Automated annotation of a view

• US 20020075282A1
• Filed: 03/26/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ecole polytechnique fãdãrale de lausanne epfl (Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft)
• Inventors: Vetterli, Martin, Ayer, Serge
• Granted Patent: US 8,432,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/632
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• 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: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/904 Browsing; Visualisation therefor for navigating the web G06F16/954; browsing optimisation for the web G06F16/957
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/00 3D [Three Dimensional] image rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/008 Touring maps or guides to public transport networks
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00323 with a measuring, monitoring or signaling apparatus, e.g. for transmitting measured information to a central location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3273 Display

Abstract

In a view, e.g. of scenery, of a shopping or museum display, or of a meeting or conference, automated processing can be used to annotate objects which are visible from a viewer position. Annotation can be of objects selected by the viewer, and can be displayed visually, for example, with or without an image of the view.

Claims

1. A computerized method for annotating an element of a view, comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining an identification of the element;

(b) relating the identification to annotating data associated with the element; and

(c) causing the data to be displayed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification has made use of a device pointed at the element.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification has made use of a signal from the element.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the signal is one of a radio signal, infrared signal, ultrasonic signal and mobile-telephone signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the identification comprises processing a signal which relates to a representation of the element.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the representation is on a touch screen.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the signal has been generated in response to a pointer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein relating the identification to data comprises referring to a database.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein relating the identification to data comprises receiving the data as a signal from the element.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the signal from the element has been located using array processing.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein relating the identification to data comprises receiving the data as a signal from a base station.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the data comprises generating one of a visual signal, auditory signal and tactile signal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the data is in combination with displaying an image/video of the view.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the data comprises highlighting.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the view is for training/instruction.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the view is of a commercial establishment.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the view is from within a museum.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the view is in a navigation system.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the view is of a shopping display.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the view is of participants in a meeting.

21. A system for annotating an element of a view, comprising:

(a) means for obtaining an identification of the element;

(b) means for relating the identification to annotating data associated with the element; and

(c) means for causing the data to be displayed.

22. A system for annotating an element of a view, comprising:

(a) a generator of element identification;

(b) a module instructed for relating the identification to annotating data associated with the element; and

(c) an activator of a display of the data.