"Don't be evil" Google applies for patent on OCR + search

[greggh]

http://www.informationweek.com/news/sho ... =205208105

"Recognizing Text In Images" is an application to patent a method of optical character recognition in digital images.

"Digital images can include a wide variety of content," the patent application explains. "For example, digital images can illustrate landscapes, people, urban scenes, and other objects. Digital images often include text. Digital images can be captured, for example, using cameras or digital video recorders. Image text (i.e., text in an image) typically includes text of varying size, orientation, and typeface. Text in a digital image derived, for example, from an urban scene (e.g., a city street scene) often provides information about the displayed scene or location. A typical street scene includes, for example, text as part of street signs, building names, address numbers, and window signs."

http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/ia.jsp?IA=US2007072578

Title: RECOGNIZING TEXT IN IMAGES
Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus including computer program products for using extracted image text are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes receiving an input of one or more image search terms and identifying keywords from the received one or more image search terms. The method also includes searching a collection of keywords including keywords extracted from image text, retrieving an image associated with extracted image text corresponding to one or more of the image search terms, and presenting the image.

Seriously, we need to get software idea patents abolished as soon as possible. FU Google. We're not going to let you own the world's information.

[Vogateer]

I agree that the patent system has no business in software, and I doubt the entire patent system has any real value to the world as a whole.

But before one jumps all over Google for patenting that, we should also remember that filing for patents can be defensive. You know, don't let someone else patent it and screw you. I know Google has been sued many times for patent infringement (and I must admit I'd try to get defensive patents if it were my choice), but has Google ever sued someone else for patent infringement? I don't remember it happening, and a quick search hasn't revealed this happening, but if it has, then that would make this more troubling.

[snarkout]

I agree that the patent system has no business in software, and I doubt the entire patent system has any real value to the world as a whole.

But before one jumps all over Google for patenting that, we should also remember that filing for patents can be defensive. You know, don't let someone else patent it and screw you. I know Google has been sued many times for patent infringement (and I must admit I'd try to get defensive patents if it were my choice), but has Google ever sued someone else for patent infringement? I don't remember it happening, and a quick search hasn't revealed this happening, but if it has, then that would make this more troubling.

++

Google creeps me out, but so far I have not seen any real evidence of them being bastards.

[Vogateer]

Google creeps me out, but so far I have not seen any real evidence of them being bastards.

Isn't that the truth? But at the very least, Google didn't just roll over and give information to the NSA like AT&T and Verizon did. Google has ridiculous amounts of information, but I do feel like they're one of the "lesser evils" out there. If I had to name a company that I felt I could trust more with all that information than I trust Google, I certainly couldn't name one off the top of my head.