Digimarc Corporation Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150302886 | DETERMINATION OF ORIGINALITY OF CONTENT - Making a determination of originality of content is disclosed. At least one originality factor related to the content is analyzed, wherein the originality factor is independent of a time when the content is detected. Based on the analysis of the at least one originality factor, automatically the determination is automatically made. The determination is outputted. | 10-22-2015 |
20150227925 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SMARTPHONE PAYMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS - The disclosure relates to digital signal processing such as digital watermarking, and the utilization of portable devices for such signal processing. One claim recites a portable device comprising a touch screen display; memory for storing a payload, and for storing portions of imagery; means for processing the payload with an erasure code generator, in which the erasure code generator produces a plurality of outputs corresponding to the payload; means for embedding a first of the plurality of outputs in a first portion of the imagery and proceeding with embedding until each of the plurality of outputs is embedded in portions of the imagery; and means for causing the touch screen display to display embedded portions of imagery so that a digital watermark reader analyzing captured image data representing the touch screen display can recover the payload. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided. | 08-13-2015 |
20150227922 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SMARTPHONE PAYMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS - The disclosure relates to a smartphone-based virtual wallet, that manages payment options available to a user. One claim recites a portable device comprising: a touch screen display; a microphone for capturing ambient audio; memory for storing an image; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured for: generating copies of the stored image; obtaining a payload corresponding to financial information; providing the payload to an erasure code generator, in which the erasure code generator produces a plurality of outputs; embedding one of the plurality of outputs in a copy of the stored image and proceeding with embedding until each of the plurality of outputs is so embedded in a copy of the stored image, in which the embedding utilizes digital watermarking; and causing the touch screen display to display embedded image copies so as to cause a static image display effect, the displayed embedded image copies being displayed by the portable device in response to a user input to enable a financial transaction. A great variety of other features, arrangements and claims are also detailed. | 08-13-2015 |
20150074748 | CONTENT MONITORING AND HOST COMPLIANCE EVALUATION - Evaluating content is disclosed. Evaluating includes determining a host policy associated with one or more host policy rules, wherein the host policy specifies one or more conditions under which the content may be hosted, automatically assessing compliance with the one or more host policy rules based at least in part on a context associated with the use of the content, and combining the compliance assessments to make a compliance evaluation. | 03-12-2015 |
20150016712 | METHODS FOR OBJECT RECOGNITION AND RELATED ARRANGEMENTS - Methods and arrangements involving portable user devices such smartphones and wearable electronic devices are disclosed, as well as other devices and sensors distributed within an ambient environment. Some arrangements enable a user to perform an object recognition process in a computationally- and time-efficient manner. Other arrangements enable users and other entities to, either individually or cooperatively, register or enroll physical objects into one or more object registries on which an object recognition process can be performed. Still other arrangements enable users and other entities to, either individually or cooperatively, associate registered or enrolled objects with one or more items of metadata. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 01-15-2015 |
20150016661 | WATERMARKING AND SIGNAL RECOGNITION FOR MANAGING AND SHARING CAPTURED CONTENT, METADATA DISCOVERY AND RELATED ARRANGEMENTS - Content played at an event is identified using watermarking and/or other content recognition combined with contextual metadata, which facilitates identification and correlation with other content and metadata when it is posted to a network. | 01-15-2015 |
20140373039 | MEDIA PROCESSING METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The disclosure includes methods of accessing audio-visual content from various sources. One combination includes a method employing a portable device including a processor, microphone and an interface to receive user inputs, the portable device also including a display screen, the method also utilizing a remote computer system comprising a database, the method comprising: receiving a first user request, through the interface, for processing audio content captured with the microphone; processing the audio to yield fingerprint data; communicating the fingerprint data and portable device or user information to the remote computer system; in response to said communicating, receiving source information to enable the portable device access to audio-visual content from a particular source which is remote from the remote computer system, in which the database includes source rules, in which the remote computer system utilizes the portable device or user information to identify user preferences or profile data, and uses identified user preferences or profile data and the source rules to choose the particular source. Of course other methods, combinations and systems are disclosed as well. | 12-18-2014 |
20140344574 | ECONOMICALLY SECURE DIGITAL MASS MEDIA SYSTEMS - Content is encoded with a watermark that associates it with a particular consumer. When presented for playback, the rendering equipment examines the watermark to confirm that the consumer with whom the content is associated, is also the consumer with whom the equipment is associated. If there is no watermark—or if the watermark is associated with a different consumer, then playback is refused. The equipment also desirably checks whether the content has a second watermark (or even a very feeble remnant thereof), indicating that the content has been derived from content earlier provided to a different consumer. If so, playback is again refused. Thus, this embodiment will refuse to play if there is no watermark; if there is one watermark not associated with the proprietor of the equipment; or if there are two or more watermarks. | 11-20-2014 |
20140343931 | ROBUST SIGNATURES DERIVED FROM LOCAL NONLINEAR FILTERS - Content signal recognition is based on a multi-axis filtering of the content signal. The signatures are calculated, formed into data structures and organized in a database for quick searching and matching operations used in content recognition. For content recognition, signals are sampled and transformed into signatures using the multi axis filter. The database is searched to recognize the signals as part of a content item in the database. Using the content identification, content metadata is retrieved and provided for a variety of applications. In one application, the metadata is provided in response to a content identification request. | 11-20-2014 |
20140342773 | DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING FOR PORTABLE COMPUTING DEVICES - This disclosure describes a distributed reader architecture for a mobile computing device such as cellular telephone handset. One claim recites a method for identifying a content item from a host signal captured on a mobile telephone handset, comprising: from the handset, receiving filtered data from the host signal for use in identifying the content item; processing the filtered data to compute a content fingerprints; using the content fingerprints to determine an action associated with the content item, in which said determining utilizes information pertaining to an operating system associated with the mobile telephone handset; and communicating information associated with the action to the mobile telephone handset. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340236 | SYNCHRONIZED METROLOGY IN POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS - Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) tend to be specialized and expensive—relegated to only key points in power distribution networks, and are generally reliant on GPS technology. The present disclosure details how any smart meter—using wireless communication—can perform sub-microsecond-grade synchrophasor measurements. Other aspects concern smart meter-based determination of A, B or C phase of the tri-phase power network. This can involve count-stamp enabling message packets sent to and/or from a smart meter, and then associating such count-stamps to local measurements of power phase by a metrology unit. Once a network of such enabled smart meters and other devices is formed, sub-microsecond metropolitan-wide and entire region-wide synchronizing time standard can calibrate local measurements of power phase, where simple A, B and C phase determination is one low hanging fruit application of such. Low cost aggregate monitoring of metropolitan-wide synchrophasors promises a next chapter of importance for that relatively recent art. | 11-20-2014 |
