Abstract: A visual telephony apparatus, system and method are provided. In one embodiment, the visual telephony method includes a method implemented using a processor, the method including the steps of: detecting at least one telephony attribute associated with a voice call directed from a voice communication device to a publicly switched telephone network number; identifying a visual content that has been preassociated with the at least one telephony attribute; initiating a request for the visual content in response to the detecting step; and receiving the visual content in response to the initiating step, the visual content being received at a display device.

Abstract: A method performed by a device may include receiving information regarding a particular geographic area; retrieving an aerial image of the particular geographic area; displaying the aerial image; determining an approximate geographic location of a mark denoting an underground facility; overlaying, on the displayed aerial image, information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility; and storing the aerial image and the information concerning the approximate geographic location of the mark denoting the underground facility.

Abstract: A method for recognizing a printed map and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The method comprises the following steps. First, a picture of the printed map is obtained, and a block area surrounded by a road outline in the picture is defined. Next, at least one road name related to the road outline is recognized, and a map service is queried with the at least one recognized road name to find an electronic map having a map area corresponded to the block area in the map service. Afterwards, the block area in the picture is mapped to the map area in the map service.

Abstract: A patent analyzing system for efficiently reviewing and analyzing a patent document (e.g. patent application, published patent document or patent). The patent analyzing system includes identifying the element names within a patent document and modifying patent drawing sheets to include element names and figure descriptions.

Abstract: A method of extracting and then reusing/remodeling chemical data from a hand written or digital input image without manual inputs using Chemical Structure Recognition Tool (CSRT) is disclosed herein. It comprises loading said input image, converting said input image into a grayscale image i.e. stretching of loaded input image, converting said grayscale image into a binary image i.e. binarisation, smoothing to reduce noise within said binary image, recognizing circle bond to identify presence of a circle inside a ring, predicting OCR region to find zones containing text, image thinning to identify specific shapes within said binary image, edge detection to detect image contrast, detecting double and triple bond, and obtaining output files.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for encoding assistance data in locations technologies. In an embodiment, a method includes reading, by a processor, tile data of a database in a specific order, wherein the tile data comprises one or more reference data points and/or one or more empty spaces. The method also includes compressing, by the processor, the tile data based on the specific order using encoding. And the method further includes generating relative positions for each individual reference data point with respect to each other in the compressed tile data without specific location identification information for each reference data point.

Abstract: A system for displaying hybrid image data produced by embedding additional media objects within street-level panoramic images includes a user interface through which a user may view, search for, and/or navigate through additional media objects in the context of browsing a virtual environment of a location at street level. In response to user input indicating a request to view a geographic location and/or an additional media object, street-level panoramic image data associated with the geographic location, in which one or more additional media objects also associated with the geographic location have been embedded, may be provided for display through the user interface. The user interface may be provided by a client device including one or more processors that receive hybrid image data produced by one or more processors of a server and display the image data to the user.

Abstract: A map information display apparatus for displaying map information on the basis of information on image-capturing times and image-capturing positions that are respectively associated with a plurality of captured images includes a captured image extraction unit configured to extract images captured within a predetermined time period that includes the image-capturing time of a predetermined captured image from among the plurality of captured images; a map area selection unit configured to select an area of a map so as to include the image-capturing positions of the captured images extracted by the captured image extraction unit by using as a reference the image-capturing position of the predetermined captured image; and a map information display unit configured to display map information in such a manner that the area of the map, which is selected by the map area selection unit, is displayed.

Abstract: In accordance with particular embodiments, a method includes receiving LIDAR data associated with a geographic area and generating a three-dimensional image of the geographic area based on the LIDAR data. The method further includes presenting at least a first portion of the three-dimensional image to a user based on a camera at a first location. The first portion of the three-dimensional image is presented from a walking perspective. The method also includes navigating the three-dimensional image based on a first input received from the user. The first input is used to direct the camera to move along a path in the walking perspective based on the first input and the three-dimensional image. The method further includes presenting at least a second portion of the three-dimensional image to the user based on navigating the camera to a second location. The second portion of the three dimensional image presented from the walking perspective.

Abstract: A method for realigning network elements in a digital map based on a new data set using active contour manipulation techniques. The active contour optimization process is controlled so that certain desirable features in the original shape of the active contour(s) are not distorted. In the case of network features which may be represented by two or more open active contours, the active contours are coupled prior to optimizing so that the original desirable shape, e.g., the parallel spacing of lanes in a dual carriageway road, may be maintained during the optimization process. In the case of certain closed active contours, for example roundabout geometries, a single closed active contour may be coupled to itself by linking its control points one-to-another and maintaining a proportional direction and distance movement during the optimizing process. As a result, data base networks can be assessed and aligned with less difficulty and geometric distortion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for aligning raster and vector data. In an embodiment, a raster/vector aligner receives raster data and an approximate vector of a feature within the raster data. The raster/vector aligner generates an edge signal by edge filtering the raster data along a direction of the approximate vector and a smoothness signal by smoothness filtering the raster data along a direction of the approximate vector. The raster/vector aligner combines the edge signal and the smoothness signal into a combined signal which is used to generate a translation vector or a signal weight for the feature within the raster data.

Abstract: Provided is a computer system and method for mapping a visual path. The method includes receiving one or more images included in a predefined area; receiving one or more parameters associated with the image; and integrating the images and parameters into a map of the predefined area to enable mapping the visual path through the predefined area in response to one or more input path parameters.

Abstract: A Metric Information Network (MIN) with a plurality of Ground Control Points (GCPs) that are selected in an automated fashion. The GCP selection includes clustering algorithms as compared to prior art pair-wise matching algorithms. Further, the image processing that takes place in identifying interest points, clustering, and selecting tie points to be GCPs is all performed before the MIN is updated. By arranging for the processing to happen in this manner, the processing that is embarrassingly parallel (identifying interest points, clustering, and selecting tie points) can be performed in a distributed fashion across many computers and then the MIN can be updated.

Abstract: For multi-dimensional temporal-spatial data, EEMD is applied to time series of each spatial location to obtain IMF-like components of different time scales. All the ith IMF-like components of all the time series of all spatial locations are arranged to obtain ith temporal-spatial multi-dimensional IMF-like component. For two-dimensional spatial data or images, the two-dimensional spatial data or images are consider as a collection of one-dimensional series in first direction along locations in second direction. The same approach to the one used in temporal-spatial data decomposition is used to obtain the resulting two-dimensional IMF-like components. Each of the resulted IMF-like components are taken as the new two-dimensional data for further decomposition, but the data is considered as a collection of one-dimensional series in second-direction along locations in first-direction.

Abstract: The method for controlling a digital device comprises the steps of acquiring at least one image data, wherein the image data includes a still image or moving picture image; extracting additional information of the acquired image data, wherein the additional information includes position information and time information of a recording device corresponding to actual time and location when the image data are recorded by the recording device; generating path information on a map related to the image data, on the basis of the additional information; and displaying a path of the image data on the map in a form of line on the basis of the generated path information, wherein the step of displaying the path includes dividing the path into one or more sections, and adjusting line thickness of the divided sections in accordance with amount of the image data according to a distance within the divided section.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a satellite image to determine a terrain boundary. Pixel data corresponding to a satellite image is obtained. For each pixel within a subset of the pixel data, multiple image features are determined corresponding to texture and color statistics for the pixel and neighboring pixels, based on a feature selection process for selecting discriminative features. An initial set of rules is generated for determining a terrain boundary. Plural image models for applying to the pixel data are created based on the initial set of rules. The plural image models are applied to the pixel data to generate at least one probability map, which represents output of the plural image models and corresponds to different terrains within the satellite image. A binary label mask is generated for the satellite image based on the probability map, and mask indicates segmentations corresponding to the different terrains.

Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including core points assigned along a road and assigned with attributes for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links in a unit of a divided region being one of divided areas. When the core points cross a boundary of an indicated divided region to be indicated, a selection unit selects a processing object core point inside the indicated divided region from the core points in the map data. An extraction unit extracts candidate links being candidate of a road represented by the processing object core point from the map data according to attributes of the links and the attribute of the processing object core point for estimating the road on a map.

Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including core points assigned along a road and assigned with attributes for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links in a unit of a divided region. Each link has a termination point in a boundary of the divided region. The links have attributes corresponding to attributes of the core points. When the core points exist beyond a boundary of the divided region, a generation unit generates a virtual core point on the boundary in the inputted map data and assigns an attribute to the virtual core point based on the attributes of the core points. An extraction unit extracts a candidate link being candidate of the road from the map data according to the attributes of the links, the core points, and the virtual core point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for processing image data obtained from scanning a network infrastructure for the detection and analysis of specific objects of interest, such as powerlines and other overhead conductors, or similar structures. The image data comprises a plurality of co-ordinate points in three-dimensional space, and in order to identify conductors in the network infrastructure, the method involves analysing the co-ordinate points to identify sets of co-ordinate points indicative of a set of substantially parallel lines, and analysing the co-ordinate points on the basis of said identified substantially parallel lines thereby to allow identification and mapping of hanging catenaries representing said conductors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning ground based images of a geographic area taken from a perspective at or near ground level and a set of aerial images taken from, for instance, an oblique perspective, are provided. More specifically, candidate aerial imagery can be identified for alignment with the ground based image. Geometric data associated with the ground based image can be obtained and used to warp the ground based image to a perspective associated with the candidate aerial imagery. One or more feature matches between the warped image and the candidate aerial imagery can then be identified using a feature matching technique. The matched features can be used to align the ground based image with the candidate aerial imagery.

Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including a core point being assigned along a road and being assigned with attributes including at least a shape-relevant attribute being relevant to a road shape for identifying the road. A map data input unit inputs map data including links having attributes. A link narrowing down unit sets a search area for the core point in a map and extracts links in the search area from the map data, according to the attributes of the link and the shape-relevant attribute of the core point. The link narrowing down unit further narrows down the extracted links into a candidate link being candidate of the road represented by the core point for estimating the road on a map, according to parallel road information being the shape-relevant attribute.

Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including a core point assigned along a road and assigned with an attribute for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links each having an attribute corresponding to the attribute of the core point. A search region set unit sets a search region by using the core point as a reference point. An extraction unit extracts a link included in the search region from the links of the inputted map data. An estimation unit estimates the road represented by the core point according to an attribute of the extracted link and the attribute of the core point on a map.

Abstract: Digital maps of roads are labeled with features based on information from images of road signs. A segment of a road network with an unlabeled feature is identified, and a street view image of the road segment taken from a known location is generated. An image of a road sign is captured from within the generated street view image and presented in association with the road segment to a user. A label for the unlabeled feature of the road segment is received and stored.

Abstract: Systems and methods for feature selection and matching are provided. In certain embodiments, a method for matching features comprises extracting a first plurality of features from current image data acquired from at least one sensor and extracting a second plurality of features from a prior map, wherein the prior map represents an environment containing the navigation system independently of data currently acquired by the at least one sensor. The method also comprises identifying at least one first feature in the first plurality of features and at least one second feature in the second plurality of features that have associated two-dimensional representations; and identifying at least one corresponding pair of features by comparing a three-dimensional representations of the at least one first feature to a three-dimensional representation of the at least one second feature.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting a boundary of a building from an indoor map includes providing an electronic raster image of the indoor map. A floor plan included in the map is a first color and a background of the image is a second color. The method includes scanning the image a first time in a plurality of directions and coloring pixels of the image a third color as they are scanned the first time until a pixel is detected that is not the second color. Then the image is scanned a second time in at least two directions. The second scan includes marking a pixel a fourth color for each third color to non-third color and each non-third color to third color transition. The resultant pixels of the fourth color represent the boundary of the building.

Abstract: System and method for visualizing network traffic data. Webpage visits are grouped into nodes connected by traffic paths. Steps in an online process are used to assign nodes to levels in the visualization.

Abstract: A sound reproduction program is provided which, in performing reading and sound reproduction of a musical score, precision of musical score recognition is improved. The sound reproduction program is stored in a terminal including the image pickup unit and a display unit and makes a computer execute a function of reading a musical score image at every predetermined time as a sampling image by a camera device, a function of detecting a staff in a simple manner from the sampling image, a function of displaying the sampling image and the simply detected staff in an associated manner on the display unit, a function of instructing detection of musical symbol information from the sampling image, a function of detecting the musical symbol information from the sampling image when the musical symbol information detection is instructed, and a function of emitting a sound based on the detected musical symbol information.

Abstract: Searchable annotated formatted documents are produced by correlating documents stored as photographic or scanned graphic representations of an actual document (evidence, report, court order, etc.) with textual version of the same documents. A produced document will provide additional details in a data structure that supports citation annotation as well as other types of analysis of a document. The data structure also supports generation of citation reports and corpus reports. Methods of creating searchable annotated formatted documents including citation and corpus reports by correlating and correcting text files with photographic or scanned graphic of the original documents. Data structures for correlating and correcting text files with graphic images. Generation of citation reports, concordance reports, and corpus reports. Data structures for citation reports, concordance reports, and corpus reports generation. Multiple document data structures are used to create multiple citation documents and reports.

Abstract: An image file format article of manufacture for a PFI.

