Patent Publication Number: US-2016232880-A1

Title: Trigger-Based Viewing of Media in Layers

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/115,046 entitled “Trigger-Based Viewing of Media in Layers” filed Feb. 11, 2015. The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/115,046 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to graphical user interfaces and trigger-based control systems for the remote managing, concealment, and display of hidden portions of images. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Graphical user interfaces can enable human interaction with electronic devices through many graphical elements. Graphical user interfaces can include text, icons, windows, images, and moveable graphics. The technical field of graphical user interface design is continuously improving, with new elements and interactive means being generated in many new applications. Graphical user interfaces are typically defined by computer programmers and application developers prior to installation of the software supporting said graphical user interfaces. Users of applications have some customization options, but cannot affect the interfaces of other users of other applications. Moreover, the technical field of image processing and management intersects with the technical field of graphical user interface design. Improved image management tools are being continuously developed to further the fields of image processing and management. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Trigger-based image control (TIC) systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention control the distribution, concealment, linking, and revealing of linked mediums and/or images. Mediums and/or images can be obscured and/or linked via user-defined and interactive graphical user interface objects that are referred to herein as “peeqs”. A linking peeq can be defined and placed on a given medium to indicate a link between the medium and other medium(s). Mediums can include photos, digital images, videos, animated GIFs, and/or any other device viewable media content. Often, mediums are also referred to herein as images. Linking peeqs are also referred to herein as “triggers”. When a linking peeq displayed as a visual object on a medium is interacted with, the TIC system can register the interaction as an attempt to view a next linked medium. A linking peeq may be any visual object geometrically shaped or otherwise; any color, translucent or otherwise; a part or whole of a photo, an animated medium. A linking peeq can also be combined with additional simultaneous triggers to be activated, such as voice, shaking of the Device, etc. or other Constraints—applied simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence. Linking peeqs and/or triggers may have additional visual elements on them including icons of any kind, words, counters (e.g. showing the number of activations of that Trigger), etc. 
     An obscuring peeq can obscure a portion of a medium and thereby serve as obscurant that can be removed when an attempt to view the obscured portion of the image is approved by an originator of the hidden image. TIC systems can provide for a graphical user interface control scheme by which originators of images can place constraints on the delivery of portions of obscured images or linked images on remote user devices. TIC systems can utilize interactions between multiple electronic devices to ensure secure concealment and controlled revealing of hidden portions of images using obscuring peeqs. TIC systems can further provide verification of the appropriateness of altered, original, and hidden images. 
     Both obscuring and linking peeqs can be combined and the functionalities of the two peeq types can be freely shared. Thus, an obscuring peeq can serve as a linking peeq between mediums. Moreover, a linking peeq can also perform the obscuring functions of an obscuring peeq. 
     One embodiment of the method of the invention includes: providing an image processing graphical user interface on an originator device using a trigger-based image control system, receiving a designation of a concealed portion of an original image to conceal through the provided graphical user interface at the originator device using the trigger-based image control system, generating an altered image based on the received designation using the trigger-based image control system, where the altered image includes an obscurant that conceals and replaces the concealed portion of the original image, distributing the altered image including the obscurant to a viewer device using the trigger-based image control system, where the concealed portion of the original image remains on originator device, and receiving an indication of an attempt to view the concealed portion of the original image from the viewer device using the trigger-based image control system. When approval of the attempt to view is received from the originator device, the method screens the concealed portion of the original image for inappropriate content using the trigger-based image control system and transmits the concealed portion of the original image to the viewer device using the trigger-based image control system. Upon receipt of the transmitted concealed portion of the original image, the original image is reconstituted and displayed on the viewer device using the trigger-based image control system. 
     In a yet further embodiment, the attempt to view includes an indication on a graphical user interface that is displaying the altered image on the viewer device. 
     In a further embodiment again, the trigger-based image control system encrypts the altered image according to a first asymmetric key using, and the altered image is decrypted prior to viewing using a second asymmetric key stored on the viewer device. 
     In a further embodiment, the trigger-based image control system encrypts the concealed portion of the original image prior to transmission to the viewer device using a symmetric key. 
     In yet another additional embodiment, where the original image is a single frame of a video that includes a set of images, and the trigger-based image control system further generates an altered set of images based on the received designation, and the altered set of images includes at least one obscurant that conceals and replaces portions of each of the set of images. 
     In still another further embodiment, the trigger-based image control system receives a set of constraints and transmission of the concealed portion of the original image to the viewer device only occurs after satisfactions of the set of constraints. In another further embodiment, the set of constrains includes at least one of: a minimum threshold of attempts to view across a set of viewer devices, a limitation on viewing at only a particular time period, and/or a limitation on viewing to only when a viewer device is at a particular location. 
     In still another embodiment, the trigger-based image control system further logs activities of the trigger-based image control system. In a still further additional embodiment, the logged activities include a count of attempts to view received 
     In another embodiment, the trigger-based image control system further captures the original image using image capture components of the originator device. 
     One embodiment of an image processing system includes at least one processing unit and a memory storing an image processing application. The memory storing the image processing application directs the at least one processing unit to: receive an altered image including an obscurant that conceals a designated portion of an original image, where the concealed portion of the original image was designated on a graphical user interface of an originator device, where the concealed portion of the original image remains on originator device; distribute the altered image including the obscurant to a viewer device; and receive an indication of an attempt to view the concealed portion of the original image from the viewer device. When approval of the attempt to view is received the originator device, the image processing application directs the at least one processing unit to: screen the concealed portion of the original image for inappropriate content and transmit the concealed portion of the original image to the viewer device using the trigger-based image control system, where upon receipt of the transmitted concealed portion of the original image at the viewer device, the viewer device reconstitutes and displays the original image. 
     In still another additional embodiment, the attempt to view includes an indication on a graphical user interface that is displaying the altered image on the viewer device. 
     In a yet further embodiment again, the image processing application further directs the at least one processing unit to encrypt the altered image according to a first asymmetric key, where the altered image is decrypted prior to viewing using a second asymmetric key stored on the viewer device. 