20140334663 | ENCODING IN TWO CHROMINANCE DIRECTIONS - The present disclosure relates generally signal processing. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for storing a color video signal comprising first data and second data; and a processor. The processor is programmed for: modifying first color information and second color information of the first data by encoding a signal in the first color information such that the signal includes a first signal polarity, and encoding the signal in the second color information such that signal includes a second signal polarity that is inversely related to the first signal polarity, and modifying first color information and second color information of the second data by encoding the signal in the first color information such that signal includes the second signal polarity, and encoding the signal in the second color information such that the signal includes the first signal polarity. Of course, different combinations and claims are provided too. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333794 | SENSOR-BASED MOBILE SEARCH, RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 11-13-2014 |
20140329508 | METHOD, CELL PHONE AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING A COMPUTER RESOURCE OVER A NETWORK VIA MICROPHONE-CAPTURED AUDIO - The disclosure relates, e.g., to media processing methods and arrangements. One method includes: obtaining first optical data in a first user's cell phone, the first optical data corresponding to a first face of a product's packaging, the product also including a second face of the packaging, the first face comprises first digital watermarking conveying first data and the second face comprises second digital watermarking convey second data; analyzing the first optical data to obtain the first data therefrom; responsive to providing the first data to a remotely located computer resource, the first user's cell phone receiving a first response; obtaining second optical data in a first user's cell phone, the second optical data corresponding the second face of the packaging; analyzing the second optical data to obtain the second data therefrom; responsive to providing the second data to a remotely located computer resource, the first user's cell phone receiving a second response, the second response being different from the first service; and storing in the cell phone an association between: i) the first data and the first response, and ii) the second data and the second response. Of course other methods, combinations and systems are disclosed as well. | 11-06-2014 |
20140323142 | INTUITIVE COMPUTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320021 | SMARTPHONE-BASED METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Arrangements involving portable devices (e.g., smartphones and tablet computers) are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that creator's content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another utilizes a device camera to identify nearby subjects, and take actions based thereon. Others rely on near field chip (RFID) identification of objects, or on identification of audio streams (e.g., music, voice). Some technologies concern improvements to the user interfaces associated with such devices. Others involve use of these devices in connection with shopping, text entry, sign language interpretation, and vision-based discovery. Still other improvements are architectural in nature, e.g., relating to evidence-based state machines, and blackboard systems. Yet other technologies concern use of linked data in portable devices—some of which exploit GPU capabilities. Still other technologies concern computational photography. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 10-30-2014 |
20140314234 | RECOVERABLE DIGITAL CONTENT DEGRADATION - The disclosure relates generally to processing audio and video signals. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: electronic memory for storing a media signal, the media signal comprising degradation introduced through use of a key, in which the key corresponds to detection criteria in the media signal, and in which the degradation comprises human perceptible degradation, the media signal further comprising the key embedded therein; and a processor programmed for: analyzing the media signal to obtain the key; and removing some of the degradation through use of the key, in which said removing utilizes different detection criteria relative to a process that introduced the degradation into the media signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 10-23-2014 |
20140304122 | IMAGERY AND ANNOTATIONS - A decade from now, a visit to the supermarket will be a very different experience than the familiar experiences of decades past. Product packaging will come alive with interactivity—each object a portal into a rich tapestry of experiences, with contributions authored by the product brand, by the store selling the product, and by other shoppers. The present technology concerns arrangements for authoring and delivering such experiences. A great variety of other features and technologies are also detailed. | 10-09-2014 |
20140293091 | SENSOR-SYNCHRONIZED SPECTRALLY-STRUCTURED-LIGHT IMAGING - A smartphone is adapted for use as an imaging spectrometer, by synchronized pulsing of different LED light sources as different image frames are captured by the phone's CMOS image sensor. A particular implementation employs the CIE color matching functions, and/or their orthogonally transformed functions, to enable direct chromaticity capture. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 10-02-2014 |
20140286566 | COOPERATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY - Imagery from two or more users' different smartphones is streamed to a cloud processor, enabling creation of 3D model information about a scene being imaged. From this model, arbitrary views and streams can be synthesized. In one arrangement, a user of such a system is at a sports arena, and her view of the sporting event is blocked when another spectator rises to his feet in front of her. Nonetheless, the imagery presented on her headworn display continues uninterrupted—the blocked imagery from that viewpoint being seamlessly re-created based on imagery contributed by other system users in the arena. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 09-25-2014 |
20140286542 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING IMAGE PROCESSING OPERATIONS RELEVANT TO PARTICULAR IMAGERY - Image data, such as from a mobile phone camera, is analyzed to determine a colorfulness metric (e.g., saturation) or a contrast metric (e.g., Weber contrast). This metric is then used in deciding which of, or in which order, plural different image recognition processes should be invoked in order to present responsive information to a user. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285634 | COOPERATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY - Imagery from two or more users' different smartphones is streamed to a cloud processor, enabling creation of 3D model information about a scene being imaged. From this model, arbitrary views and streams can be synthesized. In one arrangement, a user of such a system is at a sports arena, and her view of the sporting event is blocked when another spectator rises to his feet in front of her. Nonetheless, the imagery presented on her headworn display continues uninterrupted—the blocked imagery from that viewpoint being seamlessly re-created based on imagery contributed by other system users in the arena. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 09-25-2014 |
20140285338 | MOBILE DEVICE INDOOR NAVIGATION - A method for indoor navigation in a venue derives positioning of a mobile device based on sounds captured by the microphone of the mobile device from the ambient environment. It is particularly suited to operate on smartphones, where the sounds are captured using microphone that captures sounds in a frequency range of human hearing. The method determines a position of the mobile device in the venue based on identification of the audio signal, monitors the position of the mobile device, and generates a position based alert on an output device of the mobile device when the position of the mobile device is within a pre-determined position associated with the position based alert. | 09-25-2014 |
20140282735 | SECOND SCREEN METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The present technology concerns cell phones and similar devices, and their use in conjunction with media content (electronic and physical) and other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology particularly concern “second screen” applications that sense a television program being watched by a user, and present menus of complementary content on the phone touchscreen from which the user can select. This complementary content can include other video content, associated web pages, opportunities to buy merchandise related to the program, etc. This complementary content can be identified by a provider of the television program, or can be identified otherwise (e.g., by crowd-sourcing). In some embodiments, the phone instructs a remote DVR to record content of interest for later viewing. The technology also provides features for making TV watching a social experience—involving remote friends. A great number of other arrangements and details are also disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267851 | NEXT GENERATION IMAGING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Novel imaging arrangements are detailed. One comprises an optical array sensor with plural photo-electron generating regions dispersed at two or more layers in the structure. Two of these photo-electron generating regions are vertically separated by at least 10 microns—making the sensor useful for sensing objects at focal distances ranging from less than ten inches, out to infinity. The photosites may be spectrally selective. One such arrangement includes a top CMOS sensor array that passes 25% or more of the visible incident light into the structure. A second CMOS sensor array can be provided at a bottom of the structure, for receiving light that was not transduced to photo-electrons elsewhere in the sensor. Another arrangement involves movement of a camera sensor, in a repetitive tracking/pop-back motion, to reduce motion blur in individual frames of a video sequence. A great number of other arrangements are also detailed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259097 | DETERMINATION OF ORIGINALITY OF CONTENT - Video content uploaded from a user, and received at a web-based service, is processed to compute fingerprint data. By reference to the fingerprint data, controlled content included within the received content is identified. A similarity score between the controlled content and the received content is determined. Usage rule data to be applied to the received video content is selected (e.g., based, at least in part, on the determined similarity score), and is applied in governing distribution of the received video content from the web-based service. In some arrangements, the owner of the controlled content is identified, and selection of rule data depends on the identified owner. The owner may have established multiple usage rules, and selection between them may be based, e.g., on a percentage of the controlled content that is included in the received video content. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258110 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SMARTPHONE PAYMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS - The disclosure relates to a smartphone-based virtual wallet, that manages payment options available to a user. One claim recites a method employing a user's portable device, the device including a display and a sensor, the method including acts of: initiating a multi-party auction to solicit bids from a plurality of financial vendors to facilitate a financial transaction for the user, the plurality of remotely-located financial vendors being associated with the user via a virtual wallet hosted on the user's portable device; receiving bids from the plurality of financial vendors; presenting a user interface using the display, the user interface identifying at least two bids solicited from the multi-party auction; upon receiving an indication of a user-selected bid from the at least two bids, initiating a financial transaction using at least some of the details in the user selected bid and information obtained from the virtual wallet. A great variety of other features, arrangements and claims are also detailed. | 09-11-2014 |
20140244514 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SMARTPHONE PAYMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS - The disclosure relates to a smartphone-based virtual wallet, that manages payment options available to a user. One claim recites portable device comprising: a touch screen display; a video camera; a microphone for capturing ambient audio; memory for storing an image, and for storing components of a virtual wallet; and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured for: controlling the video camera to capture imagery corresponding to a checkout terminal's display, the display displaying imagery including digital watermarking information hidden therein, the information including transaction information; processing captured imagery to decode the digital watermarking to obtain the transaction information; receiving user input corresponding to payment information included in a component of the virtual wallet; controlling communication with a remotely located third party, so that the transaction information and payment information are provided to the third party; outputting a request for user confirmation based on a request received from the third party; and controlling communication with the remotely located third party so that a user confirmation is provided to the third party. A great variety of other features, arrangements and claims are also detailed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244495 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SMARTPHONE PAYMENTS - To make a payment, a smartphone presents artwork for a payment card (e.g., a Visa card) that has been selected by a user from a virtual wallet of such cards. Encoded in the displayed artwork is payment information that has been encrypted with a context-dependent session key. A cooperating system (e.g., a retailer's point of sale system) uses a camera to capture an image of the artwork, and independently creates the session key from its own context sensor(s), enabling decryption of the payment information. Such technology provides a superior transaction security model at a fraction of the cost of competing chip card payment systems (which require, e.g., expensive physical cards, and single-purpose reader hardware). A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140244494 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SMARTPHONE PAYMENTS - To make a payment, a smartphone presents artwork for a payment card (e.g., a Visa card) that has been selected by a user from a virtual wallet of such cards. Encoded in the displayed artwork is payment information that has been encrypted with a context-dependent session key. A cooperating system (e.g., a retailer's point of sale system) uses a camera to capture an image of the artwork, and independently creates the session key from its own context sensor(s), enabling decryption of the payment information. Such technology provides a superior transaction security model at a fraction of the cost of competing chip card payment systems (which require, e.g., expensive physical cards, and single-purpose reader hardware). A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140222612 | IMAGE-RELATED METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - A user captures an image of a retail product with a smartphone. Product recommendations associated with the retail product are provided to the smartphone. One claim recites a method comprising: receiving first imagery captured by a smartphone camera, the first imagery representing a first retail product located at a retail location, and presenting the first imagery on a screen of the smartphone; providing the first imagery to a processor to produce fingerprint data therefrom, the fingerprint data being utilized to identify the first retail product; receiving second imagery representing a second retail product, identified as a product recommendation associated with the first retail product, the second imagery being sourced from a source different than the smartphone camera; presenting, on the screen of the smartphone, the second imagery; receiving user input via a touch screen of the smartphone; as a consequence of said user input, initiating an action. Of course, a great variety of other claims, features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219566 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTENT PROCESSING - Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and responding to different image inputs and different contexts. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. Yet others concern adapting behavior of a camera-equipped system based on previously-captured imagery. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140193087 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTENT PROCESSING - Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 07-10-2014 |
20140185862 | MESSAGING BY WRITING AN IMAGE INTO A SPECTROGRAM - A message is communicated between devices by passing a host signal, such as an audio signal, with the message written into the spectrogram of the host signal. For host audio signals, the message is authored, converted to an image format (if not already in suitable image form) and written into the spectrogram of the audio signal. The resulting audio signal can be communicated in a variety of ways, but in one particular embodiment, the audio signal is played from a speaker (e.g., of a sending mobile device) and captured through the microphone of a receiving device. The spectrogram of the received audio signal is computed and then rendered to a display screen (e.g., the display of a receiving mobile device). | 07-03-2014 |
20140185861 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDING AUXILIARY INFORMATION WITHIN ORIGINAL DATA - This patent application is generally related to watermarking and steganography. One claim recites a method of transmarking an audio or video signal previously embedded with a first digital watermark using a first digital watermark embedding method. The method includes: utilizing a programmed electronic processor, decoding the first digital watermark from the audio or video signal, in which the decoding determines relationships or values associated with local masking opportunities of the media signal; converting the audio or video signal into a different form; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, embedding decoded message information from the first digital watermark into a second digital watermark in the different form such that the second digital watermark is adapted to robustness or perceptibility parameters associated with the different form. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided as well. | 07-03-2014 |
20140181859 | MEDIA PROCESSING METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The present technology generally concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic content directories). Some aspects of the technology involve program-centric (as opposed to channel-centric) content directories. Such directories allow users to identify the diversity of sources from which desired content can be obtained—some available on a scheduled basis, others available on-demand; some available from free sources, others from paid sources; some from streaming sources and others from file-download sources; etc. Depending on the application, the directory information may be transparent to the user—serving to identify sources for desired content from which application software can pick based, e.g., on context and stored preference data. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 06-26-2014 |
