The present disclosure generally relates to hiding and revealing target elements within a high definition image for marketing, gaming, retail, e-commerce, multi-channel retail, mobile, tablet and/or social applications. More particularly, systems and methods for disclosing target elements in high definition images.
There exists in the art methods for generating high definition images such as, for example, gigapixel images. A gigapixel image is a digital image bitmap comprising at least 1 billion pixel elements, however high definition images may also comprise less than 1 billion pixel elements. Generally, a high definition image is generated by collecting a set of images depicting various portions of a scene, and then assembling the images in order to create a high definition image. The set of images depicting various portions of a scene may be collected using a robotic platform, such as a GigaPan panorama head (available from Gigapan Systems) in combination with a digital camera, and/or the user may manually collect the set of images using a digital camera. The set of images may be assembled into a high definition image using software that exists in the art, and/or may be manually assembled to create a high definition image.
There also exists in the art viewing software and websites that allow users to explore high definition images by examining different portions of the high definition image. Using the viewing software, users are able to magnify portions of the high definition image, revealing details that were previously not apparent. The background systems and methods identified herein, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Adding elements to certain portions of a high definition image is also known in the art. These additional elements may be, for example, markers or icons, and may be placed strategically in a landscape at the time the set of images depicting various portions of a scene is being collected, and/or additional elements may be digitally added to the collected images before the images are assembled into a high definition image. For example, a user may position a marker or icon in a certain position in a landscape, prior to collecting images of the landscape. In another example, a user may collect images of a scene, and later embed a marker or icon in one or more of the images that were collected.
While applications using high definition images have been utilized for viewing purposes, the current disclosure utilizes high definition images with intentionally concealed and revealed target elements for marketing, gaming, retail, e-commerce, multi-channel retail, mobile, tablet and/or social applications.
In accordance with this and other needs, the following generally discloses systems and methods for utilizing a high definition image in marketing, gaming, retail, e-commerce, multi-channel retail, mobile, tablet and/or social applications. Such a method allows a system to utilize a high definition image by displaying the high definition image in its entirety, and in various reveal states wherein portions of the high definition image are magnified. In these magnified states, users may view details of portions of the high definition image that were not previously apparent. The system allows users to look for and detect certain target elements in the high definition image. These target elements may be used for marketing, gaming, retail, e-commerce, multi-channel retail, mobile, tablet and/or social purposes.
A better appreciation of the objects, advantages, features, and properties of the disclosed systems and methods will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, which set forth illustrative examples that are indicative of the various ways in which the principles described hereinafter may be employed.
For a better understanding of the present disclosure, reference may be made to various examples shown in the attached drawings.
With reference to the figures, the following describes various example systems and methods for disclosing target elements in high definition images. To this end, a processing device 20, illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer system, is provided with executable instructions to, for example, provide a means for a user, e.g., a consumer, customer, etc., to access an organization system server 68 and, among other things, interact with a system for disclosing target elements in high definition images. Generally, the computer executable instructions reside in program modules which may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processing device 20 illustrated in
For performing the various tasks in accordance with the executable instructions, the processing device 20 preferably includes a processing unit 22 and a system memory 24 which may be linked via a bus 26. Without limitation, the bus 26 may be a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and/or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. As needed for any particular purpose, the system memory 24 may include read only memory (ROM) 28 and/or random access memory (RAM) 30. Additional memory devices may also be made accessible to the processing device 20 by means of, for example, a hard disk drive interface 32, a magnetic disk drive interface 34, and/or an optical disk drive interface 36. As will be understood, these devices, which would be linked to the system bus 26, respectively allow for reading from and writing to a hard disk 38, reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 40, and for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 42, such as a CD/DVD ROM or other optical media. The drive interfaces and their associated computer-readable media allow for the nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the processing device 20. Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that other types of non-transitory computer readable media that can store data and/or instructions may be used for this same purpose. Examples of such media devices include, but are not limited to, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories, nano-drives, memory sticks, and other read/write and/or read-only memories.
