Vehicle Camera Elevation Map Creation via Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating elevation maps, such as those using lasers, are costly and technically complex, whereas cameras already installed in vehicles for driver assistance can efficiently detect surroundings and ascertain elevations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a camera on a land vehicle to detect its surroundings, ascertain image data, and calculate the elevation of locations relative to a reference location, with the calculated elevations being sent via a communication network to a remote map server for elevation map creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser is used to create an elevation map, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical laser measurement system with a camera-based optical system. The camera captures images of the surroundings, and elevation is calculated through image processing and geometric relationships, eliminating the need for complex laser ranging equipment while achieving sufficient measurement precision for elevation maps.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly measuring elevation with a laser, the system creates a visual copy of the environment through camera images. The elevation information is then extracted from this visual copy through image processing, transforming a direct measurement problem into an image analysis problem that can be solved with simpler, more widely available equipment.
2Device complexity
If a camera is used to detect surroundings and ascertain elevation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from direct one-dimensional elevation measurement to three-dimensional spatial information extraction from two-dimensional camera images. By utilizing the full spatial information available in images (x, y coordinates and inferred z elevation), the system compensates for the inherently lower precision of camera-based measurement compared to laser methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters by using image coordinates and geometric relationships rather than direct distance measurement. Elevation is calculated as a derived parameter from image position, camera orientation, and known reference points, transforming the measurement approach to one that leverages the camera's strengths in capturing spatial relationships.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing vehicle cameras are used for elevation map creation, then the cost is reduced, but the productivity of elevation data collection is limited by the camera's detection capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the vehicle's existing camera serve multiple functions: driver assistance and elevation data collection. By processing the same camera images for both navigation safety and topographic mapping, the system eliminates the need for dedicated elevation measurement equipment while utilizing the camera's full operational capacity, thereby improving productivity without additional hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's own camera system serves the dual purpose of safety assistance and elevation mapping. The camera continuously captures images for driver assistance, and the same images are simultaneously processed to extract elevation information, allowing the vehicle to self-generate elevation map data without requiring separate measurement instruments or additional operational resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assisting in the creation of an elevation map. The method includes: detecting a surroundings of a land vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle or rail vehicle, and ascertaining image data based on the detection by means of a camera of a land vehicle; ascertaining an elevation of a location in the surroundings of the land vehicle relative to a reference location based on the image data; sending the ascertained elevation of the location via a communication network to a remote map server, in order to assist it in the creation of the elevation map. An apparatus for assisting in the creation of an elevation map, a land vehicle, a map server for creating an elevation map, a method for creating an elevation map, a computer program, and a machine-readable storage medium are also described.