METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INITIATING APPLICATION PROCESSES BY DATA CAPTURE FROM RENDERED DOCUMENTS

• US 20110145102A1
• Filed: 10/11/2010
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clifford A. Kushler, Dale L. Grover, James Q. Stafford-Fraser, Martin T. King
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Kushler, Clifford A., Stafford-Fraser, James Q., King, Martin T., Grover, Dale L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,620,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0603 Catalogue ordering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio

Abstract

Systems, apparatus and methods for implementing transaction applications using a handheld document data capture device are described herein. The handheld device captures information from a rendered document. The captured information is processed to identify an electronic document corresponding to the rendered document. Information captured from the rendered document by the handheld capture device is used to perform a transaction. In one embodiment, a portable scanner is used to select items from a catalog. Information scanned from the catalog is used to identify the catalog, the items to be purchased, and complete an order via the Internet.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of placing an order for an item displayed in text on a rendered document, the method comprising:

capturing an image of text from a rendered document using a handheld information capture device, wherein the image of the text of the rendered document includes two or more words from the rendered document;

automatically, in response to the capturing, determining, via the handheld information capture device, that at least one of the two or more words included in the captured image of text is associated with an item capable of being ordered from an online vendor; and

placing an order for the item on behalf of the user, wherein placing the order for the item includes transmitting a request for the item to the online vendor.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a representation of the rendered document on a display device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld information capture device comprises an optical capture device.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising

transmitting fulfillment data as part of placing the order.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising

transmitting information related to delivery of the item as part of placing the order.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a confirmation to place an order for the item.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving a confirmation comprises receiving a predetermined symbol or phrase captured by the handheld information capture device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein receiving a confirmation comprises receiving an indication of a gesture with the handheld information capture device.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising priming a capture device to order at least one item.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein priming comprises capturing a predetermined symbol or phrase.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein said rendered document is selected from the group consisting of:

a magazine, a book, a catalog, a postcard, a dynamic display, a newspaper, an ad, a sign and a paper document.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the rendered document is presented on a dynamic display.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting information related to payment for the item as part of placing the order.

2-8. -8. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

19-21. -21. (canceled)

23-28. -28. (canceled)

31. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a mobile phone to place an order for an item from a rendered document, the method comprising:

receiving an image of two or more words optically captured by a user from the rendered document using an imaging component of the mobile phone;

automatically, in response to the capturing, determining that the received image of two or more words includes a word associated with an item capable of being ordered from one or more online vendors; and

placing an order for the item on behalf of the user, wherein placing the order for the item includes transmitting a request for the item to an online vendor.

32. The computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein receiving an image of two or more words optically captured by a user from the rendered document includes receiving an image that includes a first word associated with the item to be ordered and a second word not associated with the item to be ordered.