Method and apparatus for displaying images related to a selected target point on an electronic map based on azimuth and view angle information

• US 8,818,139 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2012
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• 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): Patel, Jayesh A
• Application Number:
  US13/655,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20130039546A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 382/305
• 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 and locating one or more 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 subtended view angle information of the one or more located image files based upon Exif information contained within respective said one or more located image files using the icon shape on the electronic map via the computer display;

wherein step (c) comprises;

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

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

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

displaying the icons corresponding to the searched and located one or more image files oriented toward an 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 1, wherein step (c) further comprises:

assigning an order to the detected image files;

wherein the analyzing of the azimuth information and view angle information is done in the assigned order.

6. The method of claim 5, 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

7. The method of claim 6, wherein β

is calculated using the Formula below

8. The method of claim 6, wherein is calculated from a 35 mm conversion focal length.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein ω

is calculated using the Formula below

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

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

(f) executing the selected icon; and

(g) displaying an image of an image file linked to the selected icon, the displayed image being overlaid on the electronic map via the computer display.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the Exif information comprises additional information of image data, including a captured date and time, an exposure time (shutter speed), an iris opening time lapse (F-number), International Organization of Standardization (ISO), a camera focal length, flash fired or not fired, an exposure mode, white balance, a 35 mm conversion focal length, a north or south latitude, an east or west longitude, an azimuth, a thumbnail image, and a main image.

12. 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 and locating one or more 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 subtended view angle information of the one or more located image files based upon Exif information contained within respective said one or more located image files using the icon shape on 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;

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

13. 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 icons indicating position information, azimuth information, and subtended view angle information of the image file based upon Exif information contained within respective one or more located image files using the icon shape on the electronic map via the computer display unit;

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

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

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further programmed to:

assign an order to the image files; and

utilize the assigned order to analyze the azimuth information and view angle information of each of the image files.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further programmed to obtain the electronic map in real-time from an external server using Internet communication.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is a Personal Computer (PC).

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

18. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

an icon selecting unit that selects an icon indicating position information, azimuth information, and subtended 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the Exif information comprises additional information of image data, including a captured date and time, an exposure time (shutter speed), an iris opening time lapse (F-number), International Organization of Standardization (ISO), a camera focal length, flash fired or not fired, an exposure mode, white balance, a 35 mm conversion focal length, a north or south latitude, an east or west longitude, an azimuth, a thumbnail image, and a main image.