Removing extraneous objects from maps
First Claim
1. A method for generating a 3D map of a roadway, the method comprising:
- receiving sensor data collected by a sensor of a vehicle, the sensor data including a plurality of data points, each data point representing a location and elevation of a particular location along the roadway;
generating, by a processor, a 2D grid of the roadway, the 2D grid including a plurality of cells, each cell representing an area of the roadway and having particular dimensions, wherein the processor generates the particular dimensions for each cell of the plurality of cells based on an absolute geographic location of the vehicle defined at least by the geographic latitude of the vehicle when the sensor data was collected;
generating a first set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the locations of the data points;
for each particular cell of the plurality of cells, identifying a data point of the first set associated with a lowest relative elevation;
generating a second set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the lowest relative elevation; and
generating the 3D map of the roadway based on the second set.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to safe and effective use of autonomous vehicles. More specifically, laser data including locations, intensities, and elevation data may be collected along a roadway in order to generate a 3D map of the roadway. In order to remove extraneous objects such as moving vehicles from the 3D map, a 2D grid of the roadway may be generated. The grid may include a plurality of cells, each representing an area of the roadway. The collected data may be sorted into the grid based on location and then evaluated to identify the lowest elevation of the cell. All data points above some threshold distance above this lowest elevation may be removed. The resulting data points may be used to generate a 3D map of the roadway which excludes the extraneous objects.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for generating a 3D map of a roadway, the method comprising:
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receiving sensor data collected by a sensor of a vehicle, the sensor data including a plurality of data points, each data point representing a location and elevation of a particular location along the roadway; generating, by a processor, a 2D grid of the roadway, the 2D grid including a plurality of cells, each cell representing an area of the roadway and having particular dimensions, wherein the processor generates the particular dimensions for each cell of the plurality of cells based on an absolute geographic location of the vehicle defined at least by the geographic latitude of the vehicle when the sensor data was collected; generating a first set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the locations of the data points; for each particular cell of the plurality of cells, identifying a data point of the first set associated with a lowest relative elevation; generating a second set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the lowest relative elevation; and generating the 3D map of the roadway based on the second set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A device for generating a 3D map of a roadway, the device comprising:
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memory for storing received sensor data collected by a sensor of a vehicle, the sensor data including a plurality of data points, each data point representing a location and elevation of a particular location along the roadway; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being operable to; generate a 2D grid of the roadway, the 2D grid including a plurality of cells, each cell representing an area of the roadway and having particular dimensions, wherein generating the particular dimensions for the area of each cell of the plurality of cells is based on an absolute geographic location of the vehicle defined at least by the geographic latitude of the vehicle when the sensor data was collected; generate a first set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the locations of the data points; for each particular cell of the plurality of cells, identify a data point of the first set associated with a lowest relative elevation; generate a second set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the lowest relative elevation; and generate the 3D map of the roadway based on the second set. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium on which computer readable instructions of a program are stored, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method of generating a 3D map of a roadway, the method comprising:
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receiving sensor data collected by a sensor of a vehicle, the sensor data including a plurality of data points, each data point representing a location and elevation of a particular location along the roadway; generating, by a processor, a 2D grid of the roadway, the 2D grid including a plurality of cells, each cell representing an area of the roadway and having particular dimensions, wherein generating the particular dimensions for the area of each cell of the plurality of cells is based on an absolute geographic location of the vehicle defined at least by the geographic latitude of the vehicle when the sensor data was collected; generating a first set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the locations of the data points; for each particular cell of the plurality of cells, identifying a data point of the first set associated with a lowest relative elevation; generating a second set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the lowest relative elevation; and generating the 3D map of the roadway based on the second set. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A vehicle comprising:
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a braking system configured to decelerate the vehicle; an acceleration system configured to accelerate the vehicle; a steering system configured to change the direction of motion of the vehicle; a processor coupled to the braking, acceleration, and steering systems; and memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a 3D map of a roadway, the 3D map being generated by; receiving sensor data, the sensor data including a plurality of data points, each data point representing a location and elevation of a particular location along the roadway; generating a 2D grid of the roadway, the 2D grid including a plurality of cells, each cell representing an area of the roadway and having particular dimensions, wherein generating the particular dimensions for the area of each cell of the plurality of cells is based on an absolute geographic location of the vehicle defined at least by the geographic latitude of the vehicle when the sensor data was collected; generating a first set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the locations of the data points; for each particular cell of the plurality of cells, identifying a data point of the first set associated with a lowest relative elevation; generating a second set of data points for each cell of the plurality of cells based on the lowest relative elevation; and generating the 3D map of the roadway based on the second set; and wherein the processor is operable to access the 3D map of the roadway from the memory and use the 3D map of the roadway to navigate the vehicle along a roadway by controlling one or more of the braking, acceleration, and steering systems.
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Specification