Map Creation System Using Reference Plane for Point Cloud Area Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional map creation systems face complexity in accurately determining the positions and shapes of infrastructures or objects, especially when shapes are complicated or when laser measurement units fail to detect objects behind obstacles, leading to erroneous area detection and large correction volumes.
Innovation Solution
A map creation system that includes relative position acquisition, sensor position measurement, absolute position calculation, direction-vector calculation, area detection with reference plane setting, and point cloud extraction to accurately outline areas without operator-intensive corrections, using a combination of laser measurement units, inertial measurement units, and GPS for precise data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If point cloud data is analyzed by computer program for area detection, then automation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to erroneous detection when points from different planes are mistakenly judged to be on the same plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference plane as an additional dimensional constraint to distinguish points from different planes. By comparing the position of each point relative to the reference plane, the system can accurately determine whether points belong to the same plane or different planes, preventing erroneous detection while maintaining automation.
2Speed
If laser measurement unit is used to detect infrastructures, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to area defects caused by obstacles blocking laser beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference plane as an intermediary to bridge the gap caused by measurement defects. By using the reference plane to infer the positions of areas blocked by obstacles, the system can compensate for missing data and achieve accurate area detection even when laser beams are blocked, maintaining both speed and precision.
3Measurement precision
If operator manually indicates outlines on screen to determine positions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and operation becomes complicated when shapes are complicated or number of infrastructures is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically perform area detection and outline extraction by itself, without requiring operator intervention for each indication. The computer program automatically analyzes point cloud data, uses reference planes to distinguish different planes, and extracts area outlines, making the system self-sufficient while maintaining accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If operator manually corrects erroneous detections and area defects, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to large volume of correction work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting areas and extracting outlines using computer programs before any correction work is needed. By implementing automated detection with reference plane analysis from the beginning, the system minimizes the need for subsequent manual corrections, saving significant time while maintaining precision.
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 creation of accurate maps with simplified operations by reducing operator errors and correcting defects in point cloud data, ensuring accurate detection of areas even behind obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
a laser measurement unit (11) to measure distances and directions to points on a surface of an infrastructure or an object and to create point cloud data
Implementation Method 2
an inertial measurement unit (12) to measure the position and the attitude of the sensor
Implementation Method 3
a GPS receiver (13) to measure the position of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In order to create an accurate map with a simple operation, the map creation system includes: a relative position acquisition means to measure distances and directions from a sensor to points on a surface of an infrastructure or an object and to create point cloud data in a relative space with the sensor at the center thereof; a sensor position acquisition means to measure the position and the attitude of the sensor and to create sensor position data; an absolute position calculation means to calculate position information of the point cloud in the absolute space on the basis of the point cloud data in the relative space and the sensor position data; a direction-vector calculation means to obtain a direction vector from the sensor to each point of the point cloud in the absolute space on the basis of the point cloud data in the relative space and the sensor position data; an area detection means to extract points composing a plane area on the basis of the position information and the direction vectors of the point cloud in the absolute space and to obtain the area outline on the basis of the distribution of the extracted points; and a drawing means to draw a picture representing the detected area outline with a line.