Apparatus with displaying, browsing and navigating functions for photo track log and method thereof

• US 20090171579A1
• Filed: 09/26/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Altek Corporation
• Original Assignee: Altek Corporation
• Inventors: Liao, Kuo-Hung, Wu, Shie-Ching
• Application Number:
  US12/232,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171579A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3623 using a camera or code reader, e.g. for optical or magnetic codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3647 Guidance involving output of stored or live camera images or video streams
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

An apparatus with displaying, browsing and navigating functions for photo track log comprising a GPS (global positioning system) module, used to receive at least one positioning signal from satellite; an electronic map module, having a plurality of electronic maps; a storage module, used to store at least one geo-tagged photo and GPS track log; a displaying module; and a processor, connected to the GPS module, the electronic map module, the storage module, and the display module. The processor combines the electronic maps, the GPS track log, and the geo-tagged photo to form a photo track log which is displayed on the display module for navigation. Additionally a method of photo track log displaying, browsing and navigating is disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus with photo track log displaying, browsing, and navigating functions, comprising

a GPS (global positioning system) module, used to receive at least one positioning signal from a satellite;

an electronic map module, having a plurality of electronic maps;

a storage module, used to store at least one geo-tagged photo and GPS track log;

a display module; and

a processor, connected to the GPS module, the electronic map module, the storage module and the display module, wherein the processor combines the electronic maps, the GPS track log, and the geo-tagged photo to form a photo track log which is displayed on the display module for navigation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an operational module connected to the processor for the user to input an operational signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a sound output module connected to the processor, wherein the sound output module is used for audio navigation.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage module is a memory card or a miniature hard disk.

5. A method of photo track log displaying, browsing, and navigating, comprising steps of

selecting a GPS track log in the storage module;

providing a processor, wherein the processor searches an electronic map covering all positioning points according to the longitude and altitude data positioning points in the GPS track log;

displaying the electronic map on the display module;

displaying the positioning points of the GPS track log and linking those points to form a GPS track line;

the processor searching longitude and altitude data matching one or more geo-tagged photos;

if the longitude and altitude data of the digital photo match the longitude and altitude data at any point on the GPS track line, then photo track marks are put at that point to form a photo track log;

selecting one or more photo track marks as destinations for navigation;

retrieving longitude and altitude data correlating to where the user locates by using GPS module; and

guiding the user to reach where he or she picked via audio or graphic way according to the obtained longitude and altitude data.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising generating a pattern on the photo track log;

and moving the pattern on the photo track log.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the pattern is moving on the photo track log to trace back a travel track.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the electronic maps and the photo track log can be scaled up, scaled down, and shifted.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein one of the photo track marks has an information window including scaled-down picture, longitude and altitude data, picture taken time, locations of geo-tagged photos stored in the storage module, relevant geographic information, and texts input by the user for the geo-tagged photo.