A number of program modules may be stored in one or more of the memory/media devices. For example, a basic input/output system (BIOS) 44, containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the processing device 20, such as during start-up, may be stored in ROM 28. Similarly, the RAM 30, hard drive 38, and/or peripheral memory devices may be used to store computer executable instructions comprising an operating system 46, one or more applications programs 48 (such as a Web browser), other program modules 50, and/or program data 52. Still further, computer-executable instructions may be downloaded to one or more of the computing devices as needed, for example via a network connection.
To allow a user to enter commands and information into the processing device 20, input devices such as a keyboard 54 and/or a pointing device 56 are provided. While not illustrated, other input devices may include a microphone, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, a camera, etc. These and other input devices would typically be connected to the processing unit 22 by means of an interface 58 which, in turn, would be coupled to the bus 26. Input devices may be connected to the processor 22 using interfaces such as, for example, a parallel port, game port, firewire, or a universal serial bus (USB). To view information from the processing device 20, a monitor 60 or other type of display device may also be connected to the bus 26 via an interface, such as a video adapter 62. In addition to the monitor 60, the processing device 20 may also include other peripheral output devices, not shown, such as speakers and printers.
As noted, the processing device 20 may also utilize logical connections to one or more remote processing devices, such as the organization system server 68 having associated data repository 68A. In this regard, while the organization system server 68 has been illustrated in the exemplary form of a computer, it will be appreciated that the organization system server 68 may, like processing device 20, be any type of device having processing capabilities. Again, it will be appreciated that the organization system server 68 need not be implemented as a single device but may be implemented in a manner such that the tasks performed by the organization system server 68 are distributed amongst a plurality of processing devices/databases located at different geographical locations and linked through a communication network. Additionally, the organization system server 68 may have logical connections to other third party systems via the network 12 and, via such connections, will be associated with data repositories that are associated with such other third party systems. Such third party systems may include, without limitation, systems of banking, credit, or other financial institutions, systems of third party providers of goods and/or services, systems of shipping/delivery companies, etc.
For performing tasks as needed, the organization system server 68 may include many or all of the elements described above relative to the processing device 20. In addition, the organization system server 68 may generally include executable instructions for, among other things, embedding target elements within portions of a high definition, displaying a high definition image in its entirety, allowing a user to magnify certain portions of a high definition image, and allowing users to look for and detect certain target elements, and revealing target elements within the high definition image.
Communications between the processing device 20 and the organization system server 68 may be exchanged via a further processing device, such as a network router 72, that is responsible for network routing. Communications with the network router 72 may be performed via a network interface component 73. Thus, within such a networked environment, e.g., the Internet, World Wide Web, LAN, or other like type of wired or wireless network, it will be appreciated that program modules depicted relative to the processing device 20, or portions thereof, may be stored in the non-transitory memory storage device(s) of the vendor system server 68.
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After the system 200 displays the entire high definition image 110 in the first state 202, the user(s) determines whether a target element is detected in the displayed high definition image 110 at block 204. As described above, the target element may be a marker, such as a textual marker, a visual marker, or a code, a coupon, an icon, a famous figure, a described situation, and any other suitable elements and/or any combination of the above. The user(s) may determine whether the target element is present by visually analyzing the high definition image 110, or digitally processing the image using image recognition software, and/or any other means including diagnostic software.
If the user(s) detects the target element, at block 204, the system 200 may reward the user at block 208. The reward provided at block 208 may comprise, providing a free product or service, discount for certain products or services, points, and/or any other suitable reward. The system may end the application, direct the user(s) to a different high definition image, or direct the user(s) to identify additional target element(s) in the high definition image 110.
If the user does not detect the additional element at block 204, the system may re-display the image 110. The system 200 may subsequently display the high definition image 110 in a second state, as shown at block 210. In the second state 210, the system displays and magnifies one or more portions of the high definition image 110, such that details of the high definition image 110 that were not readily available in the first state 202 are now viewable. The portion of the high definition image that is displayed in the second state 210, may be selected by the user(s) or by the system. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the second state may be triggered automatically by the system, in response to input from the user(s), such as a mouse click, a keystroke, gesture, or activation of a touch-sensitive surface, in response to the system's pre-set instructions, and/or any other appropriate trigger.
