Dual-Mode Camera Calibration Target for Visible and Infrared Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing calibration processes for in-vehicle camera systems are complex and time-consuming, requiring separate calibration for common and infrared cameras, which complicates the operation.

Innovation Solution

A calibration apparatus that includes distinctive marks recognizable by common cameras and heating members detectable by infrared cameras, allowing simultaneous calibration of both types of cameras in a single operation by utilizing a body with marked and heated elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate calibration apparatus are used for common camera and infrared camera, then each camera can be calibrated with dedicated tools, but the calibration operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the calibration targets for common camera (chessboard pattern) and infrared camera (heating elements) into a single integrated calibration apparatus. The heating elements are embedded within the chessboard structure, allowing both cameras to be calibrated simultaneously using one unified device rather than separate apparatus, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining calibration precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration apparatus is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides a chessboard pattern for common camera calibration and heating elements for infrared camera calibration. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized calibration tools, simplifying the overall calibration process while ensuring accurate calibration for both camera types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate calibration processes are performed for common camera and infrared camera, then each camera receives dedicated calibration attention, but the total calibration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the calibration targets into a single apparatus where heating elements are embedded within the chessboard structure, the patent enables simultaneous calibration of both common and infrared cameras in one operation, significantly reducing the total calibration time while maintaining dedicated calibration accuracy for each camera type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating elements are pre-integrated into the chessboard calibration target structure, so that when calibration begins, both the visual pattern and thermal sources are already in position. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for sequential setup of separate calibration apparatus, reducing calibration time while ensuring proper calibration conditions for both cameras from the start

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Simplifies the calibration process by enabling the common and infrared cameras to be calibrated concurrently, reducing operational complexity and time.

Implementation Method 1

a heating member 3 arranged at intervals along a second direction on the body 1. The heating member 3 is configured to generate heat so as to be recognized by an infrared camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

the heating member 3 is configured to generate heat so as to be recognized by an infrared camera

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3779884B1Vehicle-mounted camera calibrating device
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 AUTEL INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CORP LTD
  • EP3779884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779884B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779884B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a calibration apparatus, system and method for an in-vehicle camera. The calibration apparatus for an in-vehicle camera includes: a body, where at least one distinctive mark arranged at intervals along a first direction and at least one heating member arranged at intervals along a second direction are disposed on the body. The distinctive mark is configured to be recognized by a common camera, and the heating member is configured to generate heat so as to be recognized by an infrared camera. According to the calibration apparatus, system and method for an in-vehicle camera provided in the present invention, during calibration, a common camera can recognize the distinctive mark, and therefore, the common camera can be calibrated; the heating member may generate heat so as to be recognized by an infrared camera, and therefore, the infrared camera is calibrated. In this way, the common camera and the infrared camera can be calibrated simultaneously in one calibration operation; the operation is simple and convenient.