as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 0) Pub. No.: US 2012/0246184 Al
` ROTHSCHILD (43) Pub. Date: Sep. 27, 2012
`
`
`
`US 20120246184A1
`
`(54) STORING AND RETRIEVING INFORMATION
`ASSOCIATED WITH A DIGITAL IMAGE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor:
`
`;
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Leigh M. ROTHSCHILD, Sunny
`Isles Beach, FL (US)
`
`ARIEL INVENTIONS, LLC,
`Sunny Isles Beach, FL (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`13/491,105
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 7, 2012
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 13/311,204,
`filed on Dec. 5, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part
`of application No. 12/884,941, filed on Sep. 17, 2010,
`which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`12/290,066,filed on Oct. 27, 2008, now Pat. No. 7,995,
`118, which is a continuation ofapplication No. 10/998,
`691, filed on Nov. 29, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,450,163,
`said application No. 12/884,941 is a continuation-in-
`part of application No. 12/290,258, filed on Oct. 29,
`
`2008, which is a continuation of application No.
`11/051,069, filed on Feb. 4, 2005, now Pat. No. 7,456,
`872, which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
`11/020,459, filed on Dec. 22, 2004, whichis a continu-
`ation-in-part of application No. 10/998,691, filed on
`Nov. 29, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,450,163, said applica-
`tion No. 12/884,941 is a continuation-in-part of appli-
`cation No. 12/860,404, filed on Aug. 20, 2010.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CL
`(2006.01)
`GO6F 17/30
`(52) US. CI oe. 707/758; 707/705; 707/E17.014;
`707/E17.019
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A methodand apparatus for receiving an indication of selec-
`tion ofa hotspot on an imageare disclosed. A file associated
`with the hotspot on the image is determined. The file is
`transmitted for execution.
`
`
`
`\ V
`
`
`
`IDEO
`CAMERA
`
` 12
`28 METADATA
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
` NETWORK
`
`COMMUNICATION
`OPTIONS
`
`APPLE-1016
`
`MOBILE
`PHONE
`
`|_-~
`
` PRINTER
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`APPLE-1016
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`
`
`YALNdWODMSLNIYd
`
`“
`
`0zgL_
`SNOHd
`yoF1IGOW\
`
`MYOMLANOL
`
`
`
`SNOILVOINNNWODral
`
`YALNdNOD
`
`OAdIA
`
`VYHAWNVvo
`
`VLVGVLAW
`
`NOILVOINNWIWOD
`
`SNOILdO
`
`LOld
`
`2
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`COMPUTER
`
`44
`
`RECEIVER
`
`34
`COMMUNICATION
`MODULE
`
`
`
`
`
`32
`PROCESSOR
`
`MEMORY
`
`APPLET
`
`40
`METADATA VIEWER
`
`26
`COMMUNICATION
`OPTIONS
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`(STEP S100)
`
`(STEP $102)
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`(STEP S104)
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`(STEP S106)
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`(STEP $108)
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`(STEP $110)
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`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`CAPTURE IMAGE WITH
`MICD
`
`ASSOCIATE METADATA
`WITH MICD
`
` START INPUT DATA TO MICD
`
`
`STORE ON LOCAL
`COMPUTER
`
`ASSOCIATE IMAGE
`WITH ADDITIONAL
`METADATA THAT
`INCLUDES
`COMMUNICATION
`OPTIONS
`
`UPLOAD TO SERVER
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`(STEP $112)|DOWNLOAD APPLET
`
`(STEP $114)
`
`(STEP $118)
`
`(STEP $120)
`
`SELECT IMAGE
`
`VIEW METADATA
`
`DETERMINE URL
`
`DISPLAY
`
`Meesto!
