as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2011/0074811 Al
`
` Hansonetal. (43) Pub. Date: Mar. 31, 2011
`
`
`US 20110074811A1
`
`(54) MAP LAYOUT FOR PRINT PRODUCTION
`
`(52) US. CD. ccc cneeeeeseeeeereeeeeeeees 345/629; 715/810
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`(73) Assignee:
`:
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22)
`Filed:
`:
`
`Eric Hanson, Emeryville, CA (US);
`Nikhil Bhatt, Cupertino, CA (US)
`AppleInc.
`121567,475
`Sep. 25, 2009
`.
`25,
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G09G 5/00
`GO6F 3/048
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A computing device includes a memory configured to store
`digital images. The computing device also includesa proces-
`sor configured to execute instructions to perform a method
`that includes receiving a collectionof digital images in which
`one or more ofthe digital images has an associated location.
`The method also includes displaying a digital map that is
`defined by a geographic area that includes the associated
`locations of the digital images. The method further includes
`annotating the digital map to include one or moreidentifiers.
`One or more of the identifiers represents a group of the asso-
`ciated locations as determined from a scale associated with
`the digital map.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`SAMSUNG 1021
`
`SAMSUNG 1021
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 31,2011 Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`FIG.1
`
`104
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar.31, 2011 Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`éOld
`
`dey
`
`JEonpold
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 31,2011 Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
` TriptoParis,France(2009)
`300
`
`
`
`oo FIG.3
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar.31, 2011 Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
` aTs
`
`AGN
`
`5
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar.31, 2011 Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`oodoveseta-
`
`90mass
`
`
`
`
`
`eae]uolBayaaoyy
`
`SMODENSHguMKaLaphisuy4SoEduIOS
`MOUSAyxayUdayMOYsA1X8]JE)aoMaysASB)YS
`
`
`
`
`
`apssupysbuey3
`
`aorlgGuyeroxwnaey
`
`Sal]MOYs.
`
`SE3EhdUOthyJ2qUaD
`
`Pouec
`
`G‘SIs
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar.31, 2011 Sheet6 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`c09
`
`syuoptetse1.
`
`
`
`wodwy357]se
`
`pasér(aid
`
`ysealBSuyupgBe
`
`‘Mopruueguy4
`
`AULLPoe
`
`0¢9
`
`LNIDIS& 009
`
`sartigSe
`
`SuUOWZT3507
`
`
`
`wodws1587FE
`
`UNID33&
`
`passesach
`
`Sunuuga,
`
`ysearFY
`
`SRUVHSa
`
`
`
`ci9_,8098b9
`
`blg
`
`9Sls
`
`7
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar.31, 2011 Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`002c
`
`
`
`Z0dsoBbeulyeyBipJouooayjoo&aAla09ay
`
`
`
`
`
`UOIEWWOJUIUOHeOO]peyeloossepue
`
`
`
`POLeoyejeoiudeiBoobejodewjeybipeAejdsiq
`
`
`
`
`
`SUOIJEDO]payeloosseoy}Sepnyjou!yeu}
`
`
`
`sloyuap!epnjoulo}dewjeybipau}ayeyouuySIOWJOQUO‘SUOITEdO]BBE!payeloosseau}Jo902
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`suoijedg]JodnoibeJuasaidalsialijuap!
`
`Z°Ols
`
`8
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 31,2011 Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`\
`
`N
`
`FIG.8
`
`850
`
` Input/Output fn
`
`
`
`20 Input/Output
`
`
`StorageDevice
`
`
`ULIILLLLLSPLEPPILLESULELLE
`SS
`co
`
`Processor
`
`DHOHGQHHHPNHS
`
`9
`
`

`

`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`MAP LAYOUT FOR PRINT PRODUCTION
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] The disclosurerelated to a system for preparing and
`adjusting digital maps for laying out print products (e.g.,
`books) for documenting e.g., travels and captured images.
