Bi-directional image capture methods and apparatuses

• US 8,055,014 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2010
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Original Assignee: Digimarc Corporation
• Inventors: Ellingson, Eric E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUCKER, WESLEY J
• Application Number:
  US12/849,514
• Publication Number:
  US 20100315495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382115-127
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3281 Encryption; Ciphering

Abstract

An apparatus has two optical portions, for capturing imagery from two directions. One portion captures imagery from the user (e.g., the user'"'"'s retina), and the other captures imagery from another subject. In one arrangement, each optical portion has its own image sensor, and the two portions operate at the same time to capture imagery. Information derived from the imagery of the user (e.g., a hash) can be used—in consultation with a database—to attempt to identify the user. Such an image hash can be steganographically embedded into the subject-related image information. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

sensing a user action;

in response to the sensed action, capturing first image data, using a first optical portion, from a first side of an apparatus, wherein the first image data depicts a subject;

in response to the sensed action, capturing second image data, using a second optical portion, from a second side of the apparatus, wherein the second image data depicts part of the user, wherein the first side of the apparatus is opposite of the second side of the apparatus, wherein the first and second optical portions have parallel but not coincident optical axes, and wherein the capturing of the first image data and the second image data occurs at the same time;

computing a hash based at least in part on the second image data;

storing information including at least information based on the first image data, and the hash; and

consulting database information comprising stored data for plural different persons, to attempt to identify, by reference to the stored information, the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the image data comprises video data, and the method further comprises wirelessly transmitting video information from the apparatus.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising creating a single data object including information based on the first image data and the hash.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein creating comprises generating third image data different than the first and second image data.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein creating comprises steganographically embedding the hash into information based on the first captured image data.

6. A video apparatus comprising:

a body configured to include a first and a second different optical portions;

the first optical portion configured to capture first image data from a first side of the body;

the second optical portion configured to capture second image data from a second, opposite side of the body, wherein the first and second optical portions have respective optical axes that are parallel but not coincident;

a controller configured to control capturing image data by the first and second optical portions, wherein at least one of the optical portions is configured to capture video, and wherein the first and second optical portions are configured to capture image data at the same time; and

a wireless portion configured to transfer data, including video data.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a processor configured to produce single video data incorporating information derived from both the first and second image data.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a processor configured to steganographically encode information based on second image data into information based on first image data.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a processor configured to steganographically encode a hash based on second sensor data into information based on first sensor data.

10. A tangible computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising:

sensing a user action;

in response to the sensed action, controlling capturing of first image data, using a first optical portion, from a first side of an apparatus, wherein the first image data depicts a subject;

in response to the sensed action, controlling capturing of second image data, using a second optical portion, from a second side of the apparatus, wherein the second image data depicts part of the user, wherein the first side of the apparatus is opposite of the second side of the apparatus, wherein the first and second optical portions have parallel but not coincident optical axes, and wherein the capturing of the first image data and the second image data occurs at the same time;

computing a hash based on the second image data;

storing information including at least information based on the first image data, and the hash; and

consulting database information comprising stored data for plural different persons, to attempt to identify, by reference to the stored information, the user.

11. The tangible computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising instructions that, if executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising controlling wirelessly transmitting video information from the apparatus, wherein at least one of the image data comprises video data.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising instructions that, if executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising creating a single data object including information based on the first image data and the hash.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein creating comprises generating third image data different than the first and second image data.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein creating comprises steganographically embedding the hash into information based on the first captured image data.