3D Surface Model Segmentation for Geographic Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manually creating 3D models of structures in metropolitan areas is labor-intensive due to the large number of structures and lack of efficient methods to delineate structures from the rest of the 3D surface in geographic mapping and modeling systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that distinguish vertically and horizontally oriented surface elements in a 3D surface mesh, associating vertically oriented elements with rooftop surface elements to form segmented models of structures, reducing the need for manual construction and enhancing the accuracy of geographic mapping and modeling systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual methods are used to create 3D models of structures, then model accuracy can be maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel accuracyVSAvoidmodel creation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the continuous 3D surface mesh into distinct structure models by identifying and separating vertically oriented surface elements (building walls) from horizontally oriented surface elements (ground and rooftops). This segmentation enables automatic extraction of individual structure models from the overall geographic area mesh, resolving the contradiction by providing an automated approach that maintains accuracy while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts structure-specific surface elements (vertically oriented elements representing building walls) from the complete 3D surface mesh by applying orientation filters and association rules. This extraction process automatically isolates structure models from the geographic area data, eliminating manual modeling effort while preserving geometric accuracy through systematic element selection and grouping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If automated methods are used to process large geographic areas, then productivity improves, but the complexity of distinguishing structures from the rest of the surface increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel creation efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different processing rules to different orientations of surface elements. Vertically oriented elements are identified as potential building walls and associated with horizontally oriented rooftop elements, while horizontally oriented elements are classified as either ground or rooftop surfaces. This localized differentiation simplifies the automated processing complexity by applying simple orientation-based rules rather than complex global analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter used for element classification from arbitrary or manual criteria to geometric orientation parameters (vertical vs. horizontal). By using orientation as the key distinguishing parameter, the system automatically differentiates structure elements from ground elements through mathematical properties of the surface mesh normals, reducing processing complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If the entire geographic area is processed as a single mesh, then data continuity is maintained, but the ability to identify and separate individual structures is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface data continuityVSAvoidstructure delineation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-classifying surface elements according to their orientation (vertical vs. horizontal) before attempting to identify individual structures. This preliminary classification creates ready-to-use groups of elements that can be easily associated into structure models, maintaining the continuous mesh data structure while enabling efficient structure detection through pre-organized element categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary classification layer that categorizes surface elements by orientation as an intermediate step between the continuous mesh and discrete structure models. This intermediary classification maintains data continuity in the mesh while providing a structured pathway for structure identification, resolving the contradiction by adding a processing intermediate rather than breaking the mesh continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10089418B2Structure model segmentation from a three dimensional surface

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 HERE GLOBAL BV

AI summary

Segmenting a three dimensional (3D) model of a structure may involve distinguishing vertically oriented surface elements from horizontally oriented surface elements of a three 3D surface representing a geographic area. The geographic area involves at least one structure. Segmenting a 3D model may also involve distinguishing ground surface elements from rooftop surface elements of the horizontally oriented surface elements of the 3D surface. Segmenting a 3D model may then involve associating the vertically oriented surface elements with the rooftop surface elements to form at least one segmented model of the at least one structure.