Method of linking on-line data to printed documents
US7051086B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 23, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N2201/3274
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.