Updating map data from camera images
First Claim
1. A method of updating map data, the method comprising:
- determining a current position of a wireless communications device;
capturing an image using a camera of the wireless communications device;
processing the image for transmission over a wireless network, the processing comprising one of creating a low resolution version of the image and creating a wire mesh version of the image;
transmitting the proceed image to a man server,receiving a message from the man server in response to the processed image, the message including an identification of an object from the processed image and a location of a landmark in a map database from the map server, the landmark corresponding to the object;
using the location of the landmark to refine the current position of the wireless communications device;
determining a location of a second object in the image;
using the refined position of the wireless communications device and the location of the second object to create new map data; and
updating the map database with the new map data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of updating map data entails capturing an image using a camera, determining a location of an object in the image, creating new map data to represent the object in the image, and updating a map database to include the new map data for the object in the image. This method may be implemented on a GPS-enabled wireless communications device having an onboard camera which can transmit the new map data to a map server for updating its map database. Determining the position of the object in the image relative to the wireless device may be accomplished using a rangefinder and compass, triangulation of multiple images of the object, or a stereoscopic camera. The accuracy of the GPS position fix may be improved by capturing images of recognizable objects for which location coordinates are available.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of updating map data, the method comprising:
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determining a current position of a wireless communications device; capturing an image using a camera of the wireless communications device; processing the image for transmission over a wireless network, the processing comprising one of creating a low resolution version of the image and creating a wire mesh version of the image; transmitting the proceed image to a man server, receiving a message from the man server in response to the processed image, the message including an identification of an object from the processed image and a location of a landmark in a map database from the map server, the landmark corresponding to the object; using the location of the landmark to refine the current position of the wireless communications device; determining a location of a second object in the image; using the refined position of the wireless communications device and the location of the second object to create new map data; and updating the map database with the new map data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions in code which when loaded into memory and executed on a processor of a wireless communications device is adapted to update map data in a map database by:
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determining a current position of the wireless communications device; capturing an image using a camera; processing the image for transmission over a wireless network, the processing comprising one of creating a low resolution version of the image and creating a wire mesh version of the image; transmitting the processed image to a map server; receiving a message from the man server in response to the processed image, the message including an identification of an object from the processed image and a location of a landmark in a map database from the map server, the landmark corresponding to the object; using the location of the landmark to refine the current position of the wireless communications device; determining a location of a second object in the image; using the refined position of the wireless communications device and the location of the second object to create new map data; and updating the map database with the new map data. - View Dependent Claims (10, 16)
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11. A wireless communications device for updating map data, the device comprising:
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a camera; a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; a memory for storing the image, the memory being operatively coupled to a processor; and a radiofrequency transceiver operatively coupled to the processor; wherein the processor is configured to; determine a current position of the wireless communications device; capture an image using the camera; process the image for transmission over a wireless network, the processing comprising one of creating a low resolution version of the image and creating a wire mesh version of the image; transmit the processed image to a map server with the radiofrequency transceiver; receive a message from the map server in response to the processed image, the message including an identification of an object from the processed image and a location of a landmark in a man database from the man server, the landmark corresponding to the object; use the location of the landmark to refine the current position of the wireless communications device; determine a location of a second object in the image; use the refined position of the wireless communications device and the location of the second object to create new map data; and update the man database with the new map data. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 17)
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Specification