Landmark identification from point cloud generated from geographic imagery data
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for identifying prominent landmarks in a geographic area, the method comprising:
- accessing, by the one or more computing devices, geographic imagery data captured from one or more cameras from a perspective at or near ground level;
generating, by the one or more computing devices, a point cloud based at least in part on the geographic imagery data, the point cloud comprising a plurality of data points, each of the plurality of data points associated with a tracked feature in the geographic imagery data;
identifying, by the one or more computing devices, a subset of data points in the point cloud, each data point in the subset located at least a threshold distance away from one or more camera perspectives associated with the geographic imagery data; and
matching, by the one or more computing devices, one or more data points in the subset of data points with a landmark;
determining, by the one or more computing devices, a landmark ranking for the landmark based at least in part on the one or more data points; and
providing, by the one or more computing devices, travel directions in response to a request for travel directions, wherein the travel directions comprise data indicative of one or more landmarks identified based at least in part on the landmark ranking.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for identifying prominent landmarks in a geographic area are provided. More particularly, geographic imagery data, such as panoramic images captured by a camera from a perspective at or near ground level, can be analyzed to identify landmarks depicted in the geographic imagery data. For instance, structure-from-motion techniques can be used to generate a point cloud of tracked features that are located a threshold distance away from one or more camera perspectives associated with the geographic imagery data. Landmarks that are visible from multiple camera perspectives and that are visible from greater distances relative to one or more camera perspectives can be identified as prominent landmarks in a geographic area. A geographic information system can use the prominent landmarks for a variety of purposes, such as for use in providing travel directions, for rendering landmarks in an emphasized style, and/or for constructing/displaying a three-dimensional model of the landmark.
18 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for identifying prominent landmarks in a geographic area, the method comprising:
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accessing, by the one or more computing devices, geographic imagery data captured from one or more cameras from a perspective at or near ground level; generating, by the one or more computing devices, a point cloud based at least in part on the geographic imagery data, the point cloud comprising a plurality of data points, each of the plurality of data points associated with a tracked feature in the geographic imagery data; identifying, by the one or more computing devices, a subset of data points in the point cloud, each data point in the subset located at least a threshold distance away from one or more camera perspectives associated with the geographic imagery data; and matching, by the one or more computing devices, one or more data points in the subset of data points with a landmark; determining, by the one or more computing devices, a landmark ranking for the landmark based at least in part on the one or more data points; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, travel directions in response to a request for travel directions, wherein the travel directions comprise data indicative of one or more landmarks identified based at least in part on the landmark ranking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. One or more tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:
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accessing geographic imagery data captured from one or more cameras from a perspective at or near ground level; generating a point cloud based at least in part on the geographic imagery data using a structure-from-motion technique, the point cloud comprising a plurality of data points, each of the plurality of data points associated with a tracked feature in the geographic imagery data; identifying a subset of data points in the point cloud, each data point in the subset of data points located at least a threshold distance away from one or more camera perspectives associated with the geographic imagery data; and matching one or more data points in the subset of data points with a landmark; determining a landmark ranking for the landmark based at least in part on the one or more data points; and providing travel directions in response to a request for travel directions, wherein the travel directions comprise data indicative of one or more landmarks identified based at least in part on the landmark ranking. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification