Apparatus and method for finding a misplaced object using a database and instructions generated by a portable device

• US 8,212,668 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: III Holdings 2, LLC
• Original Assignee: TrackThings LLC
• Inventors: Gabara, Constance Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/109,982
• Publication Number:
  US 20110222729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.32, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13, 340/539.25, 382/199, 348/143, 348/231.3, 348/231.5, 348/239
• US Class Current: 340/539.32
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/255 Detecting or recognising potential candidate objects based on visual cues, e.g. shapes

Abstract

The basic invention uses a portable device that can contain a camera, a database, and a text, voice or visual entry to control the storage of an image into a database. Furthermore, the stored image can be associated with text, color, visual or audio. The stored images can be used to guide the user towards a target that the user does not recall its current location. The user'"'"'s commands can be issued verbally, textually or by scrolling through the target images in the database until the desired one is found. This target can be shoes, pink sneakers, a toy or some comparable items that the user needs to find.

Claims

1. A portable device apparatus comprising:

a database containing desired objects;

at least one camera that scans a region of space producing at least one image;

the device is moved to scan an adjacent region of space to produce additional images;

all of the images are stored in the database;

the images within the database are pasted together forming a composite image;

a recognition unit that matches objects within the composite image to the desired objects, thereby forming matched objects;

an instruction means using the composite image and the recognition unit to locate matched objects; and

a display screen that issues instructions to move a user towards the matched object, whereby the instructions include an arrow pointing towards the matched object.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

a location of the matched objects can be determined.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein

the location of the matched objects are updated in the database if these objects are moved.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the database can be distributed over different physically distinct memories, wherein each memory can be individually queried.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

a search engine can be used to locate the matched objects.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the instructions includes an audible signal to direct the user towards the matched object.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for continuously scanning the regions of space.

8. A portable device apparatus comprising:

a database containing previously stored objects;

at least one camera scrolls a visual image of a region of space on a display screen; and

a recognition unit matching the visual image to the previously stored object, whereby

the visual image is identified as the previously stored object in the database forming a matched object, wherein

when the recognition unit fails to recognize the visual image in the database, a user issues a verbal command to store the visual image into the database.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein

a location of the matched object can be determined.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein

the database can be distributed over different physically distinct memories, wherein each memory can be individually queried.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein

a location of the matched object can be determined.

12. A portable device apparatus comprising:

a database containing previously stored objects;

at least one camera scrolls a visual image of a region of space on a display screen; and

a recognition unit matching the visual image to the previously stored object, whereby

the visual image is identified as the previously stored object in the database forming a matched object;

a wireless access to a second database;

the second database is in another portable device, a personal computer or a server; and

a search engine that matches the stored object in all databases to the visual image.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a means for continuously scanning the region of space.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein

a location of the matched object is updated in the databases if this object is moved.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein

a location of the matched object can be determined.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein

the display screen issues instructions to move a user towards the matched object.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein

the database can be distributed over different physically distinct memories, wherein each memory can be individually queried.

18. A portable device apparatus comprising:

a database containing previously stored objects;

at least one camera scrolls a visual image of a region of space on a display screen;

a recognition unit matching the visual image to the previously stored object, whereby

the visual image is identified as the previously stored object in the database forming a matched object;

an instruction means using the visual image and the recognition unit to locate the matched object; and

the display screen that issues instructions to move a user towards the matched object.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein

a location of the matched object can be determined.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a means for continuously scanning the region of space.

21. A portable device apparatus comprising

a database containing previously stored objects;

at least one camera scrolls a visual image of a region of space on a display screen;

a recognition unit matching the visual image to the previously stored object, whereby

the visual image is identified as the previously stored object in the database forming a matched object;

an instruction means using the visual image and the recognition unit to locate the matched object;

the display screen that issues instructions to move a user towards the matched object; and

the instructions includes an audible signal to direct the user towards the matched object.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein

a location of the matched object is updated in the database if this object is moved.