Automated Floor Map Generation from 360° Spherical Panorama Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to effectively generate accurate and detailed floor maps of building interiors without physical presence, especially for multi-room buildings, as they often require precise distance measurements and depth-sensing equipment, which can be impractical and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of automated computing systems that analyze 360° spherical panorama images captured with fisheye lenses to generate floor maps without requiring distance measurements from the images' viewing locations, utilizing user input and image processing techniques to identify and connect room features and passages, allowing for the creation of detailed floor plans and 3D models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated tools generate floor maps without physical presence, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses 360-degree panoramic images as visual copies of the building interior to generate floor maps. Instead of requiring physical measurement devices, the system creates accurate spatial representations by processing these image copies, thereby maintaining measurement precision while improving productivity through automated remote analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement devices (tape measures, laser distance meters) with computational image processing methods. By substituting physical measurement tools with automated algorithms that analyze panoramic images, the system achieves both high productivity through automation and sufficient measurement precision for floor map generation
2Measurement precision
If depth-sensing equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of depth sensing from complex dedicated equipment and implements it through standard camera systems combined with panoramic image processing. By taking out the depth measurement capability from specialized depth-sensing equipment and embedding it in常规 camera systems, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes standard camera systems multi-functional by enabling them to perform both standard photography and depth/distance measurement through panoramic image analysis. This universality eliminates the need for separate depth-sensing equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving measurement capabilities
3Loss of information
If detailed interior information is provided, then information completeness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms three-dimensional building interior information into two-dimensional floor map representations. This dimensional transformation allows detailed interior information to be presented in a simplified, easily interpretable format that maintains information completeness while greatly improving ease of operation for remote users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex three-dimensional interior space into discrete two-dimensional floor map elements (walls, rooms, doors, windows). This segmentation organizes detailed interior information into manageable visual components, making the data easier to interpret and operate with while preserving complete spatial information
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for using computing devices to perform automated operations involved in analysis of images acquired in a defined area, as part of generating mapping information of the defined area for subsequent use (e.g., for controlling navigation of devices, for display on client devices in corresponding GUIs, etc.). The defined area may include an interior of a multi-room building, and the generated information including a floor map of the building, such as from an analysis of multiple 360° spherical panorama images acquired at various viewing locations within the building (e.g., using an image acquisition device with a spherical camera having one or more fisheye lenses to capture a panorama image that extends 360 degrees around a vertical axis)—the generating may be further performed without detailed information about distances from the images' viewing locations to objects in the surrounding building.