Image-Based Positioning in GPS-Denied Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing position locating systems struggle to accurately determine the location of mobile terminals in regions that cannot be reached by GPS signals without the need for dedicated transmitters.
Innovation Solution
A position locating system that uses a camera on the mobile terminal to capture surroundings images, acquires similar images over a network associated with position information, and performs image matching to determine the current position, eliminating the need for dedicated transmitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated transmitters are installed at predetermined positions to enable position locating in GPS-denied regions, then position locating accuracy is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image copying and matching principles by capturing current surroundings images and comparing them with pre-stored reference images from the same location. This allows the system to identify current position without requiring dedicated transmitters, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and infrastructure complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical transmitter-receiver system with an optical/image-based positioning system. Instead of using radio waves from dedicated transmitters, the system uses camera images and image processing algorithms to determine position, thereby eliminating the need for complex infrastructure
2Measurement precision
If image matching is performed over the entire network without region prediction, then position locating accuracy is maintained, but processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs region prediction before image acquisition by analyzing GPS signal history and movement trajectory to predict the likely current region. This preliminary action narrows down the search scope, reducing the time and energy required for image matching while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image acquisition process by first determining a predicted region and then only acquiring images within that specific region. This segmentation approach avoids unnecessary image acquisition across the entire network, reducing processing time while preserving positioning accuracy
3Ease of operation
If GPS signals are used for position locating, then position locating simplicity is maintained, but reliability decreases in GPS-denied regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal positioning system that can operate in both GPS-available and GPS-denied regions. By using image-based positioning as a complementary method, the system maintains simplicity while improving reliability across different environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image matching as an intermediary positioning method that bridges the gap when GPS signals are unavailable. The image-based system acts as a mediator to maintain positioning functionality in GPS-denied regions without complicating the overall system operation
Data Source
AI summary
A position locating system for locating a current position of a mobile terminal includes an imaging section, an image acquisition section, a matching section, and a position locating section. The imaging section is configured to capture a surroundings image of surroundings of the mobile terminal using a camera provided at the mobile terminal. The image acquisition section is configured to acquire over a network images similar to the surroundings image and associated with position information regarding an imaging location. The matching section is configured to perform image matching between the surroundings image and the images acquired by the image acquisition section so as to find a single image that is a match for the surroundings image. The position locating section is configured to locate the current position of the mobile terminal from the position information associated with the single image.