20140169686 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTENT PROCESSING - Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others relate to coping with fixed focus limitations of cell phone cameras, e.g., in reading digital watermark data. Still others concern user interface improvements. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 06-19-2014 |
20140164124 | LOCATION BASED ROUTER - A location based router system comprises a router in communication with an ad hoc network of devices, including at least one mobile device. The router directs packets from the network to associated agents. The router receives queries from requesting clients, such as the mobile device, and provides location to the requesting client. Additionally, depending on preferences of the client, it also routes market packets for location based services back to the mobile device dependent on its location. | 06-12-2014 |
20140164111 | PHYSICAL CONTEXT AND COOKIES - Users' browsing histories and other online activities are commonly tracked using cookies, and employed to customize users' web experiences. In accordance with certain aspects of the present technology, microphones, cameras, and other sensors of portable computing apparatuses are employed to gather information about users' offline experiences. This information can be used—alone, or in conjunction with traditional cookie data—to enable systems to adapt their behaviors based on a fuller view of user's circumstances. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140161254 | MESSAGE KEY GENERATION - The disclosure relates to message encoding. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: electronic memory for storing a plural-bit message; an electronic processor programmed for: obtaining a multi-bit seed; transforming the multi-bit seed by applying randomizing process; and encoding the transformed multi-bit seed with convolutional encoding, the encoded seed comprising a key for transforming the plural-bit message, the key providing security for the plural-bit message. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159959 | BODY-WORN PHASED-ARRAY ANTENNA - Several (in some cases many dozen) small antennae are integrated into or over a full body suit or clothing. These antennae preferably include an intra-suit or clothing wired connection to one or more small Ultra-Wide-Band (UWB) radios, e.g., in the 3-10 GHz range. In some cases, each antenna connection includes a variable delay, e.g., a few nanoseconds with picoseconds-scale resolution on the delays, thus allowing for the body-suit ensemble to act as a directional phased-array. One claim recites a radio wearable by a human comprising: a phased-array antenna including a plurality of antennae, the array being configured for wearing over or on a human body, the plurality of antennae provided for spatially positioning in multiple different regions over or on the human body; an RF radio; and a controller configured for: i) determining relative spatial position information for antennae within the phased-array antenna; and ii) using at least the relative spatial position information, controlling the radio to produce a directional UWB beam through the phased-array antenna. Another claim includes an antenna having a plurality of metamaterial elements. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 06-12-2014 |
20140148219 | EMOTIONAL ILLUMINATION, AND RELATED ARRANGEMENTS - A smartphone senses a user's emotional reaction to certain output (e.g., an output from a smartphone's attempt to read a barcode printed in a newspaper). The phone then tailors its operation based on the sensed reaction (e.g., it may turn on a torch to better illuminate the newspaper, or vary image processing or decoding parameters). | 05-29-2014 |
20140147010 | Determining Proximity of a Camera to a Subject Based on Shadow Analysis - The present disclosure relates generally to cell phones and cameras, and to shadow analysis in images captured by such cell phones and cameras. One claim recites a smart phone comprising: a camera; and one or more processors programmed for: i) identifying a shadow cast by the smart phone or camera on a subject being imaged by a camera; and ii) determining a proximity of the camera to the subject based on an analysis of the shadow. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 05-29-2014 |
20140142958 | MULTI-MODE AUDIO RECOGNITION AND AUXILIARY DATA ENCODING AND DECODING - Audio signal processing enhances audio watermark embedding and detecting processes. Audio signal processes include audio classification and adapting watermark embedding and detecting based on classification. Advances in audio watermark design include adaptive watermark signal structure data protocols, perceptual models, and insertion methods. Perceptual and robustness evaluation is integrated into audio watermark embedding to optimize audio quality relative the original signal, and to optimize robustness or data capacity. These methods are applied to audio segments in audio embedder and detector configurations to support real time operation. Feature extraction and matching are also used to adapt audio watermark embedding and detecting. | 05-22-2014 |
20140141815 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE WITHIN A CELLULAR SYSTEM - A system for determining location and timing information in a cellular network includes a space-time calibration unit (SCU) and a plurality of nodes in communication with the SCU. Each node includes a node ping driver that receives frame synchronization information from a respective subset of cell sites, and associates the frame synchronization information with respective receive count stamps generated using a local node clock. The system also includes a user handset that includes a handset ping driver that receives the frame synchronization information from a serving cell site and one or more neighbor cell sites, and associates the frame synchronization information with respective receive count stamps generated using a local handset clock. The SCU uses the information from the node and handset ping drivers to determine a handset location. | 05-22-2014 |
20140132994 | ACTIVE IMAGES THROUGH DIGITAL WATERMARKING - The present invention relates to methods and apparatus employing digital watermarking and/or steganography. In one implementation a cell phone includes watermarking capabilities to facilitate image transfer/receipt. Other implementations are detailed herein as well. | 05-15-2014 |
20140119593 | DETERMINING POSE FOR USE WITH DIGITAL WATERMARKING, FINGERPRINTING AND AUGMENTED REALITY - Image recognition and augmented reality experiences utilize auxiliary data extracted from an image or video, or image fingerprints, or a combination of both. One claim recites a method comprising: receiving a plurality of imagery frames captured by a device sensor; identifying a plurality of key points in each of the plurality of imagery frames; resolving image pose by utilizing relative relationships of the key points between different frames of the plurality of frames; modifying imagery of at least one of the plurality of frames based on resolved image pose; and deriving a fingerprint from modified imagery. Of course other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 05-01-2014 |
20140114666 | ORCHESTRATED ENCODING AND DECODING - Orchestrated encoding schemes facilitate encoding and decoding of data in content signals at several points in the distribution path of content items. Orchestrated encoding adheres to a set of encoding rules that enables multiple watermarks and corresponding applications to co-exist, avoids collisions among watermarks, and simplifies metadata and routing database infrastructure. | 04-24-2014 |
20140108020 | MULTI-MODE AUDIO RECOGNITION AND AUXILIARY DATA ENCODING AND DECODING - Audio signal processing enhances audio watermark embedding and detecting processes. Audio signal processes include audio classification and adapting watermark embedding and detecting based on classification. Advances in audio watermark design include adaptive watermark signal structure data protocols, perceptual models, and insertion methods. Perceptual and robustness evaluation is integrated into audio watermark embedding to optimize audio quality relative the original signal, and to optimize robustness or data capacity. These methods are applied to audio segments in audio embedder and detector configurations to support real time operation. Feature extraction and matching are also used to adapt audio watermark embedding and detecting. | 04-17-2014 |
20140106710 | CONTEXT-RELATED ARRANGEMENTS - In one arrangement, a first device presents a display that is based on context data, derived from one or more of its sensors. This display is imaged by a camera in a second device. The second device uses context data from its own sensors to assess the information in the captured imagery, and makes a determination about the first device. In another arrangement, social network friend requests are automatically issued, or accepted, based on contextual similarity. In yet another arrangement, delivery of a message is triggered by a contextual circumstance other than (or in addition to) location. In still another arrangement, two or more devices automatically establish an ad hoc network (e.g., Bluetooth pairing) based on contextual parallels. In still another arrangement, historical context information is archived and used in transactions with other devices, e.g., in challenge-response authentication. A great number of other features and arrangements—many involving head-mounted displays—are also detailed. | 04-17-2014 |
