Multi-Camera Collimator Calibration for Windshield Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera units installed with optical members like windshields cause geometric distortions in images, leading to inaccurate parallax information and computational errors, which are difficult to correct without requiring large spaces or expensive collimator upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A camera unit calibrating apparatus with a collimator unit and control unit that adjusts collimators to form collimated images at desired positions within the imaging area of cameras, allowing for accurate measurement and correction of geometric distortions over the entire image range without increasing size or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a collimator is used to correct geometric distortion in images, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture images of the collimator's reticle pattern, creating a digital copy of the optical reference. This allows the calibration information to be stored and reused multiple times without requiring the physical collimator to be present during each measurement, reducing device complexity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs geometric distortion calibration in advance by capturing images of the collimator reticle and storing the calibration data. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the complex collimator setup during actual measurements, reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If a collimator is used to correct geometric distortion in images, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive physical collimators with digital images of reticle patterns captured by standard cameras. This copying approach maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs, as digital images can be generated and stored without requiring precision optical components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inexpensive camera equipment to capture calibration images instead of expensive, precision-machined collimators. The digital calibration data can be regenerated if needed, replacing the need for costly physical optical components with cheap, easily reproducible digital references
3Measurement precision
If the collimator imaging area is expanded to cover the entire camera field of view, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the collimator reticle pattern through the entire camera field of view and stores it as a digital image. This allows full-field calibration coverage without requiring a physically large collimator, as the digital copy can be any size and contains the complete calibration information for the entire imaging area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a physical spatial solution (larger collimator to cover more area) to a digital solution (higher resolution images). By moving the calibration information into the digital domain, the system achieves full field of view coverage without increasing the physical volume of the calibration device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus enables precise calibration and correction of geometric distortions in images acquired through windshields, ensuring accurate parallax information and computational results, even with wide-angle views, in a space-efficient manner.
Implementation Method 1
a first collimator produces a first collimated beam, a second collimator produces a second collimated beam
Implementation Method 2
a light flux from the object may be affected by optical refraction as it passes through the windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A camera unit calibrating apparatus performs a predetermined measurement based on images acquired by imaging the same object from different viewpoints using cameras. The apparatus includes a collimator unit and a control unit that controls the collimator unit. The collimator unit includes collimators corresponding to the cameras respectively, collimator driving devices corresponding to the collimators respectively, a support unit that supports the collimators to allow the collimators to be translated individually within a predetermined plane, and a collimator control unit that controls the collimators and the collimator driving devices. The control unit controls each of the collimator driving devices to individually set a corresponding one of the collimators to a predetermined position and orientation, and cause each of collimated images produced by the collimators to be formed at a desired position within a range of an imaging area of a corresponding one of the cameras.