Autonomous Mobile Localization Using Lighting-Matched Environment Maps

The patent divides the single environment map into multiple environment maps captured under different lighting conditions. Each environment map is tagged with lighting information (dark, dim, normal, bright), allowing the system to select the appropriate map based on current lighting conditions. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple device architecture while improving location estimation accuracy through conditional map selection.

The patent changes the parameter of lighting conditions to select different environment maps. By capturing environment maps under varying lighting parameters (dark, dim, normal, bright) and using lighting detection to select the matching map, the system adapts to environmental changes without increasing device complexity. This parameter-based selection resolves the contradiction between simplicity and accuracy.

The patent implements dynamic environment map selection based on real-time lighting conditions rather than storing all possible environment variations. The system dynamically detects current lighting conditions and selects the pre-captured map that best matches, reducing stored data volume while maintaining high environmental adaptability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between adaptability and data quantity.

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-capturing environment maps under representative lighting conditions (dark, dim, normal, bright) before actual operation. This allows the system to have ready-to-use maps for different conditions without storing continuous variations, reducing data volume while maintaining adaptability. The preliminary capture of key environmental states resolves the contradiction efficiently.

The patent makes the imager serve multiple functions: capturing environment maps for location estimation, detecting current lighting conditions, and identifying landmarks. By using a single imaging device for multiple purposes rather than adding separate sensors, the system achieves robust landmark-based estimation without significantly increasing device complexity. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

The patent merges the environment map capture function, lighting detection function, and landmark identification function into a unified imaging-based system. By combining these functions that could require separate sensors into a single imager workflow, the system achieves robust landmark-based location estimation while minimizing additional hardware complexity. This merging approach resolves the contradiction effectively.