3-D matrix barcode presentation

A method for processing a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions to extract data represented thereby involves capturing the component images of the three-dimensional representation. The method includes receiving a first component image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second component image of the matrix barcode as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first component image and the second component image of the matrix barcode are captured on an image capture device. Then depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images is determined and additional data represented in such depth information is extracted.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to audiovisual content and, more specifically, to presenting a three-dimensional matrix barcode along with audiovisual content.

BACKGROUND

Audiovisual content (e.g., television programming) may often be used to transmit information to viewers. This information may include incentives, coupons, and so on. For example, a clothing store may advertise on a certain television channel and display the address, telephone number and the like of the clothing store. However, some users may have difficultly remembering portions or all of the information.

Information such as an address, telephone number, store name, and so on may be stored in a quick response (QR) code. A QR code is a matrix barcode that may be readable by mobile phones with a camera, smart phones, computing devices, specialized scanners, and so on. The matrix barcode may consist of black blocks or modules arranged in a pattern against a white background. The information encoded within the matrix barcode may be text, uniform resource indicator (URI), alphanumeric, numeric and other data. Matrix barcodes storing addresses and URIs may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, other objects where users may desire information, and so on. Users with a camera phone or other mobile device equipped with the correct reader application can convert a photographic image of the matrix barcode to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, open a webpage in the phone's browser, and so on.

A number of display devices, such as televisions, may be configured to present three dimensional (3-D) images and/or 3-D video. These display devices may display content that appears as a 3-D image when viewed through 3-D-specific glasses. For example, the display device may display two images superimposed on each other, where each image is projected through a different polarizing filter. The viewer may view the image through a pair of glasses having a pair of lenses with different polarized orientations. The first orientation may correspond to the first filtered image and the second orientation may correspond to the second filtered image. Thus, as the image is displayed on the screen, each eye of the viewer may perceive a different image. This creates a 3-D image (as viewed by the viewer) as each eye sees the same image, but at a slightly different angle.

Other techniques such as anaglyphic, alternative-frame sequencing, and autosteroscopic may also be used to create a 3-D appearance on a display device. These techniques (either with or without specialized lenses) present one version of the image to a left eye of the viewer and a second version of the image to the right eye of the viewer. The two images may be the same image (or substantially the same) but be slightly offset from each other. As the human eye processes the two images together, the brain sees a 3-D image. These 3-D techniques may be used to display audiovisual content in 3-D. For example, many movies may be presented in 3-D to allow a user to have a more interactive movie-watching experience.

The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is to be bound.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system for capturing a three-dimensional (3-D) matrix barcode may include an optical device, a content receiver in communication with the optical device, and a display device in communication with the content receiver. The content receiver may receive a broadcast signal including a matrix barcode. Once the content receiver has received the broadcast signal, it may analyze the broadcast signal in order to determine depth data for the matrix barcode. Once the depth data has been determined, the content receiver may process the matrix barcode so that the matrix barcode may be displayed in three dimensions when presented to a viewer. The display device may then display the matrix barcode so that when viewed by a viewer the matrix barcode appears in three dimensions.

In another embodiment, a method for capturing and transmitting a matrix barcode displayed in three dimensions may be implemented on a computer system. The method may include receiving a first image of the matrix barcode and receiving a second image of the matrix barcode, as the two images are displayed on a display device. After the two images have been received, the first image and the second image of the matrix barcode may be captured on a capture device. Then, the first image and the second image of the matrix barcode may be transmitted to a processor.

In still other embodiments, a method may be implemented on a computer system wherein a first component image of a matrix barcode and a second component image of the matrix barcode are received. The first component image and the second component image may correspond to a three-dimensional representation of the matrix barcode (when perceived by a viewer). After the two images are received, the first component image and the second component image may be captured on an image capture device. Then, depth information between elements of the matrix barcode presented in the first and second component images may be captured on an image capture device.

In another embodiment, a computer program product comprising computer-executable instructions for performing a computer process stored in a non-transitory storage medium may include operations to receive a broadcast signal having a matrix barcode and configure to the matrix barcode to be displayed in three dimensions. Configuring the matrix barcode to be displayed in three dimensions may include adding at least one depth block to the matrix barcode. The computer program may include an operation to transmit the matrix barcode and the at least one depth block to a display device after the matrix barcode has been configured to be displayed in three dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples of a system to display a matrix barcode in 3-D along with or superimposed on a video content display are described herein. Using a display device, 3-D processing, and/or other 3-D display techniques, the matrix barcode may be displayed at varying depths and/or perspectives as viewed by the viewer. This may allow for additional data to be included within the matrix barcode. Additionally, an image capture device provided within an image viewer device may capture the matrix barcode and depth information associated with the 3-D projection of the matrix barcode.