20140093120 | DIGITAL WATERMARKING METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS - The present invention relate generally to digital watermarking and data hiding. One claim recites a method including: obtaining first data and second color data, the first color data and the second color data represent data from a color image signal or color video signal; obtaining a digital watermark pattern, the pattern aiding detection of a watermark message; separating the digital watermark pattern into first frequency components and second frequency components; utilizing a programmed electronic processor or electronic processing circuitry, modifying the first color data by hiding the first frequency components therein; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor or electronic processing circuitry, modifying the second color data by hiding the second frequency components therein. Of course, other combinations and claims are provided too. | 04-03-2014 |
20140080428 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTENT PROCESSING - Mobile phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some aspects relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others concern user interface improvements. Other aspects relate to imaging architectures, in which a mobile phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Still other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the mobile device and remote resources (“the cloud”). Elemental image processing (e.g., simple filtering and edge detection) can be performed on the mobile phone, while other operations can be referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be selected using techniques such as reverse auctions, through which they compete for processing tasks. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 03-20-2014 |
20140074823 | FINGERPRINTS AND MACHINE-READABLE CODES COMBINED WITH USER CHARACTERISTICS TO OBTAIN CONTENT OR INFORMATION - The present invention relates generally to processing audio and video data. One claim recites a method of accessing content stored in a remote database. The method includes: receiving video or audio data; decoding an auxiliary machine-readable code from the video or audio data; deriving a fingerprint, which fingerprint is separate from the machine-readable code, from the video or audio data itself; providing user characteristics or an index to user characteristics; and by using the machine-readable code, fingerprint and user characteristics or information obtained with the index to user characteristics, accessing the content stored in the remote database. Of course, additional combinations and claims are provided as well. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071272 | SENSOR-BASED MOBILE SEARCH, RELATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071268 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR OBJECT POSE ESTIMATION - In an illustrative embodiment, the free space attenuation of illumination with distance, according to a square law relationship, is used to estimate the distance between a light source and two or more different areas on the surface of a product package. By reference to these distance estimates, the angular pose of the product package is determined. Plural frames of imagery, captured both with and without illumination from the light source, can be processed to mitigate the effects of ambient lighting. | 03-13-2014 |
20140057676 | SHARED SECRET ARRANGEMENTS AND OPTICAL DATA TRANSFER - Digital data is optically broadcast through an environment by controllably switching the brightness or chrominance of LED solid state lamps, or of other illumination sources (e.g., television screens and backlit computer displays). This optical data channel is useful to convey cryptographic key data by which devices within the environment can authenticate themselves to a secure network. In some embodiments, the optical modulation is sensed by the camera of a smartphone. The row data output by the smartphone's camera sensor is processed to extract the modulated data signal. In some monochrome embodiments, data communication speeds far in excess of the camera's frame rate (e.g., 30/second), or even the camera's row rate (e.g., 14,400/second) are achieved. Still greater rates can be achieved by conveying different data in different chrominance channels. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-27-2014 |
20140052555 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING OBJECTS - In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. Logos may be identified and used—or ignored—in product identification. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-20-2014 |
20140044304 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SIGNAL PROCESSING - An object (e.g., a driver's license) is tested for authenticity using imagery captured by a consumer device (e.g., a mobile phone camera). Corresponding data is sent from the consumer device to a remote system, which has secret knowledge about features indicating object authenticity. The phone, or the remote system, discerns the pose of the object relative to the camera from the captured imagery. The remote system tests the received data for the authentication features, and issues an output signal indicating whether the object is authentic. This testing involves modeling the image data that would be captured by the consumer device from an authentic object—based on the object's discerned pose (and optionally based on information about the camera optics), and then comparing this modeled data with the data sent from the consumer device. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-13-2014 |
20140037130 | REDUCING WATERMARK PERCEPTIBILITY AND EXTENDING DETECTION DISTORTION TOLERANCES - The present disclosures relates generally to digital watermarking and data hiding. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: memory for storing data representing video; one or more electronic processors programmed for: embedding a first watermark signal in a first portion of the data, the first watermark signal comprising a first signal polarity and corresponding to first detection preconditioning; embedding a second watermark signal in a second portion of the data, the second watermark signal comprising a second signal polarity that is inversely related to the first signal polarity and corresponding to seconding detection preconditioning; controlling provision of the watermarked video for display in real time, in which temporal averaging of the first watermark signal and second watermark signal over time conceals the first watermark signal and the second watermark signal from a human observer of the video. Of course, other claims are provided too. | 02-06-2014 |
20140037129 | REDUCING WATERMARK PERCEPTIBILITY AND EXTENDING DETECTION DISTORTION TOLERANCES - The present disclosures relates generally to digital watermarking and data hiding. One claim recites a smartphone comprising: a camera to capture video of a display that is rendering video, in which the video comprises a first watermark signal embedded in a first portion of the data, a second watermark signal embedded in a second portion of the data, and a third watermark signal embedded in a third portion of the data, in which at least two of the first watermark signal, second watermark signal and third watermark signal are inversely related to one another; electronic memory for buffering data representing captured video; one or more electronic processors programmed for: applying a first perspective distortion to the data representing the captured video to yield first perspective distorted video; and analyzing the first perspective distorted video to detect digital watermarking, in which a second perspective distortion is applied to the data representing the captured video to yield second perspective distorted video when the analyzing does not detect digital watermarking, and then performing analyzing the second perspective distorted video to detect digital watermarking. Of course, other claims are provided too. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036894 | WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK-BASED POSITION LOCATING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The location of one or more mobile nodes in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is determined. Nodes in the WLAN include respective ping drivers to generate ping event values related to transmit count stamps and receive count stamps for wireless messages exchanged between the nodes. Each wireless message is associated with a transmit offset corresponding to an expected transmit time. A sorting module groups the ping event values and produces a difference between the respective receive count stamps and the transmit count stamps for each wireless message. Based on the sorted ping event values, the sorting module generates transmit offset values relating to the transmit offsets. A space-time calibration unit generates, from the sorted differences and the transmit offset values, a clock rate solution and a location solution for at least one of the nodes in the WLAN. | 02-06-2014 |
