User-Captured Image Platform for Automated Map Updating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing map information update methods require manual collection by vehicles, leading to high labor, time, and cost consumption, and are inefficient in updating rapidly changing information.

Innovation Solution

A platform utilizing user terminals with cameras to capture images, an activation unit to identify update areas, an image transmission unit to send images to a server, an image analysis unit to extract and compare changes, and an updating unit to update the map information, with optional user consent and rewards for participation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual vehicle collection method is used to update map information, then information accuracy can be maintained, but labor cost, time consumption, and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables map information to update itself automatically by utilizing images already captured by dash cams during normal driving. The image analysis unit automatically extracts map information from these images without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-updating and eliminating the need for dedicated update vehicles and personnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual vehicle-based data collection with an automated image processing system. The image analysis unit uses computer vision technology to automatically extract map information from dash cam images, substituting human operators and manual processes with automated mechanical and algorithmic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual vehicle collection method is used to update map information, then comprehensive data can be collected, but time consumption and update speed increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata completenessVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures map information through dash cams during normal driving operations without interruption. The image analysis unit continuously processes these images to extract map information, ensuring that updates occur continuously rather than through periodic manual expeditions, thereby maintaining data completeness while dramatically reducing update time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Map information is captured in advance during normal driving operations before any update is needed. The system accumulates and processes images continuously, so when map information needs updating, the data is already available, eliminating the need for time-consuming dedicated update missions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If dedicated update vehicles are deployed to collect map information, then information accuracy is maintained, but operational cost and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dash cam serves multiple functions: it captures both safety-related driving footage and map information simultaneously. The same camera hardware used for safety purposes is also utilized for map updates, eliminating the need for dedicated update vehicles and reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the map information collection function with the existing dash cam safety monitoring function. By combining these two functions into a single system, the patent eliminates redundant resources and reduces operational costs while maintaining the reliability of information collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12435994B2Information providing platform for updating map

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 THE IND & ACADEMIC COOP IN CHUNGNAM NAT UNIV (IAC)

AI summary

The present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of user terminals for transmitting location information to a server; a photographing unit for capturing an image by means of a camera installed in a dash cam or a camera provided in the user terminal; an activation unit that activates an area where a preset update cycle has been exceeded as an area where information can be updated; an image transmission unit that, when location information of the user terminal received by the server is detected as the area activated by the activation unit, transmits the image captured by the photographing unit to the server through the user terminal; an image analysis unit that extracts map information including store information and terrain information from the image that the image transmission unit has transmitted to the server, and compares the map information with existing map information stored in the server to extract changed map information; and an updating unit that updates the existing map information with the changed map information extracted from the image analysis unit.