Depth Overlays on Stereo Camera Feeds for Remote Vehicle Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical camera systems used for remote control operations of construction equipment without line-of-sight provide insufficient information, lacking depth perception and leading to inefficient operation, potential damage, and resource wastage due to 2D image limitations.
Innovation Solution
A construction vehicle equipped with a stereo camera to obtain three-dimensional image data and a controller to generate depth information overlays, providing a video feed with overlays indicating distances and elevations to enhance remote control operators' understanding of the terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If typical 2D camera systems are used for remote control operations, then device complexity is reduced, but depth perception and terrain understanding are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D camera systems to 3D imaging capabilities by integrating multiple cameras or depth sensors. This dimensional enhancement provides depth perception and terrain understanding without requiring overly complex specialized equipment, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional imaging hardware that can capture both 2D visual information and 3D depth data. By making the camera system universal in its capabilities, the patent avoids needing separate specialized devices for different types of information gathering, thus improving depth perception while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
2Loss of information
If 2D images are provided for remote control, then network bandwidth consumption is reduced, but operator understanding of terrain is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential depth and terrain information needed for operation, rather than transmitting complete high-resolution 3D data streams. By extracting and prioritizing critical spatial information, the patent improves terrain understanding while keeping network bandwidth consumption at manageable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of information transmission by sending processed depth maps or segmented terrain data rather than raw multi-camera feeds. This parameter transformation reduces the volume of data requiring network transmission while preserving the essential terrain understanding needed for remote control operations.
3Productivity
If typical camera systems are used, then device complexity is minimized, but operational efficiency and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of raw camera data to generate pre-computed depth maps, terrain models, and hazard indicators before transmission to the remote operator. This preliminary action prepares essential operational information in advance, improving operational efficiency while keeping the remote device complexity manageable through standardized data formats.
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.