Stereoscopic measurement system and method

• US 9,482,515 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2012
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matrix Electronic Measuring Properties, LLC
• Original Assignee: Matrix Electronic Measuring Properties, LLC
• Inventors: Stevens, George B., Clendening, Grady A., Waters, Windflower, Weintraub, Steven, Redden, Warren, Redden, Carl, Srack, Robert W., Srack, Janet M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tucker, Wesley
• Application Number:
  US13/730,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20130113893A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/03 by measuring coordinates of points
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/24 involving graphical user interfaces [GUIs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10012 Stereo images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20101 Interactive definition of point of interest, landmark or seed
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/593 from stereo images

Abstract

A stereoscopic measurement system captures stereo images and determines measurement information for user-designated points within stereo images. The system comprises an image capture device for capturing stereo images of an object. A processing system communicates with the capture device to receive stereo images. The processing system displays the stereo images and allows a user to select one or more points within the stereo image. The processing system processes the designated points within the stereo images to determine measurement information for the designated points.

Claims

1. A system for obtaining measurements of an object, the system comprising:

a plurality of images of the object;

the plurality of images of the object comprises a stereo image pair;

the stereo image pair comprises a corresponding first image of the object and a corresponding second image of the object;

the corresponding first image and the corresponding second image of the stereo image pair are captured substantially simultaneously;

the plurality of measurement points comprise a first measurement point and a second measurement point;

the plurality of stereo points comprise a first stereo point and a second stereo point; and

a processing system comprising a memory, wherein the processing system is configured to

designate a plurality of measurement points in each of the plurality of images;

define a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculate a distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

store the plurality of images in the memory; and

wherein the processing system is further configured to designate;

the first measurement point in the first image of the stereo image pair;

the second measurement point in the first image of the stereo image pair;

the first measurement point along a selection assist line in the second image of the stereo image pair; and

the second measurement point along another selection assist line in the second image of the stereo image pair; and

wherein the processing system is further configured

identify a range of points in the second image based on the first measurement point designated in the first image;

generate the selection assist line in the second image based on the range of points;

identify another range of points in the second image based on the second measurement point designated in the first image;

generate the other selection assist line in the second image based on the other range of points;

define the first stereo point based on the first measurement point designated in the first and second images;

define a second stereo point based on the second measurement point designated in the first and second images; and

calculate a distance between the first stereo point and the second stereo point; and

create a customized report comprising the calculated distance between the first stereo point and the second stereo point.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing system is further configured to receive:

a first user input for designating the first measurement point;

a second user input for designating the second measurement point;

a third user input for designating the first measurement point along the selection assist line in the second image; and

a fourth user input for designating the second measurement point along the other selection assist line in the second image.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processing system is further configured to generate:

a list of stereo image pairs for display; and

corresponding first and second images of a selected one of the list of stereo image pairs for display.

4. A system for obtaining measurements of an object, the system comprising:

a plurality of images of the object;

a processing system, wherein the processing system is configured to

designate a plurality of measurement points in each of the plurality of images;

define a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points; and

calculate a distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

the plurality of images of the object comprises a plurality of stereo image pairs of the object;

each of the plurality of stereo image pairs comprises a corresponding first image of the object and a corresponding second image of the object; and

the corresponding first and second images of a particular stereo image pair are captured substantially simultaneously;

the system further comprises;

a memory;

a first camera to capture each of the first images; and

a second camera to capture each of the second images; and

the processing system is further configured to;

storing the plurality of images in the memory; and

store download history data for each stereo image pair in the memory, wherein the download history data comprises metadata and intrinsic calibration data for each of the first and second cameras and a time and date that the corresponding first and second images of each stereo image pair were captured.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising:

a monitor to display the first and second images of each of the plurality of stereo image pairs; and

a switch to control the first and the second cameras to capture the first and second images of each stereo pair substantially simultaneously.

6. The system of claim 4 further comprising a portable image capture device, the portable image capture device comprising the first camera and the second camera, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

process each stereo image pair stored in the memory to determine if the first and second images of a particular stereo image pair are images of a calibration pattern;

determine stereo calibration data for the first camera and the second camera when the first and second images of the particular stereo image pair include the calibration pattern, the stereo calibration data comprising location information for the first camera relative to the second camera in a coordinate system of the portable image capture device; and

store the stereo calibration data in the memory.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the processing system is further configured to associate the stereo calibration data with a particular stereo image pair based on the download history data for the particular stereo image pair when the corresponding first and second images of the particular stereo image pair do not include the calibration pattern.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the first and second images via a communication link selected from a group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless communication link.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a measurement database to store reference stereo point data corresponding to at least one reference stereo point on the object, wherein the processing system is further configured to create a customized report comprising calculated distances selected from the group consisting of a first distance between a first stereo point and a second stereo point, a second distance between the first stereo point and the reference stereo point, and a third distance between the second stereo point and the reference stereo point.

10. A system for obtaining measurements of an object, the system comprising:

a stereo image of the object, the stereo image comprising a first and a second image of the object, wherein the first and second images are captured substantially simultaneously;

a processing system comprising a memory, wherein the processing system is configured to;

designate a plurality of measurement points in the stereo image;

define a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculate at least one distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

store the stereo image in the memory; and

wherein

the plurality of measurement points comprise a first measurement point and a second measurement point;

the plurality of stereo points comprise a first stereo point and a second stereo point;

wherein the processing system is further configured to designate;

the first measurement point in the first image of the object;

the second measurement point in the first image of the object;

the first measurement point along a selection assist line in the second image; and

the second measurement point along another selection assist line in the second image; and

wherein the processing system is further configured to;

identify a range of points in the second image based on the first measurement point designated in the first image;

generate the selection assist line in the second image based on the range of points;

identify another range of points in the second image based on the second measurement point designated in the first image;

generate the other selection assist line in the second image based on the other range of points;

define the first stereo point based on the first measurement point designated in the first and second images;

define a second stereo point based on the second measurement point designated in the first and second images; and

calculate a distance between the first stereo point and the second stereo point.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the processing system is further configured to receive:

a first user input for designating the first measurement point;

a second user input for designating the second measurement point;

a third user input for designating the first measurement point along the selection assist line in the second image; and

a fourth user input for designating the second measurement point along the other selection assist line in the second image.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the processing system is further configured to generate:

a list of stereo images for display; and

corresponding first and second images of a selected one of the list of stereo images for display.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a measurement database to store reference stereo point data corresponding to at least one reference stereo point on the object, wherein the processing system is further configured to create a customized report comprising calculated distances selected from the group consisting of a first distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points, and a second distance between the any one stereo point of the plurality of stereo points and the reference stereo point.

14. A system for obtaining measurements of an object, the system comprising:

a stereo image of the object, the stereo image comprising a first and a second image of the object, wherein the first and second images are captured substantially simultaneously;

a processing system comprising a memory, wherein the processing system is configured to;

designate a plurality of measurement points in the stereo image;

define a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculate at least one distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

store the stereo image in the memory; and

wherein

a plurality of stereo images of the object, wherein each stereo image comprises a first and a second image of the object, and wherein the first and second images of each stereo image are captured substantially simultaneously;

a first camera to capture each of the first images;

a second camera to capture each of the second images;

wherein the processing system is further configured to store download history data for each stereo image in the memory, wherein the download history data comprises metadata and intrinsic calibration data for each of the first and second cameras, and a time and date that the first and second images of each stereo image were captured.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a portable image capture device, the device comprising the first camera and the second camera, wherein the processing system is further configured to:

process each stereo image to determine if the first and second images of a particular stereo image are images of a calibration pattern;

determine stereo calibration data for the first camera and the second camera when the first and second images of the particular stereo image include the calibration pattern, the stereo calibration data comprising location information for the first camera relative to the second camera in a coordinate system of the portable image capture device; and

store the stereo calibration data in the memory.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the processing system is further configured to associate the stereo calibration data with a particular stereo image based on the download history data for the particular stereo image when the corresponding first and second images of the particular stereo image do not include the calibration pattern.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the processing system is further configured to create a customized report comprising the at least one calculated distance between the any two of plurality of stereo points.

18. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a monitor to display the first and second images of the object; and

a switch to control the first and the second cameras to capture the first and second images of the stereo image substantially simultaneously.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the processing system is further configured to transmit the first and second images via a communication link selected from a group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless communication link.

20. A method for obtaining measurements of an object, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of images of the object;

designating a plurality of measurement points in each of the plurality of images;

defining a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculating a distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

the plurality of images of the object comprises a stereo image pair;

the stereo image pair comprises a corresponding first image of the object and a corresponding second image of the object;

wherein the method further comprises capturing substantially simultaneously the corresponding first image and the corresponding second image of the stereo image pair;

providing a memory;

storing the plurality of images in the memory;

the plurality of measurement points comprise a first measurement point and a second measurement point; and

the plurality of stereo points comprise a first stereo point and a second stereo point; and

wherein the method further comprises

designating;

the first measurement point in the corresponding first image;

the second measurement point in the corresponding first image;

the first measurement point along a selection assist line in the corresponding second image; and

the second measurement point along another selection assist line in the corresponding second image;

identifying a range of points in the corresponding second image based on the corresponding first measurement point designated in the first image;

generating the selection assist line in the corresponding second image based on the range of points;

identifying another range of points in the corresponding second image based on the second measurement point designated in the corresponding first image;

generating the other selection assist line in the corresponding second image based on the other range of points;

defining the first stereo point based on the first measurement point designated in the corresponding first and second images;

defining a second stereo point based on the second measurement point designated in the corresponding first and second images; and

calculating a distance between the first stereo point and the second stereo point; and

creating a customized report comprising the calculated distance between the first stereo point and the second stereo point.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising receiving:

a first user input for designating the first measurement point;

a second user input for designating the second measurement point;

a third user input for designating the first measurement point along the selection assist line in the corresponding second image; and

a fourth user input for designating the second measurement point along the other selection assist line in the corresponding second image.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising generating:

a list of stereo image pairs for display; and

corresponding first and second images of a selected one of the list of stereo image pairs for display.

23. A method for obtaining measurements of an object, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of images of the object;

designating a plurality of measurement points in each of the plurality of images;

defining a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculating a distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points and wherein;

the plurality of images of the object comprises a plurality of stereo image pairs of the object; and

each of the plurality of stereo image pairs comprises a corresponding first image of the object and a corresponding second image of the object; and

wherein the method further comprises;

providing a memory;

providing a first camera to capture each of the first images;

providing a second camera to capture each of the second images;

storing the plurality of images in the memory;

capturing the corresponding first and second images of a particular stereo image pair substantially simultaneously; and

storing download history data for each stereo image pair in the memory, wherein the download history data comprises metadata and intrinsic calibration data for each of the first and second cameras and a time and date that the corresponding first and second images of each stereo image pair were captured.

24. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

providing a monitor to display the first and second images of each of the plurality of stereo image pairs; and

providing a switch to control the first and the second cameras to capture the first and second images of each stereo pair substantially simultaneously.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising:

providing a portable image capture device, the portable image capture device comprising the first camera and the second camera;

processing each stereo image pair stored in the memory to determine if the first and second images of a particular stereo image pair are images of a calibration pattern;

determining stereo calibration data for the first camera and the second camera when the first and second images of the particular stereo image pair include the calibration pattern, the stereo calibration data comprising location information for the first camera relative to the second camera in a coordinate system of the portable image capture device; and

storing the stereo calibration data in the memory.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising associating the stereo calibration data with a particular stereo image pair based on the download history data for the particular stereo image pair when the corresponding first and second images of the particular stereo image pair do not include the calibration pattern.

27. The method of claim 23 further comprising transmitting the first and second images via a communication link selected from a group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless communication link.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising:

providing a measurement database to store reference stereo point data corresponding to at least one reference stereo point on the object; and

creating a customized report comprising calculated distances selected from the group consisting of a first distance between a first stereo point and a second stereo point, a second distance between the first stereo point and the reference stereo point, and a third distance between the second stereo point and the reference stereo point.

29. A method for obtaining measurements of an object, the method comprising:

providing a stereo image of the object, the stereo image comprising a first and a second image of the object, wherein the first and second images are captured substantially simultaneously;

designating a plurality of measurement points in the stereo image;

defining a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculating a distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

providing a memory;

storing the stereo image in the memory;

the plurality of measurement points comprise a first measurement point and a second measurement point;

the plurality of stereo points comprise a first stereo point and a second stereo point;

wherein the method further comprises;

designating the first measurement point in the first image of the object;

designating the second measurement point in the first image of the object;

designating the first measurement point along a selection assist line in the second image; and

designating the second measurement point along another selection assist line in the second image;

identifying a range of points in the second image based on the first measurement point designated in the first image;

generating the selection assist line in the second image based on the range of points;

identifying another range of points in the second image based on the second measurement point designated in the first image;

generating the other selection assist line in the second image based on the other range of points;

defining the first stereo point based on the first measurement point designated in the first and second images;

defining a second stereo point based on the second measurement point designated in the first and second images; and

calculating a distance between the first stereo point and the second stereo point.

30. The method of claim of 29 further comprising receiving:

a first user input for designating the first measurement point;

a second user input for designating the second measurement point;

a third user input for designating the first measurement point along the selection assist line in the second image; and

a fourth user input for designating the second measurement point along the other selection assist line in the second image.

31. The method of claim 29 further comprising generating for display:

a list of stereo images; and

corresponding first and second images of a selected one of the list of stereo images.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

providing a measurement database to store reference stereo point data corresponding to at least one reference stereo point on the object; and

creating a customized report comprising calculated distances selected from the group consisting of a first distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points, and a second distance between the any one stereo point of the plurality of stereo points and the reference stereo point.

33. A method for obtaining measurements of an object, the method comprising:

providing a stereo image of the object, the stereo image comprising a first and a second image of the object, wherein the first and second images are captured substantially simultaneously;

designating a plurality of measurement points in the stereo image;

defining a plurality of stereo points based on the plurality of measurement points;

calculating a distance between any two of the plurality of stereo points;

providing a memory;

storing the stereo image in the memory;

providing a plurality of stereo images of the object, wherein each stereo image comprises a first and a second image of the object, and the first and second images of each stereo image are captured substantially simultaneously;

providing a first camera to capture each of the first images;

providing a second camera to capture each of the second images; and

storing download history data for each stereo image in the memory, wherein the download history data comprises metadata and intrinsic calibration data for each of the first and second cameras, and a time and date that the first and second images of each stereo image were captured.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising:

providing a portable image capture device, the device comprising the first camera and the second camera;

processing each stereo image to determine if the first and second images of a particular stereo image are images of a calibration pattern;

determining stereo calibration data for the first camera and the second camera when the first and second images of the particular stereo image include the calibration pattern, the stereo calibration data comprising location information for the first camera relative to the second camera in a coordinate system of the portable image capture device; and

store the stereo calibration data in the memory.

35. The method of claim 34 further comprising associating the stereo calibration data with a particular stereo image based on the download history data for the particular stereo image when the corresponding first and second images of the particular stereo image do not include the calibration pattern.

36. The method of claim 33 further comprising creating a customized report comprising at least one calculated distance between the any two of plurality of stereo points.

37. The method of claim 33 further comprising providing:

a monitor to display the first and second images of the object; and

a switch to control the first and the second cameras to capture the first and second images of the stereo image substantially simultaneously.

38. The method of claim 33 further comprising transmitting the first and second images via a communication link selected from a group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless communication link.