Vehicle-Mounted Street Imaging for Accurate Parking Data Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for ascertaining data for panoramic street images are inefficient and lack sufficient data quality to accurately determine static parking space information, such as parking space locations, permitted times, and signage details.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a camera mounted on a fastening device within a vehicle to record a continuous 4K UHD film at an angle of 90° to the vehicle's direction of movement, allowing for the production of high-quality panoramic street images that can be processed to extract static parking data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera records individual images at intervals (e.g., every 5 or 10 meters), then the recording process is simple and quick, but the image quality and detail resolution are insufficient for accurate parking space data extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuous video recording instead of intermittent image capture. The camera records a continuous video stream of the street environment, ensuring that no parking space information is missed between discrete image captures. This continuous recording approach maintains high detail resolution while improving data completeness for parking space identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the recording parameter from intermittent image capture to continuous video recording. This parameter change enables the system to capture all parking spaces without missing any, while the high resolution of the video recording ensures sufficient detail for extracting parking space information, signage, and regulations.
2Measurement precision
If standard HD resolution (1,920x1,080 pixels) is used for recording, then the recording process is faster and less demanding on processing resources, but the data quality is insufficient to accurately determine parking space locations and signage details
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary georeferencing and panoramic image generation during the data collection phase. By pre-processing the video data into georeferenced panoramic images with identified parking spaces and signage, the system reduces the processing burden during subsequent analysis phases. This preliminary action ensures high data quality while managing processing resources efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct high-resolution video analysis with an intermediate representation system. Instead of processing raw high-resolution video frames directly, the system converts them into georeferenced panoramic images with structured data about parking spaces and signage. This substitution maintains high measurement precision while reducing computational complexity.
3Loss of information
If only basic presence/absence data of parking spaces is recorded, then the data collection process is simple and quick, but additional information such as permitted parking times and signage details cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of georeferencing to the parking space data. By associating each detected parking space and signage element with precise geographic coordinates and orientation information, the system captures comprehensive data including location, permitted times, and signage details. This dimensional enhancement enables complete parking space characterization without significantly increasing processing complexity.
4Area of stationary object
If 360° panoramic images are recorded from multiple positions, then comprehensive street coverage is achieved, but the positions of individual parking spaces and signage details remain difficult to ascertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary georeferencing of panoramic images to establish accurate spatial relationships. By pre-calculating the position and orientation of the vehicle when each panoramic image was captured, the system can accurately locate parking spaces and signage within the panoramic context. This preliminary geospatial processing enables precise position determination while maintaining comprehensive street coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for ascertaining data for a panoramic image of a street with a camera and a fastening device. By means of the fastening device the camera can be positioned in or on the vehicle to record image data containing an angle of 90° to the direction of movement of the vehicle. In addition, the camera is designed to record a continuous film with a resolution of more than 1,920 by 1,080 pixels per frame. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for using the apparatus according to the invention.