Camera Unit Calibration With Movable Collimators for Distortion Correction
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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 increasing the size and cost of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A camera unit calibrating apparatus and method using a collimator unit with adjustable collimators and plane mirrors to form collimated images at desired positions within the imaging area, allowing for accurate geometric distortion correction over the entire image range without increasing space or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a collimator is used to generate chart images at infinity for geometric distortion correction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collimator system into multiple independent collimators (first collimator and second collimator) corresponding to different cameras. Each collimator can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing separate calibration of each camera channel. This segmentation enables precise geometric distortion correction for each camera while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable and movable collimators that can be dynamically positioned at different locations and orientations. The collimators can be moved to different positions within the imaging area and adjusted to generate collimated images at various desired positions. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different calibration requirements and correct geometric distortions across the entire image range without requiring a fixed, complex apparatus.
2Measurement precision
If collimators are positioned to cover the entire imaging area for comprehensive distortion correction, then measurement precision is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses movable collimators that can be dynamically repositioned to different locations within the imaging area. Instead of requiring multiple fixed collimators covering the entire area simultaneously, the system uses collimators that can be moved to different positions as needed. This dynamic positioning allows comprehensive distortion correction across the entire image range while maintaining a compact apparatus size, as the same physical collimator can serve multiple positions sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the collimator system with multi-functionality, where each collimator can serve multiple purposes by being positioned at different locations and orientations. The same collimator can be used to calibrate different regions of the imaging area at different times, making the apparatus more space-efficient. This universal design allows the system to achieve comprehensive distortion correction without requiring dedicated collimators for each imaging region.
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 solution enables highly accurate measurement and correction of geometric distortions in images acquired by camera units, ensuring precise parallax information and computational results, even with optical members like windshields present.
Implementation Method 1
a first collimator 11L and a second collimator 11R, which generate collimated beams C1
Implementation Method 2
plane mirrors 18 configured to reflect the collimated beams C1 from the collimators 11 in predetermined directions
Data Source
AI summary
A camera unit calibrating apparatus performs measurement based on images of an object acquired from different viewpoints by cameras. The apparatus includes a collimator unit including collimators each corresponding to a camera, collimator driving devices corresponding to the collimators, plane mirrors reflecting collimated beams from the collimators in predetermined directions, mirror driving devices corresponding to the plane mirrors, a support unit supporting the collimators to allow the collimators to be translated individually within a predetermined plane and also supporting the plane mirrors swingably, and a collimator control unit controlling the collimators and the collimator and mirror driving devices; and a control unit controlling the collimator unit. The control unit controls the collimator and mirror driving devices to individually set the collimators and the plane mirrors to predetermined positions and orientations, and causes each collimated image to be formed at a desired position within a range of a camera's imaging area.