Device and method for embedding and retrieving information in digital images

DC CAFC

US 7,456,872 B2
Filed: 02/04/2005
Issued: 11/25/2008
Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
Status: Expired due to Fees

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1. A locational image verification device for verifying an assignment of a user comprising:

a user verification module for verifying an identity of a user of the device, wherein upon verification, the user verification module enables operation of the device and provides an assignment to the user;

a capture module for capturing an image relating to the assignment and creating a digital image file, wherein the user verification module verifies the identity of the user of the device at a time of the image capture;

a locational information module for determining a location of the device when capturing the image;

a date and time module for determining a date and time of the image capture;

a processing module for associating the assignment, the user identity, location information and the time and date to the digital image file; and

an encryption module for encrypting the digital image file and associated information upon image capture.

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Abstract

A digital imaging device and method for embedding and retrieving of information in digital images are provided. The digital imaging device includes a capture module for capturing an image and creating a digital image file; a locational information module for determining a location of the device when capturing the image; and a processing module for associating the location information to the digital image file. The device further includes a user verification module for verifying an identity of a user of the device at a time of image capture and an encryption module for encrypting the digital image file and associated information. The method provides for securing information associated with the digital images and for verifying activities of a user.

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39 Claims

1. A locational image verification device for verifying an assignment of a user comprising:
- a user verification module for verifying an identity of a user of the device, wherein upon verification, the user verification module enables operation of the device and provides an assignment to the user;
  
  a capture module for capturing an image relating to the assignment and creating a digital image file, wherein the user verification module verifies the identity of the user of the device at a time of the image capture;
  
  a locational information module for determining a location of the device when capturing the image;
  
  a date and time module for determining a date and time of the image capture;
  
  a processing module for associating the assignment, the user identity, location information and the time and date to the digital image file; and
  
  an encryption module for encrypting the digital image file and associated information upon image capture.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- - 2. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a microphone for acquiring audio to be associated to the digital image file.
  - 3. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a display module for displaying the captured image.
  - 4. The device as in claim 3, wherein the display module is adapted to prompt a user to input information regarding the captured image.
  - 5. The device as in claim 4, further comprising a character recognition capture device coupled to the input module for entering information regarding the capture images.
  - 6. The device as in claim 5, wherein the character recognition device is a touch screen overlaid upon the display module.
  - 7. The device as in claim 3, wherein the display module displays geographic directions to the user from at least one location to a location of the assignment.
  - 8. The device as in claim 3, wherein the display module further includes an audio output device for audibly prompting a user to input information regarding the captured image.
  - 9. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a storage module for storing at least one digital image file and the information associated to the digital image file.
  - 10. The device as in claim 9, wherein the storage module is internal storage memory or removable storage memory.
  - 11. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a transmission module for transmitting at least one digital image file and its associated information to a computing device.
  - 12. The device as in claim 11, wherein the transmission module is a hardwired connection, a wireless connection or a removable memory card slot for receiving removable memory.
  - 13. The device as in claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary input module for generating auxiliary information related to the captured image, wherein the auxiliary information is date, time, sequence number of the capture image and user information.
  - 14. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a scanning module for scanning information to be associated with the digital image file.
  - 15. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a scanning module for reading a symbology associated with a printed digital image and wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file.
  - 16. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a communication module coupled to an antenna for wirelessly receiving and transmitting communication messages.
  - 17. The device as in claim 16, further comprising an audio output device for audibly prompting a user to input information regarding the captured image and for audibly producing the received communication messages.
  - 18. The device as in claim 16, further comprising a transmission module coupled to the antenna for transmitting at least one digital image file and its associated information to a computing device.
  - 19. The device as in claim 16, wherein the capture module is coupled to a scanning module for decoding a symbology captured as a digital image by the capture module.
  - 20. The device as in claim 19, wherein the processing module is adapted to use the symbology to retrieve the associated information of the digital image file.
  - 21. The device as in claim 1, wherein the encryption module is further adapted for encrypting the digital image file and associated information immediately upon image capture.
  - 22. The device as in claim 1, further comprising an input module for inputting information regarding the captured image, wherein the processing module associates the inputted information to the digital image file.
  - 23. The device as in claim 22, wherein the processing module is adapted to create a separate information file including the location and inputted information that is linked to the digital image file.
  - 24. The device as in claim 22, wherein the processing module is adapted to append the location and inputted information to the digital image file.
  - 25. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a display module for displaying to a user geographic directions to the location.
  - 26. The device as in claim 1, further comprising a picture sequence module for recording a sequence number of the captured image, wherein the processor module associates the sequence number to the captured image.

