3D Virtual Map Updating With Multi-Robot Difference Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to accurately and efficiently update three-dimensional environmental maps in dynamic environments, particularly in spaces difficult for humans to access, due to changes in physical structures and obstacles, leading to inaccuracies and safety risks for autonomous moving bodies.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates multiple moving bodies with map acquisition units to compare and update virtual maps with real-space data, using difference extraction and update units to reflect current conditions, and a display unit to highlight discrepancies, ensuring accurate and safe navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional environmental maps are updated frequently in dynamic environments, then map accuracy is improved, but system complexity and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the map update process into distinct modules: a map acquisition unit that collects data from multiple moving bodies, a difference extraction unit that identifies changes, and a map update unit that applies updates. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently, improving map accuracy while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having multiple moving bodies continuously acquire and store map data before actual updates are needed. The difference extraction unit then compares newly acquired maps with existing ones to identify changes, allowing the system to prepare update information in advance without requiring complete re-mapping, thus improving accuracy while reducing computational burden.
2Measurement precision
If multiple moving bodies are used to acquire map information, then map accuracy and coverage are improved, but device complexity and coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the map acquisition functions of multiple moving bodies into a unified system. The map acquisition unit integrates data from multiple sources, and the difference extraction unit processes combined information to identify environmental changes. This merging approach improves map accuracy and coverage while managing complexity through centralized coordination of the multiple moving bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
Each moving body is equipped with universal map acquisition capabilities that allow it to perform multiple functions: collecting environmental data, storing map information, and participating in collaborative mapping. This multi-functionality enables the system to achieve high map accuracy with multiple units without requiring each unit to be overly complex, as they all perform the same core functions.
3Reliability
If real-time map updates are performed, then navigation safety is improved, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential update information by using the difference extraction unit to identify and isolate changes between the existing map and newly acquired map data. Instead of processing complete maps, the system extracts only the differences, which significantly reduces processing time and energy consumption while maintaining navigation safety through timely updates of critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial updates by applying only the extracted differences to the existing map rather than regenerating the entire map. This partial action approach maintains navigation safety by updating critical changes in real-time while avoiding the excessive processing time and energy that would be required for complete remapping.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an information processing apparatus including: a virtual map storage unit which stores a virtual map that is three-dimensional and corresponds to a real space; a map information acquisition unit which acquires map information of the real space from a plurality of moving bodies moving in the real space; a difference extraction unit which extracts a difference of each piece of the map information from the virtual map; and a virtual map update unit which updates the virtual map based on the difference in a case where the difference for a same place is extracted from two or more pieces of the map information.