Apparatus and method for cloud based storage using a multi-layer scannable tag

• US 9,286,295 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2013
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Beadles
• Original Assignee: Robert Beadles
• Inventors: Beadles, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Zuberi, Mohammed-Ibrahim
• Application Number:
  US14/106,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20140108606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 715/205, 235/375
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/77 Graphical identity

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cloud-based storage, retrieval and sharing of files tagged with scannable tags and alphanumeric coding is provided. This application and method includes: either scanning a scannable tag by mobile device or inputting a code into a computer; decoding of the scannable tag or text provided, by installed application; accessing, by a cloud based storage system which hosts the associated or tagged file; and retrieving the file associated with the scannable tag or alphanumeric code. This method also includes a process by which: either by smart phone or personal computer; uploading or storing of files onto a cloud-based storage system; tagging of those stored files with a unique scannable tag and alphanumeric code; generating a scannable tag and alphanumeric code to associate with those tag files; and a method of transmitting scannable tag or alphanumeric codes between smart-phone users or computer uses for the purposes of sharing extra information with others using momentos.

Claims

1. A method for computer or mobile tagging comprising:

generating a multi-layer scannable tag, wherein generating said multi-layer scannable tag comprises generating a multi-layer scannable tag including a text component

receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a first user;

assigning a layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the first user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the first user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage;

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link;

tagging the image, audio, video, or other file with said multi-layer scannable tag;

wherein such tagging is accomplished by means of the use of a mobile application, computer program or similar electronic device

receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a second user;

assigning another layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the second user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the second user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage; and

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein tagging said unique scannable tag layer with a submitted video, audio or other file tagged may be accomplished or tagged through a network or internet environment and through an application server and database.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the multi-layer scannable tag comprises at least one unique layer, and the at least one unique layer is associated with video, audio or other file may be printed, stored, or otherwise implanted on printed media.

4. A method of claim 3, wherein the tagged video, audio or other file associated with the at least one unique layer of the multi-layer scannable tag is password protected or closed from view of others.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising

uploading the video, audio or other file onto a cloud based file storage system;

and

storing a unique alpha numeric code and URL link with the uploaded file; and

storing such submitted file and its associated multi-layer scannable tag until the user or systems administrator decides to delete or otherwise remove the submitted file.

6. A method claim 5, wherein the stored video, audio, or other file is also stored and associated with a unique URL link, multi-layer scannable tag, an alphanumeric or radio-frequency code.

7. A method of claim 5, wherein the stored video, audio, or other file may be password protected or otherwise secured for the benefit of the one who has submitted the file.

8. A method of claim 5, wherein the stored video, audio or other file is stored by the method of use of a mobile phone application, computer, website or similar electronic device.

9. A method of file and document retrieval comprising;

scanning a first layer of a multi-layer scannable tag by a camera or scanning device;

or receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a first user;

assigning the first layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the first user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the first user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage;

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link;

tagging the image, audio, video, or other file with said multi-layer scannable tag;

wherein such tagging is accomplished by means of the use of a mobile application, computer program or similar electronic device;

retrieving video, audio or other files tagged and associated with said first layer of the multi-layer scannable tag;

playing the video, audio or other file tagged with said multi-layer scannable tag by embedded player;

scanning another layer of a multi-layer scannable tag by a camera or scanning device;

or receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a second user;

assigning the another layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the second user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the second user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage; and

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link.

10. The document retrieval method of claim 9, wherein the multi-layer scannable tag contains an embedded URL link to which the tagged video, audio or other file is directly associated with.

11. The document retrieval method of claim 9, wherein a user has the choice of scanning the multi-layer scannable tag or inputting an alpha numeric code onto an application or website in order to retrieve the associated and tagged image, video, audio file or other file.

12. The document retrieval method of claim 9, wherein the multi-layer scannable tag is shared through various social media websites and available to view through the use of an embedded player.

13. The document retrieval method of claim 9, wherein an image, video, audio or other file is embedded into printed text to be retrieved by a user who wishes to supplement the data on the printed text with the embedded image, video, audio or other file.

14. The document retrieval method of claim 9, wherein the user shares video, audio, or other content by distributing multi-layer scannable tag or alphanumeric codes to others.

15. An apparatus for tagging, the apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, cause:

generating a multi-layer scannable tag that comprises a plurality of unique scannable layers;

receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a first user;

assigning a layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the first user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the first user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage;

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link;

tagging the image, audio, video, or other file with said multi-layer scannable tag;

wherein such tagging is accomplished by means of the use of a mobile application, computer program or similar electronic device;

receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a second user;

assigning another layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the second user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the second user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage; and

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus comprising a memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, cause:

managing said uploaded and tagged files, in response to receiving instructions from the user, by at least one of providing password protection, viewing submitted files, uploading submitted files to social media websites, delete submitted files, add descriptions, add a title to, and print out or save associated scannable tags.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, cause:

the functionality of automatically launching on a smart phone user'"'"'s phone after the user captures an image of the scannable tag or radiofrequency associated therefrom.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, provide a component to allow new users to register for the application and a component that allows users to pay for use of the application by various methods including online credit card or by the use of third party merchants.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, cause generation of an interface wherein users may view through said interface their submitted video, photos or other files and the scannable tag and alpha numeric text code tagged and associated with each image.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, the apparatus further comprising memory storing instructions which, when processed by one or more processors, cause generation of an interface wherein an administrator of the application manages through said interface at least one of submitted images, associated scannable tags, and billing information.

21. A method, comprising:

generating a multi-layer scannable tag that comprises a plurality of unique scannable layers;

receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a first user;

assigning a layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the first user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the first user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage;

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link;

tagging the image, audio, video, or other file with said multi-layer scannable tag;

wherein such tagging is accomplished by means of the use of a mobile application, computer program or similar electronic device;

receiving an indication that the multi-layer scannable tag has been scanned by a second user;

assigning another layer of the multi-layer scannable tag to the second user;

receiving an image, audio, video, or other file from the second user;

storing the image, audio, video, or other file in a location in cloud storage;

generating one unique URL link wherein that URL link is associated with the multi-layer scannable tag, the URL link also pointing to the location in cloud storage; and

linking the multi-layer scannable tag with the location in cloud storage using the URL link.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein image, audio, video, or other file from said first user is a message from said first user;

and wherein image, audio, video, or other file from said second user is a message from said second user.