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SonyGranted patentAI & softwareInterest 6/10

Sony patents method to simplify 3D sensor data into efficient maps

Sony describes a system that takes complex, high-dimensional sensor data, such as detailed 3D point clouds, and groups it into distinct objects. The system then simplifies these objects into lower dimensions to create a more efficient map of the environment.

Why it mattersThis technique could help devices like robots or autonomous vehicles process their surroundings faster by reducing the amount of data they need to handle.

In the filing’s own words

Provided is an information processing apparatus that efficiently creates a low-dimensional environmental map on the basis of high-dimensional sensor data. The information processing apparatus includes: an object construction unit that clusters sensor data including a high-dimensional point cloud and constructs a high-dimensional object for each cluster; a projection unit that subjects the high-dimensional object to low-dimensional projection; and a map construction unit that constructs a map on a basis of the object subjected to the low-dimensional projection. The object construction unit constructs a high-dimensional object having a size, a shape, and a posture based on geometric information extracted from a set of sensor data included in a cluster.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) configured to: generate a plurality of clusters based on sensor data including a plurality of high-dimensional point clouds; construct a plurality of high-dimensional objects based on the generated plurality of clusters of the plurality of high-dimensional point clouds; subject the plurality of high-dimensional objects to low-dimensional projection; generate a plurality of low-dimensional objects based on the subjection of the plurality of high-dimensional objects to the low-dimensional projection; perform a hidden surface removal process on the plurality of low-dimensional objects; average the plurality of low-dimensional objects; obtain a first object based on the average of the plurality of low-dimensional objects; perform a filling process, by use of the obtained first object, to fill gaps between the plurality of low-dimensional objects after the hidden surface removal process; and construct a first map, after the filling process, based on the plurality of low-dimensional objects.

Facts

Company
Sony (SONY GROUP CORPORATION)
Official title
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and mobile device
Patent number
US12761044B2
Application number
18693969
Filed
Aug 5, 2022
Granted
Oct 13, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
18

Classified under

G01C 21/3837 Physics & computingG01C 21/3811 Physics & computingG06T 5/20 Physics & computingG06T 5/70 Physics & computingG06T 7/50 Physics & computingG06T 15/405 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.