Image analysis – Applications – 3-d or stereo imaging analysis
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-15
2004-07-27
Mehta, Bhavesh M. (Department: 2625)
Image analysis
Applications
3-d or stereo imaging analysis
C345S419000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06768813
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image processing in photogrammetry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photogrammetry is being widely used in making maps and is also being used as an extremely effective tool in recording local conditions at examinations of the scenes of traffic accidents for example. Conventionally, in photogrammetry, a stereo camera system consisting of two cameras, fixed at a distance away from each other, is used so as to calculate the three-dimensional coordinates of surveyed points from the two images captured by the two cameras. The stereo camera system is a large, heavy piece of equipment. Further, the calculation of the three-dimensional coordinates requires recording of detailed information such as the positional information and angle of inclination of the camera and the measured length of a target object etc. The surveying work is both complicated and hard in terms of labor. Further, a sufficiently clear photographic environment often can not be secured, such as when there are obstacles in the area surrounding the scene of a traffic accident. Often examination of the scene by stereo camera systems is difficult.
Therefore, the assignee has proposed a large number of photogrammetric methods using single lens cameras (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-293026 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-221072) and targets to be included in pairs of images (hereinafter referred to as “paired images”) for improving the precision of photogrammetry (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-307025, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-293026, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-185563, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-185562, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-170263, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-141951) for realizing efficient photogrammetry with simple equipment.
Such a photogrammetric method obtains paired images taken of the same target and survey object from different directions and uses a mouse or other input means in a specialized photogrammetric image processing apparatus to manually designate surveyed points commonly included in the paired images (hereinafter referred to as “physical points”) and thereby survey any range based on these points.
Since a large number of paired images are used when the survey extends over a broad range, the manual finding and designating of the corresponding physical points in each of the paired images becomes complex, of course. Further, considering the need for survey precision, selection of the physical points to obtain sufficient precision is extremely complicated even for a skilled operator.
The survey maps obtained from the large number of paired images are connected together. At the time of making the map, it is difficult to identify which positions of the surveyed range the obtained survey maps show and therefore it is necessary to designate a large number of physical points. Therefore, the work efficiency drops significantly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a photogrammetric image processing apparatus and method enabling a large improvement in efficiency of the manual work in photogrammetric image processing.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photogrammetric image processing apparatus defining a plurality of images commonly including a target at a predetermined position as being in the same group, calculating the position of the photographing camera taking each image and the inclination of its optical axis for each image, designating a common physical point in an image for each image, calculating three-dimensional coordinates of the physical point, and generating a survey map based on the three-dimensional coordinates, comprising an area computing means for calculating a valid mapping range enabling designation of a physical point effective for making a survey map based on the camera positions and inclinations of optical axes of all images for the group and generating an area marker based on the valid mapping range and a display means able to display the area marker on a screen of a display device superimposed on the survey map.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photogrammetric image processing method defining a plurality of images commonly including a target of a predetermined shape provided at a predetermined position and enabling output of an amount of displacement and rotational angle from an initial state as belonging to the same group, calculating the position of the camera taking the image and the inclination of its optical axis for each image, designating a common physical point in an image for each image, calculating the three-dimensional coordinates of the physical point, and generating a survey map based on the three-dimensional coordinates, the photogrammetric image processing method comprising a first step of calculating a valid mapping range corresponding to one group from the camera positions and inclinations of the optical axes of the images included in the group, a second step of generating an area marker based on the valid mapping range, a third step of displaying the area marker together with the image on the predetermined screen superimposed on the survey map, and a fourth step of designating a physical point in the area marker in each of the images displayed on the screen.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a photogrammetric image processing program defining a plurality of images commonly including a target arranged at a predetermined position as belonging to the same group, calculating the position of the camera taking each image and the inclination of its optical axis, designating a common physical point in an image for each image, calculating the three-dimensional coordinates of the physical point, and generating a survey map based on the three-dimensional coordinates, the photogrammetric image processing program including a routine for calculating an area marker for calculating a valid mapping range able to designate a physical point effective for making a survey map based on the camera positions and inclinations of the optical axes for the group and generating an area marker based on the valid mapping range and a processing routine for display of a drawing area able to display the area marker on a predetermined screen superimposed on the survey map.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5699444 (1997-12-01), Palm
patent: 5850352 (1998-12-01), Moezzi et al.
patent: 5995765 (1999-11-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 6097854 (2000-08-01), Szeliski et al.
patent: 6108497 (2000-08-01), Nakayama et al.
patent: 6144761 (2000-11-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 6246412 (2001-06-01), Shum et al.
patent: 6304669 (2001-10-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 6469710 (2002-10-01), Shum et al.
patent: 6618497 (2003-09-01), Nakayama
patent: 6618498 (2003-09-01), Nakayama
patent: 6628803 (2003-09-01), Wakashiro et al.
patent: 10141951 (1998-05-01), None
patent: 10170263 (1998-06-01), None
patent: 10185562 (1998-07-01), None
patent: 10185563 (1998-07-01), None
patent: 10221072 (1998-08-01), None
patent: 10293026 (1998-11-01), None
patent: 10307025 (1998-11-01), None
English Language Abstract of JP 10-307025.
English Language Abstract of JP 10-221072.
English Language Abstract of JP 10-185563.
English Language Abstract of JP 10-185562.
English Language Abstract of JP 10-170263.
English Language Abstract of JP 10-141951.
Carter Aaron
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Mehta Bhavesh M.
PENTAX Corporation
LandOfFree
Photogrammetric image processing apparatus and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Photogrammetric image processing apparatus and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Photogrammetric image processing apparatus and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3232350