3D Road Surface Feature Mapping for Sloped Line Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D line detection methods assume a flat road surface, failing to account for elevation profiles, leading to inaccurate feature representation and detection in scenarios with steep slopes.

Innovation Solution

A method that projects image features into a three-dimensional feature space using surface hypotheses, allowing for the modeling of uphill and downhill slopes, and employs a machine learning model to learn and represent the road surface's elevation profile implicitly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If inverse perspective mapping is used to project features onto a flat ground plane, then the feature space represents the camera perspective, but it cannot accurately represent road surfaces with elevation profiles such as steep uphill or downhill slopes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature representation accuracyVSAvoidroad surface geometry adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D inverse perspective mapping to 3D feature space representation. Instead of projecting features onto a flat ground plane, the system creates a three-dimensional feature space that incorporates elevation information, allowing accurate representation of both flat and sloped road surfaces while maintaining feature detection capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the feature space from 2D coordinates to 3D coordinates, adding the elevation dimension. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate varying road surface geometries including steep slopes, while the machine learning model learns to interpret features in this new 3D parameter space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the road surface is assumed to be flat, then the feature space can be simply represented on a ground plane, but detection accuracy deteriorates in scenarios with steep slopes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature space structureVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a third dimension to the feature space to represent elevation, transforming the simple 2D ground plane into a 3D space that can accommodate sloped surfaces. This dimensional enhancement maintains relatively simple data structures while dramatically improving detection accuracy for various road geometries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a static flat ground plane assumption, the system dynamically adapts the feature space to represent the actual road surface geometry through machine learning. The model learns the appropriate 3D feature representation for different scenarios, making the system flexible and adaptive to varying road conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250378677A1Method for providing a three-dimensional feature map of a road surface
Publication Date: 2025.12.11 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • US20250378677A1 patent drawing
  • US20250378677A1 patent drawing
  • US20250378677A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for providing a three-dimensional feature map of a road surface. A computer program, a device, and a storage medium are also described.