Abstract: One or more embodiments of techniques or systems for creating a road marking classification template and vehicle localization using road markings are provided herein. A road marking classification template database includes templates of training images taken from different navigation environments. A training image with a road marking can be rectified and enhanced. Corners can be calculated for the road marking using the rectified or enhanced image. Locations can be determined for the corners and stored as part of a template. Similarly, a runtime image can also be rectified, enhanced, boosted, etc. Additionally, corners can be calculated for the runtime image and matched against corners of templates from the template database. A location or a pose of a vehicle can be determined using the match. In this way, vehicle localization is provided such that drift or other issues associated with GPS, such as occlusion, are mitigated, for example.

Abstract: The initialization of an inertial navigation system is performed using information obtained from an image of an object. Positional and orientational information about the object in a global reference frame and positional and orientational information about the camera relative to the object are obtained from the image. Positional and orientational information for the camera in the global reference frame is determined along with a transformation matrix between inertial sensor reference frame and a navigation coordinate frame. The inertial navigation system is initialized using the positional and orientational information for the camera, the transformation matrix and the velocity of the camera when the object was imaged, i.e., zero. Using the initialized data with measurements from the inertial sensors the position of the mobile platform may be updated during navigation and provided, e.g., on a digital map. Inertial navigation errors may be corrected using information obtained from images of different objects.

Abstract: A method and system for searching for items is provided. The method includes receiving, from a user, description data describing search requirements associated with a requested physical object to be located. Locations of the user are monitored and a request to locate the physical object is transmitted to video data retrieval devices. In response, video data associated with associated physical objects and location data for associated locations are retrieved. Distances and relative velocities between current locations of the user and each location of each physical object are calculated. In response, recommendations associated with traveling to view each physical object are generated and presented to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a path using a limited memory size are provided. An approximate path is generated based on a reduced grid map generated by reducing an original grid map. Then, an approximate path is mapped onto the original grid map, and the mapped path is enlarged and divided into a plurality of sections based on an available memory size used for path calculation. Based on a start point and a destination point set in each of the divided sections, a detailed path in each of the sections is generated.

Abstract: Navigation information may be provided. First, a destination location may be received at a portable device. Next, a current location of the portable device maybe detected. Then, at least one way-point may be calculated based on the current location and the destination location. An orientation and a level of the portable device may be determined and the at least one way-point may then be projected from the portable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for localizing a vehicle along a route. The method comprises initially surveying the route to be traversed by the vehicle by creating a plurality of orthographic images of the route, at a plurality of locations along the route and subsequently passing the vehicle along the route while obtaining a current view of the route. The method further comprises resolving a pose of the vehicle relative to a survey trajectory by maximising a relation between the orthographic images and the current view.

Abstract: A method for determining location data for a vehicle, a control apparatus for performing the method, and to a vehicle having the control apparatus. The method includes measuring the driving dynamics data for the vehicle, measuring at least one distance of the vehicle from a stationary object and recording a distance, and filtering the driving dynamics data on the basis of the recorded distance.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a program for high-fidelity three-dimensional modeling of a large-scale urban environment, performing the following steps: acquiring imagery of the urban environment, containing vertical aerial stereo-pairs, oblique aerial images; street-level imagery; and terrestrial laser scans, acquiring metadata pertaining to performance, spatial location and orientation of imaging sensors providing the imagery; identifying pixels representing ground control-points and tie-points in every instance of the imagery where the ground control-points and tie-points have been captured; co-registering the instances of the imagery using the ground control-points, the tie-points and the metadata, and referencing the co-registered imagery to a common, standard coordinate system.

Abstract: Localization and tracking system. The system includes at least one laser mounted for pointing its beam at arbitrary locations within a three-dimensional space. An object within the three-dimensional space supports a screen at its top for receiving the laser beam to create a shaped image on the screen. The shaped image on the screen is observed by a camera and computing apparatus determines the location of the object in the three-dimensional space from pointing parameters of the laser and from shape and center points of the shaped image on the screen.

Abstract: Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) imaging systems, method, and computer readable media for generating super-resolved images are described. Super-resolved images are generated by obtaining data sets of cloud points representing multiple views of an object where the views have a view shift, enhancing the views by duplicating cloud points within each of the data sets, compensating for the view shift using the enhanced views, identifying valid cloud points, and generating a super-resolved image of the object by integrating valid cloud points within the compensated, enhanced views.