`[0002]
`In the ever expandingfields of personal computing
`andelectronic devices, more and morefeatures and function-
`ality are being incorporated into portable devices. For
`example, cellular telephones and personal digital assistants
`(PDAs) may include cameras (for gathering images and
`video) whilestill providing traditional capabilities (e.g., tele-
`communications, storing personal information such as calen-
`dars, etc.). Due to their robust processing and computational
`resources, such devices may collect a significant amount of
`digital imagery (e.g., digital photographs and video). Along
`with storing such digital information, organizing and present-
`ing the imagery can be a challenge.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0003] Disclosed herein are systems and methodsfor pre-
`paring digital maps that indicate the locations associated with
`digital images. Locations may be associated with images
`based on various reasons, for example, a location may be
`where an associated image was captured. Position informa-
`tion (e.g., global position system (GPS) information) may
`also usedto associate images and locations. By using location
`information associated with the images, interactions with a
`user, or other techniques, digital maps may be produced that
`identify each image associated location. Further, using data
`that is substantially resolution independent, the maps may be
`scaled to appropriately resolve each location. Oncefinalized
`by the user, the digital maps and the corresponding digital
`images may be prepared for printed productions or other
`types of layouts.
`[0004]
`Insome implementations, a method includesreceiv-
`ing a collection of digital images in which one or more ofthe
`digital images has an associated location. The method also
`includes displaying a digital map that is defined by a geo-
`graphic area that includes the associated locations of the
`digital images. The method further includes annotating the
`digital map to include oneor moreidentifiers. One or more of
`the identifiers represents a group of the associated locations
`as determined from a scale associated with the digital map.
`[0005]
`In other
`implementations, a computing device
`includes a memory configured to store digital images. The
`computing device also includes a processor configured to
`execute instructions to perform a methodthat includesreceiv-
`ing a collection of digital images in which one or more ofthe
`digital images has an associated location. The method also
`includes displaying a digital map that is defined by a geo-
`graphic area that includes the associated locations of the
`digital images. The method further includes annotating the
`digital map to include oneor moreidentifiers. One or more of
`the identifiers represents a group of the associated locations
`as determined from a scale associated with the digital map.
`[0006]
`In other implementations, one or more computer
`readable media store instructions that are executable by a
`processing device, and upon such execution cause the pro-
`cessing device to perform operations that include receiving a
`collection of digital images, wherein one or more of the
`digital images has an associated location. Execution of the
`instructions also cause the processing device to perform
`
`operationsthatinclude displaying a digital mapthatis defined
`by a geographic area that includes the associated locations of
`the one or more digital images. Execution of the instructions
`also cause the processing device to perform operations that
`include annotating the digital map to include one or more
`identifiers, wherein at least one ofthe identifiers represents a
`group ofthe associated locations as determined from a scale
`associated with the digital map.
`[0007] These and other aspects and features and various
`combinations of them may be expressed as methods, appara-
`tus, systems, meansfor performing functions, program prod-
`ucts, and in other ways.
`[0008] Other features and advantageswill be apparent from
`the description.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a series of images associated with
`[0009]
`a traveled path.
`[0010]
`FIG. 2 illustrates a system for producing a digital
`map associated with images.
`[0011]
`FIG. 3 illustrates a modifiable digital map associ-
`ated with images.
`[0012]
`FIG.4 illustrates scaling a digital map.
`[0013]
`FIGS. 5 and6 illustrate graphical user interfaces.
`[0014]
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart that represents operations of a
`map producer.
`[0015]
`FIG. 8 represents a computer system and related
`components.
`[0016] Like reference symbols in the various drawings
`indicate like elements.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, an illustration 100 shows a
`series of exemplary scenes that may be experienced by an
`individual while traveling along a path. By carrying a portable
`computing device such as a digital camera, a cellular tele-
`phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other similar
`device capable of collecting image, digital photographs or
`other types ofdigital images may be captured while progress-
`ing along the path. Along with the captured images, other
`types of information maycollected such as time and position
`information. For example, global positioning system (GPS)
`technology, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) or other types of wire-
`less technology may be used in conjunction with the portable
`computing device to track the movementofthe individual. In
`one arrangement, a cell phone 102 incorporates a GPS
`receiver and computational
`resources
`(e.g., processor,
`memory, etc.) for processing and storing coordinates(e.g.,
`latitude and longitude coordinates) that represent that global
`position of the portable mobile device. As such, data is col-
`lected and preserved on the portable mobile device that rep-
`resents the location of the device as each image is captured.
`Similarly, an internal clock or a received timing signal(e.g.,
`satellite based) may be used to provide the time anddate that
`each image was captured. In some arrangements, such time
`and position data is embedded into the appropriate digital
`imagefor later retrieval and use. For example, such time and
`position information may be represented with metadata, or
`other type of information structure, which is associated with
`each captured image. While position information may be
`associated with a digital image based uponthe capture loca-
`tion of the image, other situations may create an association
`between position information and a digital
`image. For
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`the images were captured and the path traveled. For such
`example, position information may be assignedto a digital
`situations, the individual may be unable to fully explain (to
`image(e.g., by user interactions with a computing device) at
`another) the path traveled or even be unable to retrace the
`a time after the image was captured. A software application
`traveled path(e.g., for returningto the starting point) since the
`may be used to produce and assign position information to
`collected images may beoflittle or no help. However, by
`images. In some instances the position information associ-
`using the associated position, time and date information (that
`ated with a digital image maynotreflect the precise capture
`correspond to each image), the captured images and locations
`location ofan image but mayrepresent the general area where
`visited can be correlated. Further, by combining the images,
`the image wascaptured. Similarly, other information such as
`
`time and date maybe associated with a digital image after the the position and time information, andadigital representation
`image has been captured(e.g., by a software application).
`of a map, a graphical presentation may be produced that
`allows the locations of the images to be quickly identified
`[0018]
`In this particular illustration, the individual carrying
`along with the traveled path. Further, the combined informa-
`cell phone 102 progresses along path 104 and captures
`tion may be presented in various forms and mediums, for
`images (with an incorporated camera) at various points of
`example, a graphical representation of the map andthe iden-
`interest. While this example describes individual
`images
`tified image locations may be presented on a computer dis-
`(e.g., photographs) being collected, other types of imagery
`play. In another example, the information may be incorpo-
`(e.g., video) mayalso be collected with cell phone 102. In this
`rated into various print products (e.g., hard or soft bound
`example, the individual is located in Paris, France and path
`books) that may be purchased by the individual whoorigi-
`104 passesthe individual through a series of landmarks such
`nally captured the images.
`as the Jardins Des Tuileries gardens (represented by flowers
`106), which may provide various rural scenes of the local
`[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, a computer system is presented
`nature. Stopping along the way, images of the garden may be
`for processing the captured images and associated informa-
`collected using the camera functionality of cell phone 102.
`tion to generate print product layouts. One or more techniques
`Along with collecting the images, additional information
`maybe used to provide captured images 112 to a computer
`may becollected. For example, many portable computing
`system 200 (e.g., a server). For example, hard-wire connec-
`devices like cell phone 102 include an internal clock that
`tions(e.g., USB) or wireless connections with cell phone 102
`provides the time (and date) at each instance an image is
`may be implementedto transferthe data (e.g., image content,
`captured. As such, data representing the time (e.g., month,
`position data, time and date stamps, etc.). Various networking
`day, hour, minute, second) that the imageis capturedis also
`techniques and systems mayalso be usedfor data transfer. For
`collected and grouped with the imagedata (e.g., inserted into
`example, captured images 112 may be directly uploaded to
`metadata). Other types of collected data may include param-
`computer system 200 from another computing device (e.g.,
`eters associated with the cell phone (e.g., serial and model
`the individual’s personal computer, cell phone 102, etc.) or by
`number), collection parameters (e.g., image resolution) and
`way of one or more networks(e.g., local area networks, wide
`other similar information.
`are networks, the Internet, etc.). Once provided, computer
`system 200 may store the transferred data at one or more
`storage devices such as storage device 202 (e.g., memory, a
`hard drive, CD-ROM,etc.).
`[0022]
`To produce a graphical representation such as a
`digital map, computer system 200 also accesses data that
`represents locations that may be included in a map. In this
`arrangement, map data 204 is stored in storage device 202,
`which mayalso store the received images(e.g., images 112)
`along with position and time information. However, in some
`arrangements this information may distributed among mul-
`tiple storage devices or preserved by other data storing tech-
`niques(e.g., storing the informationat other locations via one
`or more networks).
`[0023]
`In this arrangement, map data 204 allows graphical
`map representations to be producedthat are resolution inde-
`pendent. For example, global maps (e.g., maps that include
`representations of multiple countries) and national maps
`(e.g., maps that include regionsof a nation) may be produced.
`Continuing down in scale, maps mayalso be producedat the
`state, county and city level. Scaling even further down,street
`level and neighborhood maps could be producedthat resolve
`individualproperties (e.g., building, homes, businesses, etc.).
`One or more techniques may be implemented to produce
`mapsofsuchrelatively large and small scales. For example,
`map data 204 mayrepresent a collection of polygons that
`represent the shapes of each feature on the planet. Such a
`collection may include hundreds of thousands or even mil-
`lions of polygons to represent the individual shapes. Used
`individually or in combination, the polygons can produce
`large scale shapes (e.g., the geographical shape of France)
`and represent small features (e.g., small islands, river bends,
`
`Asthe individual continuesto travel(and carry cell
`[0019]
`phone 102), position data is collected along with additional
`images captured. For example, at approximately the midpoint
`of the traveled path 104, the individual may pass by another
`landmark such as the Arc De Triomphe 108. Similarly, the
`individual may pause and capture one or more imagesofthis
`Paris landmark along with collecting time andposition infor-
`mation. Continuing on, the individual may concludethe trip
`by stopping at another landmark, the location of the Eiffel
`Tower 110 (in this particular example). Similar to the other
`locations visited, images may be captured of this landmark
`along with related information (e.g., position of the capture
`location, day and time when image capture occurred). As
`mentioned, this associated information (e.g., location infor-
`mation, day and time, etc.) may be assigned to the digital
`imagesat a later time.
`[0020]
`In this arrangement, at the conclusionofthetravel,
`significant amounts of information may bestored in cell
`phone 102. For example, along with captured images 112,
`associated location information, and day and time stamps
`mayalso be stored in memory onboard cell phone 102. As
`such, information mayreside on cell phone 102 that repre-
`sents sights experienced along the traveled path 104 and
`information that represents the location ofthe sights. Often to
`review the events of a trip, an individual cycles through the
`captured imagesandpossibly adjusts the image sequence to
`correlate with the order that sights were visited. However, by
`capturing a significant number of images andtraveling in a
`somewhat meandering manner, the correlation between the
`path traveled and the captured images can become confused.
`Assuch,the individual may be unable recall the sequence that
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`lakes, etc.). Since polygonsare used to represent the shapes,
`various mathematical operations may be executed for scaling
`and combining the polygonsto produce a map of appropriate
`resolution.
`
`information associated with the images 112. The location of
`graphical pin 210 mayalso be provided from user interac-
`tions. For example, through a GUI, a user may haveselected
`the general location of Paris, France by translating across a
`representation ofa digital map ofthe globe and by using zoom
`To process the information associated with the
`[0024]
`in and out capabilities provided by map producer 206.
