Device and method for embedding and retrieving information in digital images

• US 20060114337A1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rothschild Mobile Imaging Innovations, LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Original Assignee: Trust Licensing, Inc.
• Inventors: Rothschild, Leigh M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,450,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.300
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32112 in a separate computer file, document page or paper sheet, e.g. a fax cover sheet H04N1/32122 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8216 using time division multiplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

A digital imaging device and methods thereof that will enable the embedding and retrieving of information in digital images are provided. The digital imaging device includes a capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file; an input module for inputting information regarding the captured image; and a processing module for associating the inputted information to the digital image file. The device further includes a scanning module for reading a symbology associated with a printed digital image and wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file. The device may be embodied as a digital camera, a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.

Claims

1. A digital imaging device comprising:

a capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file;

an input module for inputting information regarding the captured image; and

a processing module for associating the inputted information to the digital image file.

2. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a microphone for acquiring audio to be associated to the digital image file.

3. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a display module for displaying the captured imaged.

4. The device as in claim 3, wherein the display module is adapted to prompt a user to input information regarding the captured image.

5. The device as in claim 4, further comprising a character recognition capture device coupled to the input module for entering information regarding the capture images.

6. The device as in claim 5, wherein the character recognition device is a touch screen overlaid upon the display module.

7. The device as in claim 3, wherein the display module further includes an audio output device for audibly prompting a user to input information regarding the captured image.

8. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a storage module for storing at least one digital image file and the information associated to the digital image file.

9. The device as in claim 8, wherein the storage module is internal storage memory or removable storage memory.

10. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a transmission module for transmitting at least one digital image file and its associated information to computing device.

11. The device as in claim 10, wherein the transmission module is a hardwired connection, a wireless connection or a removable memory card slot for receiving removable memory.

12. The device as in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary input module for generating auxiliary information related to the captured image, wherein the auxiliary information is location, date, time, sequence number of the capture image and user information.

13. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a scanning module for scanning information to be associated with the digital image file.

14. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a scanning module for reading a symbology associated with a printed digital image and wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file.

15. The device as in claim 1, wherein the processing module is adapted to create a separate information file including the inputted information that is linked to the digital image file.

16. The device as in claim 1, wherein the processing module is adapted to append the inputted information to the digital image file.

17. A mobile communication device comprising:

a communication module coupled to an antenna for wirelessly receiving and transmitting communication messages;

a capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file;

an input module for inputting information regarding the captured image; and

a processing module for associating the inputted information to the digital image file.

18. The device as in claim 17, further comprising a microphone for acquiring audio to be associated to the digital image file.

19. The device as in claim 17, further comprising a display module for displaying the captured imaged and for prompting a user to input information regarding the captured image.

20. The device as in claim 19, further comprising a character recognition capture device coupled to the input module for entering information regarding the capture images.

21. The device as in claim 17, further comprising an audio output device for audibly prompting a user to input information regarding the captured image and for audibly producing the received communication messages.

22. The device as in claim 17, further comprising a storage module for storing at least one digital image file and the information associated to the digital image file.

23. The device as in claim 22, wherein the storage module is internal storage memory or removable storage memory.

24. The device as in claim 17, further comprising a transmission module coupled to the antenna for transmitting at least one digital image file and its associated information to a computing device.

25. The device as in claim 17, further comprising an auxiliary input module for generating auxiliary information related to the captured image, wherein the auxiliary information is location, date, time, sequence number of the capture image and user information.

26. The device as in claim 17, wherein the capture module is coupled to a scanning module for decoding a symbology captured as a digital image by the capture module.

27. The device as in claim 26, wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file.

28. The device as in claim 17, wherein the processing module is adapted to create a separate information file including the inputted information that is linked to the digital image file.

29. The device as in claim 17, wherein the processing module is adapted to append the inputted information to the digital image file.

30. A method for associating information with a digital image, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing an image and creating a digital image file;

prompting a user for information regarding the captured image;

receiving information from the user; and

associating the received information to the digital image file.

31. The method as in claim 30, wherein the prompting step includes displaying at least one question to the user.

32. The method as in claim 30, wherein the prompting step includes audibly producing at least one question to the user.

33. The method as in claim 30, wherein the receiving step further comprises the steps of:

receiving text input via a character recognition capture device; and

translating the text input into alphanumeric characters.

34. The method as in claim 30, wherein the receiving step further comprises the steps of:

receiving spoken input via a microphone; and

translating the spoken input into alphanumeric characters.

35. The method as in claim 30, wherein the associating step includes creating a separate information file including the received information that is linked to the digital image file.

36. The method as in claim 30, wherein the associating step includes appending the received information to the digital image file.

37. The method as in claim 30, further comprising the step of transmitting the digital image file and associated information to a computing device.

38. The method as in claim 37, further comprising the step of retrieving the associated information by scanning a symbology printed with the captured digital image.