Method and system for video-based positioning and mapping

US11835358B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tom Tom Global Content B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Tinosch Kolagheichi-Ganjineh · Berlin, DE
• Philipp Holzschneider · Berlin, DE
• Dimitri Schachmann · Berlin, DE
• Sergej Mann · Berlin, DE
• Sebastian Ihlefeld · Berlin, DE
• Michael Hofmann · Taufkirchen, DE
• Olaf Booij · Leiden, NL
• Nicolau Leal Werneck · Amsterdam, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 26, 2022
• Grant date: Dec 5, 2023
• Expiry date: Dec 26, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/30256
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method and system for determining a geographical location and orientation of a vehicle travelling through a road network is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining, from one or more cameras associated with the vehicle travelling through the road network, a sequence of images reflecting the environment of the road network on which the vehicle is travelling, wherein each of the images has an associated camera location at which the image was recorded. A local map representation representing an area of the road network on which the vehicle is travelling is then generated using at least some of the obtained images and the associated camera locations. The generated local map representation is compared with a section of a reference map, the reference map section covering the area of the road network on which the vehicle is travelling, and the geographical location and orientation of the vehicle within the road network is determined based on the comparison. Methods and systems for generating and/or updating an electronic map using data obtained by a vehicle travelling through a road network represented by the map are also disclosed.