Image-based geo-hunt

• US 20150185017A1
• Filed: 12/24/2014
• Published: 07/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gregory Kreider
• Original Assignee: Gregory L. Kreider
• Inventors: Kreider, Gregory L., Sabalauskas, Mark Edward
• Application Number:
  US14/544,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20150185017A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/02 Affine transformations for image registration G06T3/147; for image mosaicing G06T3/4038
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/10 Terrestrial scenes scenes under surveillance with static cameras G06V20/52; scenes perceived from the exterior of a vehicle G06V20/56; scenes perceived from the interior of a vehicle G06V20/59

Abstract

During a communication technique, an image and information specifying a location of an electronic device when the image was captured are received. Then, a reference image, associated with a second location (which is at least proximate to the location), in a predefined set of one or more reference images is accessed. These predefined set of one or more reference images are associated with a set of one or more locations along a geographic route that includes the second location. Moreover, the image is compared to the reference image. If the comparison indicates a match between the image and the reference image, a message is provided indicating that a milestone in navigating the geographic route has been achieved. Otherwise, a second message is provided indicating that the milestone in navigating the geographic route has not been achieved.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing feedback, the method comprising:

receiving an image and information specifying a location of an electronic device when the image was captured;

accessing a reference image, associated with a second location, in a predefined set of one or more reference images stored in a computer-readable memory based on the location, wherein the predefined set of one or more reference images are associated with a set of one or more locations along a geographic route that includes the second location, and wherein the location is at least proximate to the second location;

using the computer, comparing the image to the reference image;

if the comparison indicates a match between the image and the reference image, providing a message indicating that a milestone in navigating the geographic route has been achieved; and

otherwise, providing a second message indicating that the milestone in navigating the geographic route has not been achieved.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information specifying the location is based on at least one of:

a local positioning system, a global position system, triangulation, trilateration, and an address, associated with the electronic device, in a network.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information further specifies at least one of:

an orientation of the electronic device when the image was acquired, and a direction of the electronic device when the image was acquired.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, prior to the comparison, the method further comprises modifying the image to correct for one of:

a light intensity, a location of a light source, color variation in the image, the orientation of the electronic device, the direction of the electronic device, natural changes based on a difference between a timestamp associated with the image and a timestamp associated with the reference image, and a difference in a composition of the image and a composition of the reference image.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to the comparison, the method further comprises image processing the image to extract features;

and

wherein the comparison is based on the extracted features.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the features include one of:

edges associated with objects, corners associated with the objects, lines associated with objects, conic shapes associated with objects, color regions within the image, and texture associated with objects.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the comparing involves applying a threshold to the extracted edges to correct for variation in intensity in the image and the reference image.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the information further specifies features in the image.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to the comparison, the method further comprises selecting pixels associated with one of:

a wavelength of light in the image, and a distribution of wavelengths of light in the image; and

wherein the comparison is based on the selected pixels.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein location is different from the second location.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing involves:

rotating the image so that an orientation of the image matches an orientation of the reference image;

scaling the image so that a length corresponding to first features in the image matches a second length corresponding to second features in the reference image;

extracting the first features from the image;

calculating a similarity metric between the first features and the second features; and

determining if the match is achieved based on the similarity metric and a threshold.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing involves transforming a representation of the image from rectangular coordinates to log-polar coordinates.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the message specifies information associated with a subsequent location in the set of one or more locations.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the second message includes instructions on how to acquire another image of the location to obtain the match.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a third message that indicates a competitive state of another member of a group navigating the geographic route.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a third message that offers an opportunity to purchase a hint that includes one of:

instructions on how to navigate the geographic route;

instructions on how to acquire another image of the location to obtain the match; and

information associated with a subsequent location in the set of one or more locations.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein, prior to the receiving, the method further comprises receiving the set of reference images and the associated set of one or more locations along the geographic route.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, prior to the receiving, the method further comprises receiving metadata associated with the set of reference images.

19. A computer-program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a computer-program mechanism embedded therein to provide feedback, the computer-program mechanism including:

instructions for receiving an image and information specifying a location of an electronic device when the image was captured;

instructions for accessing a reference image, associated with a second location, in a predefined set of one or more reference images stored in a computer-readable memory based on the location, wherein the predefined set of one or more reference images are associated with a set of one or more locations along a geographic route that includes the second location, and wherein the location is at least proximate to the second location;

instructions for comparing the image to the reference image;

if the comparison indicates a match between the image and the reference image, instructions for providing a message indicating that a milestone in navigating the geographic route has been achieved; and

otherwise, instructions for providing a second message indicating that the milestone in navigating the geographic rote has not been achieved.

20. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

memory; and

a program module, wherein the program module is stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the processor to provide feedback, the program module including;

instructions for receiving an image and information specifying a location of an electronic device when the image was captured;

instructions for accessing a reference image, associated with a second location, in a predefined set of one or more reference images stored in a computer-readable memory based on the location, wherein the predefined set of one or more reference images are associated with a set of one or more locations along a geographic route that includes the second location, and wherein the location is at least proximate to the second location;

instructions for comparing the image to the reference image;

if the comparison indicates a match between the image and the reference image, instructions for providing a message indicating that a milestone in navigating the geographic route has been achieved; and

otherwise, instructions for providing a second message indicating that the milestone in navigating the geographic route has not been achieved.