Method, Apparatus and Computer Program Product for Providing Standard Real World to Virtual World Links

• US 20080071750A1
• Filed: 09/14/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Schloter, Philipp
• Granted Patent: US 8,775,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3685 the POI's being parking facilities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5854 using shape and object relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard

Abstract

An apparatus for providing standard real world to virtual world links may include a processing element configured to receive indications of an image including an object, determine whether the object corresponds to a particular object having a predefined association based on a recognition of the object, and execute a function corresponding to the predefined association in response to the object corresponding to the particular object.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving indications of an image including an object;

determining whether the object corresponds to a particular object having a predefined association based on a recognition of the object; and

in response to the object corresponding to the particular object, executing a function corresponding to the predefined association.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function comprises retrieving information corresponding to a location of a device providing the indications of the image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the object corresponds to the particular object comprises comparing features of the image to source images including object features to find a corresponding object having features matching the features of the image and determining whether the corresponding object is in a list of particular objects having respective predefined associations.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function comprises executing a link to a predefined destination, displaying a title describing the predefined association, or displaying a banner.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein executing the function comprises retrieving information corresponding to a topic associated with the object via the predefined association.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising enabling navigation with respect to information retrieved.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the identified object corresponds to the particular object comprises determining whether the identified object corresponds to a predefined association selected from the group consisting of:

a sky object, a window object having at least a partial sky view, or a cloud object having an association with weather information;

a street object, a street sign object, a car object, or a street light object having an association with traffic information;

a street object, a street sign object, or a car door object having an association with ordering a taxi;

a transportation company logo object or a public transportation schedule object having an association with transportation time schedules;

a transportation company logo object or a public transportation schedule object having an association with transportation information;

an airline logo object or an airplane object having an association with flight information;

an airline logo object or an airplane object having an association with accessing airline service hotlines;

a courier service logo object having an association with accessing shipping information;

a parking meter object having an association with accessing parking information, paying parking or other tickets, conducting emergency calls, storing information related to paying for parking services, or obtaining access pointers to nearby parking spots;

a restaurant front, facade, door, label, logo, menu or other restaurant-related object having an association with access to restaurant reviews, menu information directions to a particular restaurant or alternative restaurants, or retrieval of a reminder through any media about a restaurant;

a clock or watch object having an association with receiving access to world-times, calendar or other similar information;

a newspaper stand, newspaper or newspaper box object having an association to accessing or viewing any kind of news, blog or informational service;

fronts of sites, buildings or other point of interest objects having an association to accessing information about the site, building or point of interest, respectively;

a DVD, CD, tape, cover, other data storage, TV, radio, video player, or other entertainment device objects having an association to enabling access to TV guides, radio guides, purchasing movies or music, reading reviews or consumption/purchase of other entertainment content;

a product label or price tag object having an association with enabling access to product price information, product reviews, comparison shopping information, promotional information, directions to retailer/dealer locations, or online shopping venues for purchasing items;

a car or other vehicle object having an association with enabling access to information about a corresponding particular car or other vehicle type, enabling access to information regarding directions to a corresponding dealership, enabling access to information for purchasing the car or other vehicle;

enabling retrieval of a call from a sales representative or other party, or enabling retrieval of a reminder;

a particular recognized person having an association with enabling access to information about the particular recognized person or access to information used to transfer money to or receive money from the particular recognized person;

a restaurant, bar or other public space object having an association with providing another party with an invitation to a location of the corresponding restaurant, bar or other public space;

a poster object having an association with enabling receipt of calls, purchase of products, or access to information about an item advertised in the poster;

a shirt or ironing board object having an association with finding a local cleaner or dry cleaner;

a movie poster object having an association with enabling access to viewing movie trailers, reading movie reviews, purchasing movie tickets, purchasing ring-tones, or purchasing other digital content;

a corporate logo object having an association with enabling access to company information; and

a logo of a service provider object having an association with enabling access to a self-servicing portal associated with the service provider, or enabling execution of a call to the service provider.

8. A computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

a first executable portion for receiving indications of an image including an object;

a second executable portion for determining whether the object corresponds to a particular object having a predefined association based on a recognition of the object; and

a third executable portion for executing a function corresponding to the predefined association in response to the object corresponding to the particular object.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the third executable portion includes instructions for retrieving information corresponding to a location of a device providing the indications of the image.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the second executable portion includes instructions for comparing features of the image to source images including object features to find a corresponding object having features matching the features of the image and determining whether the corresponding object is in a list of particular objects having respective predefined associations.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the third executable portion includes instructions for executing a link to a predefined destination, displaying a title describing the predefined association, or displaying a banner.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the third executable portion includes instructions for retrieving information corresponding to a topic associated with the object via the predefined association.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising a fourth executable portion for enabling navigation with respect to information retrieved.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the second executable portion includes instructions for determining whether the identified object corresponds to a predefined association selected from the group consisting of:

a sky object, a window object having at least a partial sky view, or a cloud object having an association with weather information;

a street object, a street sign object, a car object, or a street light object having an association with traffic information;

a street object, a street sign object, or a car door object having an association with ordering a taxi;

a transportation company logo object or a public transportation schedule object having an association with transportation time schedules;

a transportation company logo object or a public transportation schedule object having an association with transportation information;

an airline logo object or an airplane object having an association with flight information;

an airline logo object or an airplane object having an association with accessing airline service hotlines;

a courier service logo object having an association with accessing shipping information;

a parking meter object having an association with accessing parking information, paying parking or other tickets, conducting emergency calls, storing information related to paying for parking services, or obtaining access pointers to nearby parking spots;

