Methods, systems, and apparatus for multi-sensory stereo vision for robotics
First Claim
1. A stereo vision system for an autonomous vehicle, the stereo vision system comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity and at least one exterior surface;
a unitary frame within the cavity, the unitary frame defining at least one mounting surface;
a first imager, mounted to the at least one mounting surface, to acquire images of an environment from a first perspective;
a second imager, mounted to the at least one mounting surface, to acquire images of the environment from a second perspective different than the first perspective;
a collection of processing units, the collection of processing units including a processing unit disposed in the housing, wherein the collection of processing units is operable to;
obtain a three-dimensional point cloud of the environment from a LIDAR system;
generate a first disparity map based on images acquired by each of the first imager and the second imager;
calibrate each of the first imager and the second imager, using each of the three-dimensional point cloud and the first disparity map, by determining a similarity between data from the three-dimensional point cloud of the environment and the first disparity map;
generate a second disparity map based on images acquired by the calibrated first imager and the calibrated second imager; and
determine information about the environment using the images acquired by the calibrated first imager, the calibrated second imager, the second disparity map and the three-dimensional point cloud.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include multi-sensory stereo vision sensors suitable for use in robotics, navigation, machine vision, manufacturing, and other applications. In some cases, a sensor includes a stereo camera that produces image data for use in generating disparity maps to determine the positions of objects in the scene and/or the position of the sensor itself. The stereo sensor may include image sensors that are fastened to a unitary frame to prevent undesired drift and a thermal pad that wicks heat away from a processor. The processor may provide an efficient means to directly compute stereo disparity maps onboard the sensor. A sensor can also include a laser rangefinder that provides range data suitable for calibrating the stereo camera and for improving its accuracy in certain environments. In some cases, the laser is coupled to a spindle, which in turn is driven by a geartrain through a slipping clutch.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A stereo vision system for an autonomous vehicle, the stereo vision system comprising:
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a housing defining a cavity and at least one exterior surface; a unitary frame within the cavity, the unitary frame defining at least one mounting surface; a first imager, mounted to the at least one mounting surface, to acquire images of an environment from a first perspective; a second imager, mounted to the at least one mounting surface, to acquire images of the environment from a second perspective different than the first perspective; a collection of processing units, the collection of processing units including a processing unit disposed in the housing, wherein the collection of processing units is operable to; obtain a three-dimensional point cloud of the environment from a LIDAR system; generate a first disparity map based on images acquired by each of the first imager and the second imager; calibrate each of the first imager and the second imager, using each of the three-dimensional point cloud and the first disparity map, by determining a similarity between data from the three-dimensional point cloud of the environment and the first disparity map; generate a second disparity map based on images acquired by the calibrated first imager and the calibrated second imager; and determine information about the environment using the images acquired by the calibrated first imager, the calibrated second imager, the second disparity map and the three-dimensional point cloud. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification