Invisible Light Pattern Positioning for Vehicle Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capture systems for structures like buildings and stadiums often lack complete coverage and accurate positioning information, leading to incomplete or poorly attributed interior images.
Innovation Solution
A system that projects a pattern of invisible light onto a surface, allowing a vehicle equipped with an image capture device and invisible light sensor to determine its position relative to the projection device, enabling accurate image capture and positioning by associating pattern images with captured images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a pattern of invisible light is projected onto a surface to enable positioning, then image capture positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional projection devices and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
A pattern of invisible light is projected onto the surface to serve as an intermediary reference system. This light pattern acts as a mediator between the projection device and the image capture device, enabling precise positioning by providing detectable reference points that link the two devices spatially without requiring direct complex communication or calibration between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning systems with an optical-based positioning system. Instead of using mechanical encoders, resolvers, or physical reference markers, the system uses projected invisible light patterns detected by sensors to determine position, thereby substituting mechanical measurement methods with optical field-based measurement.
2Measurement precision
If invisible light sensors and projection devices are added to the system, then positioning accuracy is improved, but cost increases due to additional hardware components
Solution Approach 1:
The projection device serves multiple functions: it projects the invisible light pattern for positioning purposes and can also function as a calibration target for the image capture device. The invisible light pattern itself serves dual purposes as both a positioning reference and a calibration reference, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses invisible light (changing the wavelength parameter from visible to infrared or other non-visible spectrum) to create positioning patterns that do not interfere with visible image capture. This parameter change allows the same optical path to be used for both positioning and imaging without requiring separate physical channels.
3Area of stationary object
If the vehicle moves from first position to second position to capture multiple images, then image coverage is improved, but time consumption increases due to multiple positioning and capture cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The invisible light pattern is continuously projected onto the surface throughout the vehicle's movement, providing continuous positioning reference. This allows the image capture device to continuously determine its position and capture images without interruption, eliminating the need to stop for positioning at each location and enabling seamless continuous imaging across the entire coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning reference system (invisible light pattern) is established beforehand before image capture begins. This preliminary setup of the reference frame allows for rapid continuous positioning during image capture, eliminating the need for time-consuming real-time calibration or positioning calculations during the actual imaging process.
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
This method ensures comprehensive image capture with precise positioning, addressing the issue of incomplete coverage and attribute lack in existing systems by using invisible light patterns to identify relative locations and project global locations for image analysis.
Implementation Method 1
capturing, by an invisible light sensor connected to the vehicle, a pattern image at the image capture position, the pattern image including at least a portion of the pattern of invisible light projected onto the surface
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, computer programs, and user interfaces are provided to project, by a projection device, a pattern of invisible light onto a surface; position a vehicle at an image capture position on the surface, the vehicle including an image capture device oriented to capture an image of a view at the image capture position; capture, by an invisible light sensor connected to the vehicle, a pattern image at the image capture position, the pattern image including at least a portion of the pattern of invisible light projected onto the surface; and send the pattern image to an application server, the application server determining the image capture position relative to the projection device based on the portion of the pattern of invisible light.