Methods and systems for interacting with printed articles, such as posters

• US 7,377,421 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2004
• Issued: 05/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Rhoads, Geoffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labaze; Edwyn
• Application Number:
  US10/817,456
• Publication Number:
  US 20040258275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/380, 235485-487, 235/470, 235/472, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/382, 235/383, 382180-181, 705/1, 709217-219, 709/227
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/23 Identity cards
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/305 Associated digital information record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/333 Watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/14 the marking being sensed by radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/18 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2019/06253 for a specific application
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1447 extracting optical codes from image or text carrying said optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/321 using wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2201/0064 for copy protection or copy management, e.g. CGMS, copy only once, one-time copy
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/253 : visually
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/0034 : using watermarks
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/004 : using digital security elements, e.g. information coded on a magnetic thread or strip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 : for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/26 : for printing, stamping, franking, typing or teleprinting apparatus ticket printing or the like apparatus G07F17/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 : by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 : Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/018 : Audio watermarking, i.e. embedding inaudible data in the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 : Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00884 : involving a watermark, i.e. a barely perceptible transformation of the original data which can nevertheless be recognised by an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00891 : embedded in audio data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 : relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00037 : Detecting, i.e. determining the occurrence of a predetermined state H04N1/00031 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 : from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• 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 1/3216 : using Fourier transforms
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32203 : Spatial or amplitude domain methods H04N1/32309 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32208 : involving changing the magnitude of selected pixels, e.g. overlay of information or super-imposition H04N1/32219, H04N1/32224 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32229 : with selective or adaptive application of the additional information, e.g. in selected regions of the image H04N1/32213 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32251 : in multilevel data, e.g. greyscale or continuous tone data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32288 : Multiple embedding, e.g. cocktail embedding, or redundant embedding, e.g. repeating the additional information at a plurality of locations in the image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32352 : Controlling detectability or arrangements to facilitate detection or retrieval of the embedded information, e.g. using markers for decoding, detection or retrieval operations H04N1/32149 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 : of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3233 : of authentication information, e.g. digital signature, watermark
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• 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

Abstract

A user detects data from a poster using a handheld appliance. The appliance then contacts a remote computer based on the data obtained from the poster, and can perform any of a variety of functions, such as purchasing tickets to a concert or movie, or downloading music. The data can be obtained from the poster in various ways, such as by optical sensing (e.g., of digital watermarks or bar codes) or by electromagnetic detection.

Claims

1. A method of interacting with a poster that presents visible information to a viewer, the method comprising:

using a handheld appliance, receiving machine-readable digital data from the poster, said data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster; and

by reference to said machine-readable data received from the poster, establishing a link to a remote computer;

wherein the appliance includes an output device, and the method includes presenting information to a user based on data obtained from said remote computer using said output device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the machine-readable digital data is electromagnetically, and not optically, received from the poster.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

under control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said poster, from which image the digital data is then decoded.

4. The method of claim 1 that includes presenting plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action said plural options depending on said digital data.

5. The method of claim 4 in which said options include plural of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting electronic content to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which electronic content is stored.

6. A method of interacting with a poster that presents visible information to a viewer, the method comprising:

using a handheld appliance, receiving machine-readable digital data from the poster, said data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster; and

by reference to said machine-readable data received from the poster, establishing a link to a remote computer;

wherein the method includes communicating over said link to cause electronic content to be transferred, and said electronic content comprises a song.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the machine-readable digital data is electromagnetically, and not optically, received from the poster.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

under control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said poster, from which image the digital data is then decoded.

9. The method of claim 6 that includes presenting plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action, said plural options depending on said digital data.

10. The method of claim 9 in which said options include plural of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting audio to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which audio is stored.

11. A method of interacting with a poster that presents visible information to a viewer, the method comprising:

using a handheld appliance, receiving machine-readable digital data from the poster, said data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster; and

by reference to said machine-readable data received from the poster, establishing a link to a remote computer;

wherein the poster is printed, and the printing includes a plural-bit code steganographically encoded therein.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said poster, from which image the digital data is then decoded.

13. The method of claim 11 that includes presenting plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action, said plural options depending on said digital data.

14. The method of claim 13 which said options include plural of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting electronic content to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which electronic content is stored.

