U.S. patent application number 11/428909 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for automobile web cam and communications system incorporating a network of automobile web cams.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Kevin Mark Ashcraft, Kikuo Hayashi, Steven Johnson, Camille M. Szalankiewicz.
Application Number | 20060242680 11/428909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25364311 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060242680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Steven ; et
al. |
October 26, 2006 |
AUTOMOBILE WEB CAM AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM INCORPORATING A
NETWORK OF AUTOMOBILE WEB CAMS
Abstract
A communications system incorporating a plurality of vehicle
mounted web cams that collect video information and transmit the
video information together with other local information via a
wireless network to a server. The video streams from the web cams
and associated information are available to users on a internet web
page. Each camera has a specific identifier to permit users to
access the video of specific individual cameras. Optimization
software permits users to take virtual trips along predetermined
routes. The system also permits sequential access to multiple video
feeds from desired locations. Multiple alternative one way and two
way video communication methods taking advantage of the network of
mobile web cams are described.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Steven; (Torrance,
CA) ; Hayashi; Kikuo; (Van Nuys, CA) ;
Ashcraft; Kevin Mark; (Redondo Beach, CA) ;
Szalankiewicz; Camille M.; (Toluca Lake, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANKIN, HILL, PORTER & CLARK LLP
4080 ERIE STREET
WILLOUGHBY
OH
44094-7836
US
|
Assignee: |
HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
1-1, Minamiaoyama 2-chome Minato-ku
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
25364311 |
Appl. No.: |
11/428909 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09874676 |
Jun 5, 2001 |
7100190 |
|
|
11428909 |
Jul 6, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/105 ;
348/E7.071 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/17318 20130101;
H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/2743 20130101; H04N 21/41422
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/105 |
International
Class: |
H04N 7/173 20060101
H04N007/173 |
Claims
1. A communications system comprising: a plurality of mobile web
cams; means for transmitting information from said web cams; means
for searching said transmitted information to find video
information corresponding to desired parameters, wherein optical
searching is performed on said transmitted information to locate
video information containing desired information; and means for
displaying said video information.
2. The communications system according to claim 1, wherein
locations of web cams having desired video information are
displayed for the user's convenience.
3. The communications system according to claim 1, wherein the user
may select a geographic area in which the optical searching of web
cam transmitted information is to be performed.
4. A communications system, comprising: a plurality of vehicles, a
plurality of web cameras, each of said cameras being disposed in
one of said vehicles and being active when the vehicle is running
wherein said plurality of web cameras are directed toward areas
outside said vehicle; means for transmitting information from said
vehicles via a wireless network, said transmitted information
including video information from said web cameras and an identifier
for each of said web cams; and a server for receiving the video
information and providing a plurality of images for viewing by a
plurality of communication system users.
5. The communications system of claim 4, wherein said server
further classifies said video information in public information
accessible to all of said plurality of display sources and private
information accessible to only a selected number of said plurality
of display sources.
6. The communications system of claim 5 wherein said private
information is accessible to display sources using a correct access
code.
7. The communications system according to claim 4, wherein said
plurality of web cams are directed toward areas outside said
vehicle.
8. A method of estimating traffic conditions comprising the steps
of: providing a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle including at
least one web cam; providing means for transmitting information
from said vehicles via a wireless network, said transmitted
information including video information from said web cameras and
the location of said vehicles; providing a server for receiving the
video information and providing a plurality of images for viewing
by a plurality of communication system users; and sorting images
corresponding to a prescribed geographic area from the plurality of
images, the sorted images representing an area of traffic
interest.
9. The method of estimation traffic conditions of claim 8, wherein
the information transmitting from said vehicles further includes
the speed of said vehicles.
10. The method of estimating traffic conditions of claim 9, wherein
the images corresponding to a prescribed geographic area are
further sorted to be from vehicles traveling at at least a minimum
speed.
