Patent EP0924597A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6377296B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6377296B1
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Virtual map system and method for tracking objects
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1999-01-28
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Granted: 2002-04-23
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Expires: 2019-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A system, for automatically tracking objects, including a computer processor and memory, cameras and other sensors and a user interface. A user registers an object with the system by presenting the object to a camera, which produces an image of the object, and describing the object through a user interface. Based on an analysis of the image and the description provided by the user, an object identifier/tracker determines the attributes of the object, classifies the object according to the attributes, and indexes and stores the image in a database. The system will thereafter track the location of the object. Subsequently, the user can query the system to search the database to obtain information regarding the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander Zlatsin
- 👤 Dimitri Kanevsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/20; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/50; G06F16/58; G06F16/587; G06V; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/14; G06V30/142; G06V30/1423; G06V40/00; G06V40/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for tracking an item, comprising: a camera for monitoring a space within which said item is located, and for producing an image of said item; object identifier/tracker means, for (a) receiving said image, (b) registering said item and logging a location of said item in said space, and (c) updating said logged location if said location in said space changes; database means, coupled to said object identifier/tracker means, for storing data representative of said item and said logged location; user interface means for (a) accepting a descriptor of said item, wherein said descriptor is used by said object identifier/tracker means when registering said item, and (b) accepting a request regarding said item; a search means for formulating and passing a query to said database means based on said request, and for retrieving a result from said database means, said result indicating said logged location of said item; and output means for reporting said result.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for tracking an item, comprising: a camera for monitoring a space within which said item is located, and for producing an image of said item; object identifier/tracker means, for (a) receiving said image, (b) registering said item and logging a location of said item in said space, and (c) updating said logged location if said location in said space changes; database means, coupled to said object identifier/tracker means, for storing data representative of said item and said logged location; user interface means for (a) accepting a descriptor of said item, wherein said descriptor is used by said object identifier/tracker means when registering said item, and (b) accepting a request regarding said item; a search means for formulating and passing a query to said database means based on said request, and for retrieving a result from said database means, said result indicating said logged location of said item; and output means for reporting said result.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a gesture recognition means, coupled to said camera, for monitoring and interpreting a gesture of a user, and, based on said gesture, providing a directive to said object identifier/tracker means initiating said registration of said item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors, coupled to said object identifier/tracker means, for indicating motion of an object in a subset of said space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said object identifier/tracker means classifies one or more attributes of said item selected from the group consisting of name, priority, color, form, size, time stamp, and ownership.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein said data representative of said attributes is stored in one or more formats selected from the group consisting of text, picture, and audio.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said user interface means includes at least one of a keyboard, a handwriting recognition module, an optical character recognition module and a speech recognition module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 6 , further comprising a semantic module coupled to said speech recognition means, for analyzing a spoken phrase to assist said search means when formulating said query.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein said semantic module recognizes a voice as that of a particular individual, and wherein said object identifier/tracker means associates said item with said particular individual.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a speaker means for communicating audible sounds to a user, and a dialog module for engaging in a spoken dialog with said user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said database means further comprises a virtual map of said space, and said output means comprises a display means for displaying an image of said item represented at said logged location on said virtual map.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said user interface means further comprises a navigation means for modifying said displayed image, including the ability to cause said displayed image to move left, move right, move up, move down, zoom in and zoom out.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said database means further comprises a virtual map of said space, and said user interface means comprises a controller means, said controller means comprising: a speech recognition module for accepting a spoken phrase from a user; speaker means for communicating audible sounds to said user; display means for displaying an image of said item represented at said logged location on said virtual map; navigation means for modifying said displayed image, including the ability to cause said displayed image to move left, move right, move up, move down, zoom in and zoom out.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: means for connecting to a computer network, wherein said camera further comprises means for connecting to said computer network for remote communication with said system, and wherein said user interface means further comprises means for connecting to said computer network for remote communication with said system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer-implemented method for tracking an item, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring a space within which said item is located and producing a first image of said item; acquiring a descriptor of said item; registering said item and logging a location of said item in said space based on said first image and said descriptor; storing data representative of said item and said logged location to a storage media; monitoring said item and producing a second image of said item; identifying said location of said item based on said second image; updating said stored data representative of said logged location in a case where said location changes; accepting a request regarding said item; searching said storage media based on said request and retrieving said data representative of said logged location; and reporting a result of said search.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
A computer-implemented method for tracking an item, said method comprising the steps of: monitoring a space within which said item is located and producing a first image of said item; acquiring a descriptor of said item; registering said item and logging a location of said item in said space based on said first image and said descriptor; storing data representative of said item and said logged location to a storage media; monitoring said item and producing a second image of said item; identifying said location of said item based on said second image; updating said stored data representative of said logged location in a case where said location changes; accepting a request regarding said item; searching said storage media based on said request and retrieving said data representative of said logged location; and reporting a result of said search.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-10-22 | 2006-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | 2010-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-22 | 2013-10-22 | 2014-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |