201131526 六、發明說明： 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明係關於用於使當地識別符（諸如，街名或其類似 者）與數位地圖相關聯之方法及裝置。詳言之（但非排他性 地），本發明係關於一種自影像擷取當地識別符且使所操 取當地識別符與位置資料相關聯以供數位地圖隨後使用之 方法，以及相關資料庫、裝置及另外的相關方法。 【先前技術】 包括GPS(全球定位系統）信號接收及處理功能性之可攜 式計算器件（例如，可攜式導航器件（PND)或其他導航或行 動器件）係熟知的，且用以幫助導航及/或監視運動。此等 器件可手持式使用，可經組態以置於托架上使用，或可經 組態以由運輸工具包含，或其類似情況。 / 供此等S件使用之地圖經常被稱為數位地圖，且包含複 數個路段…般而言，每—路段表示—街道。可在一數位 地圖上表示-器件相對於路段之位置。數位地圖可用 種應用並且用於導航，或用於各種應用而不是用於導航。 數位_可包括除了街道或組成街道之路段 的進一步資訊，且該進—牛咨之外 ^貧Λ (例如，街名或興趣 位置）可對使用者及/或導# ..之 步資訊可為費時的且難 進一 干預或、$摆彳日—旦 獲件（例如，需要人類操作員的 干預或k擇）且谷易改變或出錯。 【發明内容】 根據一第一態樣 提供—種方法，其包含： 146564.doc 201131526 自-影像齡-當地識㈣，該料亦具有㈣取該影 像之位置有關的位置資料；及 使該所擷取當地識別符與該相應位置資料關聯在一起以 允許使該所擷取當地識別符與—數位地圖相關聯。 該當地識別符可包含文字。該當地識別符可包含一街 名。該當地識別符可包含下列各者中之一或多者：建築物 名稱；門牌號；商號名稱；標誌資訊，諸如興趣點(例 如，機場、教堂等）、地名（例如，城鎮或城市名稱等）。 可使該賴取當地識別符與㈣目隸置資料關聯在一起 以允許使該所擷取當地識別符與一數位地圖之一或多個路 段相關聯。 可藉由使用型樣及/或字元辨識（諸如，光學字元辨識、 智慧字元或字辨識或其類似者）自該影像擷取該所擷取當 地識別符。可自影像資料抽取該所抽取當地識別符該影 像資料可用以重建該影像（例如，可由使用者介面、印表 機等使用）。可藉由根據該影像資料確定文字或形狀來掏 取該所擷取當地識別符。 該方法可包含在擷取該當地識別符之前修改該影像。修 改該影像可移除或減少失真。可對該影像進行歪斜校正 (de-skew)。 該位置資料可包含與全球導航衛星系統資料有關之資 料，諸如全球定位系統資料、伽利略（GaUle〇)資料或其類 似者。忒位置資料可包含虛擬衛星資料。該位置資料可包 含座標，諸如當地座標或全球座標。該位置資料可包含與 146564.doc 201131526 或緯度有關之資料。該位置資料可包含高度。該 位置貧料可包含時間資料。 人 該位置資料可包含蜂巢式網路資料，諸如基地台ID、時 =值資料/距離或其類似者。該位置資料可包含區域 無線網路資料，諸如無線SSID。 該位置資料可包含與獲取該影像之方位有關的方位資 料。該方位資料可包含與獲取該影像之角度(例如，自子 午線方位角(例如，北度)等)有關之資料。 該位置f料可包含與該位置資料及/或方位資料之精度 有關之精度資料。該精度資料可包含精度衰減資料，諸如 水平φ直、位置(例如’ 3D)及/或時間精度衰減資料。該 精度資料可包含與用以提供該位置資料之信號的品質有關 之資料。 該位置資料可包含速度資料。該速度資料可包含都㈣ (Doppler)速度。該速度資料可包含瞬時速度。該速度資料 可包含平均速度。 該方法可包含自一影像擷取複數個當地識別符。該方法 可包含：自複數個影像擷取一或多個當地識別符，及使該 等所擷取當地識別符與相應位置資料關聯在一起以允許使 該等所擷取當地識別符與一數位地圖（例如，一數位地圖 之多個路段）相關聯。 該影像可為一靜態影像或圖像，諸如由相機擷取之靜態 影像或圖像。該影像可為來自一連串影像（諸如具備一視 訊或媒體片段之影像）之一圖框。 146564.doc 201131526 根據-第二態樣，提供一種方法，其包含： 根據該第一態樣之特徵中 竹做τ之任一者而使用一所擷取當地 識別符及相關位置資料，B由 頁枓及使邊所擷取當地識別符與一數 位地圖相關聯。 〃 換5之，邊方法可句冷^ /由 ^ ,, 匕3使一所擷取當地識別符與一數位 地圖相關聯，其中已根據該第—態樣之特徵中之任-者使 該所抽取當地識別符與位置資料相關聯。 該所擷取當地識別符可與該數位地圖之—或多個路段相 關聯。可藉由確定該特定所操取當地識別符之相關位置資 料距該數位地圖之—或多個路段在一距離内而使該所操取 當地識別符與該一或多個路段相關聯。該距離可為預定 的。可認為該距離係一臨限值或其類似者。不同路段可具 有不同Bs限值些或全部路段可具有相同臨限值。 4方法可包含使用複數個所#貞取當地識別符及相關位置 資料。該方法可包含確定所擷取當地識別符之一或多個叢 集。每一叢集可與一共同或類似之所擷取當地識別符（例 如，共同或類似之名稱、數字、形狀等）相關聯。每一叢 集可具有一類似之所擷取當地識別符，其在一特定相似性 臨限值内係類似的。舉例而言，可認為足夠類似之所擷取 當地識別符係相同的’諸如B〇thwe丨丨St、B〇thweu street 及 Buthwell Street。 可藉由確定該共同或類似之所擷取當地識別符之相應位 置貝料距一或多個路段在一預定距離内而使每一叢集與一 或多個特定路段相關聯。 146564.doc 201131526 可错由確定該特定所擷取當地識別符之相應位置資料距 ^他共同或類似之特定當地識別符在—預定距離内而形成 每-叢集。可藉由使用基於密度之演算法形成叢集。可藉 由使用基於網格之演算法形成叢集。接著可（例如）因為叢 集之一中心點距—路段在一特定距離内《因為最内/最外 所掘取當地識別符距-路段在__距離内或類似原因而使此 等叢集與一或多個路段相關聯。 該方法可包含藉由使用與該數位地圖之_特定路段相關 聯之-或多個叢集之共同的所擷取當地識別符來確定該特 定路段之一街名。可認為一路段名稱係與一相關叢集之一 共同的所擷取當地識別符之路段名稱相同。 可藉由確定具有—共同或類似之所擷取當地識別符的兩 T或兩個以上叢集與同一特定路段相關聯來達成確定一特 定路段之一街名。該方法可包含使該兩個或兩個以上叢集 之該共同或類似之所擷取當地識別符與該特定路段之該街 名相關聯。 該方法可包含藉由使用該確定„_或多個特定路段之街名 來確定其他路段之另外街名。 可藉由使用一或多個經確定之街名與—或多個另外叢集 之共同或類似之所擷取當地識別符一起(例如，藉由消除 過程）達成一或多個另外街名之確定。 可藉由使用一或多個所擷取當地識別符之一經確定之定 向來使該-或多個所擷取當地識別符與該數位地圖之一或 多個路段相關聯。可根據相應影像之方位資料及/或影像 146564.doc 201131526 之修改的量來確定該經似之定向。舉例而言，可藉由使 用该方位貧料及所需的歪斜校正之量來確定該當地識別符 之定向。 可此為經確定為平行於_數位地圖之特定路段、大體上 平行於-數位地圖之特定路段、沿著—數位地圖之特定路 段或以類似方式定向之當地識㈣係與該料段相關聯 的可選取-特定路段之名稱作為相對於該路段而定向之 當地識別符之名稱。舉例而言，可選取—較路段之名稱 作為大體上平行於料段而定向且距該路段在—特定距離 内的當地識別符之名稱。 根據一第三態樣，提供一種方法，其包含： 藉由使用根據該第：態樣之特徵中之任—者之方法來確 定或驗證一數位地圖之路段之街名。 該等路段可自探測資料或其類似者導出。 根據-第四態樣，提供一種電腦程式元件，纟包含用以 使-電腦執行根據該第一態樣、該第二態樣或該第三態樣 之特徵中之任一者之方法的電腦程式碼。 S亥電腦程式元件可體現於一電腦可讀媒體上。 根據一第五態樣，提供一種數位地圖，其包含一或多個 相關的所擷取當地識別符，每一擷取當地識別符已自一影 像擷取而來且已藉由使用與擷取該影像之一位置有關之相 應位置資料而關聯於該數位地圖。 該數位地圖可包含複數個路段，每一路段表示一街道。 該等路段中之一些或全部可與該一或多個所擷取當地識別 146564.doc 201131526 符相關聯。每一所願取當地識別符可能已藉由使用與操取 該影像之-位置㈣之相應位置資料而關聯於該複數個路 段中之一或多者。 該等路段可自探測資料或其類似者導出。 根據-第六態樣’提供裝置’諸如可攜式裝置，其包含 根據該第五態樣之任何特徵之一或多個數位地圖。 根據-第七態樣，提供裝置’其包含已自影像摘取之所 棟取當地識別符之-資料庫，該等㈣取#地識別符關聯 於與操取每—影像之位置有關之相應位置資料，該資料庫 可用以允許使所擷取當地識別符與_數位地圖之一或多個 路段相關聯。 該當地識別符可包含—街名。該當地識別符可包含下列 各者中之一或多者：建築物名稱；門牌號；商號名稱；伊 遠貧訊，諸如興趣點（例如，機場、教堂等）、地名（例如， 城鎮或城市名稱等）。 可從遠端存取該裝置以允許使賴取當補別符與—數 :立地圖之一或多個路段相關聯。可藉由使用一網路來存取 〆裝置„亥網路可為有線網路、無線網路或其組合。可藉 t使用網際網路來存取《置。可藉岐用一蜂巢式，_ 來存取該裝置。 可攜式器件之器件。該器件可經 S亥器件可經組態以用於蜂巢式功 該裝置可包含一諸如一 組態以用於導航功能性。 能性。 其包含存取根據該第 根據一第八態樣，提供一種方法 146564.doc 201131526 料ί樣之特徵中之任—者之裝置。該方法可包含使用該資 ；'之相關所擷取當地識別符確定或驗證一數位地圖之一 或多個路段。 根據一第九態樣，提供一種方法’其包含： —影像擷取一當地識別符，該影像亦具有與擷取該影 像之位置有關的位置資料；及 使該所棟取當地識別符與該影像之該相應位置資料相關 聯。 根據—第十態樣，提供一種方法，其包含： 自影像擷取一標記（indicia)，該影像亦具有與擷取該 衫像之位置有關的位置資料；及 使5亥所擷取標記與該影像之該相應位置資料相關聯。 使戎所擷取標記與該相應位置資料關聯在一起可允許使 该所擷取標記與一數位地圖（諸如，一數位地圖之一或多 個路段）相關聯》 s亥所擷取標記可包含一街名。該所擷取標記可包含一商 號名稱。該所擷取標誌可包含一門牌號。 該標記可包含文字。該標記可包含一形狀。該所擷取標 記可提供一興趣點。 根據一第十一態樣’提供一種方法，其包含： 藉由使用字元偵測而根據一圖框或圖像確定與一街名有 關之可識別位置資料’該圖框或圖像亦含有與擷取該圖框 或圖像之地理位置有關的輔助位置特定資料；及 藉由使用該經確定之可識別位置資料與該位置特定資料 146564.doc •10- 201131526 一起來確定一叙^ 衔道圖之一或多個街道之一名稱。 该圆框或圖 來自一連串圖框。該街道圖可為一數位 地圖。該可钟σ , ° 1位置資料可包含一街道之名稱或其類似 者。 根據一第+_能& ^ ^ 卞一嘘樣，存在一種方法，其包含： 用於自一用於一影像之構件識別一所在地 (ty)之構件，該用於一影像之構件亦具有用於確定擷 取°亥用於—影像之構件之位置的資料構件；及 使該用於識別-所在地之所操取構件與該用於確定位置 之相應資料構件關聯在—起，以允許使該用於識別一所在 地之所擷取構件與用於在一用於一地圖之構件上表示街道 之一或多個構件相關聯。 根據第十二態樣，提供一種電腦程式元件，其包含用 以使一電腦執行根據該第八態樣、該第九態樣、該第十態 樣、該第十-態樣或該第十二態樣之特徵中之任一者之方 法的電腦程式碼。 该電腦程式元件可體現於一電腦可讀媒體上。 根據-第十四態樣’存在一種裝置，其經組態以儲存一 或多個影像，該一或多個影像具有與擷取每一影像之一位 置有關的位置資料’該裝置經組態以：自影像操取當地識 別符，且使所擷取當地識別符與相應位置資料關聯在一 起。 該裝置可經組態以修改該等影像（諸如，對其進行歪斜 校正）以允許擷取當地識別符。 146564.doc • 11 · 201131526 該裝置可允許使所擷取當地識別符與一數位地圖（諸 如’一數位地圖之多個路段）相關聯。 根據第十五態樣，提供一種裝置，其包含： -擷取器，其經組態以自接收自一影像儲存器之影像擷 取當地識別符；及 -關聯器’其與該擷取器通信且經組態以使所抽取當地 識別符與接收自-影像儲存器之相應位置資料相關聯。 該擷取器可經組態以用於字元或型樣辨識。該擷取器可 經組態以用於光學及/或智慧字元辨識。 該裝置可包含該影像儲存器。該裝置/影像儲存器可包 含一器件。 該關聯器可經組態以將相關的所操取當地識別符及位 貧料傳達至-資料庫(例如，進行儲存，以允許隨後使 (例如，由一數位地圖使用）等）。 該資料庫可由該裝置包含。 本發明單獨地或以各種組合包括一或多個相應態樣、 施:或特徵’不Q否組合地或單獨地對其進行具體說! I括主張用於執行所論述功能中之—或多者之相⑴ 件亦在本發明内。 一態樣中之任何特徵可任 能 仗17過田組合應用於任何其么 心樣。舉例而言，裝置哎李 ♦捕射用作方法特徵，且2 /特被可用作裝置或系統特徵。 將瞭解’ 一或多個實 __ M ^ ^ ^ ^俅·J用於為確定及/或驗證 位地圖之一或多個路段之街名作準備。 I46564.doc 12 201131526 以上概述意欲僅為例示性而非限制性的。 【實施方式】 現將參看隨附圖式僅以舉例方式描述本發明之至少一實 施例。 圖1展示例示性影像100。影像100可為一圖像（諸如，取 自一相機之圖像），或可為來自-系列影像之一圖框(諸 如，作為一媒體或視訊片段而提供之圖框 影像100包含影像資料110及位置資料影像資料11〇 可用以允許（例如）藉由使用印表機、多媒體器件、使用者 介面或其類似者對影像⑽之重建。位置資料12()與掏取影 像100之位置有關。就此而言，可認為影像1〇〇有地理標籤 (geo-tagged) 〇 將瞭解，可藉由一器件（諸如，一相機或其類似者）來達 成用位置資料120加標籤於影像1〇〇，該器件具有經电離以 接收與該器件之位置相關聯之信號的―接收器。實例％ 包含全球導航衛星系統接收器之相機，或與基地台通信之 蜂巢式器件，或其類似者。在擷取影像i崎，此器件可 經組態以使接收到的位置資料與影像資料相關聯。 當然，在另-實例中’使用者可提供其本身的位置資料, 所擷取影像相關聯 120及/或使其本身的位置資料與_ (例如，藉由手動加標籤於影像自身）。 在此實例中，影像1〇〇之位置資料12〇包含與自全球導航 衛星系統資料導出之全球座標有關的㈣，諸如接收自全 球定位系統信號或伽利略信號或其類似者之資料。 I46564.doc 13 201131526 表1展示例示性位置資料。201131526 VI. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for associating a local identifier (such as a street name or the like) with a digital map. In particular (but not exclusively), the present invention relates to a method for extracting a local identifier from an image and associating the local identifier with the location data for later use by the digital map, and related databases and devices And other related methods. [Prior Art] Portable computing devices (eg, portable navigation devices (PNDs) or other navigation or mobile devices) that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and used to aid navigation And / or monitor the movement. These devices can be used by hand, can be configured for placement on a cradle, or can be configured for inclusion by a vehicle, or the like. / The maps used for these S-pieces are often referred to as digital maps and contain multiple sections... In general, each section represents a street. It can be represented on a digital map - the position of the device relative to the road segment. Digital maps are available for applications and for navigation, or for various applications rather than for navigation. The digit_ may include further information in addition to the street or the section of the street that constitutes the street, and the information may be available to the user and/or the guide #.. It is time consuming and difficult to enter an intervention or a slap in the face (for example, requires human operator intervention or k choice) and Gu Yi changes or makes mistakes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect, a method