Image-Based Georeferencing System for Accurate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for geolocation require expensive instruments and skilled operators, limiting accessibility and accuracy in position determination, especially in combining data from different measurement tools like surveying instruments, GNSS receivers, and cameras.
Innovation Solution
An image-based georeferencing system that uses a database of georeferenced images and a specialized management system to process images, correlate features, and provide precise geolocation information, enabling users to geolocate points of interest using a camera and GNSS receiver, integrating data from various sources like GIS and aerial images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive surveying instruments and GNSS receivers are used for geolocation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital images as copies of physical scenes to extract geolocation information. Instead of requiring expensive surveying instruments at the measurement site, the system captures images with standard cameras and processes them computationally to determine precise positions of features, replacing complex physical measurement tools with image-based computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical surveying instruments and optical measurement devices with a computational image processing system. The geolocation function is achieved through software algorithms that analyze image data, GNSS coordinates, and geometric relationships rather than through mechanical measurement processes
2Measurement precision
If skilled operators are required to operate geospatial instruments, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic feature detection, image matching, and geolocation calculation without requiring manual intervention for each measurement. The software autonomously processes images, identifies features, correlates them with reference data, and computes positions, eliminating the need for skilled operators to manually operate complex instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the measurement process from manual instrument operation to automated computational processing. By changing the operational parameters from human-controlled mechanical adjustments to algorithm-driven automated calculations, the system maintains high precision while dramatically improving ease of operation
3Measurement precision
If data from multiple measurement tools is integrated, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data from cameras, GNSS receivers, and existing geospatial databases into a unified processing framework. Instead of treating each data source separately, the system integrates image data, satellite coordinates, and reference geospatial information into a single computational model that simultaneously processes all inputs to produce consistent geolocation results
4Measurement precision
If traditional surveying methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic image capture instead of continuous manual measurement. By capturing images at discrete intervals and processing them batch-wise, the system achieves both high precision through careful measurement and improved productivity through efficient time utilization, avoiding the need for continuous manual instrument operation
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of providing georeferenced information regarding a location of capture of an image is provided. The method includes receiving a first image at an image-based georeferencing system, the first image comprising digital image information and identifying a cataloged second image that correlates to the first image. The method further includes automatically determining reference features common to both the second image and the first image, accessing geographic location information related to the common reference features, utilizing the geographic location information related to the common features to determine a georeferenced location of capture of the first image and providing the georeferenced location of capture for access by a user of the image-based georeferencing system.