Single Image Geographic Positioning via Camera Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining geographic position information from images are time-consuming, costly, and complex, often requiring multiple cameras or images for accurate triangulation.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves determining calibration values for a camera, capturing an image, identifying a reference point and a selected point, and calculating real-world geographic coordinates based on the distance between them, allowing for accurate geographic location determination from a single image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple cameras or multiple images are used to determine geographic position information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential calibration information from the camera system and uses it to determine geographic positions from single images. By taking out the calibration parameters (focal length, principal point, distortion coefficients) and storing them in a database, the system eliminates the need for multiple cameras or multiple images, achieving accurate position determination with a single camera and single image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the camera's calibration parameters and uses this copied information to reconstruct geographic positions. Instead of physically using multiple cameras or capturing multiple images, the system copies the calibration data and applies it through mathematical calculations to determine positions, thereby reducing physical system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple cameras or multiple images are used to determine geographic position information, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calibration of the camera and stores the calibration parameters in advance. By completing the calibration action before actual position determination, the system eliminates the time-consuming process of using multiple cameras or multiple images during the measurement phase, enabling rapid single-image position determination while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of using multiple physical cameras or capturing multiple images with a computational approach using calibration parameters and mathematical calculations. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming physical measurements and correspondence calculations required by multiple-camera systems, achieving faster position determination through software-based processing.
3Measurement precision
If real-world measurements are used to determine geographic position information, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the camera's calibration parameters (intrinsic and extrinsic parameters) and uses these copied data to determine geographic positions computationally. This eliminates the need for expensive real-world measurements using handheld GPS devices or surveying equipment, achieving accurate position determination through software-based calculation rather than costly physical measurement processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces costly mechanical measurement processes (handheld GPS devices, surveying equipment, multiple cameras) with a computational system that uses calibration parameters and mathematical calculations. This substitution dramatically reduces costs while maintaining measurement precision, as the system uses pre-computed calibration data rather than expensive field measurement equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, features, and methods for determining geographic position information from an image are disclosed. For example, one method for determining the geographic position information is used to develop a navigation database. The method comprises capturing a plurality of images of geographic features by a camera mounted on a vehicle or a pedestrian. A single image from the plurality of images is identified or selected. A real-world ground distance between a reference ground point in the single image and a ground point corresponding to an object in the single image is determined based on determined calibration values corresponding to the camera. Real-world geographic position information, such as a latitude coordinate and a longitude coordinate, of the ground point corresponding to the object in the single image is determined based on the determined real-world ground distance.