Telepresence Camera Calibration Using Hidden 3D Alignment Targets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telepresence systems face challenges in maintaining camera alignment for 3D imaging without user intervention and obtrusive calibration targets, which disrupt the user experience and require offline calibration.
Innovation Solution
An online calibration process using esthetically pleasing, unobtrusive targets positioned within the viewing area, allowing automatic camera alignment without user participation, using software to capture and analyze images from multiple perspectives to generate a calibration file.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional calibration processes are used, then camera alignment can be determined, but user participation is required and the process is obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration automatically without user intervention. The processor captures images of targets from multiple cameras, determines relative positions, and generates calibration data autonomously. This eliminates the need for user participation while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Calibration targets are placed in the environment to serve as intermediaries for the calibration process. These targets provide reference points that enable the cameras to determine their relative positions automatically, mediating between the cameras and the calibration process without requiring direct user involvement.
2Measurement precision
If specialized calibration equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses simple calibration targets that can be ordinary objects with distinctive features rather than expensive specialized equipment. These targets are inexpensive, easily placed in the environment, and sufficient for the calibration purpose, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical calibration equipment with a computational approach. The processor analyzes images of targets from multiple cameras and calculates relative positions algorithmically, substituting mechanical measurement devices with image processing and computational methods.
3Measurement precision
If calibration is performed offline, then measurement precision can be maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration continuously or periodically in the background without interrupting telepresence operations. The processor can capture calibration images and update camera positions ongoing, maintaining both precision and productivity by eliminating downtime between calibration and usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs calibration actions in advance or continuously before they are needed for new operations. By maintaining an up-to-date calibration state continuously, the system ensures precision is ready when needed without requiring separate offline calibration sessions that would reduce productivity.
4Measurement precision
If calibration targets are visible to users, then calibration can be performed, but aesthetic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration targets are designed with distinctive patterns or features that are locally optimized for camera detection while appearing aesthetically pleasing from the user's perspective. Different aspects of the target have different qualities - high contrast features for cameras but visually appealing appearances for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration targets use color patterns or visual designs that are distinguishable to cameras but aesthetically pleasing to human eyes. The targets can change or vary their visual appearance to balance between being detectable by cameras and being visually appealing to users, reducing the aesthetic degradation.
Data Source
AI summary
A telepresence system may include a display configured to present three-dimensional images. The 3D images may be rendered from multiple images captured by multiple cameras that image an area from different viewpoints. Misalignment of any of the multiple cameras may negatively affect the rendering. Accordingly, the telepresence system may calibrate the cameras to compensate for any misalignment as part of the rending. This calibration may include capturing an image, or images, of a calibration target to determine the relative positions of the cameras. The disclosed telepresence system can perform this calibration online and using targets in fixed locations that are not easily noticeable to a user