     In a still further embodiment, the image processing application further directs the at least one processing unit to encrypt the concealed portion of the original image prior to transmission to the viewer device using a symmetric key. 
     In yet a further additional embodiment, the original image is a single frame of a video that includes a set of images, where the altered image is a part of an altered set of images, and where the altered set of images includes at least one obscurant that conceals and replaces portions of each of the set of images. 
     A further additional embodiment also includes where the image processing application further directs the at least one processing unit to: receive a set of constraints; and where transmission of the concealed portion of the original image to the viewer device only occurs after satisfactions of the set of constraints. Another additional embodiment also includes where the set of constrains includes at least one of: a minimum threshold of attempts to view across a set of viewer devices, a limitation on viewing at only a particular time period, and/or a limitation on viewing to only when a viewer device is at a particular location. 
     A still yet further embodiment also includes where the image processing application further directs the at least one processing unit to log activities of the image processing system. In still yet another embodiment, the logged activities include a count of attempts to view received. 
     In another additional embodiment again, the image processing application further directs the at least one processing unit to capture the original image using image capture components of the originator device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a network diagram illustrating a Trigger-based image control (TIC) system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a process for processing hidden images utilizing a TIC system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a process for processing hidden images utilizing a TIC system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a conceptual illustration demonstrating obfuscation and reveal operations performed by a TIC system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a conceptual illustration demonstrating obfuscation and reveal operations performed by a TIC system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4C  is a conceptual illustration demonstrating a linking peeq and associated functions performed by a TIC system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  conceptually illustrates an architecture of an originator device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  conceptually illustrates an architecture of a, operator process server in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  conceptually illustrates an architecture of a viewer device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Trigger-based image control (TIC) systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention control the distribution, concealment, linking, and revealing of linked mediums and/or images in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. TIC systems can provide for a graphical user interface control scheme by which originators of images can place constraints on the delivery of portions of the images and/or linking of multiple mediums on remote user devices. TIC systems can utilize interactions between multiple electronic devices to ensure secure concealment and controlled revealing of hidden portions of images utilizing obscuring peeqs. The hidden portions of images can be hidden by peeqs and/or obscurants that can be removed when an attempt to view the hidden portion of the images is approved by an originator of the hidden image. These hidden portions of images and/or partly obscured visual media (images, videos, etc.) can be used in social networking platforms, photo/video sharing apps and advertisements to arouse the curiosity of the viewers. Viewers using viewer devices can attempt to view hidden images behind obscurants. Several embodiments provide for additional functionalities based on attempts to view hidden images, such as utilizing the attempts to view as means to enter lotteries, prize contests and/or sweepstakes. 
     Mediums and/or images can be linked via user-defined and interactive graphical user interface objects that are referred to herein as “peeqs”. A linking peeq can be defined and placed on a given medium to indicate a link between the medium and other medium(s). Mediums can include photos, digital images, videos, animated GIFs, and/or any other device viewable media content. Often, mediums are also referred to herein as images. Linking peeqs are also referred to herein as “triggers”. When a linking peeq displayed as a visual object on a medium is interacted with, the TIC system can register the interaction as an attempt to view a next linked medium. A linking peeq may be any visual object geometrically shaped or otherwise; any color, translucent or otherwise; a part or whole of a photo, an animated medium. A linking peeq can also be combined with additional simultaneous triggers to be activated, such as voice, shaking of the Device, etc. or other Constraints—applied simultaneously or in a predetermined sequence. Linking peeqs and/or triggers may have additional visual elements on them including icons of any kind, words, counters (e.g. showing the number of activations of that Trigger), etc. Transitions between images linked by a linking peeq can include special effects (e.g. fade slowly; cross-fade; use a sound effect, emulate fireworks, etc.). In addition, linking peeqs can be defined such that viewing a next linked image and/or medium in a sequence is performed using a hotlink functions are performed according to the hotlink. Both obscuring and linking peeqs can be combined and the functionalities of the two peeq types can be freely shared in various embodiments. Thus, an obscuring peeq can serve as a linking peeq between mediums. Moreover, a linking peeq can also perform the obscuring functions of an obscuring peeq. 
     TIC systems can include several electronic devices working in concert to provide remote control of hidden images. For instance, some embodiments can include an originator device, an operator device, and a viewing device. The originator device is typically a mobile and/or imaging device that provides functions for receiving an image, concealing portions of said image, and/or defining peeqs (e.g., triggers, linking peeqs, obscuring peeqs, etc.). The originator device communicates with the operator device. The operator device communicates with both the originator device and the viewer device to coordinate attempts to view by the viewer device and granting permissions to view linked and/or obscured images according to inputs to the originator device. Communications between the several electronic devices can be facilities by TIC Apps installed on some or all of the devices of a TIC system. 
     Peeqs can enable viewers to interact with hidden portions of images via graphical user interface elements provided by viewer devices, such as mouse-clickable obscuring peeqs and/or linking peeqs on electronic displays or touchable elements on the displays of touch screen devices (e.g. tapping, swiping, scratching motion that emulates an eraser, etc.). Upon such interactions, the viewer device can communicate with the operator device and receive permission to cause the obscuring peeq to disappear and the hidden image to be revealed on the viewer device. In the case of a linking peeq, the viewer device can communicate with the operator device and receive permission to display a next medium in a medium sequence on the viewer device. 
     Hidden images associated with peeqs can be securely stored on originator devices until attempts to view are approved by user(s) of the originator devices. By enabling secure remote control of the viewing of hidden portions of images, the invention provides for improvements to the technical fields of user interface design and image processing. Additional means of controlling the distribution of images are provided that thereby provide for better functioning of computing systems reliant on user interfaces to control image management. 
