Stereo image measuring device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a stereo image measuring device capable of carrying out high-speed and highly reliable three-dimensional measurement for a stereo image, easily correcting any omitted measurement, measurement errors or the like, and achieving a much higher speed, efficiency and reliability for measurement as a whole. A survey instrument measures a number of control points on site. A camera is, for example a digital camera, a film camera or the like. A control point search unit executes correlation between a control point measured beforehand by the instrument survey and an image. A search area setting unit sets a search area to be used for image correlation processing based on the control points correlated by the control point search unit, and sets respective data blocks, i.e., a reference data block and a search data block. An arithmetic operation unit executes orientation calculation, and image correlation processing (stereo matching) for the search area set by the search area setting unit. A display unit is a stereo monitor, a personal computer monitor or the like providing stereoscopic vision. A measuring unit executes additional measurement when the result of correlation processing is not satisfactory.

Description

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 817,287, filed Mar. 27, 2001, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a stereo image measuring device and, more particularly, to a device for measuring a three-dimensional image from a stereo image. Throughout the specification, “off-line measurement” means executions of image photographing, for example, at a measuring site, and of operations other than the photographing at a different calculation and analyzing site. On the other hand, “on-line measurement” means executions of image measuring, and also of displaying of a three-dimensional image, for example, at a measuring site. [0003] In the conventional art of digital photogrammetry, three-dimensional measurement and analysis from an obtained digital image have been carried out in the following manner. First, orientation is carried out based on several imprint...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In the case of the GPS, problems regarding the measurement carried out by photographing from a stereo image has included the necessity of setting a control point (point of orientation) on an object to be measured, the impossibility of determining without orientation whether the photographed stereo image is measured or not, a longer calculation time for stereo matching (image correlation processing), the impossibility of measuring characterless places, and so on. In particular, to assure the execution of image correlation processing, a method called coarse-to-fine image correlation has been employed. According to this method, correlation processing is carried out in stages gradually from a low-resolution image to a high-resolution image, rather than executing correlation processing among high-resolution images from the beginning. Thus, the number of local errors is reduced, enhancing reliability (see Image Analysis Handbook, p 709, compiled under the supervision of M. Takagi, and Y Shimoda). In the case of this method, however, image correlation processing must be carried out even for each image having different resolution, necessitating a great deal of time for an arithmetic operation.

[0032] Since on-site measurement is enabled, and measurement can be carried out while verifying an error area, the reliability of measurement can be enhanced, eliminating failures.

Problems solved by technology

However, in such a conventional method, image correlation processing must be carried out even for each image having different resolution, thus necessitating a great deal of time for its arithmetic operation.

In the conventional case, if a measuring error occurs, the operation of repeating the image correlation processing must be carried out by specifying the place of the measuring error again by an operator, thereby necessitating much labor and time for measurement and correction.

Also, conventionally, when the tree-dimensional measurement and analysis are needed at a natural disaster site or a place requiring emergency attendance or the like, there may be such cases where enough time may not be provided for measurement by the total station or the like at the actual site, measurement may be impossible, only photographs of the place may be taken, and the like.

However, this method necessitates a great deal of time for measurement, because the measurement is carried out while driving the TS by a motor.

Other problems have included the impossibility of measurement caused by the unreturning of a ranging light, a larger reduction in accuracy as a ranging beam is farther, and so on.

To move the GPS as in the case of the conventional art, much labor and time must be expended because of the measurement of a measurement point coordinate while moving a platform for loading the GPS.

The need to move the GPS to a point to be measured has also made it impossible to perform measurement at a dangerous place.

In the case of the GPS, problems regarding the measurement carried out by photographing from a stereo image has included the necessity of setting a control point (point of orientation) on an object to be measured, the impossibility of determining without orientation whether the photographed stereo image is measured or not, a longer calculation time for stereo matching (image correlation processing), the impossibility of measuring characterless places, and so on.

In the case of this method, however, image correlation processing must be carried out even for each image having different resolution, necessitating a great deal of time for an arithmetic operation.

Images