11. A method of creating a virtual trip comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of vehicles, each vehicle including at least
one web cam; providing means for transmitting information from said
vehicles via a wireless network, said transmitted information
including video information from said web cameras and the location
of said vehicles; providing a server for receiving the video
information and providing a plurality of images for viewing by a
plurality of communication system users; and sorting images
corresponding to a prescribed geographic areas from the plurality
of images to create a visual trip from a first point of interest to
a second point of interest.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/874,676, filed on Jun. 5, 2001 and
currently pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is generally directed toward web
cameras and, more particularly, toward a communications system
incorporating a series of mobile web cameras.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Cameras that collect video information and transmit
streaming video signals over the internet are well known in the
art. Such cameras are referred to as web cams and are typically
disposed at a fixed location. Depending upon the video information
being transmitted, the servers and/or software associated with the
web cams permit a specific audience or the general public to view
the video feed. For example, the web cam may be mounted adjacent a
video monitor and transmit the image of one computer user to only
one other computer user. Systems incorporating such cameras are
typically dedicated or linked for two-way video/audio
communication, and require passwords or the like in order to access
the video transmissions. As such, these systems are intended to
serve as video telephones.
[0006] Other web cams are mounted in a fixed public place and are
intended to provide the public with video information that is of
general interest. For example, web cams have been used for remotely
viewing the weather and traffic conditions.
[0007] Web cams are conventionally mounted at a fixed location to
permit access to data transmission lines, thereby drastically
limiting the application of web cam technology. Moreover, the
systems known in the art do not permit a user or viewer of video
transmissions to search multiple video transmissions from a network
of web cams to identify a particular video transmission of
interest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed toward a network of mobile
web cams and toward a system incorporating a network of mobile web
cams. The present invention is also directed toward a system
permitting visualization of images from remote mobile web cams and
wherein a user or viewer may select a video transmission of
particular interest from a plurality of available video feeds. The
present invention is further directed toward a communication system
incorporating mobile automobile-based web cams.
[0009] The present invention is directed toward an information or
data gathering and distribution system wherein the data or
information gathered includes video information from an
automobile-based web cam. Other information that is gathered
includes automobile information such as the speed, location, and
direction of the automobile as well as environmental conditions,
such as the temperature and humidity. Such gathered information is
transmitted via a wireless network from a plurality of automobiles
and displayed on an internet page.
[0010] The present invention is further directed toward a system
and method for organizing and distributing information from
multiple sources. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, a
user or viewer of the video stream and associated information from
multiple automobiles may input desired physical parameters and the
inventive system will determine the information that best matches
the user's parameters and will display the corresponding video
information. Depending upon the user selections, the information
supplied to the user may be information from a single vehicle or
may be information from multiple vehicles provided in a determined
sequence.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method and device for optically searching the video information
from the network of mobile web cams is provided. The user may input
information to be located, and the server will search the
transmitting web cams to locate web cams containing the desired
video information. The location of the identified web cam is
displayed on a map, and the user may select the web cam to access
the information transmitted therefrom
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] These and further features of the invention will be apparent
with reference to the following description and drawings,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a system
according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a virtual trip
according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps of an alternative
embodiment of a virtual trip according to the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for determining
a desired travel route using the network of mobile web cams
according to the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an optical search
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] With reference to the drawing figures, the present invention
will be hereafter described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one aspect
of the present invention concerns a system or network of
automobile-mounted web cams 100, 102, 104 that are operable to
transmit video information via a wireless network 106 to a server
108. The server 108 incorporates software that organizes and
displays the video information and other information on an internet
web page. As will be apparent from the discussion to follow, it is
contemplated that the server 108 will display the video information
in formats desired by the user or viewer.
[0019] The system of the present invention takes advantage of a
series of automobile based web cams. As will be readily
appreciated, the number of web cams installed will be highly
variable. Moreover, the number of web cams broadcasting at any
given time will be variable as well. These factors and their
importance in the operation of the system according to the present
invention will be discussed hereinafter.
