A system that combines maps, digital photography, and
the web has been developed by the School of Electronics and
Computer Science at the University of Southampton.
Working with Ordnance Survey, Map Snapper allows the user to
photograph a section of a map on a camera phone. The system then
verifies the location of the map, and returns an electronic image
with points of interest added which the user can investigate
further by clicking on them.
Dr Jonathan Hare and Prof Paul Lewis at the University of
Southampton's School of Electronics and Computer Science worked
with Layla Gordon and Glen Hart from Ordnance Survey’s Research
Laboratories to develop Map Snapper.
“If I am out in the country heading for Salisbury for example,
the electronic map could give me the location of hotels for me to
click on to find out more and could also tell me if there are any
festivals or exhibitions going on there,” said Lewis.
The team used image matching technology to retrieve the
electronic images and make them available digitally. The University
said that the technology initiative could provide commercial
opportunities for companies who want to advertise.
“Map Snapper clearly demonstrates the power of new digital
content, and yet puts it into the hands of the traditional paper
map user”, said David Overton, exploitation manager at Ordnance
Survey.