Google applies for patent that identifies your location by using a snapped photo of a landmark

Google has filed for a patent on a way to help those who are lost, find their current location. By snapping a picture of a local landmark, the person who is lost sends the photo to Google where the Mountain View based firm's servers go through the snapshot seeking a match. If a match can be made, the lost person's position is sent to his mobile device.

With GPS, the whole process might seem a little redundant, but there are times when the GPS on your phone or tablet just doesn't work or the information isn't accurate for one reason or another. Besides, we really can't imagine anything being as simple as snapping a picture. And the diagram from the patent application makes so much common sense that it is hard to imagine that a patent attorney was involved in the filing.

Google seeks a patent for this process

In the example on the filing, we see a rather odd-looking drawing of a man who is lost.; So he snaps a picture of a tall building nearby and uploads it to Google's servers where the image is matched up against a repository of images and textual content. A match is made and the building is identified as the Dain Rauscher Plaza. The lost man is sent his address and directions as well as a listing of nearby restaurants and attractions.

The diagram also shows another use for the technology. In this case, someone is at home and is planning a trip to Minnesota. So she takes an online photo of the Dain Rauscher Plaza and by running it through Google's servers, she receives flight information to Minnesota, possible sightseeing tours and what the history books say about the region.

The application, for patent number 8,131,118, was originally filed in January 2008 and the inventors of record on the paperwork are Yushi Jing and Jian Yuan, both of Mountain View.

source: USPTO via Engadget

10 Comments

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posted on 07 Mar 2012, 18:52 6

1. cepcamba (Posts: 717; Member since: 27 Feb 2012)

Google is just protecting us from other companies that might apply for that patent as well. Google never sued anyone for patent infringement, they only use their patent portfolio for defense.

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 18:52 3

2. galaxyisking (Posts: 58; Member since: 18 Nov 2011)

ITS THE BEST PATENT EVER! FIRST

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 18:53 4

3. galaxyisking (Posts: 58; Member since: 18 Nov 2011)

NOT FIRST! WEAK!

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 18:56 1

4. tward291 (Posts: 559; Member since: 14 Feb 2012)

google on a patient roll

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 20:28 1

5. remixfa (Posts: 14604; Member since: 19 Dec 2008)

it really sounded creepy from the title until i read it. lol. like.. uuuhh?? But yea, thats actually a nifty idea. Thats not a new file, since even in the article it was filed in 2008, so why is it news now? Besides, that functionality is all but in G-Maps anyways, since u can turn on the real live photos, 3d GPS, and google earth functionality in the device.

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 20:32 2

6. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)

Isn't this already possible with Goggles and Nokia's Here and Now? And surely Foursquare has something like this?

Regardless, it's very CSI

...Enhance... Enhance ...Enhance... Enhance ...Enhance...

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 21:46 1

7. oddmanout (Posts: 442; Member since: 22 May 2009)

This is pretty cool but Im honestly tired of hearing about these patents. A patent free world is a happy world. Sure, copy cats are no good but innovation for the better shouldn't be rewarded with penalty. With all these patents flying around, it just makes the world that much slower in evolving. Half of the patents aren't even used! Im against forgery but how are patents (that aren't even being used) going to help society. Lets get passed this patent war and just innovate and make the world better.

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 22:45

8. PaulNotFromSweden (Posts: 55; Member since: 16 Sep 2011)

First, I assume you mean "...get past this patent war...". Second, without intellectual property laws, which encompass patents, no one would spend the R&D money to develop new products or ideas. If they did, someone else, anyone else, could take the idea and sell it. How would you like to spend a couple years of your life working on a design for a better mousetrap, and the moment you succeed, another company with more cash floods the market with a copy of your product. You're screwed. So I think the world is considerably better off with enforceable intellectual property laws.

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 23:25 1

10. frydaexiii (Posts: 1475; Member since: 01 Dec 2011)

If Google doesn't patent it, Apple or some other patent troll will. At least when Google patents it, you can be sure of 2 things:

1) Google is currently already working on it, it won't remain just an idea like most of Apple's patents.

2) Google won't use it for offence like Apple, and will only use for defense to prevent patent trolls from misusing it.

posted on 07 Mar 2012, 22:58 1

9. cheetah2k (Posts: 1738; Member since: 16 Jan 2011)

This is just an expansion to Google Goggles.

I think its a great idea that Google is starting to patent some of their own ideas. Google Goggles already works pretty well, and I would say is the basis for this Patent.