Stereo Camera Image Correction for Thermal Lens and Sensor Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereo camera systems face challenges in accurately correcting for temperature-induced changes in lens characteristics, leading to distance measurement errors due to the need for large storage capacity and the inability to account for varying temperatures and sensitivities between two cameras, which affects image correction accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that compares images from two cameras to calculate a correction process coefficient, correcting the second image based on differences in the first and second directions, thereby aligning image sizes and luminance, and using this coefficient to adjust for temperature-induced changes in lens and sensor sensitivities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature-dependent correction information is stored in a storage device for each camera, then image correction accuracy is improved, but storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a reference image from one camera and compares images from both cameras against this reference. This copying approach eliminates the need to store separate correction information for each camera, reducing storage requirements while maintaining correction accuracy through comparative analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single reference image to correct both cameras' images, making the reference image serve a universal function for both cameras. This multi-functionality approach reduces the need for camera-specific correction data, thereby reducing storage capacity requirements.
2Measurement precision
If correction information is read from storage device for each camera, then image correction is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the correction process by using a single reference image to correct both cameras' images. This combines what would otherwise be separate correction operations, reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate storage and retrieval operations for each camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the correction reference from one camera and applies it to both cameras. This extraction approach simplifies the system by removing the need for separate correction information storage and retrieval for each camera, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution and wide field of view are achieved with larger pixel count camera, then image quality is improved, but amount of correction information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference image copied from one camera to correct images from both cameras, regardless of their resolution or pixel count. This approach ensures that the amount of correction information remains constant and does not increase with higher image quality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from storing camera-specific correction data to using a universal reference image. This parameter change in the correction methodology ensures that correction information volume remains constant even as image quality parameters like resolution and pixel count increase.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing device includes: an image comparison unit that compares a first image detected by a first image sensor built in a first camera with a second image detected by a second image sensor built in a second camera, the first image and the second image being inputted from a stereo camera, and that calculates a correction process coefficient for correcting the second image, based on a difference between the first image and the second image in a second direction different from the first direction; and an image processing unit that corrects the second image, using the correction process coefficient calculated by the image comparison unit.