US 10,540,785 B2 · Compressing data points into polygons

Abstract

A method for compressing three-dimensional data points is disclosed. The method includes measuring a plurality of three-dimensional data points using one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device, where each three-dimensional data point represents a point in a three-dimensional environment. The method also includes dividing the three-dimensional environment into a plurality of spatial cubes, wherein each three-dimensional data point is mapped to one spatial cube. The method also includes, for each spatial cube, converting the three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube to a two-dimensional plane based on a number of three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube. The method also includes, for each two-dimensional plane, determining polygon vertices of a planar polygon at points where an edge of an associated spatial cube intersects the respective two-dimensional plane. The method also includes sending the polygon vertices of each planar polygon to a ground station.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for compressing three-dimensional data points, the method being performed by a computing device, the method comprising:

measuring a plurality of three-dimensional data points using one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the computing device, wherein each three-dimensional data point represents a point in a three-dimensional environment;
dividing the three-dimensional environment into a plurality of spatial cubes, wherein each three-dimensional data point is mapped to one spatial cube;
for each spatial cube, converting the three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube to a two-dimensional plane based on a number of three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube;
for each two-dimensional plane, determining polygon vertices of a planar polygon at points where an edge of an associated spatial cube intersects the respective two-dimensional plane, wherein a number of polygon vertices for the three-dimensional environment is less than a number of three-dimensional data points measured in the three-dimensional environment;
and
sending the polygon vertices of each planar polygon to a ground station.

3 more elements

A computing device for compressing three-dimensional data points, the computing device comprising:

at least one sensor configured to measure a plurality of three-dimensional data points, wherein each three-dimensional data point represents a point in a three-dimensional environment;
a spatial cube module configured to divide the three-dimensional environment into a plurality of spatial cubes, wherein each three-dimensional data point is mapped to one spatial cube;
a least-squares module configured to, for each spatial cube, convert the three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube to a two-dimensional plane based on a number of three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube;
a vertex module configured to, for each two-dimensional plane, determine polygon vertices of a planar polygon at points where an edge of an associated spatial cube intersects the respective two-dimensional plane, wherein a number of polygon vertices for the three-dimensional environment is less than a number of three-dimensional data points measured in the three-dimensional environment;
and
a communication interface configured to send the polygon vertices of each planar polygon to a ground station.

3 more elements

A computing device for compressing three-dimensional data points, comprising:

a processor;
memory in electronic communication with the processor;
and
instructions stored in memory, the instructions being executable to:
determine a plurality of three-dimensional data points in a three-dimensional environment;
divide the three-dimensional environment into a plurality of spatial cubes, wherein each three-dimensional data point is mapped to one spatial cube;
for each spatial cube, convert the three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube to a two-dimensional plane based on a number of three-dimensional data points in the respective spatial cube;
for each two-dimensional plane, determining polygon vertices of a planar polygon at points where an edge of an associated spatial cube intersects the respective two-dimensional plane, wherein a number of polygon vertices for the three-dimensional environment is less than a number of three-dimensional data points measured in the three-dimensional environment;
and
send the polygon vertices of each planar polygon to a ground station.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compressing data points into polygons

Life of this patent

Compressing data points into polygons

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20