In some embodiments, the matrix barcode may be projected in 3-D via two related component images. For example, in one embodiment, a first component image and a second component image may be displayed in alternating frames (e.g., even frames may display the first component image and odd frames may display the second component image) at a specified frame rate. The frame rate may be selected such that when the first component image and the second component image are viewed by a viewer wearing an appropriate image viewer device, i.e., a pair of synchronized shutter glasses, the two component images may be “combined” by a viewer to create the appearance of a 3-D image. In other embodiments, the two component images may be displayed simultaneously, but offset from one another. Using an image viewer device, e.g., glasses with orthogonally polarized lenses, each component image may only be viewed by one eye of the viewer (i.e., the first component image may be resolved to the right eye and the second component image may be resolved to the left eye). In these embodiments, the two component images may be similar or may be slightly different from one another.

In other embodiments, the matrix barcode may be displayed in varying colors in order to convey additional data/information. The matrix barcode may be used to relay numerous types of data and may be easily transmitted and/or transferred to other electronic device(s).

A person (viewer) may record/capture the matrix barcode via a capture device (e.g., a camera with a rotating polarizing filter). Some 3-D content may require the viewer to wear specialized lenses or glasses so that the images/content may appear in 3-D. In these embodiments, the lenses or glasses (image viewer device) may include the image capture device (e.g., a camera) in order to capture the matrix barcode. In other embodiments, the image capture device may be incorporated into a mobile computing device, for example, a remote control having a camera, a digital camera, a smart phone with a camera, or other device that can record an image. These embodiments may be beneficial as some 3-D projection/display technologies may not require specialized lenses to view the 3-D images.

The image capture device may then transmit the matrix barcode and/or data included within the matrix barcode to a computing device such as a computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. In embodiments where the image capture device is incorporated into the mobile computing device, the matrix barcode may not need to be transmitted. The computing device may then access the data, content or other information corresponding to or stored in the matrix barcode. For example, the matrix barcode may include data corresponding to a website address, department store contact information (e.g., address, phone number), a coupon code, information relating to audiovisual content (e.g., channel information, time, and date for a movie or television show), and so on. In these embodiments, the computing device may then access the content corresponding to the data, e.g., the computing device may open a browser window and access the website or download (from the Internet) the content.

In other embodiments, the image capture device may transmit the matrix barcode and/or data included within the matrix barcode to a content receiver, such as a set top box. For example, the matrix barcode may include data corresponding to a television show (e.g., show name, time the show is on, channel). After the content receiver receives the matrix barcode it may locate the television show and record the content or transmit the content to a display device.

FIG. 1Adepicts an embodiment in which a viewer100uses an image viewer device102to view and capture a portion104of a matrix barcode103displayed on a display device106receiving content from a content receiver108.FIG. 1Bdepicts an embodiment in which the viewer100uses a computing device101to capture and transmit the portion of the matrix barcode104displayed on the display device106. The display device106(e.g., television) and/or content receiver108(e.g., set top box, digital video recorder, computer) may be configured to display content (e.g., television programming) that may appear in 3-D to the viewer100.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1Ba two-dimensional (2-D) matrix barcode103is presented on a display device106is projected in 3-D. The 3-D matrix barcode104is depicted inFIGS. 1A and 1Bas only a portion of the 2-D matrix barcode103; however, this is for illustration purposes only. In many embodiments the entire 2-D matrix barcode103may be projected in 3-D. Therefore, the 3-D portion of the matrix barcode104will be referred to herein as the matrix barcode.

The matrix barcode104and the content displayed may appear to the viewer in 3-D as each eye of the viewer102may be provided with two slightly different images. The two images may represent component images of the 3-D matrix barcode104, as the combination of both the images may produce the entire 3-D matrix barcode104. The images (e.g., audiovisual content or the matrix barcode104) may be related to one another, but slightly offset (based on differing perspectives). The human brain may analyze the differences between the two images to perceive a 3-D image. The calculation within the brain may take into account the distance between each eye, the distance to the object, and the like. Thus, the image may be perceived as having a certain depth, although it is displayed on a two dimensional display device106. This depth may be varied (as seen by the viewer100) per object or portions of each object. For example, certain portions of the matrix barcode104may appear closer to the viewer than other areas of the matrix barcode104.

