Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 fingerprint 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 add the program to the traveler's viewing queue (e.g., at Netflix). 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. A great variety of other functions and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: A machine readable code (e.g., digital watermark or bar code) conveyed with objects is used in establishing links to associated electronic resources, such as web pages. The object can be physical (e.g., a magazine page) or electronic (e.g., music data). The associated electronic resource can be a web site from which goods or services (e.g., music) may be offered for sale. In some embodiments, when a code is sensed from one object, the system can foresee other object codes that may soon be sensed, and can anticipatorily provide address information for their respectively associated electronic resources. In another embodiment, the microphone of a cell phone is used to listen to ambient audio. A watermark in the audio is decoded and its payload is used to link to, or provide, related information. A variety of other concepts are also detailed, such as permitting the free distribution of low fidelity music as marketing agents for higher fidelity versions that are available for sale.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to image capture and identification of captured imagery. One claim recites an apparatus comprising: an image sensor configured for capturing image data, said apparatus to be worn or attached on a human so that said image sensor captures image data while said apparatus is worn or attached on the human; an analyzer configured for analyzing captured image data and to determine plural-bit identifiers for one or more objects represented in the captured image data, said analyzer is also configured for correcting for distortion in the image data; an output for communicating a determined plural-bit identifier to a remotely located network resource; and an input for receiving advertizing information associated with the determined plural-bit identifier. Of course, other claims are provided too.

Abstract: Many of the detailed technologies are useful in enabling a smart phone to respond to a user's environment, e.g., so it can serve as an intuitive hearing and seeing device. A few of the detailed arrangements involve using radio base station SDR equipment (e.g., at a cell tower) to perform image recognition operations for phones; forecasting service needs from remote processors, and reserving such capacity in advance of use; delegating a remote execution task to a service provider chosen in a competitive process, such as by a reverse auction; using nearby processors, e.g.

Abstract: Consumer uses of mobile devices and electronic media are changing. Mobile devices include increased computational capabilities, mobile broadband access, better integrated sensors, and higher resolution screens. These enhanced features are driving increased consumption of media such as images, maps, e-books, audio, video, and games. As users become more accustomed to using mobile devices for media, opportunities arise for new digital watermarking usage models. For example, transient media, like images being displayed on screens, can be watermarked to provide a link between mobile devices, extending the reach of digital watermarking. Digital fingerprinting can also be employed. Applications based on these emerging usage models can provide richer user experiences and drive increased media consumption. A great variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Various techniques for uniquely marking software, such as by reference to hidden information or other telltale features, are detailed. Some marks are evident in static code. Others are observable when the code is executed. Some do not manifest themselves until the code is exercised with specific stimulus. Different of the techniques are applicable to source code, object code, and firmware. A great number of other features and arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of managing content, and in particular, managing content on the Internet retrieves a web page that includes an image and detects whether the image included within the web page is embedded with a digital watermark. It generates an indicia associated with an image included in the web page that is embedded with a digital watermark. The indicia indicate to the user which images include watermarks. The watermarks may be used to convey links to related web pages or specific information about the images, such as usage rights and licensing information. Variations of this method create image bookmarks to web pages including images using thumbnails of those images. A content management system comprises a first program for retrieving web pages including images. It also includes a second program for extracting an image from a web page, creating a thumbnail of the image, and forming an image bookmark linking the thumbnail to the web page that the image has been extracted from.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing content objects within web pages use persistent content identification to identify content signals and associate behaviors with the content signals, such as controlling rendering of the content signals along with other information, such as advertising. One method executes within a user device and automatically inserts code within the web page to fetch remote information used in connection with rendering the content signal in a web page. Another method operates on a server and enhances a content object so that it will have certain behaviors when downloaded and presented with a web page.

Abstract: A testbed is provided for testing broadband wireless test units. The testbed includes an enclosure and a plurality of I/O connectors accessible externally of the enclosure. Each of the I/O connectors is for being electrically coupled to a respective test unit. A series of connections within the enclosure serve to interconnect the plurality of I/O connectors as respective nodes in a bus-mesh network topology.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates to image sensors to be worn or attached on a human. One claim recites an apparatus including: an image sensor to capture image data, said apparatus to be worn or attached on a human so that said image sensor captures image data while said apparatus is worn or attached on the human; and an analyzer to analyze captured image data and to determine plural-bit identifiers for one or more objects represented in the captured image data. Of course, additional combinations are provided as claimed as well.