After the system 200 displays the high definition image in the second state 210, the user(s) determines whether a target element is detected in the displayed portion(s) of the high definition image 110 at block 212. Again, the user(s) may determine whether the target element is present by visually analyzing the image, or digitally processing the image using image recognition software and/or any other means, including diagnostic software.
If the user detects the target element, at block 212, the system 200 may reward the user at block 218. The reward provided at block 218 may comprise, providing a free product or service, discount for certain products or services, points, and/or any other suitable reward. Subsequently, the system 200 may end the application, direct the user(s) to a different high definition image, or direct the user(s) to identify additional target element(s) in the high definition image 110.
If the user(s) does not detect the additional element at block 212, the system may re-display the image 110. The system 200 may subsequently display the high definition image 110 in a third state, as shown at block 220. Alternatively the system 200 may re-display the high definition image 110 in a first state as shown at block 202 or the second state as shown in block 210.
In the third state 220, the system displays and magnifies one or more portions of the high definition image 110, such that details of the high definition image 110 that were not readily available in the first state 202 are now viewable. The portion of the high definition image that is displayed in the third state 220, may be selected by the user(s) or by the system. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the second state may be triggered automatically by the system, in response to input from the user(s), such as a mouse click, a keystroke, gesture, or activation of a touch-sensitive surface, in response to the system's pre-set instructions, and/or any other appropriate trigger.
At block 222, the user(s) determines whether he/she detects the target element. If the user does not detect the target element, the system may subsequently display the high definition image in a third state, as shown at block 220. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the third state may be triggered automatically by the system, in response to input from the user(s), such as a mouse click, a keystroke, or tap on a touch-sensitive surface, in response to the system's pre-set instructions, and/or any other appropriate trigger. In the third state 213, the system displays and magnifies one or more portions of the high definition image, such that details that were not readily available in the second state 210 are now viewable. The portion of the high definition image that is displayed in the second state 220, may be selected by the user(s) or by the system.
After the system displays the high definition image in the third state 220, the user(s) determines whether a target element is detected in the displayed portion(s) of the high definition image at block 222. Again, the user(s) may determine whether the target element is present by visually analyzing the image, or digitally processing the image using image recognition software and/or any other means, including diagnostic software.
If the user detects the target element, at block 222, the system 200 may reward the user at block 228 by providing a free product or service, discount for certain products or services, points, and/or any other suitable reward. The system 200 may end the application, direct the user(s) to a different high definition image, or direct the user(s) to identify additional target element(s) in the high definition image 110. If the user does not detect the target element at block 222, the system 200 may subsequently return the high definition image 110 to its first state 200, its second state 210, or any other appropriate state, whereby the process begins again.
While the previous example illustrates a system 200 capable of displaying a high definition image 110, and portions thereof in three states 202, 210, 220, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosure may comprise any number of states as the system may desire. Further, while the previous example illustrates the search for one target element, the disclosed system may comprise as many target elements as the system may desire (e.g., a scavenger hunt). The system 200 may be utilized by one user, or a group of users. A group of users may search for the target elements collectively by simultaneously viewing the same images (e.g., image 110), and viewing the images at the same state (e.g., states 202, 210, or 220) on separate devices 20, such as personal computers, mobile devices, cellular phones, personal digital assistant (PDA)s, retail kiosks, and/or physical mediums using, such as, for example, the Internet, an internal network, or a social network. In another example, a group of users may search for the target elements collectively by independently viewing the high definition image on separate devices 20. In another example of the present disclosure, a group of users may utilize the system by competing against one another to find the target element(s). In yet another example of the present disclosure, the user may activate the high definition image, and/or the target elements by, for example, inputting coupon codes, inputting product receipts, sharing content with other users, sharing content via a social networking site, answering a clue provided by the system, purchasing a product, signing up for an organization's newsletter, creating a profile in a system's database, signing up for a financial service, making a post on a social networking site, publishing a review of certain goods and/or services, and/or performing any other appropriate act. The system 200 may be used in a gaming application, a training application, a team-building application, a promotional application, and/or any other appropriate application.
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