a system and method for recognizing symbols and identifying users or services , including the displaying of an image or video clip on a display device in which identification information is embedded in the image or video clip , the capturing the image or video clip on an imaging device , the transmitting of the image or video clip from the imaging device to a communication network , the transmitting of the image or video clip from the communication network to a processing and authentication server , the processing of the information embedded in the image or video clip by the server to identify logos , alphanumeric characters , or special symbols in the image or video clip , and converting the identified logos or characters or symbols into a digital format to identify the user or location of the user or service provided to the user , and the using of the processed information in digital format to provide one or more of a variety of additional applications .