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US8237743B2
Active / In Force
US
⏱️ 2.3 years remaining
Modification of images from a user's album for spot-the-differences
Assignee: Genesee Valley Innovations LLC
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Filing: 2009-02-17
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Granted: 2012-08-07
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Expires: 2029-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A computer implemented system and method for generating a game, such as spot-the-difference are provided. The method includes receiving a user-selected original image and storing the image in memory. From the original image, the method includes automatically generating a pair of images which are visually identical except for a predetermined number of random localized modifications, and providing the pair of images to the user as a game which can be played by spotting differences between the pair of images as a result of the modifications.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabriela Csurka
- 👤 Guillaume M. Bouchard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:52
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/60; A63F13/65; A63F13/655; A63F13/10; A63F13/45; A63F13/30; A63F13/33; A63F13/335; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/69
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A computer implemented method of generating a game comprising: receiving a user-selected original image; storing the image in memory; from the original image, automatically generating a pair of images which are visually identical except for a predetermined number of random localized modifications, the game being played by spotting differences between the pair of images as a result of the modifications; and providing the pair of images to the user as a game; wherein at least one of the localized modifications includes insertion of an object and the method comprises: automatically classifying each of a plurality of regions of the image into a respective class for the region; and accessing a library of objects which are each indexed according to the region classes with which the object is compatible and, for at least one of the classified regions, randomly selecting an object that is compatible with the region and applying the object to the region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A computer implemented method of generating a game comprising: receiving a user-selected original image; storing the image in memory; from the original image, automatically generating a pair of images which are visually identical except for a predetermined number of random localized modifications, the game being played by spotting differences between the pair of images as a result of the modifications; and providing the pair of images to the user as a game; wherein at least one of the localized modifications includes insertion of an object and the method comprises: automatically classifying each of a plurality of regions of the image into a respective class for the region; and accessing a library of objects which are each indexed according to the region classes with which the object is compatible and, for at least one of the classified regions, randomly selecting an object that is compatible with the region and applying the object to the region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the original image is a photograph.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the original image is received from a user by server computer which interacts with the user via a web browser on the user's computing device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising printing the pair of images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the localized modifications are selected from the group consisting of: a). rigid/geometric transformations; b). non-rigid transformations; c). insertion of an object; d). delete of an object; e). change of appearance of an object; f). replacement of an object; and combinations thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the localized modifications are applied sequentially to the original image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein each sequential modification is stored as a mask on a modifications memory map.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the localized modifications are applied as a group to the original image, the method comprising, selecting from a set of possible modifications a subset of candidate modifications comprising the predetermined number of non-overlapping modifications and optionally scoring the subset of candidate modifications against criteria which are expected to affect the difficulty of the resulting game to identify the group of localized modifications.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: presenting the localized modifications to the user for validation prior to providing the pair of images to the user as a game.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising: providing for the user to modify the localized modifications prior to validation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing each sequential modification as a mask on a modifications memory map.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of modifications is at least three.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the number of modifications is up to ten.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the user is provided with the number of the modifications.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising interacting with the user via a web browser, whereby the original image is selected and the pair of images are displayed.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for generating a game comprising: instructions stored in memory comprising: an image modification component comprising instructions which prompt a user to select an original image from an album of the user and, from the original image, automatically generates a pair of images which are otherwise identical except for a predetermined number of localized modifications, the game being played by spotting differences between the pair of images; and a classification component which assigns classes to each of a plurality of regions of the original image; the image modification component providing for insertion of an object as a localized modification and wherein when at least one of the localized modifications includes insertion of an object, the image modification component selecting an object from an associated library of objects, each of the objects being indexed according to the region classes with which the object is compatible and, for at least one of the classified regions, the selecting of the object comprises automatically selecting an object that is compatible with the one of the classified regions and applying the object to the region; and a processor communicatively linked to the memory which executes the instructions and outputs the pair of images to the user as a game.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
205 words
A system for generating a game comprising: instructions stored in memory comprising: an image modification component comprising instructions which prompt a user to select an original image from an album of the user and, from the original image, automatically generates a pair of images which are otherwise identical except for a predetermined number of localized modifications, the game being played by spotting differences between the pair of images; and a classification component which assigns classes to each of a plurality of regions of the original image; the image modification component providing for insertion of an object as a localized modification and wherein when at least one of the localized modifications includes insertion of an object, the image modification component selecting an object from an associated library of objects, each of the objects being indexed according to the region classes with which the object is compatible and, for at least one of the classified regions, the selecting of the object comprises automatically selecting an object that is compatible with the one of the classified regions and applying the object to the region; and a processor communicatively linked to the memory which executes the instructions and outputs the pair of images to the user as a game.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising a database, linked to the processor, which stores the user's album.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 16 , further comprising a library communicatively linked to the processor which stores a set of isolated objects suited to being applied to the original image for creating one of the localized modifications.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of playing a game comprising: providing for a user to select an original image from the user's album; from the original image, automatically generating a pair of images which are otherwise identical except for a predetermined number of localized modifications; providing for at least one of the localized modifications to include insertion of an object; outputting the pair of images; and playing a game with the pair of images by spotting differences between the pair of images; wherein for at least one of the localized modifications that includes insertion of an object, the method comprising: automatically classifying each of a plurality of regions of the image into a respective class for the region; and accessing a library of objects which are each indexed according to the region classes with which the object is compatible and, for at least one of the classified regions, selecting an object from the library that is compatible with the region and applying the object to the region.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of playing a game comprising: providing for a user to select an original image from the user's album; from the original image, automatically generating a pair of images which are otherwise identical except for a predetermined number of localized modifications; providing for at least one of the localized modifications to include insertion of an object; outputting the pair of images; and playing a game with the pair of images by spotting differences between the pair of images; wherein for at least one of the localized modifications that includes insertion of an object, the method comprising: automatically classifying each of a plurality of regions of the image into a respective class for the region; and accessing a library of objects which are each indexed according to the region classes with which the object is compatible and, for at least one of the classified regions, selecting an object from the library that is compatible with the region and applying the object to the region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for performing the method of claim 19 comprising memory which stores instructions for performing the method and a processor in communication with the memory, which executes the instructions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium encoding instructions, which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of claim 19 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system for performing the method of claim 1 comprising memory which stores instructions for performing the method and a processor in communication with the memory, which executes the instructions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer program product comprising a non-transitory storage medium encoding instructions, which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method of claim 1 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2015-08-07 | 2016-02-06 | 2016-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2019-08-07 | 2020-02-06 | 2020-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2023-08-07 | 2024-02-06 | 2024-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |