Image capture and identification system and process

• US 7,016,532 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nant Holdings IP, LLC (NantWorks, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Evryx Technologies Inc (Ipplex Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Cohen, Ronald H., Boncyk, Wayne C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERALI, ISHRAT I
• Application Number:
  US09/992,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20020090132A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 340/989, 340/988, 382/162, 382/165, 382/170, 382/100, 382181-182, 382115-118, 382305-306, 382/209, 382/218, 382/224, 348/239, 348 1402- 1403, 3482112-2116, 348/207.1, 348/460, 348/552, 707 1- 6, 707/104.1, 707/101, 707/10, 396 2- 3, 396 56- 57, 709201-203, 709217-219, 709/250, 705 26- 27, 705/23, 455/414.2, 455/456.3, 455/556.1, 455/412.1, 455/556.2, 455/419, 345/441, 345/672, 235375-386, 715/700, 715/513, 358/1.15, 358/402
• US Class Current: 382/165
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5838 using colour
• 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 10/95 structured as a network, e.g. client-server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00002 Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for error detection, error correction or monitoring in digital computers or digital computer components G06F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00031 Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00045 using a reference pattern designed for the purpose, e.g. a test chart
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00068 Calculating or estimating
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00082 Adjusting or controlling interrupting an operation H04N1/00915; inhibiting an operation H04N1/00925
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00827 Arrangements for reading an image from an unusual original, e.g. 3-dimensional objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document

Abstract

An identification method and process for objects from digitally captured images thereof that uses image characteristics to identify an object from a plurality of objects in a database. The image is broken down into parameters such as a Shape Comparison, Grayscale Comparison, Wavelet Comparison, and Color Cube Comparison with object data in one or more databases to identify the actual object of a digital image.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a camera that captures an image;

a telephony device programmed to transmit at least a portion of the image to a distal service;

the service programmed to receive the image, identify an object within the image;

distinguish the object from others using a database that stores image characteristics of target objects including diverse types of target objects;

associate the object with an information address; and

return the address to the telephony device; and

the telephony device further programmed to utilize the address to retrieve an item of information related to the object.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device comprises a hand-held computer.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the telephony device comprises a cell-phone.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the service is further programmed to identify the object by applying multiple algorithms to the image, and identify the object as a function of a confidence levels associated with results of the multiple algorithms.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the object is not encoded with any data.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising identifying a bar code or other symbol within the image.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the service is hosted on a computer distal to the telephony device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the service is further programmed to select the address from among a plurality of addresses that provide content in a format suitable for display on the telephony device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the item of information comprises data that can be utilized to conduct a commercial transaction related to the object.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use the address to conduct a commercial transaction related to the object.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use at least one of the address and the item of information to initiate a software process on a distal computer.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use at least one of the address and the item of information to initiate a telephone call.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use at least one of the address and the item of information to initiate a radio communication.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use at least one of the address and the item of information to send data received from the service to a web site.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use at least one of the address and the item of information to display graphics.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the telephony device is further programmed to use at least one of the address and the item of information to produce an audible sound.