Image capture and identification system and process

• US 9,036,947 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2013
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nant Holdings IP, LLC (NantWorks, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nant Holdings IP, LLC (NantWorks, LLC)
• Inventors: Boncyk, Wayne C., Cohen, Ronald H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sherali, Ishrat I
• Application Number:
  US14/042,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20140101690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/165, 382/181, 382/305, 705 261- 272, 725 60- 61
• US Class Current: 382/305
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/08 Devices or methods enabling eye-patients to replace direct visual perception by another kind of perception
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/70 Game security or game management aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24 Querying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/50 of still image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/583 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5838 using colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5846 using extracted text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5854 using shape and object relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5866 using information manually generated, e.g. tags, keywords, comments, manually generated location and time information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/94 : Hypermedia Hyperlinking G06F40/134
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 : by using bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9558 : Details of hyperlinks; Management of linked annotations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/217 : Validation; Performance evaluation; Active pattern learning techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/22 : Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/23 : Clustering techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/12 : Classification; Matching
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/134 : Hyperlinking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 : Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 : Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/202 : Interconnection or interaction of plural electronic cash registers [ECR] or to host computer, e.g. network details, transfer of information from host to ECR or from ECR to ECR
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/208 : Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 : Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 : Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3567 : Software being in the reader
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 : Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 : involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 : Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0253 : During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 : User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 : Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 : at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 : based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 : Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 : Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 : Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 : Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 : Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 : Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 : Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/10 : Segmentation; Edge detection motion-based segmentation G06T7/215
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 : Region-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/13 : Edge detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/136 : involving thresholding
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/194 : involving foreground-background segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/246 : using feature-based methods, e.g. the tracking of corners or segments
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/33 : using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/337 : involving reference images or patches
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 : using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/462 : Salient features, e.g. scale invariant feature transforms [SIFT]
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/56 : relating to colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/7515 : Shifting the patterns to accommodate for positional errors
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/10 : Terrestrial scenes scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 : in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 : using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/224 : of printed characters having additional code marks or containing code marks
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 : Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 : Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 : Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 : using audible presentation of the information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23109 : by placing content in organized collections, e.g. EPG data repository details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23418 : involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics television picture signal circuitry for scene change detection H04N5/147; filtering for image enhancement G06T5/00; methods or arrangements for recognising scenes G06V20/00; arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 : Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 : for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 : Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 : Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8126 : involving additional data, e.g. news, sports, stocks, weather forecasts
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8173 : End-user applications, e.g. Web browser, game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 : Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3254 : Orientation, e.g. landscape or portrait; Location or order of the image data, e.g. in memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 : Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 : Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 : Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 : Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/80 : Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/91 : Television signal processing therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A digital image of the object is captured and the object is recognized from plurality of objects in a database. An information address corresponding to the object is then used to access information and initiate communication pertinent to the object.

Claims

1. A method for providing a product promotion in a real-time video stream, the method comprising:

recognizing one or more objects captured in the real-time video stream via a computer device processor, wherein at least a first object of the one or more objects is associated with a marker;

determining that the first object is associated with a product promotion based on the marker via a computing device processor;

obtaining an address related to the product promotion and the first object; and

presenting, via the address, one or more indicators on a mobile device, wherein the one or more indicators are associated with the product promotion.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting, via the address, a menu of options associated with the product promotion;

and receiving and executing a command associated with an option selected by the user from the menu of options.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising initiating a transaction associated with the menu of options.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising at least one of accessing a web site, accessing a web service, initiating a software process, initiating a telephone call, initiating a radio communication, and sending information associated with the menu of options.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects comprise at least one of a building and a store.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects comprise a product.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more indicators comprise at least one of a visual indicator, auditory indicator, and a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the product promotion comprises a promotional price.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a location of the first object based on the marker via a computing device processor.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying, via the computing device processor, the first object based on the marker.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the marker comprises data related to at least one of the following:

a sign, a product identification number, a product feature, user information, and characters.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the marker comprises a tag.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the marker comprises at least one of the following:

a symbol, a code, a barcode, a 2d code, a matrix, a character, and an alphanumeric character.

