Encoding and decoding data in an image

• US 8,094,870 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2007
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thryv, Inc. (Mudrick Capital Management LP)
• Original Assignee: SpyderLynk LLC
• Inventors: Crookham, David M., Skogg, Nicole S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhavesh
• Assistant Examiner(s): MOTSINGER, SEAN T
• Application Number:
  US11/627,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20070189579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,809 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 235454-473
• US Class Current: 382/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06009 with optically detectable marking G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06103 the marking being embedded in a human recognizable image, e.g. a company logo with an embedded two-dimensional code
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1448 based on markings or identifiers characterising the document or the area
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/18143 Extracting features based on salient regional features, e.g. scale invariant feature transform [SIFT] keypoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32309 in colour image data

Abstract

A graphically based encoded image, symbol or icon that can serve as a link from physical material or visual displays to electronic data to retrieve specific or general information. In one example, a graphic image is encoded with a value that is linked to a reference lookup table. For example, a numeric value may be encoded to form an encoded image by providing a primary image, such as a logo, and by positioning one or more secondary images or shapes in reference to the primary image, wherein the position of the secondary image relative to the primary image corresponds or relates to the numeric value. Generally, the encoded image may be in the form of any shape, figure or logo, and may be associated with, for example, an advertisement, web site, marketing program, corporate promotion, product promotion, sweepstakes, business cards, personal information, and other mediums for the exchange of information.

Claims

1. A printed medium having an encoded image printed thereon, the encoded image having a value encoded therein, the encoded image adapted to be captured by a mobile camera phone for processing, comprising:

a primary image, wherein the primary image is a human readable logo, and the primary image is associated with a portion of the value; and

one or more secondary images selectively positioned relative to the primary image, wherein the position of the one or more secondary images relative to the primary image is associated with another portion of the value;

wherein the value is referenced to a marketing database.

2. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the primary image relates to a product.

3. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the primary image includes an astrological sign.

4. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the primary image includes a person'"'"'s initials.

11. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the printed medium is a printed advertisement.

12. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the printed medium is a product label.

13. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the printed medium is a brochure.

14. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the printed medium is a sticker.

15. The printed medium of claim 1, wherein the printed medium is a business card.

5. A printed medium having an encoded image printed thereon, the encoded image having value encoded therein, the encoded image adapted to be captured by a mobile camera phone, comprising:

a primary image, wherein the primary image is a human readable logo, and the primary image is associated with a portion of the value; and

one or more secondary images positioned about the primary image, the secondary images having a color related to another portion of the value;

wherein the value is referenced to a marketing database.

6. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the primary image relates to a product.

7. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the primary image includes an astrological sign.

8. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the primary image includes a person'"'"'s initials.

16. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the printed medium is a printed advertisement.

17. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the printed medium is a product label.

18. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the printed medium is a brochure.

19. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the printed medium is a sticker.

20. The printed medium of claim 5, wherein the printed medium is a business card.

9. A method for encoding an image with a value, comprising:

providing a primary image, the primary image being a human readable logo and the primary image associated with a portion of the value; and

selectively positioning one or more secondary images in reference to the primary image, wherein the position of the one or more secondary images relative to the primary image is associated with another portion of the value;

wherein the value is referenced to a marketing database.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the primary image includes an image related to a product.