is provided, comprising: 146564.doc 201131526 self-image age-local knowledge (4), the material also has (4) taking location information related to the location of the image; A local identifier is associated with the corresponding location profile to allow the retrieved local identifier to be associated with the digital map. The local identifier can contain text. The local identifier can contain a street name. The local identifier may include one or more of the following: a building name; a house number; a trade name; a sign information such as a point of interest (eg, airport, church, etc.), a place name (eg, a town or city name, etc.) ). The local identifier can be associated with the (4) target data to allow the captured local identifier to be associated with one or more of the digital maps. The retrieved local identifier can be retrieved from the image by using pattern and/or character recognition (such as optical character recognition, smart character or word recognition, or the like). The extracted local identifier can be extracted from the image data. The image data can be used to reconstruct the image (e.g., can be used by a user interface, a printer, etc.). The retrieved local identifier can be retrieved by determining the text or shape based on the image data. The method can include modifying the image prior to extracting the local identifier. Modifying this image removes or reduces distortion. The image can be skewed (de-skew). The location data may contain information related to GNSS data, such as global positioning system data, Galileo (GaUle〇) data or the like.忒 Location data can include virtual satellite data. This location data can contain coordinates such as local coordinates or global coordinates. This location data may contain information relating to 146564.doc 201131526 or latitude. The location data can include height. This location can contain time data. Person The location data may contain cellular network data such as base station ID, time = value data / distance or the like. The location data can include regional wireless network data, such as a wireless SSID. The location data may include orientation information related to the location at which the image was acquired. The orientation data may include information relating to the angle at which the image was acquired (e.g., from the meridian azimuth (e.g., north), etc.). The position f material may contain accuracy data relating to the accuracy of the position data and/or orientation data. The accuracy data may include accuracy decay data such as horizontal φ straight, position (e.g., & 3D) and/or time precision decay data. The accuracy data may include information relating to the quality of the signals used to provide the location data. The location data can include speed data. This speed data can include both (D) (Doppler) speeds. The speed data can include instantaneous speed. This speed data can include the average speed. The method can include extracting a plurality of local identifiers from an image. The method can include: extracting one or more local identifiers from the plurality of images, and associating the captured local identifiers with the corresponding location data to allow the captured local identifiers to be associated with a digit A map (eg, multiple segments of a digital map) is associated. The image can be a still image or image, such as a still image or image captured by a camera. The image can be a frame from a series of images, such as images with a video or media clip. 146564.doc 201131526 According to the second aspect, a method is provided, comprising: using a local identifier and related location data according to any one of the characteristics of the first aspect of the bamboo, τ Page 枓 and associate the local identifier of the edge with a digital map.换 For 5, the edge method can be cold ^ / by ^ , , 匕 3 to associate a local identifier with a digital map, which has been based on any of the characteristics of the first aspect The extracted local identifier is associated with the location data. The local identifier of the location can be associated with the digital map or multiple road segments. The fetched local identifier can be associated with the one or more road segments by determining that the relevant location information for the particular fetched local identifier is within a distance from the digital map or a plurality of road segments. This distance can be predetermined. The distance can be considered to be a threshold or the like. Different sections may have different Bs limits or all sections may have the same threshold. The 4 method may include using a plurality of local identifiers and related location data. The method can include determining one or more clusters of local identifiers retrieved. Each cluster may be associated with a common or similar local identifier (e.g., a common or similar name, number, shape, etc.). Each cluster may have a similar local identifier that is similar within a particular similarity threshold. For example, it can be considered that similarly the local identifiers are the same 'such as B〇thwe丨丨St, B〇thweu street, and Buthwell Street. Each cluster can be associated with one or more particular road segments by determining that the corresponding location of the common or similar local identifier is within one predetermined distance from one or more road segments. 146564.doc 201131526 may be determined by determining that the corresponding location data of the particular local identifier is located within a predetermined distance from a common local identifier that is common or similar to form a per-cluster. Clusters can be formed by using density-based algorithms. Clusters can be formed by using grid-based algorithms. Then, for example, because one of the clusters is at the center of the distance - the road segment is within a certain distance "because the inner/outermost local identifier distance - the road segment is within the __ distance or similar reasons Or multiple road segments are associated. The method can include determining a street name for the particular road segment by using a retrieved local identifier that is common to - or a plurality of clusters associated with the particular road segment of the digital map. It can be considered that the name of a road segment is the same as the name of the road segment with the local identifier shared by one of the related clusters. The determination of a street name for a particular road segment can be accomplished by determining that two or more clusters having a common or similar captured local identifier are associated with the same particular road segment. The method can include associating the common or similar captured local identifier of the two or more clusters with the street name of the particular road segment. The method may include determining another street name of the other road segment by using the determined street name of the plurality of specific road segments. The same may be used by using one or more determined street names and/or multiple other clusters. Or similarly taking the local identifier together (eg, by eliminating the process) to determine one or more additional street names. The orientation may be determined by using one or more of the retrieved local identifiers. - or a plurality of retrieved local identifiers associated with one or more of the digital maps. The similar orientation may be determined based on the orientation data of the corresponding image and/or the amount of modification of the image 146564.doc 201131526. In this case, the orientation of the local identifier can be determined by using the orientation poor material and the amount of skew correction required. This can be a specific road segment determined to be parallel to the _ digit map, substantially parallel to the -digit map. A particular road segment, a particular road segment along a digital map, or a similarly oriented local knowledge (4) is the name of the selectable-specific road segment associated with the material segment as oriented relative to the road segment. The name of the local identifier. For example, the name of the road segment may be selected as the name of the local identifier that is oriented substantially parallel to the segment and within a certain distance from the segment. According to a third aspect, A method comprising: determining or verifying a street name of a roadmap of a digital map by using a method according to any of the features of the first aspect. The segments are derived from the probe data or the like. According to a fourth aspect, a computer program component is provided, comprising: a computer for causing a computer to perform a method according to any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect The S-computer program component can be embodied on a computer readable medium. According to a fifth aspect, a digital map is provided, which includes one or more related local identifiers, each of which is localized. The identifier has been extracted from an image and has been associated with the digital map by using corresponding location data associated with capturing a location of the image. The digital map can include a plurality of road segments, each of which Representing a street. Some or all of the road segments may be associated with the one or more captured local identifications 146564.doc 201131526. Each of the desired local identifiers may have been used and manipulated by the image. - the corresponding location data of the location (4) is associated with one or more of the plurality of road segments. The road segments may be derived from the probe data or the like. According to the sixth aspect, the "providing device" such as a portable device, It includes one or more digit maps according to any of the features of the fifth aspect. According to the seventh aspect, the providing device 'includes a database of local identifiers that have been extracted from the image, such as (d) The #-ground identifier is associated with the corresponding location data associated with the location of each image, which may be used to allow the retrieved local identifier to be associated with one or more road segments of the _digit map. The identifier can contain a street name. The local identifier may include one or more of the following: building name; house number; trade name; Yiyuan poor news, such as points of interest (eg, airports, churches, etc.), place names (eg, towns or cities) Name, etc.). The device can be accessed from a remote location to allow the correlation to be associated with one or more road segments. The device can be accessed by using a network. The network can be a wired network, a wireless network, or a combination thereof. You can use the Internet to access the device. You can borrow a honeycomb. Accessing the device. A device for a portable device that can be configured for cellular operation via a device. The device can include a configuration such as a navigation function. It includes accessing a device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, which provides a method of any of the methods of the method 146564.doc 201131526. The method may include the use of the resource; Determining or verifying one or more segments of a digital map. According to a ninth aspect, a method is provided that includes: - an image capture of a local identifier, the image also having a location associated with capturing the image Positioning data; and associating the local identifier of the building with the corresponding location data of the image. According to the tenth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: capturing an indicia from an image, the image is also Have and take the shirt Position information related to the position; and associating the captured mark of the 5H with the corresponding position data of the image. Associating the captured mark with the corresponding position data allows the captured mark to be associated with the A digital map (such as one or more of a digital map) may be associated with a street name. The captured mark may include a street name. The captured mark may include a trade name. The captured mark may include a house number. The mark may include a text. The mark may include a shape. The captured mark may provide a point of interest. According to an eleventh aspect, a method is provided, comprising: using character detection according to A frame or image identifying identifiable location data relating to a street name 'The frame or image also contains auxiliary location specific material associated with the geographic location from which the frame or image was captured; and by using the The identified identifiable location data and the location specific data 146564.doc •10-201131526 together determine one of the names of one or more streets of the track map. The round frame or map is from a series of frames. The street map can be a digital map. The clock σ, ° 1 location data can include the name of a street or the like. According to a +_ can & ^ ^ ,, there is a method, which includes: Means for recognizing a location (ty) from a component for an image, the component for an image also having a data component for determining a location of the component for capturing the image; and The learned component for identifying the location is associated with the corresponding data component for determining the location to allow the captured component for identifying a location to be used for a component for a map The above represents one or more components of the street. According to the twelfth aspect, a computer program component is provided, comprising: a computer for performing, according to the eighth aspect, the ninth aspect, the tenth state A computer program code for a method of any of the tenth aspect or the twelfth aspect. The computer program component can be embodied on a computer readable medium. According to the fourteenth aspect, there is a device configured to store one or more images having positional data relating to a position of each image captured. To: Obtain the local identifier from the image and associate the captured local identifier with the corresponding location data. The device can be configured to modify the images (such as skewing them) to allow local identifiers to be retrieved. 146564.doc • 11 · 201131526 The device may allow the extracted local identifier to be associated with a digital map (such as multiple segments of a digital map). According to a fifteenth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: - a picker configured to retrieve a local identifier from an image received from an image storage; and - a correlator 'with the picker The communication is configured to associate the extracted local identifier with corresponding location data received from the image storage. The picker can be configured for character or pattern recognition. The picker can be configured for optical and/or smart character recognition. The device can include the image storage. The device/image memory can include a device. The correlator can be configured to communicate the relevant local identifiers and bit poor to the data repository (e.g., to store to allow subsequent (e.g., use by a digital map), etc.). This database can be included by the device. The present invention includes one or more corresponding aspects, or features in various combinations, individually or in combination, and the features 'not Q' are specifically or individually recited herein; the claims are used to perform one or more of the functions discussed. The phase (1) of the person is also within