FaceBack—automated response capture using text messaging
AssigneeTwin Harbor Labs, LLC
InventorsJames D Logan, Richard A Baker, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The FaceBack system incorporates an automated mechanism for remotely capturing the reaction of the receiver of a text message. This mechanism is started when the texter incorporates instructions into a text message to take a photo or record a video when the text is read by a receiver. The receiving device scans the incoming text message and takes a photo or records a video of the receiving user when the user reads the text message. Once the video is recorded or the picture is taken, the video or picture is returned to the texter through the SMS system.
Claims16
A method for capturing a reaction to an incoming SMS message, said method comprising:
- receiving the incoming SMS message on a receiving device from a sending device, wherein the incoming SMS message is encoded in a SMS protocol;
- scanning a user data section of the incoming message for a metacharacter;
- the metacharacter instructing a camera on the receiving device to capture an user image using said camera,
- if the metacharacter is included in the incoming SMS message,
- capturing the user image using the camera on the receiving, and
- sending the user image, using an outgoing SMS message, to the sending device.
An apparatus for capturing a reaction to an incoming SMS message, said apparatus comprising:
- a receiving device;
- a processor on the receiving device;
- a memory connected to the processor;
- a camera on the receiving device electrically connected to the processor, said camera responsive to a metacharacter instruction from the processor to collect an user image and store the user image in the memory;
- a network interface on the receiving device electrically connected to the processor, the network interface configured to receive incoming SMS messages and sending outgoing SMS messages;
- a screen on the receiving device electrically connected to the processor, configured to display incoming SMS messages;
- software stored in the memory of the receiving device for scanning a user data section of the incoming SMS messages for the metacharacter instruction to take the user image, said software further configured to instruct the camera to collect the user image and to send outgoing SMS messages containing the user image through the network interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.