Stereo Depth Measurement Diffractive Texture Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereo matching methods fail to accurately calculate distance in areas with little or no texture, as they rely on identifiable local contrast or features in images, leading to invalid results.
Innovation Solution
Projecting texture onto a target area using a diffractive optical element and a light source, such as a diode laser, to create local contrast or features, enabling distance calculation from images captured by multiple cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stereo matching methods are used to calculate distance, then distance can be computed from multiple images, but accurate distance calculation fails in areas with little or no texture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a projector as an intermediary device that projects texture patterns onto the target scene. This projected texture serves as a mediator that provides the necessary local contrast and features for stereo matching algorithms to function in previously textureless areas, enabling accurate distance calculation where it would otherwise fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the scene by projecting structured light patterns (such as grids or random dot patterns) onto the target area. This modifies the image capture parameters by introducing artificial texture, allowing the stereo matching process to extract depth information from areas that would otherwise lack the necessary visual features for measurement.
2Measurement precision
If texture is projected onto the target area, then local contrast and features are created for stereo matching, but additional hardware components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the projector and camera system into a unified depth measurement device where the projector serves multiple functions: it illuminates the scene and simultaneously projects measurement textures. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity compared to using separate illumination and measurement systems, as the projector integrates both lighting and texture projection capabilities.
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
Enables accurate distance calculation in areas with no local contrast or features, providing more distance information by using projected texture features in conjunction with image features.
Implementation Method 1
Texture patterns are projected using an illuminator unit which includes a light source (e.g., a diode laser) and a diffractive optical element (DOE)
Data Source
AI summary
A system for distance calculation is disclosed. The system includes an illuminator unit, one or more camera units, and a distance processor. The illuminator unit illuminates a scene in a target area using a textured pattern creator and wherein the textured pattern creator includes a diffractive optical element. The one or more camera units captures two or more images of the target area from two or more physical locations. A textured pattern illumination is visible in each of the two or more images of the target area. The images are used to calculate distances to one or more points in the scene in the target area.