`
`(STEP 8116)
`
`MATERIALS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(STEP $122) eeeoN ACTIVATE FILE|(STEP $124)
`
`(STEP S126)
`
`DISPLAYLIST OF
`MATERIALS
`
`(STEP $128)|RECEIVE SELECTION
`
`(STEP $130)
`
`ACTIVATE FILE
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`START
`
`DOWNLOAD APPLET
`
`
`
`SELECT IMAGE
`
`(STEP $132)
`
`(STEP $134)
`
`(STEP $136)
`
`DISPLAYMETADATA
`COMMUNICATION
`
`OPTIONS
`
`SELECT A
`COMMUNICATION (STEP $138)
`
`(STEP $140)
`
`COMMUNICATE USING
`COMMUNICATION
`OPTION
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(STEP $142) ACTIVATE FILE|(STEP $144)|NAVIGATE TO WEBSITE
`
`(STEP $146)
`
`EXECUTE PROGRAM
`ASSOCIATED WITH
`COMMUNICATION
`OPTION
`
`FIG. 5
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`MOBILE PHONE
`
`
`
`VIDEO CAMERA
`
`56
`PL
`DISPLAY
`
`56
`DISPLAY
`
`14
`
`COMPUTER
`
`36
`DISPLAY
`
`16
`
`50
`
`54
`
`FIG. 6
`
`48
`
`20
`
`PRINTER
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`NETWORK
`
`28
`
`TAG
`
`52
`
`HOTSPOT
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 27, 2012 Sheet 7 of 8
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`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`DISPLAY
`
`HOTSPOT
`
`FIG. 7
`
`8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 27,2012 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`148
`
`150
`
`RECEIVE INDICATION
`OF SELECTION OF A
`HOTSPOT ON AN
`IMAGE
`
`DETERMINE FILE
`ASSOCIATED WITH
`IMAGE
`
`US 2012/0246184 Al START
`
`152 “\
`
`TRANSMIT FILE FOR
`EXECUTION
`
`FIG. 8
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2012/0246184 Al
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`Sep. 27, 2012
`
`STORING AND RETRIEVING INFORMATION
`ASSOCIATED WITH A DIGITAL IMAGE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of patent
`application Ser. No. 13/311,204, filed Dec. 5, 2011 entitled
`SYSTEM AND METHOD OF STORING AND RETRIEV-
`ING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A DIGITAL
`
`IMAGE,whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 12/884,941, filed Sep. 17, 2010, which is a
`continuation-in-part-of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`12/290,066, filed Oct. 27, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,995,118,
`the entirety of which in incorporated herein by reference, and
`which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/998,691, filed Nov. 29, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,450,
`163,the entirety ofwhichis incorporated herein by reference.
`US. patent application Ser. No. 12/884,941 is also a continu-
`ation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/290,258,
`filed on Oct. 29, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated
`herein by reference, and which is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 11/051,069,filed on Feb. 4, 2005,
`now USS. Pat. No. 7,456,872, the entirety of which is incor-
`porated herein by reference, and whichis a continuation-in-
`part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/020,459, filed on
`Dec. 22, 2004,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by
`reference, and which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/998,691, filed on Nov. 29, 2004, now
`USS. Pat. No. 7,450,163, the entirety ofwhichis incorporated
`herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/884,
`941 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 12/860,404, filed on Aug. 20, 2010, the entirety of
`whichis incorporated herein by reference.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`[0002]
`
`n/a
`
`tion, f-number, etc. This information may be madeavailable
`to anyone whodesires additional information about the image
`or the image’s author, i.e. creator.
`[0006] Currently, an Internet user cannot easily access
`metadata for digital images oncethe digital image has been
`uploaded to a website. Further, the image author cannotasso-
`ciate the image with the contact information that may be used
`to communicate withthe author. As such, an Internet user who
`wishes to communicate with the authorof the image, cannot
`easily do so, given that currently, known methods do not
`allow the contact information to stay associated with the
`digital image. Also, imagesare currently not associated with
`metadata that includes communication options that can be
`used to communicate with a party associated with the image,
`such as email, instant messaging,etc.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] A method and system for associating metadata and
`other information materials with a digital image. In accor-
`dance with one aspect, an indication of selection of a hotspot
`on an imageis received.A file associated with the hotspot on
`the imageis determined. Thefile is transmitted for execution.
`[0008]
`In accordance with another aspect,
`the present
`invention provides a computerreadable storage medium,con-
`taining computer readable instructions, that when executed
`by the computer, cause the computer to perform a method
`including receiving an indication ofselection of a hotspot on
`an image. A file associated with the hotspot on the imageis
`determined. Thefile is transmitted for execution.
