Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208849 | Methods for Identifying Audio or Video Content - The disclosed technology generally relates to methods for identifying audio and video entertainment content. Certain shortcomings of fingerprint-based content identification can be redressed through use of crowdsourcing techniques. | 08-28-2008 |
20080228733 | Method and System for Determining Content Treatment - Metadata determines treatment of content by automated systems, including “user generated content” web sites. The metadata may be conveyed with the content or may be determined by other techniques, including systems based on digital watermarking or content fingerprinting. In some arrangements, treatment depends on the temporal length of a content excerpt that matches a pre-existing work. In others, treatment depends on popularity—either of the content, or a pre-existing work from which it was derived. A great variety of other factors and contexts can also be considered. Automated tools to preliminarily identify possible “fair use” can be realized; further determination may be made by human evaluators (including crowd-source approaches). | 09-18-2008 |
20100036881 | Portable Audio Appliance - The presently claimed invention relate generally to portable audio devices. One claim recites a method including: receiving audio content data through an interface of a portable personal digital device capable of playing audio; storing the received audio content data in electronic memory; audibly rendering said audio content data; utilizing an electronic processor, counting a number of plays of the received audio content data; and displaying the number of plays of the received audio content data to a user of the portable personal digital device. Of course additional claims and combination are provided as well. | 02-11-2010 |
20100046744 | Methods and Devices Responsive to Ambient Audio - A portable device uses a microphone to listen to ambient audio, derives data from captured audio signals, and uses the derived data to request delivery of the audio or related information to the user's home or other location. The device is desirably pocket-sized, or suitable for carrying on a key-ring. The device may also detect a watermark signal that is present in the user's environment (e.g., played through a public address speaker system) to aid the user in recalling the context from which the audio was requested. | 02-25-2010 |
20100046842 | 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. | 02-25-2010 |
20100048242 | 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 aspects relate to data driven imaging architectures, in which a cell phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized 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. 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. | 02-25-2010 |
20100119208 | CONTENT INTERACTION METHODS AND SYSTEMS EMPLOYING PORTABLE DEVICES - A portable device, such as a cell phone, is used to “forage” media content from a user's environment. For example, it may listen to a television viewed by a traveler in an airport lounge. By reference to digital watermark or other data extracted from the content, the device can identify the television program, and enable a variety of actions. For example, the device may instruct a DVR to record the remainder of the television program—or determine when the program will be rebroadcast, and instruct the DVR to record the program in its entirety at that later time. The device may also identify content that preceded (or follows) the foraged content. Thus, a user who tunes-in just at the end of an exciting sporting event can capture one of the following commercials, identify the preceding program, and download same for later viewing. In other aspects, a cell phone can be used as a “second screen,” through which a user can interact with ambient content—such as reviewing electronic program guide data, or enjoying interactive television features. A great variety of other functions and arrangements are also detailed. | 05-13-2010 |
20100150395 | Data Transmission by Extracted or Calculated Identifying Data - The present invention relates to data transmission, and more particularly relates to use of extracted or calculated identifying data as proxies in transmission. One claim recites a method including: receiving identifying data and information from a handheld device, the identifying data having been calculated from audible portions or video portions of first content utilizing at least a programmed electronic processor housed within the handheld device, in which the handheld device comprises a media player for rendering audio or video content to a user of the handheld device, and the information comprises capabilities associated with the handheld device; with reference to a database, determining additional content, enhanced or improved relative to the first content, that is associated with: i) the identifying data, and ii) the information; and providing metadata associated with the additional content to the handheld device. These techniques could be advantageously applied to cell phones. Of course, other combinations and claims are also provided. | 06-17-2010 |
20100179859 | Method and System for Facilitating On-Line Shopping - A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features useful in on-line shopping are also disclosed. | 07-15-2010 |
20100322035 | Audio-Based, Location-Related Methods - The presently claimed technology relates generally to audio-based, location-related methods. One claim recites a method in which a microphone in a user's portable device captures ambient sound, and corresponding data is then processed to determine location information about the user's location. Action is then taken involving the determined location information. By such arrangement, location information is determined by reference to ambient sound captured by a user-carried portable device. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 12-23-2010 |
20110019869 | Method and Systems for Processing Text Found in Images - An image containing text (e.g., a surveillance camera photo that includes a vehicle license plate) is analyzed to determine the text (e.g., by an OCR technique). The recognized text is then stored in a database. The image is digitally watermarked with an identifier that associates the image with the database location where the text is stored. In addition to surveillance contexts, this technology can be employed in indexing the World Wide Web. Images used in web pages can be watermarked to link to associated text or other data. When the web page is crawled by an indexer, the watermark can be decoded and the associated data repository accessed to obtain information that can augment the web index for that page. | 01-27-2011 |
