AERIAL IMAGING HIGH-ACCURACY SCALE CALIBRATION

Number: 20190272666
Published: 2019-09-05
Filed: 2018-03-05
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: CHAPMAN; Steven M., PATEL; Mehul, POPP; Joseph, KOSAKURA; Steven
CPC: G06T15/08; G06T19/003; G06T7/579; G06V20/13; G06V20/17
Verdict: Medium Notable software
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Aerial imaging high-accuracy scale calibration (drone sensor).

Abstract

The disclosure provides for a system of markers and methods of using the system of markers to provide a precise scene scale reference for captured aerial images. Each of the markers may include one or more pairs of aligned collimated light emitters, where each pair of light emitters is configured to emit two light beams that converge at a known distance from the marker. When two or more markers are used, the system of markers may be aligned in a unique physical orientation to form a shape of known dimensions (e.g., a line, a triangle, or square) that provides an accurate scene scale reference for captured images.

Background

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure describes a system of markers and methods of using the system of markers to provide an accurate scene scale reference for captured aerial images.

In one example, a method includes: placing and aligning a plurality of markers in a location such that a surface of each of the plurality of markers is illuminated by a pair of intersecting collimated light beams that are emitted by a pair of light emitters of another one of the plurality of markers, where each of the pairs of light beams converge at a known distance from the marker that emits the pair of light beams; after placing and aligning the plurality of markers, capturing an aerial image of the location, where the captured aerial image includes the plurality of placed and aligned markers; and using the known distance and placed and aligned markers in the captured aerial image to create a scale for the image. In some implementations, the plurality of aerial images may be captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle.

In particular implementations, the method may further include: after placing and aligning the plurality of markers, capturing a plurality of aerial images of the location, wherein each of the plurality of captured aerial images include the plurality of placed and aligned markers; and generating a three-dimensional model of the location using the plurality of captured images, where objects in the three-dimensional model are scaled using the known distanc

Claims

1. A method, comprising: placing and aligning a plurality of markers in a location such that a surface of each of the plurality of markers is illuminated by a pair of intersecting collimated light beams that are emitted by a pair of light emitters of another one of the plurality of markers, wherein each of the pairs of light beams converge at a known distance from the marker that emits the pair of light beams; after placing and aligning the plurality of markers, capturing an aerial image of the location, where the captured aerial image includes the plurality of placed and aligned markers; and using the known distance and placed and aligned markers in the captured aerial image to create a scale for the image. 12. A system, comprising: a first marker comprising a pair of light emitters that emit light beams that converge at a first known distance from the first marker; a second marker comprising a pair of light emitters that emit light beams that converge at a second known distance from the second marker; and a non-transitory computer-readable medium operatively coupled to a processor and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the system to: receive an aerial image of a location, the aerial image including a plurality of markers; and using at least the first known distance, the second known distance, and the plurality of markers in the aerial image, creating a scale for the image. 20. A marker, comprising: a power source to power a plurality of light emitters; a first pair of collimated light emitters, the first pair of collimated light emitters to emit visible light beams that converge at a known distance in a first direction; and a second pair of collimated light emitters, the second pair of collimated light emitters to emit visible light beams that converge at a known distance in a second direction, and an outer surface comprising a plurality of notches, wherein each of the collimated light emitters is to emit light through a respective one of the plurality of notches.