Abstract: An apparatus that includes a computer server having processing circuitry operatively coupled to a memory and a communication interface is provided. A remote image capture device is communicatively coupled to the computer server via the communication interface. The apparatus acquires a captured image of a storage system from the image capture device. The apparatus identifies a pair of physical items in the image, including determining identities of each item of the pair of physical items, and identifying locations in the storage system of each physical item of the pair of physical items. The apparatus processes the image to measure a physical proximity between the pair of physical items, and generates or updates a measure of similarity between the pair of physical items based on the measured physical proximity. The apparatus can also process multiple images to determine similarity between different storage systems or associated persons based on item proximities.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying books located on a bookshelf. Photographs of the bookshelf are captured and processed to identify individual books. Processing involves segmenting the photograph into individual book spines and extracting and analyzing features of the book spines. Analysis may include database matching and/or optical character recognition. Book spines for which a match is not found are human labeled, and the label information is added to the database. User feedback is also used to update the database.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a computer server having processing circuitry operatively coupled to a memory and a communication interface is provided. A remote image capture device is communicatively coupled to the computer server via the communication interface. The apparatus acquires a captured image of a storage system from the image capture device. The apparatus identifies a pair of physical items in the image, including determining identities of each item of the pair of physical items, and identifying locations in the storage system of each physical item of the pair of physical items. The apparatus processes the image to measure a physical proximity between the pair of physical items, and generates or updates a measure of similarity between the pair of physical items based on the measured physical proximity. The apparatus can also process multiple images to determine similarity between different storage systems or associated persons based on item proximities.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying books located on a bookshelf. Photographs of the bookshelf are captured and processed to identify individual books. Processing involves segmenting the photograph into individual book spines and extracting and analyzing features of the book spines. Analysis may include database matching and/or optical character recognition. Book spines for which a match is not found are human labeled, and the label information is added to the database. User feedback is also used to update the database.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing owners of a physical work, such as a book, to purchase an electronic version of the work by validating their ownership of the work using a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, and marking the work. The owner is instructed to mark the work and to capture camera images of the work. The images are analyzed to identify the work, determine whether the work has been previously marked, and to verify that the work has been marked by the owner. Analysis may be performed remotely by a server in communication with the personal electronic device. Various means for authenticating ownership of the work are also disclosed, including 3D analysis, page curvature analysis, concurrent still image and video capture, detection of use of a video display to spoof the work, and geofencing.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing owners of a physical work, such as a book, to purchase an electronic version of the work by validating their ownership of the work using a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, and marking the work. The owner is instructed to mark the work and to capture camera images of the work. The images are analyzed to identify the work, determine whether the work has been previously marked, and to verify that the work has been marked by the owner. Analysis may be performed remotely by a server in communication with the personal electronic device. Various means for authenticating ownership of the work are also disclosed, including 3D analysis, page curvature analysis, concurrent still image and video capture, detection of use of a video display to spoof the work, and geofencing.