`
`the present
`In accordance with another aspect,
`[0009]
`invention provides a computer including a storage device, a
`processor and a transmitter. The storage device is configured
`to store a file associated with a hotspot on an image. The
`processoris configured to receive an indication of selection of
`the hotspot on the image, andretrieve a file associated with
`the hotspot on the imagefrom the storage device. The trans-
`mitter is configured to transmit the file for execution.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0003] A method and system for managing digital images,
`and more particularly to a method and system for associating
`data with a digital image.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0004] Millions of images are captured each day by indi-
`viduals around the globe. Manyof these imagesare stored in
`the local storage or external storage of a computer, from
`which they can be accessed and viewed at any time after
`image capture. Manyofthese digital images are uploaded to
`websites on the World Wide Web (WWW), 1.c., the Internet.
`On the Web, other users can access and view the images. In
`many cases the user can also click on the image and be
`directed to a different part of a website or to a totally different
`website.
`[0005] Digital images that are routinely captured usually
`contain embedded metadata that contains information about
`the digital image. This metadata is automatically written by
`the photographic device that captures the image. The meta-
`data may include user supplied information that is stored
`prior to image capture and may also include metadata auto-
`matically supplied by the image capture device, including
`geographic location, date and time of image capture, width,
`length, resolution, pim information, compression informa-
`
`[0010] A more complete understanding of the present
`invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof,
`will be more readily understood byreference to the following
`detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings wherein:
`[0011]
`FIG. 1isadiagram ofa system constructedin accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention;
`[0012] FIG.2 shows an exemplary computerfor processing
`metadata in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention;
`[0013]
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart of a process of
`associating metadata with an image and uploading the meta-
`data and the imageto a server, in accordance with the prin-
`ciples of the present invention;
`[0014]
`FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart of a process of
`viewing and displaying metadata in connection with an
`image;
`FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart of an exemplary
`[0015]
`process of displaying metadata and communicating with a
`party associated with an image, in accordance with the prin-
`ciples of the present invention;
`[0016]
`FIG. 6 isa block diagram of an exemplary system
`constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
`invention;
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`Sep. 27, 2012
`
`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary display
`[0017]
`showing an image associated with a hotspot, in accordance
`with the principles of the present invention; and
`[0018]
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for
`selecting a hotspot on an image, in accordanceto the prin-
`ciples of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0019] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments
`that are in accordance with the present invention,it is noted
`that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of
`apparatus components and processingsteps related to imple-
`menting a system and method for managing digital images.
`Accordingly, the system and method components have been
`represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in
`the drawings, showing only those specific details that are
`pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present
`invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that
`
`will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
`having the benefit of the description herein.
`[0020] As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and
`“second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used
`solely to distinguish one entity or element from anotherentity
`or element without necessarily requiring or implying any
`physicalor logical relationship or order between suchentities
`or elements.
`
`[0021] Referring now to the drawing figures in whichref-
`erence designators refer to like elements, there is shown in
`FIG. 1a block diagram ofan exemplary system constructed in
`accordance with the principles of the present invention and
`designated generally as “10”. System 10 stores, transfers, and
`processes digital images, as well as metadata and additional
`information materials associated with the digital images. Sys-
`tem 10 includes a camera 12 and/or a mobile phone 14 (re-
`ferred to collectively as a Mobile Image Capture Device
`(MICD))as well as a computer 16, a printer 18, acomputer 20
`and a server 22. Although FIG. 1 showsa single one of each
`of these devices, it is understood that more than one of these
`devices may be present. A digital image may be captured by
`the Mobile Image Capture Device (MICD). MICDs may
`include, for example, the IPHONE by APPLE, ANDROID
`phones by GOOGLE,andother devices from other manufac-
`turers.
