Single Camera Facility Coordinate Derivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the coordinates of a facility, such as a stereo camera system, require either two cameras or successive photographs captured by moving horizontally, and they need to know the magnification with respect to the distance between the camera and the feature, which can be limiting in certain scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method using a processor to derive position coordinates of a facility from model information, calculating distances from a camera to an object using multiple images, and determining coordinates without the need for two cameras or successive photographs, even if the magnification is unknown, by utilizing relationships between image sizes and distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stereo camera system is used to determine facility coordinates, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring two cameras
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two cameras into a single camera by capturing images at different positions and synthesizing the information. The single camera performs what traditionally required a stereo camera system, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to determine facility coordinates accurately through image synthesis and coordinate calculation algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that takes images from a single camera at different positions and computationally derives the information that would otherwise require simultaneous capture by two cameras. This intermediary computational process mediates between the simple single-camera setup and the complex stereo camera system, achieving coordinate determination without the complexity of dual cameras.
2Measurement precision
If successive photographs are used to measure feature size from distance, then measurement capability is improved, but loss of time increases due to requiring horizontal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images at different positions before the final measurement calculation. Instead of requiring horizontal movement between successive photographs, the system pre-captures images from multiple stationary positions and then performs the measurement calculation, eliminating the time loss associated with physical movement while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of horizontal camera movement with a computational system. Instead of physically moving the camera between successive photographs to measure feature size, the system uses image processing and coordinate geometry calculations on images taken from different positions, substituting mechanical movement with computational analysis to eliminate time loss.
3Measurement precision
If magnification with respect to distance is used to measure feature size, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring advance magnification calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnification calibration requirement from the measurement process. Instead of requiring advance magnification calibration as a separate preparatory step, the system derives the necessary scaling information directly from the image data and coordinate calculations, extracting only the essential measurement information needed without the burden of pre-calibration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having the measurement system automatically determine its own scaling factors from the captured images and coordinate information. Rather than requiring external calibration procedures or advance magnification setup, the system uses the image data itself to establish the relationship between image dimensions and real-world measurements, making the calibration process self-contained and eliminating additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to ascertain coordinates of facility. A processor obtains two or more captured images of a facility and an object (S101), obtains position coordinates and an actual size of the facility and a size of the object from a database (S104), calculates a distance from each camera that has captured the two or more images to the object using a relationship between a distance from each camera that has captured the two or more images to the facility and a magnification with respect to the actual size of the facility on the two or more images (S108), and derives position coordinates of the object using the calculated distance (S109).