Method and Apparatus for Displaying Images Related to a Selected Target Point on an Electronic Map Based on Azimuth and View Angle Information

• US 20130039546A1
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Bae, Sung-Cheol
• Granted Patent: US 8,818,139 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/113
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3252 Image capture parameters, e.g. resolution, illumination conditions, orientation of the image capture device H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data

Abstract

An image reproduction apparatus for displaying images of image files including an image of a target point to be observed by using image files located adjacent to the target point. A method of reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map including the image file so that position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map includes: (a) selecting a target point to be observed on the electronic map and obtaining position information of the target point; (b) setting a search range of image files on the electronic map; (c) searching for image files including an image of the target point within the set search range; and (d) displaying images of the found image files on the electronic map.

Claims

1. A method of reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map on which a predetermined icon indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file is displayed, wherein position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a selection of a target point to be observed on the electronic map on a display of a computer comprising a processor and obtaining position information of the target point;

(b) setting a search range within the displayed electronic map;

(c) searching for image files including an image of the target point within the set search range using the processor; and

(d) displaying icons indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file using the icon shape on the electronic map via the computer display

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises:

displaying icons corresponding to the searched image files oriented toward the image of a target point to be observed on the electronic map via the computer display

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises:

setting the search range bounded by a currently displayed screen on the electronic map in which the target point is included.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises:

setting the search range within a predetermined radius range based on the target point.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined radius range varies based on an altitude of an image taken at the target point.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises:

detecting image files having position information included within the set search range;

assigning an order to the detected image files; and

analyzing azimuth information and view angle information of the image files in the assigned order and determining whether the image files include an image of the target point.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the analyzing of the azimuth information and the view angle information of the image files in the assigned order and determining of whether the image files may include the image of the target point is determined using the Formula below

8. The method of claim 7, wherein β

is calculated using the Formula below

9. The method of claim 7, wherein is calculated from a 35 mm conversion focal length.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein w is calculated using the Formula below

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the image file is displayed on the electronic map in a shape of a predetermined icon indicating position information.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the image file is displayed on the electronic map in a shape of a predetermined icon indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information.

13. A method of reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map on which a predetermined icon indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file is displayed, wherein position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a selection of an icon indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file using the icon shape;

(b) executing the selected icon; and

(c) displaying an image of an image file linked to the icon overlaid on the electronic map via the computer display

14. An apparatus comprising:

a display device;

an input device to receive a selection of a target point on an electronic map; and

a processor programmed to at least;

search for an image file including an image of the target point in a search range around the target point; and

display icons indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file using the icon shape on the electronic map via the computer display unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

identify image files having position information included within the search range;

assign an order to the image files; and

analyze azimuth information and view angle information of each of the image files in the assigned order to determine which of the image files include an image of the target point.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the processor is further programmed to obtain the electronic map in real-time from an external server using Internet communication.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a Personal Computer (PC).

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus is a car navigator.

19. An apparatus for reproducing an image of an image file on an electronic map on which predetermined icons indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file are displayed, wherein position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map, the apparatus comprising:

an icon selecting unit that selects an icon indicating position information, azimuth information, and view angle information of the image file using the icon shape;

an icon execution unit that executes the selected icon; and

a display unit that displays an image of an image file linked to the icon on the electronic map.