[0020] At least one web cam is mounted to each automobile that is
part of the network of automobiles. In FIG. 1 the web cams WC1
(100), WC2 (102), and WC(n) (104), wherein n is a variable, are
illustrated. Each of the web cams 100, 102, 104 may be disposed at
a location and oriented such that it collects video information of
the surrounding environment that may be of interest. For example,
the web cams may be mounted to the forward-facing side of the rear
view mirror so as to show the area in front of the vehicle. This
location provides the web cam with a good general field of view as
to what lies ahead of the automobile. Other desirable locations for
cameras, which may be additional or optional cameras, include the
side mirror (looking forward or rearward), the headlight/tail
light, the top of the car, the sun visor and other interior or
exterior locations that provide a desirable field of view.
[0021] Placement of the camera on the inside of the vehicle and
directed toward the passenger compartment would enable others to
see inside the automobile. This may be desirable for friends and
family members. For example, it may prove convenient for a parent
to check the automobile to determine who is in the car with his/her
child. Also, rearwardly-facing web cams could be useful as backup
cameras for the driver, as will be apparent from the following
discussion.
[0022] Each web cam in the system carries its own specific,
individual identifier. In the event that an automobile contains or
carries more than one web cam, the web cam identifiers will
preferably be related to one another in a coherent and logical
fashion. Naturally, it is contemplated that access to the video
streams from certain cameras, such as web cams that view the
interior of the automobile, may be restricted by owner-designated
passwords and other security measures. It is further contemplated
that each of the web cams will only be turned on when the engine is
running, and may be turned off (prevented from broadcasting) by the
driver/passenger input of a password or PIN. Moreover, for security
and privacy purposes, it is contemplated that the web cam will be
configured to not broadcast (i.e., turned off) when the automobile
is within a predetermined distance of any location designated by
the automobile's owner. Such designated locations may be, for
example, the automobile owner's home or place of work, or the homes
of the automobile owner's friends and family.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the video information from the web
cam(s) in each automobile is transmitted, via the wireless network
106, to the server 108. The wireless network 106 may be a cellular
telephone network, a dedicated satellite based network, a
tower-based relay network, or any network now known or later
developed that permits wireless transmission of the video
information from the web cam(s) to the server. In this regard
"wireless network" is meant to be as broad as possible, and does
not exclude a network that is only partially wireless and,
therefore, includes networks that have wireless portions (i.e.,
between the automobile or mobile unit and the related tower) that
connect with wired portions (i.e., between the related tower and
the server).
[0024] Together with the video information, other desired signals
will be transmitted over the wireless network 106 to the server
108. These signals may include the speed, direction of travel, and
location of the automobile. These signals may also include
environmental information such as the outside air temperature,
solar load, humidity, etc. The location of the automobile may be
provided by known means, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS),
or the like. Therefore, the information transmitted from the
automobile will hereafter be referred to generically as
"transmitted information", and this term is intended to include
video information together with any other information, including
audio information, that may be of interest to the user.
[0025] The transmitted information is delivered to the server and
the server displays the information on a web page which is
accessible to multiple users/viewers via a wired and/or wireless
network 110. In this regard it is noted that the users 112, 114,
116, labeled User1, User2, User(m), wherein m is a variable, may be
connected to a land line or may be connected to the server via a
wireless-type connection. For example, User1 (112) may be an
individual viewing the transmitted information on his/her computer
or web enabled television. User2 (114) may be a person in an
automobile having a video display. Such a video display could be
part of a dashboard-mounted navigation system, or could be a video
phone or a separate unit that is accessible to a passenger (i.e.,
wireless laptop computer, back seat entertainment system, etc.). In
this way, the automobile containing web cam 1 (WC1) may also be
User2. This dual role will prove useful as it permits the user to
see views from the automobile that are otherwise difficult or
impossible to visualize. For example, and as noted hereinbefore,
being able to see behind the automobile with a rearwardly facing
camera, such as from a tail light mounted camera, may prove
advantageous.
