Pixel Geo-location via Image Registration and Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position of objects in an image, such as GPS tagging and surveying, are prone to errors and cannot accurately determine multiple points simultaneously without reference objects, and often require significant effort and precision beyond human capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses image registration and GPS coordinates from multiple camera positions to determine the position of pixels in an image, incorporating ECEF or WGS84 coordinate systems, and optionally an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) to calculate precise GPS coordinates for each pixel, enabling accurate position determination in a general-purpose computer or embedded systems like digital cameras or GPS receivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS tagging is used to determine object positions, then the position of the camera can be recorded, but the GPS positions of objects in the photograph remain unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image registration as an intermediary process to bridge the gap between camera position data and object position data. By registering multiple images and identifying corresponding pixels, the system can compute object positions relative to the camera's known GPS position, thereby recovering the lost object position information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image coordinates to three-dimensional geographic coordinates by incorporating camera position data and performing image registration. This dimensional transformation enables the determination of absolute object positions in space rather than just relative positions within the image frame.
2Measurement precision
If surveying methods are used to determine object positions, then position data can be obtained, but the process is prone to optical errors and human eye errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical and human-dependent surveying system with an automated computational system. Instead of using optical instruments and human eyes to measure distances, the system uses image registration algorithms and coordinate transformations to automatically determine object positions, eliminating human error and optical errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-calibration and self-measurement by automatically registering images and computing positions without human intervention. The computational process itself serves to determine the positions, removing the need for human operators and their associated errors.
3Productivity
If surveying is used to determine object positions, then position data can be obtained, but it only determines the position of a single point at a time with great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple pixels or regions of interest, allowing simultaneous determination of positions for multiple points. By processing the entire image or multiple images through registration, the system can extract position information for numerous objects in parallel rather than sequentially measuring single points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary image registration and coordinate system transformation before extracting individual object positions. This preliminary processing establishes the geometric relationships between multiple images, enabling subsequent rapid extraction of positions for multiple points without repeating the measurement process for each point.
Data Source
AI summary
Determining GPS coordinates of some image point(s) positions in at least two images using a processor configured by program instructions. Receiving position information of some of the positions where an image capture device captured an image. Determining geometry by triangulating various registration objects in the images. Determining GPS coordinates of the image point(s) positions in at least one of the images. Saving GPS coordinates to memory. This system and method may be used to determine GPS coordinates of objects in an image.