Mobile Device Image Processing for Advertisement Content Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile device users face limitations in accessing information from RF/NFC-enabled advertisements due to compatibility issues between devices and advertisements, resulting in unreadable content for some users.

Innovation Solution

A method using mobile devices to acquire and process images from various media, including advertisements, using camera-enabled phones with optical character recognition and pattern recognition software to produce and display corresponding content, which can be sent to a server or used to direct a browser to relevant content, enabling users to access information such as barcodes, URLs, or coupons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If RF/NFC technology is used in advertisements to enable information access, then information accessibility is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling mobile devices with camera functionality to access advertisement information through image capture and processing, rather than relying on specialized RF/NFC hardware. This multi-functional approach allows any camera-enabled device to interact with advertisements, eliminating compatibility restrictions imposed by specialized RF/NFC technology while maintaining information accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If specialized RF/NFC reading technology is required, then information reading capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation reading capabilityVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/specialized RF/NFC reading system with an optical imaging system. Instead of requiring specialized hardware readers and complex pairing procedures, the solution uses the ubiquitous camera sensor to capture advertisement images, which are then processed through optical character recognition and pattern recognition algorithms to extract information, dramatically simplifying user operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If image processing is performed on mobile device, then content accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent accessibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that bridges the camera capture and content delivery stages. This intermediary system performs image processing, optical character recognition, and pattern recognition to convert captured images into actionable content, thereby improving content accessibility while managing processing complexity through modular software architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables users to effectively access and utilize information from advertisements by processing images into usable content, enhancing compatibility and user experience across different mobile devices and media types.

Implementation Method 1

using a camera-enabled mobile phone to acquire an image of a portion of an advertisement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The software application may include optical character recognition software

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical character recognition: Image Processing

Implementation Method 3

The software application may include pattern recognition software

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPattern recognition: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentUS8494589B2Service discovery via mobile imaging systems and methods
Publication Date: 2013.07.23 FIRST DATA CORP
  • US8494589B2 patent drawing
  • US8494589B2 patent drawing
  • US8494589B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of receiving content associated with media includes using a mobile device to acquire an image from media. The image has corresponding content. The method also includes using the mobile device to process the image to thereby produce the content and displaying at least a portion of the content on a display of the mobile device.