[0026] The transmitted information may be displayed in many
different formats or hierarchies according to the present
invention. The most simple display would be to have each of the
video feeds of the transmitted information occupy a window on the
web page wherein selection of that particular window would enlarge
the window for full-screen viewing. However, even in the case of
only several hundred video feeds such a display may become unwieldy
and inconvenient for the user. Therefore, a user-initiated search
will preferably cause the server to organize or categorize the
video streams according to the further information supplied with
the video information from the automobiles. For example, the user
may wish to only view video information from web cams in cars
located within a prescribed geographic area (i.e., city, state,
country) or may only wish to view video information from
automobiles traveling a certain minimum speed, or may only wish to
view video information from automobiles in areas above or below a
certain temperature or elevation. Alternatively, the viewer may
wish to only see video transmissions from certain cameras (i.e.,
forward-facing camera, interior camera, etc.). Accordingly, it is
considered apparent that the organization and categorization of the
transmitted information for display will take on many forms
according to the present invention, and the present invention is
not limited to any particular display hierarchy specifically
described hereinafter.
[0027] Moreover, it is contemplated that the server store or
archive a series of video feeds to permit users to access such
feeds at convenient times. Such archived video feeds could be of
significant events, such as automobile or motorcycle races, and
other sporting events (i.e., caddie-cam to view the U.S. Open,
jockey cam of the Kentucky Derby, road races such as the Boston
Marathon and bicycle races Tour de France) and would provide the
user with views from a mobile or moving source. Alternatively, such
archived video feeds could be trips traversing specific paths at
visually desirable times of year, such as drives along the Blue
Ridge Parkway in the fall or through Yellowstone National Park in
summer or winter. Accordingly, the server is useful for storage and
subsequent user-initiated replay of transmitted information, as
well as for live communication of transmitted information.
[0028] It is contemplated that such archived video feeds may be
produced and edited professionally, and can incorporate views from
a single automobile web cam or, alternatively, a composite view
derived from plural automobile web cams. Such a composite view may
be used to provide the best possible images along the desired
route, or to produce other desired effects. For example, using
existing video morphing technology, the user could have a
time-lapse view from a particularly picturesque location in the
Blue Ridge Mountains in the fall-winter. Such a view would be
derived from individual web cams taking pictures at the same
location over a period of time and, when combined by the server,
would provide a time-lapse effect. As the database of images
increases, the time-lapse effect may also be historical in nature
to show changes in an area over a period of years.
[0029] In this regard it is also contemplated that the web cam user
or owner may store their own trip for viewing at a later time. For
example, a trip may be completely recorded on the server and played
back once the user returns home or to some other destination. The
web cam owner could bookmark certain times in the recording to
permit quickly advancing to especially memorable portions of the
recorded trip. It is believed that such functionality may be
desirable for significant trips (anniversary, honeymoon, spring
break) and may also be desirable, in an accelerated playback mode,
to facilitate giving or remembering directions for purposes of
navigation. It is noted that the web cam may be removably secured
to the automobile and may be carried by the user for transmission
and recordal of non-driving portions of the trip.
[0030] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the
system of the present invention is useful in many ways. In the
following description the system set forth above and generally
illustrated in FIG. 1 will be used in different preferred
embodiments.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 2, the system according to the
present invention is useful to go on virtual trips wherein the user
can enter desired trip parameters and then sequentially obtain a
live streaming video feed from a plurality of automobile web cams
along the desired travel path. Alternatively, as noted
hereinbefore, the user could access a stored or archived trip
traversing a desired path, or a trip that they have previously
recorded or stored. With reference to stored or archived trips, it
is considered apparent that these trips can be accessed or selected
from a menu or other means of display.
[0032] In accordance with this embodiment, the user enters a
desired origin for the virtual trip (step 200), and then a desired
virtual trip destination (step 202). The origin and destination
could be cities, or could be specific addresses. Thereafter, the
user would enter the length of the virtual trip in minutes (step
204).
[0033] The server would utilize optimization software to determine
the number of currently-broadcasting web cams between the origin
and destination, and to determine which of the broadcasting web
cams to use for the virtual trip. The optimization software would
also determine the duration of each view and would start the
virtual trip (step 206).
