Distance Estimation Using Image Depth Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices cannot directly estimate the size or distance between objects in captured images, requiring inconvenient and inaccurate methods like using reference objects.

Innovation Solution

A distance estimation system that generates an image depth map and computes the distance between targets using processor modules, position information, and image capturing parameters like focal length and pixel size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional mobile devices are used to capture images, then image capturing functionality is provided, but the ability to directly obtain size of objects or distance between targets is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance estimation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image depth map as an intermediary data structure that bridges the gap between standard image capture and distance measurement. The depth map encodes distance information for each pixel, serving as a mediator that translates visual data into measurable spatial relationships without requiring complex hardware modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces physical measurement tools (such as reference objects like coins or rulers that need to be placed near the target) with computational methods. By using image processing algorithms to generate depth maps and calculate distances from image data alone, the system eliminates the need for mechanical or physical measurement aids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If reference objects are placed near objects to estimate size, then distance estimation becomes possible, but convenience and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational convenienceVSAvoidsize estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs distance and size estimation using only the image data already captured by the mobile device's camera. The image processing module automatically generates depth maps and calculates distances without requiring external reference objects or additional user actions, making the device self-sufficient for measurement tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts distance and size information directly from the captured image data through computational processing. By analyzing pixel coordinates, image depth map values, and camera parameters, the system extracts measurement information that would otherwise require physical reference objects, eliminating the need to introduce external elements into the measurement process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9883170B2Method for estimating distance, and system and computer-readable medium for implementing the method

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 LITE ON TECH CORP

AI summary

A method for estimating a distance between a first target and a second target in an image is to be implemented using a distance estimation system that includes a processor module. In the method, the processor module is programmed to: generate an image depth map associated with the image; generate first position information associated with a first position which corresponds to the first target in the image, and second position information associated with a second position which corresponds to the second target in the image; and compute an estimate of a distance between the first target and the second target based on at least the image depth map, the first position information, and the second position information.