Automated Building Floor Plan Generation from 360-Degree Panorama Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating and using building interior mapping information, such as floor plans, are inefficient and inaccurate, particularly in capturing and representing interior layouts without physical presence, and require significant effort to maintain and scale accurately.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using computing devices to generate mapping information from 360° panorama images acquired within a building, without depth information, through an Image Capture and Analysis system and a Mapping Information Generation Manager system, which allows for the creation of 2D floor plans and other mapping-related information for navigation and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional floor plan construction methods are used, then building layout information can be obtained, but the process is difficult and time-consuming to construct and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical floor plan construction with automated image processing and computer vision algorithms. The system automatically generates floor plans by analyzing images captured within the building, eliminating the need for manual measurement and drafting while maintaining high accuracy in building layout information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of building interiors through image capture and automated processing. Instead of physically measuring and drafting floor plans, the system generates accurate digital representations by processing photographs and images taken within the building spaces.
2Loss of information
If floor plans are used to represent building interiors, then some layout information is provided, but they are difficult to visualize and use effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances traditional 2D floor plans by integrating them with 360-degree panoramic images and interactive visual elements. This multi-dimensional approach allows users to view building layouts from multiple perspectives simultaneously, improving both information completeness and ease of visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional mapping information system that serves multiple purposes: navigation guidance, architectural analysis, property inspection, and virtual tours. The same generated floor plan and image data support various user needs and applications, enhancing overall usability.
3Productivity
If automated image processing is used to generate floor plans, then construction time is reduced, but computational resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing task into multiple stages and components: image capture, feature detection, edge detection, room boundary identification, and floor plan generation. This segmentation allows for optimized processing at each stage and enables parallel computation where possible, improving efficiency while managing computational resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for computing devices to perform automated operations related to using images acquired in a building as part of generating a floor plan for the building, in some cases without using depth information from depth-sensing equipment about distances from the images' acquisition locations to objects in the surrounding building, and for subsequent use in further automated manners, such as controlling navigation of mobile devices and/or for display to end users in a corresponding GUI (graphical user interface). In some cases, the MIGM system interacts with an MIGM system operator user, such as by displaying a GUI showing information related to the images and/or a floor plan being generated, and by receiving and using input submitted by the user via the GUI to assist with the generating of the floor plan, such as to specify interconnections between particular rooms via particular inter-room wall openings of the rooms.