Vehicle Navigation Using Camera-Based Characteristic Point Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle navigation systems require users to constantly monitor electronic maps for turn and forking points, which can be distracting and inefficient, especially while driving.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a navigation system that includes a camera module, storage device, display device, and function modules such as a receiving, positioning, determination, extraction, acquiring, and output module, which uses image extraction methods like Hough transformation and Fourier shape descriptors to recognize characteristic points and prompt users when approaching turns or forking points, allowing for hands-free navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users constantly monitor electronic maps for turn and forking points, then navigation accuracy is improved, but driver distraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation system automatically detects characteristic points (turns, forking points) using image extraction algorithms and extracts navigation information without requiring driver intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously processing images from the camera module to identify route features, eliminating the need for drivers to constantly monitor the electronic map while maintaining navigation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of visual monitoring by the driver with an automated image processing system. Using algorithms such as Hough transformation and Fourier shape descriptors, the system automatically detects and identifies characteristic points from camera images, substituting the driver's visual attention and manual interpretation with computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If users manually monitor electronic maps for navigation information, then navigation information accuracy is improved, but operation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation information accuracyVSAvoidoperation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary extraction of characteristic points and navigation information before the driver needs to make navigation decisions. By continuously processing camera images to identify turns, forking points, and route features in advance, the system prepares navigation information ahead of time, allowing the driver to receive alerts without having manually scanned the map for this information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where camera images are continuously processed to detect characteristic points, and navigation information is extracted and presented to the driver through alerts and displays. This automated feedback mechanism ensures navigation information is provided accurately and timely without requiring manual monitoring by the driver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the navigation system processes images continuously to recognize characteristic points, then navigation reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies image processing algorithms selectively rather than continuously processing all images. By using algorithms like Hough transformation and Fourier shape descriptors to identify specific characteristic points (turns, forking points, intersections), the system performs partial analysis focused on navigation-relevant features, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable navigation information extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9250089B2Electronic device and vehicle navigation method
Publication Date: 2016.02.02 CHIUN MAI COMM SYST INC

AI summary

A navigation method for a vehicle includes receiving a destination inputted by a user and establishing a current position of a vehicle using a positioning device. Based on an electronic map, a route from the current position to the destination is determined and characteristic points of the determined route are extracted. A street view mapping of the determined route is acquired. Based on the street view mapping, and using a camera, a marker of each of the characteristic points is extracted using an image extraction method. When the vehicle arrives at each of the characteristic points, a prompt is output for the user by recognizing the marker of each of the characteristic points from the street view mapping.