`images 112 (e.g., image content, associated position informa-
`[0027] Once associated with digital map 208 (as repre-
`tion and time, etc.) and map data 204, computer system 200
`sented by graphical pin 210), the images and the position data
`executes a map producer 206. Along with one or more soft-
`may be incorporated into one or more graphical representa-
`ware components(e.g., functions, processes, etc.), hardware
`tion that implement various types of medium. For example,
`components (e.g., circuitry, processors, etc.) may be used
`map producer 206 mayrepresent the images and information
`individually or in concert with the software to provide the
`in a project 212 that catalogs other travels of the user. In one
`functionality of map producer 206. Various operations may
`arrangement, project 212 may contain information associated
`be executed for map production, for example, map producer
`with various global or Europeantravels ofthe user anddigital
`206 may access information associated with the captured
`map 208 and images 112 maybe inserted as one chapter(e.g.,
`images(e.g., position and time) to determine the associated
`“A trip to Paris, France’) in the project. Project 212 may
`location with respect to the map data 204. Operations may
`provide manyuses for the stored images and information, for
`also be executed on map data 204, for example, map producer
`example, the material may be viewed, edited and used to
`206 may accordingly select the polygons neededto present
`produceprint products. For example, bound books(e.g., hard
`the locations associated with images 112. By selecting only
`bound, soft bound, wire bound, etc.) books may be produced
`the polygons neededto represent the locations of the images,
`from the information included in project 212. Other types of
`map producer 206 filters unneeded polygons and thereby
`operations that use project 212 mayalso be executed by map
`conserves computations resources (e.g., processing time and
`producer 206, for example, the content of the project may be
`memory space) ofcomputer system 200. Further, by selecting
`combined with content from one or more other projects.
`needed polygons in a relatively efficient manner, map pro-
`ducer 206 may quickly identify polygons neededto increase
`[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, while generating digital map
`the scale of a map and appropriately execute operations to
`208, map producer 206 may execute operations directed to
`process the polygonsto producethelargerscale (e.g., provide
`both the content to be included in the map andthe presenta-
`zoom out capabilities).
`tion of the map. For example, once provided the position
`information (ofthe images) map producer 206 may determine
`[0025] While collected images 112 may provide position
`the approximate center of the digital map. Further, from the
`information, which can be used by map producer 206 to
`distribution of the imageposition information, map producer
`determine the needed scale, such information may also be
`206 may determine an appropriate scale for the map. As
`provided from other sources. For example, user interactions
`illustrated in FIG. 4, in one arrangement, a maximum scale
`with map producer 206 mayalso provide location informa-
`may beselected such that all of the position information is
`tion. In one arrangement, map producer 206 mayreceive user
`resolved on a single map. Centering and scaling of a digital
`interactions from a graphical user interface (GUI) that is
`map mayalso beinitiated by other types of information. For
`accessed by the individualthat provided the images 112. The
`example, information provided by a GUI(e.g., user enters the
`individual may type the term, e.g., “France” into a GUI to
`phrase “Paris, France”) may be used to determine the map
`alert map producer 206 to the generallocation that the images
`center. Further, by providing information that identifies mul-
`were captured. Since all of the images were capturedin Paris,
`tiple locations, map producer 206 may determine an appro-
`the user may insert more focused termse.g., “Paris, France”
`priate scale for the map. Along with initially determining map
`into the GUIto provide the general location that the images
`parameters such as center and scale, map producer 206 may
`were captured. To assist the user, auto-sensing techniques
`also adjust the parameters, for example, when additional
`may be implemented for easily recognizing locations such as
`Paris. Assistance mayalso be provided by one or more graphi-
`information is provided. In one arrangement, upon being
`
`cal techniques, for example, the user may be providedaseries provided oneor more additional images (with corresponding
`of menus for selecting the general location associated with
`position information), map producer 206 may use the newly
`the images(e.g., the capture location). By using a selection
`provided information to adjust a previously produceddigital
`tool(such as a mousedriven pointer), a user may manipulate
`map. For example, to appropriately represent the image cap-
`(e.g., Z00m in and zoom out) presented graphicsto identify an
`ture location on the map, map producer 206 mayre-scale the
`appropriate region for a digital map. For example, by select-
`map. Similarly, based upon the location provided by the
`ing a graphical representation for France, the map producer
`image capture position information, map producer 206 may
`206 may zoom in to display the individual regionsandcities
`shift the center ofthe map. To provide such adjustments, map
`of France. Since the polygons used to provide the displayed
`producer 206 may use various mathematical operations such
`digital map (of France) can be quickly accessed, map pro-
`as interpolation and estimation. Once appropriately adjusted,
`ducer 206 can relatively quickly produce a digital map of a
`map producer 206 may initiate the rending of the adjusted
`region of interest (at substantially any scale). Further, by
`map along with other operations (e.g., storing the adjusted
`allowing the user to interact with displayed digital maps,
`map).
