Image capture and identification system and process

• US 9,154,694 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2014
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• 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:
  US14/332,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20140331184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382/305, 382/181, 705 261- 272
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 target object indicators, the method comprising:

receiving, via a mobile device, a digital representation of an outdoor scene comprising a plurality of objects within an outdoor environment;

receiving location information relating to at least a first object of the plurality of objects; and

recognizing, based at least partially on the digital representation and the location information, the first object as a target object via a lookup of a directory storing data corresponding to a plurality of known target objects including the target object;

receiving, via an address, target object information related to the target object; and

presenting, based on the target object information, a visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the visual indicator associated with the target object on the display of the mobile device comprises displaying a video.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory stores content information regarding locations within the scene.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the directory stores content information regarding a nearby location related to the target object.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing matches based at least in part upon characteristics of the digital representation and a lookup of the directory.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device comprises providing customized information based at least in part on a user of the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device comprises providing a user interface through which a user could perform real-time interactions associated with the target object.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device comprises displaying a video on the display.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device comprises positioning at least one of a tag and a symbol in a specific location relative to the digital representation of the scene.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a menu of options from which a user can select.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the menu allows the user to purchase the target object.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein recognizing, based at least partially on the digital representation and the location information, the first object as a target object, comprises determining a position and an orientation of the first object in the digital representation of the outdoor scene.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the target object comprises a purchasable product related to the outdoor environment.

14. A system for providing target object indicators, the system comprising:

a memory;

a network connection;

a processor configured to execute software to;

receive, via a mobile device, a digital representation of an outdoor scene comprising a plurality of objects within an outdoor environment;

receive location information relating to at least a first object of the plurality of objects; and

recognize, based at least partially on the digital representation and the location information, the first object as a target object via a lookup of a directory storing data corresponding to a plurality of known target objects including the target object;

receive, via an address, target object information related to the target object; and

present, based on the target object information, a visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute software to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on the display of the mobile device by displaying a video.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the directory stores content information regarding locations within the scene.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the directory stores content information regarding a nearby location related to the target object.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute software to provide matches based upon characteristics of the digital representation and a lookup of the directory.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute software to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by providing customized information based on a user of the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by providing a user interface through which a user could perform real-time interactions associated with the target object.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute software to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by displaying a video.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute software to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by positioning at least one of a tag and a symbol in a specific location relative to the digital representation of the scene.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the indicator comprises a menu of options from which a user can select.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the menu allows the user to purchase the target object.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to execute software to recognize, based at least partially on the digital representation and the location information, the first object as a target object, by determining a position and an orientation of the first object in the digital representation of the outdoor scene.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the target object comprises a purchasable product related to the outdoor environment.

27. A computer software system for providing target object indicators, the computer software system comprising at least one memory having software comprising:

an image capture portion configured to receive, via a mobile device, a digital representation of an outdoor scene comprising a plurality of objects within an outdoor environment;

a location identification portion configured to receive location information relating to at least a first object of the plurality of objects; and

an image matching portion configured to recognize, based at least partially on the digital representation and the location information, the first object as a target object via a lookup of a directory storing data corresponding to a plurality of known target objects including the target object;

a browser portion configured to receive, via an address, target object information related to the target object; and

a content information presentation portion configured to present, based on the target object information, a visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device.

28. The computer software system of claim 27, wherein the content information presentation portion is further configured to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on the display of the mobile device by displaying a video.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the directory stores content information regarding a location within the scene.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the directory stores content information regarding a nearby location related to the target object.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein the image matching portion is further configured to provide matches based upon characteristics of the digital representation and a lookup of the directory.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the content information presentation portion is further configured to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by providing customized information based on a user of the mobile device.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the content information presentation portion is further configured to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by providing a user interface through which a user could perform real-time interactions associated with the target object.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the content information presentation portion is further configured to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by displaying a video.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein the content information presentation portion is further configured to present the visual indicator associated with the target object on a display of the mobile device by positioning at least one of a tag and a symbol in a specific location relative to the digital representation of the scene.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein the indicator comprises a menu of options from which a user can select.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the menu allows the user to purchase the target object.

38. The method of claim 27, wherein the target object comprises a purchasable product related to the outdoor environment.