20140031059 | MOBILE DEVICE POSITIONING IN DYNAMIC GROUPINGS OF COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A location aware intelligent transportation system determines ranges between a plurality of communication devices, including at least one mobile communication device. A method includes receiving receive messages transmitted from a plurality of other communication devices. Each receive message includes a transmit count stamp corresponding to a remote counter value. The mobile communication device generates a receive count stamp for each receive message. The method includes dynamically associating and disassociating the mobile communication device with a plurality of sub-groups of the plurality of other communication devices. The associating and disassociating are based at least in part on receiving receive messages from a predetermined number of other communication devices for each sub-group. For each sub-group currently associated with the mobile communication device, the method includes generating range estimates between the mobile communication device and the other communication devices in the particular sub-group. The range estimates are based on a combination of the transmit count stamps and the receive count stamps. | 01-30-2014 |
20140029809 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SIGNAL PROCESSING - An object (e.g., a driver's license) is tested for authenticity using imagery captured by a consumer device (e.g., a mobile phone camera). Corresponding data is sent from the consumer device to a remote system, which has secret knowledge about features indicating object authenticity. The phone, or the remote system, discerns the pose of the object relative to the camera from the captured imagery. The remote system tests the received data for the authentication features, and issues an output signal indicating whether the object is authentic. This testing involves modeling the image data that would be captured by the consumer device from an authentic object—based on the object's discerned pose (and optionally based on information about the camera optics), and then comparing this modeled data with the data sent from the consumer device. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 01-30-2014 |
20140029785 | DETERMINING PROXIMITY OF A MOBILE DEVICE TO A SUBJECT BASED ON SHADOW ANALYSIS - The present disclosure relates generally to cell phones and cameras, and to shadow analysis in imagery captured by such cell phones and cameras. One claim recites a method comprising: identifying a shadow cast by a cell phone on a subject being imaged by a camera included in the cell phone; and using a programmed electronic processor, determining proximity to the subject based on an analysis of the shadow. Another claim recites a mobile phone comprising: a camera for capturing images and video; memory; and one or more processors programmed for: identifying a shadow cast by a cell phone on a subject being imaged by said imager; and determining proximity to the subject based on an analysis of the shadow. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 01-30-2014 |
20140010404 | WATERMARKING DIFFERENT AREAS OF DIGITAL IMAGES WITH DIFFERENT INTENSITIES - An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed. | 01-09-2014 |
20140009629 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE DATA - The present disclosure provides methods and systems for processing data. One claim recites a camera-equipped portable computer system, comprising: a camera; one or more processors programed for: i) controlling the camera to capture image data, the captured image data corresponding to the camera's field of view; ii) defining a sub-region comprising image data within the field of view, the sub-region comprising less image data than does the full field of view; and iii) searching image data within the field of view for hidden keys, but limiting a response to detected keys to those only found within the sub-region. Of course other claims and combinations are provided too. | 01-09-2014 |
20130344916 | CONTENT SHARING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A first device (such as a cell phone) is equipped with a micro-projector, and used to present imagery on a display surface. A second device (such as a second cell phone) is equipped with a digital camera, and used to capture some of the projected imagery. The captured imagery allows a user of the second device to access digital content of interest from a user of the first device, or from elsewhere. The content may be visual, or of other form (content examples include audio, games, maps, text documents, video, spreadsheets, etc.). In one particular arrangement, the projected imagery is encoded with digital watermark data. Through such arrangements, one user can readily share content, and also engage in collaborative activities—such as cooperative game play, with one or more other users. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 12-26-2013 |
20130340011 | SECOND SCREENS AND WIDGETS - Cell phones and other devices are used to complement enjoyment of television or other video media, through use of corresponding software applications (“widgets”). A great variety of related features and arrangements are particularly detailed. | 12-19-2013 |
20130340003 | SECOND SCREEN METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The present technology concerns television services and systems, cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content. One claim recites a method employing a portable device comprising a processor, microphone, user interface, and display. The method includes: using the microphone, capturing audio data from a user's environment; using the processor, processing the captured audio data to yield processed audio data; receiving a first user input via the user interface to access a web site; providing the processed audio data to a remotely located server that hosts the web site, the remotely located server using the processed audio data adapt its presentation of material back to the portable device when accessing the web site. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 12-19-2013 |
20130339996 | MEDIA PROCESSING METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices. One claim recites a method employing a portable device including a processor, microphone and an interface to receive user inputs, the portable device also including a display screen. The method comprises: receiving a first user request, through the interface, for processing audio content captured with the microphone; processing the audio to yield fingerprint data; communicating the fingerprint data and portable device location information to a remote computer system; in response to said communicating, receiving information including a title associated with the audio content; presenting the title on the display screen; in response to a second user request, through the interface, displaying information associated with audio content captured by other portable devices in an area associated with the portable device location information. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 12-19-2013 |
20130336522 | STEGANOGRAPHIC ENCODING AND DECODING - This patent document relates generally to steganography and digital watermarking. One claim recites, in a watermark encoder, a method of encoding auxiliary information in an image or video comprising: using a programmed electronic processor, computing a change in an attribute of an image or video sample to encode auxiliary information in the image or video; and changing color values of the image or video sample to effect the change in the attribute, in which changes to color values are determined based at least in part on both: i) visibility of the changes, and ii) anticipated watermark detection. Of course, other claims are provided too. | 12-19-2013 |
20130336521 | STEGANOGRAPHIC ENCODING AND DECODING - This patent document relates generally to steganography and digital watermarking. One claim recites a method comprising: receiving data representing image or video, in which the data comprises first data corresponding to first color data, second data corresponding to second color data and third data corresponding to third color data, the image or video to host auxiliary information; weighting the first data, the second data and the third data according to at least the following two factors: i) a color direction biased toward an expected embedding direction; and ii) expected image or video distortion introduced to the first data, second data or third data through image capture or signal processing; and determining from weighted first data, weighted second data and weighted third data, changes in an image or video attribute, in which the auxiliary information is conveyed through the changes to sample values representing the image or video. Of course, other claims are provided too. | 12-19-2013 |
20130329006 | COORDINATED ILLUMINATION AND IMAGE SIGNAL CAPTURE FOR ENHANCED SIGNAL DETECTION - Signal detection and recognition employees coordinated illumination and capture of images under to facilitate extraction of a signal of interest. Pulsed illumination of different colors facilitates extraction of signals from color channels, as well as improved signal to noise ratio by combining signals of different color channels. The successive pulsing of different color illumination appears white to the user, yet facilitates signal detection, even for lower cost monochrome sensors, as in barcode scanning and other automatic identification equipment. | 12-12-2013 |
20130324161 | INTUITIVE COMPUTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 12-05-2013 |
20130316733 | INTUITIVE COMPUTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The present disclosure relates generally to mobile devices and content recognition. One claim recites a method employing a mobile device having a processor configured to perform one or more acts of the method, the mobile device including at least one sensor. The method includes: obtaining information from the sensor; and selecting a user profile from among a plurality of different user profiles based on the information. Other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 11-28-2013 |
