System and method for accessing electronic data via an image search engine

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for accessing electronic data through entry of images as queries in search engine. The system uses various image capturing devices and communication devices to capture images and enter them into image database. Image recognition techniques encode images in a computer readable format. The processed image is then entered for comparison into at least one database populated with images and associated information. Once the newly captured image is matched with an image in the database, the information linked with that image is returned to the user.

1 . A method comprising:
 storing information regarding a plurality of images and information regarding a plurality of products in a database, wherein at least one image is associated with each product of the plurality of products;   receiving, with a receiver, information regarding an image of a product of interest, wherein the image is obtained with a communication device of or associated with a requesting user and further wherein the communication device transmits the information regarding the image to the receiver;   comparing the information regarding the image to the information regarding the plurality of images;   determining whether the image matches an image of a product of the plurality of products and, if the image matches an image of a product of the plurality of products, accessing the information regarding the product;   transmitting, using a transmitter, the information regarding the product to the communication device of or associated with the requesting user;   wherein the information regarding the product is displayed on a display unit of or associated with the communication device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user captures the image of the product of interest from at least one selected from the group consisting of a product in a store, a product in a possession of a third-party, another image, a pamphlet, a television commercial, a monitor of a computer, a screen of a hand-held device, a magazine, a newspaper, a product label, a poster, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the product of interest has a label having at least one of selected from the group consisting of printed indicators, barcodes, serial numbers, model numbers, a unique identifying parameter, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the product comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of product description, pricing, store locations, availability, online purchase capabilities, purchase statistics, information about related products, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , where the information regarding the product comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a link to retail store site, a link to a product manufacturer site, a link to an online auction site, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user uses the communication device to take a subsequent action selected from a group consisting of making a purchase, leasing a product, arranging financing, arranging delivery of the product, arranging pick-up of the product, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the product is displayed based on a criteria stored in a profile of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the profile is stored in the communication device or in the database. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the criteria comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of price limits, residency, taste, sizes, place of residence, workplaces, current location, asset information, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user captures an image of a product of interest and then accesses additional information about availability of variations of the product and locations to purchase it. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is selected from the group consisting of a hand-held device, cellular telephone, hybrid cellular telephone/PDA device, PDA, remote server, RFID device, Internet-accessible camera, personal computer, laptop computer, pocket computer, hybrid electronic device, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device has a camera. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device has a scanner. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device has a processor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communication device has a display. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: processing information, via the communication device, for performing image recognition pertaining to the information regarding the image. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: processing information, via the processor, for performing image recognition pertaining to the information regarding the product. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: accessing the apparatus through a network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the network comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a wired network, a wireless network, a GSM network, a ISDN network, an Ethernet network, a CATV network, a Wi-Fi network, a LAN network, a Bluetooth network, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . A system for accessing information of a product of interest, comprising:
 a database storing information regarding a plurality of images and information regarding a plurality of products, wherein at least one image is associated with each product of the plurality of products;   a receiver receiving information regarding an image of a product of interest, wherein the image is obtained with a communication device of or associated with a requesting user and further wherein the communication device transmits the information regarding the image to the receiver;   a processer for comparing the information regarding the image to the information regarding the plurality of images, determining whether the image matches an image of a product of the plurality of products and, if the image matches an image of a product of the plurality of products, accessing the information regarding the product;   a transmitter transmitting the information regarding the product to the communication device of or associated with the requesting user; and   a display for displaying the information regarding the product.