In some embodiments, the image viewer device102may allow the right eye of the viewer100to see one image and the left eye of the viewer100to see the second image. For example, the image viewer device102may include shutters, color screens or other filters to vary the image presented to each eye. In other embodiments, the display device106and/or the content receiver108may display content and/or the matrix barcode104in a format that may allow the viewer100to perceive the content and/or matrix barcode104in 3-D without the image viewer device102. For example, in some embodiments an autostereoscopy display may be used.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1Ba mobile electronic device101may be used in addition to or instead of the image viewer device102. In this embodiment, the mobile electronic device101may include a capture device having an optical component, such as a camera, to capture the matrix barcode104. The mobile electronic device101may then use the matrix barcode104to access or present certain data (e.g., a website, coupon code, and so on) to the viewer100or may transmit the matrix barcode104to another computing device and/or the content receiver108. This embodiment may be useful if the display device106is configured to depict an image that may be able to be perceived by the viewer100in 3-D without the image viewer device102.

The mobile electronic device101may be any type of computing device with a capture device. For example, the mobile computing device101may be a remote control for the content receiver108, a smart phone, a tablet computer with a camera, a digital camera, and so on.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a perceived 3-D image of the matrix barcode104. The matrix barcode104may be either recorded in 3-D (e.g., using two different cameras to capture the image) or may be recorded in 2-D and then encoded to be perceived in 3-D. In either embodiment, the viewer100may view the matrix barcode104in three dimensions, as the matrix barcode104may include blocks having a height, width, and depth (as perceived by the viewer100). The matrix barcode104may include data in the horizontal and vertical directions. For example, the matrix barcode104may include blocks110,113, and115, as well as white spaces117. Both the blocks110,113,115(which may be black, grayscale, or colored) and the white spaces117may be used to convey data. The blocks110,113,115(and white spaces117) may be displayed in alternating heights, depths, and/or colors. Each variable (e.g., height, width, depth) that may be changed may allow for additional bits of data to be stored and/or conveyed via the matrix barcode104. For example, certain blocks110,113,115may be one color representing an additional data bit and other blocks110,113,115may each be alternate colors representing other data bits.

Additionally, the blocks110,113,115may include data in the horizontal, vertical and depth dimensions. For example, block110may include a length110a, a height110band a depth110c. Each of these dimensions110a-110cmay be individually varied so as that the block110may represent a variety of information. Similarly, blocks113,115may include a length113a,115a;a height113b,115b;and a depth113c,115c, respectively.

The depth blocks110c,113c,115cmay represent the distance the matrix barcode104may appear (as perceived by the viewer100) from the display device102. The depth blocks110c,113c,115c, may be included as metadata within a signal for the matrix barcode104(for example, if the original matrix barcode104image is in two dimensions), or may be included in the matrix barcode104(for example, if the original matrix barcode104is already configured to be in 3-D). In some embodiments, the depth blocks110c,113c, and115cmay provide additional information that may be conveyed in a digital signal (e.g., broadcast signal) sent to the content receiver108, display device106, and/or the image viewer device102to create the 3-D appearance, e.g., the depth blocks110c,113cand115cmay relate to a desired viewpoint, focal point or lens angle.

In some embodiments, the 3-D appearance of the matrix barcode104may be perceived by the viewer100as the viewer100views two separate images. Each image may be a component image of the 3-D matrix barcode104, as the combination of the images may represent the 3-D matrix barcode104. For example, in some embodiments, the display device106may display a first component image of the matrix barcode104and a second component image of the matrix barcode104. The two images may be displayed either simultaneously and offset from one another or consecutively. In either embodiment, the image viewer device102may be configured to create a 3-D appearance for the matrix barcode104when viewed by the viewer100.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating the content receiver108in communication with the display device106and in communication with the image viewer device102via a network112.FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating the content receiver108receiving a broadcast signal114and communicating a display signal116to the display device106. The content receiver108is in communication with the display device106and may transmit content and/or the matrix barcode104to the display device106. Additionally, the image viewer device102or mobile computing device101captures the matrix barcode104and then may transfer the matrix barcode104to the content receiver108via the network112. The network112may be virtually any type of electronic communication mechanism/path and may be wireless or wired, or a combination of wired and wireless. For example, the network112may include the Internet, Ethernet, universal serial bus cables (USB), radio signals (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth®), and so on.

