Autonomous Map Generation from Security Camera Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating up-to-date maps of continuously changing indoor environments, such as retail stores, is a complex and time-consuming process that requires manual updates, making it difficult to accurately reflect layout changes.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous map generation system that uses multiple security cameras to capture images, stitch them into an aerial view, and extract features to create a two-dimensional digital map, including walkable paths and layout elements, enabling automatic updates as the environment changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual updates are used to maintain up-to-date maps, then map accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes arduous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous map generation by automatically capturing images from security cameras, processing them through stitching and feature extraction algorithms, and generating updated maps without human intervention. The system serves itself by utilizing existing infrastructure (security cameras) and automated image processing pipelines to maintain map accuracy while eliminating manual update efforts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual update process with an automated computational system. Instead of physically walking through stores to document changes, the system uses computer vision algorithms, image stitching, and automated feature extraction to generate maps, substituting human labor with computational processing.
2Reliability
If manual map updating is performed, then current layout information can be captured, but the process is complex and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages existing security cameras for a new purpose - map generation. These cameras originally serve security functions, but the system repurposes them to capture layout information, eliminating the need for dedicated mapping equipment and simplifying the overall system architecture by using multi-functional infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of the physical environment through image capture and processing. By stitching multiple camera images and extracting features, the system generates a digital representation (map) that mirrors the physical layout, enabling automated updates without physically interacting with the environment.
3Productivity
If frequent map updates are performed manually, then up-to-date information is achieved, but the effort and resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous or near-continuous map updates by automatically processing images from security cameras at scheduled intervals or triggered by change detection. The automated pipeline maintains uninterrupted operation, generating updated maps as needed without human intervention, thereby achieving high update frequency with minimal manual effort.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for generating maps for retail environments and other indoor locations, such as via autonomous or other automatic processes, are described. In some embodiments, the systems and methods access images of a retail environment captured via multiple security cameras placed within the retail environment, and generate a two- or three-dimensional digital, virtual and/or interactive map that depicts a layout of the retail environment based on features extracted from the accessed images. For example, the systems and methods may extract and/or determine walkable paths within the images, and generate a two- or three-dimensional map that is based on placing the walkable paths within the retail environment.