20110046959 | Substituting or Replacing Components in Sound Based on Steganographic Encoding - The present disclosure relates to various methods and systems to provide substitute sound (e.g., audio). One claim includes an apparatus comprising: electronic memory for storing identifying information obtained from steganographically encoded sound; an electronic processor programmed for: providing the identifying information to a remote computer, the remote computer including substitute sound corresponding to the identifying information; providing format information to the remote computer, the format information identifying a format in which the substitute sound should be formatted prior to communication of the substitute sound; and controlling receipt of substitute sound corresponding to the identifying information. Of course, other apparatus, methods and combinations are provided as well. | 02-24-2011 |
20110098029 | 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. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098056 | 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. | 04-28-2011 |
20110159921 | METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING SENSOR-EQUIPPED SMART PHONES - The present technology concerns improvements to smart phones and related sensor-equipped systems. Some embodiments relate to smart phone-assisted commuting, e.g., by bicycle. Some involve novel human-computer interactions, e.g., using tactile grammars—some of which may be customized by users. Others involve spoken clues, e.g., by which a user can assist a smart phone in identifying what portion of imagery captured by a smart phone camera should be processed, or identifying what type of image processing should be conducted. Some arrangements include the degradation of captured content information in accordance with privacy rules, which may be location-dependent, or based on the unusualness of the captured content, or responsive to later consultation of the stored content information by the user. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 06-30-2011 |
20110161076 | 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. | 06-30-2011 |
20110212717 | 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. | 09-01-2011 |
20110276429 | Method and System for Facilitating On-Line Shopping - A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features useful in on-line shopping are also disclosed. | 11-10-2011 |
20110280447 | 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. | 11-17-2011 |
20110301964 | Auction Methods and Systems - Known auction techniques are modified to provide various benefits. In one arrangement, a pseudo-random function is employed to determine whether a nominally-ended auction should be extended, allowing an unsuccessful remorseful bidder a possible further chance to win the auction. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 12-08-2011 |
20110317875 | Identifying and Redressing Shadows in Connection with Digital Watermarking and Fingerprinting - The present disclosure relates generally to cell phones and cameras, and to shadow detection in images captured by such cell phones and cameras. One claim recites a method comprising: identifying a shadow cast by a camera on a subject being imaged; and using a programmed electronic processor, redressing the shadow in connection with: i) reading a digital watermark from imagery captured of the subject, or ii) calculating a fingerprint from the imagery captured of the subject. Another 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 a proximity of the camera to the subject based on an analysis of the shadow. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too. | 12-29-2011 |
20120014568 | Speech Recognition, and Related Systems - In one arrangement, information useful in understanding the content of user speech (e.g., phonemes identified by a speech recognition algorithm, data indicating the gender of the speaker, etc.) is determined at an apparatus (e.g., a cell phone), and accompanies speech data sent from that apparatus. (Steganographic encoding of the speech data can be employed to convey this information.) A receiving device can use this accompanying information to better understand the content of the speech. A great variety of other features and arrangements—some dealing with imagery rather than audio—are also detailed. | 01-19-2012 |
20120028577 | MOBILE DEVICES AND METHODS EMPLOYING HAPTICS - A variety of haptic improvements useful in mobile devices are detailed. In one, a smartphone captures image data from a physical object, and discerns an object identifier from the imagery (e.g., using watermark, barcode, or fingerprint techniques). This identifier is sent to a remote data structure, which returns data defining a distinct haptic signature associated with that object. This smartphone then renders this haptic signal to the user. (Related embodiments identify the object using other means, such as location, or NFC chip.) In another arrangement, haptic feedback signals social network information about a product or place (e.g., the user's social network friends “Like” a particular brand of beverage). In yet another arrangement, the experience of watching a movie on a television screen is augmented by tactile effects issued by a tablet computer on the viewer's lap. In still another arrangement, commercial vendors bid for rights to employ different ones of a library of haptic signals on one or more users' smartphones, e.g., to alert such user(s) to their products/services. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 02-02-2012 |
20120114249 | 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. | 05-10-2012 |
20120123959 | Methods and Systems to Help Detect Identity Fraud - The disclosed technology generally relates to methods and systems to aid in verifying a person's identity, e.g., in connection with applying for an identity document (such as a passport or driver's license), or in connection with qualifying to enter a secured area (such as at an airport). Many arrangements involve testing the person concerning specific knowledge with which he or she should be familiar, e.g., by reason of living in a particular residence and neighborhood, by reason of their particular employment, or by reason of their particular education. An appendix particularly addresses crowdsourcing technology, including its applicability in redressing some of the shortcomings of fingerprint-based content identification. | 05-17-2012 |
20120134548 | Smartphone-Based Methods and Systems - Methods and arrangements involving portable devices are disclosed. One arrangement enables a content creator to select software with which that content should be rendered—assuring continuity between artistic intention and delivery. Another arrangement utilizes the camera of a smartphone 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 of the detailed 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. | 05-31-2012 |
20120208592 | 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. | 08-16-2012 |
20120220311 | 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. | 08-30-2012 |
20120280908 | 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. | 11-08-2012 |
20130011062 | 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. | 01-10-2013 |
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 |
20130063613 | 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. | 03-14-2013 |
20130085825 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING CONTENT TREATMENT - Content uploaded to a video distribution service is analyzed to determine if a portion matches part of any reference work. If a match is found, treatment of the uploaded content is determined based on stored rule data, and based on one or more factors. These factors can include, e.g., the length of the matching portion, the part of the reference work from which the matching portion was apparently copied, the confidence of the match, the popularity of the uploaded content (or of the reference work), the geography from which the content was uploaded (or the geography to which it is to be downloaded), etc. Further determinations may be made by human evaluators (including crowd-source approaches). A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 04-04-2013 |
20130110870 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AUDIO OR VIDEO CONTENT | 05-02-2013 |
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 |
20130183952 | 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. | 07-18-2013 |
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 |
20130290112 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING SHOPPING - A shopper is presented with a customized online store whose inventory is defined by the shopper. In one embodiment, specification of the inventory is conducted in a bricks and mortar store—either during checkout, or by the shopper walking the aisles and scanning items with a barcode scanner pen or the like. The inventory may be defined—at least in part—by scanning items in the shopper's home. A variety of other novel features are also disclosed. | 10-31-2013 |
20130294648 | 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. | 11-07-2013 |
20130297942 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AUDIO OR VIDEO CONTENT - The disclosed technology generally relates to methods for identifying audio and video entertainment content. Certain shortcomings of fingerprint-based content identification can be redressed through use of human-reviewers in a social networking site environment. | 11-07-2013 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20140156691 | METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING AUDIO OR VIDEO CONTENT - The disclosed technology generally relates to methods for identifying audio and video entertainment content. Certain shortcomings of fingerprint-based content identification can be redressed through use of human-reviewers. | 06-05-2014 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20140378810 | PHYSIOLOGIC DATA ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS - The availability of high quality imagers on smartphones and other portable devices facilitates creation of a large, crowd-sourced, image reference library that depicts skin rashes and other dermatological conditions. Some of the images are uploaded with, or later annotated with, associated diagnoses or other information (e.g., “this rash went away when I stopped drinking milk”). A user uploads a new image of an unknown skin condition to the library. Image analysis techniques are employed to identify salient similarities between features of the uploaded image, and features of images in this reference library. Given the large dataset, statistically relevant correlations emerge that identify to the user certain diagnoses that may be considered, other diagnoses that may likely be ruled-out, and/or anecdotal information about similar skin conditions from other users. Similar arrangements can employ audio and/or other physiologically-derived signals. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 12-25-2014 |
20150055855 | LEARNING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A sequence of images depicting an object is captured, e.g., by a camera at a point-of-sale terminal in a retail store. The object is identified, such as by a barcode or watermark that is detected from one or more of the images. Once the object's identity is known, such information is used in training a classifier (e.g., a machine learning system) to recognize the object from others of the captured images, including images that may be degraded by blur, inferior lighting, etc. In another arrangement, such degraded images are processed to identify feature points useful in fingerprint-based identification of the object. Feature points extracted from such degraded imagery aid in fingerprint-based recognition of objects under real life circumstances, as contrasted with feature points extracted from pristine imagery (e.g., digital files containing label artwork for such objects). A great variety of other features and arrangements—some involving designing classifiers so as to combat classifier copying—are also detailed. | 02-26-2015 |
20150080060 | MOBILE DEVICES AND METHODS EMPLOYING HAPTICS - A variety of haptic improvements useful in mobile devices are detailed. In one, a smartphone captures image data from a physical object, and discerns an object identifier from the imagery (e.g., using watermark, barcode, or fingerprint techniques). This identifier is sent to a remote data structure, which returns data defining a distinct haptic signature associated with that object. This smartphone then renders this haptic signal to the user. (Related embodiments identify the object using other means, such as location, or NFC chip.) In another arrangement, haptic feedback signals social network information about a product or place (e.g., the user's social network friends “Like” a particular brand of beverage). In yet another arrangement, the experience of watching a movie on a television screen is augmented by tactile effects issued by a tablet computer on the viewer's lap. In still another arrangement, commercial vendors bid for rights to employ different ones of a library of haptic signals on one or more users' smartphones, e.g., to alert such user(s) to their products/services. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 03-19-2015 |