The broadcast signal114may be transmitted to the content receiver108via the network112from a broadcast center or content source. The broadcast signal114may include content, such as audiovisual content. In some embodiments, the display signal113may be substantially the same as the broadcast signal114, but, in other embodiments, the display signal113may be a modified form of the broadcast signal114and/or a different signal altogether. For example, in some embodiments, the content receiver108may process the broadcast signal114to display a 3-D image to the viewer100and thus may alter the broadcast signal114. In other embodiments, the display signal113may be a signal from another input to the content receiver108, such as a digital video disc (DVD) drive, USB port and the like.

The broadcast signal114and/or the display signal113may include the matrix barcode104. The matrix barcode104may be included along with a video signal, audio signal, or other electronic signal. For example, the matrix barcode104may be configured to be displayed along with particular content (e.g., a television show).

The content receiver106may be practically any type of computing device able to receive and process audio, video and/or data signals. For example, the content receiver106may be a set top box, a television receiver, a digital video recorder, a computer, and so on. The content receiver106may receive practically any form/type of content from almost any number of sources. This may include the broadcast signal114, recorded audio/video, streaming data from the Internet, downloaded data, and so on.

In some embodiments, the content receiver106may include a network/communication interface122, memory storage120, a processor116, and an input/output interface118all connected via a system bus124. Additionally, the content receiver106may also include an optical drive (e.g., digital video disc player, compact disc player, high definition digital video disc player), a universal serial bus drive, or other electronic inputs.

The network/communication interface122may receive the broadcast signal114from a broadcast headend (not shown), the network112, and/or other communication mechanisms. Additionally, the network/communication interface122may also communicate with the image viewer device102, the mobile computing device101, and/or any other computing devices communicating with the content receiver106via the network112.

The memory storage120may store electronic data that may be utilized by the content receiver108. For example, the memory storage120may store content (e.g., video/audio signals), an electronic programming guide, user preference data (e.g., language or time zone), or settings data. The memory storage120may be, for example, a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable memory, flash memory, and so on.

The processor116may control operation of the content receiver108. The processor116may be any electronic device cable of processing, receiving, and/or transmitting instructions. For example, the processor116may be a microprocessor or a microcomputer.

The input/output interface118provides for communication by the content receiver108to and from a variety of devices/sources. For example, the input/output interface118may receive data from the image viewer device102, the mobile computing device101, a remote control, control buttons located on the content receiver108, or other computing devices. Additionally, the input/output interface118may also receive/transmit data to and from an optical disc drive (e.g., digital video disc drive), USB drive, or other video/audio/data inputs (e.g., signals from a video game console). The input/output interface118may also provide the display signal113to the display device106.

The display device106may be in electronic communication with the content receiver108. Additionally, in other embodiments, the content receiver108may be incorporated into the display device106. The display device106may be configured to present/output the content and/or data. For example, the display device106may be a television display or a computer monitor capable of presenting audio, video and data signals. The display device106may be any kind of electronic display such as, a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, or a plasma display. Additionally, the display device106may also have or be connected to speakers. Furthermore, the display device106may also include a processor126in order to process the display signal113. The processor126may be any type of device configured to process electronic signals, such as a microprocessor, microcomputer, and the like.

FIG. 5is front isometric view of the image viewer device102. The image viewer device102may be worn by the viewer100to present the content in 3-D, when the viewer's100brain interprets the images. Additionally, the image viewer device102may also be used to capture the matrix barcode104(see e.g.,FIG. 1A). The image viewer device102may be used to capture the matrix barcode104as it is presented in either 3-D or in 2-D. For example, if the matrix barcode104is presented on the display device106in only two dimensions (e.g., a single image), the image viewer device102may capture the single image. In other embodiments, the image viewer device102may capture the 3-D representation of the matrix barcode104, e.g., the image viewer device102may capture both component images of the matrix barcode104, either as the image components are presented simultaneously or sequentially.