20130316728 | POSITIONING SYSTEMS FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS - The invention provides a method of computing positioning of a mobile device in a wireless network. This positioning method receives associated pings exchanged among a network of nodes. The pings include count stamps of ping transmit and receipt, and a count stamp of a message received by the network nodes from the mobile device. The method evaluates count stamps to determine clock differences among clocks of the network nodes. From the clock differences, the method determines pseudo ranges between the network nodes and the mobile device. The method determines location of the mobile device by evaluating the differences between ranges of candidate positions of the mobile device and the pseudo ranges. It minimizing a function of error associated with the position candidates to determine the mobile device's location. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314541 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR OBJECT POSE ESTIMATION - In an illustrative embodiment, the free space attenuation of illumination with distance, according to a square law relationship, is used to estimate the distance between a light source and two or more different areas on the surface of a product package. By reference to these distance estimates, the angular pose of the object surface is determined. | 11-28-2013 |
20130311329 | IMAGE-RELATED METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - In one aspect, a user captures an image of a physical object (e.g., of a grocery item, using a smartphone). The depicted object is identified, such as by extracting fingerprint or watermark data from the imagery. Other imagery depicting that object—or depicting related objects—is identified on the web, and is displayed to the user on the smartphone screen. The user may select one or more of these images and direct that they be posted to a social network account (e.g., Pinterest) associated with the user. In another aspect, the user's location is sensed (e.g., an aisle of a department store), and a collection of images depicting nearby products is presented to the user for selection and posting to a social networking service. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308818 | CONTENT RECOGNITION AND SYNCHRONIZATION USING LOCAL CACHING - A content fingerprint based recognition system employs local caching of portions of a fingerprint database to manage network services for identifying which programs a user's mobile device is exposed to and the timing of events within the program. The system enables background recognition and synchronization of network services in a way that consumes less device power and bandwidth. | 11-21-2013 |
20130290379 | DOCUMENT PROCESSING METHODS - Directional albedo of a particular article, such as an identity card, is measured and stored. When the article is later presented, it can be confirmed to be the same particular article by re-measuring the albedo function, and checking for correspondence against the earlier-stored data. The re-measuring can be performed through us of a handheld optical device, such as a camera-equipped cell phone. The albedo function can serve as random key data in a variety of cryptographic applications. The function can be changed during the life of the article. A variety of other features are also detailed. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286046 | NARROWCASTING FROM PUBLIC DISPLAYS, AND RELATED METHODS - A user with a cell phone interacts, in a personalized session, with an electronic sign system. In some embodiments, the user's location relative to the sign is discerned from camera imagery—either imagery captured by the cell phone (i.e., of the sign), or captured by the sign system (i.e., of the user). Demographic information about the user can be estimated from imagery captured acquired by the sign system, or can be accessed from stored profile data associated with the user. The sign system can transmit payoffs (e.g., digital coupons or other response data) to viewers—customized per user demographics. In some arrangements, the payoff data is represented by digital watermark data encoded in the signage content. The encoding can take into account the user's location relative to the sign—allowing geometrical targeting of different payoffs to differently-located viewers. Other embodiments allow a user to engage an electronic sign system for interactive game play, using the cell phone as a controller. | 10-31-2013 |
20130265196 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS USEFUL IN CONNECTION WITH MULTIPATH - In accordance with one aspect of the present technology, information about multipath in an area is gained by occasionally switching the directivity of one or more of the involved antennas (transmitting or receiving). Based on resulting changes in signal strength, information about the multipath effects can be discerned, and corresponding action may thereafter be taken. Another aspect of the technology involves localizing sources of multipath by reference to multiple receiving stations, such as cellular receivers at cell towers in adjoining cells of a wireless network. | 10-10-2013 |
20130241746 | A/B/C PHASE DETERMINATION AND SYNCHROPHASOR MEASUREMENT USING COMMON ELECTRIC SMART METERS AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS - Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) tend to be specialized and expensive—relegated to only key points in power distribution networks, and are generally reliant on GPS technology. The present disclosure details how any smart meter—using wireless communication—can perform sub-microsecond-grade synchrophasor measurements. Other aspects concern smart meter-based determination of A, B or C phase of the tri-phase power network. This can involve count-stamp enabling message packets sent to and/or from a smart meter, and then associating such count-stamps to local measurements of power phase by a metrology unit. Once a network of such enabled smart meters and other devices is formed, sub-microsecond metropolitan-wide and entire region-wide synchronizing time standard can calibrate local measurements of power phase, where simple A, B and C phase determination is one low hanging fruit application of such. Low cost aggregate monitoring of metropolitan-wide synchrophasors promises a next chapter of importance for that relatively recent art. | 09-19-2013 |
20130237194 | Method, cell phone and system for accessing a computer resource over a network via microphone-captured audio - The disclosure relates to accessing computer resources by sensing audio with a microphone. One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining data in a first user's cell phone, the data corresponding to microphone-captured audio; responsive to the data, the first user's cell phone receiving a service provided by a first party, the service comprising facilitating access to a computer resource over a network; in which the first user does not provide a fee to the first party for the service, as the first party bills a charge connected with the service to a sponsoring party. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 09-12-2013 |
20130223673 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING OBJECTS - In some arrangements, product packaging is digitally watermarked over most of its extent to facilitate high-throughput item identification at retail checkouts. Imagery captured by conventional or plenoptic cameras can be processed (e.g., by GPUs) to derive several different perspective-transformed views—further minimizing the need to manually reposition items for identification. Crinkles and other deformations in product packaging can be optically sensed, allowing such surfaces to be virtually flattened to aid identification. Piles of items can be 3D-modelled and virtually segmented into geometric primitives to aid identification, and to discover locations of obscured items. Other data (e.g., including data from sensors in aisles, shelves and carts, and gaze tracking for clues about visual saliency) can be used in assessing identification hypotheses about an item. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-29-2013 |
20130217440 | IMAGE PROCESSING ARCHITECTURES AND METHODS - Cell phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality is improved, and new functionality is provided. Some aspects relate to imaging architectures, in which a cell phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the device and remote resources (“the cloud”). Elemental image processing, such as filtering and edge detection—and even some simpler template matching operations—may be performed on the cell phone. Other operations are referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be identified using techniques such as a reverse auction, though which they compete for processing tasks. Other aspects of the disclosed technologies relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-22-2013 |
20130198242 | CONTENT METADATA DIRECTORY SERVICES - A method of associating a content object with metadata uses a combination of a content identifier and a bounding identifier to enable handling of disparate sets of content identifiers for content objects with potentially conflicting content identifiers. The method receives a content identifier for a content object from among a set of content identifiers. It provides a unique bounding identifier for the set of content identifiers. This unique bounding identifier is used in combination with the content identifier to form a globally unique identifier for the content object. This globally unique identifier is associated with a metadata source, which enables routing of a user to the metadata source. | 08-01-2013 |
