Camera Parameter Calibration Using Road Width Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing camera calibration devices for vehicles require advance information on road markings, increasing the size of map data and limiting their effectiveness with conventional map data.

Innovation Solution

A device and method for calculating camera parameters using conventional map data, which includes a center device connected to a navigation device via a communication network, determining camera parameter calibration availability and timing, and calibrating parameters based on road data and image information to convert scenery images for navigation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If camera calibration uses road marking information, then calibration accuracy is improved, but map data size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera calibration accuracyVSAvoidmap data size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary road geometry information (road width, lane markings) from map data that is required for calibration, rather than using complete detailed map data. This selective extraction maintains calibration accuracy while reducing the overall map data size requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using detailed road marking information to improve calibration, the patent inverts the approach by using basic road geometry data that is already present in conventional map data structures, achieving calibration without requiring additional detailed marking data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If camera parameters are calibrated frequently, then navigation accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation accuracyVSAvoidcalibration processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic calibration at predetermined intervals rather than continuous calibration, which maintains navigation accuracy over time while significantly reducing the total processing time required compared to frequent or continuous calibration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to determine when calibration is actually needed based on navigation accuracy requirements and environmental conditions, allowing calibration to be performed only when necessary rather than on a fixed schedule, thus optimizing the balance between accuracy and processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2881710B1Camera parameter computation device, navigation system, and camera parameter computation method

Publication Date: 2019.04.10 FAURECIA CLARION ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

A device for calculating one or more camera parameters of a camera for converting a scenery image captured by the camera of a scenery including a road into an image for navigation, the one or more camera parameters representing a height of a mount position of the camera and a direction of the camera includes: a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information; a road width information acquisition unit that acquires road data corresponding to the current location based on the location information and acquires road width information at the current location from the road data; a scenery image acquisition unit that acquires the scenery image from the camera; and a camera parameter calibration unit that performs calibration calculation of the camera parameters based on the scenery image and the road width information.