15. A method of interacting with a poster that presents visible information to a viewer, the method comprising:

using a handheld appliance, receiving machine-readable digital data from the poster, said data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster; and

by reference to said machine-readable data received from the poster, establishing a link to a remote computer;

wherein the appliance transmits at least some of the machine-readable data to a remote database, and the method further includes;

determining, at said remote database, a URL corresponding to said machine-readable data, and transmitting data identifying said URL to the appliance; and

at said appliance, fetching information from said URL.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the machine-readable digital data is electromagnetically, and not optically, received from the poster.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

under control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said poster, from which image the digital data is then decoded.

18. The method of claim 15 that includes presenting plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action, said plural options depending on said digital data.

19. The method of claim 18 in which said options include plural of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting electronic content to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which electronic content is stored.

20. A system comprising:

a poster presenting visible information to a viewer; and

a handheld appliance, the appliance including means for obtaining digital data from the poster, said obtained digital data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster, and acting based thereon,

wherein said digital data comprises first and second data fields, one of said fields serving to identify an internet address, and a second of said fields serving to convey identification data that can be passed to said internet address to elicit a response corresponding to said poster.

21. A method of interacting with a poster that presents visible information to a viewer, the method comprising:

through use of a wireless, handheld device, receiving machine-readable digital data from the poster, said data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster;

by reference to said sensed data and a database, determining an address; and

communicating with said address to trigger downloading of music to a user;

wherein said machine-readable digital data is steganographically encoded in artwork printed on said poster.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

under control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said poster, from which image the digital data is then decoded.

23. The method of claim 21 that includes presenting plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action, said plural options depending on said digital data.

24. The method of claim 23 in which said options include plural of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting audio to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which audio is stored.

25. A method comprising:

encoding payload data in a poster that presents visible information to a viewer, said payload data being manifested in a manner such that its existence is not apparent from visual inspection of the poster;

reading the payload data from the poster using a wireless, handheld device; and

using the data read by the handheld device to provide a commerce opportunity involving music promoted by said poster.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the machine-readable digital data is electromagnetically, and not optically, received from the poster.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

under control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said poster, from which image the digital data is then decoded.

28. The method of claim 25 that includes presenting plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action, said plural options depending on said digital data.

29. The method of claim 28 in which said options include plural of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting audio to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which audio is stored.

30. A method comprising:

encoding payload data in a poster that presents visible information to a viewer;

reading the payload data from the poster using a wireless, handheld device; and

using the data read by the handheld device to provide a commerce opportunity involving music promoted by said poster;

wherein said payload data is steganographically encoded in artwork printed on said poster.

31. A method of interacting with a printed article, for situations where marking of the article with a barcode may be undesirable for aesthetic purposes, the article being printed with artwork intended for viewing by a viewer, the method comprising the acts:

capturing image data from the article using a handheld appliance, said image data comprising data representing said artwork;

deriving, from the captured data representing the artwork, an identifier corresponding thereto;

by reference to said identifier, accessing corresponding data in a remote computer; and

as a consequence of the foregoing, presenting information corresponding to said printed article on an output device of the handheld appliance;

wherein the present method is suitable for situations where aesthetic considerations make use of bar codes undesirable, because the present identifier is derived from the artwork intended for viewing by a human viewer.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the artwork comprises a photograph, and the method includes deriving the identifier based, at least in part, on the data representing said photograph.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the artwork comprises a photograph of a person, and the method includes deriving the identifier based, at least in part, on the data representing said photograph.

34. The method of claim 31 in which the presented information comprises a song.

35. The method of claim 31 wherein the article comprises a promotional poster.

36. The method of claim 35 in which the presented information invites a user of said appliance to enter into a commercial transaction relating to a subject promoted by said poster.

37. The method of claim 31 in which the presented information invites a user of said appliance to enter into a commercial transaction.

38. The method of claim 31 in which the presented information includes plural options from which a user can select a desired follow-up action.

39. The method of claim 38 in which said plural options depend, at least in part, on said derived identifier.

40. The method of claim 39 in which said options include at least one of the following actions:

linking to a fan web site, downloading audio to said appliance, requesting electronic content to be downloaded to a storage site distinct from said appliance, and ordering physical media on which electronic content is stored.

41. The method of claim 31 in which the deriving comprises applying an algorithm that takes image pixel values as input, and provides the identifier as output.

42. The method of claim 41 in which the algorithm comprises a steganographic decoding algorithm.

43. The method of claim 31 in which said appliance includes functions of both a palmtop computer and a digital camera, and the method includes—

under control of a user of said appliance—

snapping an image of said article, from which image the identifier is derived.