Method for coordinating multiple fields of view in multi-camera

A method for precisely coordinating multiple fields of view of a plurality of fixed cameras so as to facilitate determining the distance between features each disposed within a different field of view, the method being especially useful when there is image distortion in each field of view, the method comprising the steps of:

• at calibration-time,
• fixing a plurality of cameras with respect to a calibration plate including a plurality of calibration targets;
• for each camera, generating an image distortion-correction map;
• for each camera, generating a transformation of camera coordinates into global coordinates;
• and
• at run-time,
• for each camera, acquiring an image of a portion of said object to provide a plurality of partial object images;
• applying said image distortion-correction map to each partial object image to provide a plurality of corrected partial object images;
• and
• using said transformation of camera coordinates into global coordinates to determine the relative displacement of a first feature point in a first corrected partial object image with respect to a second feature point in a second corrected partial object image.

A method for precisely coordinating multiple fields of view of a plurality of fixed cameras so as to facilitate determining the distance between features each disposed within a different field of view, the method being especially useful when there is image distortion in each field of view, the method comprising the steps of:

• at calibration-time,
• fixing a plurality of cameras with respect to a calibration plate including a plurality of calibration targets;
• for each camera, generating an image distortion-correction map using said plurality of calibration targets;
• for each camera, generating a transformation of local camera coordinates into global coordinates using said plurality of calibration targets;
• combining said image distortion-correction map and said transformation of local camera coordinates into global coordinates to provide a corrected local-to-global map for determining the distance between features each disposed within a different field of view, even when there is image distortion in each field of view;
• and
• at run-time,
• for each camera, acquiring an image of a portion of said object to provide a plurality of partial object images;
• applying said corrected local-to-global map to determine the relative displacement of a first feature point in a first partial object image with respect to a second feature point in a second partial object image.