Ship Panoramic Image Correction With Dual Reference Marks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for calibrating panoramic images on ships are challenging due to the instability of ships on water and the inability to use car calibration patterns, leading to inaccurate panoramic views that may cause misjudgments and collisions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for correcting panoramic images on ships by placing external and internal correction marks around the ship, capturing images, recognizing these marks, and recording their coordinates to facilitate accurate image splicing or fusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If car calibration patterns are used for ship panoramic image correction, then the correction process is simple, but the correction accuracy is insufficient due to ship instability and size differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection process simplicityVSAvoidcorrection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the correction marks into two distinct types: external correction marks placed on the ground and internal correction marks placed on the ship. This segmentation allows each type to serve specific functions - external marks provide stable reference points while internal marks account for ship-specific characteristics, thereby improving correction accuracy without complicating the overall process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces correction marks as intermediary objects that mediate between the unstable ship environment and the calibration process. These marks serve as stable reference points that bridge the gap between the moving ship and the ground-based calibration system, enabling accurate correction despite ship instability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If calibration is performed on a moving/unstable ship, then real-world conditions are simulated, but the stability and accuracy of calibration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-world condition simulationVSAvoidcalibration stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calibration actions by placing both external and internal correction marks before conducting the actual calibration process. The external correction marks are positioned on the ground in advance, and internal correction marks are fixed on the ship beforehand, ensuring that all reference points are stable and predetermined when calibration occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

External correction marks serve as intermediary reference points placed on the stable ground environment. These marks act as a mediator between the unstable ship and the calibration system, providing fixed reference points that do not move with ship motion, thereby maintaining calibration stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If inaccurate calibration is used, then the panoramic image synthesis is faster, but the ship generates warning misjudgments and may collide with objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanoramic image synthesis speedVSAvoidpanoramic view accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs calibration actions in advance by establishing correction parameters through the dual correction mark system before the ship enters service. This preliminary calibration ensures that accurate correction parameters are pre-computed and stored, allowing for both fast real-time panoramic synthesis and high accuracy during actual operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex real-time mechanical calibration systems with a pre-computed mathematical correction parameter system. By substituting physical recalibration mechanisms with stored correction parameters derived from the dual mark system, the system achieves both rapid panoramic synthesis and maintained accuracy without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12425740B1Correction method, correction system and auxiliary method of correction procedure for panoramic image of ship

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 WHETRON ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A correction method, a correction system and an auxiliary method of a correction procedure for a panoramic image of a ship are provided. A correction method includes the following steps. A plurality of setting positions of a plurality of external correction marks and a plurality of internal correction marks are obtained according to a ship information and a resolution information of a plurality of image capture devices. The external correction marks and the internal correction marks are placed around the ship according to the setting positions. A plurality of images are captured by the image capture devices. Two of the external correction marks and two of the internal correction marks are identified in each of the images. A plurality of position image coordinates of the external correction marks and the internal correction marks at the images are recorded. The position image coordinates are used to obtain a panoramic image.