Camera Posture Estimation Using Octahedral Auxiliary Diagonal Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for determining the posture of a camera using vanishing points are inadequate when insufficient vanishing points are detected, especially in complex environments like urban areas with trees along roads, leading to inaccurate camera posture estimation.

Innovation Solution

Introduce auxiliary diagonal points arranged to maintain the symmetry of a regular octahedron inscribed in a unit sphere, in addition to vanishing points, to provide unique camera posture determination even in cases where vanishing points are insufficient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only vanishing points are detected from the image, then the detection process is simple, but the camera posture cannot be uniquely determined when necessary vanishing points are not detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection process complexityVSAvoidcamera posture determination reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The detection process is segmented into two independent parts: vanishing point detection and auxiliary diagonal point detection. Each type of point is detected separately using different detection methods, and both sets of points are used together for camera posture determination. This segmentation ensures that if vanishing points are insufficient, auxiliary diagonal points can still provide the necessary information for unique posture determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Auxiliary diagonal points are introduced as intermediary elements that bridge the gap when vanishing points are insufficient. These points serve as a complementary information source that mediates the determination of camera posture, ensuring reliability even when the primary vanishing point detection fails to provide sufficient data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If auxiliary diagonal points are introduced in addition to vanishing points, then camera posture can be uniquely determined even with insufficient vanishing points, but the complexity of the detection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecamera posture determination reliabilityVSAvoiddetection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection process is divided into separate modules for vanishing point detection and auxiliary diagonal point detection. Each module operates independently with its own detection algorithm, allowing the system to maintain reliability through multiple detection pathways while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system is designed to be multi-functional, capable of detecting both vanishing points and auxiliary diagonal points using a unified detection framework. This universal detection capability allows the system to adapt to different scene conditions and ensures reliable camera posture determination regardless of which type of points are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250384585A1Information processing device, information processing method, and non-transitory computer readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus acquires an image taken by a camera and estimates a vanishing point and auxiliary diagonal points from the image, and the auxiliary diagonal points projected on a unit sphere in a world coordinate system include one point of a set of eight or more points arranged to maintain symmetry of a regular octahedron inscribed in the unit sphere.