Depth Overlay Visualization for Remote Construction Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical camera systems used for remote control operation of construction equipment without line-of-sight provide insufficient information due to limitations in network bandwidth, frame rate, latency, and lack of depth information, leading to inefficient operation, potential damage, and incorrect task performance.
Innovation Solution
A construction vehicle equipped with a stereo camera to obtain three-dimensional image data and a controller to generate depth information overlays, which are displayed with the video feed, providing the perception of depth and facilitating efficient remote control operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If typical camera systems are used for remote control operation, then network bandwidth and frame rate limitations are accepted, but depth information and terrain understanding capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D camera imaging to 3D point cloud representation, adding the depth dimension to the visual information. This dimensional change enables remote operators to perceive terrain depth and elevation, directly addressing the loss of depth information while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized LiDAR-camera calibration procedures.
2Productivity
If 2D images are provided for remote control, then network resources are conserved, but terrain understanding and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LiDAR depth data with camera imagery to create a unified 3D point cloud representation. This combination provides comprehensive terrain understanding for improved operational efficiency while being more network-efficient than transmitting multiple high-resolution 2D images or videos from multiple cameras.
3Loss of information
If stereo camera with 3D image data is implemented, then depth information and terrain understanding are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical stereo camera systems with a more straightforward LiDAR-camera integration approach. LiDAR directly measures depth through laser time-of-flight, eliminating the need for complex stereo matching algorithms and baseline calibration, thereby reducing processing complexity while maintaining accurate depth information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables remote control operators to gain a better understanding of the terrain, leading to efficient operation, reduced resource consumption, and accurate task performance, while preventing equipment damage and rework.
Implementation Method 1
a stereo camera configured to obtain three-dimensional image data of an environment that includes a ground surface on which the construction vehicle is located; and a controller configured to: determine, based on the three-dimensional image data, depth information indicating distances from the construction vehicle to different areas of the ground surface
Data Source
AI summary
A device may determine, based on image data of an environment that includes a ground surface, depth information indicating distances from a vehicle to different areas of the ground surface. The device may generate, based on the depth information, an overlay to indicate a range of distances from the vehicle. The range of distances may be associated with an area. The device may provide, for display, a video feed including the image data with the overlay on the ground surface. The overlay may provide the perception of depth, with respect to the area, during an operation of the vehicle.