Device and method for embedding and retrieving information in digital images

• US 20090059014A1
• Filed: 10/27/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rothschild Mobile Imaging Innovations, LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Original Assignee: Rothschild Trust Holdings LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Leigh M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,995,118 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.100
• 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

1-40. -40. (canceled)

41. A digital imaging device comprising:

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

an input module disposed on the camera device for inputting storage location information regarding each captured image, the storage location information being indicative of a storage location on a separate external computing device for storing each digital image file after transfer from the digital imaging camera device;

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

a transmission module for transmitting the digital image file and the associated information to the external computing device for storage or data lookup;

a scanning module for reading a symbology associated with the digital image file, wherein the transmission module is adapted to transmit the symbology to the external computing device and receive the digital image file and associated information retrieved at the external computing device based on the symbology; and

a display module disposed on the camera device for displaying the retrieved digital image file.

42. The device as in claim 41, wherein the display module is further adapted for displaying the associated information.

43. The device as in claim 41, wherein the symbology associated with the digital image file is printed with the digital image file.

44. The device as in claim 41, wherein the symbology associated with the digital image file is displayed with the digital image file.

45. The device as in claim 41, further comprising a microphone for acquiring audio to be associated to the digital image file.

46. The device as in claim 41, wherein the display module is adapted to prompt a user to input information regarding the captured image.

47. The device as in claim 41, further comprising a storage module for storing at least one digital image file and the information associated to the digital image file.

48. The device as in claim 41, wherein the transmission module is a hardwired connection, a wireless connection or a removable memory card slot for receiving removable memory.

49. The device as in claim 41, further comprising an auxiliary input module for determining a geographic location of where the captured image was taken, wherein the processing module associates the determined geographic location to the captured image.

50. The device as in claim 41, wherein the scanning module is further adapted for scanning information to be associated with the digital image file.

51. The device as in claim 41, wherein the processing module is adapted to create a separate information file including the inputted information that is linked to the digital image file.

52. The device as in claim 41, wherein the processing module is adapted to append the inputted information to the digital image file.

53. The device as in claim 41, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

54. The device as in claim 41, wherein the device is a mobile phone further comprising

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

wherein the transmission module is further coupled to the antenna for transmitting the digital image file and the associated information to the external computing device for storage or data lookup and further adapted to transmit the symbology to the external computing device and receive the digital image file and associated information retrieved at the external computing device based on the symbology via the antenna.

55. The device in claim 54, further comprising a microphone for acquiring audio to be associated to the digital image file.

56. The device as in claim 54, 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.

57. The device as in claim 41, further comprising an auxiliary input module for generating auxiliary information related to the captured image, wherein the auxiliary information is date, time, sequence number of the capture image and user information.

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

providing a digital imaging mobile device;

capturing an image and creating a digital image file with the mobile device;

prompting a user with the mobile device for information regarding the captured image;

receiving storage location information from the user for each digital image, the storage location information being indicative of a storage location on a separate external computing device for storing each digital image file after transfer from the digital imaging device;

associating the received information to the digital image file;

transmitting the digital image file and associated information to the external computing device for storage or data lookup;

inputting into the mobile device a symbology associated with a printed or displayed version of the digital image file;

transmitting the symbology to the external computing device to retrieve the digital image file and associated information based on the symbology;

receiving the digital image file and associated information at the camera device; and

displaying on the camera device the digital image file and associated information.

59. A digital imaging device comprising:

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

an input module disposed on the device for inputting storage location information regarding each captured image, the storage location information being indicative of a storage location on a separate external computing device for storing each digital image file after transfer from the digital imaging device;

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

a transmission module for transmitting the digital image file and the associated information to the external computing device for storage or data lookup;

wherein the input module is further adapted for inputting a symbology associated with a printed or displayed version of the digital image file, the transmission module is further adapted to transmit the symbology to the external computing device and receive the digital image file and associated information retrieved at the external computing device based on the symbology.

60. The device as in claim 59, further comprising a display module disposed on the camera device for displaying the retrieved digital image file and associated information.