Stereo Camera Sensitivity Matching via Recording Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle-mounted stereo cameras face increased costs and accuracy issues due to sensitivity adjustment mechanisms, requiring expensive lenses and complex software calibration to match sensitivity between right and left cameras for accurate parallax calculation.
Innovation Solution
A stereo camera configuration with sensitivity value recording units for each imaging element, allowing pre-recorded sensitivity values to be matched within a predetermined range, reducing the need for software-based calibration and simplifying the selection of compatible lens units with fixed aperture values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensitivity adjustment mechanism (motor-driven diaphragm) is provided in the stereo camera, then the sensitivity of right and left cameras can be adjusted to match, but the costs increase and the operation of the adjustment mechanism may cause parallelization and sensitivity to be out of adjustment, making it difficult to ensure accuracy in parallax calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensitivity adjustment mechanism (motor-driven diaphragm) from the system entirely. Instead of using mechanical adjustment components, the invention relies on selecting imaging elements with inherently matched sensitivity characteristics, thereby eliminating the complexity and reliability issues associated with mechanical adjustment mechanisms while maintaining sensitivity matching accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-selecting and pairing imaging elements based on their sensitivity characteristics before assembly. The sensitivity values of imaging elements are measured and recorded in advance, and pairs with matched sensitivity values are selected together, eliminating the need for post-assembly mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Reliability
If expensive lenses and imaging elements with matched sensitivity are selected, then sensitivity matching can be achieved, but the costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by having each imaging element carry its own sensitivity value information in a recording unit. This allows the imaging elements to provide their own identification data for matching purposes, eliminating the need for expensive external measurement equipment or complex calibration processes during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using expensive hardware (precision lenses and imaging elements) to using information-based parameter matching. By recording and utilizing sensitivity value parameters digitally, the system achieves accurate matching without requiring expensive physical components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If software-based calibration is performed to match sensitivity, then sensitivity balance can be maintained, but the calibration process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs sensitivity matching in advance during the manufacturing process by selecting imaging element pairs with matched sensitivity values before the product reaches the customer. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex and time-consuming software-based calibration processes that would otherwise be required after shipment, thereby reducing calibration time while maintaining sensitivity balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex software-based calibration processes with a simpler hardware-based solution: selecting imaging elements with inherently matched sensitivity characteristics. This substitution eliminates the need for complicated calibration algorithms and procedures, significantly reducing the time and computational resources required while maintaining accurate sensitivity balance.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to obtain a low-cost stereo camera which can decrease the load of software-based calibration, a stereo camera (1) is provided with a first vehicle-mounted camera (11R) which comprises a first lens unit (12R) and a first imaging element (32R), and a second vehicle-mounted camera (11L) which comprises a second lens unit (12L) and a second imaging element (32L). This stereo camera is characterized in that the first imaging element (32R) has a first sensitivity value recording unit (33R) in which sensitivity values of the first imaging element (32R) are recorded, and the second imaging element (32L) has a second sensitivity value recording unit (33L) in which sensitivity values of the second imaging element (32L) are recorded, wherein the sensitivity variation width between the sensitivity values of the first imaging element (32R) recorded in the first sensitivity value recording unit (33R) and the sensitivity values of the second imaging element (32L) recorded in the second sensitivity value recording unit (33L) is within a preset reference width.