Terrain Modeling via B-Spline Surface Interpolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional terrain models generated by laser-scanning have limitations due to data resolution, requiring significant computational resources and memory, which is a challenge for embedded systems like vehicle navigation systems with limited resources.
Innovation Solution
A method that reads digital terrain model data, determines differences in height values between adjacent raster points, stores only points with significant differences, and calculates three-dimensional B-spline surfaces for interpolation, allowing for variable resolution and reduced data storage while maintaining high-quality terrain representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution raster data is used for terrain modeling, then terrain representation quality is improved, but memory requirements and computational load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential terrain features by identifying and storing only those raster points where height differences exceed a threshold value. This selective extraction removes redundant data points while preserving the critical terrain characteristics needed for accurate representation, directly resolving the contradiction between quality and memory usage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies B-spline surface fitting to create smooth curved surfaces that interpolate through the selected key points. This curvature-based approach allows accurate terrain representation with fewer points compared to linear interpolation, reducing memory requirements while maintaining quality
2Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution terrain data is stored, then terrain model accuracy is improved, but computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the terrain data processing into distinct stages: reading raster data, calculating height differences, selecting key points based on thresholds, and fitting B-spline surfaces. This segmentation allows efficient processing at each stage and enables the use of simpler computational methods on reduced datasets
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the representation parameters from full-resolution raster data to a reduced set of key points with associated B-spline control parameters. This parameter transformation maintains terrain accuracy while significantly reducing the computational complexity required for storage and processing
3Quantity of substance
If variable resolution terrain modeling is implemented, then data storage is reduced, but terrain quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a threshold-based selection criterion that adapts to local terrain characteristics. In areas with significant height variations, more points are selected, while in flat areas fewer points are needed. This local adaptation maintains terrain quality across varying resolutions
Solution Approach 2:
The B-spline surface fitting provides smooth interpolation between selected points, creating visually accurate terrain representations even with variable point density. The curved surface mathematics ensure that quality is maintained regardless of the local point spacing
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for generating a digital representation of a physical terrain, comprising the steps of reading data of a digital terrain model including raster points having coordinates including a height coordinate that indicates height values of the raster points, determining differences between the height values of adjacent raster points of the digital terrain model, storing only those raster points with height values that differ from the height value of at least one adjacent raster point by at least a predetermined threshold and calculating three-dimensional B-spline surfaces interpolating the stored raster points.