Abstract: A method of aligning a vehicle sensor is provided. The sensor is arranged on a motor vehicle and is swivelable about at least one axis in the direction of an attention angle determined as a function of the actual driving situation. The presence of a traffic route leading into the probable driving route of the motor vehicle is detected, and the attention angle is selected such that the receiving range of the vehicle sensor resulting from the alignment in the direction of the attention angle at least partially contains the traffic route leading into the probable driving route of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method for the computer-aided calculation of the movement of an object using sensor data from a sensor arranged on the object is provided. The sensor data comprise measuring point set measured at different time points, and the movement of the object is determined between different measuring point sets. From the measuring point sets, initially structural information is extracted and stored together with the measuring points that are not to be associated with any structural type. Subsequently, associations between the structural elements with the same structure type are determined and a corresponding transformation for representing the structural elements is performed. An association of the unassignable measuring points and the structural elements is created and a corresponding transformation of the superimposed associated measuring points and structural elements is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a mobile robot and a controlling method of the same. The mobile robot is capable of reducing a position recognition error and performing a precise position recognition even in the occurrence of a change of external illumination, through geometric constraints, when recognizing its position with using a low quality camera (e.g., camera having a low resolution). Furthermore, feature points may be extracted from images detected with using a low quality camera, and the feature points may be robustly matched with each other even in the occurrence of a change of external illumination, through geometric constraints due to the feature lines. This may enhance the performance of the conventional method for recognizing a position based on a camera susceptible to a illumination change, and improve the efficiency of a system.

Abstract: A method includes receiving location data corresponding to a physical location of a user at a computing device and receiving prey data corresponding to a relative position of an animal at the computing device from a gun scope. The method further includes determining a location of the animal relative to the computing device based on the location data and the prey data.

Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle body movement of a vehicle body of a vehicle (1) using a camera (3) arranged on the vehicle (1). Camera images of vehicle surroundings are thereby continuously recorded using the camera (3) and image position data of at least one static object (8) are determined by a processor in camera images recorded at different times. Using the time-based sequence of the determined image position data the vehicle body movement is determined by the processor. Further, a method for determining a spring compression movement of at least one wheel (7), mounted in a sprung fashion, of a vehicle (1) which comprises a camera (3) arranged on the vehicle (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method for the localization and navigation of a mobile robot and a mobile robot using the same. More specifically, the localization and navigation of a mobile robot are controlled using inertial sensors and images, wherein local direction descriptors are employed, the mobile robot is changed in the driving mode thereof according to the conditions of the mobile robot, and errors in localization may be minimized.

Abstract: In a boundary line recognition apparatus, a boundary line candidate extracting part extracts boundary line candidates from image data obtained by an on-vehicle camera based on known image processing such as pattern matching and Hough transform. One or more kinds of boundary line feature calculating parts calculate one or more likelihoods of each boundary line candidate. The likelihood indicates a degree of probability to be the boundary line. A boundary line feature combining means multiplies the likelihoods of each boundary line candidate and outputs a combined likelihood. A boundary line candidate selecting part selects the boundary line candidate having a maximum likelihood as the boundary line. The boundary line feature calculating part further calculates the likelihood of the boundary line candidate using a dispersion of brightness and an internal edge amount, and changes the likelihood based on an additional likelihood obtained by a driving lane surface feature extracting part.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating location and motion of an object. An image of a ground surface is obtained and a first set of features is extracted from the image. A map database is searched for a second set of features that match the first set of features and a geo-location is retrieved from the map database, wherein the geo-location is associated with the second set of features. The location is estimated based on the retrieved geo-location. The motion of the object, such as distance travelled, path travelled and/or speed may be estimated in a similar manner by comparing the location of extracted features that are present in two or more images over a selected time period.

Abstract: A method for determining processed image data about a surround field of a vehicle includes a step of combining a map information item with a position and an orientation of the vehicle and with an image of the surround field acquired by a surround-field monitoring device of the vehicle, in order to obtain a position-specific image of the surround field. In addition, the method includes a step of processing the position-specific image so as to include at least one symbol that is assigned to a classified object in the position-specific image, in order to determine the processed image data.

Abstract: A digitized image of a map is stored in a data memory. At least one point of the image of the map is selected as reference point. Space coordinates of the location which corresponds to the reference point are determined and allocated to the reference point. A supplementary calibration information item which enables the image of the map to be calibrated in space coordinates is determined. A mobile radio telephone has a navigation device which is set up for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A system and method provides turn-by-turn directions by identifying placemarks, such as businesses or other landmarks that appear along a traveled route. The system may determine whether signage is associated with each placemark along the route and whether the signage is visible from the route. The system may also determine how prominent the signage is from the route. The system selects the placemark by determining how easily the placemark may be identified from the route, based on the signage's visibility and prominence. The selected placemark may then be identified in connection with the turn-by-turn directions.