`
`[0022] The MICD can be linked to a computer 16, wire-
`lessly or by wired/optical connection, to transfer a captured
`digital image and metadata 24 associated with the image from
`the MICD 12 or 14 to the computer 16. Image and metadata
`24 transfer may be automaticor in responseto input by a user
`of the MICD. Thus, the MICD may include a transmission
`module that implements cellular, WiFi, satellite, infrared,
`cable, Local Area Network (LAN), or other communications
`technology to transfer the image and its metadata 24 to the
`computer 16. The computer 16 may be a laptop or desktop
`computer or portable computing device, such as a personal
`digital assistant. The image and metadata 24 can be printed by
`a printer 18 in communication with the computer 16.
`[0023] As usedherein, the term,“image,” includesa single
`captured imageor a series of images, such as captured by a
`motion picture camera. The image maybestored as a jpg,
`bmp, tiff, avi, mpeg, rv, wmv, or otherfile type. The metadata
`24 associated with the image mayalso be stored as one of a
`knownfile type, and may include audiofiles (such as way,
`mp3, aiff, pcm, wma,etc.). The metadata 24 ofthe image may
`be one of several standardized schemas for metadata, includ-
`
`ing EXIF, IPTC, XMP, Dublin Core and Plus. Atleast one of
`the metadata fields contains multiple communication options
`for communicating with a party associated with the image. At
`least one of the multiple communication options 26 may be
`selected by a user to communicate with a party associated
`with the image. Some ofthe communication options 26 avail-
`able to communicate with a party associated with the image
`mayinclude, but may not be limited to email, Short Message
`Service (SMS), blog, social media, video conference, Internet
`chat, Internet Protocol telephony, Internet forum, social net-
`work,virtual world gaming network andinstant message. The
`multiple communication options 26 may be stored by a user
`before or after image capture.
`[0024]
`In some embodiments, metadata 24 can be associ-
`ated with the captured image by the camera 12 or mobile
`phone 14. Additionally, metadata 24 can be associated with
`the captured image by the computer 16. For example,a first
`set of metadata 24 can be associated with the image by the
`MICD 12 or 14. Thisfirst set ofmetadata 24 may be stored by
`a memory of the MICD. A secondset of metadata 24 can be
`associated with the image by the computer 16. This second set
`of metadata 24 may be stored by a memory of the computer
`16.
`
`the first set of metadata 24 may
`For example,
`[0025]
`include the creator’s name,the time anddate of capture ofthe
`image,an identification ofthe MICDthat captured the image,
`characteristics of the image, including size, chroma,lighting,
`etc., the GPS coordinates of the MICDatthe time of capture,
`the dimensions of the captured image, the f-number, resolu-
`tion, compression information, an audiofile, etc. Thefirst set
`of metadata 24 mayalso include communication options 26.
`Someofthis first set of metadata 24 may be inputted before
`image capture bythe user of the MICD,and someofthe first
`set ofmetadata 24, suchas GPScoordinates, can be automati-
`cally determined by the MICD. Someorall ofthe metadata 24
`maybe displayed at a display of the MICD,to allow the user
`to edit and approve the metadata 24.
`[0026] The second set of metadata 24 may include audio
`files, video files, uniform resource locators (URLs), a descrip-
`tion of the captured image, information concerning image
`sizes, symbols such as barcodes, and also communication
`options 26 for communicating with a party associated with
`the image, such as the author. Barcode data maybe based,for
`example, on EAN, UPC, Code 25, Microsoft Tag, Neomedia
`Mobile Tag, QR Tagsor the Shop Savvy Barcode system. For
`example, a bar code maybeprinted and/or decodedto provide
`information about the imageto a user.
`[0027]
`Someofthe first or secondset ofmetadata 24 can be
`input at the MICD 12 or 14 and someorall of the first or
`second set of metadata 24 can be associated with the imageat
`the computer 16. The computer 16 can be connected to a
`server 22 via the Internet or other computer network 28,
`including the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
`An imagestored in the computer 16 can be copied, along with
`the metadata 24 associated with the image, to the server 22.
`This transfer ofthe image andits metadata 24 from the MICD
`or computer 16 to the server 22 may be performedat any time
`after image capture.In addition, the image andits metadata 24
`maybe uploadedto the server 22 directly by the MICD 12 or
`14. The server 22 stores metadata 24 and additional informa-
`
`tion materials associated with the image. In an exemplary
`embodiment, information materials may include communi-
`cation options 26.
