NETWORK LINKING METHODS AND APPARATUS

• US 20110066734A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• 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) using a programmed electronic processor, 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) using a programmed electronic processor, 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. a 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 in which the color imagery comprises video.

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

10. A method comprising:

a) using a programmed electronic processor, 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. An apparatus comprising:

means for storing data representing an audio signal;

means for analyzing the data representing an audio signal to calculate identifying data therefrom;

means for initiating communication of the identifying data to a remote device over a network, in which said remote device uses the identifying data to identify a pointer from among a plurality of pointers, the plurality of pointers each identifying a remote computer or resource on the network; and

means for controlling use of a pointer identified by the index and received from the remote device over the network.