Abstract: An image processing system inputs a captured image of a scene viewed from a vehicle in a predetermined road section and an image-capturing position at which the image is captured. The system uses a given position in the predetermined road section as a specific position, and sets a target vehicle movement amount at the specific position, for passing through the predetermined road section. The system generates reference image data from the captured image obtained at the specific position. The system generates reference data that is used when scenic image recognition is performed, by associating the reference image data with the specific position and the target vehicle movement amount at the specific position, and generates a reference data database that is a database of the reference data.

Abstract: A navigational apparatus includes a visual display, first and second imaging devices, and one or more processors. The first imaging device has an optical axis extending in a first direction and is configured to obtain first image data. The second imaging device has an optical axis extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and is configured to obtain second image data. When the visual display is displaying first image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a first navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the first image data associated with the point of interest. When the visual display is displaying second image data, the one or more processors are configured to superimpose a second navigational graphic on the visual display overlaid on a portion of the second image data associated with the point of interest.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors disposed at a vehicle and operable to detect objects at least one of ahead of the vehicle and sideward of the vehicle. The driver assistance system includes a data processor operable to process data captured by the sensors to determine the presence of objects ahead and/or sideward of the vehicle. Responsive to the data processing, the driver assistance system is operable to determine at least one of respective speeds of the determined objects and respective directions of travel of the determined objects. The driver assistance system is operable to determine respective influence values for the determined objects. Responsive to the respective determined speeds and/or directions of travel of the determined objects and responsive to the determined respective influence values, at least one path of travel for the vehicle is determined that limits conflict with the determined objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for generating a continuum of image data sprayed over three-dimensional models. The three-dimensional models can be representative of features captured by the image data and based upon multiple image data sets capturing the features. The image data can be captured at multiple disparate points along another continuum.

Abstract: A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A vehicle driving control apparatus is provided with a lane detecting device, a future position estimating device and a vehicle control device. The lane detecting device detects a lane marker of a lane. The future position estimating device estimates a future transverse position of a host vehicle after a prescribed amount of time. The vehicle control device executes a vehicle control such that a yaw moment is imparted to the host vehicle toward a middle of the lane. The yaw moment is imparted upon determining that the future transverse position is positioned laterally farther toward an outside of the lane from the middle of the lane than a prescribed widthwise lane position that is determined in advance using the lane marker as a reference. The vehicle control device suppresses an impartation of the yaw moment device when a recognition degree of the lane marker is lower than a prescribed value.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: obtaining a device state having a current location, a current speed, and a current heading for locating a device; identifying an anticipated maneuver point for estimating a future location of the device on a thoroughfare with the anticipated maneuver point calculated from the current location and the current heading; determining an expected maneuver at the anticipated maneuver point; and generating an accessory control for manipulating an accessory on the device for the expected maneuver at the anticipated maneuver point.

Abstract: A method of mapping a space using a combination of radar scanning and optical imaging. The method includes steps of providing a measurement vehicle having a radar system and an image acquisition system attached thereto; aligning a field of view of the radar system with a field of view of the image acquisition system; obtaining at least one radar scan of a space using the radar scanning system; obtaining at least one image of the space using the image acquisition system; and combining the at least one radar scan with the at least one image to construct a map of the space.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing an image in which only parts of the image that appear above a point on a horizon line are analyzed to identify an object. In one embodiment, the distance between the object and a vehicle is determined, and at least one of the speed and direction of the vehicle is changed when it is determined that the distance is less than the range of a sensor. The method for processing images is not limited to vehicular applications only and it may be used in all applications where computer vision is used to identify objects in an image.

Abstract: A system stores reference data generated by associating image feature point data with an image-capturing position and a recorded vehicle event. The system generates data for matching by extracting image feature points from an actually-captured image. The system generates information on an actual vehicle event, extracts first reference data whose image-capturing position is located in a vicinity of an estimated position of the vehicle, and extracts second reference data that includes a recorded vehicle event that matches the actual vehicle event. The system performs matching between at least one of the first reference data and the second reference data, and the data for matching, and determines a position of the vehicle based on the matching.

