Image-Based Site Data Management for GPS-Free Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require GPS receivers or reference point setup to determine the position of work apparatuses, making it difficult to easily check a work site and grasp the state of the topography.
Innovation Solution
A data management apparatus and system that captures and processes images to extract feature points, matches them with existing images, calculates imaging situations, identifies differential feature points, and updates the database with relative position information, allowing for easier site checking and topography grasping without GPS or reference point setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receiver or reference point setup is used to determine position of work apparatus, then position determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image copying and feature point matching between reference images and target images to determine position. Instead of using GPS receivers or physical reference points, the system creates a digital copy of the work site environment through images and matches feature points between images to calculate position information, thereby eliminating complex positioning hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning systems (GPS receivers, physical reference points) with an optical-computational system. The imaging unit captures images, and the control unit performs feature point extraction and matching to substitute for traditional mechanical positioning methods, simplifying the overall system
2Measurement precision
If GPS receiver or reference point setup is used to determine position of work apparatus, then position determination accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The work apparatus performs self-positioning by capturing images with its own imaging unit and processing them through feature point matching. The system uses the apparatus's own imaging capability to determine its position without requiring external reference point setup or separate GPS equipment, making operation more convenient
3Ease of operation
If feature point matching and image processing is performed, then ease of checking work site and grasping topography is improved, but data processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing reference images with pre-identified feature points and their position information before actual position determination is needed. When the work apparatus needs position information, it can quickly match feature points against the pre-prepared reference images, reducing real-time processing time
Data Source
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AI summary
A data management apparatus 2 comprises: a storage unit 35 that stores an existing image including a feature point; an imaging unit 30 that captures a new image; a feature extraction unit 40 that extracts a feature point from the new image; a feature matching unit 41 that acquires an existing image corresponding to the new image, and extracts and associates a feature point in the new image corresponding to a feature point in the acquired existing image; an imaging situation calculation unit 42 that calculates an imaging situation of the new image from the associated feature point in the new image; a difference identification unit 43 that extracts a differential feature point that fails to be associated with a feature point in the existing image among feature points in the new image, and attaches relative position information with respect to the associated feature point to the differential feature point based on the imaging situation of the new image; and a DB update unit 44 that stores the new image in which the relative position information is attached to the differential feature point in the storage unit 35 as an existing image.