System for Scanable Icon Detection and Management

• US 20130188095A1
• Filed: 07/23/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ted Elliott Hartson
• Original Assignee: Symbol Shifters LLC
• Inventors: Hartson, Ted Elliott, Ciciora, Walter Stanley, Brown, Elijah Ethan
• Granted Patent: US 8,667,539 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/589
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44504 Circuit details of the additional information generator, e.g. details of the character or graphics signal generator, overlay mixing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/025 Systems for the transmission of digital non-picture data, e.g. of text during the active part of a television frame transmission of digital non-picture data during the vertical blanking interval only H04N7/088

Abstract

This invention enables Scanable Icons, which may be predetermined graphical images, and similar encoded information to be applied to video systems in a manner that is user-friendly and brings many of the advantages of easy information access and management to the video environment. The optical path normally required when using such encoded information is avoided. Supplementary information, including more details for advertisements, is provided in a non-invasive manner, allowing the user to access the supplementary information at convenient times and locations. The Scanable Icon adds a symbol to the existing advertisement without increasing its duration. Advertising is made substantially more effective for the advertiser and more useful for the consumer.

Claims

1. A system for managing information relating to a predetermined graphical image that includes a coded data sequence, the predetermined graphical image included in an analog or digital video signal, the data sequence generated by a source provider, the system comprising:

a. A data stream processor configured to receive and process one or more analog or digital video signals;

b. A video decoder configured to decode at least one of the analog or digital video signals in order to generate a digital video data stream;

c. A graphical image detector configured to receive a digital video data stream from the data stream processor or the video decoder, and to locate in the video data stream, data corresponding to the predetermined graphical image;

d. A lookup table configured to receive information relating to detection parameters for one or more different types of graphical images that include coded data sequences, and to provide information relating to detection parameters for the type of the predetermined graphical image to the graphical image detector;

e. A graphical image decoder configured to receive information from the graphical image detector and to decode the predetermined graphical image in order to extract at least some of the data in the data sequence of the predetermined graphical image;

f. A first library configured to receive from the graphical image decoder decoded information from the predetermined graphical image and ancillary information relating to the predetermined graphical image, the ancillary information relevant to the analog or digital video signal that includes the predetermined graphical image.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the video decoder converts analog information from the data stream processor to a digital signal.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the ancillary information includes information relating to the analog or digital video signal in which the predetermined graphical image is included;

the time that the predetermined graphical image occurred in the signal; and

a program identification relating to a program within which the predetermined graphical image occurred.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the lookup table is configured to receive from a multiple channel video provider information relating to detection parameters for one or more different types of graphical images that include coded data sequences.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined graphical image is a two dimensional coded image.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined graphical image is a one dimensional coded image.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined graphical image is a quick response code.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein the graphical image detector is configured to conduct error correction on the coded data sequence included in predetermined graphical image, and to provide information related to the error correction in order to indicate figure of goodness for a transmission path of the predetermined graphical image.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is included in a subscriber unit and the data stream processor is configured to receive and process one or more analog or digital video signals from a video provider.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is included in a processing facility of a video provider.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes a video replacement generator that is configured to receive signals from the video decoder and information contained in the first library, and to provide signals that contain a replacement graphical image that includes a coded data sequence.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes a video replacement generator that is configured to receive signals from the video decoder and to provide signals that do not contain a graphical image that includes a coded data sequence.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system includes a video replacement generator that is configured to receive signals from the video decoder and to provide signals that contain indicia to indicate that a graphical image that includes a coded data sequence has been provided to the first library.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is configured to provide a video data stream that replicates at least some signals provided by a video provider.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is configured to provide at least some of the data sequence included in the predetermined graphical image via wired or wireless connection.

16. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is included in a user unit and is configured to provide coupon information in the coded data sequence included in the predetermined graphical image for output to a printer, smartphone, wireless device, or privilege fob.

17. A system according to claim 1 wherein the system is included in a user unit and the first library is configured to provide at least some of the decoded information from the predetermined graphical image and ancillary information relating to the predetermined graphical image to a user device for searching and use by a user.

18. A system for managing information relating to a predetermined graphical image that includes a coded data sequence, the predetermined graphical image included in an analog or digital video signal, the data sequence generated by a source provider, the system included in a processing facility of a video provider, the system comprising:

a. A data stream processor configured to receive and process one or more analog or digital video signals;

b. A video decoder configured to decode at least one of the analog or digital video data signals in order to generate a digital video data stream;

c. A graphical image detector configured to receive a digital video data stream from the data stream processor or the video decoder, and to locate in the video data stream, data corresponding to the predetermined graphical image;

d. A lookup table configured to receive information relating to detection parameters for one or more different types of graphical images that include coded data sequences, and to provide information relating to detection parameters for the type of the predetermined graphical image to the graphical image detector;

e. A graphical image decoder configured to receive information from the graphical image detector and to decode the predetermined graphical image in order to extract at least some of the data in the coded data sequence included in the predetermined graphical image;

f. A first library configured to receive from the graphical image decoder decoded information from the predetermined graphical image and ancillary information relating to the predetermined graphical image, the ancillary information relevant to the analog or digital video data signal that includes the predetermined graphical image; and

g. A second library configured to receive at least some of the information in the first library and local control or downloadable instructions, and to output information relating to the coded data sequence included in the predetermined graphical image and the ancillary information relevant to the analog or digital video data signal that includes the predetermined graphical image, to at least one media insertion and management processing facility.

19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the second library is configured to output information relating to a data sequence included in a first predetermined graphical image and ancillary information relevant to a data signal that includes the first predetermined graphical image, to a first media insertion and management processing facility, and to output information relating to a data sequence included in a second predetermined graphical image and ancillary information relevant to a data signal that includes the second predetermined graphical image, to a second media insertion and management processing facility.

20. A method for managing information relating to a predetermined graphical image that includes a coded data sequence, the predetermined graphical image included in an analog or digital video signal, the data sequence generated by a source provider, the method comprising:

a. In a data stream processor, receiving and processing one or more analog or digital video signals;

b. In a video decoder, decoding at least one of the signals and generating a digital video data stream;

c. In a graphical image detector, receiving a digital video data stream from the data stream processor or the video decoder, and locating in the video data stream, data corresponding to the predetermined graphical image;

d. In a lookup table, receiving information relating to detection parameters for one or more different types of graphical images that include coded data sequences, and providing information relating to detection parameters for the type of the predetermined graphical image to the graphical image detector;

e. In a graphical image decoder, receiving information from the graphical image detector and decoding the predetermined graphical image to extract at least some of the data in the data sequence of the predetermined graphical image; and

f. In a first library, receiving from the graphical image decoder decoded information from the predetermined graphical image and ancillary information relating to the predetermined graphical image, the ancillary information relevant to the data signal that includes the predetermined graphical image.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the method is practiced by a user.

22. A method according to claim 20, wherein the method is practiced by a video provider.