Using low-cost tags as a virtual storage medium for multimedia information

A method of using a low-cost tag as a virtual storage medium for multimedia information, comprising the steps of:

• (a) reading a unique visual identifier code imprinted on the tag, wherein the tag is affixed to an object;
• (b) decrypting said unique visual identifier code in order to authenticate the tag;
• (c) determining, from said unique visual identifier code, an application identifier indicative of a media file operation to be performed;
• (d) determining whether a media file associated with said unique visual identifier code exists on a storage medium;
• (e) recording, when the determination of step (d) is negative, multimedia information into said media file according to said media file operation indicated by said application identifier;
• and
• (f) storing said media file onto said storage medium;
• whereby the multimedia information stored in said media file is a form of contextual communications related to said object.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to use a low-cost tag as a virtual storage medium for multimedia information, said control logic comprising:

• first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to scan a unique visual identifier code imprinted on the tag, wherein the tag is affixed to an object;
• second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to decrypt said unique visual identifier code in order to authenticate the tag;
• third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to determine, from said unique visual identifier code, an application identifier indicative of a media file operation to be performed;
• fourth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to determine whether a media file associated with said unique visual identifier code exists on a storage medium;
• and
• fifth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to retrieve, when the determination of said fourth computer readable program code means is positive, said media file from said storage medium;
• and
• sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to display said media file according to said media file operation indicated by said application identifier.

A method of using a low-cost tag as a virtual storage medium for multimedia information, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving an input from a user indicative of the desire to delete a media file stored on a storage medium;
• (b) reading a unique visual identifier code imprinted on the tag, wherein the tag is affixed to an object;
• (c) decrypting said unique visual identifier code in order to authenticate the tag;
• (d) determining whether said media file associated with said unique visual identifier code exists on said storage medium;
• (e) deleting, when the determination of step (d) is positive, said media file from said storage medium;
• and
• (f) presenting a confirmation to said user that said media file has been deleted;
• whereby the multimedia information stored in said media file is a form of contextual communications related to said object.

A method of using low-cost tags as a virtual storage medium for multimedia information, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving an input from a user indicative of the desire to associate a media file, currently associated with a first tag, with a second tag;
• (b) reading a first unique visual identifier code imprinted on said first tag, and reading a second unique visual identifier code imprinted on said second tag;
• (c) decrypting said first and second unique visual identifier codes in order to authenticate said first and second tags;
• (d) determining whether said media file associated with said first unique visual identifier code exists on a storage medium;
• and
• (e) when the determination of step (d) is positive:
• (i) associating said media file with said second unique visual identifier code;
• and
• (ii) disassociating said media file with said first unique visual identifier code.

A method of securely using low-cost tags as a virtual storage mediums for multimedia information, comprising the steps of:

• (a) reading a first unique visual identifier code imprinted on a media tag, wherein said media tag is affixed to an object;
• (b) reading a second unique visual identifier code imprinted on a security tag, wherein said security tag is affixed to said object;
• (b) decrypting said first and second unique visual identifier codes in order to authenticate said tags;
• (c) determining, from said first unique visual identifier code, an application identifier indicative of a media file operation to be performed;
• (d) determining whether there is an association between said first unique visual identifier code and said second unique visual identifier code;
• (e) determining whether a media file associated with said first unique visual identifier code exists on a storage medium;
• (f) retrieving, when the determination of steps (d) and (e) are positive, said media file from said storage medium;
• and
• (g) presenting said media file to a user according to said media file operation indicated by said application identifier;
• whereby the multimedia information stored in said media file is a form of contextual communications related to said object.