[0034] For example, the user could select a route starting in
Bangor, Me. and ending in San Francisco, Calif., and indicate that
the trip take 10 minutes. The optimization software would determine
the route, search for vehicles transmitting information along the
route, determine which of the automobile transmissions to use, and
determine the length of the broadcast from each automobile.
[0035] In this regard it is noted that while there may be many
broadcasting web cams in urban areas, there may be relatively few
in rural areas. The optimization software would take all this into
account when determining which transmitted information to use.
[0036] The alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 differs
from that of FIG. 2 by permitting the user to input the number of
automobile virtual views (step 304) to be used on the virtual trip
in addition to origin (step 300) and destination (302) to indicate
the number of automobile virtual views to be used on the virtual
trip. Accordingly, the embodiment of FIG. 3 provides the user with
further control over the virtual trip constructed by the server
software.
[0037] Naturally, it is contemplated that selection of the views to
be used on the virtual trip selection process could be further
controlled by the user. For example, the user may indicate that
transmitted information only be used from automobiles traveling a
certain minimum speed or only from automobiles heading a certain
direction along the prescribed route. Moreover, depending upon the
transmitted information available, the user may be able to select
video information from automobiles traveling on a certain road or
highway. Alternatively, the user may be able to select that stored
or archived video transmissions or portions of stored or archived
video transmissions can be used to fill in segments lacking live
video feed. In this way, the virtual trip can be customized to
satisfy the user's desires. In this regard it is noted that the
virtual tour can be viewed on a normal computer monitor or
television, or could be viewed using a virtual reality headset or
other means.
[0038] In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the system
according to the present invention is useful for determining
commuting routes. It is often the case that people have two or more
routes available to them for the commute to and from work.
Unfortunately, when they get in the automobile, they have no
reliable means to judge the traffic situation at critical places
along the various routes. However, the present invention makes it
possible to quickly check the traffic flow by directly observing
the view from automobiles at the areas of interest. The information
provided would not only include the location of the vehicle and the
video information, but also the speed of the vehicle, making it
easier for the driver/user to determine the best route to take.
[0039] With reference to FIG. 4, the method according to this
further preferred embodiment is illustrated, it being contemplated
that these method steps are performed via the dashboard mounted
navigation system or via a wireless device such as a laptop
computer, web-enabled cell phone or the like. First, the user
selects the area of interest (step 400), which according to the
preferred embodiment is an intersection, highway interchange, or a
length of road. The area of interest may be predetermined and
stored in memory of the input device, as would be helpful when an
intersection or the like is to be searched for traffic congestion
daily.
[0040] The area of interest may be input into the navigation system
or wireless device in any known means. For example, the area of
interest may be typed in, or may be selected by means of a mouse
and a graphical user interface of a map-type display, or by any
other means. It is considered that using maps having a hierarchal
structure wherein the user may select an area on a large-scale map
and then move or zoom in to a more focused or specific view will be
the most effective means of quickly selecting the area of interest.
For example, using map views the user may select or highlight
(i.e., click and drag) a particular length of road that is
particularly troublesome. Once the area of interest is selected,
the user may input other parameters (step 402), such as the
direction of travel, to further specify the desired transmitted
information of interest.
[0041] After the data regarding a new location is entered into the
input device, the user will be queried as to whether the data
should be stored for future use (step 404). This is particularly
useful for daily commuters, and will permit them to quickly access
the traffic information necessary to make the road-selection
decision.
[0042] Based upon the input area of interest and other parameters,
the server software determines and displays individual windows
containing one or more video streams from automobiles in the
selected area (step 406). As in the previously described
embodiments, the user may select a particular video stream to
enlarge to permit better viewing of the traffic conditions. Since
the traffic congestion is of interest in this embodiment, the
server software may also calculate and display the average speed of
the automobiles in the vicinity of the selected area.