     Moreover, further permission management and viewing control functions are provided by embodiments of the invention. Operator devices can provide statistics and notifications to originator devices so that users of the originator devices know who has interacted with linking and/or obscuring peeqs, and then provide for control over which viewers will be granted permission to view the linked and/or obscured images. In order to secure linked and/or obscured images against any possibility of theft, hacker penetration, and/or premature release at the Originator device(s) or the Operator device(s), embodiments of the invention can limit locations at which the linked and/or obscured images are stored. For instance, operator device(s) typically do not store the hidden portion of the images and only receive them upon receipt of an approval (from an originator device) of an attempt to view by a viewing device. Embodiments can further provide for encryption techniques to secure hidden images from early access or hacking penetration. 
     To ensure Originator control over peeq linked and/or obscured images, embodiments of the invention can provide for a variety of constraints. For instance, constraints can include: the identities of Receivers allowed to view peeq linked and/or obscured images, a limited period (e.g. a set number of seconds) during which peeq linked and/or obscured images can be viewed, only geographical particular locations at which Viewer devices and/or viewers during which peeq linked and/or obscured images can be viewed, date and time windows for viewing, certain additional authentication schemes such as voice, face, finger recognition, two factor authentication, etc., attempts to view can be limited such that all views require a request to view to be sent to an Originator and thereby specifically granted, and/or viewing can be limited such that viewing will only occur after a minimum threshold of the number of requests is received. The above described constraints are constraints in several embodiments of the invention, but further embodiments as discussed below can include different constraints that those discussed here. 
     Some embodiments can perform a screening function at the operator device(s) to detect certain images that should be controlled (pornography, criminal content, copyright violations, etc.) while minimizing data processing and data transfers of linked and/or obscured images. To balance goals of hidden image security with requirements to protect against potentially criminal content, embodiments of the invention can minimize or even eliminate possession of the linked and/or obscured portions of images by maintaining possession solely within the originator device(s) until attempts to view have been approved by users of the originator device(s). 
     Having discussed a brief overview of the operations and functionalities TIC systems in accordance with many embodiments of the invention, a definitions section followed by a more detailed discussion of system and methods for TIC systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention follows below. 
     Definitions of Terms Related to Trigger-Based Image Control Systems 
     In order to clarify the operations of TIC systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention, the following passage detail definitions for terms used in herein. The following definitions are provided by general guidance, and some embodiments may deviate and/or include different features from the terms recited herein. 
     “Devices” can include internet-connected computing devices including (but not limited to) a smart phone, a tablet, personal computer, a wearable device, a server computer, and any other device capable of executing applications for supporting operations performed by TIC systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Where devices are qualified as operator devices, originator devices, and/or viewer devices; these devices can be included (or not included) as necessary for implementation of the invention as part of TIC systems. 
     “TIC app” includes application software that runs on a TIC system device. The functions of the TIC app can include: enabling the definition of peeqs, obscuring portions of images using obscuring peeqs, sharing such obscured images with others, linking mediums and/or images together with linking peeqs, revealing the obscured portions of the images through an operator-managed system of permissions and authentications, and/or displaying next mediums in a sequence. 
     “Operator devices” can include any device executing an application that provides a cloud server (or any other type of server) that perform at least one of the following operations: communicate with installations of the TIC app over the internet; coordinate and run the distribution of the media and related content between the users of the TIC app; screen the media for inappropriate content; and maintain a database that records interactions between various devices of the TIC system. 
     “Images” can include electronic image files including (but not limited to) pictures, frames of video, bitmap images, jpeg images, and/or any other displayable content. 
     “Mediums” can include photos, digital images, videos, animated GIFs, and/or any other device-displayable media content. Mediums can linked in sequences using linking peeqs. 
     “Peeqs” can include obscurants hiding hidden portions of images and/or linking functions between sequences of linked mediums. Peeqs can be user-defined and interactive graphical user interface objects. 
     “Obscurants” can include visual masks of any kind that blocks at least a portion of an original image from viewing. The obscurant may be as simple as a plain color mask. It may also be any other image with pictures, a photo, text, shapes, logos; a special visual effect such as a blurred version of the image underneath; a video or some other type of animation such as keyframe animation; or any combination of the above. Obscurants are also referred to herein as obscuring peeqs. 
     “Obscurant data” can include all of the information related to an obscurant and/or obscuring peeq; including as appropriate the pixel map, commands to the TIC app to perform certain functions, and data on such functions. 
     “Originator devices” can include any device an installation of the TIC app. The TIC app on the originator devices can enable users of the originator devices to define peeqs, obscure a portion of an image using an obscuring peeq, link images and/or mediums using linking peeqs, and share peeq modified images with others. 
     “Viewer devices” can include any device with an installation of the TIC app that receives an image from an originator. Attempts to view are made on peeq modified images displayed on viewer devices. 
     “Original image” can include the original raw image with no peeqs placed on it yet. Original image data contains a list of the pixels of the original image with values assigned to each pixel. 
     “Altered images” can include images that have been modified by placement of a peeq. Such as being obscured by obscurants according to instructions received by an originator device. Altered images are displayed on viewer devices with obscurants obscuring at least a portion of the original image. 
     “Hidden images” or “concealed images” can include the underlying images that contain the original image pixel data of the pixel locations behind the obscurants. When used herein, the terms hidden images and concealed images can be used interchangeably. Hidden images can contain the location coordinates of the obscurants, and the data for each pixel in that region which corresponds to each coordinate. There may be multiple sets of hidden images corresponding to multiple obscurants. 
     “Attempt to view” can include operations that communicate intent to the TIC app installed on a viewer device to interact with a peeq of a peeq modified image. This interaction can constitute an attempt to view what is concealed by an obscuring peeq. This may be in the form of clicking on the obscurant; if using touchscreen device, the user of the viewer device may touch the obscurant on the screen in some fashion (e.g. Tapping, swiping, scratching motion that emulates an eraser, etc.). This may also be in the form of some other interaction with the device such as shaking the device; making audible sounds (e.g. “open sesame!”), or presenting the viewer device an image through the viewer device&#39;s camera which can be processed as part of an authentication system. An attempt to view can also be an attempt to view a linked medium through interaction with a linking peeq. 
     “Constraints” may include any combination of the following conditions (but are not limited to the conditions listed): the identities of people allowed to view hidden images; viewing hidden images for a limited period (e.g. X seconds) followed by obscuring of the hidden images again; viewing hidden images only if the viewing device is at a particular location; viewing hidden images only at a particular date/time window; viewing hidden images only if certain additional authentication is verified (voice/face recognition, etc.); viewing hidden images only if the right attempt to view is received; unmasking the obscurant with a specific special effect (e.g. Fade slowly; cross-fade; use a sound effect, emulate fireworks, play an animation or a video, etc.); treating the viewing act as a hotlink and perform the functions dictated by that link; viewing only after a request to view is sent to an originator device, and the originator device specifically grants the request; view only after a minimum threshold of the number of requests is received. In addition, viewing can be constrained such that stepped viewing is initiated at every attempt to view (i.e., more revealed at every new attempt to view) according to the following operations: remove a part of the obscurant (e.g. Shrink the obscurant by a percentage); go from completely opaque to 100% transparent in steps; and allow moving the obscurant around from its fixed position to reveal more of the hidden image underneath. 
     Network Architectures for Trigger-Based Image Control Systems 
     A network architecture for a Trigger-based image control system for manage the concealment, distribution, and controlled revealing of peeq linked and/or obscured images in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . TIC system  100  includes operator devices  102  that include operator servers, database servers, and databases. Operator devices  102  can also include (but is not limited to) distributed cloud based server systems. The operator devices  102  can communicate over network  108  with several groups of devices in order to facilitate the origination, distribution, and revealing of concealed and/or linked images using peeqs. The groups of devices include (but are not limited to) originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , Operator devices  102  include application servers, database servers, and databases. In various embodiments, Operator devices  102  can include varying numbers and types of devices. For instance, Operator devices  102  can be implemented as a single computing device where the single computing device has sufficient storage, networking, and/or computing power. However, Operator devices  102  may also be implemented using multiple computing devices of various types and multiple locations. While Operator devices  102  is shown including application servers, database servers, and databases, a person skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the devices shown in  FIG. 1  and can include additional types of computing devices (e.g., web servers, and/or cloud storage systems). The Operator devices  102  can further perform operations including (but not limited to) communicating with installations of TIC Apps on originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106 , coordinating and running distribution of obscured (i.e., altered) images, linked images, and related content between originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106 , screening images for inappropriate content, and/or maintaining databases that record activity between the TIC processing  102  and other devices. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , network  108  is the Internet. Operator devices  102  communicate with originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106  through network  108 . Network  108  can include wireless connections such as (but not limited to) a 4G connection, a cellular network, a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi network, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a kiosk, a beacon, and/or any other wireless data communication link appropriate to the requirements of specific applications. Other embodiments may use other networks, such as Ethernet or virtual networks, to communicate between devices. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the network types shown in  FIG. 1  and can include additional types of networks (e.g., intranets, virtual networks, mobile networks, and/or other networks appropriate to the requirements of specific applications). 
     Originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106  can include many different kinds of devices. For instance, originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106  can include end machines including (but not limited to) desktop computers, laptop computers, and/or virtual machines. Moreover, originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106  can include mobile devices including (but not limited to) cellular phones, laptop computers, smart phones, and/or tablet computers). 
     Although a specific architecture is shown in  FIG. 1 , different architectures involving electronic devices and network communications can be utilized to implement TIC systems to perform operations and provide functionalities in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The operations performed and supported by Operator devices  102 , originator devices  104 , and/or viewer devices  106  will be discussed in more detail in conjunction with the flow charts and examples that follow  FIG. 1 . 
     Overview of Operations of Trigger-Based Image Control Systems 
     The following passages will detail flowcharts describing the operations of embodiments of the invention according to different perspectives. The perspectives presented are not limiting such to preclude distribution of the operations recited to different devices within trigger-based image control systems of varying embodiments. Rather, these are exemplary operation flows from representative device implementations in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  conceptually illustrates a process  200  performed by TIC systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention in processing peeq modified images and managing distribution of peeq obscured and/or peeq linked images from the perspective of an originator device. In a number of embodiments, the process  200  is performed by an originator device of a TIC system in accordance with the embodiment described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . The process  200  can include providing ( 210 ) an image processing graphical user interface (GUI). The image processing GUI can receive inputs from users to facilitate the operations described as a part of process  200 ; in particular the definition of peeqs and peeq attributes. Users can interact and designate hidden portions of images via graphical user interface elements provided by process  200 , such as mouse-clickable peeqs on electronic displays or touchable elements on the displays of touch screen devices (e.g. tapping, swiping, scratching motion that emulates an eraser, etc.). Other embodiments may utilize other GUIs and/or applications to support designation of portions of images to be concealed and particular obscurants with which to conceal said images. Moreover, linking peeqs can be defined in many embodiments. In many embodiments, devices involved in process  200  can have instances of TIC Apps installed and in network communication to support secure generation and distribution of concealed images. 
     The process  200  can receive ( 220 ) an original image and/or medium. The original image can be received from many different sources, including (but not limited to) from a camera installed on a viewer device, from a database of images, from a social media website, from a remote source on the internet, from a digital camera, from a cloud storage facility, and/or any other electronic means of receiving an image. Where the originator device is a desktop, laptop, mobile device and/or any other computing device, saved images may be available from non-transitory memories on the device. In embodiments that will be discussed in further detail below, the original image can also be an image from a sequence of linked images from a video and/or multimedia presentation. 
