Mobile Camera Distance Estimation via Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices lack sufficient accuracy for distance measurement and often require additional hardware not commonly found in these devices.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile device with both a front and rear camera to calculate distance by acquiring images and reference images from different positions, determining camera displacement, and applying triangulation to calculate the distance to an object.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional distance sensor hardware is incorporated into mobile devices, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing mobile device cameras perform the additional function of distance measurement by capturing images at different positions and using computational triangulation, eliminating the need for dedicated distance sensor hardware while achieving accurate measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical distance sensor hardware with a computational approach using software algorithms that process images from standard cameras to calculate distance through triangulation, substituting mechanical/optical measurement systems with information processing
2Measurement precision
If two cameras with known distance between them are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single mobile device camera to perform stereo vision measurements by capturing images at different positions and computationally determining camera displacement, making one camera serve multiple functional roles equivalent to a multi-camera system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the camera's measurement capability by capturing images from different positions and computationally reconstructing the displacement information, effectively simulating a multi-camera setup using a single camera
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
This approach enables accurate distance measurement using standard mobile device cameras without the need for additional hardware, improving precision and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The disparity and/or distance in pixels and/or in the real world, between the different positions is determined, and accordingly the distance is calculated by triangulation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for measuring a distance to an object, be a device (100) having at least two cameras (104, 106), is described. One or more first images including the object are acquired by a first camera of the device and one or more first reference images are acquired by a second camera of the device, while the device is in a first position. One or more second images including the object and one or more second reference images are acquired by cameras of the device, while the device is in a second position, different from the first position. Based on the first and second reference images, information on the displacement of at least one camera of the device between the first and second position are determined. The distance from the device to the object is calculated based on the first and second images including the object and the determined information on the displacement of the at least one camera.