Stereo Sensor Image Data Alignment Using Calibration Offsets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Stereo-video systems face challenges in accurately aligning images from two sensors, leading to errors in 3D reconstruction due to mechanical inaccuracies and optical distortions, which increase memory requirements and complicate real-time processing, especially with rolling shutter sensors.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining and utilizing the alignment error between sensor sections to optimize data recording and reading, allowing simultaneous or offset reading of image data, reducing the need for large temporary storage and enhancing processing efficiency by reading out corresponding image sections based on calibration data, thereby minimizing 3D measuring errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If equal sections of sensors are read out simultaneously without considering alignment error, then the reading out process is simple, but the size of temporary storage increases and processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment error is determined in advance through a calibration process, and this information is stored for use during normal operation. By performing the alignment analysis beforehand, the system can efficiently read out corresponding image sections without real-time complexity, thus improving processing speed without sacrificing accuracy
2Device complexity
If equal sections of sensors are read out simultaneously without considering alignment error, then the reading out control is simple, but the size of temporary storage (input buffer) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the reading out parameters (horizontal and vertical offsets) based on the determined alignment error. By adjusting these parameters, the system reads out only the necessary corresponding image sections from each sensor, minimizing the temporary storage requirement while maintaining correct image correspondence
3Device complexity
If image data are recorded simultaneously from different sensor sections without alignment compensation, then the recording process is simple, but the alignment error in the captured images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary calibration to determine the alignment error between sensors, then uses this information to pre-calculate the appropriate sensor sections to activate. This preliminary action allows simultaneous recording from correctly positioned sections without requiring complex real-time alignment adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of processing entire sensor images uniformly, the system identifies and activates only the specific local sections of each sensor that contain corresponding image data. This localized approach reduces the impact of alignment errors by focusing only on the relevant regions
4Device complexity
If corresponding image sections are identified without alignment error information, then the initial processing is simpler, but the 3D reconstruction accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment error is determined in advance through calibration, providing accurate correspondence information before the actual image processing begins. This preliminary determination enables straightforward identification of corresponding sections during operation while maintaining high 3D reconstruction accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing image data of two sensors of a stereo sensor system that are suitable for recording images, each of the sensors being configured to record the image data section by section in sensor sections of the sensor that are situated at different positions. The method includes providing information on a geometrical offset between the positions of two sensor sections of the first sensor and the second sensor which have corresponding image data, and reading out image information of the first sensor and image information of the second sensor, the reading out taking place with reference to the positions of the sensor sections, from which the image data are read out, using the offset.