Open Sky Visibility Data Generation Using LIDAR Range Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation systems lack the ability to effectively utilize open sky data to provide users with enhanced navigation-related features, such as improved GPS signal availability, radio signal reception, and exposure to weather conditions, which are crucial for accurate route guidance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating and using open sky data by collecting range data using light detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems or range-finding devices, analyzing transmission angles of pulses to determine visibility, and storing this data to associate with geographic features, enabling the determination of open sky visibility at various positions within a geographic region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If navigation systems use traditional geographic data without open sky data, then the system complexity remains low, but the GPS signal availability and navigation accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of geographic features (buildings, terrain, vegetation) using LIDAR and video data to pre-determine open sky visibility areas before navigation. This advance preparation creates open sky data that predicts GPS signal availability, eliminating the need for real-time complexity during navigation while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified digital representation (copy) of the physical environment's sky visibility characteristics through open sky data. This copied information about visible sky areas and GPS signal zones allows the navigation system to make accurate predictions without processing complex real-time geographic data, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity
2Measurement precision
If navigation systems collect and process detailed range data from LIDAR systems, then the open sky visibility accuracy improves, but the data processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for open sky visibility determination from the comprehensive LIDAR range data. Instead of processing all distance measurements, it identifies and extracts only those data points that define sky visibility boundaries (building heights, terrain contours), maintaining high measurement precision while dramatically reducing processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs data extraction and processing in advance during map creation, storing pre-computed open sky visibility data. This preliminary action transfers computational load from real-time navigation to offline map generation, achieving high precision visibility accuracy without impacting navigation response time
3Adaptability or versatility
If navigation systems integrate open sky data with geographic features, then the route guidance quality improves, but the data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges open sky visibility data with existing geographic feature data structures, combining sky visibility information with building, terrain, and vegetation data. This integration allows the system to provide enhanced route guidance that considers both physical geography and sky visibility without requiring separate storage systems, efficiently utilizing existing data infrastructure
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
Enables the use of open sky data to improve navigation systems by providing users with better GPS signal availability, radio signal reception, and exposure to weather conditions, enhancing route guidance and user experience by incorporating visibility and signal strength information into navigation algorithms.
Implementation Method 1
the range data may include data generated by a light detection and ranging system at the given position
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for generating and using open sky data is described. A vehicle equipped with a range-finding device travels on a road network in a geographic region. The range-finding device transmits a pulse at a given position and obtains range data associated with the position. The system uses the range data to generate data representing visibility of open sky at the given position and at other positions along the road network. For example, the system may determine transmission angles of pulses transmitted at positions that did not encounter a physical object and then use the determined transmission angles to generate data representing visibility of open sky at these positions. The system then stores the data representing the visibility of open sky. The system then associates the data representing the visibility of open sky with data representing physical features.