`dynamic zooming in and out of the maps is provided.
`[0029] Map producer 206 mayprovide other operations for
`[0026]
`In this particular arrangement, a digital map 208 is
`producing and adjusting digital maps such as digital map 208.
`generated by map producer 206 and represents the general
`For example, graphical properties of digital map 208 may be
`region that images 112 are associated(e.g., Paris, France). To
`adjusted. Properties of presented text (e.g., font, size, color,
`indicate these associated locations, digital map 208 is anno-
`style, etc.) may be adjusted by map producer 206 as directed
`tated with a graphical pin 210. The geographical position of
`through user interactions or by predefined preferences. Pre-
`graphical pin 210 may have been provided by the position
`sented colors and textures of portions of digital map 208 may
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`also be adjusted throughuser interactions with map producer
`206. For example, a GUI may beprovidedthat allows a user
`to control the style of a map to be rendered(e.g., fill colors,
`adjust shading, texture, gradient, etc.). Some ofthe adjustable
`map portions include the content of the map(e.g., presented
`color of an individual country or state, etc.), presentation
`graphics(e.g., the color of a border that frames the map) and
`other data associated with the map. One or morestylistic
`effects may also be applied to various map portions by map
`producer 206 based upon the content of the map. For
`example, particular styles may be applied to particular map
`regions (e.g., one set of style settings may be applied to the
`European region of a map while another set of styles are
`applied to the Asian region of the map). Application of dif-
`ferent styles may also depend upon information associated
`with the user. For example, one or more styles may be applied
`to regions(e.g., defined by geography, geo-political geogra-
`phy, etc.) visited by the user. Such styles associated with a
`map may be implemented by utilizing one or more tech-
`niques. For example, the styles and style adjustments may be
`represented in one or more extensible markup language
`(XML) layers. Map producer 206 may also allow various
`graphics to be addedto a digital map (e.g., as directed by a
`user). For example, textual information(e.g., maptitle, labels
`for points of interest, notes for describing the map, favorite
`locations, etc.) such as label 300 and graphics (e.g., a graphi-
`cal representation of a compass) may be added in an editable
`form. Map content may also be adjusted by map producer
`206. For example, a menu (or other type of graphical tool)
`maybepresented such that a user may select types of content
`that may be included or removed from a map. In one arrange-
`ment, a series of radio buttons may be provided for toggling
`presented content such as contours (e.g., elevation contours),
`bodies of water (e.g., rivers, lakes, inland waters), transpor-
`tation information (e.g., graphical representations of streets,
`highways, airports), landmarks(e.g., natural occurring and
`constructed), etc. In some arrangements, map producer 206
`may form an association between a digital map and one or
`more file or documents. For example, an itinerary or other
`document associated with a trip may be associated with a
`digital map. By combiningthe information, along with view-
`ing the images from a trip, a user can trace their travels with
`the itinerary information.
`[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, a series of three digital maps
`400(a), (6) and (c) are shownthat illustrate the scaling capa-
`bility of map producer 206. From the position information
`(e.g., geographical coordinates) associated with the images,
`map producer 206 may identify the approximate center of a
`digital map. In this particular arrangement, all of the sites
`associated with the images are located in Paris, France. As
`such, map producer 206 uses one or more techniques(e.g.,
`estimation) to determine the geographical center of the asso-
`ciated image location. In this particular example, a center
`location falls geographically between the locations of the
`Jardins Des Tuileries, the Arc De Triomphe and the Eiffel
`Tower. With the center location (and corresponding coordi-
`nates) identified, map producer 206 may execute operations
`on the appropriate polygons ofmap data 204 produce a digital
`mapthat is centered on this location. Further, map producer
`206 manipulates the appropriate polygons to magnify the
`center location (e.g., zoom in) until each of the associated
`image locations is resolved. Forillustration, map producer
`206 zooms in from a representation of Europe, shown by
`digital map 400(a), to a representation that resolves indi-
`
`vidual regions of France, shownbydigital map 400(6). While
`map producer 206 zooms from digital map 400(a) to map
`400(4), the center location (Paris) is retained. To resolve the
`associated locations, map producer 206 continues to manipu-
`late the appropriate polygons(e.g., estimate andinterpolate).
