[0001] The present invention relates to an autonomous vehicle and in particular to the system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Autonomous vehicles, also known as self-driving cars, driverless cars, auto, or robotic cars, drive from a source location to a destination location without requiring a human driver to control and navigate the vehicle. Automation of driving is difficult due to several reasons. For example, autonomous vehicles use sensors to make driving decisions on the fly, but vehicle sensors cannot observe everything all the time. Vehicle sensors can be obscured by corners, rolling hills, and other vehicles. Vehicles sensors may not observe certain things early enough to make decisions. In addition, lanes and signs may be missing on the road or knocked over or hidden by bushes, and therefore not detectable by sensors. Furthermore, road signs for rights of way may not be readily visible for determining from where vehicles could be coming, or for swerving or moving out of a lane in an emergency or when there is a stopped obstacle that must be passed.
[0004] Autonomous vehicles can use map data to figure out some of the above information instead of relying on sensor data. However conventional maps have several drawbacks that make them difficult to use for an autonomous vehicle.
[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned problem associated with the traditionally available method or system, any of the above-mentioned inventions can be used with the presented disclosed technique with or without modification.
[0006] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide system for mapping the surrounding using autonomous vehicles.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide system for navigation using an autonomous vehicle.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system that facilitates accurate navigation control of a vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure relates to a system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles.
[0012] An aspect of the present invention provides the system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles includes at least one camera sensor and a processing unit. The camera sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is configured to capture video of a surrounding environment and generate a corresponding video stream. The processing unit is configured to cooperate with the stereo camera to receive the video stream. The processing unit comprises a data acquisition module and a mapping module. The data acquisition module is configured to detect a fated set of features in the video frames of the received video stream and record the features across the video frames. The fated set of features include interest points, edge segments, corners, planar structures, and regions.
[0013] According to an aspect, the system includes type of vehicle which further include at least one of four-wheeler, two-wheeler, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, Motor vehicle, agricultural vehicle, Road Vehicle, Heavy Duty Vehicles, Defense Vehicles, or the like.
[0014] According to an aspect, the system includes a communication module configured to facilitate connection with a remote server via a wireless network to facilitate remote monitoring of navigation of the vehicle. The wireless network is Internet. Accordingly, the communication module is selected from the group consisting of Wi-Fi module, cellular communication module, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) module, Wireless Broadband (WiBro) module, and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) module.
[0015] These and other features will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. While the invention has been described and shown with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0017] These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein: Figures attached: N.A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0019] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0020] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0021] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0022] The present invention relates to an autonomous vehicle and in particular to the system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles.
[0023] An aspect of the present invention provides the system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles includes at least one camera sensor and a processing unit. The camera sensor is mounted on the vehicle and is configured to capture video of a surrounding environment and generate a corresponding video stream. The processing unit is configured to cooperate with the stereo camera to receive the video stream. The processing unit comprises a data acquisition module and a mapping module. The data acquisition module is configured to detect a fated set of features in the video frames of the received video stream and record the features across the video frames. The fated set of features include interest points, edge segments, corners, planar structures, and regions.
[0024] According to an aspect, the system includes type of vehicle which further includes at least one of four-wheeler, two-wheeler, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, Motor vehicle, agricultural vehicle, Road Vehicle, Heavy Duty Vehicles, Defense Vehicles, or the like.
[0025] According to an aspect, the system includes a communication module configured to facilitate connection with a remote server via a wireless network to facilitate remote monitoring of navigation of the vehicle. The wireless network is Internet. Accordingly, the communication module is selected from the group consisting of Wi-Fi module, cellular communication module, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) module, Wireless Broadband (WiBro) module, and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) module.
[0026] In the system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles, one or more camera sensors are used to record a visual data of the surrounding. The processing unit simultaneously localizes and maps the visual data for navigation. The processing unit may be implemented using a low-cost hardware such as Raspberry Pi. The VSLAM technique used by the system is computationally efficient. The system consumes less power and does not require expensive sensors which increase the cost of navigation products.
[0027] Since the system is implemented using the camera sensors and the processing unit attached to an autonomous vehicle, there is no latency in sending environment information to a remote server for mapping. The system can be used with surveillance robots, autonomous vacuum cleaners, package delivery robots, and the like.
[0028] The communication module plays an important role in next generation autonomous connected vehicles communication network. The communication module configured to facilitate connection with a remote server of any emergency, location etc. such resources satisfy user need by providing relevant information and save the time of user. The communication module implemented using wireless network and selected from the group consisting of Wi-Fi module, cellular communication module, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) module, Wireless Broadband (WiBro) module, and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) module. These resources are helpful for establishing the communication between vehicles. Such resources have a challenging role in an intelligent transportation system due to traffic congestion. Traffic congestion is increasing day by day because of poor road infrastructure and increasing number of vehicles on road. As a result, user have to wait for a long time to reach their destination. Hence, the concept of radio resource allocation is used in the system.
[0029] The autonomous vehicle connected with a remote server via a wireless network in which the system is implemented to detect & map the surrounding using one or more camera sensors mounted on the autonomous vehicle. Next generation autonomous vehicle connected with a remote server via a wireless network is the network in which various vehicles are communicating and sharing information about traffic and safety. Main objective of autonomous connected vehicles communication network is to provide safety and eliminate the excessive cost of traffic collision. In the vehicle communication network.
[0030] Next generation autonomous vehicle connected with a remote server via a wireless network is a technology which deliver numerous kinds of services such as road-safety, traffic efficiency, comfort driving etc. The remote server plays major role in next generation autonomous vehicles.
[0031] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
[0032] Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

I/We Claim:

1. A system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles comprising:
a. at least one camera sensor mounted on the vehicle and configured to capture video of a surrounding and generate a corresponding video stream; and
b. a processing unit configured to cooperate with the camera sensor to receive video stream, said processing unit comprising:
i. a data acquisition module configured to detect a fated set of features in the video frames of the received video stream and record the features across the video frames;
ii. a mapping module configured to cooperate with said data acquisition module to convert said recorded features into camera poses and two-dimensional coordinates by using a prior camera pose for initialization in order to construct a map of the environment and determine location of the vehicle.
2. The system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein fated set of features include interest points, edge segments, corners, planar structures, and regions.
3. The system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein a communication module configured to facilitate connection with a remote server via a wireless network to facilitate remote monitoring of navigation of the vehicle.
4. The system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein said type of vehicle comprises at least one of four-wheeler, two-wheeler, three-wheeler, commercial vehicle, Motor vehicle, agricultural vehicle, Road Vehicle, Heavy Duty Vehicles, Defense Vehicles, or the like.
5. The system for adaptive mapping using autonomous vehicles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module is selected from the group consisting of Wi-Fi module, cellular communication module, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) module, Wireless Broadband (WiBro) module, and High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) module.