Regional Information Extraction Using Image Feature Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for extracting and providing information on specific regions are bulky, expensive, and limited in their ability to deliver comprehensive information, requiring users to manually search maps or documents for details like names, locations, and national flags.
Innovation Solution
A programmable user device with network access capability processes and compares regional image features extracted from user-provided images to match with a database, allowing for the retrieval and output of geographical information, utilizing image processing to calculate differential light intensity values between pixels and deforming non-rectangular images into rectangular formats for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional devices with additional components are used for extracting regional information, then information extraction capability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the image processing and regional information extraction functions from a conventional globe device and relocates them to a separate user device (smartphone, tablet, or computer). The globe device only provides the basic globular display, while the user device performs all computational tasks including capturing images, extracting features, comparing with database, and retrieving regional information. This separation reduces the complexity and size of the globe device while maintaining advanced information extraction capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the globe device and the user device. The server receives regional image features from the user device, compares them with stored regional image features in a database, and returns matching geographical information. This intermediary approach allows the globe device to remain simple while enabling sophisticated information extraction through networked computation.
2Extent of automation
If conventional devices with additional components are used for extracting regional information, then information extraction capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts expensive computational components (image processing units, databases, processing circuits) from the globe device and relocates them to user devices that users already possess. This eliminates the need for manufacturers to invest in complex processing hardware within the globe device, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining advanced information extraction functionality through software-based solutions on user devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software copies of processing algorithms and databases rather than physical hardware copies. The image processing algorithms and regional information databases are implemented as software that runs on user devices, eliminating the need for expensive physical processing hardware in the globe device while providing equivalent functionality.
3Extent of automation
If conventional devices are used for extracting regional information, then information extraction capability is improved, but information completeness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the user device universal by leveraging its existing camera, processing unit, database, and network connectivity capabilities for regional information extraction. Instead of limiting functionality to a dedicated globe device, the system uses the multi-functional user device that can capture images, process them through sophisticated algorithms, query comprehensive databases, and access network resources, thereby providing complete and comprehensive regional information.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary that provides access to comprehensive databases and network resources, enabling the system to retrieve complete regional information including historical, cultural, political, economic, and demographic data. This intermediary connection to extensive data resources ensures information completeness without requiring the globe device to store or process all this information locally.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a regional information extraction method, a regional information output method, and an apparatus for the same. The regional information output method includes obtaining a regional image through the processing unit, transmitting the regional image to a server through the transmitting/receiving unit, receiving regional information on a geographical position that a regional image feature extracted from the regional image represents through the transmitting/receiving unit, and outputting the regional information through the output unit, wherein the geographical position represents one feature matching to the regional image feature, which is selected from a plurality of features representing a plurality of regional images.