Stereo Imaging Control System for Real-Time Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereo imaging devices face challenges in real-time calibration due to high computational complexity and low accuracy in determining relative camera positions, especially when the relative-position relationship of imaging units is unknown, and they struggle to correct shifts in rotating angles around the visual axis.
Innovation Solution
A control system for stereo imaging devices that includes a pair of imaging units with digital or analog degrees of freedom, an error calculation unit to determine rotating and zoom errors based on captured images, and a control unit to adjust the imaging units' angles and zoom factors using a standard convergence model, allowing for real-time calibration and stereoscopic image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional calibration methods are used to determine relative camera positions, then calibration can be performed, but the computational complexity becomes enormous and real-time calibration is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the calibration problem from solving complex relative position parameters between cameras to measuring a single convergence angle parameter. By changing the measurement approach from multiple positional parameters to one angular parameter, the computational complexity is dramatically reduced while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential parameter needed for stereo calibration - the convergence angle - from the complex set of relative position and orientation parameters. This extraction eliminates unnecessary computational steps while preserving the critical calibration information.
2Measurement precision
If conventional calibration methods are used, then calibration can be performed, but the accuracy of calculating relative positions is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/geometric calculation systems with a direct optical measurement approach. Instead of calculating relative positions through multiple camera coordinate systems, the convergence angle is directly measured from the stereo image pair, improving both accuracy and speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional calibration methods are used, then calibration can be performed, but it is difficult to make calibration for a shift of a rotating angle around a visual axis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal calibration method that handles all types of camera misalignments (position shifts, rotational shifts around visual axis, and convergence angle deviations) through a single convergence angle measurement approach. This multi-functional solution simplifies the calibration system while expanding its adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a control system of a stereo imaging device that is able to obtain a stereo image, which can be viewed stereoscopically, even when relative-position relationship of a pair of imaging units is unknown. A control system of a stereo imaging device includes a pair of imaging units, an error calculation unit and a control unit. A pair of the imaging units has a digital or analog degree of freedom so as to be able to control at least a yaw, pitch, roll and zoom factor, and can capture video frames using imaging elements. The error calculation unit uses each of images captured by a pair of the imaging units to calculate a rotating error and zoom error of each imaging unit on the basis of a difference from a predetermined standard convergence model of each imaging unit.