[0043] The ability to search for traffic conditions at
intersections and interchanges would also be helpful to travelers
as they navigate through unfamiliar areas. The ability to directly
view the areas of interest provides the user with greater
confidence and easier decision making. This ability would be
particularly desirable when approaching a city and deciding whether
it is better to take a bypass road, which is a longer route, or to
drive directly through the city, which is a shorter route but
typically has more traffic.
[0044] The system according to the present invention may also
incorporate a series of web cams at fixed locations. The fixed web
cams may be located at areas of general interest, such as at major
intersections and areas overlooking highway interchanges and, as
such, would be displayed together with mobile or automobile based
video information during searches, discussed hereinbefore. The
fixed web cams may also provide views from areas of specific
interest, such as parking lots at shopping malls, stadiums, and
amusement parks. In this way, overall or "big picture" views can be
incorporated into the virtual trips and used to determine the best
route available.
[0045] In addition to providing video information to the user, the
transmitted information will also be useful in automobile
navigation systems. For example, the navigation system could use
the automobile speed and position data when calculating or
determining the best route for the automobile to take to a
destination.
[0046] In this regard it is noted that the inventors contemplate
that the transmitted information from the network of web cams will
be both public and private. With public transmitted information the
general public will be given access to the streaming video
information and/or other information provided by the
automobile-based web cams. With private transmitted information,
access to the streaming video information and/or other information
will be restricted. Moreover, it is contemplated that some mix of
public and private access may be provided wherein some views and/or
information will be available to the general public while other
views and/or functions are only provided to subscribers and/or to
people having the correct password and/or access code.
[0047] For example, it may be decided that the video information
from all forward-facing web cams will be provided to the public,
while other information, including video information from
interior-facing web cams, will be private information available
only to persons having the correct access information. In this way,
access to more private information may be restricted.
[0048] Also, it is contemplated that the transmitted information
may be different for the various web cams used on any particular
automobile. For example, transmitted information from a forward
facing web cam may, in addition to the video information, include
the speed, location, direction, temperature information. On the
other hand, transmitted information from an interior-facing camera
may, in addition to the video information, include only audio
information. Further, transmitted information from rearward facing
cameras may include only the video information. As can be seen from
the foregoing, the amount of available information transmitted with
the video information may be freely selected, or may be
predetermined based upon the location of the camera relative to the
car.
[0049] Moreover, since each web cam has its own individual
identifier, according to another embodiment of the present
invention a user can access the transmitted information associated
with a web cam and automobile by entering the specific identifier
associated with that web cam. In keeping with this embodiment, for
example, a family traveling to see their relatives could give the
relatives the access code and identifier for the web cam.
Thereafter, the relatives would be able to access the transmitted
information to check on the location and progress of the family.
Assuming that the transmitted information includes audio
information and that the relatives have a similar web cam
arrangement (i.e., permitting transmission of audio and video
information), the relatives would be able to see and communicate
with the family during the trip.
[0050] With reference to FIG. 5, it is further contemplated that,
in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention,
the network of web cams may be used for data mining or survey
purposes. In this regard, using optical searching techniques, the
web cam video information can be searched to locate video feeds
having desirable images within their field of view. The location of
the web cam could then be displayed on a map (i.e., by displaying
an icon on the map). In this regard, as will be discussed more
fully hereinafter, it is contemplated that sponsors could have
their logos or signage optimized for optical recognition, or could
have their locations predefined in the server memory. Further, the
video feed of the web cams having desirable images within their
field of view could be displayed or made available for selective
display by the user.
[0051] In accordance with this embodiment, a user would input a
desired area for search (step 500). Such an area could be input in
any way, as described hereinbefore, including by selecting an area
on the navigation system map, or by specifying a radius around the
user's current location. The user would then input what is to be
located (step 502). For example, if the user wanted to locate a
nearby gas station, the user could search for web cams in his
general vicinity (i.e, 2 miles) that have a gas station sign
(optically recognizable) within the field of view. The server would
identify the web cams in the specified area, and then would
optically search the identified web cam transmissions and identify
those having gas stations within their field of view. The server
would then correlate and display the locations of the identified
web cams on a map (step 504), and permit the user to select any of
the identified web cams to view the associated video feed.
