Displaying images related to a selected target point on an electronic map based on azimuth and view angle information

• US 8,315,438 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2008
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): ZARKA, DAVID PETER
• Application Number:
  US12/011,808
• Publication Number:
  US 20090052729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 382/113
• 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 including the image file so that position information of the image file matches position information on the electronic map, the method comprising the steps:

(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 images of searched image files overlaid on top of the electronic map via the computer display;

wherein step (b) comprises setting the search range within a predetermined radius range based on the target point; and

wherein the predetermined radius range varies based on an altitude of an image taken at the target point.

2. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium recording a program for executing the method of claim 1.

3. 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, the method comprising the steps:

(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 images of searched image files on the electronic map via the computer display;

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;

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

4. The method of claim 3, wherein β

is calculated using the Formula below

5. The method of claim 3, wherein ω

is calculated from a 35 mm conversion focal length.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein ω

is calculated using the Formula below

7. 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;

display an image of the image file on the electronic map on the display device;

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

assign an order to the image files;

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 using at least the Formula below

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein β

is calculated using the Formula below

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein ω

is calculated from a 35 mm conversion focal length.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein ω

is calculated using the Formula below

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is further programmed to obtain the electronic map in real-time from an external server using Internet communication.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is a Personal Computer (PC).

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is a car navigator.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

obtain position information for the target point; and

define the search range based on the position information.