Stereo Camera Distance Calculation Using Pattern-Subtracted Images

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stereo camera systems face challenges in accurately detecting and calculating the distance of specific objects, particularly when the object is a flat surface or lacks distinct features, as patterns used for precision often impede object detection.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that generates non-pattern-irradiated images by subtracting pattern images from pattern-irradiated images, allowing for high-precision object detection and distance calculation by applying pattern-irradiated images for distance calculation and non-pattern-irradiated images for detection, using selective filters and background models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pattern-irradiated images are used for distance calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but object detection accuracy deteriorates due to pattern interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance calculation precisionVSAvoidobject detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the image processing into two distinct pathways: one pathway processes pattern-irradiated images exclusively for distance calculation, while another pathway processes non-pattern-irradiated images exclusively for object detection. This segmentation eliminates the interference between pattern information and object features, allowing each task to be performed with optimal image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and removes the pattern information from the images through selective filtering. By applying filters that specifically target and eliminate pattern characteristics while preserving object features, the system separates the pattern component from the object component, enabling accurate object detection without pattern interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If filters are applied for object detection, then object detection capability is improved, but pattern-irradiated images create harmful interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoidpattern interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by pre-processing the images to remove pattern information before object detection is performed. By applying specific filters that counteract and eliminate pattern characteristics in advance, the system prevents pattern interference from affecting the subsequent object detection process, allowing filters to work effectively on clean object features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful pattern interference into a beneficial separation process. By designing filters that specifically target pattern characteristics, the system transforms the problematic pattern information into a distinguishable feature that can be easily removed, thereby improving object detection accuracy. The same filtering mechanism that identifies patterns also enables their effective elimination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS10140509B2Information processing for detection and distance calculation of a specific object in captured images

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An information processing device includes a data processing unit that executes analysis of images which are captured from different viewpoints. The data processing unit executes an object distance calculation process in which pattern-irradiated images of a plurality of different viewpoints are applied, and an object detection process in which non-pattern-irradiated images are applied.