Preferably, the identified web cams would be displayed as an icon
on the map, and the user would select the icon to view the
corresponding video feed. The user would be able to zoom the video
feed to view price and brand information.
[0052] It is considered apparent that optical searching could be
used to locate many items of interest, including signs containing
recognizable symbols (i.e., parking lots, train stations, bus
stops, police station), famous trademarks for restaurants, hotels,
and stores, and that many optical searches could be predefined in
an automobile based navigation system to facilitate searching and
locating sponsor-specific locations. Also, the user could select
the search criteria from a predefined menu of general categories
(gas station, hotel, etc.) and submenus containing specific brands
or subcategories.
[0053] The brands listed in the submenus may be sponsors of the
system and, in this case, may have their locations readily overlaid
on the map during the display of search results (step 504). This
would insure that sponsor's businesses are located in the search
even if they are not located by the optical search. If the
sponsor's icon or trademark is shown on the map, clicking on the
icon may provide specific information on that location, including a
fixed web cam transmission, pricing and availability information,
as well as links to the sponsor web site and promotions.
Alternatively, the displayed results may be entirely derived from
the optical search.
[0054] Accordingly, if the user is searching for hotels close to
their current location, and does not specify the brand, the
sponsors' icons within the designated area will be shown on the map
as well as other hotels that are optically identified. Clicking on
the icon would display information on the hotel, if it is a
sponsor's hotel (i.e., availability, price, location, fixed web cam
view, amenities), or the view from the corresponding web cam. The
search results can be incorporated into an automobile navigation
system such that, upon determination of the location of the web cam
video feed (by making use of the transmitted information), the
navigation system can show the location of the hotel as well as
driving directions to the hotel. It is considered apparent that
this capability would be very helpful in areas that are unfamiliar
to the user, such as when the user is driving a rental car in an
unfamiliar city.
[0055] Although the present invention has been described herein as
it relates to placement of automobile-based web cameras, it is
considered apparent that the web cams described herein could be
used on other devices with equal functionality. For example, the
web cams could be placed on boats, personal water craft, lawn
mowers, scooters, bicycles, and motorcycles. Accordingly, the term
"vehicle" as used in the claims attached hereto is meant to
encompass any movable device to which the web cam may be attached,
including powered and unpowered devices.
[0056] Moreover, it is further contemplated by the inventors that
the web cams and the system described herein could be used with
portable web cams that are hand held or mounted in another movable
fashion. As noted hereinbefore, the automobile based web cam may be
removably mounted to permit its use in place of a video camera.
Also, the web cams could be mounted to pets (i.e., dog cam or cat
cam) or to wild or performing animals (migrating bird cam, dolphin
cam, elephant cam). Such cameras could be useful for entertainment
and educational purposes, and would preferably include a special
identifier to indicate to users and the server that the camera
video feeds are for entertainment purposes and do not necessarily
lie at a traversable location. In this way a virtual trip around
the world could include pictures from very remote areas as well as
urban areas.
[0057] It is further contemplated that a private network of web
cams could be established that would be valuable for supervisory
and safety purposes. For example, each police officer in a
department could have a web cam secured to their hat or badge, and
transmitted information would then include the video information
from the area in front of the officer as well as the officer's
location, etc. The web cams in such private networks could also be
used by taxi companies, messenger services, delivery services, and
any other enterprise having mobile workers that need to be
monitored for productivity and safety. Conceivably, the transmitted
information from each web cam could be saved for a predetermined
period of time (i.e., one week) and then discarded if not backed
up. This would give supervisors and authorities the chance to
review the transmitted information should the need arise (i.e., in
case of an accident or crime).
[0058] The present invention has been described herein with
particularity, but it is noted that the scope of the invention is
not limited thereto. Rather, the present invention is considered to
be capable of numerous modifications, alterations, and combinations
of components and steps and, therefore, is only defined by the
claims appended hereto.
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