The image viewer device102may include lenses130,132, a frame134, and/or an image capture device136. The lenses130,132may each be positioned between the display device106and the viewer100. The lenses130,132prevent certain portions of the image (e.g., frames, polarities, colors, wavelengths) from reaching the respective eye of the viewer100. For example, the lenses130,132may be different colors, have different polarization filters, or may include an intermittent shade (or shutter) to block one eye at a time. The lenses130,132may be glass, plastic, and/or other transparent materials. The lenses130,132may be operably connected via the frame134. The frame134may also support the image viewer device102on the viewer's100head/face.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a capture device136. The image capture device136may be used to capture images of the matrix barcode104as it is displayed on the display device106. The image capture device136may be incorporated into either the image viewer device102(see e.g.,FIG. 5) or the mobile computing device101. The image capture device136may include an optical component138, a network interface component146, an electronic storage component144, and/or a processor142connected together via a system bus140.

The optical component138may be used to capture the matrix barcode104and its corresponding depth data (e.g., depth blocks110c,113c,115c). The optical component138may be any type of device that may be used to optically read and/or capture images and/or data. For example, the optical component138may be a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a camera with a rotating polarization filter, another type of camera, and so on. Additionally, there may be multiple optical components138. For example, in embodiments where the image capture device136is incorporated into the image viewer device102, there may be a separate optical component138for each of the right lens130and the left lens132. In other embodiments, for example, when the image capture device136is incorporated into the mobile computing device101, there may be a single optical component138.

The optical component138may take a one or more images of the matrix barcode104, for example, successive images of the matrix barcode104. For example, in some embodiments, two images (e.g., component images) of the matrix barcode104may be displayed successively, repeatedly alternating, in order to present a 3-D appearance. In these embodiments, the optical component138may capture an even frame as the first component image and capture an odd frame as the second component image and process the offset data between the two images in order capture all of the data (e.g., blocks110,113,115) represented by the matrix barcode104. Alternately, the optical component138may record orthogonal images as the component images using, for example, orthogonal polarizing filters to capture the components of the displayed image.

The network communication interface146may communicate between a computing device or the content receiver108. For example, the network communication interface146may send the matrix barcode104to the content receiver108. The network communication interface146may be configured to communicate via a wireless, wired, or a combination of wired and wireless networks. For example, the network communication interface146uses the network112to communicate with the content receiver108. In some embodiments, the image capture device136may communicate via a Bluetooth® or WiFi connection, or other local area network (LAN) and the like to a computing device or the content receiver108in order to transmit the matrix barcode104.

The processor142may operate the components of the image capture device136. For example, the processor142may cause the network communication interface146to transfer the matrix barcode104to the content receiver108. The processor142may be a microcomputer, microprocessor, or the like.

The storage component144may store the matrix barcode104after it is captured via the optical component138. The storage component144may be any type of electronic data storage, such as a magnetic storage medium, optical storage medium, magneto-optical storage medium, read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable memory, flash memory, and so on.

FIG. 7is an embodiment of a method200for displaying and capturing a matrix barcode104configured to appear in 3-D. The method200begins at an operation201where the matrix barcode104is encoded with depth data, i.e., data corresponding to a depth dimension110c,113c,115cof blocks110,113,115. The depth data may indicate the relative depth that each particular block110,113,115may be perceived to have by the viewer100. This operation201may be completed prior to the content receiver108receiving the broadcast signal114(e.g., if the broadcast signal114is already configured to be displayed in 3-D). For example, the broadcast signal114may include video content recorded in 3-D by using two cameras separated by the average distance between a human's right eye and left eye. In other embodiments, operation201may be completed by the content receiver108or the display device106(e.g., if the display device106is configured to modify a 2-D broadcast signal114to be displayed in 3-D). The depth data (e.g., depth dimensions110c,113c,115c) may be included as metadata in the broadcast signal114. The metadata may be coded to translate to the depth data in the 3-D display of the matrix barcode104. After the matrix barcode104has been encoded with the depth blocks110c,113c,115c, the method200proceeds to operation202.

In operation202, the 3-D matrix barcode104is displayed. This operation202may be performed when the display device106projects the 3-D matrix barcode104. As described above, the 3-D matrix barcode104may be projected as a series of images alternating on the screen. In these embodiments, the two component images of the 2-D matrix barcode may be alternatively displayed at a rate of approximately 60 Hertz, such that the viewer100may view the 3-D matrix barcode104in 3-D. For example, even numbered frames may display the first component image and odd numbered frames may display the second component image. In other embodiments, both images or components of the 3-D matrix barcode104may displayed simultaneously, but slightly offset from one another. This may allow the image to be constantly projected on the screen (i.e., not alternating) while still allowing the viewer to view the 3-D matrix barcode104in 3-D. Furthermore, the 3-D matrix barcode104may be displayed in varying colors, and/or the two images of the matrix barcode104may include separate colors.

