one of the frames to a processor;

receiving, from the processor, processed information corresponding to the scene and based on the provided image data;

identifying, by reference to the processed information and a data structure in the computing device containing reference information, a particular one of plural different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application program or routine is particularly relevant to a subject depicted in the scene, wherein the identified software application program or routine is not generally relevant to all subjects, wherein the identifying is performed without consulting a remote data structure, and wherein the subject is free of inked or other printed markings;

executing the identified software application program or routine; and

providing response data to a user based on an output from execution of the identified software application program or routine.

21. A method comprising:

capturing image data corresponding to a scene, using a camera of a computing device;

providing at least some of the image data to a processor;

receiving, from the processor, processed information corresponding to the scene and based on the at least some of the image data;

identifying, by reference to the processed information, a particular one of plural different sets of software instructions, wherein the identified set of software instructions are particularly relevant to a subject depicted in the scene, and wherein the identified set of software instructions are not generally relevant to all subjects; and

executing the identified set of software instructions, wherein execution of the identified set of software instructions involves further processing of the image data.

22. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions comprising:

instructions to process image data corresponding to an image scene captured by a camera to produce processed information;

instructions to identify, by reference to the processed information, a particular one of plural different sets of software instructions, wherein the identified set of software instructions are particularly relevant to a subject depicted in the scene, and wherein the identified set of software instructions are not generally relevant to all subjects; and

instructions to execute the identified set of software instructions, wherein the execution involves further processing of image data captured by the camera.

23. An apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to capture image data corresponding to an object;

a data store configured to store a plurality of software application programs and routines;

a processor configured to;

process the at least some of the image data to produce processed information corresponding to the object;

identify, by reference to the processed information, a particular one of the plural software application programs and routines, wherein the identified software application program or routine is particularly relevant to the object, and wherein the identified software application program or routine is not generally relevant to all objects; and

use the identified software application program or routine to produce output information; and

a display configured to present the output information.

24. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions comprising:

instructions to capture image data corresponding to an object, using a camera, wherein the object does not include visible digital encoding;

instructions to generate processed information corresponding to the object and based on the at least some of the image data;

instructions to identify, by reference to the processed information, two or more different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application programs or routines are particularly relevant to the object, and wherein the identified software application programs or routines are not generally relevant to all objects;

instructions to present information to a user inviting the user to select one of said two or more identified software application programs or routines;

instructions to receive information about a selection from the user;

instructions to produce output information using the selected software application program or routine; and

instructions to present the output information using an output component of the computing device.

25. An apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to capture image data corresponding to an object, wherein the object does not include visible digital encoding;

a processor configured to;

receive at least some of the image data to a processor;

generate processed information corresponding to the object and based on the at least some of the image data; and

identify, by reference to the processed information, two or more different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application programs or routines are particularly relevant to the object, and wherein the identified software application programs or routines are not generally relevant to all objects;

a display configured to present information to a user inviting the user to select one of said two or more identified software application programs or routines;

the processor further configured to;

receive information about a selection from the user; and

produce output information using the selected software application program or routine; and

the display further configured to present the output information.

26. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions comprising:

instructions to operate a camera in a mode in which it captures a sequence of image frames in an automated, on-going fashion, wherein at least one of the frames depicts a scene;

instructions to provide at least some image data corresponding to the at least one of the frames to a processor;

instructions to receive, from the processor, processed information corresponding to the scene and based on the provided image data;

instructions to identify, by reference to the processed information and a data structure in the computing device containing reference information, a particular one of plural different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application program or routine is particularly relevant to a subject depicted in the scene, wherein the identified software application program or routine is not generally relevant to all subjects, wherein the identifying is performed without consulting a remote data structure, and wherein the subject is free of inked or other printed markings;

instructions to execute the identified software application program or routine; and

instructions to provide response data to a user based on an output from execution of the identified software application program or routine.

27. An apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to capture a sequence of image frames in an automated, on-going fashion, wherein at least one of the frames depicts a scene;

a processor configured to;

generate processed information corresponding to the scene and based on the provided image data;

identify, by reference to the processed information and a data structure in the computing device containing reference information, a particular one of plural different software application programs or routines, wherein the identified software application program or routine is particularly relevant to a subject depicted in the scene, wherein the identified software application program or routine is not generally relevant to all subjects, wherein the identifying is performed without consulting a remote data structure, and wherein the subject is free of inked or other printed markings; and

execute the identified software application program or routine; and

a display configured to provide response data to a user based on an output from execution of the identified software application program or routine.

28. An apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to capture an image scene,

a processor configured to;

process image data corresponding to the image scene to produce processed information;

identify, by reference to the processed information, a particular one of plural different sets of software instructions, wherein the identified set of software instructions are particularly relevant to a subject depicted in the scene, and wherein the identified set of software instructions are not generally relevant to all subjects; and

execute the identified set of software instructions, wherein the execution involves further processing of image data captured by the camera.

29. A method comprising:

capturing image data corresponding to an object, using a camera;

generating processed information corresponding to the object and based in part on the image data;

identifying, by reference to the processed information, an application; and

executing the application.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising operating the camera in a mode wherein the camera is continuously capturing a sequence of image frames, and wherein at least some of the image data corresponds to an image frame from the sequence.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the generating processed information comprises decoding a digital watermark within the image data.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the generating processed information comprises:

applying multiple different processes to the image data; and

determining if a different process generates valid processed information.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising presenting output information from the executed application.

34. An apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to capture image data corresponding to an object; and

a processor configured to;

generate processed information corresponding to the object and based in part on the image data;

identify, by reference to the processed information, an application; and

execute the application.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the camera is further configured to operate in a mode wherein the camera is continuously capturing a sequence of image frames, and wherein at least some of the image data corresponds to an image frame from the sequence.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processor is configured by decode a digital watermark within the image data to generate processed information.

37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processor is configured to:

apply multiple different processes to the image data; and

determine if a different process generates valid processed information to generate processed information.

38. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processor is further configured to present output information from the executed application.

39. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions comprising:

instructions to capture image data corresponding to an object; and

instructions to generate processed information corresponding to the object and based in part on the image data;

instructions to identify, by reference to the processed information, an application; and

instructions to execute the application.

40. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to operate continuously capture a sequence of image frames, and wherein at least some of the image data corresponds to an image frame from the sequence.

41. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to decode a digital watermark within the image data to generate processed information.

42. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to:

apply multiple different processes to the image data; and

determine if a different process generates valid processed information to generate processed information.

43. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to present output information from the executed application.