Image capture and identification system and process

• US 9,317,769 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2015
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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:
  US14/668,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20150199384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 382/305, 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 mobile printed media interaction apparatus comprising:

a memory;

a processor; and

an image matching engine configured to execute on the processor according to software instruction stored in the memory, and that configures the processor to;

receive a digital image of at least a portion of a printed media object, the digital image acquired by a mobile device;

derive salient features from the digital image;

recognize the printed media object as a target object based, at least in part, on the salient features;

determine a position or an orientation of the printed media object with respect to at least a portion of a user within the digital image;

identify content information corresponding to the printed media object based, at least in part, on recognizing the printed media object as the target object, the content information available at an address and stored in a content database; and

cause a second device to perform an action associated with the content information based, at least in part, on the position or the orientation of the printed media object with respect to the at least the portion of the user within the digital image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the salient features comprise an image descriptor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the image descriptor comprises a scale-invariant feature.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital image comprises a digital still image.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the digital image comprises a digital video.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises at least one of the following:

a robot, a cell phone, and a personal data assistant.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second device is the mobile device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second device is at least one of the following:

a robot, a cell phone, a vehicle, a vending machine, a personal data assistant, and a television.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image matching engine is further configured to receive a user voice command.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the printed media object comprises at least one of the following:

a passport, a driver'"'"'s license, a newspaper, a magazine, an article, a billboard, a poster, a sign, an advertisement, a box, and a beverage can.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the content information includes at least one of the following:

an instruction, a repair history, music data, audio data, video data, graphics data, an animation, and text data.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises an on-going interaction.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises accessing a web site or web service over a network.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises initiating a software process on the second device.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises initiating a phone call.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises initiating a radio communication.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises reading a portion of the printed media object.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises sending information related to the target object to a web site.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises sending information related to the target object to a browser.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action comprises displaying information related to the printed media object on a display screen.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image matching engine is further configured to identify the content information based, at least in part, on a location.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image matching engine is further configured to identify the content information based, at least in part, on a time.

23. A mobile device method of interacting with a printed media object comprising:

receiving, by a processor, a digital image of at least a portion of a printed media object, the digital image acquired by a mobile device;

deriving, by the processor, salient features from the digital image;

recognizing, by the processor, the printed media object as a target object based, at least in part, on the salient features;

determining, by the processor, a position or an orientation of the printed media object with respect to a least a portion of a user within the digital image;

identifying, by the processor, content information corresponding to the printed media object based, at least in part, on recognizing the printed media object as the target object, the content information available at an address and stored in a content database; and

causing, by the processor, a second device to perform an action associated with the content information based, at least in part, on the position or the orientation of the printed media object with respect to the least the portion of the user within the digital image.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the salient features comprise an image descriptor.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the image descriptor comprises a scale-invariant feature.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the digital image comprises a digital still image.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the digital image comprises a digital video.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the mobile device comprises at least one of the following:

a robot, a cell phone, and a personal data assistant.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the second device is the mobile device.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the second device is at least one of the following:

a robot, a cell phone, a vehicle, a vending machine, a personal data assistant, and a television.

31. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving, by the processor, a user voice command.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the printed media object comprises at least one of the following:

a passport, a driver'"'"'s license, a newspaper, a magazine, an article, a billboard, a poster, a sign, an advertisement, a box, and a beverage can.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein the content information includes at least one of the following:

an instruction, a repair history, music data, audio data, video data, graphics data, an animation, and text data.

34. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises an on-going interaction.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises accessing a web site or web service over a network.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises initiating a software process on the second device.

37. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises initiating a phone call.

38. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises initiating a radio communication.

39. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises reading a portion of the printed media object.

40. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises sending information related to the target object to a web site.

41. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises sending information related to the target object to a browser.

42. The method of claim 23, wherein the action comprises displaying information related to the printed media object on a display screen.

43. The method of claim 23, further comprising identifying, by the processor, the content information based, at least in part, on a location.

44. The method of claim 23, further comprising identifying, by the processor, the content information based, at least in part, on a time.

45. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for enabling a mobile device to interact with a printed media object, comprising instructions stored on the medium and that configure a mobile device processor perform the steps of:

receiving a digital image of at least a portion of printed media object, the digital image acquired by the mobile device;

deriving salient features from the digital image;

recognizing the printed media object as a target object based, at least in part, on the salient features;

determining a position or an orientation of the printed media object with respect to a least a portion of a user within the digital image;

identifying content information corresponding to the printed media object based, at least in part, on recognizing the printed media object as the target object, the content information available at an address and in a content database; and

causing a second device to perform an action associated with the content information based, at least in part, on the position or the orientation of the printed media object with respect to the least the portion of the user within the digital image.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the salient features comprise an image descriptor.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 46, wherein the image descriptor comprises a scale-invariant feature.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the digital image comprises a digital still image.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the digital image comprises a digital video.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the mobile device comprises at least one of the following:

a robot, a cell phone, and a personal data assistant.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the second device is the mobile device.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the second device is at least one of the following:

a robot, a cell phone, a vehicle, a vending machine, a personal data assistant, and a television.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the instructions further configure the mobile device processor to perform the step of receiving a user voice command.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the printed media object comprises at least one of the following:

a passport, a driver'"'"'s license, a newspaper, a magazine, an article, a billboard, a poster, a sign, an advertisement, a box, and a beverage can.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the content information include at least one of the following:

an instruction, a repair history, music data, audio data, video data, graphics data, an animation, and text data.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises an on-going interaction.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises accessing a web site or web service over a network.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises initiating a software process on the second device.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises initiating a phone call.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises initiating a radio communication.

61. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises reading a portion of the printed media object.

62. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises sending information related to the target object to a web site.

63. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises sending information related to the target object to a browser.

64. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the action comprises displaying information related to the printed media object on a display screen.

65. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the instructions further configure the mobile device processor to perform the step of identifying the content information based, at least in part, on a location.

66. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45, wherein the instructions further configure the mobile device processor to perform the step of identifying the content information based, at least in part, on a time.