Automatic image capture

• US 9,476,964 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2014
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Stroila, Matei Nicolae, Dorum, Ole Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilgendorf, Dale W
• Application Number:
  US14/320,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20140316699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3647 Guidance involving output of stored or live camera images or video streams
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3691 Retrieval, searching and output of information related to real-time traffic, weather, or environmental conditions arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions G08G1/09
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3811 Point data, e.g. Point of Interest [POI]
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3837 Data obtained from a single source
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

In one embodiment, a mobile device generates sensor data configured to describe a geographic position of a mobile device. A list of events is defined according to position data and time data. The geographic position of the mobile device is compared to positions in the list of events of interest and a current time is compared to time data in the list of events of interest. The comparison determines whether events in the list are in range of the mobile device. One or more nearby events in range of the mobile device at the current time or a future time are selected. A command is generated to capture an image of the nearby events using a camera coupled to the mobile device. The captured images may be used to update navigation or map database, provide community or weather data to other users, social media functions, or other features.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving location data for a mobile device;

receiving a list of events from an external device, wherein at least one entry event of the list of events includes an event position and an event time;

comparing, using a processor, the location data for the mobile device to the event position;

comparing, using the processor, a current time to the event time;

selecting the at least one entry event from the list of events when the mobile device is within a predetermined distance of the event position and the current time is within a predetermined time range of the event time; and

generating a command to capture an image of the at least one entry event when the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the event position, the current time is within the predetermined time range of the event time, and a current field of view at least partially includes the at least one entry event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device is associated with a social networking service.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the list of events includes parties, birthdays, or reunions.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the list of events includes forecasted weather events.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the command to capture the image of the at least one entry event is a second command, the method further comprising:

generating a first command to capture images prior to the selecting the at least one entry event from the list of events.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first command is associated with a low resolution camera and the second command is associated with a high resolution camera.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the first command is associated with a large frustum camera and the second command is associated with a small frustum camera.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first command is associated with a light detection and ranging device and the second command is associated with a camera.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device reports recent criminal activity for the list of events.

20. The method claim 1, wherein the image and at least one entry includes a building construction.

10. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform;

receiving location data for a mobile device;

receiving a list of events from an external service, wherein at least one entry event of the list of events includes an event position and an event time;

identifying a temporal range relative to the event time;

identifying a predetermined distance to the event position;

performing, using a processor, a first comparison of a difference between the location data for the mobile device and the event position to the predetermined distance;

performing, using a processor, a second comparison of a difference between a current time and the temporal range;

selecting the at least one entry event from the list of events based on the first comparison and the second comparison; and

when the mobile device is within the predetermined distance of the event position, the current time is within the temporal range of the event time, and a current field of view at least partially includes the at least one entry event, capturing at least one image.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the external service is a social networking service.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the external service a weather service.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one entry from the list of events includes a building construction located at the event position.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein

capturing the at least one image comprises capturing an image of the at least one entry event based on the first comparison and the second comparison.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein capturing at least one image comprises capturing a first image with a low resolution camera and capturing a second image with a high resolution camera.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first image is captured with a large frustum camera and the second image is captured with a small frustum camera.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first image is captured with a light detection and ranging device and the second image is captured with a camera.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that when executed are operable to:

access location data for a mobile device, a list of events and a threshold geographical range for the mobile device, wherein each event in the list of events comprises an event time range and an event position;

compare a difference between the location data for the mobile device and each event position to the threshold geographical range;

compare a current time to each event time range;

identify an entry event from the list of events when the mobile device is within the threshold geographical range of the event position of the entry event and the current time is within the time range of the entry event; and

generate a command to capture an image of the entry event when the mobile device is within the threshold geographical range of the event position of the entry event, the current time is within the time range of the entry event, and a current field of view at least partially includes the entry event.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the command is a second command, the instructions when executed operable to:

generate a first command to capture images before the entry event from the list of events is identified.