DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING AND RETRIEVING INFORMATION IN DIGITAL IMAGES

• US 20120013766A1
• Filed: 06/28/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rothschild Trust Holdings LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Original Assignee: Rothschild Trust Holdings LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Leigh M.
• Application Number:
  US13/171,177
• Publication Number:
  US 20120013766A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32112 in a separate computer file, document page or paper sheet, e.g. a fax cover sheet H04N1/32122 takes precedence
• 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 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8216 using time division multiplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

A digital imaging device and methods thereof that will enable the embedding and retrieving of information in digital images are provided. The digital imaging device includes a capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file; an input module for inputting information regarding the captured image; and a processing module for associating the inputted information to the digital image file. The device further includes a scanning module for reading a symbology associated with a printed digital image and wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file. The device may be embodied as a digital camera, a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.

Claims

1-41. -41. (canceled)

42. A digital imaging device comprising:

a first capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file, the digital image file comprising data representing the captured image;

a display module disposed on the digital imaging device for displaying the captured image and configured to allow a user to input information regarding the captured image;

an input module disposed on the digital imaging device allowing the user to input subject information related to a subject of each captured image, the first capture module configured to scan information to be associated with the captured image;

a processing module for associating the information to the digital image file; and

a transmission module for transmitting the digital image file and the associated information to the external computing device for storage and data lookup.

43. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the first capture module is configured to scan coded information to be associated with the captured image.

44. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the display module is further adapted for displaying the associated information.

45. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the coded information associated with the digital image file is printed with the captured image.

46. The digital imaging device of claim 42, further comprising a microphone for acquiring audio to be associated to the digital image file.

47. The digital imaging device of claim 46, wherein the processing module converts the acquired audio to text using voice recognition techniques to be associated to the digital image file.

48. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the transmission module is selected from the group consisting of a hardwired connection, a wireless connection and a removable memory card slot for receiving removable memory.

49. The digital imaging device of claim 42, further comprising an auxiliary input module for determining a geographic location of where the captured image was taken, wherein the processing module associates the determined geographic location to the captured image.

50. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the processing module is adapted to create a separate information file including the inputted information that is associated to the digital image file.

51. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the processing module is adapted to append the inputted information to the digital image file.

52. The digital imaging device of claim 42, wherein the digital imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, tablet computer, smartphone, or portable computer.

55. The digital imaging device of claim 43, wherein the coded information is capable of being the entire captured image.

54. The digital imaging device of claim 53, further comprising an audio output device for audibly prompting the user to input information regarding the captured image and audibly producing the inputted information.

56. A method for managing a digital image file, the method comprising:

capturing an image with a first capture module of a digital imaging device;

generating a digital image file based on the captured image;

displaying the captured image on a display of the device;

receiving input information from a user interface of the device wherein the input information includes subject information regarding the captured image and scan information;

processing the input information to associate with the digital image file;

transmitting the digital image file and associated information to the external computing device for storage and data lookup.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising receiving coded information to be associated with the digital image.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising acquiring audio using a microphone on the device and converting the audio to text using voice recognition techniques.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising determining the geographic location of where the captured image was taken and associating the geographic location to the digital image file.

60. The method of claim 56, further comprising producing audibly the associated information of the digital image file.

61. The method of claim 56, wherein the digital imaging device is selected from the group consisting of a personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phone, smartphone, portable computer, or a tablet computer.

62. The method of claim 56, further comprising appending the associated information to the digital image file.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein the coded information is capable of being the entire captured image.