Pedestrian Orientation via Image Comparison
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite navigation devices face challenges in determining the orientation and direction of motion for pedestrians, as they require significant user effort and may provide inaccurate directions due to reliance on magnetic compasses, which are prone to errors and expensive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing image-aided navigation by capturing and processing images from a mobile device's current location, transmitting them to a server for comparison with reference images, and using image processing algorithms to determine the user's orientation, thereby reducing dependence on magnetic sensors and enhancing navigation accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic compasses are used to determine orientation, then orientation information can be obtained, but measurement precision is poor and device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic field-based orientation detection with image-based visual detection. Instead of using magnetic compasses that are susceptible to interference, the system captures images with a camera, processes them to identify visual features, and determines orientation based on the spatial relationships between these features. This substitution eliminates sensitivity to magnetic interference while maintaining orientation detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If image processing is used to determine orientation, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary server that performs the complex image processing and orientation calculation tasks. Instead of requiring the mobile device to have sophisticated image analysis capabilities, the device simply captures images and transmits them to the server. The server maintains a database of reference images, performs feature matching, and returns orientation information to the device, thereby distributing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-processes and stores reference images on the server before they are needed for orientation determination. The server maintains a database of images captured from various locations and orientations, along with their metadata. When a user needs orientation information, the system simply queries this pre-organized database and compares the current image against stored references, avoiding the need for real-time complex processing on the device.
3Measurement precision
If conventional satellite navigation is used, then position information can be obtained, but orientation and direction of motion determination is slow and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-captures and stores reference images at various locations and orientations before they are needed for navigation. These images are organized in a database with their spatial and orientational metadata already established. When the user needs orientation information, the system quickly retrieves and compares images without requiring time-consuming real-time processing or waiting for satellite signal updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-consuming process of calculating orientation from satellite position data with immediate image-based visual comparison. By capturing images and comparing them against the pre-processed reference database, the system obtains orientation information directly from visual feature matching, which is significantly faster than conventional satellite-based orientation determination.
Data Source
AI summary
Satellite-based navigation techniques can help determine a user's position on a map and can also determine directions to a destination. Functionality can be implemented to determine the user's orientation and direction of motion based on a captured image taken in the direction of motion. The captured image may be preprocessed to compensate for a camera angle and to vary image properties before being transmitted to a server. The user's orientation may be determined based, at least in part, on knowledge of a user's position on a map and comparing the captured image to a set of other images. Walking directions can accordingly be tailored based on the user's orientation.