US6064398A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optic vision systems
Assignee: Geovector Corp
•
Filing: 1996-08-02
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Granted: 2000-05-16
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Expires: 2016-08-02
Abstract
Abstract An image processing system for producing an augmented image of a real world scene uses an image capturing device that captures a digital image of the real world scene and uses a database of real world scene information. The system includes the storage resources that locate the selected real world scene information in the database using information from at least one of a position determining device for determining a real world position, an attitude determining device for determining a real world attitude, and the image capturing device. The system also includes a video interface chipset for receiving data from the image capturing device and transforming it to a format used by the data processor. The system processes the digital image of the real world scene and the selected real world scene information to form processed data that represents an augmented image of the real world scene.
Inventors
- 👤 John Ellenby
- 👤 Thomas William Ellenby
- 👤 Peter Malcolm Ellenby
- 👤 Kenyon E. B. McGuire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G01; G01C; G01C17/00; G01C17/34; G01C21/00; G01C21/20; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06T15/00; G06T15/10; G05; G05B; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
An image processing system for producing an augmented image of a real world scene using an image capturing device that captures a digital image of the real world scene and using a database of real world scene information, the image processing system comprising: a data processor operatively connected to a 3D graphic processor; first communication resources that deliver the digital image of the real world scene from the image capturing device to the data processor; storage resources that retrieve from the database selected real world scene information that relates to the real world scene wherein the storage resources locate the selected real world scene information in the database using information from at least one of a position determining device for determining a real world position, an attitude determining device for determining a real world attitude, and the image capturing device; second communication resources that deliver the selected real world scene information from the database to the data processor, wherein the second communication resources includes a video interface chipset for receiving data from the image capturing device and transforming said receiver data to a format used by the data processor, and wherein the data processor processes the digital image of the real world scene and the selected real world scene information to form processed data that represents an augmented image of the real world scene; and a display system that receives the processed data and displays the augmented image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
An image processing system for producing an augmented image of a real world scene using an image capturing device that captures a digital image of the real world scene and using a database of real world scene information, the image processing system comprising: a data processor operatively connected to a 3D graphic processor; first communication resources that deliver the digital image of the real world scene from the image capturing device to the data processor; storage resources that retrieve from the database selected real world scene information that relates to the real world scene wherein the storage resources locate the selected real world scene information in the database using information from at least one of a position determining device for determining a real world position, an attitude determining device for determining a real world attitude, and the image capturing device; second communication resources that deliver the selected real world scene information from the database to the data processor, wherein the second communication resources includes a video interface chipset for receiving data from the image capturing device and transforming said receiver data to a format used by the data processor, and wherein the data processor processes the digital image of the real world scene and the selected real world scene information to form processed data that represents an augmented image of the real world scene; and a display system that receives the processed data and displays the augmented image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the storage resources comprise: a storage system containing the database; the position determining device; and processing resources, wherein the position determining device determines an approximate three-dimensional real world position of the image processing system, and the processing resources use the real world position to search the database and retrieve from the database the selected real world scene information related to the real world position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the position, determining device comprises a satellite navigation system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the satellite navigation system comprises a Global Navigational Satellite System.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the satellite navigation system comprises a Global Positioning System.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the satellite navigation system comprises a differential Global Positioning System.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the database is Geographic Information System database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the storage resources comprise: a storage system containing the database; the attitude determining device; and processing resources, wherein the attitude determining device determines an approximate real world attitude of the image processing system, and the processing resources-use the real world attitude to search the database and retrieve from the database the selected real world scene information related to the attitude information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the attitude determining device comprises a tri-axial magnetometer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the real world scene information includes images and the storage resources further comprise: processing resources that determine an approximate shape of an object captured by the image capturing device, and compare the approximate shape to the images in the database to find a close match, and include the close match in the selected real world scene information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the data processor and the 3D graphic processor are contained in a single integrated circuit having a central processing unit capable of executing a set of multimedia instructions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 further including one or more accelerometers for generating signals that are used by at least one of the data processor and the display system in image stabilization.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 fturther including a wireless communication device that provides information to the data processor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 further including a range finder that provides information to the data processor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one user interface device that provides information to the data processor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the data processor comprises a general purpose central processing unit running in parallel with the 3D graphic processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the image processor enhances comprises means for enhancing the digital image of the real world scene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the image processor is adapted to perform a fast Fourier Transform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the display system comprises: a display graphic processor for generating the augmented image from the processed data and for displaying the augmented image on a display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the position determining device determines the real world position from the the real world position of the image processing system; and the attitude determining device determines the real world attitude from the real world attitude of the image image processing system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the augmented image is formed and displayed substantially in real time.
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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) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |