Augmented, virtual and mixed-reality content selection and display for billboards
A billboard information system recognizes a real world billboard object and uses augmented, mixed and/or virtual reality to display information relating to the items and/or transaction shown the billboard on a smart device such as a smartphone or AR glasses.
1 . A method of presenting billboard information to a user comprising:
enabling capture by a wearable camera disposed on eyeglasses, of an image of a billboard having visible indicia printed or painted thereon; and
using at least one processor operatively coupled to the wearable camera:
translating the captured image of the billboard into a compact representation;
based on the compact representation, recognizing the printed or painted visible indicia in a portion of the captured image designated as an area of recognition on a per object basis by pattern matching at least one of color and grey scale information within the area of recognition, without requiring the recognized printed or painted visible indicia to be or comprise an encoded marker, bar code, QR code or hidden printed signature;
comparing the recognized printed or painted visible indicia with database records;
based at least in part on the pattern matching, associating the billboard with a database record;
selecting an interactive media item in response to the database record associated with the billboard; and
using augmented reality to superimpose the selected interactive media item onto a view through the eyeglasses of the billboard and enabling user interaction with the selected interactive media item.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the superimposing further comprises using mixed reality and/or virtual reality.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein recognizing comprises recognizing a portion of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional billboard object with print on it.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the billboard has indicia printed thereon, and the recognizing comprises recognizing at least some of the printed indicia.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the indicia comprises visible characters printed on the billboard.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the billboard comprises a printed billboard advertisement.
7 . The method of claim 6 wherein the selected media item comprises a digital overlay that leads to specific action selected from the group consisting of providing specific information;
a video, tutorial, or any kind of displayable content.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the superimposing is performed on a user's retina or on lenses of the eyeglasses.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the selected media item comprises an interactive call button.
10 . The method of claim 1 further including displaying any or all of the following user-interactive action buttons in any combination or subcombination:
Price Tag,
Photo Gallery,
Videos,
Description,
Call,
Mail,
Shoplink,
Explanation,
Intro,
Social Media links,
Map,
Discount codes,
Reviews,
Tutorials,
Directions,
Test drives, and/or
Booking opportunities.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein the billboard bears at least one visible security feature within the area of recognition, and recognizing includes using pattern matching to recognize the at least one visible security feature within the area of recognition, wherein the pattern matching does not require decoding a value indicated by the at least one visible security feature.
12 . The method of claim 1 further including enabling capture by downloading the image of the billboard over a digital network.