Systems and methods for capturing image data for mapping

A method of collecting visual data using mobile image capture devices carried by each of a plurality of agents, comprising the steps of:

• receiving from each of a plurality of users a request for image data, wherein each image data request defines a particular type of item to be captured within the image data and is in respect of a particular area;
• generating or loading a first object recognition algorithm to detect the type of item for that request;
• applying the first object recognition algorithm to previously stored image data and using the associated location data to identify the locations of items of the first type within the stored image data, the previously stored image data captured before receipt of the image data request;
• maintaining an outstanding request database of requested image data of the particular type of item and the particular area not yet captured based on the identified locations of items of the first type within the previously stored image data;
• capturing image data and associated location and orientation data with the mobile image capture devices carried by each agent;
• uploading the captured images and associated location and orientation data to an image data store;
• monitoring the image data uploaded to identify the items captured within the image data and thereby update the outstanding request database;
• generating one or more lists of required items to be captured for a given area based on the updated outstanding request database;
• and
• communicating at least one required item list to each of the plurality of agents,
• wherein each mobile image capture device is associated with a user corresponding to an agent, and the method further comprises allotting to a user account a number of points, wherein the number of points depends on a number and type of each item captured.