METHOD FOR CALIBRATING A VEHICULAR CAMERA SYSTEM

• US 20120224064A1
• Filed: 05/01/2012
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Europe Gmbh & Co. Kg
• Original Assignee: Magna Electronics Europe Gmbh & Co. Kg
• Inventors: Adameck, Markus, Euler, Christian
• Granted Patent: US 8,421,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/27 providing all-round vision, e.g. using omnidirectional cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/102 using 360 degree surveillance camera system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/303 using joined images, e.g. multiple camera images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/402 Image calibration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/607 from a bird's eye viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/80 Analysis of captured images to determine intrinsic or extrinsic camera parameters, i.e. camera calibration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums

Abstract

A method of calibrating a vehicular multi-camera system includes equipping a vehicle with a plurality of cameras wherein each camera of the plurality of cameras captures image data, equipping the vehicle with an image processor, inputting image data from each of the plurality of cameras to the image processor, the image processor processing input image data in order to calibrate the vehicular multi-camera system, and wherein calibration of the vehicular multi-camera system is achieved independently of a model of the real world.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a vehicular multi-camera system, said method comprising:

equipping a vehicle with a plurality of cameras wherein each camera of said plurality of cameras captures image data;

equipping said vehicle with an image processor;

inputting image data from each of said plurality of cameras to said image processor;

said image processor processing input image data in order to calibrate said vehicular multi-camera system; and

wherein calibration of said vehicular multi-camera system is achieved independently of a model of the real world.