Network linking methods and apparatus
AssigneeDigimarc Corporation
InventorGeoffrey B Rhoads
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The presenting invention relates generally to indirect linking methods and apparatus. One claim recites a method including: a) using a programmed electronic processor, reading an index from color imagery steganographically modulated with the index; b) accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records that link an index to a pointer which identifies a remote computer on a network; c) extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index; and d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified thereby. Of course, other combinations are provided and claimed as well.
Claims15
A method comprising:
- reading an index from imagery steganographically modulated with the index;
- accessing a database with the index, the database comprising a plurality of records configured to link indexes to pointers;
- extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index;
- and
- using the pointer to establish communication with a remote computer identified by the extracted pointer.
A system comprising:
- a computing device;
- an input device associated with the computing device, configured to read an index from imagery steganographically modulated with the index;
- a database configured to store a plurality of records configured to link indexes to pointers;
- wherein the computing device comprises:
- means for accessing the database to extract a pointer from the database as a function of the index;
- and
- means for using the pointer to establish communication with a remote computer identified by the extracted pointer.
A computing device comprising:
- an input device configured to read an index from imagery steganographically modulated with the index;
- and
- a computer processor configured to execute a software program or instructions adapted to:
- utilize the index to access a database comprising a plurality of records configured to link indexes to pointers;
- retrieve from the database a pointer as a function of the index;
- and
- use the pointer to establish communication with a remote computer identified by the extracted pointer.
A method comprising:
- reading an index from imagery steganographically modulated with the index;
- accessing a database with the index to retrieve a pointer which identifies a remote computer on a network;
- extracting a pointer from the database as a function of the index;
- and
- using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer identified by the extracted pointer.
A system comprising:
- a computing device;
- an input device associated with the computing device, configured to read an index from imagery steganographically modulated with the index;
- a database configured to link indexes to pointers;
- wherein the computing device comprises:
- means for accessing the database to extract a pointer from the database as a function of the index;
- and
- means for using the pointer to establish communication with a remote computer identified by the extracted pointer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.