Method to automatically calibrate cameras and generate maps
OwnerOliver Peter King Smith, Thomas Zoehrer +2inventors
InventorsOliver Peter King Smith, Thomas Zoehrer, Lars Tinnefeld, Daniel Rathmaier
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Abstract
Provided are a method and system for calibrating a camera to correct for perspective and lens distortion. The video camera provides images to a computer, which identifies objects and tracks their movement during a calibration period. Changes in size of the tracked objects are used to infer perspective and distortion in the video camera. A map of the room may be created noting locations of objects and flooring surfaces. Movement of objects along the floor may be measured more accurately using the calibrated camera images.
Claims15
A method of calibrating a video camera capturing a space comprising:
- a. receiving images from the camera;
- b. identifying objects within the images;
- c. tracking the identified objects as they move;
- d. using changes in size of the tracked objects as they move to infer perspective in the video camera;
- e. comprising determining real-world sizes of pixels at different locations of the image;
- and
- f. using the inferred perspective to create a mapping model to convert pixels in the received images to a metrical map of the space.
A method of creating a map from a video camera capturing a space comprising:
- a. receiving images from the camera;
- b. identifying objects within the images;
- c. tracking the identified objects as they move;
- d. using changes in size of the tracked objects to infer perspective in the images;
- e. comprising determining real-world sizes of pixels at different locations of the image;
- f. determining parts of the objects that contact a floor to determine locations of ground pixels in the image;
- and
- g. creating a 2D metrical map of the space from the inferred perspective and the locations of ground pixels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.