Abstract: The present invention provides a geographical data collecting device, which comprises a distance measuring unit 5 for projecting a distance measuring light and for measuring a distance to an object to be measured, an image pickup unit 3 for taking an image in a measuring direction, a display unit 6 for displaying an image picked up, a touch panel installed to match a position of screen of the display unit, a tilt sensor 11 for detecting a tilting, an azimuth sensor 12 for detecting a horizontal angle in the measuring direction, and a control arithmetic unit 8, wherein the image pickup unit takes an image of a measurement range, acquires a reference image, is directed to a selected measuring point in the reference image, and acquires a measured image with the measuring point as a center, and wherein said control arithmetic unit calculates the measuring point in the reference image through an image matching of the reference image and the measured image and displays a measuring point on at least one of the refer

Abstract: A PFI reader.

Abstract: A method of displaying geohazard information to a user includes providing a computer having a processor and receiving a search query from the user. The method also includes accessing, using the processor, a real estate database, determining, using the processor, a plurality of homes in the real estate database matching the search query, and displaying information related to the plurality of homes to the user. The method further includes accessing, using the processor, a geohazard database, determining, using the processor, one or more geohazards for one or more of the plurality of homes, and displaying information related to the one or more geohazards to the user.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for automatically identifying features in an electronic map. In some embodiments, the method may comprise extracting features, which may include entryways and structural elements, from an electronic map. Based on the extracted features, one or more hallways may be identified in the electronic maps by using one or more line segments, which may extend between at least one entryway and one or more structural elements, and/or at least one entryway and one or more other entryways. The electronic map may be updated with one or more annotations identifying the one or more hallways.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a digital drawing in which equipment information or control point information of an analog computer aided design (CAD) drawing relating to interior equipment of a building and relative position information of the equipment information or the control point information of the analog CAD drawing are obtained from a scan drawing obtained by scanning the analog CAD drawing. The obtained information is displayed according to a user input based on the equipment information or control point information and the relative position information of the equipment information or the control point information in combination with the scan drawing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method, system and computer-readable recording medium for providing an electronic map-based service. According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of recognizing a shape included in image data associated with an electronic map includes: acquiring region information corresponding to first image data; determining a candidate region on the electronic map using the region information; determining at least one candidate image using the candidate region; and recognizing a shape included in the first image data using the candidate image.

Abstract: A building change detection apparatus detects a change in a building in a predetermined area on a map between a first time point and a second time point later than the first time point. A first image data acquiring unit acquires first image data of the predetermined area photographed at the first time point. A second image data acquiring unit acquires second image data of the predetermined area photographed at the second time point. A feature change detecting unit compares the first image data with the second image data to detect changes in features including a building in the predetermined area. A building absent area specifying unit specifies a building absent area in the predetermined area where a building is not present.

Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including a core point being assigned along a road and assigned with attributes for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links having attributes corresponding to the attributes of the core point. An extraction unit first narrows down links into candidate links each having an attribute corresponding to a non-shape-relevant attribute of the core point. The extraction unit subsequently narrows down the candidate links into a candidate link having an attribute corresponding to a shape-relevant attribute of the core point, thereby to extract the candidate link pertinent to the road represented by the core point from the map data for estimating the road on a map.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for identifying location names within document text. Through an implementation of the concepts and technologies presented herein, functionality can be provided for identifying location names within articles, websites, travelogues, or other such documents. For instance, documents containing the names of cities, regions, countries, landmarks, or other locations may be associated with those locations. The location names may be unambiguously identified even when the location names may also have common word meanings that are not location associated or when the location name may be associated with more than one location.

Abstract: Methods for locating a feature on geospatial imagery and systems for performing those methods are disclosed. An accuracy level of each of a plurality of geospatial vector datasets available in a database can be determined. Each of the plurality of geospatial vector datasets corresponds to the same spatial region as the geospatial imagery. The geospatial vector dataset having the highest accuracy level may be selected. When the selected geospatial vector dataset and the geospatial imagery are misaligned, the selected geospatial vector dataset is aligned to the geospatial imagery. The location of the feature on the geospatial imagery is then determined based on the selected geospatial vector dataset and outputted via a display device.

Abstract: A method, computer program, and system for linking content to individual image features are provided. A section of an image is identified. A plurality of features associated with the section of the image is determined. Each of the plurality of features corresponds to at least one position within the section of the image. Content associated with the plurality of features is retrieved from a content repository. The content is linked to the plurality of features based on at least one rule. The content is then presented.