     The process  200  can receive ( 225 ) a definition of a peeq to place over the original image. The definition of the peeq can specific an obscuring function and/or a linking function (i.e., the definition can specific a linking peeq and/or an obscuring peeq as defined in the embodiments discussed herein). The peeq can be defined in terms of peeq attributes. Peeq attributes can include colors, sizes, shapes, view counts, quantities, visual effects such as animations, rubbing effects, effects such as Emulating turning a page of a book where the Medium with the Trigger appears to fold in 3D in the same direction that the user&#39;s finger swipes the screen, transitional visual effects may be applied to reveal the next Media such as a blur, swirl, cross-dissolve or cross-fading, minimum thresholds for activation such as global attempt to view counts, sound effects that include both TIC app defined sound effects and locally record sound effects, and/or other attributes discussed in the various embodiments described herein. Peeqs can be defined via interaction with the provided image processing GUI. Typically, an area will be selected on the original image. Often, this selected area will be a particularly interesting portion of the original image. The peeq and peeq placement area can be of varying shapes and sizes. The peeq can further include an obscurant to be placed over the designated area. The obscurants can include visual masks of any kind that blocks at least a portion of an original Image from viewing (such as a pixel graph). The obscurants may also be any other image with pictures, text, shapes, logos; a special visual effect such as a blurred version of the image underneath; a video or some other type of animation such as key frame animation; or any combination of the above. Moreover, there can be multiple peeqs over a single image and/or multiple obscurants distributed across multiple images in different embodiments. 
     The process  200  can generate ( 230 ) an altered image that includes the defined peeq. The peeq can conceal a designated portion of the original image. The concealed portion can be defined according to inputs to the provided GUI. The altered image (i.e., obscured image) can include obscurants that block a portion of the altered image from view. The peeq can also link to a sequence of mediums. Some embodiments provide for certain logos and/or activity indicators as a part of the peeqs. The obscured portion of the generated altered image can be referred to as a hidden image or a concealed image. The altered images can be generated on originator devices in some embodiments. In these embodiments, the originator devices do not transmit the hidden portion of the altered images to the operator devices until certain conditions have been satisfied. These conditions can include approval of attempts to view and/or interact with peeqs on altered images by users of the originator devices and/or satisfaction of constraints by viewer devices (said constraints supplied by the originator devices). Thereby these embodiments of the invention ensure that the altered, concealed, and/or hidden portions of images remain securely on originator devices. In some embodiments, the original image can be a complex image comprising links and/or user interface elements. Where the original image is a complex image, peeqs can be designated and defined over the links and/or user interface elements. The resulting altered images can have the links and/or user interface elements removed. The links and/or user interface elements can be restored upon their transmission along with hidden and/or concealed portions of the original complex image. 
     The process  200  can receive constraints ( 240 ) on the distribution and revealing of concealed images within the altered images. The constraints can define how process  200  will elect to release hidden images for display on viewer devices. The constraints can be received by originator devices and be defined by users entering constraint definitions to graphical user interfaces provided by the originator devices. Constraints can include conditions dictated to the graphical user interface of an originator device under which any obscurant can be removed or next image in sequence viewed. Constraints can be defined in instructions listed in a file maintained by TIC systems performing process  200 . Constraints may include any combination of the following conditions (but are not limited to the conditions listed): the identities of people allowed to view hidden images; viewing hidden images for a limited period (e.g. X seconds) followed by obscuring of the hidden images again; viewing hidden images only if the viewing device is at a particular location; viewing hidden images only at a particular date/time window; viewing hidden images only if certain additional authentication is verified (voice/face recognition, etc.); viewing hidden images only if the right attempt to view is received; unmasking the obscurant with a specific special effect (e.g. Fade slowly; cross-fade; use a sound effect, emulate fireworks, play an animation or a video, etc.); treating the viewing act as a hotlink and perform the functions dictated by that link; viewing only after a request to view is sent to an originator device, and the originator device specifically grants the request; view only after a minimum threshold of the number of requests is received. In addition, viewing can be constrained such that stepped viewing is initiated at every attempt to view (i.e., more revealed at every new attempt to view) according to the following operations: remove a part of the obscurant (e.g. Shrink the obscurant by a percentage); go from completely opaque to 100% transparent in steps; and allow moving the obscurant around from its fixed position to reveal more of the hidden image underneath. 
     The process  200  can transmit ( 250 ) the altered images and constraints. Typically, the altered images and constraints on the altered images are provided from originator devices to operator devices. The operator devices can perform several operations that will be discussed in detail in conjunction with further figures. The altered image can further be made available to viewer devices via internet connections between originator devices, operator devices, and/or viewer devices. The altered images and constraints can be transmitted over various networks to reach viewer devices as required to implement the invention. Examples of networks usable by the invention and process  200  are discussed above in connection with TIC system  100  of  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments the altered image is provided to viewer devices running a TIC App from operator devices. In these embodiments, the operator devices maintain databases and cloud databases for supporting large scale image distribution numerous remote and mobile viewer devices. The originator devices, operator devices, and/or viewer devices together can form a trigger-based image control system. 
     Process  200  can make several decisions based on whether certain conditions have been satisfied for hidden image receipt and distribution. Process  200  waits until an attempt to view has been received ( 260 ). Attempts to view can include operations that communicate intent to the TIC app installed on a device to view portions of an altered image concealed by a peeq or next images linked by a linking peeq. This may be in the form of a graphical user interface input to a viewer device; such as a tap on a touch screen viewer device that is displaying the altered image or some other interaction with a peeq on a peeq altered image. Upon receipt of an attempt to view, process  200  determines whether approval has been received ( 270 ). Approval can be received from input to interfaces on originator devices. Typically, the user who originated the altered image will also be the user who provides approval for distribution of the concealed portion of the altered image. Moreover, the particular originator device is usually the same originator device from which approval is received and the altered image originated. Varying embodiments may provide for varying method of receiving approval for release of the concealed portion of an altered image or release of a next image in a sequence of peeq linked images. Depending on the quantity and type of viewer devices, different means of providing approval may be provided. For instance, some embodiments provide for an “approve all” user interface element to indicate approval of all viewer devices to view the peeq hidden portions of the certain altered images or peeq linked images in a sequence. Other approval interface elements may also be provided, such as a “approve single viewer” element that accepts designations of particular users. Process  200  then checks whether received constraints are satisfied ( 280 ). As discussed above, many different constraints can be received and varying conditions will have to be satisfied. The process can either wait or terminate should approval of an attempt to view or constraints fail to be satisfied. 
     When the above discussed decisions are in the affirmative, process  200  can optionally transmit ( 290 ) hidden and/or obscured portions of the original image. Typically, the hidden and/or obscured portions are maintained on originator devices. Thus, the hidden and/or obscured portions of the original image may be first transmitted at this stage from the originator devices to the operator devices and/or viewer devices. Transmission of hidden and/or obscured portions of images may involve transmission from the originator devices, to the operator devices, and then further to the downstream viewer devices that attempted to view the hidden and/or obscured portions of images and met conditions associated with certain constraints. In some embodiments, devices involved in the transmission of concealed images will have TIC Apps installed and in communication to securely transmit concealed images. Upon receipt of hidden and/or obscured images, a TIC App running on a receiving viewer device can verify that any constraints associated with the received hidden and/or obscured images are satisfied prior to display of the hidden and/or obscured images. 
     Additionally, when the above discussed decisions are in the affirmative, process  200  can optionally transmit ( 295 ) linked mediums and/or images. Typically, the linked mediums and/or images are maintained on originator devices. Thus, the linked mediums and/or images may be first transmitted at this stage from the originator devices to the operator devices and/or viewer devices. Transmission of linked mediums and/or images may involve transmission from the originator devices, to the operator devices, and then further to the downstream viewer devices that attempted to view the linked mediums and/or images and met conditions associated with certain constraints. In some embodiments, devices involved in the transmission of concealed images will have TIC Apps installed and in communication to securely transmit linked mediums and/or images. Upon receipt of linked mediums and/or images, a TIC App running on a receiving viewer device can verify that any constraints associated with the received linked mediums and/or images are satisfied prior to display of the linked mediums and/or images. 
     While the operations described as part of process  200  were presented in the order as they appeared in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , various embodiments of the invention perform the operations of process  200  in different orders as required to implement the invention. For instance, in some embodiments, constraint receipt, altered image generation, and transmission occur in different orders. Having discussed operations of a TIC system from an originator device perspective, the following figure presents operations from the perspective of an operator device. 
       FIG. 3  conceptually illustrates a process  300  performed by TIC systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention in processing peeq altered images. Process  300  concerns managing controlled revealing of hidden images from the perspective of an operator device and/or directing transmission of linked images that are linked by a linking peeq. In a number of embodiments, the process  300  is performed by an operator device of a TIC system in accordance with the embodiment described above in connection with  FIG. 1 . As mentioned above, operating devices can be servers and database systems in singular machines, distributed systems, virtual machines, and/or cloud server. In many embodiments, devices involved in process  300  can have instances of TIC Apps installed and in network communication to support secure generation and distribution of concealed images. 
     The process  300  can include receiving ( 310 ) peeq-altered images, medium sequences, and/or constraints on their revealing and distribution. The altered images can be generated by and received from originator devices. The altered images can include peeqs obscuring certain portions of the altered images, thereby concealing portions of the altered images. The altered images typically do not include the concealed portions of the altered images. The altered images can also include linking peeqs. The received constraints and examples thereof are discussed extensively above. Upon receipt of the altered image, the operator devices, in performing process  300 , may check ( 320 ) altered images for inappropriate content (e.g., pornography, copyright violations, illegal images, etc.). Where the altered image contains inappropriate content, the process  300  ends. 
     The process  300  can transmit ( 330 ) the altered image and received constraints to viewer devices. The viewer devices can then view the altered image along with the peeqs concealing the hidden and/or concealed portion of the altered image and/or peeqs linking to mediums in image sequences. When viewed, the peeqs present the opportunity for users of the viewer devices to attempt to view the obscured portions of the image and/or next images in a sequence. This can be accomplished by input to a graphical user interface provided by the viewer devices. Attempts to view (e.g., clicking on the peeqs) can be indicated to the operator device via communication between TIC Apps running on the viewer devices. 
     Process  300  can make several decisions based on whether certain conditions have been satisfied for hidden image receipt and distribution. Process  300  waits until an attempt to view has been received ( 340 ). Attempts to view can include operations that communicate intent to the TIC app installed on a device to view portions of an altered image concealed by a peeq or attempts to view next mediums by interacting with a peeq. This may be in the form of a graphical user interface input (such as a tap on a touch screen device). Upon receipt of an attempt to view, process  300  determines whether approval has been received ( 350 ). Approval can be received from input to interfaces on originator devices. The approval can be received remotely from originator devices by operator devices performing process  300 . Typically, the user who originated the altered image will also be the user who provides approval for distribution of the concealed portion of the altered image or next images in the peeq indicated sequence. Varying embodiments may provide for varying method of receiving approval for release of the concealed portion of an altered image. Process  300  then checks whether received constraints are satisfied ( 360 ). The operator device performing process  300  may evaluate the conditions itself, or in the alternative the operator device can receive indication of constraint satisfaction from viewer and/or originator devices. As discussed above, many different constraints can be received and varying conditions will have to be satisfied. The process can either wait or terminate should approval of an attempt to view or constraints fail to be satisfied. 
     When the above discussed decisions (approval of attempt to view and constraint satisfaction) are in the affirmative, process  300  can optionally receive ( 365 ) obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums. The obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums are typically received from an originator device. Thus, the obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums may be first received by a device besides the originator device upon which it was obscured at this stage. Upon receipt of the obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums, the operator devices, in performing process  300 , may optionally check ( 370 ) images for inappropriate content (e.g., pornography, copyright violations, illegal images, etc.). Where the obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums contain inappropriate content, the process  300  ends. 
     The process can optionally transmit ( 380 ) obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums to viewer devices. This transmission can be contingent upon selective approval of certain viewer devices for approval. Selective approval can be indicated by data received from originator devices. Upon transmission, a TIC App running on the receiving viewer device can verify that any constraints associated with the transmitted obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums are satisfied prior to display of the obscured portions of the original image and/or linked mediums. The process  300  can further optionally log activity. The activities logged can include (but are not limited to) number of attempts to view, number of downloads, identities of users and/or viewer devices attempting to view images, numbers of transmissions, types of peeqs and obscurants, constraint satisfaction counts, times involved in transmission and display of altered images, and/or other data involved in facilitating processing of concealed images. The logging of activities can be utilized by operator systems to confirm revealing of obscured images and can also indicate times of revealed images. Moreover, in some embodiments logged data can be shared between operator and originator devices. 
