Various approaches enable a user to capture image information (e.g., still images or video) about an object of interest such as the sole of a shoe or other piece of footwear (e.g., a sandal) and receive information about items that are determined to match footwear based at least in part on the image information. For example, an image analyze service or other similar service can analyze the images to determine a type of shoe included within the images based at least in part on patterns of other distinguishing features of the sole of the shoe. The image analysis service can aggregate the results and can provide information about the results as a set of matches or results to be displayed to a user in response to a visual search query. The information can include, for example, descriptions, contact information, availability, location data, pricing information, and other such information.

A circular dome for photographing vehicles includes curved frames that support a skin. Contoured walls offset from the curved frames to define a recess adapted to receive cameras and lights for photographing vehicles around a perimeter of the dome. A door matching the contour of the curved frames completes the dome and is size to receive a vehicle, to collectively implement subtractive lighting along the perimeter of the dome. A system and method are provided for automatically photographing vehicles in an enclosable circular domed structure where an automated process captures a series of vehicle images, and uploads the captured images to a web template for display and recordation.

Searching for items, such as apparel items, can be performed using a set of category-specific outlines or contours from which a user can select. The outlines enable a user to quickly specify a relevant category, and provide guidance as to how to orient the camera in order to enable an item to be identified in an image without the need for an expensive object identification and segmentation process. The outline can specify a swatch region, indicating where the user should position a view of a pattern, texture, or color of the item in which the user is interested. The category selection and swatch region data can be used to determine matching items. If the user wants a different set of search results, the user can select a different outline, causing a new query to be executed with updated category information and swatch data to obtain new search results.

An automatic guiding system for analyzing ground texture in or on an autonomous mobile device comprises an image acquisition module, a ground texture analysis module, a posture sensing module, and a ground texture database. The image acquisition module collects ground images as the autonomous mobile device moves. The ground texture analysis module processes the ground images, and extracts texture information of the ground images. The posture sensing module continuously senses the posture of the autonomous mobile device. The ground texture database is configured to stores the texture information and the posture.

A computerized method for annotating at least one feature of an image of a view, includes the steps of obtaining the image with an image sensor of a portable device, and retrieving at least one condition. Based on the at least one condition, the method automatically selects a feature identification method among a plurality of features identification methods. It then applies the feature identification method for identifying the at least one feature, and annotates some of the identified features.

A process for locating real estate parcels for a user comprises accessing a library of parceled real estate image data to identify objects and features in a plurality of parcels identified by the user as having a feature of interest. A predictive model is constructed and applied to a geographic region selected by the user to generate a customized output of real estate parcels predicted to have the feature of interest, or, in some implementations, not to have the feature of interest.

Mobile phones and other portable devices are equipped with a variety of technologies by which existing functionality can be improved, and new functionality can be provided. Some aspects relate to visual search capabilities, and determining appropriate actions responsive to different image inputs. Others relate to processing of image data. Still others concern metadata generation, processing, and representation. Yet others concern user interface improvements. Other aspects relate to imaging architectures, in which a mobile phone's image sensor is one in a chain of stages that successively act on packetized instructions/data, to capture and later process imagery. Still other aspects relate to distribution of processing tasks between the mobile device and remote resources (the cloud). Elemental image processing (e.g., simple filtering and edge detection) can be performed on the mobile phone, while other operations can be referred out to remote service providers. The remote service providers can be selected using techniques such as reverse auctions, through which they compete for processing tasks. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Method, system and computer program for generating a database of pixel patterns includes obtaining images using an imaging system of mobile devices, each image including a pixel pattern, and determining a position of the mobile device using a positioning system at least partly situated on the mobile device when each image is obtained using the imaging system of the mobile device. Positional relationships between a size and/or angular orientation of the pattern of pixels and an associated determined position of the mobile device when the at least one image including the pattern of pixels was obtained are generated and enables retrieval of an estimation of the position of the mobile device upon input of another image including the pattern of pixels. The generated positional relationships between the size and/or angular orientation of the pattern of pixels and the associated determined position of the mobile device are stored in a database.

A system that verifies the attributes included in the description of an item using artificial intelligence is provided. For example, the system may use a feature extractor to identify color, shape, and/or texture features of a provided image. The system may then use a linear classifier to process the extracted features to identify attributes of the item depicted in the image. The system may compare the identified attributes with the attributes listed in the item's description. If there are any discrepancies, the system may revise the item description to include the identified attributes or provide suggested revisions to a user based on the identified attributes.

An automated queue is provided including processing circuitry configured to receive an image including a face of a customer, receive an indication of a selected service, enter the customer in virtual queue based on the indication of the selected service, and in response to the customer reaching the front of the virtual queue, causing a transmission of the selected service and at least a portion of the image including the face of the customer to an agent user interface.