Abstract: A road estimation device receives data including core points assigned along a road and assigned with attributes for identifying the road. An input unit inputs map data including links in a unit of a divided region being one of divided areas. When the core points cross a boundary of an indicated divided region to be indicated, a selection unit selects a processing object core point inside the indicated divided region from the core points in the map data. An extraction unit extracts candidate links being candidate of a road represented by the processing object core point from the map data according to attributes of the links and the attribute of the processing object core point for estimating the road on a map.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one memory unit and at least one processing unit. The memory unit is configured to receive and store information associated with a particular geographical region. The processing unit configured to execute a computer program for discretizing an image of the geographical region into a plurality of sub-regions. Using these sub-regions, the processing unit may generate a graph comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges in which the nodes comprise the sub-regions. The processing unit may also geospatially partition an image of the geographical region according to the information that is associated with each of the sub-regions.

Abstract: Method for editing a vector set associated with an extracted linear feature in a remotely sensed image, the vector set defining a path and being tied to a geographical location. The method includes displaying the path in a graphical display. Once the user activates a smart editing tool, the user establishes a region of influence centered around a cursor. The region of influence is configured to respond to cursor movements. The user specifies a point near the path and moves the cursor to it, bringing the region of influence along. Any error in the vector set of the path is automatically corrected in real time using image-based logic. The user then previews the correction on the graphical display and implements it, updating the path. The updated path is displayed in real time in the graphical display.

Abstract: A computer system running image processing software receives an identification of a desired geographical area to be imaged and collected into an oblique-mosaic image; creates a mathematical model of a virtual camera looking down at an oblique angle, the mathematical model having an oblique-mosaic pixel map of the desired area encompassing multiple source images; assigns surface locations to pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map; creates a ground elevation model of the ground and vertical structures within the oblique-mosaic pixel map using overlapping source images of the desired geographical area, wherein the source oblique images were captured at an oblique angle and compass direction similar to that of the virtual camera; and reprojects, with the mathematical model, source oblique image pixels of the overlapping source images for pixels included in the oblique-mosaic pixel map using the ground elevation model to thereby create an oblique-mosaic image of the desired area.

Abstract: Systems, devices, features, and methods for navigating on images are disclosed. For example, one method includes identifying a point selected on an initial image. An image component, such as a pixel, of the initial image corresponding to the identified point is determined. The image component of the initial image represents an origin. A route from the origin to a destination is generated, and the destination corresponds to another image component, such as another pixel.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for aligning images of one resolution based on both features contained in the images and the alignment of related images of a different resolution.

Abstract: Method for editing a vector set associated with an extracted linear feature in a remotely sensed image, the vector set defining a path and being tied to a geographical location. The method includes displaying the path in a graphical display. Once the user activates a smart editing tool, the user establishes a region of influence centered around a cursor. The region of influence is configured to respond to cursor movements. The user specifies a point near the path and moves the cursor to it, bringing the region of influence along. Any error in the vector set of the path is automatically corrected in real time using image-based logic. The user then previews the correction on the graphical display and implements it, updating the path. The updated path is displayed in real time in the graphical display.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a seamless road network of a large geographical area includes a plurality of GPS traces extending across a geographical area. A plurality of threads simultaneously employ entire traces to collectively generate the seamless road network. The method includes dividing the geographical area into tiles, with each trace extending across several tiles. Each thread can employ one of the traces while another thread employs another trace. Each thread employs an entire one of the traces extending across several tiles during a single step. A job scheduler and blocking table prevent threads from simultaneously processing traces having common tiles and disturbing one another. The threads employ an incremental map matching method, wherein the probe traces are compared to existing line segments of the digital map, and new line segments are created using the probe traces not matching the existing line segments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating address component synonyms. In one aspect, a method includes determining that a plurality of addresses cannot be geocoded by a geocoding system. Variants of the addresses that can be geocoded by the geocoding system are generated, wherein each variant of a respective address lacks a removed term. Name terms for each variant are provided by the geocoding system. Each removed term is associated with name terms received for all variants that lack the removed term, including determining, for each associated name term of each removed term, a count of the number of variants for which the geocoding system provided the name term. Whether a name term is an address term synonym for a removed term is determined based at least in part on the count of the number of variants.

Abstract: In various embodiments, old flood maps may be compared to new flood maps to determine which areas of the flood map have changed. These changed areas may be correlated against geographic area descriptions that are within changed areas of the flood map. The changed areas may also be analyzed to determine whether each area has had a change in status (e.g., from a high risk flood zone to a non-high risk flood zone or vice versa) or a change in zone within a status (e.g., from one flood zone to another flood zone). The information on type of change (or no change) may be used to populate a database that includes geographic area description identifiers. In some embodiments, detection of certain types of changes may initiate a manual comparison of the old and new flood maps to verify the change.