Abstract: In one implementation of the present invention, a method is provided including: receiving a request to register with an online computer; receiving account holder information to register with the online central computer; establishing an account using at least the account holder received information including establishing a user-login that is associated with the account; allowing an account holder to select a graphic or image from a gallery of graphics or images maintained by the online computer, wherein a selected graphic or image becomes a representation that is associated with the account or user-login; and providing a selected graphic or image from the online computer as a representation of association with at least one of the account holder, account and user-login.

Abstract: A variety of systems and embodiments are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method including: maintaining a database including a plurality of records stored therein; obtaining first information derived from image or video data, the first information being derived remotely relative to performance of said method, the first information comprising a reduced-bit representation of the image or video data itself; determining whether the first information has been previously received with reference to at least the plurality of records stored in the database; and disregarding a request or action associated with the first information if the first information has been previously received. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for associating content objects (e.g., paper documents, audio and video files, etc.) with corresponding information and/or action. One arrangement employs an architecture comprising a registration server, a router, and one or more product handlers. Identifiers for the content objects can be obtained in various ways, including decoding a digital watermark, deriving an identifier by hashing music data, sensing machine-readable data such as RFID or barcode data, etc. The technology is suitable for use with handheld devices, including cell phones and media players.

Abstract: A machine readable code (e.g., digital watermark or bar code) conveyed with objects is used in establishing links to associated electronic resources, such as web pages. The object can be physical (e.g., a magazine page) or electronic (e.g., music data). The associated electronic resource can be a web site from which goods or services (e.g., music) may be offered for sale.

Abstract: A variety of systems responsive to watermarked documents are detailed. In one, watermarking is employed to facilitate secure online transactions. In another, a system for exchanging data is provided. One system includes a user terminal and a central site. The user terminal includes a watermark reader, and a capture device to capture an image of a watermarked document. The central site includes a database of image hashes. The user terminal communicates with the central site. The watermark reader reads a watermark and computes a hash of a captured image, and passes the hash to the central site for comparison with the database of image hashes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to linking on-line data to printed documents, such as business cards, envelopes, stickers, stationary, letterhead, résumés, etc. In one embodiment, a card-user registers with an on-line database and receives a gallery item including a steganographically-embedded unique identifier. The gallery item, such as a graphical background, text, shading, graphic, etc., is integrated and then printed with a document. The printed document can then be presented an optical-scanner, which outputs data. The output data is decoded to identify the unique identifier. The unique identifier is then used to index into the on-line database to retrieve information related to the proprietor of the document. In one embodiment, the on-line database includes features such as providing an immediate contact number, translation and/or pronunciation ability, and storage of audio/video files.

Abstract: Web pages which contain images are displayed by a browser. A special visual indicia is placed on any the images which contain a digital watermark so that a user can know that the image contains hidden watermark data. By clicking on the indicia which is placed on the image, the user will be linked to the web page identified by the watermark data hidden in the image. Such a link will be established without the web page designer having to include a tag in the web pages design which displayed the original image. The present invention also opens a separate widow which contains a thumbnail of each image in a web page. If a user right clicks on one of the thumbnails in this window the image will be added to a list of images in a special image bookmark file. When a user opens the bookmark web page, thumbnails of all the stored images in the bookmark file are displayed. A user can recall the web page which originally contained the image by clicking on the thumbnail.

Abstract: Web pages which contain images are displayed by a browser. A special visual indicia is placed on any the images which contain a digital watermark so that a user can know that the image contains hidden watermark data. By clicking on the indicia which is placed on the image, the user will be linked to the web page identified by the watermark data hidden in the image. Such a link will be established without the web page designer having to include a tag in the web pages design which displayed the original image. The present invention also opens a separate window which contains a thumbnail of each image in a web page. If a user right clicks on one of the thumbnails in this window the image will be added to a list of images in a special image bookmark file. When a user opens the bookmark web page, thumbnails of all the stored images in the bookmark file are displayed. A user can recall the web page which originally contained the image by clicking on the thumbnail.