The present invention relates to using image content to facilitate navigation in panoramic image data. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for navigating in panoramic image data includes: (1) determining an intersection of a ray and a virtual model, wherein the ray extends from a camera viewport of an image and the virtual model comprises a plurality of facade planes; (2) retrieving a panoramic image; (3) orienting the panoramic image to the intersection; and (4) displaying the oriented panoramic image.

Using image content to facilitate navigation in panoramic image data

Aspects of the invention relate generally to ranking geographic locations based on perceived user interest. More specifically, a database of three-dimensional models of buildings or other architectural features may be used to determine the level of user interest in a particular location and accordingly rank, for example, geographic locations or web or map search results with local intent. For example, various signals such as the number of models created by users for a particular location, the number of clicks or requests for the models of the particular location, the number of POIs contained within or associated with the models associated with the particular geographic location, number of categories associated with a model associated with the geographic location, number of embedded views or views of the models associated with the particular location on other web sites, and the age of the models associated with the particular geographic location.

Augmentation of place ranking using 3D model activity in an area

Using extended web technologies to develop Bluetooth multi-platform mobile applications for interact with smart things

The legacy TV is now being replaced by IP-connected Smart TV which offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity. Smart TV also allows the user to install and run more advanced applications based on a specific platform. Smart TV is expected to play the role of a hub which combines wide variety of solutions for digital living services in home in the near future. In this paper, we present a home appliance control framework based on Smart TV set-top box. The purpose of this framework is to keep users leaning back and watching TV screen and then to provide them with an intuitive and convenient way to monitor and control home appliances. The proposed framework supports not only IP-based but also conventional RS-485-based home appliances.

Home appliances controlling through Smart TV set-top box with screen-mirroring remote controller

Most modern smart TV set-top boxes support internet connection and allow the user to install and run more advanced application programs or plugins/add-ons based on a specific platform. It means that a smart TV set-top box can be a good candidate to act as a hub that combines a wide variety of solutions for smart home services. This paper proposes a home appliance control framework based on a smart TV set-top box. As a core component, a home gateway software module is installed on the smart TV set-top box. And the architecture of the home gateway module is designed so that a home appliance control driver is installed only when necessary. To enable the user to control their home appliances in any place using a Web-based application or a Web browser, the proposed framework supports a WebSocket protocol-based data communication and comprises a Web server where each set-top box’s network location is registered. The proposed framework is verified with a demonstration on a small-scale home model. Both IP-based and serial communication-based home appliances are included in the demonstration system. The demonstration examples show that consumers can control various types of home appliances in any place through a smart TV set-top box solution.

Home appliance control framework based on smart TV set-top box

In this paper, we studied some new technologies and solutions for remote digital home control system. Although many solutions for remote digital home control system are being developed, few can be applied to real life because of different standard protocol. Each organization emphasizes on different area. Thus, we present a web server based remote control system to connect internet and isolated intelligent home control system, which can be widely used by common families. The web server is more flexible, reliable, and easy maintenance. Field Programming Gate Array (FPGA) is applied in our system as the core controller. This makes the system more efficiency and faster to achieve real-time control. Detailed implementation for client, web server and hardware design is presented in this paper. The experimental result shows users can not only control home appliances such as air conditioner, video camera and lighting ect., but also check their status in real-time from anywhere through our system.

Remote Control System Design Based on Web Server for Digital Home

Virtual community performs more and more important role for online users. Many tools for virtual community design, implementation and management have been developed, such as Virtual Reality (VR). On the other hand, few popular technologies have received frequent usage because of cost and time consuming. In this study, a platform for building virtual community more easily and quickly is proposed, which is called E-Life Platform (ELP) in our paper. ELP is based on Google Earth (GE) which provides high resolution global geographic information. The architecture of ELP system based on SketchUp is discussed in this paper. The detailed implementation of ELP is presented. Moreover, how to build a virtual community by using ELP is also described in this paper. Experimental results have shown the efficiency and low cost of ELP system.

A Virtual Community Building Platform Based on Google Earth

A new system for constructing virtual community integrated GE and multi-applications is introduced in this paper. Although GE provides a good platform of 3D space for virtual community, only 3D scene is not enough. How to embed the interesting web-applications into GE to construct the large virtual community is studied. A system combines the e-commerce, 3D objects, entertainment and sight-seeing with GE is also implemented. The architecture of virtual community system and detailed design is illustrated. Both ecommerce and entertainment such as online game, blog, chatting and video on demand are implemented based on the COM API provided by GE. The experimental indicates have shown that the system is more flexible and easier to satisfy users' requirement compared with the most of virtual community.

A 3D virtual community integrated with web-applications based on Google earth

Short Message Service (SMS) has become a widely used communication way for mobile phone users where Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) covered. Although the GSM and SMS technology are successful and mature, there is a lot of limitations existed such as GSM module can not be operated by multi-thread program. In this paper, an optimal SMS is proposed and used in remote controlling and monitoring system on Google Earth (GE). Using optimal SMS and COM API provided by GE, users can control GE to fly to anywhere and the state of the D-Link camera by short messages. Besides that, a voice guiding system(VGS) based on Microsoft speech SDK 5.1 is added to make voice introduction for the place.

Ni Qing

Papers

Remote Control System Design Based on Web Server for Digital Home

A Virtual Community Building Platform Based on Google Earth

A 3D virtual community integrated with web-applications based on Google earth

Remote Controlling and Monitoring System with Voice Guide on Google Earth through Optimal Short Message Service