Image-Based Positioning Using Light Sources and Landmarks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning systems for moving objects, such as lunar rovers, face challenges in accurately determining their position and orientation due to environmental factors like sunlight blocking the visibility of light sources, leading to unreliable positioning, especially on the lunar surface.

Innovation Solution

A positioning device that utilizes both light sources and target objects, such as landmarks, to derive the position and orientation of a moving object by detecting their positions in captured images and using known spatial coordinates, enabling reliable positioning even when light sources are unobservable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If positioning is performed using only light sources, then positioning can be achieved in normal conditions, but positioning reliability deteriorates when light sources are blocked by sunlight or other factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different positioning approaches: light source-based positioning and landmark-based positioning. The system integrates both methods into a unified positioning framework, allowing the moving object to use light sources when visible and switch to landmarks when light sources are blocked, thereby improving positioning reliability under varying environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is designed to perform multiple positioning functions using different reference objects. It can universally handle both light source-based positioning and landmark-based positioning, making the system adaptable to different environmental conditions including situations where light sources are blocked by sunlight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If only light sources are used for positioning, then the system is simple to implement, but positioning accuracy deteriorates in environments where light sources are unobservable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidimpact of sunlight blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of sunlight blocking light sources into a beneficial switching mechanism. When sunlight blocks light sources (harmful condition), the system automatically switches to using landmarks for positioning (beneficial response), thereby maintaining positioning accuracy despite the adverse environmental condition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positioning parameter from light source coordinates to landmark coordinates based on environmental conditions. When light sources become unobservable due to sunlight, the system transitions to using landmarks as the reference, effectively changing the positioning parameter to maintain accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple position indicators (light sources and landmarks) are used, then positioning reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidpositioning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic positioning system that adaptively switches between light source-based positioning and landmark-based positioning based on environmental conditions. The system dynamically selects the appropriate positioning method, using light sources when visible and landmarks when light sources are blocked, thereby improving reliability without permanently increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures accurate positioning of moving objects by leveraging multiple position indicators, including light sources and landmarks, enhancing reliability and accuracy even in environments where light sources are blocked, thereby preventing deviation from the intended route.

Implementation Method 1

detects a light source and a target object different from the light source in an image captured by an imager

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12595081B2Positioning device, moving object, positioning method and storage medium

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A positioning device includes at least one processor. The at least one processor detects a light source and a target object different from the light source in an image captured by an imager. A moving object has the imager and moves in a space. The at least one processor derives a position of the moving object in the space based on positions of the light source and the target object in the image and known positions of the light source and the target object in the space.