a restaurant front, facade, door, label, logo, menu or other restaurant-related object having an association with access to restaurant reviews, menu information directions to a particular restaurant or alternative restaurants, or retrieval of a reminder through any media about a restaurant;

a clock or watch object having an association with receiving access to world-times, calendar or other similar information;

a newspaper stand, newspaper or newspaper box object having an association to accessing or viewing any kind of news, blog or informational service;

fronts of sites, buildings or other point of interest objects having an association to accessing information about the site, building or point of interest, respectively;

a DVD, CD, tape, cover, other data storage, TV, radio, video player, or other entertainment device objects having an association to enabling access to TV guides, radio guides, purchasing movies or music, reading reviews or consumption/purchase of other entertainment content;

a product label or price tag object having an association with enabling access to product price information, product reviews, comparison shopping information, promotional information, directions to retailer/dealer locations, or online shopping venues for purchasing items;

a car or other vehicle object having an association with enabling access to information about a corresponding particular car or other vehicle type, enabling access to information regarding directions to a corresponding dealership, enabling access to information for purchasing the car or other vehicle;

enabling retrieval of a call from a sales representative or other party, or enabling retrieval of a reminder;

a particular recognized person having an association with enabling access to information about the particular recognized person or access to information used to transfer money to or receive money from the particular recognized person;

a restaurant, bar or other public space object having an association with providing another party with an invitation to a location of the corresponding restaurant, bar or other public space;

a poster object having an association with enabling receipt of calls, purchase of products, or access to information about an item advertised in the poster;

a shirt or ironing board object having an association with finding a local cleaner or dry cleaner;

a movie poster object having an association with enabling access to viewing movie trailers, reading movie reviews, purchasing movie tickets, purchasing ring-tones, or purchasing other digital content;

a corporate logo object having an association with enabling access to company information; and

a logo of a service provider object having an association with enabling access to a self-servicing portal associated with the service provider, or enabling execution of a call to the service provider.

15. An apparatus comprising a processing element configured to:

receive indications of an image including an object;

determine whether the object corresponds to a particular object having a predefined association based on a recognition of the object; and

in response to the object corresponding to the particular object, execute a function corresponding to the predefined association.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing element is further configured to retrieve information corresponding to a location of a device providing the indications of the image.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing element is further configured to compare features of the image to source images including object features to find a corresponding object having features matching the features of the image and determine whether the corresponding object is in a list of particular objects having respective predefined associations.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing element is further configured to execute a link to a predefined destination, display a title describing the predefined association, or display a banner.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing element is further configured to retrieve information corresponding to a topic associated with the object via the predefined association.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processing element is further configured to enable navigation with respect to information retrieved.

21. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing element is further configured to determine whether the identified object corresponds to a predefined association selected from the group consisting of:

a sky object, a window object having at least a partial sky view, or a cloud object having an association with weather information;

a street object, a street sign object, a car object, or a street light object having an association with traffic information;

a street object, a street sign object, or a car door object having an association with ordering a taxi;

a transportation company logo object or a public transportation schedule object having an association with transportation time schedules;

a transportation company logo object or a public transportation schedule object having an association with transportation information;

an airline logo object or an airplane object having an association with flight information;

an airline logo object or an airplane object having an association with accessing airline service hotlines;

a courier service logo object having an association with accessing shipping information;

a parking meter object having an association with accessing parking information, paying parking or other tickets, conducting emergency calls, storing information related to paying for parking services, or obtaining access pointers to nearby parking spots;

a restaurant front, facade, door, label, logo, menu or other restaurant-related object having an association with access to restaurant reviews, menu information directions to a particular restaurant or alternative restaurants, or retrieval of a reminder through any media about a restaurant;

a clock or watch object having an association with receiving access to world-times, calendar or other similar information;

a newspaper stand, newspaper or newspaper box object having an association to accessing or viewing any kind of news, blog or informational service;

fronts of sites, buildings or other point of interest objects having an association to accessing information about the site, building or point of interest, respectively;

a DVD, CD, tape, cover, other data storage, TV, radio, video player, or other entertainment device objects having an association to enabling access to TV guides, radio guides, purchasing movies or music, reading reviews or consumption/purchase of other entertainment content;

a product label or price tag object having an association with enabling access to product price information, product reviews, comparison shopping information, promotional information, directions to retailer/dealer locations, or online shopping venues for purchasing items;

a car or other vehicle object having an association with enabling access to information about a corresponding particular car or other vehicle type, enabling access to information regarding directions to a corresponding dealership, enabling access to information for purchasing the car or other vehicle;

enabling retrieval of a call from a sales representative or other party, or enabling retrieval of a reminder;

a particular recognized person having an association with enabling access to information about the particular recognized person or access to information used to transfer money to or receive money from the particular recognized person;

a restaurant, bar or other public space object having an association with providing another party with an invitation to a location of the corresponding restaurant, bar or other public space;

a poster object having an association with enabling receipt of calls, purchase of products, or access to information about an item advertised in the poster;

a shirt or ironing board object having an association with finding a local cleaner or dry cleaner;

a movie poster object having an association with enabling access to viewing movie trailers, reading movie reviews, purchasing movie tickets, purchasing ring-tones, or purchasing other digital content;

a corporate logo object having an association with enabling access to company information; and

a logo of a service provider object having an association with enabling access to a self-servicing portal associated with the service provider, or enabling execution of a call to the service provider.

22. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving indications of an image including an object;

means for determining whether the object corresponds to a particular object having a predefined association based on a recognition of the object; and

means for executing a function corresponding to the predefined association in response to the object corresponding to the particular object.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein means for executing the function comprises means for retrieving information corresponding to a location of a device providing the indications of the image.