After the 3-D matrix barcode104has been displayed, the method200proceeds to operation204. In this operation204, the 3-D matrix barcode104is captured via the optical component138. As discussed above, the optical component138may be incorporated (via the image capture device136) into the mobile computing device101(e.g., remote control, smart phone) or the image viewer device102(e.g., glasses). In some implementations, this operation204may be two separate acts. For example, if the 3-D matrix barcode104is displayed in consecutive content frames, two separate images or components of the 3-D matrix barcode104may be captured in series. In this example, a first image component may be displayed on an even numbered frame and a second image component may be displayed on an odd numbered frame. In other embodiments, this operation204may be preformed in a single step. For example, if the two images or components are projected simultaneously, both images or components may be captured simultaneously by two separate optical components136or via a single optical component136configured to capture 3-D images (e.g., camera with a rotating polarizing filter).

After the matrix barcode104is captured, the method200may proceed to operation205. In operation205, the 3-D matrix barcode104may be analyzed to determine the embedded data. Operation205may be performed prior to operation206if, for example, the mobile computing device101captures the 3-D matrix barcode104, the mobile computing device101may then analyze the 3-D matrix barcode104to determine the data prior to proceeding to operation206. The data may include a website address, coupon code, television show title, and/or other information. Operation205may involve analyzing the 3-D matrix barcode104and may be performed by a scanner configured to analyze matrix barcodes, a smart phone having a software program installed configured to analyze matrix barcodes, or via other computing devices. For example, the mobile computing device101may use a software program to decode the matrix barcode104and extract the data. In other embodiments, the method200may proceed directly from operation204to operation206. For example, if the image capture device136captures the 3-D matrix barcode104the image viewer device102may transmit the 3-D matrix barcode104, prior to analyzing the 3-D matrix barcode104to determine the data.

In operation206, the 3-D matrix barcode104may be transmitted from the image capture device136to the content receiver108or other computing device. In this embodiment, the network interface component146of the image capture device136may transmit the 3-D matrix barcode104via the network112to the network interface122on the content receiver104.

After the 3-D matrix barcode104has been transmitted, the method200may proceed to operation207and the 3-D matrix barcode104may be analyzed. For example, if the image capture device136in the image viewer device102captured the 3-D matrix barcode104, the 3-D matrix barcode104may not have been analyzed in optional operation205. Therefore, in operation207, the 3-D matrix barcode104is analyzed to extract the data stored within the 3-D matrix barcode104. Operation207may be substantially the same as operation205, except that operation207may occur on a device other than the device that captured the 3-D matrix barcode104.

After operations206and207, the method200may proceed to operation208. In this operation208, content corresponding to the 3-D matrix barcode104is retrieved. In some embodiments, operation206may be omitted and the method200may proceed directly from operation204to operation208. For example, if the mobile computing device101captures the 3-D matrix barcode104, then the mobile computing101device may perform operation208and retrieve data corresponding to the 3-D matrix barcode104.

After the 3-D matrix barcode104has been analyzed, content corresponding to data stored within the 3-D matrix barcode104may be retrieved. For example, the 3-D matrix barcode104may include data corresponding to a website address and the mobile computing device101may open a browser window and display the website. Similarly, the 3-D matrix barcode104may be transmitted to a personal computer via a LAN or other network, and the personal computer may then open a browser window and display the webpage. In another embodiment, the image viewer device102may capture the matrix barcode104(via the image capture device136) and then transmit the matrix barcode104to the content receiver108. The 3-D matrix barcode104may include data corresponding to a television show (e.g., show title, time, channel) and the content receiver108may search the broadcast signal114(or other source) for the television show and then, via the display device106, display the television show, an schedule automatic recording of the television show, retrieve information over the Internet for presentation on the display device106, or perform some other function in response to the information.

FIG. 8is an embodiment of a method300for capturing and transmitting the matrix barcode104configured to appear in 3-D. The method300begins with receiving the matrix barcode code104images in operation302. For example, the broadcast signal114may include a television show with the 3-D matrix barcode104superimposed thereon, and then the television show and the 3-D matrix barcode104may be presented on the display device102. As discussed above, the 3-D matrix barcode104may be presented as two separate images (either successively or simultaneously) in order to be perceived in 3-D. In operation302the mobile computing device101, the viewer100, or the image viewer device102may receive the images.

