Smartphone-Based Methods and Systems

• US 20120134548A1
• Filed: 10/21/2011
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B., Rodriquez, Tony F., Conwell, William Y.
• Granted Patent: US 9,183,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/118
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/61 Installation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/3885 using a plurality of independent parallel functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5027 the resource being a machine, e.g. CPUs, Servers, Terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/285 Memory allocation or algorithm optimisation to reduce hardware requirements
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/78 Detection of presence or absence of voice signals switching of direction of transmission by voice frequency in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/10
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/81 for discriminating voice from music
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/84 for discriminating voice from noise
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera

Abstract

Methods and arrangements involving portable devices are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another arrangement utilizes the camera of a smartphone to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some of the detailed technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Claims

1. A method for transferring application state between first and second devices, said devices each including a processor and a display screen, the method comprising:

using a camera in a the first device, sensing imagery presented on a display screen of the second device;

decoding digital watermark data from the sensed imagery;

based on the decoded digital watermark data, identifying stored data that memorializes an application state of the second processor; and

using said stored data to initialize the second processor to said application state.

2. The method of claim 1 that includes using said stored data to initialize a processor in the portable device to said application state.

3. A method employing a device that includes a processor and a display screen, the method comprising:

occasionally storing application state data;

digitally watermarking imagery to encode an identifier therein, the identifier facilitating access to said stored application state data; and

presenting the digitally watermarked imagery on said display screen.

4. A method comprising:

using a camera in a portable device, sensing light;

decoding an identifier from the sensed light; and

obtaining information based on the decoded identifier.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the obtaining comprises determining a location in a retail store based on the decoded identifier.

6. The method of claim 4 in which the obtaining comprises determining a number of a building on a street based on the decoded identifier.

7-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A method comprising:

sensing data from an environment illuminated by a lighting fixture;

processing the sensed data to determine information corresponding thereto; and

encoding light emitted from said lighting fixture in accordance with the determined information.

10. The method of claim 9 in which the processing includes digital watermark decoding.

11. The method of claim 9 in which the processing includes performing a pattern recognition operation.

12. The method of claim 9 in which the sensing includes sensing from a sensor associated with the lighting fixture.

13. The method of claim 9 that includes:

sensing radio signals;

processing the sensed radio signals to determine geolocation information; and

encoding light emitted from said lighting fixture in accordance with the determined geolocation information.

14. A method of linking printed news content to associated online content through use of a portable device that senses the printed news content with a camera thereof, the method comprising:

in response to receipt of a signal from a user that indicates interest in the printed news content, providing a list of associated online content to the device, for display;

wherein the method includes generating said list by;

conducting a search for associated online content using keywords related to the printed news content; and

modifying the list based on list selections by previous users.

15. The method of claim 14 in which the signal comprises digital watermark data decoded from camera-captured imagery of the printed news content.

16. The method of claim 14 in which the signal comprises barcode data decoded from camera-captured imagery of the printed news content.

17. The method of claim 14 in which the signal comprises image fingerprint data determined from camera-captured imagery of the printed news content.

18. The method of claim 14 that includes deriving one or more of said keywords by analysis of the printed news content.

19. The method of claim 18 in which said analysis comprises applying a facial recognition procedure to an image portion of the printed news content, and using a name obtained through said facial recognition procedure as a keyword.

20. The method of claim 14 that includes determining one or more of said keywords by reference to a name of an author of the printed news content.

21. A method of linking a printed photograph to associated online content through use of a portable device that captures imagery from the printed photograph, the method comprising:

providing the captured imagery to an image recognition module;

receiving from the image recognition module a name of a subject depicted in the photograph;

conducting a search for associated online content using the name as a keyword; and

providing a list of links based on said search.

22. The method of claim 21 that includes modifying the list based on list selections by previous users.

23. A method employing a portable device that includes a microphone for capturing audio, and a fingerprinting module to aid with music recognition, the method comprising:

providing captured audio from the microphone to a speech classifier; and

when the speech classifier identifies captured audio as speech, automatically disabling the fingerprinting module to conserve device battery life.