Method and computer program for providing location data to mobile devices
First Claim
1. A method for providing position-based information to a first mobile device with at least one imaging device, comprising:
- obtaining, using the at least one imaging device of the first mobile device, at least one image including a stationary pattern of pixels;
receiving, at the first mobile device, from a second mobile device a database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns, the database being generated at the second mobile device by;
obtaining, using at least one imaging device of the second mobile device, at least one image including a pixel pattern; and
processing, using a processor of the second mobile device, each of the at least one obtained image based in part on a position of the second mobile device when the at least one image was obtained to derive the positional information about the pixel pattern;
searching, at the first mobile device, through the database of pixel patterns received from the second mobile device for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image;
retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; and
providing data to the first mobile device dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method for providing position-based information to a mobile device with at least one imaging device includes obtaining, using the imaging device, an image including a stationary pattern of pixels, searching through a database of pixel patterns for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image, the database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns, and retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image. Data is provided to the mobile device, i.e., to a data output device or functionality thereof, dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pattern of pixels in the obtained at least one image.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing position-based information to a first mobile device with at least one imaging device, comprising:
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obtaining, using the at least one imaging device of the first mobile device, at least one image including a stationary pattern of pixels; receiving, at the first mobile device, from a second mobile device a database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns, the database being generated at the second mobile device by; obtaining, using at least one imaging device of the second mobile device, at least one image including a pixel pattern; and processing, using a processor of the second mobile device, each of the at least one obtained image based in part on a position of the second mobile device when the at least one image was obtained to derive the positional information about the pixel pattern; searching, at the first mobile device, through the database of pixel patterns received from the second mobile device for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; and providing data to the first mobile device dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer program embodied on non-transitory computer-readable medium and configured to:
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generate a database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns by; directing at least one imaging device of a first mobile device to obtain images each including a pixel pattern; and directing a processor of the first mobile device to process each obtained image based in part on a position of the first mobile device when the at least one image was obtained to derive the positional information about the pixel pattern; provide the database to a second mobile device from the first mobile device to enable the second mobile device to obtain position-based information based on analysis of pixel patterns with reference to the database; and provide position-based information to the first mobile device by directing the at least one imaging device of the first mobile device to obtain at least one image including a stationary pixel pattern; directing the processor to search through the database of pixel patterns for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; directing the processor to retrieve from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; obtaining data dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; and conveying the obtained data via a data output device of the first mobile device.
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20. A method for using a mobile device, comprising:
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generating, at the mobile device, a database containing pixel patterns and positional information about the pixel patterns by; obtaining, using at least one imaging device of the mobile device, at least one image including a pixel pattern; and processing, using a processor of the mobile device, each of the at least one obtained image based in part on a position of the mobile device when the at least one image was obtained to derive the positional information about the pixel pattern; providing the database, generated at the mobile device, to another mobile device; and after the database is generated, providing position-based information to the mobile device by obtaining, using the at least one imaging device, at least one image including a stationary pattern; searching through the database of pixel patterns for a pixel pattern that most closely matches the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; retrieving from the database as a result of the searching, positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image; and providing data to the mobile device dependent on the retrieved positional information about one of the pixel patterns that is deemed to most closely match the pixel pattern in the obtained at least one image.
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Specification