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2012/0246184 Al
`
`Sep. 27, 2012
`
`municate with any party, including a party associated with the
`[0028] Once uploaded, the image and its metadata 24 may
`image. Some of the communication options 26 available to
`be accessible from the server 22 by another computer 20.
`communicate with a party associated with the image may
`Thus, in some embodiments,a file containing the image and
`include, but may not be limited to email, Short Message
`its associated metadata 24 can be uploaded to the server 22,
`Service (SMS), blog, social media, video conference, Internet
`where it can be accessed at a website accessible to a plurality
`chat, Internet Protocol telephony, Internet forum, social net-
`of computers connected to the Internet. Note that the site
`work, virtual world gaming network andinstant message. In
`containing the image and its metadata 24 may not have any
`another exemplary embodiment, a computer program, such
`commercial nexus withthe original author ofthe image, since
`as an applet, may retrieve information materials associated
`ownership of the image may have been transferred or may be
`with the image, and the information materials may include
`in the public domain. For example, an image uploaded to a
`communication options 26.
`social network site, such as FACEBOOK, may be in the
`public domain.
`[0034] An Internet user may wish to communicate with a
`[0029]
`In some embodiments, an applet may be down-
`party associated with the image, such as the author. The user
`loaded from a website at the request of a user. The applet
`may select the image and, in response, a computer program,
`enables a userto access or view metadata 24 of an image. The
`such as an applet, may cause the display of multiple commu-
`website providing the applet may bedifferent from the web-
`nication options 26 associated with the image. As used herein,
`site where an image and its metadata 24 are stored. The applet
`the term “select” includes “hovering” a pointing device, such
`can automatically integrate into a web browserofthe user or
`as mouse, stylus or finger, over the imageso that the cursoris
`may remain separate. Current web browsers capableofinte-
`over the image. In response to detecting this occurrence,
`grating a downloadedapplet include MICROSOFT INTER-
`multiple communication options 26 may be displayed. The
`NET EXPLORER, GOOGLE’S CHROME,and MOZILLA
`user may hover over the image with a user input device, such
`FIREFOX, to name a few. The applet may be launched by
`as a mouseorstylus. Hovering includes, butis not limitedto,
`clicking an icon provided onatool bar of the web browseror
`holding a cursor over an image, “mousing” over the image,
`may be launchedby other input from the user, such as when
`positioning a user input device over the image or using a user
`the user selects the image.
`input device to temporarily select the image. For example, the
`user may hover over an imageby positioning a cursor over an
`[0030] When a user encounters a digital image ofinterest
`image without clicking the mouse. Hovering maybe detected
`on the Web,he or she mayselect the image by clicking on the
`over animageand, in responseto the hovering over the image,
`image, uttering a voice command,or otherwise indicating a
`the multiple communication options 26 may be displayed.
`selection of the image using a keyboard or mouse.The applet
`TheInternet user may wish to communicate with the party via
`is then launched, and a window may appear in response to
`one of the communication options 26, and may select one of
`launching the applet. The window may enable the user to
`the communication options 26 to communicate with the party.
`view metadata 24or, alternatively, someorall ofthe metadata
`A communication option selection may be received and a
`may be hidden from the user. The applet enables the user to
`communication channelassociated with the selected commu-
`view metadata 24 by executing a metadata viewer to examine
`nication option may opento connectthe Internet user with the
`the metadata fields containedin the digital imagefile. Online
`party.
`metadata viewers include Jeffrey’s Exif Viewer at http://
`regex.info./exif.cgi.