the invention. Any feature in one aspect can be used in any combination. For example, device ♦ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ It will be understood that 'one or more real __ M ^ ^ ^ ^·J is used to prepare for determining and/or verifying the street name of one or more road segments of the bitmap. I46564.doc 12 201131526 The above summary is intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. [Embodiment] At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary image 100. The image 100 can be an image (such as an image taken from a camera), or can be a frame from a series of images (such as a frame image 100 provided as a media or video segment containing image data 110) The location data image 11 can be used to allow reconstruction of the image (10), for example, by using a printer, multimedia device, user interface, or the like. The location data 12() is related to the location of the captured image 100. In this regard, it can be considered that the image 1 is geo-tagged, it will be appreciated that the location data 120 can be tagged to the image by a device such as a camera or the like. The device has a receiver that is ionized to receive signals associated with the location of the device. Example % includes a camera of a global navigation satellite system receiver, or a cellular device in communication with a base station, or the like. In capturing image i, the device can be configured to associate the received location data with the image data. Of course, in another example, the user can provide his own location data. Like the associated 120 and/or its own location data and _ (for example, by manually tagging the image itself). In this example, the location information of the image 1〇 contains information from the GNSS. (4) related to the derived global coordinates, such as information received from GPS signals or Galileo signals or the like. I46564.doc 13 201131526 Table 1 shows exemplary location data.
存，但儘官如此，其與影像資料丨丨0相關聯。 一起提供以 J π货诅1貧料12〇，以使得其僅 。換g之，在一些實例中，位置資 0分開儲存/遠離影像資料i丨〇而儲 自圖1可看出，影像100自身展示一當地識別符13〇。當Save, but as it is, it is associated with the image data 丨丨0. Together with J π 诅 1 poor material 12 〇, so that it only. In other words, in some instances, location 0 is stored separately/away from the image data. As can be seen from Figure 1, the image 100 itself exhibits a local identifier 13〇. when
於擷取影像100之方向，當地識別符130之表示已相對於路 牌140歪斜。儘管將當地識別符13〇展示為大體上表現於影 像100上，但此僅為例示性的。 此處’識別符130可自影像100擷取，在此實例中，可藉 由使用型樣辨識來擷取識別符130。此型樣辨識可用於經 重建之影像100，或用於影像資料110自身。例示性型樣辨 識包括：光學字元辨識、智慧字元或字辨識，或其類似 在一些實例中’可藉由知道或估計擷取影像1〇〇之位置 或區域來擷取識別符130。舉例而言，若確定或知道影像 100係在Munich，Germany而非在Boston，MA擷取，則可藉 由查找供Munich之標誌使用的文字之字型及/或形狀之型 樣而非與供Boston之標誌使用的文字之字型及/或形狀相關 I46564.doc J4 201131526 聯之型樣來操取當地識別符13 〇。 在已自影像1 〇〇(亦即’經重建之影像丨〇〇，或影像資料 110)棟取一當地識別符13〇之後，可接著使當地識別符13〇 . 與相應位置資料12 0相關聯。表2展示所擷取當地識別符 130與位置資料12〇之例示性關聯。 當地識別符 Bothwell Street 位置資料 55.853015, -4.226172 表2 以此方式，可使所擷取之一或多個當地識別符與來自一 或多個影像100之相應位置資料丨20關聯在一起。如將描 述，此可允許使所擷取當地識別符與一數位地圖之一或多 個路段相關聯。 將容易瞭解’當影像包含複數個當地識別符Π〇時，可 應用相同方法。在此情況下，每一當地識別符可與同一位 置資料120相關聯。 類似地，將瞭解，在一些實例中，以某種方式修改影像 100或影像資料以幫助擷取當地識別符13〇。舉例而言，在 一些情況下’在擷取當地識別符13〇之前，對影像1〇〇進行 歪斜校正（de-skewed)以移除該標誌之文字的歪斜效果。在 其他實例中’可修改亮度及/或對比度等以幫助擷取當地 識別符130。在一些實例中，可修改影像以移除失真。 現考慮如圖2中所示之資料庫。資料庫2〇〇可由以已知方 式組態之一處理器與記憶體提供。為了舉例，認為資料庫 200經由一網路2i5a(諸如，網際網路）與一第一器件21〇a通 146564.doc 201131526 信。資料庫200亦經由一無線網路（諸如，蜂巢式網路）與一 第二器件210b通信。 在此實例中，第一器件210a為個人電腦。第一器件210a 經組態以自影像100擷取當地識別符130且使該等所擷取當 地識別符130與每一影像100之相應位置資料120相關聯。 可能已自一相機、視訊器件或其類似者接收由第一器件 2 1 0a儲存之影像1 00。第一器件2 1 0a經組態以將所擷取當 地識別符130及相關位置資料120傳達至資料庫200。 第二器件21 Ob為可攜式媒體器件，諸如蜂巢式電話、可 攜式導航器件或其類似者。第二器件210b包含影像擷取功 能性（諸如，相機）以及一全球定位系統（GPS)接收器。第二 器件210b經組態以將一所擷取影像100與自該GPS接收器接 收之相應定位資料120—起傳達至資料庫200。已自第二器件 21 Ob接收該影像100之資料庫200又經組態以擷取當地識別符 130且使所擷取當地識別符130與相應位置資料120相關聯。 在每一情況下，資料庫200經組態以儲存所擷取當地識 別符130與相應位置資料120。 表3展示由資料庫200儲存之資訊之一實例。 所擷取當地識別符 相關位置資料 Bothwell Street 55.853015,-4.226172 St. Peter's Lane 55.804111,-4.226203 Douglas Street 55.797223, -4.225008 Waterloo Street 55.784219, -4.225145 表3 在此實例中，可存取資料庫200以供使用者或其他裝置 使用。如將描述，在一些實例中，可存取資料庫200以供 146564.doc •16· 201131526 數位地圖使用。將瞭解，資料庫200可由另外裝置包含， 且該另外裝置可具有額外功能性。 當然，熟習此項技術者將完全理解，在以上實例中，器 件210a、210b皆可經組態以自影像100擷取當地識別符13〇且 使所擷取當地識別符130當地地與位置資料120相關聯。換言 之，每一器件210a ' 21 Ob可經組態以使自影像1 〇〇擷取之當 地識別符130與相應位置資料120相關聯，然後將與相應位置 資料120相關聯之所擷取當地識別符130傳達至資料庫2〇〇。 或者，兩個器件皆可能未經組態以擷取當地識別符及/ 或使該等所擷取當地識別符與相應位置資料12〇相關聯。 在此等情況下，資料庫2〇〇可經組態以擷取及/或關聯有關 的資料。 雖然展示了兩個器件210a、2 1 Ob，但將瞭解，此情況僅 為例示性的。在一些情況下，可使用複數個器件21〇a、 21〇b。或者，或另外’可自另一資料庫（諸如一包含有地 理標籤之影像100之現有資料庫）提供影像資料u〇及位置 資料120 ^此另一資料庫可具有除了給資料庫2〇〇提供有地 理標籤之影像1 00之外的用途。 圖3a展示數位地圖3〇〇之一例示性部分。地圖3包含複 數個路段3l〇a至310i。每一路段31〇a至31〇i表示一道路或 街道，或其類似者。在此實例中，路段3 10a至3 10i係自探 測資料導出。探測資料為自提供給一或多個運輸工具之一 或夕個接收器（諸如GPS接收器）累積之資料。可獲得探測 =貝料之處的一實例為自適合於一長隊運輸工具之Gps接收 146564.doc 17 201131526 器。在此等情況下，探測資料為自該隊運輸工具中之—些 或全部得到之累積資料。 因為探測資料包含關於運輸工具之位置的資訊，所以有 可能產生可能的道路、街道等之數位地圖。收集的探測資 料越多，將用路段對一特定區域中之所有街道或道路進行 地圖繪製之機會越大。當然，此等所產生之數位地圖沒有 衔名或其他當地資訊。 如將描述，藉由使用上文所描述之資料庫2〇〇，有可能 提供數位地圖300之街名。 圖3a亦展示已自影像100擷取的複數個所擷取當地識別 符130。藉由一共同數字來表示共同或類似之所擷取當地 識別符130。為簡單起見，已將此等當地識別符表示為丄、 2、3及4。在此情況下，1、2、3及4全部表示衔名（例如， l=Bothwell Street > 2=Douglas Street > 3=Waterloo Street * 4 = St. Peter's Lane)。 每一所棟取當地識別符13 0經展示為根據相應位置資料 12 0而空間定位於數位地圖3 0 〇上。如可看出，所榻取當地 識別符13 0往往定位於路段之間的交叉口處。在此等位置 常常可發現路牌。 圖3a中所示之數位地圖300展示三個此種交叉口，其表 示為A、B及C。 所擷取當地識別符130可基於相應位置資料12〇距一或多 個路段310a至310i之一距離350而與一或多個路段31〇a至 310i相關聯。 146564.doc -18- 201131526 在此實例中’所使用之距離350為預定的。可認為距離 3 5 0係一臨限距離。就此而言，可認為具有相同或類似之 當地識別符之所擷取當地識別符130係由一或多個路段 310a至310i聚集。 表4展示如圖3中舉例說明之具有相關路段之叢集。 叢集 相關路段 1 310a、310b、310c、310d 2 (位於A處） 310a、310b、310c、310d 2 (位於at) 310d、310e、310f 2(位於C處） 310f、310g、310h、310i 3 310f、310g、310h、310i 4 310d、310e、310f 表4 在此例子中，存在三個具有相同名稱（2=D〇ugias Street) 之叢集。然而，因為該等叢集距特定路段在不同距離内， 所以每一叢集為不同的叢集。 在一些貫例中’另外或其他’可藉由將全部距彼此在一 特定距離内的相同或類似之所擷取街名分組來確定叢集。 舉例而言’可聚集距彼此在一相互距離内之所擷取當地識 別符13 0 ’其在一些情況下與距一或多個路段之距離無 關。圖3b展示此叢集之一實例，其具有表示為5之類似的 當地識別符。 此聚集可使用基於密度或基於網格之演算法或其類似 者。可將距彼此在一特定距離或臨限值（或相對於彼此之 空間分布）内的共同或類似之所擷取街名分纽為一叢集。 在一些實例中’接著基於叢集之某一特性距路段之距離 146564.doc -19· 201131526 而使此等叢集與一或多個路段相關聯。舉例而言，在一些 情況下’當叢集之中心點4 0 0在路段之一特定臨限距離内 時’使叢集與路段相關聯。 亦將瞭解’當地識別符13 0之聚集可能不僅僅基於相同 的當地識別符1 3 0 ’而是可聚集類似的識別符13 0。在一些 實例中’在當地識別符130(例如，距一或多個路段，及/或 相對於彼此空間分布等）在一距離内的情況下及在每一識 別符130足夠類似的情況下，形成叢集。 足夠類似之一貫例為，當一特定識別符13 0之文字與另 一識別符130僅有幾個字元不同時。可認為此等識別符在 一相似性臨限值内。使用一相似性臨限值允許即使字母等 並非元全相同仍聚集識別符13 〇 »當一特定標諸標明 Street」，而另一標諸標明「St.」（為簡單起見）時，可發 生此情況。類似地，此可允許聚集全稱在一影像丨〇〇中被 遺漏或遮住之當地識別符1 3 0。 當然’亦可能在聚集之前使當地識別符丨3 〇與路段3丨〇a 至310i相關聯。在此等情況下，有可能將識別符13〇/路段 之關聯轉移至各別叢集。在一些實施例中，接著使該等叢 集與已關聯於該叢集之一識別符之所有路段相關聯。在其 他實施例中，使該等叢集與已關聯於該叢集之一識別符之 路段中之一或多者（例如，大多數當地識別符已關聯於之 路段）相關聯。 表4之顛倒允許每一路段與一或多個叢集相關聯（如表$ 中所示）。 146564.doc •20· 201131526 路段 相關叢集 310a 1、2 (位於A處） 310b 1、2 (位於A處） 310c 1、2 (位於A處） 310d 卜2 (位於A處）、4、2 (位於B處） 310e 4、2 (位於B處） 310f 4、2 (位於B處）、3、2 (位於C處） 31〇g 3、2 (位於C處） 310h 3、2 (位於C處） 310i 3、2 (位於C處） 表5 如可看出，每一路段310a至310i與兩個或兩個以上不同 的所擷取街名相關聯。然而，路段310d與具有同一所擷取 當地識別符130之兩個叢集相關聯。結杲，有可能確定路 段3 1 0d可能具有該等兩個叢集之街名，在此例子中，該街 名為2之共同街名（Douglas Street)。藉由使用相同方法， 有可能確定路段310f可能亦具有2之街名（Douglas Street)。 藉由使用此資訊，有可能排除路段3 1 0d及3 1 Of之其他街 名。表6展示表4之修改版本，其中已分辨出路段310d及 310f。 叢集 相關路段 1 310a、310b、310c， 2 (位於A處） 310a、310b、310c、310d 2 (位於B處） 310d、310e、310f 2 (位於C處） 310f、310g、310h、310i 3 310g、310h、310i 4 310e 表6 因此，顯而易見，可確定路段310e具有與叢集4相關聯 146564.doc -21 · 201131526 之街名（St. peter，s Lane)。表7展示街名至路段之分配之 表0 路段 相關叢 ϊ~~~~一~~一一 310a 2或1 310b 1 或2 s- 310c 1或2 310d 2 -— __ 310e 4 ---- 310f 卜 - 2··~~~--- 31〇g 3或2 ' —~ 310h 2 或3 ---- 31〇i 3 或2 --— * η _ 表7 在此實例中，路段310a至310i在所有情況下均不與一獨 特街名相關聯。儘管如此，若知道網路之延伸部分或具有 一些试採性假設（例如，距特定路段之總距離等卜則有可 能確定每一路段310a至310i之一獨特街名。 在一些實例中，位置資料進—步包含方位資料及/或速 度貧料及/精度資料。方位資料㈣取影像丨⑽之方位（例 如’獲取該影像的方向)有關。速度資料(例如，都葡勒速 度等）與-掏取該影像10()之器件之當前速度有關。此等資 料可提供自來自-慣性導航/感應以統或其類似者 料。精度資料與位置資料之精度有I實例包括精度衰減 資枓（水平衰減資料、垂直衰減資料等）、信號品 料或其類似者。此另外的資料可用以確定一路段 街名。 词将 舉例而言’方位資料可用以確定擷取影像之方位。此資 146564.doc •22- 201131526 枓可與所使用之修改之量測值（例如，為了影像之歪斜校 正而校正的或影像之歪斜校正所需的失真之量卜起用來 確定當地識別符13〇相對於方位之定向。