`While still centered on equivalent coordinates used to center
`maps 400(a) and (5), digital map 400(c) illustrates three
`graphical pins 402, 404 and 406 that corresponding identify
`the locations of the Jardins Des Tuileries, the Arc De Tri-
`ompheandthe Eiffel Tower. While rather simplistic graphics
`are used for the graphical pins 402, 404, 406, in some arrange-
`ments other types of graphics may be implemented. For
`example, various types of graphic icons may be used toassist
`viewing by forming a quick association between the map and
`the locations. A small icon of a flower could be used in place
`of graphical pin 402 and correspondingly an icon of an arch
`could be used in place of graphical pin 404 and an icon of a
`tower could replace graphical pin 406. Other types of graph-
`ics may also be used to represent the capture locations, for
`example, smaller versions of the captured images (e.g.,
`thumbnail images) or textual information (e.g., initials such
`as “ET”for Eiffel Tower) may be implemented with or with-
`out graphical information.
`[0031]
`Similarto larger scale maps, map producer 206 also
`allows aspects of digital maps such as map 400(c) to be
`adjusted. For example, map features(e.g., streets, landmarks,
`rural areas, marine areas, etc.) may be represented with vari-
`ous adjustable colors, textures and other types of graphics.
`Along withthe positions ofthe image capture locations, other
`information may also be represented on digital map 400(c).
`For example, by processing the time and date information
`associated with the images, map producer 206 may determine
`the sequence that the locations associated with the images
`(e.g., the capture locations) were visited. In this illustration,
`photographs werefirst captured at the Jardins Des Tuileries,
`then at the Arc De Triomphe,andlastly at the Eiffel Tower. As
`such, map producer 206 may identify the visit sequence for
`these landmarks and graphically represent the sequence. For
`example, one graphical line 408 is included with digital map
`400(c) to indicate the distance and direction traveled from the
`Jardins Des Tuileries (represented by graphical pin 402)to the
`Are De Triomphe(represented by graphical pin 404). Simi-
`larly, map producer 206 also includes a graphicalline 410 to
`representthe distance and direction traveled from the Arc De
`Triomphe (represented by graphical pin 404) to the Eiffel
`Tower(represented by graphical pin 406). Other information
`and types of information mayalso be represented on digital
`map 400(c). Graphical icons may be placed upon the map by
`a user, for example, icons(e.g., a knife and fork, a bed, etc.)
`may be positioned at particular locations to represent loca-
`tions visited (e.g., restaurants, hotels, etc.), for example,
`where images were not captured. As such, various types of
`graphical markers maybe directly added by a user to a map
`(e.g., selecting one or more locations with a pointing device
`suchas a mouse). Referring to FIG. 5, a GUI 500 is shownthat
`illustrates various types of graphical information that may be
`presented. For example, based uponthe location of a graphi-
`cal pointer (e.g., as controlled by a mouse)an identifier 502 is
`added directly to digital map 504 to represent geographic
`location of Paris, France. A menu 506 allowsa userto control
`the presentation of particular graphics. For example,a title
`associated with digital map 504, text associated with identi-
`fier 502, text associated with a region of digital map 504, a
`graphical compass, texture and shadow graphics, and other
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2011/0074811 Al
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`types of graphics may be represented. For example, textual
`labels and blocks may also be added by a user to provide
`context and further memorable details associated with the
`representedtravels.
`[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, a pair of GUI’s 600, 602 are
`presented that each include a pair of identifiers 604 and 606
`that represent two separate locations(e.g., Pacifico, Calif. and
`Cupertino, Calif.). In this illustration each of the identifiers
`represents a particula