20130195273 | SHARED SECRET ARRANGEMENTS AND OPTICAL DATA TRANSFER - Digital data is optically broadcast through an environment by controllably switching the brightness or chrominance of LED solid state lamps, or of other illumination sources (e.g., television screens and backlit computer displays). This optical data channel is useful to convey cryptographic key data by which devices within the environment can authenticate themselves to a secure network. In some embodiments, the optical modulation is sensed by the camera of a smartphone. The row data output by the smartphone's camera sensor is processed to extract the modulated data signal. In some monochrome embodiments, data communication speeds far in excess of the camera's frame rate (e.g., 30/second), or even the camera's row rate (e.g., 14,400/second) are achieved. Still greater rates can be achieved by conveying different data in different chrominance channels. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 08-01-2013 |
20130152139 | SECOND SCREEN METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The present technology concerns cell phones and similar devices, and their use in conjunction with media content (electronic and physical) and other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology particularly concern “second screen” applications that sense a television program being watched by a user, and present menus of complementary content on the phone touchscreen from which the user can select. This complementary content can include other video content, associated web pages, opportunities to buy merchandise related to the program, etc. This complementary content can be identified by a provider of the television program, or can be identified otherwise (e.g., by crowd-sourcing). In some embodiments, the phone instructs a remote DVR to record content of interest for later viewing. The technology also provides features for making TV watching a social experience—involving remote friends. A great number of other arrangements and details are also disclosed. | 06-13-2013 |
20130150117 | CONTEXT-BASED SMARTPHONE SENSOR LOGIC - Methods employ sensors in portable devices (e.g., smartphones) both to sense content information (e.g., audio and imagery) and context information. Device processing is desirably dependent on both. For example, some embodiments activate certain processor intensive operations (e.g., content recognition) based on classification of sensed content and context. The context can control the location where information produced from such operations is stored, or control an alert signal indicating, e.g., that sensed speech is being transcribed. Some arrangements post sensor data collected by one device to a cloud repository, for access and processing by other devices. Multiple devices can collaborate in collecting and processing data, to exploit advantages each may have (e.g., in location, processing ability, social network resources, etc.). A great many other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 06-13-2013 |
20130128060 | INTUITIVE COMPUTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - A smart phone senses audio, imagery, and/or other stimulus from a user's environment, and acts autonomously to fulfill inferred or anticipated user desires. In one aspect, the detailed technology concerns phone-based cognition of a scene viewed by the phone's camera. The image processing tasks applied to the scene can be selected from among various alternatives by reference to resource costs, resource constraints, other stimulus information (e.g., audio), task substitutability, etc. The phone can apply more or less resources to an image processing task depending on how successfully the task is proceeding, or based on the user's apparent interest in the task. In some arrangements, data may be referred to the cloud for analysis, or for gleaning. Cognition, and identification of appropriate device response(s), can be aided by collateral information, such as context. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 05-23-2013 |
20130122939 | INTUITIVE COMPUTING METHODS AND SYSTEMS - The present disclosure relates generally to mobile devices and content recognition. One claim recites a method employing a mobile device having a processor configured to perform one or more acts of the method, the mobile device including at least one sensor. The method includes: obtaining information from the sensor; and selecting a user profile from among a plurality of different user profiles based on the information. Other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 05-16-2013 |
20130110870 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AUDIO OR VIDEO CONTENT | 05-02-2013 |
20130101154 | WATERMARKING DIFFERENT AREAS OF DIGITAL IMAGES WITH DIFFERENT INTENSITIES - An image is processed to encode a digital watermark, with different regions thereof processed using different levels of watermark intensity. In an image comprised of elements of differing sizes (e.g., halftone shapes of different sizes, or lines of different width), the different regions can be defined by reference to the sizes of elements contained therein. Regions characterized by relatively small elements can be watermarked at a relatively low intensity. Regions characterized by relatively large elements can be watermarked at a relatively high intensity. A variety of other features are also discussed. | 04-25-2013 |
20130100301 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROCESSING IMAGE DATA - An image can be encoded to define one or more spatial regions that are detectable by a suitably-equipped mobile device (e.g., a smartphone), but are imperceptible to humans. When such a mobile device senses one of these regions, it takes an action in response (e.g., rendering an associated tone, playing linked video, etc.). The mobile device may send an excerpt of captured imagery to a cloud processor, which responds with an estimate of the viewing angle by which the image was captured. The mobile device can perform further operations (e.g., re-sampling, watermark decoding) based on this viewing angle estimate. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 04-25-2013 |
20130086466 | CONTENT SENSITIVE CONNECTED CONTENT - The disclosure describes a method of connecting multimedia content to a network resource. This method operates in a computer network environment. Operating in a network connected device, the method extracts an identifier from a media signal, such as from a digital watermark, perceptual hash, or other machine extracted signal identifier. It then sends the identifier to a network along with context information indicating device type information. From the network, the method receives related data associated with the media signal via the identifier. The related data is adapted to the network connected device based on the device type information. This device type information may include a display type, so that the related date may be formatted for rendering on the display type of the device. This device type information may also include a connection speed so that the related data may be optimized for the connection speed of the device. | 04-04-2013 |
20130064419 | COMBINED WATERMARKING AND FINGERPRINTING - Content fingerprints and watermarks are combined in various ways for content identification applications. Fingerprints are used to identify content generally while watermarks provide more detailed localization of parts within the content, and vice versa. Fingerprint techniques are further used for signal synchronization and other pre-processing steps to assist in digital watermark decoding. A variety of fingerprint/watermark techniques identify characteristics of the channel of content from content samples. | 03-14-2013 |
20130035984 | DISTRIBUED SENSOR METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - A retail store is equipped with plural shelf-mounted sensors, which are employed in discerning a shopper's interests. The discerned information is used, e.g., in later online interactions with the shopper. A variety of other novel features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-07-2013 |
20120317022 | Digital Watermarking Applications - The disclosure relates generally to methods and systems including, e.g.,: (1) steganographically embedding location information in image or audio content, where the location information is obtained from remote sources like a cell phone network or remote GPS receiver; (2) steganographically embedding participant IDs in content to ensure proper billing and royalty tracking; (3) providing fair-use content management based upon digital watermark-tracked usage; (4) providing micro-payments based upon watermarked objects for retailers; and/or (5) providing watermarked logon cards, such as watermarked hotel room keys, to better provide internet logon access control. Other systems and methods are provided as well. | 12-13-2012 |
20120310726 | Digital Watermarking Applications - The disclosure relates generally to digital watermarking applications. One claim recites a method comprising: obtaining identifying information for a party seeking attribution for content to be distributed; using a programmed processor, digital watermarking the content with the identifying information; and associating an attribution action with the identifying information in a data repository; in which the attribution action is triggered when a rendering device decodes the digital watermarking and obtains the identifying information during a transaction, in which performing the attribution action does not occur when the content includes limited functionality for initial evaluation but said performing the royalty payment action does occur when the content is purchased or enabled for longer evaluation relative to the initial evaluation. Other claims and combinations are provided as well. | 12-06-2012 |