After the 3-D matrix barcode104is received, the method300may proceed to operation306and the two images or components of the matrix barcode104are captured. This operation306may be performed by the image capture device136either incorporated into the image viewer device102or the mobile computing device101. The image capture device136may capture the two images simultaneously or as two separate images. In some embodiments, the optical component138may include two separate lenses or a rotating filter in front of a lens. For example, the optical component138may include a rotating filter. The rotating filter may use polarization or other filtering mechanisms to create a different filter for a single lens between each image that is captured. In this embodiment, a first polarization filter (e.g., clockwise circular polarizing filter) may be placed in front of the lens and a first image or component of the 3-D matrix barcode104may be captured. Then, the rotating filter may rotate and a second filter with a different polarization (e.g., a counterclockwise circular polarizing filter) may be placed in front of the lens, and the second image or component of the 3-D matrix barcode104may be captured. In other embodiments, the optical component138may include two separate lenses, where each lens may have a different polarization or filter, such that the image or component captured by each lens may be different than the other lens.

In one embodiment, the image capture device136captures the matrix barcode104as it is displayed with a television show (or other video content). For example, a remote control for the content receiver108may include the image capture device136. Then, as the matrix barcode104is displayed the viewer100may select a button on the remote control device to capture the 3-D matrix barcode104. The optical device138may then be activated and record the images of the 3-D matrix barcode104.

The method300then proceeds to operation308and the images may be processed to determine the depth dimensions110c,113c,115cof blocks110,113,115. This operation308may be performed by the mobile computing device101, the image capture device136, or other computing device. This operation308may take into account the offset distance the component images of the 3-D matrix barcode104are from each other, the distance from the display device106that the 3-D matrix barcode104is perceived to be, and other data that corresponds to how the viewer100perceives the depth blocks110c,113c,115c. For example, the distance that each block110,113,115may be offset from the two 2-D images of the 3-D matrix barcode may determine the depth dimensions110c,113,115c. Therefore, the two 2-D images or components of the 3-D matrix barcode104may be evaluated to determine the distance each image or component appeared on the display device106as compared to the other image or component. For example, in one component image certain portions of blocks110,113,115may be displayed on a particular set of pixels on the display device106and in the second component image, the same portion of the blocks110,113,115may be displayed on a second set of pixels. The second set of pixels may be offset from the first set of pixels by a particular distance, this distance may correspond to the depth dimension110c,113c,115cof each block110,113,115. In other embodiments, data used to create 3-D matrix barcode104may be analyzed to determine the depth dimensions110c,113c,115cof each block110,113,115.

The method300then may proceed to operation310and the 3-D matrix barcode104(or data corresponding to the 3-D matrix barcode104) is transmitted to access additional content. In some embodiments, the image viewer device102may capture the images of the 3-D matrix barcode104and transmit the images to a computing device to be analyzed. This may be beneficial, as the processing power required to transmit the images may be minimal, as compared with embodiments where the image viewer device102may analyze the 3-D matrix barcode104to extract the data from it. Therefore, the processor142in the image capture device136may not need to be too powerful, and thus may be less expensive. Similarly, the image capture device136may be incorporated into a remote control device for the content receiver108, and in these embodiments the remote control device may transmit the images of the 3-D matrix barcode104along with data corresponding to other remote control commands (e.g., channel selection, power). After the images are transferred to another computing device (e.g., the mobile computing device101, the content receiver108, personal computer), the data corresponding to the images of the 3-D may be extracted.

In other embodiments, data corresponding to the 3-D matrix barcode104may be transmitted rather than the images. For example, if the image capture device136is incorporated into the mobile computing device101, the processor142may be more powerful than if the image capture device136is incorporated into the image viewer device102. Therefore, in these embodiments, the mobile computing device101may extract the data corresponding to the 3-D matrix barcode104and thus may transmit the data corresponding to the 3-D matrix barcode104.

The additional content that may be accessed based on the data within the 3-D matrix barcode may be a URL and the image viewer device102may transmit the matrix barcode104to a computer in order to access the webpage. The computer may receive the matrix barcode104and then open a browser window and display the webpage. In another embodiment, the mobile computing device101may transmit the 3-D matrix barcode104from the optical component138to a processor in order to access the content corresponding to the matrix barcode104.

In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation but those skilled in the art will recognize the steps and operation may be rearranged, replaced or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.