System and method for associating content with an image bearing surface

• US 7,922,099 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Handelman, Michael, Young, Elizabeth, Schmidt, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/322,800
• Time in Patent Office: 1,929 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.14, 23547201-47203, 235/494, 23546245-46249, 235/375
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/063 with hand-placed probe or plug

Abstract

Systems and methods for associating content with an image bearing surface. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a method, operable at an electronic interactive device, comprises accessing a first image, e.g., identifying the content, on a surface, wherein the surface comprises an encoded pattern of location information on the surface for providing location information to the electronic interactive device. The method further comprises decoding the first image to associate the location information with second image information, e.g., of the content, of a second image on the surface.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

accessing a first image on a surface, wherein said surface comprises an encoded pattern of location information on said surface for providing location information to an electronic interactive device; and

wherein further said encoded pattern of location information defines a portion of a dot space; and

decoding said first image to associate said location information with second image information of a plurality of second images on said surface;

wherein said first image identifies a web page comprising said plurality of second images and a plurality of memory-stored content associated with said plurality of second images; and

associating said portion of said dot space with said web page, wherein said accessing and said decoding and associating are performed by said electronic interactive device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said encoded pattern is substantially invisible.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said second image information is resident on said electronic interactive device at a time of said decoding.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second image information is not resident on said electronic interactive device at a time of said decoding.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said second image information comprises an address of a source of said plurality of second images.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said address is a universal resource locator.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said first image encodes information by obscuring a portion of said encoded pattern.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said second image information comprises positional information of elements of said plurality of second images.

9. A method comprising:

accessing a first image on a surface, wherein said surface comprises an encoded pattern of location information on said surface for providing location information to an electronic interactive device; and

wherein further said encoded pattern of location information defines a portion of a dot space;

decoding said first image to associate said location information with second image information of a plurality of second image on said surface;

wherein said first image identifies a web page comprising said plurality of second images and a plurality of memory-stored content associated with said plurality of second images;

associating said portion of said dot space with said web page; and

responsive to said electronic interactive device accessing a portion of said plurality of second images, performing an action associated with said portion of said plurality of second images, wherein said accessing, decoding, associating and performing are performed by said electronic interactive device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said action is to render an audio content associated with said portion of said plurality of second images.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said action is to render an audio content associated with accessing said portion of said plurality of second images.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said action comprises accessing content not resident on said electronic interactive device at a time of said accessing said portion of said plurality of second images.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said accessing content comprises accessing the internet.

14. A pen-shaped device comprising:

an optical detector coupled to a housing;

a processor coupled to said optical sensor; and

a memory coupled to said processor, said memory unit comprising instructions that when executed implement a method, said method comprising;

accessing a first image on a surface, wherein said surface comprises an encoded pattern of location information on said surface for providing location information to said pen-shaped device; and

wherein further said encoded pattern of location information defines a portion of a dot space; and

decoding said first image to associate said location information with second image information of a plurality of second images on said surface;

wherein said first image identifies a web page comprising said plurality of second images and a plurality of memory-stored content associated with said plurality of second images; and

associating said portion of said dot space with said web page.

15. The pen-shaped device of claim 14 further comprising a wireless communications unit coupled to said processor for accessing said second image information.

16. The pen-shaped device of claim 14 wherein second image information is resident on said pen-shaped device at a time of said decoding.

17. The pen-shaped device of claim 15 wherein said second image information is not present on said pen-shaped device at a time of said decoding.

18. The pen-shaped device of claim 17 wherein said address is a universal resource locator.

19. The pen-shaped device of claim 14 wherein said second image information comprises an address of a source of said plurality of second images.

20. The pen-shaped device of claim 14 wherein said first image encodes information by obscuring a portion of said encoded pattern.

21. The pen-shaped device of claim 14 wherein said second image information comprises positional information of elements of said plurality of second images.

22. A method of identifying information, said method comprising:

scanning a first image printed on a surface, wherein said surface has printed thereon an encoded pattern of location information for use by a pen computer device and wherein further said encoded pattern of location information defines a portion of a dot space;

recognizing said first image wherein said first image identifies a web page comprising a plurality of second images and a plurality of memory-stored content associated with said plurality of second images; and

associating said portion of said dot space with said web page, wherein said scanning, said recognizing and said associating are performed by said pen computer device.

23. A method as described in claim 22 further comprising, in response to said pen computer device selecting a selected one of said second images, performing an action related to a memory-stored content that is associated with said selected one of said plurality of second images.

24. A method as described in claim 23 wherein said action is audibly rendering a recording.

25. A method as described in claim 22 further comprising, in response to said pen computer device selecting a selected one of said second images, accessing a memory-stored content that is associated with said selected one of said plurality of second images.

26. A method as described in claim 25 wherein said memory-stored content that is associated with said selected one of said plurality of second images is a universal resource locator.

27. A method as described in claim 22 wherein said first image is a bar code image.

28. A method as described in claim 22 further comprising:

printing said plurality of second images on said surface; and

printing said first image on said surface.

29. A method as described in claim 28 further comprising loading said plurality of memory-stored content that is associated with said plurality of second images onto a memory of said pen computer device.

30. A method as described in claim 29 wherein said printings and said loading occur substantially contemporaneously.