Abstract: A material position information measuring section measures a position of a material lifted up by a tower crane. A structure information measuring section measures position information about surrounding structures. A route searching section searches for a route of movement of the material from a start point to a destination. The route of movement determined by the route searching section is stored in a route storage. A data processor receives data of the material position information measuring section and the structure information measuring section, and calculates 2D or 3D image data about relative positions of the tower crane, the material lifted up by the tower crane and the surrounding structures. A display unit displays information about at least one of the tower crane, the material and the surrounding structures using the image data calculated by the data processor, and displays the route of movement determined by the route searching section.

Abstract: A system and method of relative location detection on an electronic device using image perspective analysis. The electronic device will consist of a processor module coupled to a camera module. The camera module of an electronic device as well as a target device will be used to capture image(s) of the current surroundings, including common elements, which will then be used to obtain the relative location of the devices in reference to one another.

Abstract: A method for detecting a clear path of travel for a vehicle utilizing an image generated by a camera device located upon the vehicle includes monitoring the image, and generating a plurality of patches onto the image, wherein the patches are collectively arranged to substantially include the clear path of travel. Feature extraction is utilized to analyze the patches and includes convolving each of the patches with a feature detection filter generating a feature-based filter response, extracting features based upon the feature-based filter response, and determining each of the patches to represent the clear path of travel or to not represent the clear path of travel based upon the extracted features. The clear path of travel is determined based upon the plurality of patches, and is utilized to navigate the vehicle.

Abstract: A navigation method and apparatus of a mobile terminal capture an image of a road on which a driver is driving a vehicle if the road is a new road which has not been updated on map data, automatically generates guidance information of the captured road, and provide a user preference route in searching a route from a current location to a destination to thereby enhance user satisfaction. The navigation apparatus of a mobile terminal includes a storage unit configured to store map data, a display unit configured to display a route from a current location to a destination on the map data, and a controller configured to store locus information of a vehicle in real time when the vehicle gets off of the route and gives a weight value to a link corresponding to the locus information.

Abstract: The system for indoor navigation includes a global coordinate generator for dividing an indoor space, extracting a feature point where images photographed by cameras installed at predetermined locations overlap, and generating a global coordinate of the feature point, a database for storing information about the image and global coordinate of the feature point generated by the global coordinate generator, and a mobile device for extracting a feature point from an image of a surrounding environment photographed by a camera thereof, comparing the extracted feature point with the feature point stored in the database, and estimating location and direction thereof by using a global coordinate of a coincident feature point.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide approximations of latitude and longitude coordinates of objects, for example a business, in street level images. The images may be collected by a camera. An image of a business is collected along with GPS coordinates and direction of the camera. Depth maps of the images may be generated, for example, based on laser depth detection or displacement of the business between two images caused by a change in the position of the camera. After identifying a business in one or more images, the distance from the camera to a point or area relative to the business in the one or more images may be determined based on the depth maps. Using this distance and the direction of the camera which collected the one or more images and GPS coordinates of the camera, the approximate GPS coordinates of the business may be determined.

Abstract: A method essentially comprising a step of storing each plot mesh. Each plot mesh receiving plots sent thereto by detector means and retaining in memory at least the altitude of the highest plot and the number of plots neighboring said highest plot in said mesh. The altitude and the number of plots neighboring are updated each time a new plot is sent to the plot mesh. A step of rejecting plot meshes is presenting a number of neighboring plots that is less than a predetermined rejection threshold value. The rejection threshold value is a function of the position of the mesh relative to the detector means. A step is preparing the local terrain elevation database from the plot meshes (M(i,j)) that are not rejected.

Abstract: Systems and computer program products provide personalized route generation with computer readable program code, when read by a processor, configured for storing in a memory an image viewing pattern and determining a first object viewing interest from the image viewing pattern. The image viewing pattern may be based at least in part on an image viewing history. The first object viewing interest may be depicted in at least one image in the image viewing history. The code is also configured for receiving a request for directions to a destination in a geographic region, identifying a first area in an electronic map of the geographic region and generating a first route to the destination. The first area may include the first object viewing interest. The first route may feature the first area.

Abstract: In a method for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a digital image is obtained by an image capturing device of the UAV. The method detects an object in the digital image, determines a distance between the detected object and the UAV, and obtains a flight direction of the UAV if the distance is less than a preset value. The method further calculates a relative position and a relative angle between the detected object and the UAV, determines a flight limiting range of the UAV according to the relative position and the relative angle, and controls the flight direction of the UAV according to the flight limiting range.