`In an exemplary embodiment, a browser navigates
`[0035]
`to a website associated with one of the communication
`[0031] The applet may find and retrieve a URL within the
`metadata 24. This URL address may be an address or pointer
`options 26. For example, if the Internet user wishes to com-
`to alocation of a website orfile that contains the metadata and
`municate via a social network, a browser may navigate to the
`social network website. The Internet user may then send a
`“friend request” to the party associated with the image. In
`another exemplary embodiment, a computer program associ-
`ated with the communication option selected may be run in
`response to selection of at least one of the multiple commu-
`nication options 26. For example, the Internet user mayselect
`to communicate with the party via email. An email computer
`program maybestarted to allow communication between the
`Internet user and the party. Similarly, if the Internet user
`wishes to communicate with the party using Internet tele-
`[0032] Once the metadata viewer locates the URL address,
`phony, a computer program that implements Voice Over
`the user may then be taken to the URLlocation either auto-
`Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) may be started. The computer
`matically or upon request. At the URLlocation, a thumbnail
`program may then dial the telephone number ofthe party
`and/or a large size copy of the image maybepresented to the
`associated with the image and connectthe userto the party.
`user. Also, the user may be presented withalist of materials
`associated with the digital
`image. These materials may
`[0036] One of the communication options 26 may be a
`include audiofiles, videofiles, text files, URL links and hyper
`secure communication option, and as such, a password may
`links to other related information, encoded symbology, GPS
`be required to initiate communication using the secure com-
`location information,variations ofthe image including higher
`munication option. For example, a party associated with the
`definitions of the image or different sizes of the image. The
`image mayallow only predetermined people to contact them
`via video chat. As such, an Internet user who wishes to com-
`user maythen select any of the listed information to view or
`download.
`municate with the party via video chat may be required to
`enter a password or another type of security verification.
`[0037] Additionally, one of the communication options 26
`may be automatically activated in responseto selection ofthe
`
`other information materials associated with the image by a
`user. In another embodiment, the hyperlink could be a link to
`a server of a photo processing center. Examples of photo
`
`processing centers include WALMART, WALGREENS,
`COSTCO, FLICKR, and SONY IMAGESTATION among
`others. The metadata 24 can then be processed at this center
`and the metadata 24 may contain information concerning the
`type of processing requested by the owner of the images
`associated with the metadata 24.
`
`Inan exemplary embodiment, metadata 24 includes
`[0033]
`communication options 26. Communication options 26 may
`include any communication option that can be used to com-
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`image. The communication option may be predetermined by
`a party associated with the image. An Internet user mayalso
`preselect which one of the communication options 26 may be
`activated in responseto selection of the image. For example,
`the Internet user maypreregister at a website containing the
`image, and may create a user profile that stores a user pre-
`ferred communication option, so that the preferred commu-
`nication option may be activated automatically whenthe user
`selects the image.
`[0038]
`Similarly, other actions may be activated in
`response to selection of the image. In an exemplary embodi-
`ment, if there is only one type of material associated with the
`image, for example, a single audio file, then that file may be
`displayed, played, or activated automatically. Also, even if
`there are multiple materials associated with the image, any-
`one of them may be chosen to be activated automatically
`whenthe userselects the image. For example,an Internet user
`mayselect an image andin responseto the selection, a video
`file, an audiofile, and a multimedia file may automatically be
`played.
`[0039] Thus, a user may capture an image using an MICD.
`The MICDora user may associate metadata with the image.
`The image and its metadata may be stored in a local memory
`of the MICD. A communications module of the MICD may
`transfer the image andits metadata to a local or remote com-
`puter or to external memory. The local or remote computer
`and the external memory may be connected to the Internet.
`[0040] Once stored, a user (who maybedifferent from the
`image author) may access the imageat the storage location,
`and click on, or otherwise select the image using a user
`interface that may be a touch screen user interface, a voice
`activated user interface, etc. Whenthe user selects the image,
`an applet may automatically be activated or may be activated
`upon selection by the user. As is discussed below, the meta-
`data 24 can be embedded as part of the image or stored
`separately. The activated applet may activate a metadata
`viewerto examinethe metadatafields, including a URLfield,
`contained in the digital imagefile that links to a website orfile
`that has the image, the metadata, and information a user has
`associated with the image. The metadata fields may include a
`plurality of communication options 26. The metadata viewer
`may enable offline or online viewing of the metadata 24.
