Image Recognition Contact Retrieval System

The patent introduces an image recognition module as an intermediary that processes images containing contact information. Instead of requiring direct device-to-device communication through bumping, the system captures an image of the contact information (such as a business card or displayed contact details), extracts the data through image recognition, and retrieves additional information from a social network. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for both devices to run the same application or make physical contact.

The patent replaces the mechanical manual typing process with automated image recognition and data extraction. Instead of manually typing contact information into the device, the system captures an image of the contact information, uses optical character recognition to extract the data automatically, and populates the contact database. This substitution of mechanical typing with automated recognition significantly reduces the time required and eliminates user errors associated with manual entry.

The patent implements a self-service permission verification system that automatically checks social network relationships and permission rules without requiring manual user intervention. When an image is captured and a user is identified through facial recognition or other image analysis methods, the system automatically queries the social network to verify the relationship between the captured user and the device user, checks permission rules associated with that relationship, and retrieves contact information only if permissions are satisfied. This automated self-service approach maintains high security while preserving ease of use.