     While the operations described as part of process  300  were presented in the order as they appeared in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , various embodiments of the invention perform the operations of process  300  in different orders as required to implement the invention. For instance, in some embodiments, inappropriate content screening can occur at different times as is more efficient for distribution. 
     In some embodiments, the original image can be a complex image comprising links and/or user interface elements. Where the original image is a complex image, peeqs can be designated and defined over the links and/or user interface elements. The resulting altered images can have the links and/or user interface elements removed. The links and/or user interface elements can be restored upon their transmission along with hidden and/or concealed portions of the original complex image. 
     While many of the embodiments discussed above relate to still images, further embodiments can provide for peeqs appearing over frames of video in a video and/or multimedia presentation. Varying embodiments can provide for peeqs over the same location in every frame of video, or in different frames of video. In addition, different peeqs may appear and disappear throughout a video at a same or at varying locations of the screen. Moreover, a peeqs can move around to cover a particular moving object in a video and/or multimedia presentation. Attempts to view can be linked to a play button in some of the video embodiments. Where video peeqs are supported, TIC Apps in accordance with embodiments of the invention can provide for a video editing interface to place peeqs on portions of video and/or multimedia presentations. Hidden and/or concealed portions of video and/or multimedia presentations can be processed utilizing TIC systems and applications in analogous manners to the processes described above in connection with  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . Specifically, process  200  and process  300  are not limited to still peeq-altered images and can be generalized to apply to video. Having discussed several operational flow charts, the following discussion will present several examples and screenshots of trigger-based image control systems in action. 
     Examples  0 f Trigger-Based Image Control Systems in Operation 
     The following section presents several examples of TIC systems and applications in operation. These examples are presented as conceptual illustrations of particular embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments may deviate from the specific interfaces, operations and phase orders presented in connection with the following example figures and remain in accordance with the invention. For example, TIC systems can include many more devices and many different types of devices than those shown in following figures. In addition, different GUI elements may be present in different embodiments. 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  conceptually illustrates four stages of a trigger-based image control system  400  performing operations associated with an embodiment of the invention. These stages serve visual representations of graphical user interface elements of various devices of TIC system  400  as an image is captured, obscured, transmitted, attempted to be viewed, hidden image final transmission, and revealing on a viewer device. TIC system includes originator device  450 , viewer device  470 , and operator system  480 . Both originator device  450  and viewer device  470  are mobile devices with touch screen interfaces, while operator system  480  is a server and database system. The devices shown in each phase are the same devices between phases where they are labeled with a same identifying number. The example in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  is only one example of a TIC system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
     Beginning with  FIG. 4A , phase  1   410  shows originator device in camera mode  0354  taking a picture of a scene  460 . As shown, scene  460  includes a tower and a pyramid. A user of originator device  450  is applying input  452  to the take a picture button to capture an image of scene  460 . Originator device  450  shows a display of captured image  462  of scene  460 . 
     Phase  2   420  shows several operations. First, phase  2   420  shows originator device  450  in conceal mode  456  receiving input  458  to conceal a portion of the captured image  462 . As shown, obscurant  464  (i.e., obscuring peeq) is being placed over the pyramid of captured image  462  according to input  458 . Second, phase  2   420  shows originator device  450  transmitting altered image  482  to operator system  480  and operator system  480  transmitting altered image  482  to viewer device  470 . Viewer device  470  can be seen displaying altered image  482  with the pyramid obscured by obscurant  464 . The obscured image can arouse curiosity in the viewer who may wish to view what is beneath the obscurant. While the obscurant  464  suggests that a hidden image is underneath, in fact, no such hidden image has been transmitted yet. The transmitted altered image  482  is in fact completely altered by the obscurant  464 . The pixels of the pyramid from captured image  462  are entirely replaced by the obscurant  464  and the operator system  480  and viewer device  470  will not receive pixels showing the pyramid. This arrangement protects against early release and/or hacking penetration of altered image  462 . 
     In  FIG. 4B , phase  3   430  shows viewer device  470  displaying altered image  482  with the pyramid obscured by obscurant  464  (as noted above, the pyramid pixels have not actually been transmitted in phase  3   430 ). As shown, a user of viewer device  470  is applying input  472  to the obscurant  464  concealing the pyramid. In the embodiment shown, this input to the GUI of viewer device  470  can be interpreted by TIC system  400  as an attempt to view the hidden portion of captured image  462 . As shown, view device transmits data  474  indicating the attempt to view to operator system  480  which further transmits data  474  indicating the attempt to view to originator device  450 . Originator device  450  then displays an interface prompt querying a user whether the attempt to view is approved. Different embodiments may display different interfaces and prompts. 
     In phase  4   440 , a user of the originator device  460  is applying input  459  to the YES button in the interface provided by originator device  450 . Other embodiments may support additional control over which attempts to view are approved (such as having an “approve all” or “approve these” buttons for approving certain users and/or viewer devices). Also shown in phase  4   440 , originator device  450  is transmitting hidden image  466  (the pyramid) to the operator system  480  and the operator system  480  further transmits the hidden image  466  to the viewer device  470 . The hidden image  466  only leaves the originator device  450  after approval is entered at the originator device  450  in phase  4   440 . Once received, the viewer device  470  then replaces the obscurant  464  with the hidden image  466 , thereby reconstituting the captured image  462 . The viewer device  470  then displays the complete captured image  462  with the removal of the obscurant  464  and the addition of the hidden image  466 . 
     In  FIG. 4C , a peeq-altered image  491  in shown on a viewing device prior to interaction. As shown, peeq-altered image  491  includes a linking peeq  494 . The linking peeq  494  has an indicator on the Trigger that shows the number of receivers/users who have already activated attempted to view a linked image via the linking peeq  494 . Linking peeq  494  is interacted with as indicated by the illustrated interaction  492 . The viewing device then displays linked image  493 . 
