Microsoft demos camera phone map search technology

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by Jan Harris

Microsoft is developing innovative map search technology which allows a user to take a camera phone photo of a building, send it to a database and receive back a map and information about the location.

The service is one of over 40 new technologies and ideas which Microsoft is demonstrating at its research department’s annual TechFest fair.

Microsoft demonstrated the map-search technology using Seattle as an example. The company acquired millions of street-level pictures of Seattle’s buildings and landmarks, then added them to a database. The photos were indexed by distinguishing features which could be cross referenced to pictures sent in by users.

The service is still at the testing stage.