Apparatus and method for detecting and connecting counterpart device by capturing image of counterpart device in wireless device

• US 9,591,206 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2016
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kang, Shin-Il, Yeon, Hun-Je, Lee, Jin-Wook
• Primary Examiner(s): Moe, Aung S
• Assistant Examiner(s): COWAN, EUEL K
• Application Number:
  US15/083,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20160212326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 348/30, 348/135, 348/143, 348/169, 348/207.99, 348/220.1, 348/228.1, 348/346, 348/376, 382/103, 382/106, 382/116, 382/181, 382/190, 382/195, 382/201, 382/203
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals

Abstract

An apparatus and a method detect and connect a counterpart device by capturing an image of the counterpart device in a wireless device. A Relative Distance Value (RDV) between the wireless device and the counterpart device is determined via image capture using a camera. The counterpart device is identified using the determined RDV.

Claims

1. A method for operating a wireless device in a network environment where the wireless device and a counterpart device exist, the method comprising:

registering, to a database, the counterpart device to be connected for performing at least one function by mapping a relative distance value (RDV) to a captured first image of the counterpart device;

capturing a second image of the counterpart device;

identifying the counterpart device by comparing the captured second image of the counterpart device with at least one image registered in the database; and

performing a function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device in the captured second image,

wherein the registering the counterpart device further comprises obtaining height information of a counterpart device based on a device type of the counterpart device, determining a shooting distance based on the height information of the counterpart device, and determining the RDV of the counterpart device based on the determined shooting distance, an image proportional constant, and a focal length proportional constant,

wherein the image proportional constant is determined by comparing a size of the counterpart device in the captured first image with a size of a focus zone on a display of the wireless device, and

wherein the focal length proportional constant is determined by comparing a shooting focal distance of captured first image with a basic focal distance.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device comprises at least one of an image view function, a multimedia play function, a data backup function, a data share function, a synchronization function, and a slide show function.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the device type includes a model name of the counterpart device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the height information comprises:

receiving an input of the device type of the counterpart device; and

receiving the height information of the counterpart device from a server based on the device type of the counterpart device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the RDV comprises:

matching a height of the counterpart device in the captured first image to a focus zone on a display of the wireless device using a zoom function;

determining a shooting distance based on the height information of the counterpart device; and

determining the RDV of the counterpart device based on the determined the shooting distance and a focal length proportional constant,

wherein the focal length proportional constant is determined by comparing a shooting focal distance of captured first image with a basic focal distance.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device comprises:

when an image within a predetermined error range of the captured second image exist in the database, performing the function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device comprises:

when a plurality of images that are within a predetermined error range of the captured second image exist in the database, collecting auxiliary information for identifying the counterpart device;

extracting the image corresponding to the captured second image from the database based on the collected auxiliary information from the database; and

performing a function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device in the extracted image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the auxiliary information comprises at least one of position information and bearings information.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

when an image within a predetermined error range of the captured second image does not exist in the database, indicating relevant counterpart device information is not registered.

10. An apparatus of a wireless device in a network environment where the wireless device and a counterpart device exist the apparatus comprising:

a camera configured to capture an image of the counterpart device;

a registration manager configured to

obtain height information of a counterpart device based on a device type of the counterpart device,

determine a relative distance value (RDV) of the counterpart device based on the height information, and

register the counterpart device to a database by mapping the RDV to a captured first image of the counterpart device; and

a processor configured to;

capture a second image of the counterpart device;

identify the counterpart device by comparing the captured second image of the counterpart device with at least one image registered in the database; and

performing a function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device in the captured second image,

wherein an image proportional constant is determined by comparing a size of the counterpart device in the captured first image with a size of a focus zone on a display of the wireless device, and

wherein a focal length proportional constant is determined by comparing a shooting focal distance of captured first image with a basic focal distance.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device comprises at least one of an image view function, a multimedia play function, a data backup function, a data share function, a synchronization function, and a slide show function.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the device type includes a model name of the counterpart device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the registration manager is configured to receive an input of the device type of the counterpart device, and receive the height information of the counterpart device from a server based on the device type of the counterpart device.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the registration manager is configured to match a height of the counterpart device in the captured first image to a focus zone on a display of the wireless device using a zoom function, determine a shooting distance based on the height information of the counterpart device, and determine the RDV of the counterpart device based on the determined the shooting distance and a focal length proportional constant,

wherein the focal length proportional constant is determined by comparing a shooting focal distance of captured first image with a basic focal distance.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to perform, when an image within a predetermined error range of the captured second image exist in the database, the function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to collect, when a plurality of images that are within a predetermined error range of the captured second image exist in the database, auxiliary information for identifying the counterpart device, extract the image corresponding to the captured second image from the database based on the collected auxiliary information from the database, and perform a function determined in advance between the wireless device and the counterpart device in the extracted image.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary information comprises at least one of position information and bearings information.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, the processor is further configured to indicate, when an image within a predetermined error range of the captured second image does not exist in the database, relevant counterpart device information is not registered.