此實際上提供可 表現於一數位地圖上之當地識別符130之一定向。在許多 例子中，^位路牌以使得該等路牌沿著其所關聯於之街道 (亦即，平行於或大體上平行於該街道）而定向。 在此等實施例中，有可能藉由（另外或其他）使用一特定 當地識別符13〇之經確^之^向而使該所棟取#地識別符 130與一或多個路段31〇a至31〇i相關聯。 類似地，以實例說明之，可使用精度資料，以使得在推 導街名時，與具有較佳QM或其類似者之位置資料相關聯 之當地識別符被賦予較大權重。 將容易瞭解，除了一數位地圖之路段（諸如，由探測資 料提供之路段）的街名之外，以上方法亦可用以驗證一數 位地圖之現有街名。在該等實例中，可比較經確定之街名 與現有街名以確認該等街名係準確的，在一些實例中，位 置資料進一步包含時間資料。該時間資料與擷取影像之曰 期及/或時間有關。此資訊可用以確定相關的所擷取當地 識別符是否係最新的。在一經確定之街名不同於_數位地 圖之一現有街名的情況下，若與該經確定之街名相關聯之 時間資料在一特定時間臨限值内，則可僅修改該現有衔 名。 圖4展示確定或驗證一數位地圖之街名的簡化表示。複 數個影像500(每一影像類似於上文所描述之影像）係儲存於 146564.doc •23- 201131526 -影像資料庫51G中。每—影像具有影像資料，其可能 具有或可能不具有一當地識別符及相關位置資料。因此， 可認為儲存於影像資料庫510中之每一影像5〇〇有地理標 籤。 對於每一影像500，有可能確定52〇該影像是否含有一當 地識別符。若影像5〇〇含有一當地識別符，則可修改該影 像（例如，對其進行歪斜校正）以幫助擷取該識別符。當 然’可指頁取該識別符而不進行修改。纟此實例中，在必要 時，在使用光學字元辨識54〇及接著使用智慧字元辨識55〇 以自每一影像500擷取一或多個當地識別符之前，對每一 影像進行歪斜校正5 3 0。 在已擷取一當地識別符之後，接著使該當地識別符與相 應位置資料相關聯且將其儲存於一街名資料庫56〇中。在 ^些實例中，藉由與一影像5〇〇中之一標誌之方向有關的 資料來補充儲存於街名資料庫56〇中之所儲存位置資料。 此可藉由使用555影像之方位資料及/或影像所需之歪斜校 正之量來達成。如將瞭解，此輔助資料可在稍後確定一或 多個路段之名稱時使用。 可接著基於該位置資料而聚集57〇為相同或類似名稱之 每一術名，其聚集方式類似於上文所描述之方式。可將每 一叢集分配580至一數位地圖6〇〇之一或多個路段且因 而，可將街名分配至一或多個路段。 如上文所解釋，在一些實例中，在不知道數位地圖600 之路段的情況下，基於該位置資料而聚集570該等街名。 146564.doc • 24- 201131526 換吕之，可聚集全部距彼此在一特定距離（例如，空間距 綠）内的共同或類似之所掏取當地識別符，以便隨後用來 確定數位地圖600之路段名稱。 儘管已藉由將街名作為當地識別符來舉例說明以上實 例，但將容易瞭解，當地識別符可包含一所在地之其他指 示符，其可與一數位地圖相關聯。舉例而言，考慮圖5&及 圖5b中所示之影像700a&7〇〇b。每一影像7〇〇a、7〇〇b包含 一當地識別符730a、730b，其針對擷取每一影像7〇〇a、 700b之位置為特定的。在圖5a中，影像7〇〇a包含一指示一 興趣點（Pol)之標誌，在圖5b中，該標誌展示一建築物，該 建築物之門上方標明咖啡館。 以類似於上文所描述之方式，可自影像7〇〇a、7〇〇b擷取 此等當地識別符730a ' 730b且使其與位置資料相關聯以供 (例如）一數位地圖800使用。圖5()展示一例示性數位地圖 8 0 0以及a亥專當地識別符7 3 〇 a、7 3 0 b。當然，將瞭解，此 等所擷取當地識別符730a、730b不必同樣用於與路段相關 耳叶’而是按原樣僅與一地圖上之位置相關聯。此外，類似 於上文所描述之當地識別符及位置資料，此等相關的所擷 取當地識別符及位置資料可能不與一數位地圖相關聯，而 是可僅儲存於一資料庫上。 在此情況下，可存取該資料庫以允許使用者查詢一位置 或當地識別符。舉例而言’使用者可請求該資料庫提供距 一位置在一特定距離内的咖_館之一清單。 圖6展示用於自影像ι〇0擷取當地識別符ι3〇之裝置9〇〇之 I46564.doc •25· 201131526 一實施例。裝置900經組態以與— 像⑽之影像儲存器910通信。當狀 冑存一或多個影 …、在—些實施例中，梦 像儲存器910。影像儲存器910可包含-器 - Γ路^於圖2所描述之器件）’或可為-可經由（例如） 網路存取之貧料庫。 ’ 由影像儲存器910儲存的此等影像1〇〇之—也或全部可勺 含當地識別符13〇(例如’街名、地名等)。裝置_包含： 操取器92〇。棟取器似經組態以與影像儲存器川通信以 接收影像之影像資料11G或影像自身，且絲當地識別符 130。在此實例中，擷取器92〇經組態以使用光學字元辨 識。j處，擷取器920經進一步組態以在擷取一當地識別 符之前修改每一影像100(例如，對其進行歪斜校正）。在— 些實施例中，可認為擷取器92〇係一使用文字辨識之影像 掃描器》 裝置900進一步包含—關聯器93〇。關聯器93〇與影像儲 存器910通信且經組態以接收對應於每一影像1〇〇之位置資 料120。關聯器930進一步與擷取器920通信且經組態以： 接收所擷取當地識別符130且使該等當地識別符13〇與相應 位置資料120相關聯《關聯器930經組態以將相關的所掏取 “地識別符13 0及位置資料1 2 0傳達至一資料庫9 4 0以進行 儲存’且允許（例如，供一數位地圖）隨後使用。在—些實 例中，資料庫940由裝置900包含。 將容易瞭解，裝置900可包含以已知方式組態之一處理 益與§己憶體。裝置900可由一特殊應用積體電路、場可程 146564.doc •26- 201131526 式化間陣列、可程式化智慧電腦或其類似者提供。就此而 言，裝置900可包含硬體、韌體及/或軟體。在一些實例 中，裝置900在處於啟用狀態時或在加載有軟體時組態以 提供擷取态920/關聯器930，且視情況提供影像儲存器91〇 及/或資料庫940。 將瞭解，裝置900可具備一諸如一可攜式導航器件之器 件，其具有除了擷取當地識別符13〇之用途之外的另外功 能性。 將瞭解，雖然已描述本發明之各種態樣及實施例，但本 發明之範疇不限於本文令所陳述之特定配置，且實情為， 本發明之範疇擴展為包含屬於隨附申請專利範圍之範疇的 所有配置及對其之修改及更改。 舉例而言，雖然已在GPS之情況下描述了以上實施例， 但應注意’器件/方法可利用任一種位置感測技術作為對 GPS之替代（或實際上，除了Gps之外）來提供位置資料。 舉例而言，器件/方法可利用其他全球導航衛星系統，諸 如歐洲伽利略系統。同樣地，其不限於基於衛星，而是可 易於使用基於地面之信標或其他任一種使器件能夠確定其 地理位置的系統來發揮作用。 本發明之替代實施例可實施為#電腦系統使用之電腦程 式產。σ，该電腦程式產品為（例如）一系列電腦指令，該等 電腦指令儲存於諸如磁片、CD_R〇M、R〇M或固定磁碟之 有形資料記錄媒體上，或體現於電腦資料信號中，該信號 絰由有形媒體或無線媒體（例如，微波或紅外線）發射。該 146564.doc -27· 201131526 系列電腦指令可構成上文所描述之功能性之全部或部分， 且亦可儲存於任何記憶體器件（揮發性或非揮發性的，諸 如，半導體記憶體器件、磁性記憶體器件、光學記憶體器 件或其他記憶體器件）中。 ° -般熟習此項技術者亦將很理解，雖然較佳實施例藉由 軟體實施某-功能性，但該功能性可同樣僅在硬體令（例 如，藉由使用一或多個ASIC(特殊應用積體電路））實施或 實際上藉由硬體與軟體之混合來實施。因巾，本發明之範 脅不應被解釋為僅限於在軟體令實施。 最後，亦應注意，雖然隨附申請專利範圍陳述本文中所 描述之特徵之特定組合，但本發明之範疇並不限於以下所 主張之特定組合，而實情為，本發明之範疇擴展為包含本 文中所揭示之特徵或實施例之任何組合，不管此時是否已 於隨附申請專利範圍中具體列舉該特定組合。將理解，熟 習此項技術者可對所描述之器件及方法之形式及細節作各 種省略及替代及改變。 【圖式簡單說明】 圖1展示一包含一當地識別符之影像之一實例； 圖2展示一包含所擷取當地識別符及位置資料之資料庫 之一實例； 圖3(包含圖3a及圖3b)展示一具有多個路段及所擷取街名 之多個空間疋位之叢集的數位地圖之一部分； 圖4展示確定或驗證一數位地圖之街名的簡化表示； 圖5(包含圖5a、圖51)及圖5c)展示包含當地識別符之另外 146564.doc • 28 · 201131526 的例示性影像；且 圖6展示一用於擷取當地識別符之裝置。 【主要元件符號說明】 1 當地識別符 2 當地識別符 3 當地識別符 4 當地識別符 100 影像 110 影像資料 120 位置資料 130 當地識別符 140 路牌 200 資料庫 210a 第一器件 210b 第二器件 215a 網路 300 數位地圖 3 10a 路段 310b 路段 310c 路段 310d 路段 310e 路段 310f 路段 31〇g 路段 146564.doc -29- 201131526In the direction in which the image 100 is captured, the representation of the local identifier 130 has been skewed relative to the street sign 140. Although the local identifier 13 is shown as being substantially represented on the image 100, this is merely illustrative. Here, the identifier 130 can be retrieved from the image 100. In this example, the identifier 130 can be retrieved by using pattern recognition. This pattern recognition can be used for the reconstructed image 100 or for the image material 110 itself. Exemplary pattern recognition includes: optical character recognition, smart character or word recognition, or the like. In some instances, the identifier 130 can be retrieved by knowing or estimating the location or region of the captured image. For example, if it is determined or known that the image 100 is captured in Munich, Germany rather than in Boston, the image can be found by looking for the font and/or shape of the text used for the logo of Munich. The logo and/or shape of the logo used by the Boston logo is related to I46564.doc J4 201131526 to obtain the local identifier 13 〇. After a local identifier of 13 〇 has been taken from the image 1 (ie, 'reconstructed image 丨〇〇, or image data 110), the local identifier 13 〇 can be subsequently associated with the corresponding location data 12 0 Union. Table 2 shows an exemplary association between the local identifier 130 and the location data 12〇. Local identifier Bothwell Street Location data 55.853015, -4.226172 Table 2 In this manner, one or more local identifiers retrieved can be associated with corresponding location data 丨20 from one or more images 100. As will be described, this may allow the retrieved local identifier to be associated with one or more road segments of a digital map. It will be easy to understand 'when the image contains multiple local identifiers, the same method can be applied. In this case, each local identifier can be associated with the same location material 120. Similarly, it will be appreciated that in some instances, image 100 or image data is modified in some manner to aid in capturing local identifiers. For example, in some cases, the image 1〇〇 is de-skewed to remove the skew effect of the text of the mark before the local identifier 13 is retrieved. In other instances, brightness and/or contrast, etc. may be modified to aid in capturing the local identifier 130. In some instances, the image can be modified to remove distortion. Now consider the database as shown in Figure 2. The database 2 can be provided by a processor and memory configured in a known manner. By way of example, the database 200 is believed to be in communication with a first device 21a via a network 2i5a (such as the Internet) 146564.doc 201131526. The database 200 is also in communication with a second device 210b via a wireless network, such as a cellular network. In this example, the first device 210a is a personal computer. The first device 210a is configured to retrieve the local identifier 130 from the image 100 and associate the captured local identifiers 130 with corresponding location data 120 for each image 100. The image 100 stored by the first device 2 1 0a may have been received from a camera, video device or the like. The first device 210a is configured to communicate the retrieved local identifier 130 and associated location data 120 to the repository 200. The second device 21 Ob is a portable media device such as a cellular phone, a portable navigation device or the like. The second device 210b includes image capture functionality (such as a camera) and a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The second device 210b is configured to communicate a captured image 100 to the database 200 with corresponding location data 120 received from the GPS receiver. The repository 200 that has received the image 100 from the second device 21 Ob is in turn configured to retrieve the local identifier 130 and associate the retrieved local identifier 130 with the corresponding location profile 120. In each case, the repository 200 is configured to store the retrieved local identifiers 130 and corresponding location profiles 120. Table 3 shows an example of information stored by the repository 200. Local location information about the location of the local identifier is found. Bothwell Street 55.853015,-4.226172 St. Peter's Lane 55.804111,-4.226203 Douglas Street 55.797223, -4.225008 Waterloo Street 55.784219, -4.225145 Table 3 In this example, the database 200 is accessible for Used by users or other devices. As will be described, in some examples, the repository 200 is accessible for use with the 146564.doc •16·201131526 digital map. It will be appreciated that the database 200 can be comprised by additional devices, and that the additional devices can have additional functionality. Of course, those skilled in the art will fully appreciate that in the above example, both devices 210a, 210b can be configured to retrieve the local identifier 13 from the image 100 and to retrieve the local identifier 130 local and location data. 120 associated. In other words, each device 210a ' 21 Ob can be configured to associate the local identifier 130 retrieved from the image 1 with the corresponding location profile 120 and then retrieve the local identification associated with the corresponding location profile 120. The symbol 130 is communicated to the database 2〇〇. Alternatively, both devices may not be configured to retrieve local identifiers and/or associate the local identifiers with the corresponding location data. In such cases, the database 2〇〇 can be configured to retrieve and/or correlate relevant information. Although two devices 210a, 21b are shown, it will be appreciated that this is merely illustrative. In some cases, a plurality of devices 21〇a, 21〇b may be used. Alternatively, or additionally, image data may be provided from another database (such as an existing database containing geo-tagged images 100) and location data 120. This additional database may have a database other than the database. Provides the use of geo-tagged images other than 100. Figure 3a shows an exemplary portion of a digital map. Map 3 contains a plurality of sections 3l〇a to 310i. Each road segment 31〇a to 31〇i represents a road or street, or the like. In this example, sections 3 10a through 3 10i are derived from the probe data. The probe data is material accumulated from one of the one or more vehicles or the receiver (such as a GPS receiver). An example of where a detectable = bedding material is available from a Gps receiver suitable for a long fleet of vehicles 146564.doc 17 201131526. In such cases, the probe data is cumulative data obtained from some or all of the team's means of transport. Since the probe data contains information about the location of the vehicle, it is possible to generate a digital map of possible roads, streets, and the like. The more information collected, the greater the chance that a road segment will be mapped to all streets or roads in a particular area. Of course, the digital maps generated by these do not have a title or other local information. As will be described, by using the database 2 described above, it is possible to provide the street name of the digital map 300. Figure 3a also shows a plurality of retrieved local identifiers 130 that have been retrieved from image 100. A common or similar local identifier 130 is represented by a common number. For the sake of simplicity, these local identifiers have been represented as 丄, 2, 3, and 4. In this case, 1, 2, 3, and 4 all represent the title (for example, l=Bothwell Street > 2=Douglas Street > 3=Waterloo Street * 4 = St. Peter's Lane). Each of the local identifiers 130 is displayed as being spatially located on the digital map 3 0 根据 according to the corresponding location data 12 0 . As can be seen, the local identifier 130 is often located at the intersection between the road segments. Street signs are often found in these locations. The digital map 300 shown in Figure 3a shows three such intersections, which are designated A, B, and C. The retrieved local identifier 130 can be associated with one or more of the road segments 31a through 310i based on the respective location data 12 from one of the one or more road segments 310a through 310i. 146564.doc -18- 201131526 The distance 350 used in this example is predetermined. It can be considered that the distance of 3 5 0 is a threshold distance. In this regard, the retrieved local identifiers 130 having the same or similar local identifiers can be considered to be aggregated by one or more of the road segments 310a through 310i. Table 4 shows a cluster with associated road segments as illustrated in Figure 3. Cluster related sections 1 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d 2 (located at A) 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d 2 (at at) 310d, 310e, 310f 2 (located at C) 310f, 310g, 310h, 310i 3 310f, 310g, 310h, 310i 4 310d, 310e, 310f Table 4 In this example, there are three clusters with the same name (2=D〇ugias Street). However, because the clusters are within different distances from a particular road segment, each cluster is a different cluster. In some instances, 'additional or other' may determine clustering by grouping all of the same or similar captured street names within a particular distance from each other. For example, the local identifiers 13 0 ' can be gathered from each other within a mutual distance, which in some cases is independent of the distance from one or more road segments. Figure 3b shows an example of this cluster with a similar local identifier denoted as 5. This aggregation can use a density based or grid based algorithm or the like. A common or similar captured street name within a certain distance or threshold (or spatial distribution relative to each other) can be grouped into a cluster. In some instances, these clusters are then associated with one or more road segments based on the distance of a certain characteristic of the cluster from the road segment 146564.doc -19·201131526. For example, in some cases 'when the center point of the cluster 400 is within a certain threshold distance of the road segment', the cluster is associated with the road segment. It will also be appreciated that the aggregation of 'local identifiers 130 may be based not only on the same local identifier 1 3 0 ' but may aggregate similar identifiers 13 0 . In some instances, where the local identifier 130 (eg, one or more road segments, and/or spatial distribution relative to each other, etc.) is within a distance and each identifier 130 is sufficiently similar, Form a cluster. A sufficiently similar example is when the text of a particular identifier 130 is different from the other identifier 130 by only a few characters. These identifiers can be considered to be within a similarity threshold. The use of a similarity threshold allows aggregation of identifiers 13 〇» when a particular label is marked "Street" and another label "St." (for simplicity), even if the letters, etc. are not all identical. This happens. Similarly, this may allow the aggregation of the local identifier 1 3 0 that is completely omitted or obscured in an image frame. Of course, it is also possible to associate the local identifier 丨3 〇 with the road segments 3丨〇a to 310i before gathering. In such cases, it is possible to transfer the association of the identifier 13〇/road segment to the respective cluster. In some embodiments, the clusters are then associated with all of the road segments that have been associated with one of the cluster identifiers. In other embodiments, the clusters are associated with one or more of the links that have been associated with one of the cluster identifiers (e.g., most of the local identifiers have been associated with). The reversal of Table 4 allows each segment to be associated with one or more clusters (as shown in Table $). 146564.doc •20· 201131526 Link-related clusters 310a 1, 2 (located at A) 310b 1, 2 (at A) 310c 1, 2 (at A) 310d Bu 2 (at A), 4, 2 ( Located at B) 310e 4, 2 (located at B) 310f 4, 2 (located at B), 3, 2 (located at C) 31〇g 3, 2 (located at C) 310h 3, 2 (located at C 310i 3, 2 (located at C) Table 5 As can be seen, each road segment 310a to 310i is associated with two or more different captured street names. However, the road segment 310d is associated with two clusters having the same captured local identifier 130. In conclusion, it is possible to determine that the road section 310 may have the street name of the two clusters. In this example, the street is named 2 Common Street Name (Douglas Street). By using the same method, it is possible to determine that the road segment 310f may also have a street name of 2 (Douglas Street). By using this information, it is possible to exclude other street names for sections 3 1 0d and 3 1 Of. Table 6 shows a modified version of Table 4 in which the road segments 310d and 310f have been resolved. Cluster related sections 1 310a, 310b, 310c, 2 (located at A) 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d 2 (located at B) 310d, 310e, 310f 2 (located at C) 310f, 310g, 310h, 310i 3 310g, 310h, 310i 4 310e Table 6 Thus, it is apparent that the road segment 310e has a street name (St. peter, s Lane) associated with cluster 4 146564.doc -21 · 201131526. Table 7 shows the distribution of street names to road sections. The relevant sections of the road sections are ~~~~~~~ one 310a 2 or 1 310b 1 or 2 s- 310c 1 or 2 310d 2 -_ __ 310e 4 ---- 310f 卜 - 2··~~~--- 31〇g 3 or 2 '-~ 310h 2 or 3 ---- 31〇i 3 or 2 --- * η _ Table 7 In this example, the road segment 310a To 310i is not associated with a unique street name in all cases. Nonetheless, if you know the extension of the network or have some testability assumptions (for example, the total distance from a particular road segment, etc.) it is possible to determine a unique street name for each of the road segments 310a to 310i. In some instances, the location The data entry step includes the azimuth data and/or the velocity poor material and/or precision data. The orientation data (4) is related to the orientation of the image 丨 (10) (for example, 'the direction in which the image is acquired). The velocity data (for example, the Düsseller speed, etc.) and - It is related to the current speed of the device of the image 10(). Such data can be supplied from the inertial navigation/induction system or the like. The accuracy of the accuracy data and the position data has an example of accuracy including attenuation accuracy ( Horizontal attenuation data, vertical attenuation data, etc., signal material or the like. This additional data can be used to determine the street name of a road segment. The word will be used as an example to determine the orientation of the captured image. .doc •22- 201131526 修改The amount of distortion that can be used with the modified measurement used (for example, the distortion required for the skew correction of the image or the skew correction of the image) Used to determine the orientation of the local identifier 13 〇 relative to the orientation. This actually provides an orientation that can be represented on one of the local identifiers 130 on a digital map. In many instances, the street signs are such that the street signs follow Oriented to the street to which it is associated (i.e., parallel or substantially parallel to the street). In such embodiments, it is possible to use (in addition or otherwise) a particular local identifier 13 The location identifier 130 is associated with one or more road segments 31〇a to 31〇i. Similarly, by way of example, precision data may be used to cause the street name to be derived. The local identifier associated with the location data of the preferred QM or the like is given a greater weight. It will be readily appreciated that in addition to the street name of the road segment of a digital map (such as the road segment provided by the probe data) The above method can also be used to verify the existing street name of a digital map. In these examples, the determined street name and the existing street name can be compared to confirm that the street names are accurate. In some instances, the location data is further entered. The step includes time data. The time data is related to the period and/or time of capturing the image. This information can be used to determine whether the relevant local identifier is the latest one. The determined street name is different from the _ digital map. In the case of one of the existing street names, if the time data associated with the determined street name is within a certain time threshold, then only the existing title may be modified. Figure 4 shows the determination or verification of a digital map. A simplified representation of the street name. A plurality of images 500 (each image similar to the image described above) are stored in 146564.doc • 23-201131526 - Image Library 51G. Each image has image data, which may have Or it may not have a local identifier and related location data. Therefore, each image stored in the image database 510 can be considered to have a geographical label. For each image 500, it is possible to determine 52 if the image contains a local identifier. If image 5 contains a local identifier, the image can be modified (e.g., skewed) to help capture the identifier. Of course, it can be referred to as the page without the modification. In this example, if necessary, skew correction is performed for each image before using optical character recognition 54 and then using smart character recognition 55 to extract one or more local identifiers from each image 500. 5 3 0. After a local identifier has been retrieved, the local identifier is then associated with the corresponding location profile and stored in a street name database 56〇. In some examples, the stored location data stored in the street name database 56 is supplemented by information relating to the direction of one of the images. This can be achieved by using the orientation data of the 555 image and/or the amount of skew correction required for the image. As will be appreciated, this ancillary material can be used when determining the name of one or more road segments later. Each of the names of the same or similar names can then be aggregated based on the location data in a manner similar to that described above. Each cluster can be assigned 580 to one or more of the digital maps 6且 and thus the street name can be assigned to one or more road segments. As explained above, in some instances, the street names are aggregated 570 based on the location data without knowing the road segments of the digital map 600. 146564.doc • 24- 201131526 In addition, it is possible to gather all or a similar local identifier that is within a certain distance from each other (for example, space from green) for subsequent use to determine the location of the digital map 600. name. Although the above example has been exemplified by using the street name as a local identifier, it will be readily appreciated that the local identifier can include other indicators of a location that can be associated with a digital map. For example, consider the images 700a & 7〇〇b shown in Figures 5 & and Figure 5b. Each of the images 7a, 7b contains a local identifier 730a, 730b that is specific for capturing the position of each of the images 7a, 700b. In Fig. 5a, image 7〇〇a contains a sign indicating a point of interest (Pol), and in Fig. 5b, the sign shows a building with a cafe marked above the door of the building. In a manner similar to that described above, the local identifiers 730a' 730b can be retrieved from the images 7a, 7〇〇b and associated with the location data for use, for example, by a digital map 800. . Fig. 5() shows an exemplary digital map 8000 and a hai special identifier 7 3 〇 a, 7 3 0 b. Of course, it will be appreciated that the retrieved local identifiers 730a, 730b need not be equally used for the ear segments associated with the road segments, but are only associated with the locations on a map as they are. In addition, similar to the local identifiers and location data described above, such related local identifiers and location data may not be associated with a digital map, but may be stored only on a database. In this case, the database can be accessed to allow the user to query a location or local identifier. For example, a user may request that the database provide a list of cafes within a certain distance from a location. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a device for extracting a local identifier ι3 from an image I I 465 I46564.doc • 25· 201131526. Device 900 is configured to communicate with image storage 910 of image (10). When one or more images are stored, in some embodiments, the dream storage 910. Image storage 910 may comprise a device described in FIG. 2 or may be a poor library accessible via, for example, a network. The images stored by the image storage 910 may or may not be localized with a local identifier 13 (e.g., 'street name, place name, etc.'). Device_ contains: Operator 92〇. The fascia is configured to communicate with the image storage device to receive the image data 11G of the image or the image itself, and the local identifier 130. In this example, the skimmer 92 is configured to use optical character recognition. At j, the skimmer 920 is further configured to modify each image 100 (e.g., skew correction thereof) prior to capturing a local identifier. In some embodiments, the picker 92 can be considered to be a text-aware image scanner device 900 further comprising a correlator 93A. Correlator 93A is in communication with image storage 910 and is configured to receive location information 120 corresponding to each image. The correlator 930 is further in communication with the skimmer 920 and is configured to: receive the retrieved local identifier 130 and associate the local identifiers 13〇 with the respective location profile 120. The correlator 930 is configured to correlate The retrieved "ground identifier 130 and location data 1 2 0 are communicated to a database 940 for storage" and allowed (eg, for a digital map) to be subsequently used. In some instances, database 940 Included by apparatus 900. It will be readily appreciated that apparatus 900 can include one of the configurations in a known manner for processing benefits and suffixes. Device 900 can be implemented by a special application integrated circuit, field programmable 146564.doc • 26-201131526 In this regard, device 900 can include hardware, firmware, and/or software. In some examples, device 900 is in an enabled state or loaded with software. The configuration is to provide the capture state 920/correlator 930, and optionally the image storage 91 and/or the database 940. It will be appreciated that the device 900 can be provided with a device such as a portable navigation device having In addition to drawing local Additional Functionality Beyond the Uses of the Inventions It will be appreciated that while various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration set forth herein, and the present invention The scope of the invention is extended to include all configurations and modifications and variations thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, although the above embodiments have been described in the context of GPS, it should be noted that 'devices/methods are available Any position sensing technique provides an alternative to GPS (or indeed, in addition to Gps) to provide location data. For example, the device/method may utilize other global navigation satellite systems, such as the European Galileo system. It is not limited to satellite-based, but can be easily implemented using a ground-based beacon or any other system that enables the device to determine its geographic location. An alternative embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program for use with a computer system. σ, the computer program product is, for example, a series of computer instructions stored in, for example, a magnetic disk, CD_R〇M, R〇M or fixed disk tangible data recording medium, or embodied in computer data signals, which are transmitted by tangible media or wireless media (for example, microwave or infrared). The 146564.doc -27· 201131526 series computer The instructions may constitute all or part of the functionality described above, and may also be stored in any memory device (volatile or non-volatile, such as a semiconductor memory device, a magnetic memory device, an optical memory device, or Other memory devices are also well understood by those skilled in the art. Although the preferred embodiment implements a certain functionality by software, the functionality can be similarly only in hardware (for example, by It is implemented using one or more ASICs (Special Application Integrated Circuits)) or is actually implemented by a mixture of hardware and software. The scope of the invention should not be construed as being limited to software implementations. Finally, it should be noted that although the appended claims form a specific combination of the features described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific combinations set forth below, but the scope of the invention is extended to include Any combination of features or embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not the specific combination has been specifically recited in the accompanying claims. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art can omit, substitute, and modify the form and details of the described devices and methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an example of an image including a local identifier; FIG. 2 shows an example of a database containing local identifiers and location data; FIG. 3 (including FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b) showing a portion of a digital map of a cluster having a plurality of road segments and a plurality of spatial units of the captured street name; Figure 4 shows a simplified representation of the street name for determining or verifying a digital map; Figure 5 (including Figure 5a) Figure 51) and Figure 5c) show an exemplary image of another 146564.doc • 28 · 201131526 containing the local identifier; and Figure 6 shows a device for capturing the local identifier. [Main component symbol description] 1 Local identifier 2 Local identifier 3 Local identifier 4 Local identifier 100 Image 110 Image data 120 Location data 130 Local identifier 140 Street card 200 Library 210a First device 210b Second device 215a Network 300 Digital Map 3 10a Section 310b Section 310c Section 310d Section 310e Section 310f Section 31〇g Section 146564.doc -29- 201131526
310h 310i 350 400 500 510 560 600 700a 700b 730a 730b 800 900 910 920 930 940 A B C 路段 路段 距離 中心點 影像 影像資料庫 街名資料庫 數位地圖 影像 影像 當地識別符 當地識別符 數位地圖 用於自影像提取當地識別符之裝置 影像儲存器 提取器 關聯器 資料庫 交叉口 交叉口 交叉口 146564.doc -30-310h 310i 350 400 500 510 560 600 700a 700b 730a 730b 800 900 910 920 930 940 ABC Road segment distance from the center point image database database street name database digital map image image local identifier local identifier digital map for image extraction local Identifier device image storage extractor correlator database intersection intersection intersection 146564.doc -30-