Stereo image measuring apparatus

• US 5,519,485 A
• Filed: 08/02/1993
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Inventors: Aoki, Hiroyuki, Ohtomo, Fumio, Ohtani, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenberger, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US08/101,487
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 356/2, 250/558, 348/52, 348/565
• US Class Current: 356/2
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 11/06 by comparison of two or more pictures of the same area
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10012 Stereo images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30181 Earth observation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/97 Determining parameters from multiple pictures depth or shape recovery from multiple images G06T7/55; stereo camera calibration G06T7/85
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/167 Synchronising or controlling image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/221 using the relative movement between cameras and objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2013/0081 Depth or disparity estimation from stereoscopic image signals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a stereo image measuring apparatus for displaying stereo images and effecting three-dimensional measurement and a correlation process on a screen for displaying the stereo images, and particularly to a stereo image measuring apparatus for making it possible to easily take hold of measuring points and to effect a correlation process after feature points have been extracted in the vicinity of the position where each cursor exists. Corresponding points for other image, which correspond to measuring points for one image, are searched. Each of display units serves so as to apply marks on the determined corresponding points based on the measured points and the result of the correlation process.

Claims

1. A stereo image measuring apparatus for respectively displaying left and right stereo images on monitors so that they are three-dimensionally viewed, comprising:

a pair of memories for storing left and right stereo image data therein respectively;

a pair of monitors each having first and second display regions and for three-dimensionally displaying at least two kinds of images thereon respectively;

a pair of main image memories for storing therein image data for respectively displaying the left and right stereo images on said first display regions of said monitors at a first magnification;

first transfer means for transferring under compression the left and right stereo image data from said memories so as to be displayed on said first display regions of said monitors at the first magnification;

a pair of sub image memories for storing therein image data for respectively displaying the left and right stereo images on said second display regions of said monitors at a second magnification;

a cursor for designating measuring points onto a main image displayed on each of said first display regions; and

second transfer means for transferring image data adjacent to measuring points to each of said sub image memories so as to be displayed on each of said monitors at the second magnification larger than said first magnification based on the left and right stereo image data stored in said memories when the measuring points are designated on the main image displayed on each of said first display regions.

2. A stereo image measuring apparatus comprising:

a pair of stereo image storage devices for storing at least one pair of stereo images therein;

display units for displaying thereon the stereo images stored in said stereo image storage devices respectively;

cursor moving devices for moving cursors into the stereo images displayed on the display units respectively;

a feature extracting device for extracting feature points in the vicinity of the placement position of the cursor at one image of the stereo images displayed on said display units and for deciding said feature points as measured points; and

a correlation processor for determining corresponding points for other image corresponding to the measuring points for said one image in accordance with a correlation process for searching the corresponding points;

said display units being constructed in such a manner that marks are applied on the determined corresponding points based on the measured points and the result of the correlation process.

3. A stereo image measuring apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for connecting previously measured points to points which have been measured this time and connecting previously measured corresponding points based on a correlation process to corresponding points which have been measured this time.

4. A stereo image measuring apparatus comprising:

a pair of stereo image storage devices for storing at least one pair of stereo images therein;

a pair of first display portions each having a first display area and for respectively displaying the stereo images stored in said stereo image storage devices at a first magnification;

cursor moving devices for respectively moving cursors into the stereo images displayed on said first display portion;

a pair of second display portions each having a second display area smaller than said first display area and for respectively displaying thereon the stereo images falling within ranges near the cursors at a second magnification larger than said first magnification;

a feature extracting device for extracting feature points in the vicinity of the placement position of the cursor at one image of the stereo images displayed on said each second display portion and for deciding said feature points as measured points; and

a correlation processor for determining corresponding points for other image corresponding to the measuring points for said one image in accordance with a correlation process for searching the corresponding points for said other image;

said first and second display portions being constructed in such a manner that marks are respectively applied on the measured points at said each cursor and points corresponding to the measured points based on the result of the correlation process.

5. A stereo image measuring apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising means for connecting previously measured points to points which have been measured this time and connecting previously measured corresponding points based on a correlation process to corresponding points which have been measured this time.