`[0041] Once the metadata viewerascertains the URL ofthe
`location of the materials associated with the image, the user
`may be taken to the URL location automatically or upon
`request by the user. At that location, a thumbnail ofthe digital
`image may be shownto the useror alternatively a full size
`copy of the image maybe displayed. The metadata viewer
`mayalso display the plurality of communication options 26
`and may activate one of the plurality of communication
`options 26 to communicate with the party associated with the
`image. The activated communication option may beselected
`by the user or may be chosen in advance bythe authorof the
`imageor anotherparty to be activated automatically.
`[0042] Computer options 26 may include contact informa-
`tion for a party associated with the image, which may include
`but may notbe limitedto, the party’s email address, telephone
`number, social media identification, physical address, fax
`number, web address, etc. A list of information materials
`associated with the image mayalso be displayed. These infor-
`mation materials may include audio files, video files, text
`files, URLs and hyperlinks to other related information,
`encoded symbology, GPS location information, higher defi-
`nitions of the image, and different sizes of the image. Note
`
`that one or moreofthese related information may be played,
`activated, or displayed automatically or uponselection by the
`user. The information materials to be activated automatically
`may be chosen in advance by an author of the image or
`another person. For example,if a user selects an image from
`a local memory and then requests information about the
`image, an audio file may automatically activate and play,
`thereby giving the audio information about the image. The
`audio information may include a verbal statement about the
`image and may include music chosen by the author of the
`image. As another example, a video file having information
`about the image may be activated automatically or upon
`selection. The information materials may also include multi-
`mediafiles, e.g., files that combine audio and video.
`[0043] Note also that the user may print out the image and
`its metadata 24, including, if selected, encoded symbology
`associated with the image. This symbology may be used by
`the MICDor a scanning device and maydirect the user to the
`location of the image and its metadata 24. The user may also
`chooseto email the image andits metadata 24asa file attach-
`ment to an email, by choosing email as a communication
`option. The user may also include a link in the email that
`points to a storage location of the image.
`[0044] Thus, one embodiment is a method of associating
`metadata with a digital image. The method includes associ-
`ating an image with metadata that includes multiple commu-
`nication options 26, and providing an applet to view the
`metadata in responseto selection of the image. The method
`includes communicating with a party associated with the
`image using at least one of the plurality of communication
`options 26. The multiple communication options 26 may
`include, but not be limited to at least one of email, Short
`Message Service (SMS), blog, social media, video confer-
`ence, Internet chat, Internet Protocol
`telephony, Internet
`forum, social network, virtual world gaming network and
`instant message.
`[0045] The metadata may also include a URL that links to
`a website. A browser may navigate to the website pointed to
`by the URL. The website may display a list of selectable
`information materials associated with the image. The infor-
`mation materials associated with the image may include an
`audio file, a videofile, a text file, and/or an encoded symbol.
`Atleast one of the audio file, and the video file, may auto-
`matically be activated when the browserreaches the website
`indicated by the URL.
`[0046]
`FIG. 2 shows a computer 30 having a processor 32,
`acommunication module 34, amemory 36 andreceiver 44 for
`processing metadata as described herein. The computer 30
`may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal
`digital assistant, a mobile device, a tablet PC, etc. The com-
`puter 30 has a processor 32 for executing computer instruc-
`tions stored in the memory 36. The memory 36 maybe a hard
`drive, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory
`(ROM), flash memory, compact disc, external memory, etc.
`Computerinstructions stored in the memory 36 may include
`an applet 38 which includes a metadata viewer 40, which is
`used to view communication options 26. Communication
`options 26, may include, for example, an option to commu-
`nicate via email 42.
`
`[0047] Thus, one embodimentis an apparatus for associat-
`ing metadata 24 with an image. The apparatus comprises a
`memory 36, a communication module 34, a receiver 44 anda
`processor 32. A user may select an image associated with
`metadata that includes multiple communication options 26.
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`located on a computer of the user and when the imageis
`selected, a hyperlink is activated that takes a user’s web
`browser to a remote address designated by the hyperlink
`wherethe information materials are located
`
`Receiver 44 mayreceive the imageselection. The memory 36
`maystore metadata 24 ina memory location that is associated
`with the image. The processor 30 is operable to examine the
`metadata 24 and perform an operation