     Encryption and Security 
     In combination with or in alterative to the embodiments discussed above, the following embodiments provide for encryption and security procedures to secure hidden and/or concealed images. Some or all of the data transfers between the devices of TIC systems (e.g., originator devices, operator devices, and the viewer devices as described above) may be encrypted for additional security during transfer of data. In addition, some embodiments provide for additional assurance that the hidden and/or linked images can only be opened at designated viewer devices by the correct party. This can be accomplished in one or a combination of the following schemes. First, when a TIC App is first installed and registered at a particular viewer device, a unique asymmetric encryption key pair is created either by the TIC App on the particular viewer device or on an operator device. The TIC App can keep a first key locked in the particular view device, and the operator device can keep a second key in a database together with that data associated with a user of the particular viewer device, and associates the other key uniquely with that user for future transactions. Whenever the operator device communicates with the originating device, the sender of the data encrypts such data using its key, and the receiver decrypts the data using the paired key in its possession. Such key pairs may be renewed from time to time. Second, critical data may be encrypted using symmetric encryption. The key for locked data at one end can be transferred to the other party at the time of request, including by using the above mentioned asymmetric encryption scheme. The invention is not limited to the preceding encryption schemes, additional embodiments may use further encryption schemes such as the advanced encryption system to secure transfers between devices of TIC systems. 
     Basic Architectures for Implementing Servers for the TIC Systems of Some Embodiments 
     TIC systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention rely on server hardware and/or software to be implemented. The various processes described above can be implemented using any of a variety of computing system architectures. 
     Specific computing systems that can be utilized to implement TIC systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention and implement the various processes illustrated above are described below. While these devices are presented as physical machines, they could also be implemented as cloud servers running in virtual and/or distributed environments. 
     An architecture of an originator device  500  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The originator device  500  includes a processor  510  in communication with non-volatile memory  530 , volatile memory  520 , a network interface  540 , image capture components  550 , and physical interface components  560 . Image capture components  550  can include but are not limited to cameras, lenses, focusing equipment, color balances. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-volatile memory includes an operating system  532 , a TIC application  534 , and an imaging application  536 . The operating system  532  can manage underlying processes and hardware interactions for the originator device  500  and provide for graphical user interfaces. The TIC Application  534  can be executed to perform operations in processes described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. These operations can include (but are not limited to) receiving a designation of a portion of an image to conceal, selection and definition of a peeq, transmission of altered images, altered image generation, selection of constraints, transmission of hidden and/or concealed images, receipt of conditions for defining a peeq, and/or provision of GUIs for approval or disapproval of attempts to view hidden and/or concealed images. Image application  536  can provide additional and/or complementary image processing operations to TIC Application  532 . These image processing operations can include (but are not limited to) image capture, camera functionality image storage, image editing, and/or image transmission. In several embodiments, the network interface  540  may be in communication with the processor  510 , the volatile memory  520 , and/or the non-volatile memory  530 . Although a specific originator device  500  architecture is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , any of a variety of architectures including architectures where the TIC Application  534  is located on disk or some other form of storage and is loaded into volatile memory at runtime can be utilized to implement originator device  500  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
     An architecture of an operator process server  600  (i.e., an operator device) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 6 . The operator process server  600  includes a processor  610  in communication with non-volatile memory  630 , volatile memory  620 , and a network interface  640 . In the illustrated embodiment, the non-volatile memory includes a server application  632 , a TIC application  634 , and a logging application  636 . The server application  632  provides the run-time, support, and/or operating systems functionality necessary to run the operator process server  600 . The server application  632  can also provide for cloud management capabilities to control remove server systems and distribution of images between remote locations and/or installations of TIC Applications. The TIC Application  634  can be executed to perform operations in processes described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. These operations can include (but are not limited to) receipt of constraints and altered images, screening of content within altered and/or original images, distribution of altered, linked, and/or original images, verification of constraint satisfaction, receipt and distribution of indications of attempts to view hidden and/or concealed images, and/or logging operations. The logging application  636  can perform supplemental logging tasks to assist the TIC Application  634 . In several embodiments, the network interface  640  may be in communication with the processor  610 , the volatile memory  620 , and/or the non-volatile memory  630 . Although a specific operator process server architecture is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , any of a variety of architectures including architectures where the TIC Application  634  is located on disk or some other form of storage and is loaded into volatile memory at runtime can be utilized to implement operator process server in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
     An architecture of a viewer device  700  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The viewer device  700  includes a processor  710  in communication with non-volatile memory  730 , volatile memory  720 , a network interface  740 , image capture components  750 , and physical interface components  760 . Image capture components  750  can include but are not limited to cameras, lenses, focusing equipment, color balances. In the illustrated embodiment, the non-volatile memory includes an operating system  732 , a TIC application  734 , and an imaging application  736 . The operating system  732  can manage underlying processes and hardware interactions for the viewer device  700  and provide for graphical user interfaces. The TIC Application  734  can be executed to perform operations in processes described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. These operations can include (but are not limited to) display of altered and/or original images, receipt of selections of images to view, transmission of indications of attempts to view hidden and/or concealed images, and/or various operations to satisfy constraints on viewing of hidden and/or concealed images. Image application  736  can provide additional and/or complementary image processing operations to TIC Application  732 . These image processing operations can include (but are not limited to) image capture, camera functionality image storage, image editing, and/or image transmission. In several embodiments, the network interface  740  may be in communication with the processor  710 , the volatile memory  720 , and/or the non-volatile memory  730 . Although a specific viewer device  700  architecture is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , any of a variety of architectures including architectures where the TIC Application  734  is located on disk or some other form of storage and is loaded into volatile memory at runtime can be utilized to implement viewer devices  700  in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
     While the above description contains many specific embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as various examples of particular embodiments thereof. Moreover, different embodiments of the invention can be freely combined to assist in the processing of hidden and/or concealed portions of images. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their equivalents.