27. A method for verifying an assignment of a user, the method comprising the steps of:
- verifying a user of the device to enable use of the device;
  
  upon verification, receiving assignment information for the user;
  
  capturing an image with an imaging device relating to the assignment and creating a digital image file;
  
  determining an identity of the user at a time of the image capture;
  
  determining a location of the device upon image capture;
  
  determining a date and time of the image capture;
  
  associating the assignment information, the user identity, location information and the date and time to the digital image file; and
  
  encrypting the associated information and digital image file upon image capture.
- View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
- - 28. The method as in claim 27, further comprising the step of transmitting the encrypted information and digital image file to a computing device.
  - 29. The method as in claim 27, wherein upon verification of the user, receiving geographic directions from at least one location to a location of the assignment and displaying the directions to the user.
  - 30. The method as in claim 29 further comprising the step of prompting the user for information regarding at least one assignment.
  - 31. The method as in claim 30, wherein the prompting step includes displaying at least one question to the user.
  - 32. The method as in claim 31, further comprising the step of retrieving the associated information by scanning a symbology printed with the captured digital image.
  - 33. The method as in claim 30, wherein the prompting step includes audibly producing at least one question to the user.
  - 34. The method as in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:
    - receiving text input via a character recognition capture device regarding the capture image;
      
      translating the text input into alphanumeric characters; and
      
      associating the inputted text to the digital image file.
  - 35. The method as in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:
    - receiving spoken input via a microphone; and
      
      associating the spoken input to the digital image file.
  - 36. The method as in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:
    - transmitting the encrypted information and digital image file to a computing device;
      
      unencrypting the information and digital image file at the computing device; and
      
      verifying the location and date and time of the image capture.
  - 37. The method as in claim 36, further comprising the step of verifying at least one task of the assignment information has been completed.
  - 38. The method as in claim 27, wherein the associating step includes creating a separate information file including the associated information that is linked to the digital image file.
  - 39. The method as in claim 27, wherein the associating step includes appending the associated information to the digital image file.

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Current Assignee
Rothschild Digital Confirmation, LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
Original Assignee
Rothschild Trust Holdings LLC (Leigh M. Rothschild)
Inventors
Rothschild, Leigh M.
Primary Examiner(s)
Ometz, David L
Assistant Examiner(s)
DURNFORD GESZVAIN, DILLON

Application Number

US11/051,069
Publication Number

US 20060114338A1
Time in Patent Office

1,390 Days
Field of Search

348/231.99
US Class Current

348/231.99
CPC Class Codes

G06F 16/58   Retrieval characterised by ...

H04N 1/2179   Interfaces allowing access ...

H04N 1/2187   with image input from a plu...

H04N 1/2191   for simultaneous, independe...

H04N 1/32112   in a separate computer file...

H04N 1/32128   attached to the image data,...

H04N 1/32144   embedded in the image data,...

H04N 2101/00   Still video cameras

H04N 2201/3225   of data relating to an imag...

H04N 2201/3226   of identification informati...

H04N 2201/3249   data relating to a linked p...

H04N 2201/3264   of sound signals

H04N 2201/3267   of motion picture signals, ...

H04N 2201/327   which are undetectable to t...

H04N 2201/3271   Printing or stamping

H04N 2201/3274   Storage or retrieval of pre...

H04N 5/765   Interface circuits between ...

H04N 5/772   the recording apparatus and...

H04N 5/907   using static stores, e.g. s...

H04N 9/8047   using transform coding

H04N 9/8216 : using time division multiplex

H04N 9/8227 : the additional signal being...

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Device and method for embedding and retrieving information in digital images

First Claim

4 Assignments

Litigations

1 Petition

Accused Products

Abstract

15 Citations

39 Claims

Specification

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Device and method for embedding and retrieving information in digital images

First Claim

4 Assignments

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Litigations

1 Petition

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Accused Products

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Abstract

15 Citations

39 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

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