14. A method for providing a product promotion in a real-time video stream, the method comprising:

receiving, at a server, information from a user of a mobile device, wherein the information is associated with an object captured in a real-time video stream by the mobile device, the object recognized as being associated with a product promotion;

analyzing the information with financial transaction data associated with the user via a computing device processor;

obtaining an address related to the product promotion and the object; and

presenting, via the address, one or more indicators associated with the product promotion.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising initiating a financial transaction related to the product promotion.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting a communication related to the object, wherein the communication comprises at least one of a time period of the product promotion, a communication with a company representative regarding a product associated with the company, and a communication with the company representative regarding a service associated with the company.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising initiating a radio communication.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the information is associated with at least one marker associated with the object, and wherein the at least one marker is selected from the group consisting of:

alphanumeric characters, symbols, shapes, ratio of size of one feature to another feature, a bar code, radio frequency identification (RFID), building features, color and combinations thereof.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising recognizing the object as being associated with the product promotion based at least in part on the information associated with the at least one marker.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the real-time video stream comprises at least one of video footage, screen shots, stills, or combinations thereof.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the mobile device comprises at least one of a robot, a computing device, and a mobile telephone.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the financial transaction data comprises at least one of a purchase amount, bank account data, and credit card account data.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising linking the user to a website at which the user can purchase a product at a promotional price associated with the product promotion upon occurrence of a triggering event.

24. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing the user with a nearby location that sells a product associated with the product promotion.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one marker comprises a tag.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one marker comprises at least one of the following:

a symbol, a code, a barcode, a 2d code, a matrix, a character, and an alphanumeric character.

27. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

recognizing one or more objects captured in the real-time video stream via a computer device processor, wherein at least a first object of the one or more objects is associated with a marker;

determining that the first object is associated with a product promotion based on the marker via a computing device processor;

obtaining an address related to the product promotion and the first object; and

presenting, via the address, one or more indicators on a mobile device, wherein the one or more indicators are associated with the product promotion.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the one or more indicators comprises at least one of:

a visual indication, a text, a graphic, an animation, a video, an indicator light, an audio signal, a sound, music, and an information address.

29. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the one or more indicators is associated with at least one of:

an information address, an identity, an object name, a number, a classification, a position, an orientation, a size, a color, a status, coded information, and alphanumeric text.

30. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the computer-readable medium further includes computer-executable instructions for performing the step of presenting the one or more indicators associated with the product promotion on a second mobile device.

31. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the one or more objects comprises at least one of a business location, a sign, artwork, and a product.

32. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the computer-readable medium further includes computer-executable instructions for performing the step of identifying the first object based on the marker.

33. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the computer-readable medium further includes computer-executable instructions for performing the step of identifying a location associated with the one or more objects based on geographical coordinates received from a user using the mobile device.

34. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the computer-readable medium further includes computer-executable instructions for performing the step of presenting, via the address, an indicator associated with a second product promotion.

35. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the computer-readable medium further includes computer-executable instructions for performing the step of initiating a financial transaction related to the product promotion.

36. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the marker comprises a tag.

37. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein the marker comprises at least one of the following:

a symbol, a code, a barcode, a 2d code, a matrix, a character, and an alphanumeric character.

38. A system for providing product promotion information in a real-time video stream comprising:

a computer apparatus including a processor and a memory; and

a product promotion software module stored in the memory, comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to;

recognize one or more objects captured in the real-time video stream wherein at least a first object of the one or more objects is associated with a marker;

determine that the first object is associated with a product promotion based on the marker;

obtain an address related to the product promotion and the first object; and

present, via the address and on a display of a mobile device, one or more indicators associated with the product promotion.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to present a second product promotion associated with a second object recognized from the one or more objects captured in the real-time video stream.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to present a menu of options associated with the product promotion, and to receive and execute a command associated with an option selected by the a from the menu of options.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to identify the first object based on an environment associated with the first object and captured in the real-time video stream.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the marker is positioned on the first object, and wherein the first object comprises a product or a building.

43. The system of claim 38, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to receive financial transaction data from a user and initiate a financial transaction associated with the first object and the product promotion.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to determine a location associated with the first object based on the marker and to enable a user to perform an interaction with a content server.

45. The system of claim 38, wherein the marker comprises a tag.

46. The system of claim 38, wherein the marker comprises at least one of the following:

a symbol, a code, a barcode, a 2d code, a matrix, a character, and an alphanumeric character.