Abstract: A movable body system includes a movable body to which an image pickup apparatus is attached; an image analyzer that performs image matching between the image captured by the image pickup apparatus and an image, which is previously captured on the travel path of the movable body; a wall-surface detector that detects directions of the movable body with respect to wall surfaces, which are arranged along the travel path, and distances between the wall surfaces and the movable body; and a traveling-direction calculator that detects a shift of the movable body with respect to the travel path from an output of the image analyzer or the wall-surface detector, and calculates a traveling direction to cause the movable body to travel on the travel path.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for sensing flight direction of a spacecraft. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for determining flight direction of a spacecraft. The method includes providing at least one imaging detector associated with a spacecraft; imaging at least a portion of a celestial body onto the at least one imaging detector; acquiring, by the at least one imaging detector, sequential images of at least a portion of the celestial body; and determining the spacecraft flight direction relative to the celestial body based at least in part on processing the sequential images, wherein the processing is performed by one or more computer processors.

Abstract: A terminal device mounted on a movable body, includes: an image capturing unit; a determining unit which determines whether to preferentially display an actually captured guide image using a captured image captured by the image capturing unit or a map guide image using map information, based on a relationship between an image capturing direction of the image capturing unit and a traveling direction of the movable body; and a display controlling unit which displays either the actually captured guide image or the map guide image based on a determination by the determining unit. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine whether to preferentially display the actually captured guide image or the map guide image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for providing an indoor navigation service. An apparatus includes a communication module for, when an indoor navigation service is executed, accessing a service server for providing the indoor navigation service. An image control module acquires indoor images in real time and displays the indoor images on an indoor navigation screen. An indoor location recognition module extracts indoor marker from the indoor images, obtains information about the extracted indoor marker, and recognizes a current location in the indoor space based on the indoor marker information. An indoor navigation module requests indoor navigation information to the service server based on information about the current location and destination information, and displays the indoor navigation information.

Abstract: A travel guiding apparatus, method, and program for a vehicle store map information and marker pattern identification information used to identify a marker pattern for each road type, wherein the marker pattern is a pattern of a marker included in a lane marking. The apparatus, method, and program determine a type of road on which the vehicle is traveling and detect the maker pattern on the road. The apparatus, method, and program again determine the type of the road based on the detected marker pattern and change the type of determined road from a road other than an expressway to an expressway, if the first detected type of road is a road other than an expressway and the type of road detected based on the marker pattern is an expressway.

Abstract: To be precisely extracted a house footprint. There is provided a geospatial information creating system for extracting a footprint of a house from an aerial photograph, comprising a processor for executing a program, a memory for storing data required for executing the program, and a storage unit for storing the aerial photograph. The processor detects edges of an image based on a characteristic quantity of neighboring pixels in the aerial photograph stored in the storage unit; extracts an orientation of the house by analyzing directions of the detected edges; and generates a polygon of an outline of the house by using linear lines of the extracted orientation of the house.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for flight validation (FV) are provided. Embodiments implement the requirements of FAA Notice 8260.67 as they relate to FV. Embodiments enable FV to be performed in its entirety, including flight and/or ground obstacle assessment, and on-course/on-path flight evaluation. Embodiments enable a post-flight validation phase, which provides post flight analysis and archiving capabilities. Using embodiments, a person of minimal skill and training can perform FV as prescribed by FAA requirements. Accordingly, significant costs associated with hiring professional surveyors and air crews to perform obstacle assessment and flight evaluation can be eliminated. Embodiments can be implemented using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and relatively inexpensive hardware, making them suitable for large-scale FV operations.

Abstract: An image processing method and a system are provided. The image processing method of moving camera comprises the following steps. An image of a road is captured by a first camera unit. A coordinate of the image of an object shown in the image of the road is captured when the image of the object shown in the image of the road is selected. At least an aiming angle of a second camera unit is adjusted according to the coordinate to make the field-of-view of the second camera unit aligned with the object. The image of the object is captured by the second camera unit. The image of the object is enlarged.

Abstract: An imaging sensor system comprising: a rigid mount plate affixed to a vehicle; a first rigid mount unit affixed to the mount plate and having at least two imaging sensors disposed within the first mount unit, wherein a first imaging and a second imaging sensor each has a focal axis passing through an aperture in the first mount unit and the mount plate, wherein the first and second imaging sensor each generates a first array of pixels, wherein each array of pixels is at least two dimensional, wherein the first and second imaging sensors are offset to have a first image overlap area in the target area, wherein the first sensors image data bisects the second sensors image data in the first image overlap area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for performing non-contact based determination of the position of an implement. In one embodiment, a non-contact based measurement system is used to determine the relative position of an implement coupled with a mobile machine. The geographic position of the mobile machine is determined and the geographic position of said implement based upon the geographic position of the mobile machine and the position of the implement relative to the mobile machine.