Georeferencing Aerial Images Using Mobile Device Density Maps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is uncertainty in accurately determining the precise spatial location of images captured by satellites or aerial devices due to image distortions caused by tilt or variations in surface topography, which complicates the registration of pixels to precise spatial locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize location data from mobile devices to generate density maps, which are then matched with image pixels to determine spatial locations, involving edge map generation and convolution processes to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If satellite or aerial device captures image, then image coverage area is obtained, but spatial location precision deteriorates due to tilt and surface topography variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary elements that capture location data from multiple ground-based positions. These mobile devices act as mediators between the satellite/aerial image and the ground features, providing reference points for accurate spatial location determination without being affected by satellite tilt or topography variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image pixel coordinates to three-dimensional spatial locations by incorporating elevation data and ground-based mobile device positions. This dimensional transformation enables accurate georeferencing by accounting for terrain variations and satellite viewing angles
2Measurement precision
If density map matching is performed to improve spatial location accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by collecting location data from mobile devices and generating density maps in advance, before the actual image georeferencing process. This pre-processing creates ready-to-use reference materials that simplify the subsequent matching and spatial location determination steps
Data Source
AI summary
A system determines spatial locations of pixels of an image. The system includes a processor configured to: receive location data from devices located within a hotspot; generate a density map for the hotspot including density pixels associated with spatial locations defined by the location data, each density pixel having a value indicating an amount of location data received from an associated spatial location; match the density pixels of the density map to at least a portion of the pixels of the image; and determine spatial locations of the at least a portion of the pixels of the image based on the spatial locations of the matching density pixels of the density map. In some embodiments, the image and density map are converted to edge maps, and a convolution is applied to the edge maps to match the density map to the pixels of the image.