Camera-Aided GNSS Receiver Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GPS and GNSS systems face challenges in maintaining reliable navigation in areas with obstructed signal reception, such as urban canyons, where signal strength is weakened, and require significant processing power, making them unsuitable for small portable devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilizes a camera module to derive position information, which is then integrated with GNSS signals to provide backup navigation data, reducing processing power requirements and enhancing navigation resilience in areas with weak or absent GPS signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GNSS signals are used for navigation in obstructed areas, then navigation reliability is improved, but signal strength deteriorates due to urban canyon effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces camera-derived position information as an intermediary to bridge the gap between obstructed GNSS signals and accurate positioning. The camera captures visual features of the environment, which are then processed to estimate position, serving as a mediator when direct satellite signals are blocked by urban structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges GNSS receiver data with camera module data into a unified navigation system. The navigation processor combines satellite-based position information with vision-based position estimation to produce a hybrid positioning solution that maintains reliability in obstructed environments
2Measurement precision
If traditional GNSS processing is used, then navigation accuracy is maintained, but processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs camera-derived position information as a computationally lighter alternative to full GNSS processing in obstructed areas. Rather than attempting to process weak satellite signals with high computational power, the system uses visual feature matching which requires less processing capability while maintaining acceptable accuracy for portable devices
3Power
If camera-derived position information is used, then processing power requirements are reduced, but navigation resilience in poor signal areas must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic switching mechanism where the navigation processor selectively uses camera-derived position information based on GNSS signal quality. When satellite signals are strong, traditional GNSS processing is used; when signals are obstructed, the system dynamically transitions to vision-based positioning, optimizing both power consumption and reliability in real-time
Data Source
AI summary
A method of computing navigation information in a portable device comprising a GNSS receiver arranged to receive navigation signals from a plurality of navigation satellites, and a GNSS processor to extract a GNSS position information from said navigation signals. The GNSS receiver is also arranged to obtain image data from a camera module. The method comprises the steps of: deriving a set of position information from the camera module; providing the camera-derived position information to a navigation processor; using said set of camera-derived position information and said navigation signals, to generate a position fix of the GNSS receiver; computing navigation information based on said generated position fix.