Orthographic Map Generation for Virtual Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring real-world distances on perspective images require a 3D backing model and user-drawn lines, which can be cumbersome and require mental effort, especially for non-architectural scenes.
Innovation Solution
The technology creates 2D orthographic models and maps of 3D structures using captured images, allowing for virtual measurements without requiring 3D views, by capturing images with a camera connected to an augmented reality engine, annotating images with orientation lines, determining the orientation of a projection plane, estimating offsets for surface planes, and rendering orthographic maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If perspective projection is used to generate camera images, then the image includes perspective view information that is advantageous for user interpretation, but the pixel scale does not directly equate to actual object dimensions and requires 3D backing models and user-drawn lines for measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a 2D orthographic map that is a simplified copy of the 3D environment, eliminating the need for complex 3D backing models. This orthographic projection copy preserves measurement accuracy while removing the complexity of perspective corrections and ray-casting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the projection parameter from perspective to orthographic, fundamentally altering how spatial information is represented. This parameter change enables direct measurement relationships where pixel distances proportionally correspond to real-world distances without requiring complex calibration or 3D model dependencies.
2Measurement precision
If 3D backing model and user-drawn lines are used for measurement on perspective images, then real-world distances can be measured, but the process is cumbersome and requires significant mental effort from users
Solution Approach 1:
The orthographic map serves as a simplified 2D copy of the environment where measurements can be performed directly without requiring users to draw lines on perspective images or mentally compensate for perspective distortion. The copy preserves accurate spatial relationships in a format that is intuitive for measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of taking perspective images and trying to extract accurate measurements from them through complex processing, the patent inverts the approach by directly generating orthographic projections that are inherently suitable for measurement, eliminating the need for corrective processing and user compensation.
3Ease of operation
If orthographic projection is used to represent 3D objects, then measurements in the projection plane can be accomplished by measuring simple linear distances, but the projection does not include perspective view information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visualization into two distinct components: orthographic maps for accurate measurement and perspective images for visual context. This segmentation allows each representation to serve its optimal function without compromise - measurements are simple on orthographic views while perspective information is preserved in separate visualizations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multiple views serving different functions - orthographic projections for measurement and perspective views for interpretation. This multi-functionality ensures that users get both the simplicity of orthographic measurement and the contextual richness of perspective visualization without the compromises of trying to do both in a single view.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating a two-dimensional orthographic map that models an environment using images captured with a camera and an augmented reality (AR) engine. The interior has at least one object with one or more planes that are parallel to each other. A method can include annotating the at least one image with a plurality of horizontal lines or vertical lines, each horizontal line or vertical line corresponding to an edge of the at least one object in at least one of the one or more planes, determining, an orientation of a projection plane that is parallel to each of the one or more planes, estimating an offset for each of the one or more planes relative to the projection plane, and rendering, based on the offset for each of the one or more planes, a two-dimensional orthographic map that models the interior environment.